Embarking on the future 
 
 
   -- In the 2020 financial year, the MCH Group laid the foundations for the 
      successful management of the Covid-19 situation and its corporate 
      development. 
 
 
   -- With a strengthened capital structure, shareholder base and corporate 
      management, the strategy implementation will continue to be intensively 
      driven forward. 
 
 
   -- Although business operations were largely at a standstill in many areas 
      in 2020, sales of CHF 188 million were generated. The goal is to return 
      to the 2019 level in 2022. 
 
 
   In the 2020 financial year, despite the exceedingly difficult conditions 
due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the MCH Group was able to lay the 
foundation for the path to a successful future. With the capital 
increases, the entry of Lupa Systems and the renewal of the Board of 
Directors, it proved possible to strengthen the capital structure, the 
shareholder base and the company management. In parallel to the 
operational measures for overcoming the Covid-19 situation, numerous 
innovative projects were developed and successfully implemented. 
Preparations for the time after the pandemic are in full swing. 
 
   Continued existence of the company secured 
 
   It was naturally not possible to offset the negative financial 
consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, it is remarkable 
that the MCH Group was able to generate operating income of CHF 188.0 
million in the course of the 2020 financial year. This is, however, CHF 
257.2 million, or almost 60%, below the figure for the previous year. 
The group's EBITDA amounts to CHF -45.1 million (previous year CHF 22.1 
million) and its EBIT is CHF -66.1 million (previous year CHF -2.7 
million). The loss for the year amounts to CHF -72.2 million (previous 
year CHF -9.9 million). 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the 2020 financial year total 
CHF 130.1 million, thus securing the company's continued existence 
beyond the current financial year. Despite the inflow of CHF 71.1 
million as a result of the capital increase, cash and cash equivalents 
have fallen by CHF 8.2 million compared with the previous year. 
Shareholders' equity totals CHF 67.3 million as per 31.12.2020, with an 
equity ratio of 16.8%. 
 
   At the moment, the framework conditions cannot be expected to improve 
until the second half of 2021, with a return to normal in 2022. The MCH 
Group thus has to expect another substantial loss for the 2021 financial 
year, although this will be significantly lower than the loss for 2020. 
Attainment of the break-event point will therefore be shifted from the 
2021 financial year to the 2022 financial year, when the 2019 level will 
be targeted. 
 
   Accelerating the transformation 
 
   "Implementing the strategy of developing future-oriented experience 
platforms and marketing solutions is being taken forward at pace", 
explains Ulrich Vischer, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "The 
process of strategic further development with the involvement of the new 
partner has been launched, and the aim is to further speed up the 
transformation and the attainment of break-even. In doing this, the 
company will benefit from the additional international experience, 
industry knowledge and innovative strength brought into the Board of 
Directors through its renewal." 
 
   "We believe in the future of live events, especially when these are 
combined with digital elements", emphasises Group CEO Beat Zwahlen. "And 
we are convinced of a successful future for our company -- with our 
business model, our strategy, our strong brands and our innovative 
strength. Over the past year, we have created a sound basis for emerging 
stronger from the Covid-19 situation and translating our highly 
promising development potential into continuous growth and stable 
profitability." 
 
   Motions to the Annual General Meeting of 28 April 2021 
 
   The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting of 28 
April that the payment of a dividend be waived. 
 
   The Board of Directors is submitting the following election proposals to 
the Annual General Meeting on 28 April 2021: Andrea Zappia (Chairman), 
Markus Breitenmoser, Marco Gadola, Eleni Lionaki, James R. Murdoch and 
Jeffrey Palker. The remaining members of the Board of Directors, whose 
membership has now been reduced to nine, are Christoph Brutschin, Dagmar 
Kamber Borens and Balz Hösly, who are delegates of the Canton of 
Basel-Stadt and the Canton and City of Zurich. 
 
   The acting Chairman, Ulrich Vischer, and members Hans-Kristian 
Hoejsgaard and Andreas Widmer will be stepping down from the Board of 
Directors at the Annual General Meeting on 28 April 2021. 
 
 
   -- 2020 Reports online (with download 
      center)https://reports.mch-group.com/20/ar/en/ 
 
 
   -- Reports archive (pdf)https://www.mch-group.com/en/investors/reports/ 
 
 
   -- News Onlinehttps://www.mch-group.com/en/news/ 
 
 
 
   Note regarding the Ordinary General Meeting on 28 April 2021 
 
   Attendance in person is not possible on account of the current situation 
with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. To protect the health of the 
shareholders and employees, the Board of Directors has decided that 
shareholders can only exercise their rights by granting a proxy to the 
independent voting representative. The invitation with the agenda and 
motions and also the information required for exercising shareholder 
rights will be sent out and published on 31 March 2021. 
 
   Media contact: 
 
   MCH Group AG 
 
   Corporate Communications 
 
   Christian Jecker 
 
   +41 58 206 22 52 
 
   christian.jecker@mch-group.com 
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 25, 2021 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)