Half-yearly financial report

10 November 2011

Experian, the global information services company, today issues its half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2011.

Highlights

• Total revenue from continuing activities up 15%. At constant exchange rates, revenue from continuing activities up 11%. Organic revenue growth of 6%. Total Group revenue of US$2.3bn (2010: US$2.0bn).
• Further margin progression. EBIT margin from continuing activities up 20 basis points to 24.5%.
• Total EBIT from continuing operations up 16%. At constant exchange rates, EBIT from continuing activities up 12%. Total EBIT of US$560m.
• Profit before tax from continuing operations of US$343m (2010: US$283m). Benchmark profit before tax of US$539m, up 20%.
• Basic EPS from continuing operations of 25.6 US cents (2010: 19.2 US cents). Benchmark EPS of 38.3 US cents, up 18%.
• Net debt of US$1,708m at 30 September 2011.
• 78% conversion of EBIT into operating cash flow, in the weaker half year for cash generation.
• First interim dividend of 10.25 US cents per ordinary share, up 14%.

Sir John Peace, Chairman, commented:
“Experian has made excellent progress in the half, creating further shareholder value through strong financial performance and a 14% dividend increase to 10.25 US cents.”

Don Robert, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“Experian has again delivered a strong performance driven by solid execution of our strategy. We are realising the benefits of investment in our global growth programme, which is increasingly apparent in our results. While the external environment remains uncertain, we are driving growth by pursuing the many opportunities open to us. For the second half, we expect organic revenue growth at least as strong as the first half. For the year as a whole, we reiterate our expectations of modest margin improvement and strong cash flow conversion.”

Contact:

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 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.

Experian will update on third quarter trading on 17 January 2012, when it will issue an Interim Management Statement.

See Appendix 2 for definition of non-GAAP measures used throughout this announcement.

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.

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 leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 80 countries. The Group 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 2011 was US$4.2 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 41 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and São Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit www.experianplc.com

View the full press release in PDF format.