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Future Explores B2B Sale, Shares Slip

Future confirmed on Friday that it is exploring strategic options for its B2B division after Sky News reported a possible sale. The shares spiked, then closed lower, and nothing has been agreed.

Future plc (LON: FUTR), the Bath-based media group behind about 200 brands, confirmed on Friday that it is exploring strategic options for its B2B division. The statement followed a Sky News report of a possible sale, yet the shares still closed 2.5% lower.

Future closed Friday at 307.2p, down from 315p the previous day. It had reached 342.6p during the session, 8.76% above that previous close, before fading. Volume was 849,390 shares, against roughly 100,000 to 600,000 in each of the prior five sessions.

FUTR.LSE
Future plc shares drift down to three-month lows in early November, recover slightly, then fall back on 13 November after a report of a B2B sale review.
Future shares closed Friday at 307.2p, after trading as high as 342.6p during the session.

Sky News reported that Future is working with advisers on a possible sale of B2B assets, including Smart Brief, a publisher of industry newsletters. Future’s statement, issued at 1.04pm and marked as containing inside information, was brief. It gave no price, buyer, advisers or timetable, and referred back to its half-year results.

The company said:

As stated in the Group’s half year results on 14 May 2026, the Group continuously looks at ways of optimising its portfolio to drive shareholder value.

Future plc

Sky cited an unnamed analyst who estimated offers in the region of £100m for the division. That is one analyst’s estimate, not a bid. Net debt, meaning borrowings minus cash, was £347.1m at 31 March 2026, so £100m would equal about 29% of it and 37% of the group’s £269m market value. Both ratios are indicative only.

Sky reported that the division is likely to draw interest from industry rivals and smaller private equity firms. Future has long attracted break-up speculation because it owns consumer publishing brands, the GoCompare price-comparison site and the B2B arm. GoCompare is a separate business and is not reported as part of this sale.

Full-year results are listed for the 2nd of December, according to a market data calendar the company has not confirmed. Future said further updates will be provided “as and when appropriate”.

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