YouGov stock climbs on buyback launch and "notable growth"

YouGov PLC on Tuesday said it is confident of meeting market expectations for future growth, after reporting "a good performance" in its latest financial year.

Its shares were 10% higher at 297.20 pence each on Tuesday in London.

The London-based market research company said revenue rose 2.0% to £396.6 million for the 12 months ended July 31, from £388.9 million. YouGov said this reflected a good performance in its Data Products and Research divisions.

Pretax profit, however, fell 66% to £6.2 million from £18.1 million. Adjusted pretax profit decreased 15% to £41.3 million from £48.8 million.

Operating profit fell 32% to £21.2 million from £31.4 million, "due to non-cash impairment charges on goodwill and intangible assets," while adjusted operating profit declined 11% to £54.3 million from £60.7 million.

Administrative expenses increased 4.8% to £302.0 million from £288.2 million.

Nonetheless, YouGov said the full-year results "demonstrate a good performance, in line with the group's guidance, following notable growth in the second half of the year."

The firm believes that its 'Value Delivery Plan' "is being executed well, delivering benefits earlier than planned, which coupled with growth initiatives and innovation provide an increasingly positive outlook for YouGov."

The plan's 'Wave 2', it added, is delivering benefits "quicker than expected," while "initiatives to support increased revenue growth are ongoing and are the foundations of Wave 3 of the VDP."

It added that the strategic review of its Shopper division continues, and it will provide further updates "in due course". The segment delivered "resilient" revenue and its "ongoing targeted investment plan" is "progressing well", with the benefits expected to show in the current financial year.

YouGov expects to report adjusted operating profit between £58 million and £61 million for the year ending July 31 2027, reflecting on-year growth of 7% to 12%, and "in line with current market expectations."

"There has been an encouraging start to the year with current trading in line with expectations and 49% of FY27 revenue expectations contractually secured," it said.

"The broader macroeconomic focus on investment in AI infrastructure capable of delivering higher productivity underpins the growing importance of trusted data in an AI-driven world within the market research industry," commented Chief Executive Stephan Shakespeare, who is moving to a non-executive role early next year with Wayne Levings succeeding him. "This creates a significant opportunity for YouGov...I am confident that the actions we have taken to stabilise performance and strengthen the organisation mean that YouGov is well positioned to capitalise on the significant opportunities ahead."

YouGov also announced the launch of an up to £15 million share buyback programme, in lieu of an annual dividend for financial 2026. It previously paid a 9.25p per share dividend for the prior year.

The firm intends to cancel all repurchased shares, and expects to complete the programme within the second half of financial 2027.

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