Jan 16 (Reuters) – British animal genetics company Genus expects to report full-year adjusted pretax profit “moderately above” the upper end of current market expectations, sending its shares as much as 15.3% higher on Friday.
Genus uses biotechnology to improve animal breeding and sells genetic products to livestock farmers and food producers across dairy, beef and pork herds. While the beef market remains tough, price increases and robust pig trading and steady investments from dairy producers are expected to spur demand.
Analysts are expecting Genus to report adjusted profit before tax of 82.7 million pounds to 85 million pounds ($110.78 million to $113.87 million) for fiscal 2026, according to a company‑compiled consensus.
“Dairy producers have benefited from lower feed costs, which should support investment in genetics,” said Peel Hunt analyst Charles Hall in a note.
Genus shares were up 8% at 2,842.5 pence as of 0926 GMT, making the stock the top performer on the FTSE 250 mid‑cap index.
The company also said it expects to report adjusted profit before tax for the first half of the year ahead of its own expectations.
Genus in September last year had signed a revised agreement to speed up the formation of its China joint venture, and it now expects the formation of that venture in its fiscal third quarter following receipt of regulatory approvals.
($1 = 0.7465 pounds)
(Reporting by Ankita Bora in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
