12th Sep 2025 12:27
(Alliance News) - CEPS PLC on Friday said the broader economic outlook should improve with the acceptance of US-imposed tariffs, as it posted an interim profit fall amid higher costs.
The company buys majority stakes in "profitable and steadily growing entrepreneurial UK companies".
CEPS said pretax profit fell 22% to GBP951,000 in the first half of 2025, from GBP1.2 million a year ago.
Revenue grew 5.8% to GBP16.8 million from GBP15.9 million.
Cost of sales increased 6.6% to GBP9.6 million from GBP9.0 million, while administrative costs came in 11% higher at GBP5.8 million from GBP5.3 million.
CEPS said it remains committed to restarting the payment of dividends.
"The corporate entity of CEPS now needs to build its revenue reserves to enable the board to consider either buying back shares and cancelling them or, alternatively, paying dividends," it said.
Looking ahead, Chair David Horner said: "Market commentators anticipate that inflation will begin to decline in the fourth quarter of 2025 from its current level, and once this trend is evident, the Bank of England is expected to resume reducing the bank interest rate.
"As the commercial world awaits the forthcoming autumn budget, the broader macroeconomic outlook should improve with the acceptance of US imposed tariffs, the return to growth in the European trading bloc, and the gradual impact of the government's elevated spending. This will be positive for CEPS."
CEPS shares fell 6.7% to 28.00 pence each on Friday afternoon in London.
By Tom Budszus, Alliance News slot editor
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