Want to see GB:FUTR full AI Analyst Report?
Future plc (FUTR) AI Stock Analysis
Future plc
(LSE:FUTR)
The score is held back primarily by weakening financial performance (declining revenue, pressured margins, and lower free cash flow) and a technically weak chart (below major moving averages with negative MACD). These are partially offset by attractive valuation (low P/E) and a high dividend yield.
Future plc (FUTR) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)
- Market Cap
- GBP 249.47M
- Dividend Yield
- 5.97%
- Average Volume (3M)
- 415.58K
- Price to Earnings (P/E)
- 7.9
- Beta (1Y)
- 0.39
- Revenue Growth
- -8.41%
- EPS Growth
- -51.11%
- Country
- UK
- Employees
- 2,991
- Sector
- Communication Services
- Sector Strength
- 60
- Industry
- Publishing
Future plc Business Overview & Revenue Model
Company Description
Future plc, along with its associated companies, specializes in creating and disseminating content across a wide array of interests, including technology, gaming, television, entertainment, women's lifestyle, real-life topics, music, creative arts, p...
How the Company Makes Money
Future primarily makes money through a mix of digital advertising, ecommerce/affiliate revenue, and subscriptions. 1) Digital advertising: Future sells advertising across its network of websites and digital publications. Revenue is generated via disp...
Future plc Earnings Call Summary
The earnings call presented a balanced view with stable financial performance despite revenue declines, strong cash generation, and strategic initiatives showing promise. However, challenges remain in audience engagement and specific market segments.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Negative Updates
Company Guidance
During the call, the company provided guidance for the fiscal year 2025, emphasizing several key metrics and strategic initiatives aimed at driving growth and maintaining financial stability. Revenue was reported at GBP 739 million, reflecting a 6% decrease year-on-year, with an organic performance decline of 3%. The adjusted operating profit stood at GBP 205 million, maintaining a margin of 28%, and adjusted EPS experienced a slight decline of 1%. Cash flows remained robust, converting at 86% of adjusted operating profit, and the balance sheet showed a strong leverage ratio of 1.3x after returning approximately GBP 100 million to shareholders. The company announced a significant fivefold increase in its ordinary dividend and launched its fifth share buyback program. Looking ahead, the company expects modest revenue growth in fiscal year 2026, with a focus on leveraging AI as a revenue opportunity and enhancing direct audience relationships to sustain future monetization. They anticipate maintaining an EBITDA margin of 30% and strong cash conversion around 95%, driven by strategic initiatives such as the AI-powered Future Optic and the launching of Renewal to boost retention and improve the consumer funnel.
Future plc Financial Statement Overview
Summary
Mixed fundamentals: revenue declined (-4.63%) and profitability weakened (gross margin down to 34.86%, net margin 8.97%), while leverage improved (debt-to-equity 0.32). Cash generation softened with free cash flow down 21.05%, though free cash flow conversion vs. net income remains strong (0.97).
Income Statement
65PositiveBalance Sheet
70PositiveCash Flow
60Neutral| Breakdown | TTM | Sep 2025 | Sep 2024 | Sep 2023 | Sep 2022 | Sep 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Income Statement | ||||||
| Total Revenue | 709.90M | 739.20M | 788.20M | 788.90M | 825.40M | 606.80M |
| Gross Profit | 228.80M | 257.70M | 354.40M | 380.50M | 354.30M | 266.60M |
| EBITDA | 166.40M | 189.50M | 214.70M | 253.90M | 269.10M | 200.10M |
| Net Income | 36.50M | 66.30M | 76.80M | 113.40M | 122.20M | 66.10M |
Balance Sheet | ||||||
| Total Assets | 1.68B | 1.63B | 1.71B | 1.88B | 1.96B | 1.63B |
| Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments | 44.60M | 27.60M | 39.70M | 60.30M | 29.20M | 324.30M |
| Total Debt | 391.70M | 337.30M | 334.40M | 432.30M | 520.70M | 549.50M |
| Total Liabilities | 674.10M | 594.30M | 646.30M | 766.60M | 897.40M | 768.80M |
| Stockholders Equity | 1.01B | 1.04B | 1.06B | 1.11B | 1.06B | 862.30M |
Cash Flow | ||||||
| Free Cash Flow | 108.10M | 114.00M | 155.90M | 171.50M | 191.00M | 154.60M |
| Operating Cash Flow | 112.00M | 117.30M | 169.80M | 182.80M | 202.60M | 165.70M |
| Investing Cash Flow | -59.30M | -19.60M | -21.80M | -58.80M | -116.70M | -180.40M |
| Financing Cash Flow | -65.10M | -109.00M | -166.90M | -86.90M | -389.00M | 321.50M |
Future plc Technical Analysis
Price Trends
Market Momentum
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:FUTR, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 284.80 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 297.70, below the 50-day MA of 300.33, and below the 200-day MA of 343.87, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -4.71 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 41.55 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 24.48 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:FUTR.
