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Intertek Group PLC on Tuesday said it was ‘poised for global growth’, as it posted steady annual earnings and raised its dividend. Despite the company’s optimism, Intertek shares fell 12% to 4,162.00 pence on Tuesday morning in London and are down 19% over the past year. The wider FTSE 100 index was down 2.5%. The London-based assurance, inspection, product testing and certification company booked pretax profit of £493.4 million in 2025, up 0.7% from £490.0 million in 2024. Adjusted pretax profit rose to £569.0 million from £547.8 million, tracking slightly ahead of company-compiled consensus, which had forecast £563 million. Operating profit advanced 1.2% to £542.3 million from £535.7 million, and adjusted operating profit was up 5.0% on-year to £619.6 million, just missing consensus of £613 million,. Revenue edged up to £3.43 billion from £3.39 billion, ahead of Intertek’s prior guidance of £3.34 billion. Like-for-like sales improved to £3.39 billion from £3.42 billion. This was a rise of 0.7%, or 3.9% at constant exchange rates. In 2024, revenue had grown by approximately 1.9% on a reported basis, and was up 6.3% on a LFL, constant currency basis. Diluted earnings per share increased to 216.0 pence in 2025 from 212.7p in 2024, while adjusted diluted EPS increased to 253.5p from 240.6p, beating the consensus estimate of 249.4p. Intertek has proposed a higher final dividend of 107.7 pence per share, up from 102.6p in 2024, which lifts the total dividend by 5.4% to 165.0p from 156.5 pence, as previously guided. The company noted it has completed its £350 million share buyback programme, but it didn’t declare a new buyback on Tuesday. Looking to 2026, Intertek said it remained confident, forecasting high single-digit like-for-like revenue growth from Corporate Assurance. It expects a mid-single-digit growth rate in the Consumer Products division, and a low single-digit rise for Health & Safety. These are all at constant exchange rates. Additionally, Intertek sees ‘strong free cash flow’ and sustained margin growth, following an increase to 18.1% in 2025 from 17.4% in 2024. In the medium term, Intertek guided a minimum margin of 18.5%. ‘Our confidence is based on three simple reasons: we continue to expect mid-single digit revenue growth enabling us to benefit from a good operating leverage; we will continue to drive efficiencies in our business; and we will continue to pursue higher margin opportunities in our portfolio,’ said Chief Executive Andre Lacroix. ‘Our enduring competitive advantages underpin our confidence to deliver quality growth moving forward. We have a high quality portfolio with leading scale positions in attractive industries poised for global growth,’ the CEO continued. ‘All of my colleagues are energised about the opportunities ahead and laser-focused on the delivery of quality growth for our stakeholders.’ Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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