TOP NEWS: Rightmove 2020 Revenue Down 29% But Edges Ahead Of Forecasts

(Alliance News) - Rightmove PLC on Friday reported 2020 results that outperformed market ...

Alliance News 26 February, 2021 | 8:35AM
Email Form Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RSS

(Alliance News) - Rightmove PLC on Friday reported 2020 results that outperformed market expectations despite slipping below the prior year's.

The online real estate portal operator said revenue for 2020 was down 29% to GBP205.7 million, reflecting the discount support offered to its customers for the period from April to September 2020.

Average revenue per advertiser was down 28% in 2020 to GBP778 per month from GBP1,088 per month in 2019.

Consensus has guided for revenue of GBP201.6 million, while the average revenue per advertiser was forecast to be GBP773.

Operating profit of GBP135.1 million was down 37% year-on-year, with an operating margin of 66% compared to 74% in 2019. This was also ahead of company-compiled consensus from 17 analysts, who expected Rightmove's operating profit for 2020 to be GBP128.4 million.

The company's 2020 pretax profit fell to GBP134.8 million from GBP213.6 million posted for 2019.

"The UK housing market has, for the most part, shaken off pandemic-related challenges to forge an optimistic start to 2021. In the absence of further economic shocks, we think it is likely that the current shortage of new listings will correct once the immediate lockdown is lifted and will have no lasting impact on estate agency branch numbers," said Rightmove.

Chief Executive Peter Brooks-Johnson added that strong activity has continued into 2021 and the company recorded its busiest January ever for traffic.

Rightmove declared a final dividend of 4.5 pence, having cancelled 2019's 4.4p final dividend. The final dividend is the only payout Rightmove will make for 2020, versus a total payout of 2.8p for 2019, though it added that it has approved the resumption of its share buyback programme in March 2021.

Rightmove shares were trading 2.1% lower in London on Friday morning at 593.40p each.

By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Email Form Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RSS

Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
Rightmove PLC 513.20 GBX -1.72 -

About Author

Alliance News

Alliance News provides Morningstar with continuously updating coverage of news affecting listed companies.

© Copyright 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use        Privacy Policy        Modern Slavery Statement        Cookie Settings        Disclosures