FY25 Update and FY26 Share Buy-Back Programme
Summary by AI BETAClose X
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.
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Share Price Performance % |
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
15 Years |
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FTSE AIM All Share Index |
+6.5% |
-7.8% |
-33.8% |
+3.7% |
-17.9% |
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FTSE Small Cap Index |
+10.1% |
+20.8% |
+21.3% |
+62.6% |
+133.5% |
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FTSE 250 Index |
+9.0% |
+19.2% |
+9.7% |
+28.9% |
+94.4% |
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FTSE All-Share Index |
+19.8% |
+31.3% |
+45.6% |
+55.3% |
+74.7% |
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Science Group plc |
+20.9% |
+38.6% |
+95.5% |
+296.7% |
+699.3% |
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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.
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