Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR
Tamedia: Investments in Digital Division and Efficiency Enhance-ments Lead to Improved Earnings – Introduction of Digital Payment Models Forges Ahead
Zurich, 22 August 2014 – The revenues recorded by our media group grew by 2.7 per cent during the first half of 2014 to reach CHF 551.4 million (previous year: CHF 536.8 million), with the increase attributable to acquisitions. EBITDA rose by 11.8 per cent to reach CHF 108.1 million (previous year: CHF 96.7 million), with EBIT up by 14.8 per cent to CHF 73.2 million (previous year: CHF 63.8 million). This positive performance is due to the acquisition of Ziegler Druck- und Verlags-AG, the publisher of the Landbote, efficiency-increasing measures introduced in the Print Regional and Print National business divisions, and organic growth in the Digital business division. The print advertising market continued to be in structural decline in the first half of 2014, albeit slowing down in comparison with the same period of the previous year. Net income from continuing operations rose by 8.4 per cent to CHF 59.4 million (previous year: CHF 54.8 million). Total comprehensive income including discontinued operations, at CHF 59.2 million, is likewise considerably above the previous year's figure of CHF 54.7 million.
The introduction of the payment model of the Tages-Anzeiger in April set a milestone with respect to the efforts of Tamedia to extend the business model of quality journalism into the digital age. The number of digital subscriptions of around 7,400 at the start of August exceeded expectations. While the individual page views (page-impressions, –30 percent June 2013: 112.6 million vs. June 2014: 79.0 million (Net-Metrix Audit)) decreased slightly more than expected, the range increased (unique clients, +9 per cent: June 2013: 1.70 million vs. June 2014: 1.86 million (Net-Metrix Audit)). On 31 October 2014, the payment model will be introduced at the Bern daily Der Bund and, subsequently, by the end of 2015, at all other regional dailies in German and Western Switzerland, beginning with 24 heures and Tribune de Genève.
Consequently, Tamedia carried on with its investment strategy in the Digital division in the first half year. Thus, a majority of the leading Danish platform for vintage fashion trendsales.dk and a minority stake in the Swiss mortgage and financing website moneypark.ch could be taken over after the balance sheet date. The planned collaboration with Swisscom in the directory market, which provides for collaboration between local.ch and search.ch as a strong Swiss alternative to Google, will, should the Competition Commission approve the project, generate an additional positive contribution to earnings as of 2015.
The newly launched Innovation Fund at the start of the year proved to be a success already in the first few months. Since the launch on 18 February 2014, project ideas were submitted from all company divisions. Out of more than 90 entries, seven projects to date have been supported with means from the Innovation Fund and have been cleared to proceed. The first projects, such as, for example, a new app for 20minuten.ch could become available to users during the course of the next half year.
Key figures
| 30.06.2014 | 30.06.2013 | Change in % |
Revenues (in CHF mill.) | 551.4 | 536.8 | 2.7 |
Operating income before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) (in CHF mill.) | 108.1 | 96.7 | 11.8 |
EBITDA–margin in percent | 19.6 | 18.0 | 8.9 |
Operating income (EBIT) (in CHF mill.) | 73.2 | 63.8 | 14.8 |
EBIT–margin in percent | 13.3 | 11.9 | 11.7 |
Net income of continuing operations (in CHF mill.) | 59.4 | 54.8 | 8.4 |
Net income of discontinued operations (in CHF mill.) | (0.2) | (0.1) | 117.0 |
Net income (in CHF mill.) | 59.2 | 54.7 | 8.2 |
Net income–margin in percent | 10.7 | 10.2 | 5.4 |
Net income per share (undiluted) (in CHF) | 5.08 | 4.94 | 3.0 |
Cash flow from operating activities (in CHF mill.) | 109.6 | 67.1 | 63.3 |
Total assets as of 30.06 / 31.12. (in CHF mill.) | 2 207.8 | 2 176.6 | 1.4 |
Equity ratio as of 30.06 / 31.12 (in percent) | 64.3 | 64.5 | (0.3) |
Print Regional
The revenues of the Print Regional business division increased by 5.8 per cent to CHF 275.2 million. This rise is attributed in particular to the first-time inclusion of the Ziegler Druck- und Verlags-AG, which was newly consolidated in January 2014. In parallel to this, the structural decline of print advertising has also slowed down. The efficiency-enhancement measures taken to offset this decline in revenues in combination with lower IT and real estate costs and third-party newspaper printing orders had a positive impact on results. Operating income before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the Print Regional business division rose from CHF 36.4 million to CHF 44.6 million. This equates to an EBITDA margin of 16.2 per cent (previous year: 14.0 per cent). Operating income at EBIT level likewise grew significantly from CHF 18.1 million to CHF 24.9 million, while the EBIT margin, at 9.1 per cent, was significantly greater than in the previous year (6.9 per cent).
