Softcat Past Earnings Performance
Past criteria checks 5/6
Softcat has been growing earnings at an average annual rate of 7.9%, while the IT industry saw earnings growing at 7.9% annually. Revenues have been growing at an average rate of 10.5% per year. Softcat's return on equity is 49.3%, and it has net margins of 8.1%.
Key information
7.85%
Earnings growth rate
7.72%
EPS growth rate
| IT Industry Growth | 17.66% |
| Revenue growth rate | 10.54% |
| Return on equity | 49.32% |
| Net Margin | 8.06% |
| Last Earnings Update | 31 Jan 2026 |
Recent past performance updates
Recent updates
Narrative Update • Aug 04
SCT: Dividend Growth And Buybacks Will Support Balanced Fairly Valued Future Returns
Analysts have raised their Softcat price target from £18.19 to £18.84, citing updated assumptions for the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E as the key drivers of this change. What’s in the News for Softcat No recent Softcat specific news items were identified in the provided sources up to 29 Jul 2026.
Narrative Update • Jul 10
SCT: Higher P/E And Lower Margins Will Continue To Mask Weakening Earnings Quality
Analysts have raised their Softcat price target from £13.50 to £15.00, citing updated assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E that together support a higher fair value estimate despite a slightly higher discount rate. What’s in the News for Softcat No recent Softcat specific news items were provided in the primary news feed.Narrative Update • Jun 26
SCT: Dividend Growth And Buybacks Will Support Balanced Future Returns
Analysts have adjusted their Softcat price target from £16.58 to £18.19, citing updated assumptions related to revenue growth, profit margins, the discount rate, and the stock's future P/E. What’s in the News for Softcat No recent Softcat specific news items were available from the provided sources for this period.Analysis Article • Jun 15
Here's Why We Think Softcat (LON:SCT) Is Well Worth Watching
The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even...Narrative Update • Jun 07
SCT: Higher Interim Dividend Will Continue To Mask Weakening Earnings Quality
Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for Softcat from £12.10 to £13.50, citing revised assumptions related to revenue trends, profit margins and a higher future P/E multiple. What's in the News Softcat has recommended an interim ordinary dividend of 9.9 pence per share for H1 FY2026, amounting to £19.5 million, in line with its policy of paying one third of the previous year's total ordinary dividend as an interim payment.Narrative Update • May 24
SCT: Rising Dividend Will Continue To Mask Weakening Earnings Quality
Analysts have nudged their Softcat price target to £12.10. This reflects slightly lower assumed discount rates and future P/E, alongside modestly stronger projected profit margins and a small adjustment to expected revenue trends.Narrative Update • May 02
SCT: Rich Dividend Payout Will Continue To Mask Weak Earnings Power
Analysts have raised their Softcat price target by £0.10 to reflect slightly higher assumed revenue growth and a marginally higher forward P/E. This is partly offset by a small reduction in expected profit margins and a modest increase in the discount rate.Narrative Update • Apr 18
SCT: Softer Revenue Outlook Will Limit Appeal Of Dividend Returns
Analysts have reduced their Softcat price target from £14.50 to £12.10. This reflects updated views on softer revenue growth assumptions, a slightly higher discount rate, and a lower future P/E multiple, partly offset by a modestly improved profit margin outlook.Narrative Update • Apr 04
SCT: Dividend Increases And Share Buybacks Will Drive Strong Future Returns
Analysts have trimmed their Softcat price target from £17.18 to £16.58, citing updated assumptions around discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E levels. What's in the News Softcat has recommended an interim ordinary dividend of 9.9 pence per share for H1 FY2026, amounting to £19.5 million, under its policy of paying one third of the previous year's total ordinary dividend as the interim payout (Key Developments).Analysis Article • Mar 26
We Think Softcat's (LON:SCT) Solid Earnings Are Understated
Softcat plc ( LON:SCT ) announced a healthy earnings result recently, and the market rewarded it with a strong uplift...Narrative Update • Mar 21
SCT: Buybacks And Rising Dividends Will Support Strong Future Returns
Analysts have slightly adjusted their view on Softcat, trimming the indicative fair value from £17.43 to £17.18 as they update assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, discount rate and future P/E expectations. What's in the News Softcat recommended an interim ordinary dividend of 9.9 pence per share for H1 FY2026, aligned with its policy of paying one third of the previous year's total ordinary dividend as the interim dividend (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Mar 07
SCT: Buybacks And Rising Dividends Will Drive Strong Future Returns
Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for Softcat from £18.27 to £17.43, citing slightly higher discount rate assumptions, marginally adjusted profit margin expectations, and a modestly different future P/E outlook. What's in the News Softcat plc began a share repurchase program on January 8, 2026, following approval at the December 15, 2025 AGM, with authority to buy back up to 19,994,626 shares, to be either cancelled or held as treasury shares (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Feb 20
SCT: Buybacks And Dividends Will Drive Attractive Future Return Profile
Analysts have kept their Softcat price target broadly unchanged at £14.50, citing relatively stable assumptions for the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E, which together point to a similar assessment of long term value. What's in the News Softcat began a share repurchase program on January 8, 2026, following approval at the December 15, 2025 AGM.Narrative Update • Feb 06
SCT: Buybacks And Dividends Will Support Attractive Future Return Profile
Analysts have lifted their price target for Softcat to £14.50, reflecting slightly higher assumed revenue growth, a small improvement in profit margin, and a marginally lower discount rate, alongside a similar future P/E expectation. What's in the News Softcat began a share repurchase program on 8 January 2026, authorized to buy back up to 19,994,626 shares, with repurchased shares either cancelled or held in treasury (AGM resolution, 15 December 2025).Narrative Update • Jan 23
SCT: Buybacks And Dividends Will Shape Future Fairly Valued Share Appeal
Analysts have nudged their price target on Softcat slightly higher to reflect modest adjustments to the discount rate, revenue growth assumptions, profit margin and future P/E expectations, indicating a marginally more constructive view on the company’s valuation drivers. What's in the News Softcat began a share repurchase program on January 8, 2026, following shareholder approval at the December 15, 2025 AGM.Narrative Update • Jan 09
SCT: Dividend Returns And Steady Outlook Will Shape Future Share Appeal
Analysts have raised their Softcat price target from £14.00 to £14.50, reflecting updated assumptions on discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins and future price-to-earnings (P/E) expectations. What's in the News Approval of a final dividend of 20.4 pence per ordinary share at the 15 December 2025 AGM.Narrative Update • Dec 20
SCT: Rising Dividends Will Drive Attractive Future Shareholder Returns
Narrative Update on Analyst Price Target Analysts have modestly increased their price target for Softcat, citing a slightly higher expected future price-to-earnings multiple and broadly unchanged growth and profitability assumptions that together support an updated valuation of approximately £18.27 per share. What's in the News Softcat confirmed earnings guidance for fiscal 2026, reiterating that underlying operating profit growth is expected to be weighted toward the first half due to the timing of large projects in FY2025 and FY2026 (company guidance).Analysis Article • Dec 12
Should You Be Adding Softcat (LON:SCT) To Your Watchlist Today?
