Informa Reports H1 Loss, Raises FY25 Revenue, Earnings Guidance

Informa plc reported a first-half 2025 statutory loss before tax primarily due to a significant non-cash goodwill impairment in its marketing services business, TechTarget, despite a 20% revenue increase to £2.04 billion and a 24% rise in adjusted operating profit. The company raised its full-year underlying revenue growth forecast to around 6% and adjusted earnings growth target to over 10%, highlighting strong demand for live trade shows and business events, which CEO Stephen Carter described as increasingly valuable for market access amid geopolitical tensions. Informa also increased its interim dividend by 9.4% to 7.0 pence and announced an additional £150 million in share buybacks for the second half of 2025, bringing total buybacks to £350 million for the year. The academic publishing division Taylor & Francis saw some softness expected in 2025 after one-off data licensing deals boosted 2024 results, while the TechTarget division faces subdued market conditions as customers shift budgets from marketing to AI development. Despite the headline loss, management's upgraded guidance and dividend hike signal confidence in the company's growth momentum and resilience in a challenging economic environment. Informa is also focusing on strategic priorities including international expansion and AI-driven productivity gains, aiming to capitalize on growth opportunities in emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India, and Vietnam.