Character Group guides full-year profit ahead of market expectations

Tue, 12th May 2026 15:26

(Alliance News) - Character Group PLC on Tuesday said it expects full-year profit "significantly ahead" of market expectations, sending its shares almost 10% higher.

The Surrey, England-based toys, games and giftware company reported GBP2.3 million in pretax profit for the six months ended February 28, down 27% from GBP3.2 million a year prior.

Revenue was 8.9% lower at GBP48.3 million from GBP53.0 million, with Character reporting a "substantial impact" from US tariffs.

"The macro-economic challenges in global markets have had a bearing on the first half sales to 28 February 2026 compared to the first half in the last financial year. These conditions continue to have an impact on trade generally and have been augmented by more recent developments in the Middle East," said the company.

The company declared an increased interim dividend of 4.0 pence per share, up 33% from 3.0p a year earlier.

Shares in the company were trading 9.4% higher at 269.00 pence on Tuesday afternoon in London.

Looking ahead, Character continues to anticipate flat turnover for financial 2026, and sees it maintaining its improved interim gross margin for the remainder of the financial year.

Character also guided pretax profit before highlighted items for the financial year "significantly above" current market expectations.

The company anticipates releasing its full-year results in December.

By Christopher Ward, Alliance News reporter

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