GB Group Plc posted full-year revenues of £285 million for 2026, marking a 1% rise compared with the prior year on a reported basis and a 3% increase when adjusted for constant currency, according to the firm's trading update released on Wednesday.
The identity verification company said the pace of revenue growth picked up in the second half of the fiscal year. Management reported second-half growth of 3%, up from a contraction of 1% in the first half. On a constant currency basis that improvement equates to roughly 5% growth in the latter half of the year.
Company commentary attributed the H2 turnaround to stronger execution across the EMEA region and a positive inflection in the Americas Identity business during the fourth quarter. Those regional dynamics were highlighted as the proximate drivers behind the sequential improvement in top-line performance.
Operating profit for the year - EBIT - was reported at £67.5 million, which the update describes as broadly flat compared with fiscal 2025. The statement did not disclose further margin detail beyond the EBIT headline.
On the balance sheet, GB Group ended the year with net debt of £80 million. The group also signaled a continued commitment to returning capital to shareholders by resuming its buyback programme in April. The new repurchase authority is for £10 million, equivalent to approximately 2% of outstanding shares. Earlier in the year the company had repurchased about 8% of its shares during FY26.
Management confirmed its outlook for fiscal 2027, maintaining guidance for mid-single-digit revenue growth. The confirmation followed the stronger second-half performance and was presented without adjustment to the previously stated target.
In sum, the trading update presents a picture of modest full-year revenue expansion, a clear improvement in the second half led by EMEA and the Americas Identity business, stable operating profit year-on-year, and a capital return program that has been reactivated with a new £10 million authorization.
Context for markets: The results and updated buyback programme will be most directly relevant to investors focused on identity verification and adjacent technology services, and may interest market participants monitoring corporate cash allocation and balance sheet position within the sector.