Johnson Service Group PLC

Johnson Service Group reported revenue of £258m for H1 2026, missing the £262m forecast. Adjusted operating profit rose 3.8% to £29.8m and EPS increased 8.7% to 5p. The operating margin improved by 50 basis points to 11.6%; the interim dividend was raised 12.5% to 1.8p, and more than half of the share buyback programme is complete. The workwear business grew organically by 2.6%, HORECA remained weak at -2%, and management reiterates its target of an adjusted operating margin of at least 14% for 2026. » More on de.investing.com

The Johnson Service Group share fell by around 6.8% after the company said the seasonal upswing in its HORECA business was weaker than expected and it now expects weaker trading for the remainder of the year. Revenue in the first half rose by only 0.2% to £258 million, and adjusted pre-tax profit was £25.3 million. Weak volumes and higher customer churn in the HORECA segment only partially offset gains in the workwear division; confirming a target margin of at least 14% was not enough to stop the share price decline. » More on de.investing.com

Johnson Service Group shares fell around 8.9% after a preliminary trading update showing organic growth of -0.7% in the first half. The main driver was the revenue‑strong Horeca segment, whose revenues declined by 2% and represented a reversal compared with the prior year. The adjusted operating margin is well behind management’s target of at least 14%, forcing investors to reassess the recovery in the UK hospitality sector and the company’s margin outlook. The full half‑year results are expected in September 2026. » More on de.investing.com