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Hill & Smith PLC on Thursday said trading in the four months to April has been positive and slightly ahead of expectations, reflecting continuing robust demand for infrastructure solutions in the US. As a result, the Solihull, England-based infrastructure products provider now expects 2026 underlying group operating profit to be at the top end of analyst expectations, of between £157.6 million and £160.5 million. This would be up from the £151.3 million posted in 2025. Hill & Smith said revenue was up 5% in the four months to April on an organic constant currency basis, driven by double-digit organic growth from its US businesses. Its operating margin was similar to the prior year period. While its US businesses prospered, Hill & Smith said UK & India Engineered Solutions has continued to see subdued demand in the UK, as expected. The operating margin declined, with Hill & Smith noting that the prior year benefited from transport infrastructure projects, which did not repeat in the current period. Hill & Smith said it will provide further details on actions to improve UK performance alongside interim results. Major organic growth investments in the US, Hill & Smith’s largest market, are progressing as planned. Additionally, the company said that recent acquisitions Freeberg and Hentech are performing in line with expectations. ‘We continue to actively progress a pipeline of further attractive M&A opportunities aligned to our priority end-market framework,’ Hill & Smith added. Shares in Hill & Smith rose 1.7% to 2,670.00 pence each in London on Thursday, Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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