McBride expects steady profits this year

(Sharecast News) - Cleaning and hygiene products group McBride has said that a decline in profits in its first half will be made up by an acceleration in momentum in the second, leaving full-year earnings more or less in line with last year. The company, which makes white-label products but also owns brands like Oven Pride, Surcare and Clean n Fresh, said that adjusted operating profits for the first half ended 31 December will be "slightly behind the particularly strong performance of the prior year period".

The second-half performance will be "favourable" compared with the previous year due to a pipeline of confirmed business wins launching during the period, which should drive profit growth over the next two financial years.

However, for the current year to 30 June 2026, adjusted operating profits will be in line with analysts' expectations, with the current consensus forecast at £64.0m, marginally below the £66.1m reported last year.

Group revenues over the first half were up 0.8% on the year before, helped by a 0.4% improvement in volumes, while profitability has been maintained due to product engineering, operational improvements and overhead cost control, McBride said.

Net debt increased to £120.6m by the end of the half, up from £105.2m six months earlier.

McBride shares were down 2.1% at 140.79p by 0811 GMT.