Market research group YouGov saw shares rise on Monday, after preliminary results showed strong progress over 2016.
Group revenue increased by 16 percent to £88.2 million, with profit before tax soaring 46 percent to £13.3 million. The preliminary results for the year ended 31st July also showed a 26 percent increase in earnings per share and a 9 percent rise in custom research revenue, which grew to £54.3 million.
The group, who are based in the United Kingdom but operate across Europe, the US and the Middle East, utilise a community of 4 million people across the globe who participate in polls in return for rewards on a points-based system.
Chief executive Stephan Shakespeare said there had been “strong growth” in both revenue and profit, especially across entities like YouGov’s BrandIndex and Omnibus.
“The expansion in our global data products and services such as YouGov BrandIndex and YouGov Omnibus demonstrates their stand-alone strength and also the further potential benefits to clients that we can offer by bringing all of our data together in the YouGov Cube. We are continuing our journey towards becoming a global data and analytics business and this will remain the focus of our investment in our technology and staff resources.
“Trading in the current financial year has started in line with our expectations and we remain well positioned to continue to grow our business in accordance with our goals and to exploit the tremendous potential of YouGov’s connected data system.”
YouGov have already published their poll on last night’s US presidential debate between candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, which saw Clinton win for the second time with 47 percent of opinion. 812 registered voters were interviewed, with 57 percent considering Clinton the “more Presidential” candidate and 71 percent believing Trump interrupted Clinton more than the other way round. 88 percent of those interviewed by YouGov watched the entire debate.
YouGov (LON:YOU) shares rose 5.63 percent to 225.00 (1518GMT).