YouGov — Trading update and acquisition

YouGov (AIM: YOU)

Last close As at 19/04/2024

902.00

−34.00 (−3.63%)

Market capitalisation

990m

More on this equity

Research: TMT

YouGov — Trading update and acquisition

YouGov has issued a detailed trading update ahead of its full year results, now set for publication on 19 October, post a slight delay on finalising the tax position. Revenues of £169m are up 18% on an underlying basis, with an improvement in adjusted operating margin from 14.3%% to 15.1%, broadly as expected. YouGov also announced the acquisition of UK adtech company Rezonence (price undisclosed), which should facilitate data acquisition from a wider range of participants beyond panel, at lower cost. We will update our numbers and add FY23 forecasts post the formal results. The group is making good progress across all geographies, but notably in the key US market.

Fiona Orford-Williams

Written by

Fiona Orford-Williams

Director, TMT

TMT

YouGov

Trading update and acquisition

Trading update

Media

12 October 2021

Price

1165p

Market cap

£1,298m

Net cash (£m) at end January 2021

27.5

Shares in issue

111.3m

Free float

89.4%

Code

YOU

Primary exchange

AIM

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

YouGov is an international research data and analytics group. Its data-led offering supports and improves a wide spectrum of marketing activities of a customer base including media owners, brands and media agencies. It works with some of the world’s most recognised brands.

Analyst

Fiona Orford-Williams

+44 (0)20 3077 5739

YouGov is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

YouGov has issued a detailed trading update ahead of its full year results, now set for publication on 19 October, post a slight delay on finalising the tax position. Revenues of £169m are up 18% on an underlying basis, with an improvement in adjusted operating margin from 14.3%% to 15.1%, broadly as expected. YouGov also announced the acquisition of UK adtech company Rezonence (price undisclosed), which should facilitate data acquisition from a wider range of participants beyond panel, at lower cost. We will update our numbers and add FY23 forecasts post the formal results. The group is making good progress across all geographies, but notably in the key US market.

Year end

Revenue
(£m)

PBT*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

EV/EBITDA
(x)

P/E
(x)

07/19

136.5

20.4

13.8

4.0

39.8

84.4

07/20

152.4

24.7

15.7

5.0

32.1

74.2

07/21e

170.0

30.6

17.4

5.5

26.4

67.0

07/22e

185.0

37.0

21.3

6.5

23.3

54.7

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

Within the results, Data Products (34% group revenues) started to see the benefit in the second half of the new sales structures, with underlying revenue growth of 18% implying a strong rebound in H221 (H121 revenue growth was 6%). There was a slight dip in margin from 35% to 33%, reflecting the additional costs. Data Services (27% group) was up 22% underlying as clients increased their spend on tactical work around marketing campaigns, with the US performance notably strong, up 35% underlying. Custom Research (39% group) was up 12% underlying, adjusting for the planned withdrawal of the Kurdistan project. The US was again a particularly strong market, up 24% underlying.

Investment in panel was higher at £11.7m (FY20: £8.9m), as the group expanded into new territories and the software development spend was £9.4m (FY20: £8.6m). The broader range of touchpoints with the public to knowingly share their data with YouGov is bringing down data acquisition costs and should allow the group to scale further and faster.

Management reports that the good momentum has continued into FY22 and that there continues to be a healthy sales pipeline.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by YouGov and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by YouGov. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2021 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

More on YouGov

View All

Latest from the TMT sector

View All TMT content

Research: Metals & Mining

Silver One — Exploration update and analysis

On 15 July, Silver One reported the last of its three tranches of drilling results from its 15,000 metre, 52-hole, reverse circulation (RC) drilling programme at Candelaria to complement the results of its nine diamond core drill holes completed in early 2020. The goals of the drilling programme were 1) to outline deeper, higher-grade silver and gold mineralisation down dip from the previously mined Northern Belle and Mount Diablo open pits, 2) to extend the near-surface, potentially open pit mineralisation to the east and west of the previously mined pits and 3) to examine the potential for porphyry-related mineralisation at depth. In all of these three goals, Silver One was successful.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to Edison

Get access to the very latest content matched to your personal investment style.

Sign up for free