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HighCo — Earnings Release 2013
Oct 22, 2013
1402_iss_2013-10-22_34ef5172-1cea-441c-844a-3b8ec6a5aa86.pdf
Earnings Release
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Paris, 22 October 2013
GROWTH IN Q3 2013 GROSS PROFIT OF 1.5% LIKE-FOR-LIKE1
- Q3 2013 gross profit of €17.16 M up 1.5% like-for-like $1$ (up 0.9% on a reported basis) $\blacksquare$
- 9-month gross profit of $\epsilon$ 53.64 M down slightly by 0.1% like-for-like (down 0.4% on a reported basis)
| Gross Profit (in $\epsilon$ M) 2 | 2013 | 2012 | Change 2013/2012 |
Change 2013/2012 LFL 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 17.49 | 18.01 | $-2.9\%$ | $-2.8%$ |
| Q 2 | 18.99 | 18.85 | $+0.7%$ | $+1.0%$ |
| Q3 | 17.16 | 17.02 | $+0.9%$ | $+1.5%$ |
| 9-month total | 53.64 | 53.88 | $-0.4%$ | $-0.1%$ |
Like-for-like and at constant exchange rates.
2 Unaudited data.
Didier Chabassieu, Chairman of the Management Board, stated: "HighCo delivered a second consecutive quarter of growth, driven by our digital businesses in France and our strength in Central Europe. These results confirm our strategic choices to step up the digitisation of our businesses and develop in new countries. However, we remain prudent given the disappointing performance in Belgium in H2."
Analysis of Q3 2013 gross profit
As announced on the release of our half-year earnings, growth picked up slightly in the third quarter with gross profit of €17.16 M, up 1.5% like-for-like (down 0.9% in H1 2013).
The third quarter saw business growth in France, which boasted gross profit of €9.91 M, up 3.3% like-for-like (down 1.6% in H1 2013).
Our international businesses generated gross profit of €7.25 M in the third quarter, down slightly by 0.9% like-forlike (up 0.1% in H1 2013). They were primarily impacted by a 5.5% like-for-like drop in Belgium (down 3.1% in H1 2013). That said, new countries (Spain, United Kingdom, Central Europe) delivered strong growth of 17.3% like-for-like (up 11.4% in H1 2013).
Analysis of 9-month gross profit
Nine-month gross profit remained virtually stable (down 0.1% like-for-like) at €53.64 M.
In France. 9-month gross profit was down 0.1% like-for-like at €30.25 M.
For the international businesses, 9-month gross profit fell slightly by 0.2% like-for-like to €23.39 M. This reflects the sharp contrast between the performance of Belgium (down 3.9% like-for-like) and the strength of new countries (up 13.1% like-for-like in Spain, United Kingdom and Central Europe).
Highlights
Growth in the Group's digital businesses picked up in the third quarter (up 9.2% in Q3 following 5.1% in H1, coming out at 6.5% for the 9-month period). The traditional non-digital businesses continued to decline, with a drop of 1.3% in Q3 and 2.3% over the first nine months.
In France, digital technology fuelled the growth in the coupon/promotion businesses (issuance and clearing). However, the in-store media businesses are less digitised and continue to suffer from brands' under-investment in the segment and from the retail price war among food retailers. As a result, retailers are trying to reduce their overheads.
Digital businesses are not developing as rapidly in Belgium, delaying HighCo's digital migration in the country.
Central Europe drove growth in the new countries in Q3, with:
- A sharp business recovery in Hungary;
- Strong performance in Ukraine and Turkey;
- The launch of activities in Russia with the country's leading food retailer, Magnit.
The Group's outlook
HighCo remains highly dependent on the climate in the retail food sector.
In France, advertising expenditure in the food and retail sectors was down 1.3% and 0.5% respectively for the first eight months of the year (AdEx Report, August 2013).
ZenithOptimedia also expects a challenging market environment. After its June 2013 estimate of a 0.7% drop in advertising expenditure in Northern and Central Europe for 2013, ZenithOptimedia now forecasts a slightly steeper decline of 0.8% for the year.
Despite the sluggish environment, HighCo projects like-for-like business growth in Q4 and for 2013. The increase will be slightly lower than initially forecast given the poor performance in Belgium in H2.
About HighCo
HighCo offers MARKETING SOLUTIONS to BRANDS and RETAILERS to connect with the Shopper through all the new communication channels.
Seizing the opportunities offered by digital technology, HighCo utilises data and innovation in designing issuing and clearing solutions for COUPONS & PROMOTIONS and creation and adsell solutions for IN-STORE MEDIA.
Operating in 15 countries, HighCo has nearly 900 employees and is listed in compartment C of NYSE Euronext Paris and in the Gaia Index, a selection of 70 responsible Small and Mid Caps.
Your contacts
Olivier Michel Managing Director +33 1 77 75 65 06 [email protected] Cynthia Lerat Press Relations +33 1 77 75 65 16 [email protected]
Upcoming events
Publication of 2013 Gross Profit: Tuesday, 28 January 2014 after market close.
HighCo is a component stock of the indices CAC® Small (CACS), CAC® Mid&Small (CACMS) and CAC® All-Tradable $(CACT)$ . 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.