Earnings Release • Apr 22, 2020
Earnings Release
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Aix-en-Provence, 22 April 2020 (6.00 p.m.)
| in € M | 2020 | 2019 reported |
2019 LFL2 | 2020/2019 Reported change |
2020/2019 LFL2 change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 Gross Profit1 | 20.79 | 23.17 | 23.17 | -10.3% | -10.3% |
1 Unaudited data.
2 Like for like: Based on a comparable scope and at constant exchange rates (i.e. applying the average exchange rate over the period to data from the compared period).
Didier Chabassieu, Chairman of the Management Board, stated, "After seven consecutive years of growth, and despite a good start to 2020, the Group's performance has come to an abrupt halt with the COVID-19 health crisis. Given this unprecedented health and economic crisis, I'm proud of our managers and employees who have shown their great ability to adapt and respond to change. I'm confident in the organisational structure implemented that will enable us to continue supporting our clients. In this year of its 30th anniversary, HighCo has grown into a healthy group, prepared to overcome this challenge."

The pandemic is having a significant impact on the Group's businesses, mainly due to:
The Group is maintaining the ad hoc organisational structure implemented at each subsidiary to continue supporting its clients in the best possible way.
After slight business growth in line with the budget at the beginning of the year, the measures taken to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting all the businesses of our clients, brands and retailers, in March. As a result, HighCo registered a 27.4% decline in March alone. This led to a 10.3% drop in the Group's gross profit to €20.79 M in Q1 2020.
Digital held up better, posting a decline limited to 7.8% like for like. The segment was driven by Mobile businesses, which grew in the first quarter. The share of Digital in total Group business continued to rise, up from the reported figure of 53.4% in Q1 2019 to 54.9% in Q1 2020.
| FRANCE | Gross Profit (in € M) | 2020/2019 Change | % Total gross | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 reported | Reported | LFL | profit | |
| Q1 | 15.30 | 17.70 | -13.6% | -13.6% | 73.6% |
Down 13.6%, France posted gross profit of €15.3 M in Q1 2020, representing 73.6% of the Group's gross profit. Excluding Mobile businesses, which showed slight growth over the quarter, all other businesses recorded steep declines in March.
| INTERNATIONAL | Gross Profit (in € M) | 2020/2019 Change | % Total gross | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 reported | Reported | LFL | profit | |
| Q1 | 5.49 | 5.47 | +0.5% | +0.5% | 26.4% |
| o/w Benelux | 5.18 | 5.18 | +0.0% | +0.0% | 24.9% |

International gross profit rose slightly by 0.5% like for like to €5.49 M in Q1 2020, representing 26.4% of the Group's gross profit. In Benelux, gross profit remained stable at €5.18 M for the quarter, benefiting from the later implementation of strict lockdown measures (early April) in Luxembourg. Showing growth of 9.8%, business in Southern Europe is on an upward trend and accounts for 1.5% of the Group's gross profit.
As anticipated at the end of March and following the extension of lockdown restrictions, Q2 2020 is expected to be impacted even harder by government measures and to show a significant decline both in and outside France. All business activities will be impacted due to the following factors:
HighCo has taken all necessary measures to limit the effects of the pandemic on its employees:
At end-March, gross cash (excluding operating working capital) totalled €7.8 M (€10.56 M at 31 December 2019).
The Group has taken the following measures in response to the drop in business activity and to protect its cash position:
HighCo's 2019 Universal Registration Document was filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (French financial markets authority) on 16 April 2020 under No. D20-0300. The document contains the annual financial report and is available on HighCo's website (www.highco.com), under Investors>Annual Report.

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic and government measures taken to limit gatherings, the Company has announced that the Annual General Meeting will be held exceptionally under closed session on 11 May 2020. The notice of convocation, published in the journal for the publication of official legal notices (BALO) of 20 April 2020 and on the Company's website www.highco.com (under Investors > Annual General Meetings) explains how to register to participate in the meeting. The Company also indicates that it has extended the deadline for submitting written questions, which shareholders can send by email to [email protected] along with their certificate of registration, to Wednesday, 6 May 2020 at 6 p.m.
As an expert in data marketing and communication, HighCo continuously innovates to work with brands and retailers in meeting the retail challenges of tomorrow.
Listed in compartment C of Euronext Paris, and eligible for SME equity savings plans ("PEA-PME"), HighCo has more than 750 employees and since 2010 has been included in the Gaia Index, a selection of 70 responsible Small and Mid Caps.
Cécile Collina-Hue Cynthia Lerat Managing Director Press Relations +33 1 77 75 65 06 +33 1 77 75 65 16
[email protected] [email protected]
Publications take place after market close.
Q2 and H1 2020 Gross Profit: Thursday 16 July 2020 2020 Half-year Earnings: Wednesday 26 August 2020 Conference call on 2020 half-year earnings: Thursday 27 August 2020 Q3 and 9-month YTD 2020 Gross Profit: Wednesday 14 October 2020 Q4 and FY 2020 Gross Profit: Wednesday 20 January 2021

HighCo is a component stock of the indices CAC® Small (CACS), CAC® Mid&Small (CACMS) and CAC® All-Tradable (CACT) and Euronext® Tech Croissance (FRTPR). ISIN: FR0000054231 Reuters: HIGH.PA Bloomberg: HCO FP
For further financial information and press releases, go to www.highco.com.
This English translation is for the convenience of English-speaking readers. Consequently, the translation may not be relied upon to sustain any legal claim, nor should it be used as the basis of any legal opinion. HighCo expressly disclaims all liability for any inaccuracy herein.
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