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EARNINGS AND TRADING: Hardide swings to profit; Zotefoams sales rise

22nd Jan 2026 12:37

(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of earnings and trading updates by London-listed companies, issued on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Hardide PLC - Bicester, England-based provider of advanced surface coating technology - Swings to pretax profit of GBP125,000 in the financial year ending September from pretax loss of GBP1.3 million the year prior, as revenue grows 28% to GBP6.0 million from GBP4.7 million. Says earnings positive for for "the first time in many years" with basic earnings per share of 0.2 pence versus LPS 1.9p the year before. Sales growth is driven by new recurring and development work wins across the aerospace and energy sectors, while gross margin improves to 57% from 48% due to "volume growth, strong commercial disciplines and operational efficiency gains." Strong trading momentum of the fourth quarter 2025 continues into first quarter of financial 2026, with first quarter revenue of GBP1.8 million up almost 40% year-on-year, "enabling generation of double digit operating margins in the quarter." Expectations for "further significant" progress in financial 2026 are "underpinned by Q1's encouraging trading momentum and order intake of GBP1.8 million from a major new customer in the energy sector in North America."

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Forterra PLC - Northampton, England-based clay and concrete product manufacturer - In a trading update, says revenue climbs 12% to GBP386 million in 2025 from GBP344.3 million in 2024, driven primarily by sales volumes. Quarterly growth rates moderate through the year, as expected, due to stronger comparatives and budget related uncertainty. "Whilst demand reduced from the levels seen around the middle of the year, brick remained the most resilient of our product lines," Forterra says.

Adjusted Ebitda is expected to be in line with market expectations for GBP61.6 million in 2025, up from GBP52.0 million in 2025. Forterra says lower interest and depreciation charges benefit adjusted pretax profit and adjusted EPS, both of which are expected to be ahead of market expectations of GBP32.5 million and 11.8p respectively - up from GBP22.1 million and 7.6p in 2024. Longer term market fundamentals remain attractive with a shortage of housing, a strong desire within government to address this, and a constrained supply of essential building products, Forterra adds.

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Ingenta PLC - Oxford, England-based provider of software and services to the publishing industry - Expects to post 2025 revenue of GBP10.3 million, up modestly from GBP10.2 million in 2024, with adjusted Ebitda of GBP1.6 million versus GBP1.8 million in 2024. Continues to report strong cash generation with positive inflows during 2025 of GBP1.0 million, up from GBP900,000 the year prior. "Looking to 2026, the group's high level of recurring revenues provides a substantial underpinning to its likely performance. Building on this base, the board is confident that new business activities will bear fruit as the year progresses, and achieving growth in profitability from the 2025 level will to some extent be dependent on the speed with which new customers can be onboarded," ingenta says.

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Ilika PLC - Romsey, England-based solid-state battery technology company - Pretax loss widens to GBP4.4 million in the six months ended October from GBP2.9 million the year prior as revenue slumps to GBP593,700 from GBP982,100. Bottom line also hurt by rise in administrative expenses to GBP4.3 million from GBP3.4 million. Looking ahead, Ilika says it is confident of securing larger follow on orders for the Steareax M300 batteries from a number of the 21 customers who are currently evaluating the product for their applications.

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TheWorks.co.uk PLC - Birmingham, England-based seller of arts and crafts, stationery, toys, and books - Pretax loss narrows to GBP5.6 million in the 26 weeks ended November 2 from GBP6.9 million the year prior although revenue nudges down to GBP123.8 million from GBP124.2 million. Basic and diluted losses per share are 8.7 pence versus 9.9p a year ago. Notes trading in first 11 weeks of second half of financial year has been in line with board expectations with robust store like-for-like sales up 1.2%, with "disrupted" online sales declining 52%. Remains on track to deliver financial 2026 profit in line with market expectations of pre-IFRS 16 adjusted Ebitda of GBP11.0 million and expects sales and profit growth in financial 2027. "We expect a return to sustained sales growth, and this, coupled with ongoing product margin growth and cost saving action, will offset external cost headwinds in FY26 and into FY27," company says. Declares no half-year dividend, unchanged year-on-year. "Will continue to assess shareholder distributions as profitability improves and funding allows," it adds.

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Animalcare Group PLC - York, England-based veterinary services and pharmaceuticals firm - Reports strong revenue and underlying Ebitda growth in the financial year ending December, in line with market expectations of GBP89.2 million and GBP17.6 million respectively. Expects full-year revenue of GBP89.1 million, up 20% year-on-year, and underlying Ebitda growth of around 50% from GBP11.6 million in 2024. Notes organic revenue growth of 2% and the benefit of the successful acquisition and integration of Randlab. Companion Animal revenue growth benefits from "strong double-digit momentum in the group's flagship brands, including Daxocox," while Production Animal revenue returns to "more typical single-digit growth demand patterns following a strong prior year performance." Equine performs very strongly, benefitting from the significant contribution from Randlab alongside like-for-like organic growth within the existing portfolio. Enters 2026 with "positive momentum". Continues to "optimise its portfolio and seek opportunities to leverage and efficiently scale its commercial platform, which alongside developing its innovative pipeline and selective M&A activity, will position the company for accelerated sustainable growth," it says.

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Ebiquity PLC - London-based firm providing clients with insight on advertising industry - Expects to report revenue of GBP73.4 million in the financial year ending December and adjusted operating profit of GBP4.6 million, both lower than GBP76.8 million and GBP7.9 million in 2024. Net debt at December 31 is expected to be GBP13.1 million, reflecting improved working capital management and the benefits of cost discipline initiatives implemented during the period. At 2024 year-end, net debt was GBP14.8 million. Highlights strong commercial momentum in the final three months of 2025 and enters 2026 having secured three "major" marketing effectiveness contracts with an aggregate contract value of over GBP10 million across three years to 2028. In addition, notes a number of integrated service programmes in the quarter scheduled for delivery in 2026, providing improved visibility for the new financial year. North American business begins the new financial year with an improved organisational structure, after completion of a programme to "right-size" the cost base. "We are well positioned to deliver sustainable, profitable growth," says Chief Executive Ruben Schreurs.

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Zotefoams PLC - Croydon, London-headquartered foams, insulation, seals and interior trims provider - Expects revenue of GBP158.5 million for 2025, "slightly ahead of market expectations" and up 7.2% from GBP147.8 million in 2024. Expects to post adjusted pretax profit of GBP21.1 million, a group record and ahead of market guidance, up 38% from GBP15.3 million. Europe, Middle east & Africa sales grow 9.4% to GBP123.9 million from GBP113.3 million; North America revenue rises 6.7% to GBP30.1 million from GBP28.1 million; and Asia revenue decreases to GBP4.2 million from GBP5.1 million. Points to a "strong" balance sheet with "significant financial headroom", reflecting "good operational cash generation and ongoing focus on working capital management." Says new GBP90 million multicurrency revolving credit facility, which replaces the existing GBP50 million agreement, will "provide funding to support our strategic objectives and disciplined approach to capital allocation."

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By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to [email protected]

Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.


Related Shares:

HardideForterraIngentaIlika PlcTheworks.co.uk.Animalcare GrpEbiquityZotefoams Plc
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