Taylor Nelson Sofres Profits Rise

International market research company, Taylor Nelson Sofres, this morning reported its 1998 financial results, which show an increase in profit before tax and exceptional gain of 12.4% to £25.2 million.

Taylor Nelson Sofres was created by the merger of Taylor Nelson AGB and the French market research group Sofres which it acquired for £119 million in November 1997 (see Taylor Nelson Buys French Rival). It is now ranked as the fourth largest market information group in the world.

Operating profit at Taylor Nelson grew by 20.1% to £28.4 million during 1998; earnings per share rose from 3.06p in 1997 to 4.39p this time. Growth in the media sector of Taylor Nelson’s business was 18.7%. The company conducts the research behind the BARB television viewing data in the UK.

Commenting on the results, chairman Tony Cowling said: “These strong results have more than met our expectations at the time we announced the merger with Sofres at the end of 1997. The market information sector is consolidating rapidly and we intend to remain at the forefront of this. We will continue, therefore, to make acquisitions that make strategic and economic sense to the group.”

Taylor Nelson Sofres: 0181 967 0007