Experian : Half-yearly financial report

7am, 17 November 2020 ─ Experian plc, the global information services company, today issues its half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2020.

Brian Cassin, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

'Against the backdrop of the global pandemic we delivered a resilient performance in H1, with organic revenue growth of 2% and modest progress in constant currency EBIT. Q2 organic revenue growth was 5%, at the top end of our guidance range. The drivers of growth stemmed largely from North America and Brazil which offset COVID-19 related declines in other territories. The stand out performance across the Group was Consumer Services, where we now have nearly 100m free consumer memberships. For Q3 we expect organic revenue growth in the range of 3% to 5%.

'While COVID-19 has significantly impacted the macroeconomic environment, it has also catalysed trends which play to Experian's strengths. Innovation is our bedrock and has driven success for us in the marketplace. Once the crisis abates, we believe we will be strongly positioned to take advantage of the secular growth trends and we are excited by the opportunities we see ahead.'

Benchmark and Statutory financial highlights
	2020 US$m	2019 US$m	Actual rates growth %	Constant rates growth %	Organic growth %2
Benchmark¹
Revenue - ongoing activities	2,487	2,495	-	3	2
Revenue	2,487	2,495	-	3	n/a
Benchmark EBIT - ongoing activities3	648	670	(3)	1	n/a
Total Benchmark EBIT	648	670	(3)	1	n/a
Benchmark EPS	USc 47.9	USc 49.1	(2)	2	n/a
Statutory
Revenue	2,487	2,495	-	3	n/a
Operating profit	546	556	(2)	2	n/a
Profit before tax	458	480	(5)	(5)	n/a
Basic EPS	USc 36.7	USc 39.0	(6)	(9)	n/a
First interim dividend	USc 14.5	USc 14.5	-	n/a	n/a

Resilient first-half financial performance

• Revenue growth for H1 at constant currency was +3%.
• H1 organic revenue +2%, with Q1 (2)%, Q2 +5%.
• H1 organic revenue in North America and Latin America +7% and +5% respectively. Organic revenue in UK and Ireland and EMEA/Asia Pacific of (12)% and (18)% respectively.
• H1 organic Business-to-Business (B2B) revenue (2)%, organic Consumer Services revenue +13%.
• Q2 organic revenue in North America and Latin America +9% and +10% respectively. Q2 UK and Ireland and EMEA/Asia Pacific (8)% and (17)% respectively.
• Q2 organic revenue growth in B2B and Consumer Services +1% and +17% respectively.
• US mortgage growth added 3% to Q2 growth for the Group.
• H1 Benchmark EBIT growth at constant exchange rates of 1%.
• H1 Benchmark EBIT margin of 26.1% at actual exchange rates (2019: 26.9%).
• H1 Benchmark EPS growth of 2% at constant rates and (2)% at actual exchange rates.
• First interim dividend of 14.5 US cents per ordinary share, unchanged year-on-year.

View the full press release in PDF format.

Contacts

Experian

Nadia Ridout-Jamieson Investor queries [phone]

Gerry Tschopp Media queries

Finsbury

Rollo Head [phone]

Jenny Davey [phone]

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 third quarter trading for FY21 on 19 January 2021.

Roundings

Certain financial data has been rounded within this announcement. As a result of this rounding, the totals of data presented may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such data.

Forward looking statements

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any expected future events or results referred to in these forward-looking statements. See page 13 for further information on risks and uncertainties facing Experian.

Company website

Neither the content of the Company's website, nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website), is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

About Experian

Experian is the world's leading global information services company. During life's big moments - from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers - we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organisations to prevent identity fraud and crime.

We have 17,800 people operating across 45 countries and every day we're investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximise every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the Group.