YouGov (LON: YOU), the London-listed market research and data analytics group, saw its shares jump after a pre-market update confirmed trading in line with guidance, unveiled a share buyback in place of its annual dividend, and named a new chief executive.
The shares traded at 270.8p in early business today, up 3.68% from Wednesday’s close of 261.2p, having reached an intraday high of 275p. That leaves the stock roughly a quarter below its 52-week high of 357.18p, though well clear of its 135.40p low.
The RNS, released before the London open today, confirmed that FY26 trading, for the year ended 31 July, is expected to be in line with guidance issued at the half-year stage. YouGov also extended its term loan and revolving credit facility to April 2028, with terms now explicitly permitting a discretionary share buyback. The board said it sees a dislocation between the company’s intrinsic value and its market value, and plans to launch the buyback after October’s full-year results, replacing the FY26 dividend. The same statement named Wayne Levings, most recently Global Chief Client Officer at research group Kantar, as CEO Elect from 1 November, becoming chief executive by 1 February 2027 and succeeding Stephan Shakespeare.
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None of the announcements carried new financial detail beyond confirming existing guidance, with consensus pointing to FY26 earnings per share of 27.25p, down from 31.3p in FY25.
Levings said: “I’m delighted to join YouGov at this exciting time in its transformation and the opportunity to execute the vision created by Stephan.” Shakespeare moves to a non-executive role, chairing a new innovation committee.
YouGov’s full FY26 results, including confirmation of the buyback’s size and timing, are due in October.
