Financial and operating highlights

• Turnover of £283 million (2001: £323m)

• Profit before tax* of £30.1 million unchanged compared to 2001

• Significant improvement in operating margin* to 13.1% (2001:11.8%)

• Earnings per share growth* of 2% to 16.4p (2001:16.1p)

• Net debt reduced by £23m to £96m (2001: £119m)

• Subscriptions resilient and now accounting for 35% of Group revenue

• Dividend maintained at 7.6pence per share

*Before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items

Peter Rigby, Chairman of Informa Group plc commented:

"This was a strong performance achieved in difficult trading conditions. Management took action in the year to reduce costs and rationalise the product portfolio, leading to a significant improvement in our operating margin. In addition, we continued to focus on building our core subscription revenues which now account for 35 per cent of total turnover.

"With economic pressures still acute, we believe it is unlikely that the trading environment will improve during 2003. However, while close cost control will remain our focus, we will continue to seek further opportunities to drive organic growth through new product development and to build further on the market leading positions we enjoy. We believe the business is well positioned to achieve significant profit and margin improvement when economic confidence returns.

"We are pleased to be able to report that our biggest single event, the 3GSM World Congress which is held this week in Cannes, has achieved very encouraging results, with exhibition and sponsorship income up 11 per cent on 2002 and delegate numbers ahead of expectations."

For further information:

Informa Group plc	020 7017 4302
Peter Rigby, Chairman
David Gilbertson, Chief Executive
Jim Wilkinson, Finance Director
Bell Pottinger Financial	020 7861 3232
Catherine Lees/Zoe Sanders

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