**Summary of Colefax Group PLC Half-Year Results (28 January 2026)**
**Overview**
Colefax Group PLC, an international designer and distributor of furnishing fabrics, wallpapers, and a leading interior decorating business, reported strong half-year results for the six months ended 31 October 2025. The Group operates under five brands: Colefax and Fowler, Cowtan & Tout, Jane Churchill, Manuel Canovas, and Larsen.
**Key Financial Highlights**
**Group Sales**Increased by 11.7% to ยฃ58.96 million (2024: ยฃ52.79 million), or 13.6% on a constant currency basis.
**Profit Before Tax**Rose by 21.3% to ยฃ5.29 million (2024: ยฃ4.36 million).
**Earnings Per Share**Up 25.0% to 66.5p (2024: 53.2p).
**Share Buyback**Returned ยฃ6.1 million to shareholders in October 2025, purchasing and canceling 691,680 shares.
**Interim Dividend**Increased by 7% to 3.0p per share (2024: 2.8p).
**Segment Performance**
1. **Fabric Division**
Sales grew by 11.4% to ยฃ51.97 million (2024: ยฃ46.67 million), or 13.6% on a constant currency basis.
Strong performance in the US (up 12.9% excluding tariff surcharges), UK (up 10.5%), and Europe (up 2.9%).
Profit increased by 13.2% to ยฃ4.76 million, partially offset by weaker US dollar exchange rates and higher operating costs.
2. **Decorating Division**
Sales rose by 16.7% to ยฃ5.42 million (2024: ยฃ4.65 million), with a profit of ยฃ351,000 (2024: loss of ยฃ63,000).
Performance boosted by project completions weighted to the first half, but expected to breakeven for the full year due to a weak UK housing market.
3. **Furniture Division (Kingcome Sofas)**
Sales increased by 6.0% to ยฃ1.57 million (2024: ยฃ1.48 million), with an operating profit of ยฃ176,000 (2024: ยฃ216,000).
**Cash and Balance Sheet**
Cash generation of ยฃ6.2 million (excluding share buybacks and dividends), up from ยฃ3.6 million in 2024.
Ended the period with cash of ยฃ22.16 million (30 April 2025: ยฃ22.31 million).
Strong balance sheet with net assets of ยฃ32.908 million.
**Chairmanโs Statement**
Chairman David Green attributed the strong performance to the Fabric Divisionโs US sales, driven by a robust US stock market. Despite challenges from US import tariffs and a weaker US dollar, the Group expects full-year profits to exceed market forecasts. The Decorating Division is expected to breakeven due to a subdued UK housing market.
**Future Outlook**
Continued investment in the US distribution network and Fabric Division brands to capitalize on growth opportunities.
Next yearโs sales growth may be more challenging due to strong prior-year comparatives, but the Group remains optimistic about market stability.
**Conclusion**
Colefax Group PLC delivered a robust half-year performance, driven by strong Fabric Division sales, particularly in the US. Despite external challenges, the Group is well-positioned for growth, supported by a strong balance sheet and strategic investments. Full-year profits are expected to surpass market expectations.
Below is an HTML table comparing the financials and debt year on year for Colefax Group PLC based on the provided text:
### Explanation:
1. **Revenue**: Increased by 11.7% from ยฃ52.79 million in 2024 to ยฃ58.96 million in 2025.
2. **Profit Before Tax**: Increased by 21.3% from ยฃ4.36 million in 2024 to ยฃ5.29 million in 2025.
3. **Earnings Per Share**: Increased by 25.0% from 53.2p in 2024 to 66.5p in 2025.
4. **Cash and Cash Equivalents**: Increased by 19.2% from ยฃ18.59 million in 2024 to ยฃ22.16 million in 2025.
5. **Net Debt**: Calculated as Cash and Cash Equivalents minus Current and Non-Current Lease Liabilities. Net debt reduced significantly from -ยฃ9.50 million in 2024 to -ยฃ1.91 million in 2025.
6. **Interim Dividend**: Increased by 7.0% from 2.8p in 2024 to 3.0p in 2025. This table provides a clear comparison of key financial metrics and debt levels between the two periods.