Future plc Peers Comparison
Overall Rating
GB:BMY79.4Outperform- GB:FUTR62Neutral
GB:RCH60Neutral
GB:ITV53Neutral
GB:STVG43Neutral
Financial Indicators
| Name | Overall Rating | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | ROE | Dividend Yield | Revenue Growth | EPS Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB:BMY | 79Outperform | GBP 514.69M | 25.63 | 9.41% | 2.59% | -6.66% | -10.04% |
| GB:FUTR | 62Neutral | GBP 247.72M | 7.91 | 3.57% | 5.97% | -8.41% | -51.11% |
| Sector * | 60Neutral | $48.67B | 4.58 | -11.27% | 4.14% | 2.83% | -41.78% |
| GB:RCH | 60Neutral | GBP 151.48M | -0.85 | -36.14% | 12.29% | -6.48% | -458.95% |
| GB:ITV | 53Neutral | GBP 2.34B | 10.55 | 13.15% | 7.73% | 1.58% | 27.05% |
| GB:STVG | 43Neutral | GBP 47.66M | -1.79 | 143.01% | ― | -18.44% | -608.87% |
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
| Show on chart | Ticker | Company Name | Price | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB:FUTR | Future plc | 284.80 | -303.81 | -51.61% | |
| GB:BMY | Bloomsbury Publishing | 632.00 | 142.70 | 29.16% | |
| GB:ITV | ITV plc | 64.65 | 0.62 | 0.97% | |
| GB:STVG | STV Group plc | 102.00 | -15.50 | -13.19% | |
| GB:RCH | Reach Plc | 48.00 | -4.89 | -9.25% |
Future plc Corporate Events
Future plc confirms total voting rights and share capital
NeutralFuture plc has reported that, as of 31 August 2026, its issued share capital comprises 89,431,381 ordinary shares of 15 pence each, with every share carrying one voting right and no shares held in treasury. This sets the company’s total voting...
Future plc Expands Buyback with New £22m Share Repurchases
PositiveFuture plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 162,191 ordinary shares between 24 and 28 August 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 307.29p, with prices ranging from 293p to 317.2p. The purchases were executed...
Future plc Expands Share Buyback, Reducing Shares in Issue
PositiveFuture plc has continued its share buyback programme on the London Stock Exchange, repurchasing 159,341 ordinary shares of 15 pence each between 17 and 21 August 2026 at prices ranging from 296.8p to 335p, with an average price of 313.3181p. These tr...
Future plc advances £21m share buyback, shrinks share base
PositiveFuture plc has continued executing its share buyback programme, repurchasing 151,996 ordinary shares between 10 and 14 August 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 328.9513 pence. The company has now acquired a total of 5,836,759 s...
Future plc Buys Back Further 152,000 Shares in Ongoing Capital Return
PositiveFuture plc has continued its share buyback activity, repurchasing 151,996 ordinary shares between 10 and 14 August 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of about 328.95 pence. The move brings total buybacks under the current programme...
