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1. Company Snapshot

1.a. Company Description

Informa plc operates as an intelligence, events, and scholarly research company worldwide.It operates through five divisions: Informa Connect, Informa Intelligence, Informa Markets, Informa Tech, and Taylor & Francis.The Informa Connect division delivers specialist content and live experiences through in-person and virtual events, and digital platforms and services that enables businesses and professionals to meet, connect, learn, and share knowledge.


This division operates events in the finance, biotech and pharma, and other specialist markets, including food and hospitality, marketing, and pop culture.The Informa Intelligence division offers critical data and specialist intelligence to businesses in the areas of pharma, finance, and maritime.The Informa Markets division connects buyers and sellers and supports the flow of business and trade in various specialist markets.


Its major brands help businesses meet, discover products, trade and grow through major exhibitions, virtual events, digital marketplaces, and specialist content and data services.The Informa Tech division offers research, media, training, and events that inform, educate, and connect businesses and professionals working in technology.The Taylor & Francis division commissions, curates, produces, and publishes scholarly research and reference-led content in specialist subject areas, which assists to advance research and enabling knowledge to be discovered and shared.


This segment houses teaching guides, videos, case studies, and approximately 18,000 book chapters and journal articles.The company was formerly known as T&F Informa plc and changed its name to Informa plc in August 2005.Informa plc was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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1.b. Last Insights on INF

Informa plc's recent performance has been driven by several positive factors. The company's TechTarget segment has reported revenue in line with guidance, indicating a stable growth trajectory. Additionally, Informa's CEO has emphasized the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate growth, suggesting a strategic focus on innovation. Furthermore, the company's Zephyr subsidiary has been named a finalist in three wealth management industry awards categories, highlighting its expertise in asset and wealth management software. Informa's commitment to hosting high-profile events, such as FinovateFall and the FinovateAwards, also underscores its position as a leader in the fintech industry.

1.c. Company Highlights

2. Informa's Strong Half-Year Performance

Informa reported a strong half-year performance with underlying revenue growth of 8% and profit growth exceeding revenue growth. The company's EPS came out at 0.298, relative to estimates at 0.2844. Revenue grew to 2005.41 million, beating estimates. The company's guidance for the year has been increased to 6% plus/minus growth.

Publication Date: Jul -24

📋 Highlights
  • Revenue Growth: Informa's half-year results show an underlying revenue growth of 8%, with reported revenue growth exceeding expectations.
  • Business Segment Growth: The B2B Events business grew over 8%, while the academic business, Taylor & Francis, grew around 12%, with strong performance in Open Research and data licensing agreements.
  • Guidance Upgrade: Informa has upgraded its guidance for the year to 6% plus/minus growth, and increased its share buyback program to GBP 150 million, with a focus on delivering value to customers.
  • Financial Performance: The company's debt has decreased to about 2.5x, within the target range, with a strong balance sheet and a progressive dividend policy, and EPS normalized for the period was 0.30, beating the consensus estimate of 0.28.

Financial Highlights

The company's B2B Events business delivered over 8% growth, while the academic business, Taylor & Francis, grew around 12%. The company's debt has decreased to about 2.5x, within the target range. Informa's management team expressed confidence in the company's performance, with a solid foundation for growth.

Segment Performance

The B2B Events business saw 8.5% growth in H1, driven by a mix of price, volume, and new revenue sources. The academic business is tracking around 3-4% underlying growth, with strong performance in Open Research and data licensing agreements. The company has high visibility and confidence in its forward bookings, particularly through to the end of 2025 and into 2026.

Valuation Metrics

At current prices, Informa trades at a P/E Ratio of 38.45, a P/B Ratio of 1.77, and a P/S Ratio of 3.16. The EV/EBITDA ratio is 13.59, and the Dividend Yield is 2.11%. The Free Cash Flow Yield is 6.87%, and the ROIC is 4.22%. The Net Debt / EBITDA ratio is 2.87.

Growth Outlook

The company expects to maintain its operating profit margin in the second half of the year, with a growth rate similar to the first half. Informa's management team is confident in the company's growth outlook, with a strong portfolio and improving operational foundation.

Risk Factors

The company notes that the NIH cuts may have a lesser impact on Informa, given the mix of its business, particularly in humanities. However, the company does not see structural issues in the US enterprise tech market as a major concern, but rather as an opportunity.

