Preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2011

18 May 2011

Experian, the global information services company, today issues its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2011.

Highlights

  • Experian has met or exceeded all financial objectives for the year. Strong organic revenue growth, margin improvement and excellent cash flow conversion, driven by execution against strategy.
  • Revenue from continuing activities up 10% at constant exchange rates. Organic revenue growth of 8%. Total Group revenue of US$4.2bn (2010: US$3.9bn).
  • Further margin progression. EBIT margin from continuing activities up 30 basis points to 24.8%.
  • EBIT from continuing activities up 11% at constant exchange rates. Total EBIT of US$1,044m, up 12% at actual exchange rates.
  • Profit before tax from continuing operations of US$679m (2010: US$600m). Benchmark profit before tax of US$973m, up 14%.
  • Basic EPS of 57.9 US cents (2010: 59.0 US cents). Benchmark EPS of 70.0 US cents, up 10%.
  • 98% conversion of EBIT into operating cash flow. Net debt reduced by US$126m to US$1,501m.
  • Net share repurchases of US$349m in the year.
  • Second interim dividend of 19.00 US cents per ordinary share, to give full-year dividend of 28.00 US cents per ordinary share, up 22%.

John Peace, Chairman, commented:
“Experian has delivered its tenth consecutive year of record earnings before interest and tax, representing a major milestone in the company’s history. The business has made excellent progress, creating shareholder value through its strategic execution, strong financial performance, capital management strategy and a 22% dividend increase to 28.00 US cents per share.”
Don Robert, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“Experian performed strongly in FY11. We delivered against our financial and operational objectives, with strong organic revenue growth, margin expansion and excellent cash flow conversion. Strategically, we are executing well against a series of high-impact growth initiatives, designed to build on our market-leading position and sustain growth in the future. For the year ahead, we expect another year of good growth, and are aiming for organic revenue growth in the mid-high single digit range, modest margin improvement and strong cash flow conversion. Due to strong comparatives in the first half, we expect some variability within this range quarter-to-quarter.”

Contact:

Experian
Don Robert Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)20 3042 4215
Paul Brooks Chief Financial Officer
Nadia Ridout-Jamieson Director of Investor Relations
James Russell Public Relations Director
Finsbury
Rollo Head +44 (0)20 7251 3801
Don Hunter

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.

There will be a conference call today for bond analysts and investors at 3.00pm (UK time). This will be broadcast live on the Experian website at www.experianplc.com with supporting slides. A replay will be available on the website later in the day.

Experian will update on first quarter trading on 15 July 2011, 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 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 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.

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