Paris, 10 May 2016

Revenue for 1st quarter 2016

Strong business growth (+62.1%)
Sustained rhythm of customer acquisition (214,000 sites acquired in France)

in millions of euros Q1 2016 Q1 2015 Change
Revenue from ordinary activities (including margin on Energy Management) 516.0*318.3+62.1%
of which France

 		 507.6 317.7 +59.8%
of which Belgium 8.4 0.6 x 14

* contribution by segment detailed in the appendix 1

Strong business growth during the 1st quarter 2016, in France and Belgium

In the continuation of its growth dynamic, Direct Energie has again seen a very positive first quarter 2016 with revenue growth of 62.1%, reaching €516 million compared to €318.3 million for the same quarter 2015. This performance demonstrates the commercial vitality of all Group businesses, in particular in France (+59.8%) with the increase in "Major Accounts" that include commercial and industrial multi-site customers as well as public authorities.

We can also note the first net contribution of the gas power plant in Bayet for an amount of €5.1 million that are recorded in the margin on Energy Management. With production of 324 GWh over the quarter, this asset confirms the implementation of the vertical integration strategy.

Acceleration of development across all consumer segments

The Group won 214,000 new customer sites in France compared to 111,000 for the first quarter 2015. As announced, the acquisition momentum spread across the three main consumer segments, and demonstrates the Group's commercial success following the end of "yellow" and "green" Regulated Sales Tariffs on 1st January 2016:

  • Mass market:                 + 138,000 new customer sites vs. 97,000 won during Q1 2015
  • Professional users:        + 10,000 new customer sites vs. 5,000 won during Q1 2015
  • Major accounts:             + 66,000 new customer sites vs. 8,000 won during Q1 2015
Belgium also saw an increase in business with 20,000 customer sites acquired over the period.

Strengthened financial flexibility for the Group

In this context of sharp growth and as disclosed in the Reference Document, the Group finalized the increase of the syndicated bank loan in place raising its amount to €120 million and adjusting the covenants accordingly both for this loan and the private bond placements. This new financial flexibility will enable to continue the development and further strengthen the Group's global presence in terms of market share.

Precisions on the Group's global performance in 2016

The strong sales performance over the period, combined with the agreement on the one year extension of the ERDF service contract, should generate a positive impact of about €30 million on the current operating income. Consequently, the Group will revise its annual targets of revenue and current operating income during the presentation of the 1st half year financial results which will take place on 28 September 2016. The target of growth in excess of 20% of the customer portfolio is confirmed.

Next publication:
Financial results for 1st half-year 2016 on 28 September 2016 after the markets close

About Direct Energie
Third-largest French electricity and gas provider, the Direct Energie Group has already acquired and earned the trust of more than 1.6 million residential and professional customer sites in France and Belgium (under the Poweo brand). Integrated energy provider, Direct Energie is involved in the production and supply of electricity and the supply of gas and energy services to its customers. Direct Energie has based its success of over 13 years on its technical expertise, its outstanding customer relations and its capacity for innovation.
In 2015, the Group generated consolidated revenue of just over €1 billion and supplied 11.4 TWh of energy.
For more information: www.direct-energie.com

Press contact:                                                                                                 
Image Sept                                                                                                     
Grégoire Lucas - glucas@image7.fr - Tel + 33 (0)1 53 70 74 94                       
Marie Artzner - martzner@image7.fr - Tel + 33 (0)1 53 70 74 31 or + 33 (0)6 75 74 31 73

CM CIC Market Solutions
Stéphanie Stahr - stephanie.stahr@cmcic.fr - Tel + 33 (0)1 53 48 80 57

Direct Energie
Mathieu Behar - mathieu.behar@direct-energie.com - Tel +33 (0)6 12 48 85 85


Appendix 1: Segment information

   At 31/03/2016
In thousands of euros  Commercial trade Generation Eliminations  Total   Total
   France Belgium France France  France Belgium 
           
Revenue                  
           
Revenue from ordinary activities   502,549 8,448 5,060 (19)   507,589 8,448   516,037
of which outside revenue  502,529 8,448 5,060 -   507,589 8,448   516,037
of which inter-segment revenue  19 - - (19)  - -   -
           
           
           
   At 31/03/2015
In thousands of euros  Commercial trade Generation Eliminations  Total   Total
   France Belgium France France  France Belgium 
           
Revenue                  
           
Revenue from ordinary activities   317,938 554 165 (362)   317,741 554   318,295
of which outside revenue  317,576 554 165 -   317,741 554   318,295
of which inter-segment revenue  362 - - (362)   - -   -

Revenue for 1st quarter 2016


This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Direct Energie via Globenewswire
HUG#2011397