GlobalData Navigates Macro Headwinds, Revenue Rises but Profitability Tempered

GlobalData Plc (LON: DATA), a leading data, insight, and technology company, released a trading update on October 20, 2025, outlining its performance for the financial year ending December 31, 2025.

While revenue remains on track, profitability expectations have been slightly adjusted downwards.

The Group reported a 13.5% revenue increase in the third quarter, fueled by a 2% rise in underlying subscription revenue (up from 1% in H1 2025) and contributions from recent acquisitions.

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Contracted Forward Revenue also showed positive momentum, accelerating to 4% underlying growth as of September 30, 2025, compared to 3% in the first half. Despite macroeconomic challenges and foreign currency headwinds, the company anticipates delivering low single-digit underlying revenue growth for FY25, aligning with market consensus.

However, increased investment in the second half of the year and slower-than-expected integration of acquired businesses are impacting profitability.

The second-half Adjusted EBITDA margin is now projected to be approximately 37% (H1 2025: 33%). Consequently, the Adjusted FY25 EBITDA margin is expected to be around 35%, with an organic margin of approximately 38%.

The company anticipates that the recent acquisitions and Growth Transformation Plan (GTP) will achieve expected run-rate cost synergies by the end of FY25. These synergies are expected to drive the Group margin back towards the 40% benchmark in FY26, leaving synergy contribution expectations unchanged.

GlobalData is optimistic about its growth prospects, driven by the continued execution of its Growth Transformation Plan.

The fourth quarter, the Group’s largest for billing, is showing encouraging progress in Contracted Forward Revenue growth and a modest acceleration in underlying subscription revenue growth. The company remains confident that its stable renewal rates and innovative client solutions will further build upon this positive momentum.

GlobalData will host a Capital Markets Event on November 24, 2025.