Firstgroup PLC

FGP

Equity

ISIN GB0003452173 / Valor 362519

LSE London Stock Exchange, SETS (2025-11-17)

GBP 2.00-1.28%

Firstgroup PLC
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About company

Firstgroup PLC is a prominent private sector provider of public transport, offering easy and convenient mobility solutions that connect people and communities. The company operates through its two main divisions, First Rail and First Bus. First Rail is the UK's largest rail operator, with extensive experience in running various passenger rail services, including long-distance, commuter, regional, and sleeper services. On the other hand, First Bus is the second largest bus operator in the UK, serving a significant portion of the regional market outside London and carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers daily in the UK's largest towns and cities.

Summarized from source with an LLMView SourceSector: Consumer Services

Revenue Growth

Group adjusted revenue for FY2025 reached £1,370.0 million, up from £1,279.6 million in FY2024. This increase was driven by strong performance in the First Bus division, higher variable fees in First Rail DfT TOCs, and continued growth in open access rail operations.

Operating Profit

Adjusted operating profit grew to £222.8 million in FY2025 from £204.3 million in the previous year. The rise was supported by First Bus's profit increasing by £12.4 million to £96.0 million and First Rail's profit up by £5.5 million to £148.8 million.

Earnings Per Share and Dividends

Firstgroup PLC's adjusted earnings per share increased to 19.4p in FY2025 from 16.7p in FY2024. The company also proposed a final dividend of 4.8p per share, bringing the total FY dividend to 6.5p, up from 5.5p in the previous year.

Share Buybacks

During FY2025, Firstgroup PLC repurchased 54.8 million shares and announced an additional £50 million buyback programme, returning approximately £92 million to shareholders through buybacks.

Investments in Growth and Decarbonisation

The group invested significantly in growth diversification and decarbonisation, including a £90 million acquisition of RATP London, approximately £35 million in bolt-on acquisitions to expand First Bus's market share, £88 million in decarbonisation efforts for First Bus, and a £500 million order for 14 new UK-manufactured Hitachi trains to support open access rail growth.