Experian PLC (LON:EXPN) shares gained on Thursday after the credit data company reported a 7.5% increase in full year revenue, driven by growth in its business-to-business (B2B) division.
Total revenue rose to US$4.66bn in the year to the end of March 2018, from US$4.34bn a year ago.
Organic revenues edged up 5% with B2B up 8% and the consumer services unit down 5%.
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Pre-tax profit from ongoing activities rose 7.3% to US$1.21bn from US$1.12bn while earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) climbed 7.7% to US$1.29bn from US$1.19bn.
“Growth was particularly strong across B2B and we have made significant progress in consumer services, which returned to growth in North America in the fourth quarter,” said chief executive Brian Cassin.
“We begin the year with momentum in the business, and we expect another year of strong performance, with EBIT growth at or above revenue growth and further strong progress in Benchmark earnings per share."
The total dividend for the year was lifted 7.8% to 44.75 US cents from 41.50 US cents in 2017.
Shares rose 2.6% to 1,754p in morning trading.
"At a time when many businesses are seeing their competitive positions weakened by digital disruption, Experian continues to go from strength to strength and is investing heavily to sustain this momentum," said Charlie Huggins, manager of the Hargreaves Lansdown Select UK Growth Shares fund.
"The long term growth prospects for the business are excellent."