Informa sticks to guidance as trading improves

(Sharecast News) - Informa reiterated full-year guidance as the events and information group reported improved trading across its business.
Revenue increased by 6% at the Informa Intelligence business and by 2.5% at Taylor & Francis. Informa increased its guidance for growth at Informa Intelligence to 6% from 4.5% and stuck to 2% guidance for Taylor & Francis.

Informa also reported improving trends at its events businesses as Covid-19 travel restrictions were relaxed. Participation in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa increased as confidence strengthened, Informa said.

The FTSE 100 stuck to its guidance for revenue of £1.8bn and adjusted operating profit of £375m for the year to the end of December. Informa's business was hammered by the pandemic, which forced it to cancel events around the world. It has been expanding digital events in light of the crisis.

Chief Executive Stephen Carter said: "We will complete the 2021 transition year in a stronger place than we anticipated at the start of the year and are now single-mindedly focused on growth and acceleration through to 2024."

The positive message did not support Informa's shares, which fell 5% to 496.4p at 08:14 GMT.