Experian plc (LON:EXPN), the global information services company, has issued its financial report for the year ended 31 March 2021.
Brian Cassin, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“Experian delivered a strong performance this year, even as the world faced the testing times posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Total revenue growth for the year was 7% and organic revenue growth was 4%, while Q4 organic revenue growth of 5% was at the top end of our guidance range.
“We have again shown Experian’s resilience in the face of external shocks, which is due to the diversity of our portfolio and our successful innovation-led investments in new opportunities. We are off to a strong start to FY22 and expect Q1 organic revenue growth in the range of 15-20% which gives us every confidence of another successful year ahead. For the year, we expect organic revenue growth in the range of 7-9%, total revenue growth of 11-13% and strong EBIT margin accretion, all at constant currency.
“I want to pay tribute to my Experian colleagues whose incredible hard work and commitment this year has steered our business successfully through challenging times. FY21 was a year when we unlocked the power of data for consumers, clients and communities across the world, using our skills and capabilities to help governments and societies to respond to the crisis, hospitals to marshal resources, governments to support businesses, and charities to care for the most vulnerable. Data will also be a key driver of economic growth as the recovery gathers pace and we will be a leading champion in using data to create a better tomorrow.”
Benchmark and Statutory financial highlights
2021 US$m | 2020 US$m | Actual rates growth % | Constant rates growth % | Organic growth %2 | |
Benchmark¹ | |||||
Revenue – ongoing activities3 | 5,357 | 5,161 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
Benchmark EBIT – ongoing activities3,4 | 1,385 | 1,386 | – | 3 | n/a |
Total Benchmark EBIT | 1,386 | 1,387 | – | 3 | n/a |
Benchmark EPS | USc 103.1 | USc 103.0 | – | 4 | n/a |
Statutory | |||||
Revenue | 5,372 | 5,179 | 4 | 6 | n/a |
Operating profit | 1,183 | 1,185 | – | 4 | n/a |
Profit before tax | 1,077 | 942 | 14 | 6 | n/a |
Basic EPS | USc 88.2 | USc 74.8 | 18 | 5 | n/a |
Total dividend | USc 47.0 | USc 47.0 | – | n/a | n/a |
1 See Appendix 1 (page 14) and note 4 to the financial statements (pages 23-25) for definitions of non-GAAP measures.
2 Organic revenue growth at constant currency.
3 Revenue and Benchmark EBIT for the year ended 31 March 2020 have been re-presented for the reclassification to exited business activities of certain B2B businesses.
4 See page 14 for reconciliation of Benchmark EBIT from ongoing activities to Profit before tax.
Highlights
o Full year revenue growth at constant currency was +7%. Full year organic revenue +4%, with Q4 +5%.
o Full year organic revenue growth in North America and Latin America +7% and +9% respectively. Organic revenue in UK and Ireland and EMEA/Asia Pacific declined (6)% and (14)% respectively.
o Full year organic growth in Consumer Services revenue was +17%, while Business-to-Business (B2B) was flat.
o Benchmark EBIT growth at constant exchange rates of +3%. Benchmark EBIT margin of 25.9% at actual exchange rates (2020: 26.9%3).
o Benchmark EPS growth of +4% at constant currency and flat at actual exchange rates.
o Conversion rate of Benchmark EBIT into Benchmark operating cash flow of 106%.
o Second interim dividend of 32.5 US cents per ordinary share, unchanged year-on-year, to bring the total for FY21 to 47.0 US cents per share.
There will be a presentation today at 9.30am (UK time) to analysts and investors via conference call. To view the slides and listen in online please go to www.experianplc.com for the link.
Experian will update on first quarter trading for FY22 on 15 July 2021.