Experian plc Investment and innovation agenda delivered strong & broad-based growth

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Experian plc (LON:EXPN) , the global information services company, today issued its financial report for the year ended 31 March 2019.

Brian Cassin, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“This was a very good year for Experian. Our investment and innovation agenda delivered strong and broad-based growth with exciting new offers for consumers and businesses. We have strengthened our prospects and expanded our opportunities; both our B2B and Consumer Services businesses delivered strongly. With another year of continued investments, FY20 is expected to deliver further strong performance, with organic revenue growth in the 6-8% range, Benchmark EBIT growth at or above revenue growth and strong progress in Benchmark earnings per share.”

Benchmark and Statutory financial highlights

2019 US$m	2018² US$m	Actual rates growth %	Constant rates growth %	Organic growth %
Benchmark¹
Revenue – ongoing activities	4,855	4,572	6	9	9
Revenue	4,861	4,584	6	9	n/a
Benchmark EBIT – ongoing activities³	1,306	1,241	5	10	n/a
Total Benchmark EBIT	1,311	1,247	5	10	n/a
Benchmark EPS	USc 98.0	USc 94.4	4	9	n/a
Statutory
Revenue	4,861	4,584	6	9	n/a
Operating profit	1,162	1,051	11	16	n/a
Profit before tax	957	950	1	7	n/a
Basic EPS	USc 76.9	USc 85.4	(10)	(1)	n/a
Total dividend	USc 46.5	USc 44.75	4	n/a	n/a

· Strong momentum continues.

o Q4 organic revenue growth of 10% and full year organic revenue growth of 9%.

o B2B full year organic revenue growth of 9%.

o Consumer Services organic revenue growth of 6% with rapidly growing new product portfolio.

o Benchmark EBIT margin of 26.9%, up 20 basis points at constant rates, down 20 basis points at actual rates, with 10% total Benchmark EBIT growth at constant rates.

o 9% Benchmark EPS growth at constant rates.

· Operational highlights.

o Broad based investments in technology and innovation driving growth across our expanding markets.

o Scaling B2B innovation across our geographies; new opportunities secured for PowerCurve, Ascend, CrossCore, Open Data platforms and Marketplace services.

o Ascend, our big data platform, installed in our largest US clients and sales secured across 4 countries.

o Direct relationships with consumers scaling rapidly as free consumer memberships reach over 55m combined across our three major markets, up from 40m last year.

o Launched Experian Boost, a major new US consumer-permissioned data offer; since March 2019 over 600,000 US consumers have already connected to Experian Boost.

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o Strong performance in Experian health with another year of double digit growth.

o Expanded venture investment programme, with new investments including Marketplace operators.

o Completed acquisition of Compuscan for R3,720m (c. $263m)4, expanding our presence across Africa.

· Continuing commitment to shareholder returns and disciplined capital allocation.

o Second interim dividend up 4% to 32.5 US cents per ordinary share; total dividend for FY19 up 4% to 46.5 US cents per ordinary share.

o Share repurchase programme of up to US$400m.