Feb 17 (Reuters) - British price comparison platform

MONY Group posted a slightly bigger-than-expected

full-year core profit on Mondayas it reduced its expenses,

sending the company's shares up more than 5%.

MONY, which also lists money, travel, home services and

cashback offers on its websites, said its adjusted core profit

rose 7% to 141.8 million pounds ($178.50 million) in 2024.

That beat analysts' average estimate of 139.5 million

pounds, according to a company-compiled consensus.

The group's revenue grew 2% to 439.2 million pounds, driven

by its largest division, insurance services, as customers sought

better car and home insurance deals.

The high cost of living and elevated inflation in Britain

have driven consumers to hunt for bargains, especially for

larger spends like insurance and home services, as they also

tighten spending on non-essential items.

MONY's revenue, however, fell short of analysts'

expectations of 441 million pounds.

It was a 9% drop in operating costs to 177.3 million pounds,

in part due to lower television advertising and higher use of

automation, that helped the company's profit top estimates.

"Whilst revenue was a touch light, the small beat at the

EBITDA level is encouraging, with the group flagging prudent

cost management," RBC Capital Markets analysts said in a note.

MONY also commenced a share buyback programme of up to 30

million pounds, which also helped its shares jump 5.3% to be

among the top gainers on London's mid-cap index.

The company said it expects this year's adjusted core profit

to be broadly within analysts' expectations of 143.1 million

pounds to 151.7 million pounds.

Analysts at Peel Hunt said in a note that they expect 2025

earnings to benefit by about 2% from the shares buyback.

($1 = 0.7944 pounds)