Profits march increased at Warhammer maker Games Workshop

The maker of Warhammer is set to post an £8 million profit jump as it continues to rake in cash from the popularity of its battle figurines.

Games Workshop, which was promoted to the FTSE 100 index a year ago, is expected to report a pre-tax profit of at least £135 million for the six months to November in its results this Tuesday – up from £127 million a year ago. Sales are expected to have risen to more than £310 million from £269 million.

The Nottingham-based firm was boosted by a ‘particularly strong’ performance in China as well as ‘healthy growth’ in North America, according to its broker Peel Hunt. Rapid growth has seen its shares rise 33-fold in a decade, propelling it into the blue-chip index.

Once the preserve of hobbyists, Warhammer exploded in popularity – especially during the pandemic – and now sells around the world.

Fighting fit: Games Workshop is expected to report a pre-tax profit of at least £135 million for the six months to November in its results

One of the secrets has been an army of loyal customers, including Superman actor Henry Cavill.

The firm has also struck lucrative deals with Amazon to produce video games and TV shows. But there are fears growth will slow, with licensing revenues in the half-year set to have fallen to £16 million from £30 million a year ago.

A new Warhammer 40,000 game developed for the PlayStation 5 may prop up the income stream.