7am, 15 November 2017 ─ Experian plc, the global information services company, today issues its half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2017.

General highlights

A good start to the year, with strong B2B* growth and good progress in Consumer Services.

  • 5% total revenue growth, 5% total Benchmark EBIT growth, 6% Benchmark EPS growth.
  • 4% organic revenue growth, 7% B2B organic revenue growth.
  • Benchmark EBIT margin of 26.5%1, in line with prior year at actual rates and down 10 basis points at constant currency.

Investment in innovation is driving momentum in our business and is providing new opportunities.

  • Strong client reception for new product introductions such as Experian Ascend, Text For Credit, PowerCurve Collections, CrossCore, with many more initiatives in development.
  • Additional investments made in new sources of data and analytics, such as income and asset verification, mobile phone and low income lending data.
  • Progress in diversifying Consumer Services; strong start for IdentityWorks and encouraging developments in LendingWorks.

Continuing commitment to shareholder returns and disciplined capital allocation:

  • Four bolt-on acquisitions and investments completed, including post-balance date events.
  • US$397m returned to shareholders in the half year via share repurchases.

First interim dividend up 4% to 13.5 US cents per ordinary share.

Statutory financial highlights

   2017 US$m 2016 US$m   Total Growth %
Revenue  2,190  2,086  5
Operating Profit  518 490   6
Profit before tax  467  500  (7)
Basic EPS4  US34.5c  US40.6c  (15)

 

Benchmark financial highlights1,2

   2017 US$m  2016 US$m  Actual rates growth % Constant rates growth % 
Revenue2  2,190  2,086  5
Benchmark EBIT3  581  553  5
Benchmark PBT  541  518  4  
Benchmark EPS  US43.0c  US40.7c  6  

1 Benchmark metrics exclude the discontinued operations of email/cross-channel marketing (CCM) and prior year comparatives have been restated to reflect the transaction. 2 Revenue from ongoing activities. See Appendix 1 on page 15 and note 6 to the condensed half-yearly financial statements on pages 24-26 for definitions of non-GAAP measures. 3 See page 7 for reconciliation of Benchmark EBIT from ongoing activities to Profit before tax. * B2B = business-to-business activities consists of Credit Services (5% organic revenue growth), Decision Analytics (12%) and Marketing Services (9%) business lines. 4 Basic EPS has reduced to 34.5 US cents from 40.6 US cents in 2016. The decrease reflects higher non-cash costs for financing fair value remeasurements (see Note 10c) and a loss from discontinued operations (see Note 12a).

Brian Cassin, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“We have started the year well and are on course to deliver stronger organic revenue growth as we move through the year. We are now consistently delivering strong growth in our B2B activities and anticipate a further moderation in the decline of Consumer Services as new product launches take root. The benefits of investments in our technology transformation, our One Experian approach and exciting new product innovations are visible in our results and we are laying foundations for strengthening performance as we move forward.

“Looking ahead, we continue to expect good levels of growth for the year, with organic revenue growth in the mid-single digit range and stable margins as we invest in our operations and growth initiatives. We also continue to expect further progress in Benchmark earnings per share.”

View the full press release in PDF format.

Contacts

Experian

Nadia Ridout-Jamieson             Investor queries                                   +44 (0)20 3042 4215

Gerry Tschopp                          Media queries

Finsbury

Rollo Head                                                                                          +44 (0)20 7251 3801

Jenny Davey

There will be a presentation today at 9.30am (UK time) to analysts and investors at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Financial Centre, 2 King Edward Street, London, EC1A 1HQ. The presentation can be viewed live via the link from the Experian website at www.experianplc.com and can also be accessed live via a telephone dial-in facility: 0800 783 0906 (UK primary) or 01296 480 100 (UK direct) or +44 1296 480 100 (International direct), using access code 165 053 46. The supporting slides and an indexed replay will be available on the website later in the day.

Experian will update on third quarter trading for FY18 on 18 January 2018.

Roundings

Certain financial data have been rounded within this announcement. As a result of this rounding, the totals of data presented may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such data.

Forward looking statements

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any expected future events or results referred to in these forward looking statements. See page 14 for further information on risks and uncertainties facing Experian.

Company website

Neither the content of the Company’s website, nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company’s website (or any other website), is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

About Experian

Experian is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments – from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers – we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organisations to prevent identity fraud and crime.

We have 16,000 people operating across 37 countries and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximise every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the Group.

Top