Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital and main financial hub-King Fahad Road at night. AdobeStock/Muttaz
Informa has cut its 2026 underlying revenue growth forecast to around 3% from around 6% after renewed disruption in Saudi Arabia forced it to postpone major events into 2027.
The group had reaffirmed the roughly 6% forecast in its half-year results on 30 July, despite earlier Middle East disruption. In its 27 October update, it stated that it had continued to track that forecast until the latest escalation in Saudi Arabia.
Informa said the now adjusted outlook reflected “the latest force majeure activity” and was based on “assuming no further contribution from KSA in 2026”.
Reuters reported that fighting between Saudi Arabia and Iran-aligned Houthis had intensified in recent weeks, with fresh strikes by both sides disrupting the events calendar.
Cityscape Global in Riyadh will now take place in January 2027. Its next edition remains scheduled for November 2027. The 2026 Global Health Exhibition will move online, with the physical event postponed to October 2027.
The cut reflects affected business can no longer be kept within 2026, even as sales elsewhere grow.
Informa reported underlying revenue growth of 6.5% in the nine months to 30 September, excluding non-recurring data contracts. Its live-events businesses grew 8%, with strength across the Americas, Europe, ASEAN and its India, Middle East and Africa region outside Saudi Arabia.
Earlier changes to the calendar had helped the group maintain its forecast. More than 50 event brands had run in the India, Middle East and Africa region this year, generating over US$530 million in revenue, Informa said. Growth in other markets had also helped offset the disruption.
Informa kept its forecast for double-digit underlying growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share. This measure adjusts for exchange rates, biennial events and non-recurring data contracts. The forecast also excludes the 2026 dilution from shares issued for the Clarion acquisition.
Informa also expects to complete its acquisition of Clarion Events within the first two weeks of December. Potentially cushioning the effects of any continued disruption going into 2027 through further diversification, the buy-out of the B2B live events company would add more than 100 business-to-business event brands for 2027, expanding its presence in North America, Asia and Europe.
Related: Informa’s £2.24bn Clarion takeover creates bigger B2B giant | Meetings & Conventions Asia
Stephen Carter, group chief executive, Informa, said: “Strong underlying demand for B2B Live Events, combined with the strength of our Brands and operating flexibility, is enabling us to deliver consistent growth and performance, and our international breadth is limiting the impact of specific in-market disruptions.”