Media - Mcap: £1,394m - Price: 312.6p - QuickView
Ascential (ASCL)
Clarity and focus on key platforms
Ascential is now emerging in its post-transaction form, with a clear focus on its events-led businesses in marketing and financial technology. FY23 financial performance came in ahead of market expectations, despite some headwinds in the fintech market, with a particularly good improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin in the marketing segment from 40.4% to 42.6%, delivered on 22% organic revenue growth. Corporate transactions have raised £1.2bn (with more to be generated through the sale of Hudson MX, currently progressing). £850m is being returned to shareholders via the combination of a tender offer, special dividend and an on-market buyback.
Analyst
Fiona Orford-Williams
Media analyst
media@edisongroup.com