Autotrader Group has reported a slight fall in half-year profit and revenue, but maintained its full-year outlook and raised its interim dividend.

The UK's largest online automotive marketplace said pretax profit fell 4.1 per cent to £191.2 million in the six months to 30 September, from £199.3 million a year earlier. Group revenue fell 1.0 per cent to £313.4 million from £317.7 million, while operating profit edged down 1.0 per cent to £198.5 million from £200.1 million.

The operating profit margin remained unchanged at 63 per cent. Revenue excluding vehicle and accessory sales was broadly flat at £301.8 million, against £301.2 million a year earlier, while vehicle and accessory sales revenue fell 30 per cent to £11.6 million.

Basic earnings per share rose 5.0 per cent to 18.10 pence from 17.26 pence, supported by share buybacks. The company repurchased 55.7 million shares during the half year and returned £330 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks. It declared an interim dividend of 4.2 pence per share, up 11 per cent from 3.8 pence.

Autotrader said retailer forecourt numbers increased to 13,900 at the end of September, from 13,600 at the end of March. It said the first-half performance was in line with expectations.

Looking ahead, the company maintained its guidance for full-year group operating profit of £395 million to £415 million for the 2027 financial year, and said it expects revenue growth to accelerate in the second half. Chief executive Nathan Coe highlighted continued investment in the company's artificial intelligence-powered platform.

Shares in Autotrader fell after the results were published on Thursday, 5 November.

[Source: ajbell.co.uk](https://www.ajbell.co.uk/news/articles/autotrader-shares-slide-after-interim-profit-declines) | [Source: lse.co.uk](https://www.lse.co.uk/news/london-briefing-autotrader-profit-falls-next-sales-beat-forecasts-bkkhi911x3fvffc.html)