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Investing.com -- Essentra PLC (LON:ESNT) on Tuesday reported first-half 2025 results in line with management expectations, with adjusted EBITA of £16.5 million slightly above analyst forecasts of £15.7 million.
The company maintained its full-year outlook despite a 1.1% decline in constant currency revenue growth during the first half. Total (EPA:TTEF) sales reached £152.4 million, with margins down 290 basis points year-over-year to 10.8%.
Essentra saw varied performance across regions, with EMEA posting a 4.5% like-for-like revenue decline, while Americas returned to growth with a 0.7% increase.
The APAC region delivered strong 9.5% like-for-like growth, supported by China’s export market to the rest of Asia.
Gross margins fell to 43.6% in the first half from 46.4% a year earlier, impacted by volume challenges, geographic sales mix, and Turkish inflation. However, margins improved in the second quarter to 45.7%.
The company expects margins to improve in the second half due to operational initiatives including footprint reductions and enhanced pricing measures implemented during the first half.
These actions, combined with volumes remaining at second-quarter levels, should support margin growth and modest revenue increases in the second half.
Free cash flow came in at £9.0 million, with net debt at £68.7 million and gearing at 1.5x.
The interim dividend was reduced by 36% to 0.8p, in line with the group’s policy of maintaining full-year dividend cover at approximately three times adjusted earnings.
Essentra reported an increase in new order intake across all regions year-over-year and is actively reviewing potential bolt-on acquisitions.
The company’s ERP system rollout continues to progress, with the associated £10 million annual cash drag expected to decrease in 2026.
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