Informa plc stock (GB00BMJ6DW54): capital return boost after strong 2024 results

Informa plc has raised its dividend and extended its buyback program after reporting higher revenue and profits for 2024, backed by growth in its live events and academic segments.

Informa plc, the UK-based specialist in exhibitions, information services and academic publishing, has stepped up capital returns to shareholders on the back of solid 2024 figures and a confident outlook for 2025, including a higher dividend and an extension of its share buyback program, according to the company’s full-year report published on 03/06/2025 and a trading update issued on 05/09/2025Informa media release as of 03/06/2025Informa trading update as of 05/09/2025.

As of: 15.05.2026

By the editorial team – specialized in equity coverage.

At a glance

• Name: Informa
• Sector/industry: Business information, exhibitions, academic publishing
• Headquarters/country: London, United Kingdom
• Core markets: Global exhibitions, US and European academic and professional information markets
• Key revenue drivers: Live B2B events, specialist data and intelligence products, academic journals and books
• Home exchange/listing venue: London Stock Exchange (ticker: INF)
• Trading currency: GBP

Informa plc: core business model

Informa plc operates as an international provider of business-to-business information, exhibitions and academic content, focusing on specialist markets such as life sciences, finance, technology and engineering. The company’s model combines large-scale live events with year-round digital and data offerings, aiming to connect professional communities and support decision-making. This mix gives the group a diversified earnings base across geographies and industries, with a significant presence in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, according to its 2024 annual report published on 03/06/2025Informa media release as of 03/06/2025.

The group is organized into segments including Informa Markets, which runs trade shows and exhibitions; Informa Connect, which focuses on conferences, training and digital communities; and Taylor & Francis, its academic publishing arm. These segments are supported by a central platform that provides shared services, technology and data infrastructure, enabling the company to scale formats across sectors and regions. After the pandemic-related disruption to events, Informa has emphasized building “Omni-channel” offerings that combine in-person shows with digital extensions to maintain engagement between annual eventsInforma media release as of 03/06/2025.

Taylor & Francis focuses on academic, professional and reference content, publishing journals and books that serve university, corporate and government customers. The business has been shifting further toward online platforms and subscription models, which can provide more predictable recurring revenue compared with print-focused publishing. Informa emphasises that this academic content portfolio, combined with long-term relationships with authors and institutions, is a key differentiator versus purely events-focused peers, as described in the 2024 results documentation released on 03/06/2025Informa media release as of 03/06/2025.

Main revenue and product drivers for Informa plc

For 2024, Informa reported group revenue of around £3.7 billion and adjusted operating profit of roughly £950 million, reflecting continued recovery and growth in live events and stable performance in academic publishing, according to the company’s full-year results released on 03/06/2025Informa media release as of 03/06/2025. Informa Markets remained the largest contributor, driven by major trade shows in sectors such as healthcare, luxury goods and industrial technology. The group highlighted strong attendance and revenue growth at flagship events in the US, Middle East and Asia, supported by the return of international travel and corporate marketing budgets.

Informa Connect contributed through specialist conferences, training programs and digital communities, with particular strength in life sciences and finance-oriented events. The company stated that it has been expanding higher-value formats such as large-scale congresses and partnering programs, aiming to deepen relationships with sponsors and exhibitors. Taylor & Francis generated revenue primarily from subscriptions to academic journals and sales of digital books and databases, with the business focusing on maintaining subscription renewals, growth in open access publishing and ongoing migration from print to online deliveryInforma media release as of 03/06/2025.

Beyond headline revenue and profit, Informa emphasized cash generation and balance sheet strength. The group reported free cash flow in excess of £700 million for 2024, which supported both organic investment and shareholder returns, according to its 03/06/2025 releaseInforma media release as of 03/06/2025. Management highlighted disciplined capital allocation, including continued investment in digital platforms and data products, selective bolt-on acquisitions in growth areas, and the extension of its multi-year share buyback program. The company also reiterated its focus on maintaining an investment-grade credit profile.

For 2025, Informa issued guidance indicating an expectation of further revenue and profit growth, supported by a full calendar of large events and continued momentum at Taylor & Francis. The company pointed to resilience in key customer sectors such as life sciences and technology, as well as structural growth in B2B markets that seek targeted audiences and measurable marketing outcomes. At the same time, management acknowledged currency movements and macroeconomic uncertainty as factors that could influence reported results, according to its trading update for the first four months of 2025 released on 05/09/2025Informa trading update as of 05/09/2025.

Why Informa plc matters for US investors

Although Informa is headquartered and listed in London, the company has significant exposure to the United States through exhibitions, conferences and academic publishing. Major trade shows and conferences in the US, including in life sciences, healthcare and finance, are important contributors to Informa Markets and Informa Connect revenues, according to the company’s description of its geographic mix in its 2024 results presentation published on 03/06/2025Informa media release as of 03/06/2025. This means that trends in US corporate marketing, travel and conference activity can influence the group’s performance.

For US-based investors looking at international diversification, Informa represents exposure to global B2B events and academic content rather than a pure-play on a single country or sector. The group’s academic publishing arm Taylor & Francis serves US universities and research institutions, and changes in US research funding, library budgets and open-access regulations can affect demand patterns. Additionally, the performance of the US dollar versus the British pound can impact reported results for American investors who translate returns back into dollars, especially when dividends and buybacks are paid in sterlingInforma media release as of 03/06/2025.

Conclusion

Informa plc enters 2025 with a larger program of live events, a growing portfolio of digital and data products and an established academic publishing business, supported by a strong balance sheet and ongoing cash generation. The company has used this position to raise its dividend and continue share buybacks, signaling confidence in its medium-term prospects, according to its 2024 results release and 2025 trading updateInforma media release as of 03/06/2025Informa trading update as of 05/09/2025. At the same time, future performance will continue to depend on the resilience of global B2B marketing budgets, the pace of travel and events normalization, and competitive dynamics in academic publishing and data services.

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute investment advice. Stocks are volatile financial instruments.