Finance
UK's Saga sees higher annual profit on cruise and travel demand
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 29, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Summary
Saga predicts higher annual profits due to strong demand for ocean and river cruises, improving from earlier financial guidance.
Saga Reports Increased Annual Profit Driven by Travel Demand
Saga's Financial Performance Overview
Jan 29 (Reuters) - British over-50s holiday and insurance group Saga said on Thursday it expects a bigger annual underlying profit than previous estimates, driven by steady growth in its travel business and strong demand for ocean and river cruises.
Shares of the London-listed firm were up 8.6% at 471.5 pence, as of 0804 GMT, making them the top gainers on the FTSE midcaps index.
A strong rebound in travel demand across the world, coupled with a material reduction in group debt, helped the company boost its profitability in the 2025-26 year.
Travel Business Growth
"Demand for our Ocean and River Cruises continued to grow and we saw a material increase in the number of customers taking our hotel and touring holidays," CEO Mike Hazell said in a statement.
Insurance Operations Success
The FTSE-250-listed firm said its holiday division also expects to report underlying profit before tax ahead of last year, supported by higher passenger numbers and a positive impact from its decision to unite cruise and holidays under a single leadership team.
Saga, whose 20-year partnership with Belgian insurer Ageas went live late last year, said its insurance broking operations outperformed expectations for the year, with steady growth in policy sales.
(Reporting by Rishab Shaju in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
Key Takeaways
- •Saga forecasts higher annual profit driven by cruise demand.
- •The travel business shows steady growth.
- •Ocean and river cruises are in high demand.
- •Improvement from half-year financial guidance.
- •Focus on over-50s holiday and insurance market.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK's Saga sees higher annual profit on cruise and travel demand
1What is a cruise?
A cruise is a vacation journey taken on a ship, where passengers can enjoy various amenities and activities while traveling to different destinations.
2What is annual profit?
Annual profit refers to the total earnings of a company after all expenses, taxes, and costs have been deducted over a fiscal year.
3What is demand in economics?
Demand in economics refers to the desire and ability of consumers to purchase goods or services at a given price in a specific time period.
4What is underlying profit?
Underlying profit is a measure of a company's profitability that excludes one-time items or non-recurring expenses, providing a clearer view of its operational performance.
5What is the travel business?
The travel business encompasses all services related to travel, including transportation, accommodation, and activities for tourists and travelers.
