Computacenter raises 2026 profit outlook after record first half driven by AI demand

Computacenter raises 2026 profit outlook after record first half driven by AI demand

Computacenter PLC (LSE:CCC) has raised its full-year profit outlook after delivering record first-half results, driven by surging demand for AI and digital infrastructure in North America and the UK.

The FTSE 100 technology and services group now expects adjusted profit before tax for 2026 to be “significantly ahead” of current market expectations and no less than £380 million, compared with analyst consensus of £340.9 million.

Adjusted profit before tax jumped 87% to £152.4 million in the six months to June 30, while revenue increased 71.6% to £6.85 billion.

Gross profit rose 30.5% to £657.9 million and adjusted operating profit climbed 86.5% to £153.1 million.

North America was the standout region, accounting for 62% of group adjusted operating profit before central costs as investment in AI infrastructure from hyperscale, neocloud and enterprise customers accelerated.

The UK also delivered a significantly stronger performance, with revenue more than doubling to £1.51 billion and adjusted operating profit rising 52.6% to £26.4 million.

AI-related data centre projects were a key contributor to the growth.

Computacenter ended June with a record committed product order backlog of £9.3 billion, up 323% year on year, with orders continuing to increase after the period end.

Chief executive Mike Norris said the company had converted “strong and growing customer demand for digital infrastructure” into substantial revenue and profit growth.

The interim dividend was increased by 14.8% to 27.1p per share.