London, 22nd April: Informa’s management is optimistic about 2022, but there are some hard truths in the results released this week and 2021 is clearly being viewed as a transition or recovery year. Barclays Bank is expecting Informa’s events revenue to 51% lower in 2021 compared with 2019. Globally, the group is essentially optimistic about just two markets in 2021: China and the U.S.

Informa plc has reported an underlying operating profit of US$373 million on revenues of on revenues of US$2.2 billion from its FY2020 results. The Informa Markets division posted a 63.5% revenue drop for the year.

Reed’s trading update was less detailed and less insightful. Management noted, somewhat dryly, that “exhibitions continue to be significantly impacted by Covid-19.” The company has held 55 physical events in in Japan and China and one additional event held in the U.S. last month. Reed’s management also noted that they continue to “launch a range of new digital initiatives in support of our customers and event brands.”