HIGHCO POSTS 22.5% Q3 GROWTH AS FRANCE ANCHORS PERFORMANCE

French data marketing company HighCo has reported a 22.5 per cent increase in gross profit for the third quarter of 2026, supported largely by its recent acquisitions of Sogec and Budgetbox.

The company, based in Aix-en-Provence, announced on October 21 that its gross profit had reached €19.16 million, compared with the same period last year. However, when the contribution of the two acquired companies is excluded, HighCo's organic gross profit stood at €15.88 million, representing a more modest increase of 1.6 per cent.

Chairman of the Management Board Didier Chabassieu described the quarter's performance as being in line with expectations. He said the results supported the group's full-year outlook and its ambition to strengthen operating margins beyond 15 per cent in 2027.

A closer look at the company's business divisions shows different levels of performance. Its Retail Activation division, which supports retailers through promotional campaigns and coupon services, recorded gross profit of €11.40 million, representing a reported increase of 16.7 per cent. However, on a like-for-like basis, the division's gross profit declined by 5.2 per cent, a slowdown the company had anticipated.

The Retail Agencies division, which provides creative and consulting services, also recorded a decline. Its gross profit fell by 3.3 per cent to €3.45 million during the quarter.

Despite the mixed results across its divisions, France remained the company's main source of strength, helping to support its overall performance as other markets adjusted to changing business conditions.

HighCo has maintained its full-year guidance and expects gross profit to exceed €77 million by the end of 2026. The outlook reflects the company's confidence in meeting its financial targets despite the differences in performance across its business operations.

The company, listed on Euronext Paris under the ticker HCO, is also followed by investors interested in smaller French-listed companies, including those within the CAC Small market segment. Its latest results provide an indication of how the business is progressing against its stated targets.

Investors will next look to January 27, 2027, when HighCo is scheduled to publish its fourth-quarter and full-year sales figures, offering a broader picture of its performance throughout 2026.