3. NewsRoom

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SupplySide Connect New Jersey Previews Lineup and Agenda for 2026 Edition

Dec -03

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Zephyr Selects QUODD's QX Digital to Power Market Data, Analytics, and Reporting Capabilities

Dec -03

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The International Surface Event 2026 Returns to Las Vegas to Drive Innovation, Education and Industry Connection

Dec -02

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Zephyr Releases PSN Top Guns List for Q3 2025, Highlighting Best-In-Class Separate Accounts, Managed Accounts and Managed ETF Strategies

Nov -21

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Why The Story Around Informa Is Changing After Positive Analyst Updates

Nov -21

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ISSA Show North America 2025 Unites Global Cleaning and Facility Solutions Industry in Las Vegas

Nov -20

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Licensing Expo 2026 Unveils the World's Largest, Most Influential Brand Licensing Event

Nov -20

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MEDevice Silicon Valley 2025 Keynotes to Feature Visionary MedTech Leaders

Nov -17

4. Business Breakdown

4.a. Revenues by Country

4.b. Revenues by Segment

5. Expected revenues mid-term growth (8.47%)

6. Segments

Informa Markets

Expected Growth: 8%

Informa Markets' 8% growth driven by increasing demand for business-to-business (B2B) events and digital services, expansion into emerging markets, strategic acquisitions, and a strong portfolio of brands. Additionally, the company's focus on data analytics and customer insights has enabled it to provide high-value services to clients, further fueling growth.

Taylor & Francis

Expected Growth: 9%

Taylor & Francis' 9% growth is driven by increasing demand for academic and professional content, expansion into emerging markets, strategic acquisitions, and a shift towards digital platforms. Additionally, the growth of open access publishing, partnerships with research institutions, and a strong brand reputation contribute to the segment's growth.

Informa Connect

Expected Growth: 8.5%

Informa Connect's 8.5% growth is driven by increasing demand for face-to-face events, expansion into high-growth markets, and strategic acquisitions. The segment benefits from its diversified portfolio of conferences and training events, strong brand recognition, and a loyal customer base. Additionally, Informa's investment in digital capabilities and data analytics enhances the overall customer experience, further fueling growth.

Informa Tech

Expected Growth: 9.5%

Informa Tech's 9.5% growth is driven by increasing demand for digital transformation, cloud computing, and cybersecurity solutions. The segment benefits from its diversified portfolio of brands, including Ovum, Omdia, and Light Reading, which provide research, data, and events to the tech industry. Additionally, Informa Tech's expansion into emerging markets and strategic acquisitions contribute to its growth momentum.

7. Detailed Products

Academic Publishing

Informa publishes academic journals, books, and online resources in fields such as life sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences.

Business Intelligence

Informa provides business intelligence and data analytics solutions to help companies make informed decisions and stay competitive.

Events and Exhibitions

Informa organizes and hosts conferences, trade shows, and exhibitions across various industries, including healthcare, finance, and technology.

Knowledge and Networking

Informa offers training and professional development programs, as well as online communities and networking platforms.

Market Research Reports

Informa publishes market research reports and analysis on various industries and markets.

8. Informa plc's Porter Forces

Forces Ranking

Threat Of Substitutes

Informa plc operates in a niche market with limited substitutes, but the threat of substitutes is still present due to the evolving nature of the industry.

Bargaining Power Of Customers

Informa plc's customers have limited bargaining power due to the specialized nature of the company's products and services.

Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

Informa plc's suppliers have some bargaining power due to the company's reliance on a few key suppliers, but the company's size and scale also give it some negotiating power.

Threat Of New Entrants

The threat of new entrants is low due to the high barriers to entry in Informa plc's markets, including the need for specialized knowledge and expertise.

Intensity Of Rivalry

The intensity of rivalry in Informa plc's markets is high due to the presence of several established competitors and the need for continuous innovation to stay ahead.

9. SWOT Analysis

10. Capital Structure

10.a. Balance Sheet

10.b. Weighted Average Cost of capital

Value
Debt Weight 18.61%
Debt Cost 4.15%
Equity Weight 81.39%
Equity Cost 9.43%
WACC 8.45%
Leverage 22.86%

11. Quality Control: Informa plc passed 6 out of 9 key points

12.a Historical Valuation

12.b Price/Earnings Ratio

12.c Margin Valuation

12.d Peers Valuation

Peers Group Analysis

Stock-Card
RCS MediaGroup

A-Score: 7.5/10

Value: 8.5

Growth: 3.7

Quality: 6.9

Yield: 9.4

Momentum: 8.5

Volatility: 8.0

1-Year Total Return ->

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Telenor

A-Score: 6.9/10

Value: 4.8

Growth: 3.3

Quality: 5.7

Yield: 8.8

Momentum: 9.0

Volatility: 10.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Orange Polska

A-Score: 6.5/10

Value: 7.3

Growth: 4.1

Quality: 4.5

Yield: 8.1

Momentum: 7.0

Volatility: 8.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Pearson

A-Score: 6.2/10

Value: 6.4

Growth: 5.1

Quality: 7.2

Yield: 4.4

Momentum: 5.5

Volatility: 8.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Informa

A-Score: 5.1/10

Value: 2.4

Growth: 6.2

Quality: 4.2

Yield: 2.5

Momentum: 6.5

Volatility: 9.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Schibsted

A-Score: 4.3/10

Value: 4.1

Growth: 3.0

Quality: 7.3

Yield: 1.9

Momentum: 5.5

Volatility: 4.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Peers Metrics

12.e Scoring Insights

12.f DCF BETA

Parameters

Short Term Growth

Short term Time

Long-Term Growth

WACC

Target Price

9.49$

Current Price

9.49$

Potential

-0.00%

Expected Cash-Flows