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(Sharecast News) - FTSE 250 (MCX) 23,378.17 -0.08%
Animal genetic company Genus on Tuesday said it expected annual earnings to be moderately above expectations after a strong second half in Asia and Latin America that more than offset weaker conditions in North America, sending shares in the firm 5% higher.
The group now expects adjusted profit before tax of about £98m helped by a final £5.6m milestone payment from its Chinese partner Beijing Capital Agribusiness. Genus also reported solid cash conversion in the second half, driving significant growth in free cash flow.
Broker Berenberg said the uplift reflected continued strength in the core PIC porcine division and the ongoing turnaround in ABS bovine, alongside very strong free‑cash‑flow generation. Following receipt of £111m from the formation of its Chinese porcine JV, year‑end net leverage was set to fall to 0.4x, down from 1.5x a year earlier.
Berenberg, which also kept its 3,350p target price on the stock, noted that trading in H226 was ahead of expectations, with PIC delivering robust growth in Asia and Latin America, more than offsetting a difficult disease season in North America. ABS posted double‑digit profit growth as its turnaround continued, despite softer demand and a weaker product mix linked to lower global dairy prices.
The German bank highlighted "standout" cash conversion in the second half, delivering significant year‑on‑year growth in free cash flow and extending the improved trajectory under Genus' new chief financial officer. Free cash flow to equity rose to more than £40m in FY25, compared with a cumulative outflow of around £10m between FY22 and FY24.
Berenberg also said the latest upgrade demonstrated the increasing resilience of the business, driven by market‑leading genetics, a continued shift towards royalty‑based revenues and broader geographic diversification, including strong growth in Asia and a significant long‑term opportunity in China.
Ithaca and Harbour Energy both gained from surging oil price amid the latest Iran-US flareup.
FTSE 250 - Risers
Genus (GNS) 2,138.00p 5.31%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 466.00p 4.43%
Ithaca Energy (ITH) 236.60p 3.09%
Clarkson (CKN) 4,592.00p 2.87%
Harbour Energy (HBR) 230.40p 2.77%
W.A.G Payment Solutions (EWG) 107.40p 2.48%
RS Group (RS1) 643.50p 2.47%
BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) 893.00p 2.06%
Close Brothers Group (CBG) 421.20p 1.94%
Raspberry PI Holdings (RPI) 815.50p 1.68%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,505.00p -4.45%
Ceres Power Holdings (CWR) 430.00p -3.61%
The Schiehallion Fund Limited NPV (MNTN) 2.07p -2.83%
Hays (HAS) 47.54p -2.75%
Workspace Group (WKP) 342.60p -2.67%
Trainline (TRN) 222.80p -2.63%
WPP (WPP) 277.20p -2.55%
ITV (ITV) 72.80p -2.35%
International Workplace Group (IWG) 187.70p -2.29%
SSP Group (SSPG) 188.50p -2.23%
