Future PLC (GB:FUTR)
LSE:FUTR
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Future plc
(LSE:FUTR)
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Rating:63Neutral
Price Target:
342.00 p
▼(-27.08% Downside)
Action:Reiterated
Date:04/02/26
The score is anchored by moderate financial performance (declining revenue and weaker cash flow but improved leverage and stable operating margins). Technicals materially detract due to strong bearish momentum and the price being far below key moving averages. Valuation and income support the score via a low P/E and high dividend yield, while the earnings call adds incremental positives from FY2026 growth expectations, margin/cash-conversion targets, and increased shareholder returns despite ongoing audience and e-commerce headwinds.
Positive Factors
Direct digital advertising mix
A higher share of direct digital advertising (68%) indicates a structural shift toward higher-yield, direct-sold revenue. This improves revenue quality and pricing power, reduces programmatic exposure, and sustainably supports margins and predictability of cash flows over the medium term.
Negative Factors
Declining revenue
A sustained revenue decline (mid-single digits) points to structural demand or distribution headwinds. Even with margin discipline, shrinking top-line limits absolute profit expansion, reduces reinvestment capacity, and makes long-term growth and value creation more challenging without a clear re-acceleration.
Read all positive and negative factors
Positive Factors
Negative Factors
Direct digital advertising mix
A higher share of direct digital advertising (68%) indicates a structural shift toward higher-yield, direct-sold revenue. This improves revenue quality and pricing power, reduces programmatic exposure, and sustainably supports margins and predictability of cash flows over the medium term.
Read all positive factors
Future plc (FUTR) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)
Market Cap
£268.49M
Dividend Yield0.53%
Average Volume (3M)700.90K
Price to Earnings (P/E)5.7
Beta (1Y)0.27
Revenue Growth-8.41%
EPS Growth-51.11%
CountryUK
Employees2,998
SectorCommunication Services
Sector Strength97
IndustryPublishing
Share Statistics
EPS (TTM)0.36
Shares Outstanding92,136,540
10 Day Avg. Volume743,597
30 Day Avg. Volume700,901
Financial Highlights & Ratios
PEG Ratio-1.75
Price to Book (P/B)0.67
Price to Sales (P/S)0.94
P/FCF Ratio6.08
Enterprise Value/Market CapN/A
Enterprise Value/RevenueN/A
Enterprise Value/Gross ProfitN/A
Enterprise Value/EbitdaN/A
Forecast
1Y Price Target
£515.17Price Target Upside9.84% Upside
Rating ConsensusModerate Buy
Number of Analyst Covering6
EPS Forecast (FY)0.99
Revenue Forecast (FY)£709.88M
Future plc Business Overview & Revenue Model
Company Description
Future plc, together with its subsidiaries, publishes content for technology, games, TV and entertainment, women's lifestyle, real life, music, creative and photography, sports, home interest, and B2B sectors primarily in the United States and the...
How the Company Makes Money
Future primarily generates revenue from (1) digital advertising sold across its portfolio of websites and online audiences (including direct-sold campaigns and programmatic advertising), (2) affiliate commerce/commerce content where Future earns c...
Future plc Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Date:Dec 04, 2025
(Q4-2025)
| % Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Dec 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a balanced view with stable financial performance despite revenue declines, strong cash generation, and strategic initiatives showing promise. However, challenges remain in audience engagement and specific market segments.Positive Updates
Stable Financial Performance Amid Challenges
Revenue at GBP 739 million, down 6% year-on-year, with organic performance down 3%. Adjusted operating profit at GBP 205 million with a margin of 28%, flat year-on-year, demonstrating cost discipline.
Negative Updates
Decline in Audience Sessions
Audience sessions down 10% year-on-year, affecting programmatic revenues, though partially offset by direct advertising growth.
Read all updates
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive
Negative
Stable Financial Performance Amid Challenges
Revenue at GBP 739 million, down 6% year-on-year, with organic performance down 3%. Adjusted operating profit at GBP 205 million with a margin of 28%, flat year-on-year, demonstrating cost discipline.
