By Aby Jose Koilparambil

May 8 (Reuters) - British events organiser Informa ( IFPJF )

said on Wednesday it expects annual revenue and

adjusted operating profit at the upper end of its previous

forecast range, while increasing its share buyback programme by

160 million pounds ($199.8 million).

The world's largest exhibition group has benefited from the

return of live events after a pandemic-led slump, and strong

performance across its markets.

Chief Executive Stephen Carter said domestic-led business in

mainland China, one of the group's major markets, was performing

well.

"Our primary markets that we serve in China remain robust

and there is the beginning of the return of international trade

traffic to China which is material to the trade show business,"

Carter told Reuters.

He added the group was "definitely" seeing year-on-year

growth in its Hong Kong business, amid a progressive increase in

international travel and transit to the region.

The financial hub of Hong Kong is struggling to bounce back

after a three-year lockdown for COVID-19 that saw many

expatriates leave and tourist numbers dwindle, while high rents

and a labour shortage now add to the pain.

Informa ( IFPJF ) expects 2024 revenue at the top end of a range of

3.45 billion pounds to 3.50 billion pounds forecast in March.

Adjusted operating profit is also seen at the upper end of

the prior forecast range of 950 million pounds to 970 million

pounds.

Shares in the FTSE 100 firm were trading 2.5% higher by 0808

GMT.

In March, Informa ( IFPJF ) raised its annual earnings forecast after

2023 profit more than doubled. The company expanded its share

buyback by 47% to 500 million pounds as it continued to deliver

strong performance through the first four months of the year.

Informa ( IFPJF ) also said on Wednesday it had entered into a

three-year access and partnership deal with Microsoft ( MSFT )

for use of artificial intelligence in its scholarly publishing

business.

($1=0.8010 pounds)