Axel Springer SE reported earnings results of the first quarter of 2016. For the quarter, the company reported EBITDA rose by 5.2% to EUR 126 million, the increase was driven by continued growth in Classifieds. Group revenue was slightly up to EUR 783 million. it was impacted by some deconsolidation effects as have mentioned already on call in March where gave guidance for the year. The company's net debt position at the end of April has been EUR 881 million. The net income adjusted for non-recurring effects as well as amortization and impairments from purchase price allocations improved by 13.3% to EUR 65.3 million against of EUR 57.6 million a year ago. The company therefore achieved adjusted earnings per share of EUR 0.53 compared to EUR 0.44 in the prior year. The net income increased during the reporting period, from EUR 43.0 million to EUR 209.4 million. The major factors contributing to this were the one-time effects of the transfer of the Swiss business operations into the newly founded joint venture with Ringier in Switzerland, which was completed in early 2016. The free cash flow decreased by 6.4% to EUR 66.4 million against of EUR 70.9 million a year ago. The net debt decreased from EUR 1,066.6 million at the end of 2015 to EUR 902.4 million, as of March 31, 2016.

for the full year 2016, the group expect a low single-digit increase in revenues. Adjusting for consolidation effects, revenue increase should be in the mid-single-digit percentage area. EPS expected at mid- to high single-digit increase in adjusted EPS. For EBITDA expect a low to mid-single-digit growth. Please note that the investments in some of activities, amongst other things, will impact the first half more than the second half of the year.