The boss of credit-checking giant Experian today became the latest business figure to warn of the negative impact of the World Cup.
Chief executive Don Robert, who will succeed Sir John Peace as the group’s chairman in July, admitted the tournament in Brazil would check its progress because fewer people and businesses would be using its services in one of its key markets.
“In the short term, we face a number of one-off headwinds, most notably a subdued trading environment in Brazil over the World Cup and the revenue impact of changes we are driving in North America,” he said.
Last week nearly two thirds of London small and medium-sized business owners said they expected a hit from the World Cup, according to a survey by Close Brothers Asset Finance.
Experian today also revealed it increased pre-tax profit by 4% to $1.2 billion (£709 billion) during the year ending March 31 and expanded its footprint across the globe through acquisitions.
Experian shares fell almost 5% to 1084p.
“We expect a return to more normal levels of organic revenue growth as the second half of the year progresses,” said Robert.
The group raises its full-year dividend 8% to 37.5 cents.
