Future shares sank on Wednesday after the specialist media group said it has paused its share buyback to focus on reducing debt.
The owner of publications such as Country Life and TechRadar said it would meet full-year expectations, but the market did not take the buyback pause well, and shares fell 8%.
Future, which owns around 175 brands, said trading in the second half had been largely as expected and it would deliver full-year results in line with market forecasts.
Consensus points to revenue of about £707m and adjusted EBITDA of £180m for the year to 30 September.
However, the company said its board had decided to pause its share buyback, of which about £24m of a £30m programme had been completed, to prioritise cutting its debt in the coming year. It confirmed it would maintain its dividend policy.
Future’s stock has had a tough year and today’s drop sees shares down 44% since the start of 2026.