discoverIE plc (LSE:DSCV) disclosed a pre-close trading update for the fiscal year ending March 2026, highlighting strong late-year momentum in new business and an improved leverage profile following the closing of the Trival acquisition last week.
In the fourth quarter, the group recorded a 15% year-on-year rise in orders on an organic constant currency basis. Sales for the same quarter rose 5% on an organic constant currency basis and showed a 6% increase on a constant currency basis overall, with 1 percentage point attributed to contributions from mergers and acquisitions.
Across the full fiscal year, orders grew 5% on an organic basis, outpacing underlying sales performance. The company said its order book was 6% higher than at the half-year point, signaling a strengthening backlog heading into the new financial year. For the year as a whole, sales increased 2% on an organic basis and 5% on a reported basis.
Segment performance was mixed but broadly constructive. The M&C division experienced strong demand from industrial and medical customers. Controls posted its third consecutive quarter of robust order growth. The S&C division saw order improvements within industrial, security and wireless end-markets.
Gross margins were described as resilient. Management noted, however, that the group made targeted investments during the year across sales and engineering functions, and in additional manufacturing capacity located in India and Thailand. At the same time, earnings per share received support from improved cost efficiencies and lower interest expenses.
On balance sheet metrics, year-end net debt to EBITDA is expected to be approximately 1.2 times. Including the Trival acquisition on a pro forma basis, discoverIE anticipates the ratio to be around 1.7 times, which the company states sits within its stated target range of 1.5 to 2.0 times.
Management reiterated guidance that fiscal 2026 earnings per share are expected to align with the company-compiled consensus of 40.1 pence. The update also noted an active mergers and acquisitions pipeline, with a number of opportunities currently under development.
What this means
- Order growth accelerated late in the year, supporting a stronger order book versus the half-year position.
- Sales delivered modest organic growth, with reported figures boosted by M&A activity.
- Leverage improved and remains within the company target range on a pro forma basis including Trival.