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Investing.com -- Smiths Group Plc (LON:SMIN) on Tuesday reported stronger annual profit, with headline operating earnings rising to £580 million for the year ended July 31, up from £526 million a year earlier.
The group’s operating margin reached 17.4%, compared with 16.8% last year, placing it at the top end of its guidance range.
Group revenue increased to £3.34 billion from £3.13 billion, reflecting an 8.9% organic rise.
Headline earnings per share grew to 121.2p from 105.5p, while return on capital employed improved to 18.1% from 16.4%. Operating cash conversion was 99%, compared with 97% in 2024.
Revenue from continuing operations advanced to £2.92 billion from £2.78 billion, with operating profit rising to £505 million from £477 million.
On a statutory basis, profit for the year after tax was £276 million, up from £222 million. Statutory basic earnings per share increased to 85.7p from 72.3p.
The board proposed a final dividend of 31.77p, bringing the full-year total to 46p, compared with 43.75p a year earlier.
This marks the company’s 74th consecutive year of dividend payments. Smiths also completed a share buyback program of £500 million by September 10.
Business performance varied across divisions. Smiths Detection revenue rose 12.1% to £963 million, driven by aviation-related demand, with operating profit up 20.1% to £122 million.
John Crane reported £1.12 billion in revenue, a 1.6% decline on a reported basis, though organic growth was 3%. Flex-Tek revenue grew 6.6% to £837 million, supported by acquisitions of Modular Metal, Wattco and Duc-Pac.
Smiths Interconnect, classified as discontinued operations, reported an 18.9% revenue increase to £421 million.
Capital investment included £143 million in research, development and engineering and £121 million spent on acquisitions. Net debt rose to £441 million from £213 million, reflecting acquisitions and the buyback program, with a net debt-to-headline EBITDA ratio of 0.6x.
Smiths said it expects 4% to 6% organic revenue growth from continuing operations in fiscal 2026, with further margin expansion.
The British company also confirmed that the planned separation of Smiths Interconnect remains on track, with an announcement expected by the end of December 2025. The separation of Smiths Detection is set to follow through either a demerger or sale.