Earnings Release • Nov 12, 2010
Earnings Release
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Today Schibsted ASA (SCH) released its Q3 2010 report, which shows operating
revenues of NOK 3.29 billion, underlying a growth of 5 per cent compared to the
same period in 2009. Advertising revenues contributed with a growth of 15 per
cent. The operating profit (EBITA) in Q3 was NOK 412 million, a growth of 36 per
cent compared to the same period in 2009.
- It is a pleasure for us in Schibsted Media Group to report third quarter
figures that show a strong improvement in the results compared to the equivalent
period in 2009, Mr. Rolv Erik Ryssdal, CEO of Schibsted Media Group says.
- The improvement is a result of both hard work on profitability improvement
measures throughout the Group and growth in our media houses and online
classifieds activities, Mr. Ryssdal says.
Schibsted continues its work on strengthening the activities in the media
houses, and at the same time continues its efforts to develop Online classifieds
operations in Scandinavia and internationally.
- In the third quarter, we were able to grow our profits at the same time as we
increased our efforts to roll out new online classifieds activities outside our
traditional core markets. This ensures that the Schibsted Media Group is
building a strong foundation for innovation and growth in its operations
combined with good value creation for its owners, Mr. Ryssdal says.
- We will continue to spend a lot of time and energy on positioning ourselves in
a changing media sector. For example, we can see a negative trend for single-
copy sales of newspapers and it will be very important to continue working on
user-payment models for digitally distributed newspapers, says Mr Ryssdal.
Highlights in Q3 2010
Continued improvement in results in Q3
* In Q3 2010, the Group made an operating profit (EBITA) of NOK 412 million
(303 million).
* Operating margin (EBITA) of 13 per cent (9%).
* Underlying growth in operating revenues of 5 per cent. Reported growth was
1 per cent, negatively affected by currency and divestments.
* The improvement is due to continued online growth combined with the effect
of the Group's profitability programme and positive developments in the
Scandinavian advertising markets.
* Underlying growth of 15 per cent in the Media Houses' and Online
Classifieds' advertising revenues compared to Q3 2009, driven by
improvements in the online activities and most print categories in
Scandinavia.
Growth and higher margins for Media Houses
* Underlying growth of 2 per cent in the Media Houses Scandinavia revenues in
Q3. Advertising revenues rose by 15 per cent.
* The EBITA margin increased from 7 to 12 per cent driven by cost cuts and
stronger positions, especially online, and improved advertising markets.
* Strong developments in Schibsted Tillväxtmedier's online services in Sweden,
such as consumer financing, price comparisons and a TV guide. These
activities are growing sharply based on the Schibsted Media Group's strong
traffic and brand positions. Corresponding activities established in Norway.
Good growth in Online Classifieds. Higher roll-out rate in new markets
* Underlying growth of 20 per cent in Schibsted Media Groups Online
Classifieds operating revenues in Q3. This growth came from both established
markets and the portfolio of newly launched classifieds websites.
* Operating profit (EBITDA) increased by 30 per cent for Schibsted Classified
Media activities in Established phase.
* The Schibsted Media Group is increasing its roll-out rate in new markets and
this debited the operating profit by NOK 73 million in Q3, NOK 28 million
more than in Q2 2010 and NOK 49 million more than in Q3 2009.
* In Q3, Schibsted Media Group agreed to increase its stake in Leboncoin.fr
from 50 to 100 per cent, giving it full control over one of Europe's biggest
online classifieds sites.
New visual profile and name
* Schibsted has introduced the name Schibsted Media Group and a new visual
profile in to reflect the Group's profile as innovative, future-oriented and
responsible.
* Schibsted Media Group's profitability programme continued in Q3. Since
2008, the measures have had an accumulated effect of NOK 1.6 billion,
compared to NOK 1.5 billion as at the end of Q2 2010. The programme is
expected to produce an accumulated effect of NOK 1.7 billion by the end of
Main figures for the Group
Q3 Q3 As of Q3 Full yr.
2009 2010 (MNOK) 2010 2009 2009
3 264 3 288 Operating revenues 10 061 9 179 12 745
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
489 567 EBITDA 1 637 953 1 494
303 412 EBITA( 1)) 1 187 484 832
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250 343 Profit (loss) before taxes 1 557 111 279
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1,46 1,99 Earnings per share (EPS) 10,31 4,32 4,74
Adjusted Earnings per
1,37 2,27 share (EPS) 7,11 2,78 4,42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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CAPEX 251 302 390
Cash flow from operations per share (NOK) 15,54 15,03 19,34
Net interest bearing debt (NIBD) 1 337 3 102 2 554
Net interest bearing debt/EBITDA last 12
months 0,6 2,4 1,7
Equity share 41,5 % 35,0 % 34,7 %
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1) Operating profit before impairment loss and other revenues and expenses.
Contact person:
Trond Berger, CFO. Tel: +47 916 86 695
Oslo, 12 November 2010
SCHIBSTED ASA
Jo Christian Steigedal
VP Investor Relations
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl
(Norwegian Securities Trading Act)
[HUG#1461789]
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