Informa (LON: INF) has held its full-year earnings guidance but said group revenue growth would slow to about 3%, from about 6%, if its Saudi Arabian events add nothing more this year. The live events and academic markets group set out the position in its nine-month trading update today.
Underlying revenue rose 6.5% in the nine months to 30 September, excluding non-recurring data contracts, or 5.4% if those contracts are counted in the 2025 comparison. Chief executive Stephen A. Carter pointed to the events business as the driver.
Strong underlying demand for B2B Live Events, combined with the strength of our Brands and operating flexibility, is enabling us to deliver consistent growth and performance, and our international breadth is limiting the impact of specific in-market disruptions.
Stephen A. Carter, chief executive of Informa
B2B Live Events, which covers Informa Markets, Connect and Festivals, grew underlying revenue 8.0%, led by the Americas, Europe, ASEAN and the India, Middle East and Africa region excluding Saudi Arabia. Academic Markets grew 4.0% excluding non-recurring data contracts. Informa TechTarget slipped 1.6%, as enterprise technology customers put AI investment ahead of product marketing and sales support.
Informa said its rescheduling programme had worked in the region. More than 50 brands have traded this year, totalling more than $530m of revenue. Since the first-half results, about 30 brands have traded for more than $230m, including more than 15 events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. A recent escalation in Saudi Arabia has forced further changes.
The 2026 Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh goes virtual, with the physical event moving to October 2027. Cityscape Global in Riyadh moves to January 2027, while its 2027 edition stays in November 2027.
Informa said that despite the disruption it is tracking to guidance of about 6% underlying revenue growth and double-digit growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share, from a 2025 base of 49p. Assuming no further Saudi contribution in 2026, earnings growth stays double-digit, excluding in-year dilution from shares issued for the Clarion acquisition, but revenue growth drops to about 3%.
Clarion Events, the events organiser Informa is buying, has had all regulatory filings submitted, and completion is expected in the first two weeks of December. It would add more than 100 B2B brands and more scale in North America and Asia, and strengthen Informa’s European position in 2027.