FirstGroup overall performance YTD in line with expectations

FirstGroup overall performance YTD in line with expectations

Title: FirstGroup's YTD Performance in Line with Expectations

FirstGroup PLC, a FTSE 250-listed firm, reported its financial 2026 trading results on July 25, 2025, indicating that the company's performance so far is in line with expectations. The company, which operates through its First Bus and First Rail divisions, has continued to strengthen its businesses and deliver against its strategic goals [3].

FirstGroup's financial 2025 was deemed successful by the company, with both divisions further strengthened. The firm reported a pretax profit of £164.9 million for the 52 weeks ending March 29, 2025, up from a £18.8 million loss in the previous year. This improvement was partly due to a one-off settlement of £146.9 million received after exiting local government pension schemes [3].

The company has also initiated an ongoing buyback scheme, with the first tranche of £25 million completed and the second tranche, also for £25 million, underway. The total buyback plan is to repurchase up to 61.8 million shares, equivalent to 14.99% of the company's shares, for a total of £50 million by June 10, 2026 [3].

FirstGroup's shares were trading flat at 217.00p on July 25, 2025, following the announcement. The company expects to release its interim results for the six months ending September 30, 2025, on November 18, 2025 [1].

Looking ahead, FirstGroup plans to maintain its focus on operational excellence and the disciplined deployment of capital on decarbonisation, growth, and shareholder returns. The company is targeting annualised cost savings of at least £15 million in the first half of financial 2026, resulting from business restructuring [3].

References
[1] https://www.investments.halifax.co.uk/research-centre/news-centre/article/?id=20418908&type=bsm
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/BBD-B.TO/
[3] https://www.sharesmagazine.co.uk/news/market/1753435106069361400/firstgroup-trading-in-line-with-new-year-guide-as-buybacks-continue