Highlights

  • CARD’s H1FY26 revenue grew 5.9% YoY to USD 247.6 million, supported by store performance and partnership expansion.
  • Profitability softened in H1FY26, with adjusted EBITDA down 2.4% and profit before tax declining 46.4% amid wage inflation pressures.
  • Launch of a new share buyback program supports capital allocation and employee incentive plans through early 2026.

Card Factory PLC (LSE:CARD) is a UK-based specialty retailer featured on the FTSE All-Share Index, focused on greeting cards, gifting products, and celebration essentials.

The company' financial results for the first half of the financial year 2026 (H1FY26) show a revenue increase to USD247.6 million, up by 5.9% year-on-year from USD233.8 million, mainly driven by store performance and partnership growth, including 13 net new openings and significant uplift in partnership revenue. Adjusted EBITDA declined slightly by 2.4% YoY to USD44.2 million, due to wage and National Insurance inflation, with notable increases in minimum living wage and higher employer costs. Profit before tax dropped significantly by 46.4% YoY to USD7.5 million, influenced by non-underlying items and increased wage headwinds, although finance costs eased somewhat.

Recent Business Update

On 30 October 2025, the company announced the launch of an irrevocable, non-discretionary share buyback programme running until 31 January 2026. Shares repurchased will be held in treasury and allocated to satisfy awards under the company's employee share plans, continuing previous strategic communications outlined in late September 2025.​

Company Outlook

The business is preparing for peak trading with an expanded celebrations offering, notably over 80% newness in the Christmas gift range and approximately 95% new celebration essentials, alongside a broader Halloween range in market. Adjusted leverage is maintained at 1.0x, comfortably supporting ongoing investments and the interim dividend policy, as well as planned share purchases for employee schemes. Additionally, the company has acquired Funky Pigeon for GBP24.1 million, anticipating over GBP5 million in annual synergies by end-FY27 through improvements in fulfilment, technology, and product range optimisation.

Top 10 Shareholders

The top ten shareholders collectively hold about 47.30% of the company’s equity. Among them, Brett Blundy and Aberforth Partners LLP maintain the largest positions, with stakes of approximately 8.10% and 6.50%, respectively.

Stock Information

The stock has declined approximately 8.22% over the past three months and around 0.22% over the past six months. It currently trades near the midpoint of its 52-week price range, which spans from a low of GBX 73.00 to a high of GBX 115.70.

Note 1: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Note 2: The reference data for all price data, currency, technical indicators, support, and resistance levels is 21 November 2025. The reference data in this report has been partly sourced from EODHD/Others.

Technical Indicators Defined

Support: A level at which the stock prices tend to find support if they are falling, and a downtrend may take a pause backed by demand or buying interest. Support 1 refers to the nearby support level for the stock and if the price breaches the level, then Support 2 may act as the crucial support level for the stock.

Resistance: A level at which the stock prices tend to find resistance when they are rising, and an uptrend may take a pause due to profit booking or selling interest. Resistance 1 refers to the nearby resistance level for the stock and if the price surpasses the level, then Resistance 2 may act as the crucial resistance level for the stock.