British events and academic publishing powerhouse Informa has adjusted its profit forecast, stepping back from its ambitious £1 billion target for 2024. The FTSE 100 constituent now projects adjusted operating profit to exceed £975 million, a modest revision from its previous outlook of over £970 million with potential upside to £1 billion.
The London-headquartered firm reported an impressive 10.7 per cent revenue growth in the first ten months of 2024, primarily propelled by its thriving live events division. This performance reflects the broader industry renaissance, as corporate gatherings and exhibitions continue their robust post-pandemic recovery.
In a strategic update, Informa raised its annual cashflow forecast to more than £750 million, incorporating the impact of its Ascential acquisition. The company maintains its full-year guidance, buoyed by strong forward bookings that signal sustained momentum into 2025.
Transaction-led live events emerged as a standout performer, delivering 13.5 per cent growth, while technology-focused business-to-business events and digital services achieved an 11.2 per cent increase. The company’s geographical diversification proved beneficial, with the Americas contributing 45 per cent of group revenue and Asia accounting for 25 per cent.
Chief Executive Stephen Carter expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory, highlighting the persistent demand for high-quality face-to-face events. The success of Cityscape Global in Riyadh exemplified this trend, attracting over 170,000 participants and generating more than $61 billion in transactions.
Despite these positive developments, Investec analysts cautioned about potential headwinds, noting concerns over future US-China trade relations that might impact sentiment in 2025. The company’s shares responded to the news with a modest decline, closing down 10¾p at 844½p.
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