Earnings Release • Feb 8, 2017
Earnings Release
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Schibsted ASA (SCHA/SCHB) - Interim Financial Statement Q4 2016
Today, Schibsted Media Group released its Q4 2016 report. EBITDA ex. Investment
phase increased 9 percent to NOK 682 million.
"With a good Q4 2016 Schibsted concluded a year with steady progress according
to our strategic plan. We have continued to strengthen our position as a global
leader in Online classifieds and to build world class digital media houses based
on strong ecosystems in Scandinavia", CEO Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"In Online Classifieds, our strongest growth engine Leboncoin.fr has continued
to grow rapidly. Leboncoin.fr has during 2016 built a significant revenue base
in real estate, and initiated in Q4 monetization of the attractive recruitment
vertical. The results so far are promising. In the relatively mature
Scandinavian markets, the positive trends continued, whereas our operations in
Spain have during 2016 struggled to maintain the high growth rates from 2015",
Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"Within our Other Developed markets, Italy, Austria and Ireland, have seen
steady high growth rates during 2016. It is reassuring to conclude that they in
total have established themselves with positive EBITDA for the year as a whole",
Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"Our progress in Emerging markets continues, and it is good to see that the
revenue growth in Brazil accelerates. Our native market place app Shpock
continues to set new records in terms of downloads and user engagement", Rolv
Erik Ryssdal says.
"The publishing activities in our media houses produced improved EBITDA margins
in 2016 as a whole and in Q4. The decline in print advertising revenues is still
a great challenge. However, the innovative approach to our digital news products
result in increasing revenues from subscriptions", Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"I would like to highlight the progress of our operations in Schibsted Growth.
Over long time, this unit has grown steadily with increasing EBITDA margin.
During 2016, the effectiveness of the Lendo business model has become
particularly visible", Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"Schibsted's build-up of product and technology capabilities is essential in
order to build the foundation for profitable growth and value creation going
forward. Improved online classifieds components and platforms, tools to
streamline the editorial operations and our data driven advertising platform are
essential elements", CEO Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
Highlights of Q4 2016
(Figures in brackets refer to corresponding quarter in 2015.)
* EBITDA ex. Investment phase of NOK 682 million, a growth of 9 percent.
* Online classifieds pro forma revenue growth of 16 percent, adjusted for
currency fluctuations. Total Online classifieds EBITDA ex. Investment phase
grew 17 percent to NOK 618 million
* Continued positive high growth for Developed phase Online Classifieds
* 23 percent revenue growth and increased margins in France. Monetization
of the jobs vertical started in Q4 2016, and progresses as planned
* Sustained growth in Norway
* 9 percent revenue growth in Spain. Good trend in jobs and cars, whereas
real estate is sluggish, and display advertising continues to grow
slowly
* 22 percent revenue growth and positive EBITDA in Other Developed phase
operations, driven by continued good development in Italy, Austria and
Ireland
* Online Classifieds Investment phase continues positive trend
* Further revenue growth acceleration to 79 percent
* OLX Brazil progressing well with rapid revenue growth and reduced
expenses.
* Reduced EBITDA losses in emerging markets
* Significant investments and rapid growth in UK and Germany for native
app Shpock, reaching a total of 35 million app downloads
* Tight cost control leads to improved EBITDA margins in publishing
activities, even if advertising markets are challenging
* Strong inflow of digital subscribers
* Continued high growth rate in the Schibsted Growth portfolio in Sweden.
Personal finance portal Lendo.se grew revenues 53 percent and reached an
EBITDA margin of 53 percent in Q4 16
* The build-up of product and technology competence continues. Focus on
developing components for online classifieds verticals, next generation
generalist platform, advertising solutions and increased efficiency for
newsrooms
* Acquisition of MB Diffusion, the leading online classifieds market place for
agricultural and construction equipment in France closed in Q4. Acquisition
of Habitaclia, a rapid growing regional real estate portal in Spain acquired
in Q1 2017
* Dividend proposed at NOK 1.75 per share for 2016
Fourth
quarter Schibsted Media Group Full year
2015 2016 (MNOK) 2016 2015
3,947 4,059 Operating revenues 15,854 15,117
442 501 Gross operating profit (EBITDA) 2,131 2,016
11 % 12 % EBITDA margin 13 % 13 %
Gross operating profit (EBITDA) ex. Investment
627 682 phase 2,904 2,560
16 % 17 % EBITDA margin ex. Investment phase 19 % 17 %
Schibsted invites to an analyst and press conference at Apotekergata 10, Oslo,
8 February 2017 at 09:00 CET. The presentation will be held in English and
transmitted live as a video webcast on www.schibsted.com/ir. CEO Rolv Erik
Ryssdal and EVP CFO Trond Berger will present at the analyst and press
conference.
A conference call with Q&A linked to the Q4 2016 numbers will take place 8
February 2017 at 14:00 CET. Please dial in at the following numbers:
Norway: 800 51084
UK: 0800 358 6377
USA: 800-347-6311
International: +44 (0)330 336 9412
Conference ID is 5190357.
Contact persons:
Trond Berger, CFO. Tel: +47 916 86 695
Jo Christian Steigedal, Head of IR. Tel: +47 415 08 733
Oslo, 8 February 2017
SCHIBSTED ASA
Jo Christian Steigedal
Head of IR
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section
5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
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