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(Sharecast News) - TPXimpact reported stronger earnings and lower debt in the first half, marking further progress in its three-year turnaround plan despite a modest decline in revenue.
The AIM-traded digital transformation services firm posted a 4.3% fall in revenue to 36.2m for the six months to 30 September, but adjusted EBITDA rose 39% to 3.2m, lifting the margin to 8.8% from 6.1% a year earlier.
Its reported operating loss narrowed to 1.1m from 3.4m, while adjusted diluted earnings per share increased to 1.7p.
Net debt excluding lease liabilities fell to 7.0m from 8.5m at the end of the previous financial year, reducing the leverage ratio to 1.1 times adjusted EBITDA from 1.5 times.
The board upgraded its year-end net debt guidance to below 6m, and said it now expected leverage to dip below 1.0 times.
It maintained its full-year adjusted EBITDA forecast of 6m to 7m, and said an improving public sector environment was helping rebuild the pipeline.
The group continued to simplify operations into three core business units, cut headcount and prioritise profitability over top-line growth.
Total staff numbers fell 9% during the period, including a 6% reduction in permanent employees and a 17% drop in contractors, while employee retention improved to 91%.
New business wins of 31m were below the 35m secured in the same period last year, although management said bid activity was increasing.
Gross margin improved to 31.0% from 28.3%.
Chief executive Bjorn Conway said the business was nearing the end of its restructuring phase.
"As we near the completion of our three year plan to turn around company performance and restructure the component parts of TPXimpact into three clear, branded, operational units, I am pleased with the continuing commitment of our teams to exceptional delivery for our clients," he said.
He added that the simplification programme had "resulted in significant tangible improvements in profitability, cash generation, and debt repayment against our historic comparators in 2025 and 2024."
Conway also noted stabilising market conditions in the public sector, where the firm serves clients including HM Land Registry and, more recently, HM Prison and Probation Service and the City of London Corporation.
The board said the group would outline a new medium-term plan alongside its full-year results, following the completion of the current turnaround.
At 1216 GMT, shares in TPXimpact Holdings were up 44.26% at 22p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.