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(Sharecast News) - GlobalData reported resilient first-half trading on Tuesday, with revenue up 12% to 157m for the six months ended 30 June, as momentum in contracted forward revenue improved following a slow start to the year.
The company said underlying organic revenue growth was flat once foreign exchange movements were excluded, with the second quarter showing signs of acceleration.
Contracted forward revenue rose 3% in the second quarter on an underlying basis.
Renewal rates remained stable throughout the period.
The AIM-traded data and insights provider said it was continuing to invest heavily in its growth transformation plan, with changes to its sales structure and strategic account management approach now beginning to deliver results.
However, the investment weighed on profitability in the short term, with the organic adjusted EBITDA margin declining by three percentage points in the half.
Recent acquisitions also diluted margins, although the company said it expected a recovery in the second half, including 8m in EBITDA contributions from acquired businesses.
GlobalData completed two merger and acquisition deals during the period, acquiring AI Palette in March and consumer trends intelligence business Stylus in July.
The group said the additions would strengthen its consumer innovation intelligence offering by combining proprietary data and AI with enhanced insights capabilities.
"GlobalData has shown resilience through a period of transition towards solutions-based selling and an acute focus on strategic account management as we get even closer to our customers," said chief executive Mike Danson.
"Following a slow start in the first quarter of 2025, momentum is building as can be seen by the improved contracted forward revenue.
"The offer proposals we received in April clearly caused some distraction in the first half, but we, as a board, believe that the medium and long-term prospects of the group offer an excellent opportunity of strong shareholder returns."
The group said it would launch a tender offer of up to 60m at 150p per share following the publication of interim results on 5 August.
That would replace the previously-announced 50m share buyback, which was suspended in May amid takeover interest.
Approximately 39m of shares had been repurchased before the buyback was halted.
GlobalData also confirmed it was progressing with its planned move to the main market of the London Stock Exchange, with completion expected in the fourth quarter.
The company said it was confident in the long-term opportunity for shareholder returns, supported by a strong balance sheet, ongoing AI investments, and significant merger and acquisition capacity.
At 1138 BST, shares in GlobalData were down 1.37% at 144.5p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.