The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even...Narrative Update • Dec 05
SCT: Dividend Payouts And Acquisitions Will Drive Attractive Future Returns
Analysts have nudged their Softcat price target slightly lower, trimming it by approximately £0.01 per share, as they balance expectations of stronger revenue growth against modestly lower profit margin forecasts and a marginally higher discount rate. What's in the News Softcat reaffirmed earnings guidance for fiscal 2026, maintaining the outlook given in its August trading update while flagging that underlying operating profit growth in FY2025 will be weighted toward the first half due to project phasing (company guidance).Narrative Update • Oct 29
Dividend Increases And Acquisitions Will Drive Shareholder Returns This Year
Analyst Price Target for Softcat Marginally Raised Analysts have slightly increased their price target for Softcat from £18.14 to £18.27. This reflects a nuanced adjustment based on updated forecasts for revenue growth and profitability.
New Narrative • Dec 18
Embracing Microsoft Copilot And Global Expansion Will Boost Profitability And Revenue Growth
Strategic focus on consultancy and managed services can increase higher-margin service revenue, enhance net margins, and support long-term earnings growth.Revenue & Expenses Breakdown
Revenue & Expenses Breakdown
How Softcat makes and spends money. Based on latest reported earnings, on an LTM basis.
Earnings and Revenue History
| Date | Revenue | Earnings | G+A Expenses | R&D Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Jan 26 | 1,750 | 141 | 340 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 25 | 1,604 | 137 | 325 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 25 | 1,458 | 133 | 311 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 25 | 1,250 | 129 | 295 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 25 | 1,041 | 125 | 279 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 24 | 1,002 | 122 | 271 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 24 | 963 | 119 | 262 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 24 | 951 | 116 | 255 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 24 | 940 | 113 | 247 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 23 | 963 | 113 | 239 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 23 | 985 | 112 | 231 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 23 | 999 | 110 | 225 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 23 | 1,013 | 108 | 218 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 22 | 1,045 | 109 | 204 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 22 | 1,078 | 110 | 191 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 22 | 931 | 106 | 178 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 22 | 785 | 102 | 165 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 21 | 784 | 99 | 161 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 21 | 784 | 96 | 157 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 21 | 957 | 93 | 152 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 21 | 1,130 | 89 | 148 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 20 | 1,104 | 82 | 145 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 20 | 1,077 | 76 | 142 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 20 | 1,080 | 75 | 139 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 20 | 1,082 | 74 | 137 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 19 | 1,037 | 71 | 132 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 19 | 992 | 68 | 126 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 19 | 932 | 66 | 122 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 19 | 873 | 63 | 117 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 18 | 835 | 59 | 112 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 18 | 797 | 55 | 107 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 18 | 805 | 49 | 101 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 18 | 812 | 43 | 96 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 17 | 822 | 41 | 91 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 17 | 832 | 40 | 86 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 17 | 795 | 39 | 85 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 17 | 757 | 38 | 84 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 16 | 715 | 36 | 81 | 0 |
| 31 Jul 16 | 672 | 33 | 78 | 0 |
| 30 Apr 16 | 648 | 31 | 73 | 0 |
| 31 Jan 16 | 624 | 30 | 68 | 0 |
| 31 Oct 15 | 610 | 30 | 65 | 0 |
Quality Earnings: SCT has high quality earnings.
Growing Profit Margin: SCT's current net profit margins (8.1%) are lower than last year (12%).
Free Cash Flow vs Earnings Analysis
Past Earnings Growth Analysis
Earnings Trend: SCT's earnings have grown by 7.9% per year over the past 5 years.
Accelerating Growth: SCT's earnings growth over the past year (12.5%) exceeds its 5-year average (7.9% per year).
Earnings vs Industry: SCT earnings growth over the past year (12.5%) exceeded the IT industry -5.8%.
Return on Equity
High ROE: SCT's Return on Equity (49.3%) is considered outstanding.
Return on Assets
Return on Capital Employed
Discover strong past performing companies
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/08/07 11:13 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/08/07 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/01/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/07/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
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Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
Softcat plc is covered by 20 analysts. 12 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| James Zaremba | Barclays |
| Benjamin May | Berenberg |
| Alexander James Short | Berenberg |