Read all positive updates
Company Guidance
During the call, the company provided guidance for the fiscal year 2025, emphasizing several key metrics and strategic initiatives aimed at driving growth and maintaining financial stability. Revenue was reported at GBP 739 million, reflecting a 6% decrease year-on-year, with an organic performance decline of 3%. The adjusted operating profit stood at GBP 205 million, maintaining a margin of 28%, and adjusted EPS experienced a slight decline of 1%. Cash flows remained robust, converting at 86% of adjusted operating profit, and the balance sheet showed a strong leverage ratio of 1.3x after returning approximately GBP 100 million to shareholders. The company announced a significant fivefold increase in its ordinary dividend and launched its fifth share buyback program. Looking ahead, the company expects modest revenue growth in fiscal year 2026, with a focus on leveraging AI as a revenue opportunity and enhancing direct audience relationships to sustain future monetization. They anticipate maintaining an EBITDA margin of 30% and strong cash conversion around 95%, driven by strategic initiatives such as the AI-powered Future Optic and the launching of Renewal to boost retention and improve the consumer funnel.Future plc Financial Statement Overview
Summary
Income Statement
65
Positive
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
| Breakdown | TTM | Sep 2025 | Sep 2024 | Sep 2023 | Sep 2022 | Sep 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Income Statement | ||||||
| Total Revenue | 709.90M | 739.20M | 788.20M | 788.90M | 825.40M | 606.80M |
| Gross Profit | 228.80M | 257.70M | 354.40M | 380.50M | 354.30M | 266.60M |
| EBITDA | 166.40M | 189.50M | 214.70M | 253.90M | 269.10M | 200.10M |
| Net Income | 36.50M | 66.30M | 76.80M | 113.40M | 122.20M | 66.10M |
Balance Sheet | ||||||
| Total Assets | 1.68B | 1.63B | 1.71B | 1.88B | 1.96B | 1.63B |
| Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments | 44.60M | 27.60M | 39.70M | 60.30M | 29.20M | 324.30M |
| Total Debt | 391.70M | 337.30M | 334.40M | 432.30M | 520.70M | 549.50M |
| Total Liabilities | 674.10M | 594.30M | 646.30M | 766.60M | 897.40M | 768.80M |
| Stockholders Equity | 1.01B | 1.04B | 1.06B | 1.11B | 1.06B | 862.30M |
Cash Flow | ||||||
| Free Cash Flow | 108.10M | 114.00M | 155.90M | 171.50M | 191.00M | 154.60M |
| Operating Cash Flow | 112.00M | 117.30M | 169.80M | 182.80M | 202.60M | 165.70M |
| Investing Cash Flow | -59.30M | -19.60M | -21.80M | -58.80M | -116.70M | -180.40M |
| Financing Cash Flow | -65.10M | -109.00M | -166.90M | -86.90M | -389.00M | 321.50M |
Future plc Technical Analysis
Negative
469.00
Price Trends
352.52
Negative
414.77
Negative
524.77
Negative
Market Momentum
-10.88
Negative
43.28
Neutral
48.83
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:FUTR, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 469 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 325.15, above the 50-day MA of 352.52, and below the 200-day MA of 524.77, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -10.88 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 43.28 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 48.83 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:FUTR.
Future plc Peers Comparison
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Name | Overall Rating | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | ROE | Dividend Yield | Revenue Growth | EPS Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
76 Outperform | £489.44M | 7.41 | 10.70% | 3.26% | -11.68% | -40.06% | |
64 Neutral | £2.95B | 4.44 | 11.42% | 6.17% | 0.66% | -43.04% | |
63 Neutral | £268.49M | 5.69 | 3.57% | 0.53% | -8.41% | -51.11% | |
62 Neutral | £160.95M | -0.29 | -21.91% | 11.37% | -3.75% | -346.47% | |
60 Neutral | $48.67B | 4.58 | -11.27% | 4.14% | 2.83% | -41.78% | |
43 Neutral | £47.42M | -2.46 | 75.19% | 9.87% | -5.90% | -146.37% |
* Communication Services Sector Average
GB:FUTR
Future plc
309.60
-321.57
-50.95%
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602.00
-29.03
-4.60%
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104.50
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GB:RCH
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50.30
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-24.73%
Future plc Corporate Events
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc tightens share base with latest £13.7m buyback
Positive
May 18, 2026
Future plc has continued its ongoing share buyback programme, repurchasing 319,282 ordinary shares between 11 and 15 May 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of about 308.7 pence, with prices ranging from 281.4 pence to 326.8 penc...
Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Future CFO Sells Shares to Cover Tax on Vesting Under 2023 Plan
Neutral
May 15, 2026
Future plc has disclosed a routine share transaction by its chief financial officer, Sharjeel Suleman, related to the company’s 2023 Performance Share Plan. Suleman sold 6,325 ordinary shares on 15 May 2026 to cover tax liabilities arising f...
Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Future plc holds guidance as H1 profit falls on ad and ecommerce pressure
Negative
May 14, 2026
Future plc reported an 8% drop in half-year revenue to £349.1m and a 24% decline in adjusted EBITDA, as previously flagged pressures on high-margin programmatic advertising and ecommerce weighed on profitability despite the group remaining st...
Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Future plc Confirms Total Voting Rights at 92.8 Million Shares
Neutral
May 11, 2026
Future plc has confirmed that, as of 30 April 2026, its issued share capital comprised 92,803,908 ordinary shares of 15 pence each, with every share carrying one vote and no holdings in treasury. This disclosure sets the official total voting righ...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc advances £12.7m share buyback, trimming share count
Positive
May 11, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, purchasing 300,819 ordinary shares between 5 and 8 May 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 325.01 pence, with prices ranging from 311.20 pence to 343.00 pence. Following th...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc advances buyback, shrinking share count by 2.8 million
Positive
May 5, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, purchasing 294,525 ordinary shares during the week of 27 April to 1 May 2026 via ABN AMRO Bank on the London Stock Exchange. The trades were executed at prices between 327.6p and 345p per share...
Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackFinancial Disclosures
Future plc Buys Back 287,763 Shares, Lifting Total Buybacks to £10.7m
Positive
Apr 27, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback activity, repurchasing 287,763 ordinary shares of 15 pence each on the London Stock Exchange between 20 and 24 April 2026 through ABN AMRO Bank. The purchases were executed at prices ranging from 333.40p ...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc buys back 187,444 shares as part of ongoing repurchase programme
Positive
Apr 20, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 187,444 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange between 13 and 17 April 2026 at prices ranging from 298.4p to 333p, with an average price of 315.4511p. Including these trades,...
Stock Buyback
Future plc pushes on with £9m share buyback, shrinking share base
Positive
Apr 13, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback activity, repurchasing 173,249 ordinary shares between 7 and 10 April 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 291.5090 pence. This latest tranche forms part of a wider programme under whi...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Tightens Share Base With Further £8.6m Buyback
Positive
Apr 7, 2026
Future plc has disclosed further activity under its share buyback programme, repurchasing 202,709 ordinary shares between 30 March and 2 April 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 294.6388 pence. Including these latest trades e...
Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Future plc Confirms Total Voting Rights and Share Capital
Neutral
Apr 2, 2026
Future plc has confirmed that, as of 31 March 2026, its issued share capital comprises 93,841,104 ordinary shares of 15 pence each, with no shares held in treasury and each share carrying one vote. This sets the company’s total voting rights...
Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackFinancial Disclosures
Future plc warns on margins as search shifts hit high-margin revenues but doubles down on AI and buybacks
Negative
Mar 31, 2026
Future plc reported a mixed pre-close trading update for the six months to 31 March 2026, with strong B2C digital advertising growth in the U.K. and U.S., resilient magazines revenue, and the newly acquired Google-Zero brand SheerLuxe performing a...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Buys Back Further Shares, Tightening Free Float
Positive
Mar 30, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback activity, repurchasing 123,918 ordinary shares between 23 and 27 March 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 404.1080 pence. The transactions, executed via ABN AMRO Bank, form part of a...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc advances share buyback, cutting share count
Positive
Mar 23, 2026
Future plc has continued executing its share buyback programme, repurchasing 120,145 ordinary shares between 16 and 20 March 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 414.77 pence. The latest tranche brings the total shares bought b...
Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Future plc steps up capital returns with ongoing share buybacks and reporting shift
Positive
Mar 16, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 22,163 ordinary shares on 13 March 2026 at prices between 426.2p and 441.4p per share, with an average price of 434.8256p. The company intends to cancel these shares, leaving 94,14...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Extends Share Buyback, Cancels Additional Shares
Positive
Mar 13, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 21,151 ordinary shares on 12 March 2026 via ABN AMRO Bank at prices ranging from 438.6p to 453.4p, with an average price of 446.94p. The company intends to cancel these shares, lea...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Continues Capital Return With Latest Share Buyback and Cancellation
Positive
Mar 12, 2026
Future plc has executed another tranche of its ongoing share buyback programme, repurchasing 18,206 ordinary shares on 11 March 2026 via ABN AMRO Bank at prices ranging between 439.2p and 450.0p, with an average price of 446.0058p. The company pla...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc cancels latest tranche of share buybacks
Positive
Mar 11, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 18,907 ordinary shares on 10 March 2026 at prices between 439.4p and 447.0p per share, at an average price of 444.9985p, via ABN AMRO Bank. The company said the shares will be canc...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc continues share buyback, cancels newly purchased shares
Positive
Mar 10, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, purchasing 24,763 ordinary shares on 9 March 2026 at prices between 436p and 441p per share, with an average price of 440.43p. The company intends to cancel these shares, reducing its share cou...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc cancels additional shares after latest buyback tranche
Positive
Mar 10, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 24,763 ordinary shares on 9 March 2026 via ABN AMRO Bank at an average price of 440.4307 pence, with prices ranging between 436 and 441 pence. The company intends to cancel these s...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Extends Buyback Programme With Further Share Repurchase
Positive
Mar 9, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 805 ordinary shares on 6 March 2026 at a price of 432.4 pence per share through ABN AMRO Bank N.V. The company plans to cancel these shares as part of its ongoing capital managemen...
