REG - Science Group PLC - FY25 Update and FY26 Share Buy-Back Programme

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RNS Number : 5849O  Science Group PLC  13 January 2026

 

13 January 2026

 

Science Group plc

 

FY25 Update and FY26 Share Buy-Back Programme

 

 

Science Group is an international services and systems company delivering
innovation through the application of science, technology & engineering.

 

Science Group's operating performance for the year ended 31 December 2025 has
continued the Group's track record of delivering strong profitability, despite
the volatile market conditions experienced during the year.  As set out at
the interim results released in July, the second half of the year benefitted
from a recovery in the Services division, particularly in the Medical sector.
Accordingly, subject to audit, Science Group anticipates reporting another
record year of adjusted operating profit ("AOP"), ahead of Board expectations,
for 2025.

 

The resilient operating performance was further enhanced by the return on
investment related to the H1 corporate activity. As a result, reported profit
before tax and earnings per share will be substantially higher than the prior
year, reflecting the investment gain.

 

The Group's accounting policies and operational practices produce consistent
high cash conversion of AOP, a key priority of the Board. As a result, and
enhanced by the net inflow from the corporate activity, at 31 December 2025
the Group had gross cash of £72.6 million and net funds of £61.2 million
(December 2024: £38.6m and £26.8m respectively), after returning a total of
£14.3 million to shareholders during 2025 through the share buyback programme
(aggregate of delegated and ad hoc activities of £10.7 million) and the
dividend payment of £3.6 million. The estimated tax liability associated with
the H1 corporate investment was also paid prior to the year end and the
Group's renewed (and extended) RCF remains undrawn.

 

Science Group's strong balance sheet, with significant cash resources,
provides both a solid foundation for the operating businesses and the
potential to rapidly pursue corporate opportunities to expand the Group should
the opportunity arise.

 

The audited results for 2025 are anticipated to be released in late March or
mid-April, due to the timing of Easter in 2026.

 

2026 Share Buy-Back

 

The table below compares the Science Group share price performance relative to
the major UK indices for small-cap and mid-market companies, for periods to 31
December 2025. In summary, while the Board considers that the Company's
absolute value continues to lag the Group's operating performance, Science
Group's share price has consistently outperformed the relevant UK indices over
a 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 year period, reflecting the Board's alignment with
shareholder priorities.

 

 

 Share Price Performance %  1 Year  3 Years     5 Years     10 Years      15 Years
 FTSE AIM All Share Index   +6.5%   -7.8%       -33.8%      +3.7%         -17.9%
 FTSE Small Cap Index       +10.1%  +20.8%      +21.3%      +62.6%        +133.5%
 FTSE 250 Index             +9.0%   +19.2%      +9.7%       +28.9%        +94.4%
 FTSE All-Share Index       +19.8%  +31.3%      +45.6%      +55.3%        +74.7%

 Science Group plc          +20.9%  +38.6%      +95.5%      +296.7%       +699.3%

Source: Panmure Liberum/Bloomberg

 

In an efficient stock market, consistent operating performance should
translate into shareholder value and market inefficiencies are a factor taken
into consideration by the Board in capital allocation. Accordingly, subject to
market dynamics and/or material corporate activity, the Board anticipates
continuing the share buy-back programme in 2026 at a broadly similar level to
2025, as a combination of the delegated authority to Panmure Liberum and ad
hoc activities.

 

 

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of article 7 of
the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as amended by regulation 11 of the
Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/310. With the publication
of this announcement, this information is now considered to be in the public
domain.

 

 

- Ends -

 

 

 

 For further information:

Science Group plc
 Martyn Ratcliffe, Executive Chair                 Tel: +44 (0) 1223 875 200
 Jon Brett, Finance Director                       www.sciencegroup.com (http://www.sciencegroup.com)
 Panmure Liberum Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker)
 Nicholas How, Rupert Dearden                      Tel: +44 (0)20 3100 2000

 Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker)
 Neil Patel, Benjamin Cryer, Kate Bannatyne        Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 8900

 

 

 

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