Credit checking giant Experian PLC (LON:EXPN) confirmed full-year guidance after sales grew in the third quarter even though revenues fell in the UK and Asia.
In the three months ended 31 December, total revenue was up 9% at constant exchange rates, driven by 11% and 19% increase in North and Latin America, respectively.
UK & Ireland and the rest of the world dipped 3% and 1% respectively.
READ: Experian expects good second half as Q2 data improves
The weakest division across all geographies was decisioning, which is a data analysis service for businesses who look to understand their customers’ credit history.
It was especially low in UK & Ireland, due to longer sales cycles and delays by clients, and in the rest of the world because of strong comparables last year, although it is expected to return to growth in the fourth quarter.
As a result, the business-to-business section was dragged down as it is a sub-division of decisioning.
Data and consumer services recorded positive performance.
Nicholas Hyett, analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the dip in decisioning is a short-term “blip”, while the increasing importance of data paves the way for growth.
“Experian’s core product is indispensable to its customers and expansion into new markets like automotive and healthcare provide long term growth potential,” he said in an email.
Shares remained muted at 2,644p on Friday morning.
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