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NCC trading in line, plans share buyback
(Sharecast News) - NCC Group said in an update on Tuesday that it expects full-year adjusted EBITDA to be in line with board expectations, with stronger cash generation and improving trends across both its core divisions, as the cyber security firm pursues a strategic review of its businesses. For the year ended 30 September, the company said group revenue on a constant currency basis, excluding non-core disposals, was expected to have declined by about 2.5% to £294m.
Within that, Escode revenue rose around 2% to £66.5m, while cyber security revenue fell 4% to £227m.
The FTSE 250 firm said performance improved in the second half, with Escode posting 2.5% half-on-half growth compared with 1.8% in the first half, and cyber security revenue declining 1.5% versus a 6.3% drop in the first half.
Group gross margins excluding disposals were expected to rise to about 44.5% from 43.9% last year, supported by tighter cost control.
Adjusted EBITDA was anticipated to come in around £43.5m, consistent with board expectations, while net cash stood at roughly £13m at the end of September.
The company said it would publish its audited results on 11 December.
NCC reiterated that its review of strategic options for the Escode business, including a potential sale, remains ongoing.
"We currently remain in that process and we will provide a further update in due course," the company said.
Reflecting its confidence in future prospects and balance sheet strength, NCC said it planned to launch an initial share buyback programme using existing shareholder authority.
The programme would not begin before 11 December, and would operate alongside the company's current dividend policy.
NCC's board also confirmed it remains in the early stages of reviewing all strategic options for its cyber business, should Escode be sold, including potential offers for the company's entire issued and to-be-issued share capital.
"No decision has been made regarding which options will be pursued," it said.
It added that the UK Takeover Panel had confirmed that the company's profit guidance constituted an ordinary course profit forecast under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.
At 0855 BST, shares in NCC Group were up 2.64% at 148p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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