Future plc Continues Share Buyback, Lifts Total Repurchases to £20.6m
PositiveFuture plc has continued to execute its share buyback programme, repurchasing 157,702 ordinary shares during the week of 3–7 August 2026 at an average price of 317.05 pence via the London Stock Exchange. Including these latest trades, the compa...
Future plc Confirms Total Voting Rights and Share Capital
NeutralFuture plc has confirmed that as of the close of business on 31 July 2026, its issued share capital comprised 90,062,611 ordinary shares of 15 pence each, with no shares held in treasury. Each ordinary share carries one vote, resulting in a total of...
Future plc advances £20m share buyback, shrinks share base
PositiveFuture plc has continued its share buyback programme, purchasing 159,530 ordinary shares in the week of 27–31 July 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 313.4182 pence, with prices ranging between about 300p and 331p. The com...
Future plc Adds Veteran Auditor Randal Casson to Board in Governance Push
PositiveFuture plc has strengthened its governance with the appointment of Randal Casson as an Independent Non-Executive Director, effective immediately, as part of a broader refresh of its Board. Casson, a former PwC audit partner with extensive listed comp...
Future plc names new joint advisers ahead of trading update
PositiveFuture plc has strengthened its capital markets support by appointing Investec Bank plc and Peel Hunt LLP as joint financial advisers and corporate brokers with immediate effect. The move underscores the media group’s intent to deepen investor...
Future plc Lifts Total Buybacks to £19.6 Million, Tightening Share Capital
PositiveFuture plc continued its share buyback programme in the week of 20–24 July 2026, repurchasing 164,772 ordinary shares at an average price of about 299.66 pence via the London Stock Exchange. This latest tranche lifts total buybacks to 5,367,531...
Future plc adds senior marketing and media leaders to its board
PositiveFuture plc has strengthened its board with the appointment of Patricia Corsi and Anna Mallett as Independent Non-Executive Directors, effective immediately. Both will also join the Nomination Committee, adding senior expertise in global brand-buildin...
Future plc Advances Share Buyback, Repurchases 157,889 Shares
PositiveFuture plc has continued executing its share buyback programme, purchasing 157,889 ordinary shares between 13 and 17 July 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 311.3960 pence, within a range of 302.40 pence to 317.80 pence. Includi...
Future plc Advances Share Buyback, Reducing Share Count and Boosting Capital Efficiency
PositiveFuture plc has continued executing its share buyback programme, purchasing 171,036 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange between 6 and 10 July 2026 at an average price of about 292 pence. The company has now bought back a total of 5,044,870 sh...
Future plc Reduces Share Count with Ongoing Buyback Programme
PositiveFuture plc has continued its share buyback programme, purchasing 165,130 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange between 29 June and 3 July 2026 at prices ranging from 293p to 309.2p, with an average price of 302.5764p. Including these latest tr...
Future plc Updates Market on Total Voting Rights After Share Buybacks
NeutralFuture plc reported that as of the close of business on 30 June 2026 its issued share capital comprised 90,815,446 ordinary shares of 15 pence each, with every share conferring one voting right and no shares held in treasury. This updated figure inco...
Future plc lifts total buybacks to £17.6m as share count falls below 91m
PositiveFuture plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 171,257 ordinary shares between 22 and 26 June 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of about 290.9 pence. The latest transactions bring total buybacks to 4,708,704 sh...
Future plc steps up buybacks with latest £17m share repurchase
PositiveFuture plc has continued its share buyback programme, repurchasing 165,452 ordinary shares between 15 and 19 June 2026 on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of about 298.8 pence, with prices ranging from 291 to 309.8 pence. Including this...
Future plc expands buyback with June share repurchases
PositiveFuture plc continued its share buyback activity, repurchasing 162,118 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange between 8 and 12 June 2026 at an average price of 306.1411 pence, with prices ranging from 297.4p to 316.2p. Cumulatively, the company...
Disclaimer
This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.
Date of analysis: Sep 13, 2026