Earnings Release • Nov 27, 2008
Earnings Release
Open in ViewerOpens in native device viewer
Paris, 27 November 2008 – EUROPACORP, a producer and distributor of feature films and one of Europe's leading independent film studios, today announces its consolidated income to 30 September 2008, i.e., for the first half of its 2008/2009 financial year.
| Consolidated figures | 30th sept. 08 | 30th sept. 07 | ∆ |
|---|---|---|---|
| € millions | (6 months) | (6 months) | |
| Revenue | 48.9 | 73.6 | -34% |
| Cost of sales | -34.9 | -61.9 | -44% |
| Operating margin | 14.0 | 11.7 | +20% |
| % of Revenue | 28.6% | 15.9% | +14% |
| Operating income | 3.3 | 2.9 | |
| % of Revenue | 6.7% | 3.9% | |
| Financial income | 3.8 | -1.0 | N.A. |
| Net income (Group Share) | 5.3 | 1.7 | +212% |
| % of Revenue | 10.8% | 2.3% |
The Group points out that its income is tied to the release schedule for its films in their various modes of distribution, and that this timetable can result in significant variations in income per segment of activity from one quarter or half-year to the next. The revenue and income recorded over this half-year therefore have little bearing on annual revenue and income.
As announced on 13 November 2008, revenue for the first six months of the current financial year comes to 48.9 million euros. This derives notably from television sales in France, which amounted to 27 million euros, a marked improvement (+83%) attributable to the opening of broadcast windows for 11 EuropaCorp films and the contribution of the Roissy Films catalogue.
Revenue from French cinemas came to 2.6 million euros, with the release of four films during the sixmonth period. The heading "Other activities" suffers from an unfavourable base effect due to the nonrecurring executive production of Hitman in the first half of 2007/08, at a cost of 15.9 million euros, causing it to fall by 69%.
The cost of sales (amortisation of films released, distribution & marketing costs and royalties) amounts to 34.9 million euros – a substantial decline (-43.6%) compared with the first six months of 2007/08, and exceeding the decline in revenue (-34%).
The operating margin (revenue less sales costs) has therefore improved significantly, standing at 14 million euros, or 28.6% of revenue as against 15.9% in the first half of 2007/08.
This improvement is due mainly to the following factors:
The financial result stands at 3.8 million euros, with a positive exchange rate effect of 2.6 million euros and a positive net borrowing cost of 1.2 million euros.
The net Group Share income amounts to 5.3 million euros, the equivalent of a net margin of 10.8% for the half-year.
During this first six-month period the Group invested 80 million euros in film production, as against 46.6 million euros in the first half-year of 2007/08 and 95.6 million euros over the whole of the previous financial year. This rise in investment stems from the Group's growth plan, which includes the production of more large-budget films than in the past. The investment is shared mainly between the following productions:
As a result of this investment, the Group's gross financial debt amounted to 85.5 million euros, with a net gearing (ratio of net debt to shareholders' equity) of 0.46.
As in 2007/08, the Group plans increased activity during the second half of the 2008/09 financial year. As previously announced, 8 to 10 films are scheduled for release in the second half-year, notably including the world release, on 26 November 2008, of Transporter 3 by Olivier Megaton starring Jason Statham, District 13 - Ultimatum (a sequel to the first film, which totalled almost one million admissions in French cinemas), and Special Correspondents starring Gérard Jugnot and Gérard Lanvin.
These films, which either form an integral part of a saga or feature celebrity actors, should generate an increased "French Cinemas" and "International Cinemas" revenue compared with the first half-year of 2008/09.
The Group would like to point out that the high net margin for the first half-year may be ascribed to a variety of positive factors during that period and cannot be taken as an indication of the income for the whole financial year.
* Publication of press releases at market close
** Subject to change
The EuropaCorp Group produces and distributes films for the French and international markets. Structured around the "vertically integrated studio" concept, its strategy aims to control each stage of the production/distribution cycle of its ambitious and varied films. Since the start of its activity in 1999, EuropaCorp has produced or co-produced 60 feature-length films.
For further information: www.europacorp-corporate.com
Contacts
EuropaCorp Group NewCap Raphaël Durand – CFO Pierre Laurent Séverine Madinier – Investor Relations Axelle Vuillermet [email protected] [email protected] Tel: +33 1 53 83 03 03 Tel: +33 1 44 71 94 94
EuropaCorp is listed on Euronext Paris – Compartment B by NYSE Euronext ISIN: FR0010490920 – MNEMONIC: ECP
Building tools?
Free accounts include 100 API calls/year for testing.
Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.