Earnings Release • Oct 24, 2016
Earnings Release
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Press release
24 October 2016, 18:00
| IFRS – € Millions Sales |
2016/2017 | 2015/2016 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| st 1 Quarter |
38.0 | 34.7 | + 9.5% |
| nd 2 Quarter |
46.9 | 53.9 | - 13.0% |
| Of which : Gaming |
11.6 | 18.4 | - 36.9% |
| Mobile | 27.8 | 26.7 | + 4.1% |
| Audio | 7.5 | 8.8 | - 14.8% |
| st Half year 1 |
84.9 | 88.6 | -4.2% |
| Of which : Gaming |
21.6 | 27.2 | - 20.4% |
| Mobile | 50.5 | 47.8 | + 5.,7% |
| Audio | 12.8 | 13.6 | - 6.3% |
Unaudited data
After a dynamic first quarter, Bigben achieved a turnover of € 46.9 million, down by 13.0% for the 2nd quarter of FY 2016/2017 (July to September 2016). This trend, in line with announced forecast, results from a high comparison basis, the previous fiscal year having recorded a 40% growth over its second quarter.
As announced, the Gaming activity for Q2 2016/2017 shows a drop in sales to € 11.6 million (-36.9%) against € 18.4 million in the 2nd quarter of FY 2015/2016.
• Publishing benefited from the launch of WRC6 only in Q2 and therefore compares to a very dynamic Q2 2015/16 with sales supported by the release of both Rugby World Cup and WRC5, a major success. Accordingly, quarterly sales for this business segment declined by € 10.6 million to € 5.8 million. Following the strategy of the Group to move towards digitalization, sales of downloaded video game software continued to grow significantly (+ 42%).
• Further to Q1 trend, sales of accessories continued to decline to € 4.8 million (- 33.3%) in a console market closed to non-licensed equipment.
• However the significant increase in sales of Plantronics headsets and NACON peripherals for PC should be noted.
MOBILE
Mobile sales grew by 4.1% to € 27.8 million in Q2 2016/17. This achievement reflects the rise of Force GlassTM screen protections (over 300,000 units sold in first half) and the success of accessories for premium smartphones, especially with the range dedicated to the new iPhone 7.
Sales of Audio products amounted to € 7.5 million, down by 14.8% when compared to an especially thriving 2015/2016 second quarter. Accelerating sales of Thomson licensed products nevertheless reflect the Group's ability to gain market shares through its innovative products.
Over the first-half of FY 2016/2017 (from April 1 to September 30, 2016), Bigben consolidated net sales amounted to € 84.9 million, a decrease of 4.2% when compared to the 1st half of the previous year. The growth of the Mobile business over the period could not offset the strong base effect in Publishing.
Breakdown of activities by area, combining domestic and export sales from these areas
| Sales in € Millions | First Half 2016/2017 |
First Half 2015/2016 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 69,3 | 73,3 | -5,4% |
| Benelux | 4,3 | 4,1 | + 5,5% |
| Germany | 4,9 | 5,4 | -10,1% |
| Other territories | 6,4 | 5,8 | +10,7% |
| Total | 84,9 | 88,6 | - 4,2% |
Bigben expects for Q3 2016/17 a level of activity virtually of the same order as in last year Q3.
Publishing will see the launch of new video games (The Voice, Handball 17) in this quarter and the marketing of the Sherlock Holmes - The Devil's Daughter video game software across the American continent. This activity will be compared to the 3rd quarter 2015/2016, which benefited from the compatibility of the WRC5 game with all console formats, unlike the WRC6 game restricted to "New Generation" formats.
The Mobile business, which should only be slightly impacted by the market withdrawal of the Samsung Galaxy Note7, looks forward to further growth driven in particular by Force GlassTM products, while sales of both Gaming Accessories and Audio products are expected again to decline.
Bigben anticipates for Q4 2016/17 a return to sales growth due to two major events:
In the 1st half 2016/2017, in spite of slightly receding sales, Bigben anticipates an operating profit in line with that of the 1st half of 2015/2016. It is furthermore recalled that this period of the fiscal year is not representative of Group's annual profitability.
Given the Q4 growth prospects mentioned above, the Bigben Group confirms the targets announced in May as follows:
The Bigben Group will disclose the prospects for its 2016/2017 full financial year together with the publication of its half year results on November 21st .
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