Trading Statement

Smiths News

23/09/2025 07:00

RNS Number : 2473A

Smiths News PLC

23 September 2025

 

This announcement contains inside information

 

23 September 2025

 

 

Smiths News PLC

("Smiths News" or the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Post Close Trading Statement

 

Smiths News (LSE: SNWS), the UK's largest news wholesaler and a leading provider of early morning end-to-end supply chain solutions, is pleased to report that, following strong trading in the second half of the 52-week period ended 30 August 2025 ("FY2025"), adjusted operating profit for FY2025 is now expected to be slightly ahead of current market expectations*. This positive performance has been driven by the news and magazines business, which has been bolstered by strong demand for collectables, and continued focus on operational efficiencies, delivering cost-savings in line with expectations.

 

The Company is also pleased to announce it has received a final £2.0 million dividend from the administrators of McColl's Retail Group.  No further dividends are expected to be received in relation to this matter.

 

In line with the Group's capital allocation policy, the Board continues to consider investment in its core capabilities, potential adjacent market opportunities and further shareholder returns. The Group expects to provide an update on capital allocation and progress with its growth initiatives at full year results in November 2025.

 

Jonathan Bunting, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

 

"The Group's performance in FY2025 reflects the continued dedication and strategic discipline of our team, maintaining a clear focus on the news and magazines business, whilst extending our market reach in a targeted and sustainable manner.

 

"As we move into FY2026, the business continues to perform well, and I look forward to sharing a more detailed update on our progress at the Company's full year results in November."

 

 

 

*Company compiled analyst consensus can be found on Smiths News' website - Analyst consensus. Current adjusted operating profit market expectation for FY2025 is £37.2m.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Smiths News PLC
Jonathan Bunting, Chief Executive Officer
Paul Baker, Chief Financial Officer
www.smithsnews.co.uk
via Vigo Consulting
Vigo Consulting
Jeremy Garcia / Fiona Hetherington / Anna Sutton
smithsnews@vigoconsulting.com
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7390 0230

 

About Smiths News

 

Smiths News is the UK's largest news wholesaler and leading provider of early morning, end-to-end supply chain solutions. Smiths News has been delivering newspapers to retailers across the UK for over 200 years on behalf of the major national and regional publishers. Today, Smiths News delivers to over 22,000 customers across England and Wales on a daily basis.

 

Smiths News' service capability now extends into a number of growth initiatives that build on its expertise in warehousing, reverse logistics and early morning final mile services, across its extensive high-density UK delivery network, including a waste recycling collection service, the delivery of additional categories such as books and home entertainment, and extending our services in the final mile.

 

The speed of turnaround and the density of Smiths News' coverage is critical to one of the world's fastest physical supply chains and we remain focused on continuing to deliver best in class service to the news and magazines market, whilst exploring opportunities for growth based on this strong foundation.

 

For more information, please visit: www.smithsnews.co.uk

 

 

Person responsible for arranging release of this announcement:

Stuart Marriner, General Counsel & Company Secretary

Smiths News plc, Rowan House, Cherry Orchard North, Kembrey Park, Swindon SN2 8UH

Email: cosec@smithsnews.co.uk

 

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