James Fisher & Sons half year results improved, guidance unchanged

James Fisher & Sons PLC shares on Tuesday slid as it reported improved profit for the first half of 2026 but did not upgrade its outlook.

Shares in the Cumbria, England-based marine engineering services provider fell 2.6% at 443.06 pence around noon in London.

The company said pretax profit in the first half of 2026 rose 71% to £2.4 million from £1.4 million a year earlier, while revenue climbed 2.1% to £195.9 million from £191.9 million.

James Fisher reported mixed market conditions with "strong performances" in the defence and maritime transport branches offsetting weakness in the energy division.

The defence division delivered a 43% increase in revenue to £53.8 million in the period compared to a year earlier, in contrast with a 21% fall in the energy division revenue to £68.1 million.

James Fisher declared no interim dividend for the period but said it remained "committed to reintroducing a sustainable dividend policy at the appropriate time."

The company said trading in the beginning of the second half of the year was in line with first.

It noted market conditions are expected to remain the same, with sustained momentum in the defence and maritime transport branches and the energy market activity still affected by geopolitical conflicts. As a consequence, it said full-year expectations remain unchanged.

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