Genus announces £60m buyback as FY profits rise but shares drop on revenue miss

(Sharecast News) - Animal genetics firm Genus reported a rise in full-year profit on Thursday and announced a £60m share buyback, but shares slumped as revenue missed expectations.

In the year to 30 June, adjusted pre-tax profit increased 35% to £100.2m, while revenue ticked down 2% to £658.1m, missing expectations of £670.6m.

Adjusted operating profit grew 25% including joint ventures, driven by strong growth in PIC - its porcine genetics business - a £5.6m milestone payment from the group's Chinese partner, Beijing Capital Agribusiness, non-recurring lower input costs of £2.8m and the sale of a farm for £1.9m.

The final dividend was lifted 11% to 24p per share, taking the full-year dividend to 35.2p, up 10% on a year earlier.

Genus also announced a £60m share buyback to be completed during FY27.

Chief executive Jorgen Kokke said: "Genus achieved a strong performance in FY26. We formed our strategic porcine joint venture in China and received further global regulatory approvals for our pioneering PRP gene edit. Our balance sheet has also been significantly strengthened through another year of very strong organic cash generation as well as the proceeds from the formation of our porcine joint venture in China.

"As a result of our strengthened balance sheet, and in accordance with our capital allocation framework, we will be returning £60m of surplus capital to shareholders via a share buyback programme that reflects the board's confidence in the future growth prospects and cash generation of the business. We look forward to making further progress on our strategic priorities in the year ahead."

At 1125 BST, the shares were down 4.7% at 2,130p.

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