(Alliance News) - Centaur Media PLC on Thursday said it expects 2022 revenue to be up from a year earlier, while it declared a special dividend to shareholders.

Shares in Centaur Media were up 14% to 56.64 pence each in London on Thursday after midday.

The business information, training and specialist consultancy provider said it expects 2022 revenue to be at least GBP41 million, up 4.9% from GBP39.1 million a year earlier.

It also expects 2022 adjusted Ebitda margin to above 19.5%, up from 16% in 2021.

Net cash on December 31 was up 22% to GBP16.0 million from GBP13.1 million a year earlier.

Centaur Media declared a special dividend of 3 pence per share to shareholder, saying it believes in the business' long-term fundamentals and continued robust performance.

"Set against an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop, this growth demonstrates the group's overall resilience as it continues to make progress into the final year of its Margin Acceleration Plan 2023," Centaur Media said in a statement.

Looking ahead, it remained "cautiously optimistic."

"As expected, the worsening macroeconomic conditions and inflationary pressures seen in FY22 resulted in growth slowing in the second half. Accordingly, the board maintains a cautious outlook on the global economy for 2023 and remains focussed on the execution of its MAP23 strategy."

Chief Executive Officer Swag Mukerji added: "During this time, we have taken operational and financial steps to improve the quality and efficiency of our business. Whilst there remains a lack of visibility around how the macroeconomic landscape will shift in 2023, I am pleased that the Group's strong balance sheet and sustainable cashflows have given the board the confidence to return over GBP4 million to our shareholders."

By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter

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