Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Smiths Group in £100m buyback as H1 earnings rise; Names new CEO

(Sharecast News) - UK engineering group Smiths named a new chief executive and launched a £100m share buyback as it reaffirmed annual guidance after a rise in half-year earnings.

The company which covers the industrial, energy and aerospace sectors said insider Roland Carter would take over as CEO , succeeding Paul Keel who will step down with immediate effect.

Carter ran Smiths Detection, which makes security screening systems and was involved in establishing the group's joint venture in China as its head of Asia-Pacific.

Group operating profit for the six months to January 31 rose 2.7% to £192m. Orders grew 16.5%, although revenue in its general industrial division - it's biggest sector - fell 5.5%.

"For full-year 2024, we reaffirm our guidance of organic revenue growth within our medium-term target range of 4-6%, underpinned by record order books," the company said.

"We expect growth to improve in the second half, supported by continued strength in end markets such as aerospace, security and energy, and gradually improving market conditions in US HVAC and semiconductors. We also reaffirm our expectation for continued margin expansion."

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

Agronomics investee Solar Foods raises EUR 8m
(Sharecast News) - Cellular agriculture investor Agronomics announced on Friday that its portfolio company Solar Foods had raised an additional €8m through Finnish investment organiser Springvest.
Berenberg hikes target price on Greggs
(Sharecast News) - Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on bakery chain Greggs from 3,550.0p to 3,990.0p on Friday as it noted that customer appeal had broadened as its market share was expanding.
Thousands of UK firms fighting for survival - Begbies Traynor
(Sharecast News) - More than half a million UK business are fighting for survival, according to an industry research published on Friday, weighed down by the weak economy.
Thruvision FY24 adjusted underlying losses widen
(Sharecast News) - Security technology business Thruvision said on Friday that adjusted underlying losses had widened in FY24 as revenues fell.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.