Print National
The revenues recorded by the Print National business division dropped year-on-year by 7.3 per cent to CHF 179.3 million as advertising investment waned. The drop in revenues is, among other things, due to the merger of the commuter newspapers in Denmark, commuter newspapers 20 Minuten and 20 minutes, the Sunday newspaper Le Matin Dimanche, including its supplements, as well as the withdrawal of the Natura supplement. In contrast, Schweizer Familie was able to more or less match the previous year's level. Women's magazine Annabelle and Das Magazin ended their downward trend and increased their net income once again, as did Finanz und Wirtschaft. The Print National business division's operating income before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) remained largely unchanged at CHF 34.0 million (previous year: CHF 33.9 million). This equates to an EBITDA margin of 19.0 per cent (previous year: 17.5 per cent). Operating income (EBIT) rose slightly from CHF 30.9 million to CHF 31.0 million, while the EBIT margin, at 17.3 per cent, was slightly higher than in the previous year (16.0 per cent).
Digital
The Digital business division saw its revenues jump by 11.6 per cent to CHF 124.9 million. The main driver of this performance is solid organic growth. Ticket marketer Starticket was also included for the first time. JobCloud AG recorded pleasing growth and enjoyed a rise in revenues and net income, while real estate portal homegate.ch maintained a high level of revenues and net income. The 20 Minuten news platforms significantly increased revenues and net income, whereas the Newsnet platforms recorded slight losses. The Digital division's operating income before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased to CHF 29.4 million (previous year: CHF 26.4 million). The EBITDA margin attained the previous year's level of 23.6 per cent. Operating income (EBIT) improved from CHF 14.8 million in the previous year to CHF 17.3 million. The EBIT margin remained practically unchanged at 13.8 per cent (previous year: 13.2 per cent).
Segment information of continuing business divisions
| Revenues 30.6.2014 | Revenues 30.6.2013 | EBITDA1 30.6.2014 | EBITDA1 30.6.2013 | EBIT2 30.6.2014 | EBIT2 30.6.2013 |
Print Regional (in CHF mill.) | 275.2 | 260.0 | 44.6 | 36.4 | 24.9 | 18.1 |
Print National (in CHF mill.) | 179.3 | 193.5 | 34.0 | 33.9 | 31.0 | 30.9 |
Digital (in CHF mill.) | 124.9 | 111.9 | 29.4 | 26.4 | 17.3 | 14.8 |
Elimination | (27.9) | (28.5) | - | - | - | - |
Total | 551.4 | 536.8 | 108.1 | 96.7 | 73.2 | 63.8 |
1 Operating income before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)
2 Operating income (EBIT)
Shareholders' equity increased slightly by CHF 16.2 million to CHF 1,419.8 million. The equity ratio remains largely unchanged at a solid 64.3 per cent (compared with 64.5 per cent at the end of 2013).
Tamedia expects the market environment for print advertising to continue to decline slightly during the second half of the year. We will update you on the progress of the company's key projects and the performance of our media group with the publication of our 2014 annual results on Thursday, 12 March 2015.
Press conference and information for financial analysts
The press conference call in German shall take place today, Friday, 22 August 2014 at 10.00 am. In addition, an analysts' conference call in English shall be held at 12.00 pm for analysts and investors.
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