Stock Buyback
Future plc Cancels Newly Repurchased Shares in Ongoing Buyback
Positive
Mar 6, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 16,355 ordinary shares on March 5, 2026, via ABN AMRO Bank at an average price of 416.6779 pence per share. The company plans to cancel these shares, reducing the number of ordinar...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc cancels latest tranche of share buybacks
Positive
Mar 5, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 24,424 ordinary shares on 4 March 2026 via ABN AMRO Bank at prices between 401.6p and 410p, with an average price of 406.2953p. The company intends to cancel these shares, leaving ...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Continues Share Buyback, Cancels Newly Repurchased Shares
Positive
Mar 4, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 25,061 ordinary shares on 3 March 2026 via ABN AMRO Bank at prices between 397.2p and 404.6p, with an average price of 401.27p. The company plans to cancel these shares, leaving 94...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Continues Buyback, Cancels Additional Shares
Positive
Mar 3, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 24,183 ordinary shares on 2 March 2026 via ABN AMRO Bank at prices ranging between 401.8p and 412.4p, with an average price of 407.2107p. The company plans to cancel these shares, ...
Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Future plc Confirms Total Voting Rights at 94.3 Million Shares
Neutral
Mar 2, 2026
Future plc has reported that, as of the close of business on 28 February 2026, its issued share capital comprised 94,342,417 ordinary shares of 15 pence each, with no shares held in treasury. Each ordinary share carries one vote, giving the compan...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Cancels Additional Shares as Buyback Programme Passes £6m Mark
Positive
Mar 2, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, purchasing 24,014 ordinary shares on 27 February 2026 via ABN AMRO Bank at prices ranging from 405.4p to 418.6p, with an average price of 411.9615p, and intends to cancel these shares. Since mi...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Continues Share Buyback, Cancels Newly Repurchased Shares
Positive
Feb 27, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback activity, purchasing 23,962 ordinary shares on 26 February 2026 at prices between 404.4 pence and 423.0 pence, with an average price of 409.5518 pence. The company plans to cancel these shares, reducing i...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc cancels additional shares after latest buyback on London market
Positive
Feb 26, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 24,234 ordinary shares at an average price of 408.5282 pence on 25 February 2026 through ABN AMRO Bank N.V. The company plans to cancel these shares, and following this latest tran...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Cancels Newly Repurchased Shares in Ongoing Buyback
Positive
Feb 25, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 24,003 ordinary shares on 24 February 2026 at prices ranging from 404.8p to 415.6p, with an average price of 410.1295p. The company intends to cancel these shares, reducing its sha...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Continues Share Buyback, Cancels Purchased Shares
Positive
Feb 24, 2026
Future plc has continued to execute its share buyback programme, purchasing 24,933 ordinary shares on 23 February 2026 through ABN AMRO Bank at prices ranging between 412.2p and 427.2p, with an average price of 419.8568p. The company plans to canc...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Continues Share Buyback, Cancels Further 23,000 Shares
Positive
Feb 23, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 23,123 ordinary shares on 20 February 2026 at prices ranging between 416.0p and 428.2p, with an average price of 422.8538p per share, through ABN AMRO Bank N.V. The company plans t...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Cancels New Tranche of Shares in Ongoing Buyback Programme
Positive
Feb 20, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 24,146 ordinary shares at prices between 412.8p and 421.0p, with an average price of 416.48p, via ABN AMRO Bank N.V. on 19 February 2026. The company plans to cancel these shares, ...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Future plc Cancels Further Shares as Buyback Programme Passes £5.4m
Positive
Feb 19, 2026
Future plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 23,266 ordinary shares on 18 February 2026 through ABN AMRO Bank at prices between 407.2p and 418.2p, with an average price of 413.0321p per share. The company intends to cancel th...
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer
This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.