GlobalData reports strong growth in revenue, profit

Industry intelligence specialist GlobalData reported strong growth in both revenues and profit for 2022 on Monday, with underlying revenue growth of 10% and total growth of 28% to £243.2m.

The AIM-traded firm said that was underpinned by subscriptions, which represented 81% of total revenues.

Its adjusted EBITDA was ahead 34% at £86.4m for the year ended 31 December, while its adjusted EBITDA margin improved by two percentage points to 36%.

Statutory profit before tax also grew, by £5.8m to £38.4m, reflecting an 18% increase on the prior year.

GlobalData's operating cash flow grew 41% to £85.4m from £60.5m, which was 99% of adjusted EBITDA, up from 94% in 2021.

Invoiced forward revenue growth also continued to improve, up 24% to £133.5m as at 31 December, which included underlying growth of 12%, as well as the benefit of acquisitions and currency tailwinds.

The company hiked its final dividend by 39% to 18.3p, making for a total dividend of 26p, up 35%.

Looking ahead, GlobalData said it entered the new financial year from a position of strength, and with scope for further margin improvement.

The company said it was set to deliver resilient growth, as uncertainty drove demand for its data delivered through its ‘One Platform’.

GlobalData said it had clear financial targets for 2023 and beyond, with at least 10% underlying revenue growth and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 40%, and a platform in place to drive further margin enhancement through organic and inorganic growth beyond 2023.

“We have delivered on our previously stated near-term financial targets and continue to drive the business forward,” said chief executive officer Mike Danson.

“The resilient nature of our business model underpins confidence in our ability to continue to achieve double-digit revenue growth, significant margin progression and to pay a progressive dividend.

“This year, we have continued to invest heavily in our people, our platform and in our unique product which is yielding such strong results.”

Danson said the company’s product continued to deliver “mission-critical intelligence” and insights to customers, driving strong growth across both new and existing clients.

“We enter 2023 in a position of strength with visibility on more than 80% of our 2023 revenue guidance, giving us the confidence for both growth and margin expansion into 2023 and beyond.

“I believe we are at an inflection point in our journey and poised to leverage the platform further.

“With a strong business model and differentiated product, GlobalData is well placed to capitalise on the multiple levers open to us to create long-term compounding growth and shareholder returns in the year ahead and beyond.”

At 1213 GMT, shares in GlobalData were down 0.49% at 1,229p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.