M&C Saatchi (AIM:SAA), the AIM-listed creative and advertising group, said like-for-like net revenue for the first four months of 2026 is in line with expectations and supportive of the market's full-year outlook.
The update, issued ahead of the company's annual general meeting, pointed to positive growth in the group's high-margin Issues and Media specialisms as the primary driver of performance, offsetting a continued difficult broader market environment.
The Issues specialism had been expected to return to double-digit growth in 2026 after being hit by the US government shutdown in the fourth quarter of last year, which dented revenue and profit during a period when the division typically generates a disproportionate share of its annual earnings.
New business wins in the period included UNICEF, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, RAC Motoring Service and Brand USA.
The update follows a challenging 2025 in which like-for-like net revenue fell around 7%, or approximately 2.5% excluding Australia, with reported net revenue of £210 million and operating profit of £26 million.
