LONDON (Alliance News) - SDL PLC reported a "solid" improvement in annual performance on Wednesday, with all of its operating divisions contributing to growth.
SDL, a content management and language translation software firm, posted revenue of GBP323.3 million for 2018, up 13% from the GBP287.2 million recorded in 2017.
On an organic basis, stripping out any currency movements, revenue rose 4.5% year-on-year.
Pretax profit was GBP18.4 million for 2018, SDL said, up 8.2%.
SDL declared a total dividend for 2018 of 7.0 pence per share, up from 6.2p a year prior.
"The enlarged SDL group is performing in line with our expectations and we look forward to another year of progress against our strategic targets and financial goals of revenue, profit and margin growth. Much of the transformational heavy-lifting has now been completed," said Chief Executive Adolfo Hernandez.
"Our key programmes for 2019 include the optimisation of the Helix automation programme; further integration of DLS, innovation in Language Cloud and Linguistic AI; building our premium services and solutions and streamlining our back-office operations," he continued.
"Although uncertainty remains as to the outcome of the Brexit negotiations between the UK and EU, the group has adopted an approach we believe will allow us to manage the risks and opportunities Brexit brings."
DLS, or Donnelley Language Solutions, was bought last July for USD77.5 million.
Looking divisionally, the largest segment, Language Services, delivered revenue growth of 18% to GBP218.2 million, with organic growth 5.2%. Adjusted operating profit rose to GBP23.0 million, up 22%.
In SDL's Language Technologies, revenue rose 1.6% to GBP49.8 million, but adjusted operating profit fell to 6.9% to GBP9.5 million.
Lastly, Content Technologies revenue climbed 3.0% to GBP55.3 million, while adjusted operating profit was up 49% to GBP14.9 million.
"We are positioned well in large, growing markets and with a unique set of technologies, services and solutions to meet our customers' evolving needs," said Hernandez.
"I remain convinced achievement of our strategic objectives will create significant value for all our stakeholders and achieve our financial goals."
"SDL's growth strategy is primarily organic but with the potential to be complemented by M&A. Consolidation is a feature of our markets and we will look at businesses that accelerate our strategic objectives," he added.
Shares were up 0.9% at 551.00 pence early Wednesday.
