DGAP-News: Highlight Communications AG / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim Statement
Highlight Group well on track
24.05.2018 / 19:45
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Consolidated sales rose to CHF 85.5 million
EBIT improved by 37.5% to CHF 3,3 million
Forecast confirmed for fiscal year 2018
The Highlight Group starts fiscal year 2018 with very sound results.
Group development in the first quarter of 2018
Compared with the first quarter of 2017, consolidated sales rose by CHF 5.5 million to CHF 85.5 million, whereby both segments contributed to this growth. The increase in the Film segment is largely based on the start of home-entertainment exploitation of the hit comedy "Fack Ju Göhte 3". The rise in the Sports- and Event-Marketing segment stems from higher agency commission that the TEAM Group generated as a result of successful marketing of the UEFA club competitions.
Consolidated operating expenses were down by CHF 10.9 million at CHF 107.6 million, particularly due to a production-related decrease in the cost of materials and licenses.
EBIT thus improved by 37.5% from CHF 2.4 million to CHF 3.3 million.
At CHF -0.3 million, the consolidated net profit for the period was down on the previous year's period (CHF 0.8 million) due to significantly higher financing costs. This was also true for earnings attributable to Highlight shareholders, which fell from CHF 0.7 million to CHF -0.7 million.
Net debt amounted to CHF 89.4 million at the end of the first quarter of 2018 (December 31, 2017: net liquidity of CHF 109.5 million). This is mainly attributable to an increase in financial liabilities due to the necessary financing of the acquisition of additional shares (29.99%) of Constantin Medien AG.
Targets for fiscal year 2018
The Highlight Group is confirming its annual forecast for consolidated sales, which are expected to amount to between CHF 520 million and CHF 540 million, and for consolidated net profit attributable to shareholders of between CHF 18 million and CHF 20 million.
The quarterly statement as of March 31, 2018 will be available for download at www.highlight-communications.ch starting from today.
Highlight Group at a glance
Group figures according to IFRS
in CHF million
1Q2018
1Q2017
Change in %
Sales
85.5
80.0
6.9
EBIT
3.3
2.4
37.5
Net profit for the period (after taxes)
-0.3
0.8
-137.5
Net profit attributable to shareholders
-0.7
0.7
-200.0
Earnings per share (CHF)
-0.01
0.02
-150.0
Segment sales
Film
70.1
65.5
7.0
Sports- and Event-Marketing
15.4
14.5
6.2
Segment earnings
Film
-2.6
-2.7
3.7
Sports- and Event-Marketing
8.4
6.8
23.5
in CHF million
March 31, 2018
December 31, 2017
Change in %
Balance sheet total
663.7
512.8
29.4
Equity
203.8
236.4
-13.8
Equity ratio (%)
30.7
46.1
-15.4 points
Current financial liabilities
226.9
77.2
193.9
Cash and cash equivalents
137.4
186.6
-26.4
For more information:
Highlight Communications AG
Investor Relations
Netzibodenstrasse 23b
4133 Pratteln BL, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)61 816 96 91
E-mail: ir@hlcom.ch
24.05.2018 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Language:
English
Company:
Highlight Communications AG
Netzibodenstrasse 23b
4133 Pratteln
Switzerland
Phone:
+41 61 816 96 96
Fax:
+41 61 816 67 67
E-mail:
ir@hlcom.ch
Internet:
www.hlcom.ch
ISIN:
CH0006539198
WKN:
920299
Listed:
Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange
Highlight Communications AG is a Switzerland-based holding company engaged in the entertainment production. The Companyâs business is divided into two segments. The Film segment is engaged in the production, exploitation and distribution of films and film licenses, from cinema to video, digital versatile disc (DVD) and television broadcasting. The Sports and Event Marketing segment commercializes the licensing, marketing and sponsorship rights for the UEFA European championships, as well as for the Eurovision Song Contest and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The Company's subsidiaries include Constatin Film AG, Highlight Communications (Deutschland) GmbH, Rainbow Home Entertainment AG, Rainbow Home Entertainment GmbH, TEAM Television Event and Media Marketing AG and Team Football Marketing AG, among others.
HIGHLIGHT COMMUNICATIONS AG 
