Last close As at 06/08/2026
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Market capitalisation
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Research: TMT
YouGov continues to deliver growth well ahead of the market as investment in its scalable Data Products and Services pays back in profits and in cash. Organic top-line progress of 8% was boosted to 14% by currency movements, while operating margins ticked up 1% point to 11%. Profiles is gaining traction both standalone and in combination with BrandIndex and is being launched across more geographies. We have edged our FY17e and FY18e figures ahead 2-3% and there may be more scope in FY18e if current momentum is maintained. This underpins the premium on which YouGov trades to other quoted market research stocks.
YouGov |
High-profile profiles |
Interim results |
Media |
30 March 2017 |
Share price performance
Business description
Next events
Analysts
YouGov is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited |
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YouGov continues to deliver growth well ahead of the market as investment in its scalable Data Products and Services pays back in profits and in cash. Organic top-line progress of 8% was boosted to 14% by currency movements, while operating margins ticked up 1% point to 11%. Profiles is gaining traction both standalone and in combination with BrandIndex and is being launched across more geographies. We have edged our FY17e and FY18e figures ahead 2-3% and there may be more scope in FY18e if current momentum is maintained. This underpins the premium on which YouGov trades to other quoted market research stocks.
Year |
Revenue (£m) |
PBT* |
EPS* |
DPS |
P/E |
Yield |
07/15 |
76.1 |
9.1 |
6.7 |
1.0 |
39.6 |
0.4 |
07/16 |
88.2 |
13.3 |
8.5 |
1.4 |
31.2 |
0.5 |
07/17e |
104.5 |
14.9 |
10.5 |
1.6 |
25.2 |
0.6 |
07/18e |
115.2 |
16.8 |
11.5 |
1.8 |
23.0 |
0.7 |
Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.
Margin expansion
Gross margins in H117 moved ahead from 76% to 79%, reflecting the strong performance of BrandIndex, Profiles and Omnibus, but also Custom Research using more own-panel data and discarding legacy low-margin business. There was some offset at the operating expense level due to the strong performance in the higher-cost US market. Operating margins nevertheless increased from 10% to 11%. With more higher earnings’ quality business in the mix, we expect operating margins to continue to expand up to and beyond our forecast period. The target for management’s LTIP to vest requires operating margins to average more than 12% over the five years to July 2019, as well as EPS growth of over 25% CAGR.
Scalable, connected data
Data products and services accounted for 43% of H117 revenue, progressing towards the 50% target, increasing the proportion of recurring and repeatable revenues. YouGov’s clients are both agencies and brand owners. With marketing increasingly complex, targeting is at the core of driving higher advertiser ROIs and there is a need for data that can be systematically integrated. YouGov’s connected data resource, the Cube, is collected from its own panellists worldwide who give explicit permission for its use, thus complying with tightening privacy regulation. Client data needs can be fulfilled without the need to commission specific research.
Valuation: Underpinned by momentum
It is unsurprising that YouGov’s rating is towards the top of the ranking of global peers. Much of the traditional market research sector still struggles with legacy infrastructures, while YouGov continues to refine and productise its offerings. This is generating a higher CAGR in earnings than the sector and funding a progressive dividend stream. The group’s clear and consistent strategy is translating into profits and, at least as importantly, into cash.
Research: Healthcare
Pixium Vision is developing two different retinal implants that provide vision by electrically stimulating the retina. Commercialisation efforts for Iris II are starting in Europe. Prima intends to target a larger population, and human trials could start in H117. Using a risk-adjusted NPV model, we obtain a pipeline rNPV of €131.4m, up from €125.5m, previously.