Q3 2011: Highlight Group improves earnings per share
(firmenpresse) - Highlight Communications AG / Key word(s): Finance/
Q3 2011: Highlight Group improves earnings per share
DGAP-Media / 16.11.2011 / 17:40
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- Annual forecast of earnings per share of between EUR 0.52 and EUR 0.54
reconfirmed
- Earnings per share increased from CHF 0.47 to CHF 0.51 CHF and in line
with planning for 2011
- Consolidated sales of CHF 244.7 million below the previous year's
figure as expected, due to exchange rate relations
- Net debt reduced by CHF 39.9 million
After the first nine months of the year, the Highlight Group's earnings per
share of CHF 0.51 were above the previous year's level of CHF 0.47 as
planned and also in line with the planning for 2011 as a whole. As
expected, consolidated sales of CHF 244.7 million (previous year's period:
CHF 293.8 million) were impacted by the considerably lower exchange rate of
the euro in relation to the Swiss franc and by ongoing spending cutbacks at
the major TV channels affecting the TV service production and license
trading/TV exploitation business areas.
At CHF 24.5 million, net profit for the first nine months was slightly
lower than in the previous year (CHF 26.8 million), although the profit
share attributable to Highlight shareholders improved by 8.8% to
CHF 23.4 million (previous year's period: CHF 21.5 million).
The Film segment generated external sales of CHF 175.6 million in the
period from January to September (previous year's period: CHF 217.1
million). In addition to the influencing factors mentioned above, this
decline is also due to the fact that the major 3-D autumn films 'The Three
Musketeers' and 'Wickie auf grosser Fahrt' were not released in German
theaters until the beginning and the end of September respectively.
Nonetheless, segment earnings of CHF 6.6 million were still almost at the
previous year's level of CHF 7.4 million.
The Sports- and Event-Marketing segment, whose sales development is
affected to a particularly great extent by the devaluation of the euro in
relation to the Swiss franc, generated external sales of CHF 68.8 million -
a drop of CHF 7.8 million in comparison to the previous year (CHF 76.6
million). Savings of CHF 3.9 million in expenses did not fully compensate
for this decline, with the result that segment earnings were down on the
previous year's figure (CHF 30.5 million) at CHF 26.3 million.
The 'Other business activities' segment, which is reported for the first
time and comprises the activities of Escor Casinos&Entertainment SA,
generated external sales of CHF 0.4 million and a segment result of
CHF -0.8 million. These activities are currently undergoing a phase of
strategic reorientation, which will focus on the successful expansion of
Escor's entertainment range and on tapping new markets, particularly in the
promising area of virtual reality.
Cash and cash equivalents rose by CHF 31.4 million as against the end of
2010 (CHF 166.0 million) to CHF 197.4 million. At the same time, current
financial liabilities decreased by CHF 8.5 million to CHF 242.9 million
(December 31, 2010: CHF 251.4 million). Accordingly, net debt fell
significantly by CHF 39.9 million to CHF 45.5 million (December 31, 2010:
CHF 85.4 million).
Consolidated equity (including non-controlling interests) rose by CHF 24.6
million to CHF 97.2 million (December 31, 2010: CHF 72.6 million). This
increase primarily resulted from the consolidated net profit for the period
of CHF 24.5 million.
For 2011 as a whole, the Highlight Group still expects to generate earnings
per share of EUR 0.52 to EUR 0.54. Due to the current exchange rate of the
euro in relation to the Swiss franc, which is considerably lower than the
level at the beginning of the year, sales of between CHF 370 million and
CHF 400 million are anticipated.
The German interim report as of September 30, 2011 is available for
downloading from the company's website www.highlight-communications.ch as
of today. The English version will probably be available as of November 18,
2011.
For questions, 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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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: info(at)hlcom.ch
Internet: www.hlcom.ch
ISIN: CH0006539198
WKN: 920299
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: 16.11.2011 - 17:40 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
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