The London, UK-listed Informa, organiser of events such as the Monaco and Ft Lauderdale boat shows, is seeing an improved business climate which has allowed it to increase its 2022 full-year targets for revenue and profits.
In its latest trading update, the company reported the following key performance highlights:
- Underlying revenue growth +41% January to October 2022
- Full-year revenue and profit targets increased
- Accelerating international B2B markets growth, improving performance in academic markets, and continuing US operating expansion
As the world’s largest event organiser – and a prominent player in international boat shows – Informa has reported a strong return of trade shows and exhibitions in most markets except China where its strong Covid pandemic control measures impacted upon the local market.
Informa PLC’s group chief executive, Stephen Carter, said: “B2B market demand is growing across many industries and most geographies, with the current exception of China, which will provide incremental growth as it reopens. Informa and its brands are at the heart of this B2B market strength.
“Our four-year GAP 2 programme continues to deliver growth and acceleration within both academic markets and B2B markets. In addition, our divestment programme has completed ahead of schedule and with returns ahead of target, significantly strengthening our balance sheet and putting Informa in a strong position for further growth and investment in 2023.”
Informa has seen a 41% underlying revenue growth for continuing businesses in the first 10 months of 2022. In terms of meeting and exceeding 2022 revenue and profit targets, the group has experienced a strong outperformance in live and on-demand events in North America, EMEA and ASEAN.
This combined with continuing growth in academic markets has allowed Informa to boost its annual revenue amount by £100m to £2,300m-£2,350m and by £15m to £490m-£505m on adjusted operating profit. This includes all divestments and additions now incorporated and with any further live and on-demand events revenue in China before year-end providing incremental growth.
For 2023, Informa foresees continuing momentum into 2023 with improving growth in open research, further return of live and on-demand events. Contributing to this has been the group’s GAP 2 Portfolio sales which have generated some $3bn through the divestment programme, with expected post-tax cash proceeds of C$2.5bn, at an average EV/EBITDA multiple of 28x. Final sale due to complete on December 1, 2022 of maritime intelligence.
