Shares of Bolton-based electrical retailer AO World plc rose as much as 7% after it published unaudited financial results for the six months ended September 30, 2025, showing “continued delivery of strong revenue, profit and cash generation growth.”

AO World said in its outlook: “We are pleased with the Group’s progress in the first half, with trading slightly ahead of our previous expectations, despite the inflationary headwinds.

“In our pre-close trading statement on 15 September 2025, we updated our profit expectation to be between £45m and £50m. Given continued positive trading since then, we now upgrade our FY26 PBT guidance to be around the top of that recently narrowed range.”

The firm said first-half revenue increased 14.4% to £585.6 million and profit before tax rose 10% to £18 million.

AO Founder and CEO John Roberts said: “These numbers speak for themselves, and it’s been another positive six months of operational and financial progress.

“I am incredibly excited to have launched Switch24, a new proposition which enables our Five Star members to buy the latest Apple handsets from as little as £17 for an iPhone 17. This is a first in the UK market, and also allows our members to have the latest iPhone every two years.

“It’s a great example of AO continuing to disrupt and innovate on behalf of our members to bring them the latest products at the lowest prices.”