Half-yearly financial report

18 November 2009

Experian, the global information services company, today issues its half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2009.

Highlights

• Another strong half of delivery, with organic revenue growth and good profit and cash flow performances.
• Revenue from continuing activities up 1% at constant exchange rates. Organic revenue growth of 1%. Total Group revenue was US$1.9bn (2008: US$2.0bn), after an adverse currency impact in the period.
• Strong margin progression. EBIT margin from continuing activities up 80 basis points to 24.0%, excluding FARES contribution.
• Continuing EBIT up 7% at constant exchange rates. Total EBIT of US$478m, in line with prior year at actual exchange rates.
• Profit before tax from continuing operations of US$351m (2008: US$318m). Benchmark profit before tax of US$437m, up 5%.
• Basic EPS of 24.5 US cents (2008: 25.5 US cents). Benchmark EPS of 31.6 US cents, up 3%. Expressed in £ sterling, Benchmark EPS was 20.1p, up 26%.
• Strong cash conversion in the half of 88% (2008: 83%).
• Net debt reduced by US$62m in the half to US$2,048m.
• First interim dividend of 7.00 US cents per ordinary share, an increase of 4%.

John Peace, Chairman of Experian, said:
“Experian has yet again delivered a good performance against a backdrop of tough market conditions. Having invested throughout the downturn, Experian is advantageously positioned to further develop and grow, building on its global scale and market leading position.”

Don Robert, Chief Executive Officer of Experian, said:
“Experian’s progress in the first half demonstrates the Group’s ability to perform through the cycle. Although the global economic recovery is still at an early stage and will take time, we have a clear strategy and are investing in a series of targeted initiatives to drive growth. In the second half, we continue to expect modest organic revenue growth and, for the year as a whole, remain on track to grow profits at constant currency and deliver strong free cash flow.”

Contact:

There will be a presentation today at 9.30am (UK time) to analysts and investors at the King Edward Hall, Merrill Lynch Financial Centre, 2 King Edward Street, London, EC1A 1HQ. The presentation can be viewed live on the Experian website at www.experianplc.com and can also be accessed live via a dial-in facility on +44 (0)20 3037 9164. The supporting slides and an indexed replay will be available on the website later in the day.

There will be a conference call to discuss the results at 3.00pm today (UK time), which will be broadcast live on the website with a recording available later. All relevant Experian announcements are available on www.experianplc.com.

Experian will update on third quarter trading on 15 January 2010, when it will issue an Interim Management Statement.

See Appendix 2 for definition of non-GAAP measures used throughout this announcement and Appendix 3 for reconciliation of revenue and EBIT by geography.

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.

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.

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 65 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2009 was US$3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and São Paulo, Brazil.
For more information, visit www.experianplc.com.

View the full press release in PDF format.