Shares in GlobalData PLC (AIM:DATA) dropped 6% to 113.5p on Monday after the research and analytics group warned that profit margins would be lower than expected this year, even as sales continue to rise.
The company said revenue for 2025 remains on track to meet forecasts, with growth of 13.5% in the third quarter driven by stronger subscription sales and contributions from recent acquisitions.
Underlying subscription revenue rose 2% in the first nine months, while contracted forward revenue, a measure of future sales already signed, increased by 4%.
However, the group said that ongoing investment and slower-than-planned integration of newly acquired businesses would weigh on profitability in the second half.
Adjusted EBITDA margins are now expected to come in at about 35% for the full year, down from previous expectations closer to 37%.
GlobalData said it still expects margins to recover towards 40% next year as cost synergies from acquisitions and its “Growth Transformation Plan” feed through.
The company will outline its strategy in more detail at a Capital Markets event on 24 November, where it plans to highlight progress in its AI-enabled platform.