Q1 2013: Highlight Group on track
(firmenpresse) - (DGAP-Media / 15.05.2013 / 17:49)
- Consolidated sales down slightly at CHF 81.9 million as compared to the
previous year's figure as expected
- Consolidated net profit at CHF 2.2 million in connection with productions
- Consolidated equity rose by CHF 6.3 million to CHF 117.6 million
Pratteln, May 15, 2013
In the first quarter of 2013, the Highlight Group generated sales and
earnings in line with the expectations for the current year.
With marketing successes of the cinema films 'The Famous Five 2', '3096
Tage' and 'Ostwind' as well as the home entertainment titles 'Resident
Evil: Retribution' and 'Step Up Revolution', the Film segment generated
external sales of CHF 68.6 million in the reporting period, exceeding the
previous year's figure (CHF 64.3 million) by 6.7%. Segment expenses rose by
13.2% to CHF 90.3 million (previous year's period: CHF 79.8 million) due to
the considerably higher cost of materials and licenses in connection with
productions. As a result of these developments, the segment result amounted
to CHF -1.3 million (previous year's period: CHF 1.5 million).
In the Sports- and Event-Marketing segment, external sales of CHF 12.5
million were generated (previous year's period: CHF 21.8 million). This
drop was due to changes in the business relationship with UEFA, including
handing over match organization to UEFA, and the hiving off of music
activities to the Other Business Activities segment. As a result of the
targeted reduction of segment expenses by CHF 4.2 million or 35.9% to CHF
7.5 million, a segment result of CHF 5.0 million was generated. As
expected, this was lower than the previous year's figure but approximately
at a similar level to the two previous quarters.
The Other Business Activities segment generated external sales of CHF 0.9
million (previous year's period: CHF 0.6 million) and other income of CHF
0.3 million (previous year's period: CHF 0.3 million). After deducting
expenses of CHF 1.7 million (previous year's period: CHF 1.5 million), the
segment posted a slightly lower loss of CHF 0.5 million in the first
quarter of 2013 (previous year's period: CHF 0.6 million).
As a result of these developments, consolidated sales were down slightly at
CHF 81.9 million as compared to the previous year's figure of CHF 86.8
million. This decline is attributable to the lower external sales of the
Sports- and Event-Marketing segment. By contrast, the Highlight Group's
total output (sales plus capitalized film production costs and other own
work capitalized) of CHF 97.2 million remained at the level of the first
quarter of 2012 (CHF 96.3 million) due to a higher production volume.
Consolidated operating expenses increased from CHF 94.2 million to CHF
100.7 million, also due to production, with the effect that the profit from
operations of CHF 1.6 million was considerably lower than the previous
year's figure (CHF 10.0 million). This resulted in consolidated net profit
of CHF 2.2 million (previous year's period: CHF 7.6 million). The share of
earnings attributable to Highlight's shareholders amounted to CHF 1.8
million (previous year's period: CHF 7.6 million), corresponding to
earnings per share of CHF 0.04 (previous year's period: CHF 0.17).
As of March 31, 2013, cash and cash equivalents amounted to CHF 62.0
million, representing a decline of CHF 10.5 million as against the end of
2012 (CHF 72.5 million). At the same time, financial liabilities were
reduced by CHF 10.7 million to CHF 125.3 million (December 31, 2012: CHF
136.0 million), with the effect that net debt remained virtually unchanged
at CHF 63.3 million (December 31, 2012: CHF 63.5 million).
Consolidated equity (including non-controlling interests) rose by CHF 6.3
million to CHF 117.6 million (December 31, 2012: CHF 111.3 million), partly
due to the net profit for the period of CHF 2.2 million. Currency
translation differences and gains from the measurement of financial assets
at fair value resulted in an additional positive effect totaling CHF 4.2
million. The notional equity ratio therefore improved from 26.4% to 27.8%.
For 2013 as a whole, the Highlight Group is still forecasting consolidated
sales of between CHF 350 million and CHF 400 million. Due to the fact that,
as in the previous years, the focus of this year's distribution slate is on
the third and fourth quarters the amount of consolidated net profit will
largely depend on the results of the theatrical slate in the second half of
the year.
This period will see the release of 'Ender's Game' and the new Bora
Dagtekin comedy 'Fack ju Göhte', as well as 'Tarzan'. Our major
international production 'The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones' will be
released on August 29. Fans and movie experts already have high
expectations of the film following the release of the trailer. Due to the
positive assessment, the Highlight Group has already given the green light
for the second part, 'The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes', in
coordination with its partner Sony prior to the release of 'The Mortal
Instruments: City of Bones'.
The German interim report as of March 31, 2013 will be available to
download at www.highlight-communications.ch starting from this evening, and
the English version from May 23, 2013.
Should you have any queries, please contact:
HIGHLIGHT COMMUNICATIONS AG
Investor Relations
Netzibodenstrasse 23b
4133 Pratteln BL / Switzerland
Phone: 0041 61 816 96 91
E-mail: ir(at)hlcom.ch
End of Media Release
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Issuer: Highlight Communications AG
Key word(s): Finance
15.05.2013 Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by DGAP - a
company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de
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Language: English
Company: Highlight Communications AG
Netzibodenstrasse 23b
4133 Pratteln
Switzerland
Phone: +41 61 816 96 96
Fax: +41 61 816 67 67
E-mail: ir(at)hlcom.ch
Internet: www.hlcom.ch
ISIN: CH0006539198
WKN: 920299
Indices: SDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover,
München, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP-Media
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Datum: 15.05.2013 - 17:49 Uhr
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