Informa PLC (LSE:INF) reported full-year 2025 results on Thursday that broadly met expectations, while reaffirming its 2026 outlook despite some travel disruption in the Middle East. The company also increased its share buyback program by £50 million, bringing the total to £250 million.
The international B2B events and academic publishing group recorded revenue of £4,041.4 million for 2025, representing a 13.7% increase on a reported basis and 6.3% underlying growth compared with £3,553.1 million in 2024.
Adjusted operating profit rose 14.6% year-over-year to £1,139.8 million from £995.0 million. Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 11.0% to 55.6 pence, up from 50.1 pence a year earlier, marking the company’s fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth.
The B2B Live Events division — which includes Informa Markets, Informa Connect, and Informa Festivals — reported underlying revenue growth of 9.5%, reaching £3,002.6 million.
In contrast, Taylor & Francis posted an underlying revenue decline of 2.1% to £670.8 million when excluding non-recurring data contracts. Informa TechTarget also recorded a modest underlying revenue decline of 1.7% to £368.0 million.
“The Informa Group delivered an outstanding performance in 2025, delivering double-digit growth in revenues, adjusted earnings per share and cash flow,” said Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive.
For 2026, Informa expects underlying revenue growth of approximately 6%, with its B2B Live Events segment projected to expand by more than 7%.
The company noted that roughly 40% of revenue generated from its India, Middle East and Africa (IMEA) region has already been delivered or relates to brands operating in locations unaffected by disruption.
After successfully rescheduling affected events, the remaining brands are expected to run as planned or have secured confirmed dates during the final four months of the year.
Free cash flow increased 9.0% to £884.8 million, compared with £812.1 million in the previous year, representing operating cash conversion of 106%. Net debt declined to £3,066.2 million from £3,201.8 million, while leverage stood at 2.4 times adjusted EBITDA.
The board recommended a final dividend of 15.0 pence per share, bringing total dividends for 2025 to 22.0 pence per share, a 10% increase from 20.0 pence in the prior year.
More about Informa
Informa PLC (LSE:INF) is a global provider of business-to-business events, digital services, and academic publishing. Its portfolio includes major international exhibitions, specialist conferences, and the Taylor & Francis academic publishing business, serving industries ranging from finance and healthcare to technology and energy.
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