Preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2018
7am, 17 May 2018 ─ Experian plc, the global information services company, today issues its financial report for the year ended 31 March 2018.
A strong finish to the year.
FY18: good progress, with momentum in B2B* and improving trends in Consumer Services.
Significant progress on our strategy.
Continuing commitment to shareholder returns and disciplined capital allocation:
Statutory financial highlights
2018 US$m | 2017 US$m | Total Growth % | |
Revenue | 4,662 | 4,335 | 8 |
Operating profit | 1,095 | 1,075 | 2 |
Profit before tax | 994 | 1,071 | (7) |
Profit after tax from cont. operations | 845 | 812 | 4 |
Basic EPS (Continuing) | US92.1c | US86.5c | 6 |
Basic EPS 4 | US88.9c | US92.1c | (3) |
Benchmark financial highlights¹
2018 US$m | 2017² US$m | Actual rates growth % | Constant rates growth % | |
Revenue¹ | 4,657 | 4,330 | 8 | 7 |
Benchmark EBIT3 | 1,290 | 1,197 | 8 | 7 |
Benchmark PBT | 1,206 | 1,124 | 7 | 6 |
Benchmark Earnings | 897 | 831 | 8 | 7 |
Benchmark EPS | US97.8c | US88.4c | 11 | 10 |
Total dividend | US44.75c | US41.5c | 8 | n/a |
1 Revenue from ongoing activities. See Appendix 1 on page 15 and note 4 to the financial statements on pages 26-27 for definitions of non-GAAP measures.
2 Results for 2017 are restated for exited business activities, comprised of our Experian Public Records business, divested in March 2018.
3 See page 7 for reconciliation of Benchmark EBIT from ongoing activities to Profit before tax.
4 Basic EPS has reduced to 88.9 US cents from 92.1 US cents (2017). The decrease reflects higher non-cash costs for financing fair value remeasurements (see Note 7a) and a loss from discontinued operations (see Note 10a). * B2B = business-to-business activities consists of Credit Services (7% organic revenue growth), Decision Analytics (12%) and Marketing Services (7%) business lines.
Brian Cassin, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“We delivered a strong performance in FY18 as we execute on our innovation agenda and our One Experian approach. Growth was particularly strong across B2B and we have made significant progress in Consumer Services, which returned to growth in North America in the fourth quarter. “The investments we have made will continue to power our performance. We begin the year with momentum in the business, and we expect another year of strong performance, with EBIT growth at or above revenue growth and further strong 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 774 306 59. The supporting slides and an indexed replay will be available on the website later in the day.
Experian will update on first quarter trading for FY19 on 13 July 2018.
Roundings
Certain financial data has 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 Note 26 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 16,500 people operating across 39 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.