Experian plc (LSE:EXPN) reported record results for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, with revenue from ongoing operations increasing 13% at actual exchange rates and 8% organically. Benchmark EBIT from continuing activities rose 15%, helping expand margins to 28.6%, while post-tax return on capital employed improved to 17.2%.
Growth was recorded across all major regions, with North America delivering 10% revenue growth, Latin America 8%, UK and Ireland 2%, and EMEA and Asia Pacific 5%. Both the B2B and Consumer Services divisions benefited from sustained customer demand, continued cloud migration initiatives in North America and Brazil, and approximately US$2 billion in revenue generated from newer and scaling products.
Earnings growth and shareholder returns
Benchmark earnings per share increased 15% during the year, while statutory basic EPS rose 29%. Strong cash generation supported a benchmark operating cash flow conversion rate of 93%, with net debt to Benchmark EBITDA standing at 1.7x.
The company increased its full-year dividend by 11% and completed US$725 million of share repurchases during the period. Experian also invested US$792 million in acquisitions aimed at strengthening its data and technology capabilities.
In addition, the group announced a new US$1 billion share buyback programme, reflecting management’s confidence in continued double-digit earnings growth, additional margin expansion and further opportunities across its addressable markets despite broader macroeconomic uncertainty, including geopolitical risks linked to the Middle East.
Outlook and market considerations
Experian’s outlook continues to be supported by strong financial execution and positive sentiment following its latest earnings update. The newly announced share repurchase programme is also viewed as supportive of shareholder returns.
However, some technical indicators point to a weaker market trend, while the company’s elevated price-to-earnings ratio has raised concerns about valuation levels despite ongoing operational momentum.
More about Experian
Experian plc is a global data and technology business providing analytics, software and platform solutions across industries including financial services, healthcare, automotive, insurance and agrifinance. The company supports areas such as lending, fraud prevention, digital marketing and healthcare decision-making.
Listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 100, Experian employs around 25,200 people across 33 countries and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
The group also operates a large consumer services platform, offering tools designed to help individuals improve their financial wellbeing. More than 215 million free members worldwide use its services, supporting future monetisation and product expansion opportunities.
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