The company said that while first half revenues from its media and analytics & tech segments grew 7% (on a like-for-like basis), uncertainty from the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into its sale of the ad intelligence (intel) segment to Nielsen had impacted on sales. Intel sales in the first half of 2018 were down 9% compared to the same period the previous year.

Ebiquity announced the sale of its intel segment in February this year and it represents more than one fifth ( 22%) of its business. In its statement is said: "The CMA Phase 2 process is formally due to complete no later than December 2018, we therefore anticipate that uncertainty will continue to impact revenues and profits in the second half of the year.

"Overall, the impact of the performance of the intel segment will not be entirely offset by the strong performance from media and analytics & tech and consequently the board currently anticipates profits for the year to be less than full-year market expectations."

It has boosted investment in its other segments and expected faster (double digit) revenue growth in these segments in H2 2018.