12.05.2016

Press Release
Pratteln, May 12, 2016

  • Consolidated sales almost doubled to CHF 128.1 million
  • EBIT improved by 74.0% to CHF 8.7 million
  • Consolidated net profit for the period rose from CHF 0.6 million to CHF 5.5 million
  • Earnings per share increased six-fold to CHF 0.12

The Highlight Group has started fiscal year 2016 with very positive results.

Group development in the first quarter of 2016

  • At CHF 128.1 million, consolidated sales in the first three months were up by 99.2% on the corresponding figure for the previous year (CHF 64.3 million). The increase primarily stems from higher external sales in the Film segment, which are mainly attributable to the start of exploitation of the hit comedy 'Fack Ju Göhte 2' in the home entertainment sector and the release of 'Shadowhunters' by the US broadcaster Freeform.
  • Consolidated operating expenses rose by CHF 99.4 million to CHF 174.3 million. The main reasons for this were a production-related rise in the cost of materials and licenses as well as considerably higher amortization of film assets.
  • EBIT improved to CHF 8.7 million - an increase of 74.0% compared to the first quarter of 2015 (CHF 5.0 million).
  • Consolidated net profit for the period rose from CHF 0.6 million to CHF 5.5 million and the share of profit attributable to Highlight shareholders increased from CHF 0.7 million to CHF 5.4 million. The higher increase of these two items as compared to EBIT is primarily due to the fact that the financial result improved from CHF -4.5 million to CHF -2.2 million owing to currency factors.
  • Consolidated equity (including non-controlling interests) at CHF 92.0 million was down by CHF 11.8 million as against the end of 2015 (CHF 103.8 million). This decline was due in particular to the purchase of treasury stock with a value of CHF 16.3 million.
  • Net liquidity rose by CHF 4.6 million to CHF 6.7 million despite a decrease in cash and cash equivalents.

The quarterly statement as of March 31, 2016 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

1Q2016

1Q2015

Change in %

Sales

128.1

64.3

99.2

EBIT

8.7

5.0

74.0

Net profit for the period (after taxes)

5.5

0.6

816.7

Net profit attributable to shareholders

5.4

0.7

671.4

Earnings per share (CHF)

0.12

0.02

500.0

Segment sales

Film

113.1

52.0

117.5

Sports- and Event-Marketing

14.7

11.3

30.1

Other Business Activities

0.2

1.0

-80.0

Segment result

Film

0.5

-0.5

200.0

Sports- and Event-Marketing

6.7

6.8

-1.5

Other Business Activities

2.7

-0.4

775.0

in CHF million

March 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

Change in %

Balance sheet total

383.1

458.0

-16.4

Equity

92.0

103.8

-11.4

Equity ratio (%)

24.0

22.7

1.3 points

Current financial liabilities

83.2

104.3

-20.2

Cash and cash equivalents

89.9

106.4

-15.5

For more information:

HIGHLIGHT COMMUNICATIONS AG
Investor Relations
Netzibodenstrasse 23b
4133 Pratteln BL, Switzerland
Phone: 0041-61-816 96 91
E-mail: ir@hlcom.ch


Highlight Communications AG published this content on 12 May 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 12 May 2016 12:52:09 UTC.

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