3Q2017: Highlight Group remains on track after nine months
November 22, 2017 at 12:05 pm EST
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DGAP-News: Highlight Communications AG / Key word(s): 9-month figures
3Q2017: Highlight Group remains on track after nine months
22.11.2017 / 18:00
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Consolidated sales of CHF 249.5 million below the previous year's level as expected
Consolidated net profit at CHF 9.0 million
Significant increase of consolidated equity to CHF 239.8 million
The third quarter of 2017 was the quarter with the highest sales and income so far in the current fiscal year.
Group development in the first nine months of 2017
At CHF 249.5 million, consolidated sales after nine months were therefore only 10.4% lower than the previous year's level (CHF 278.4 million).
The decline in sales results from the Film segment, which achieved very high sales in the first nine months of 2016 due to the start of home entertainment exploitation of "Fack Ju Göhte 2" and "Look Who's Back", which - as expected - was not matched in the current year.
EBIT of CHF 15.8 million slightly lower than in the previous year (CHF 19.4 million).
Consolidated net profit for the period amounted to CHF 9.0 million, a drop of CHF 2.5 million as against the figure for the same period of 2016 (CHF 11.5 million), which however had included a non-recurring accounting profit of CHF 2.6 million.
The share of profit attributable to Highlight shareholders amounted to CHF 8.6 million, corresponding to earnings per share of CHF 0.16.
Consolidated equity (including non-controlling interests) recorded a significant increase by CHF 104.5 million to CHF 239.8 million. This rise is mainly a result of the capital increase, which was carried out in the second quarter of 2017.
Net debt amounted to CHF 21.1 million as of September 30, 2017 (December 31, 2016: net liquidity of CHF 36.2 million).
Due to the strong theatrical slate in the fourth quarter (including "Fack Ju Göhte 3" and "Dieses bescheuerte Herz"), the Highlight Group continues to forecast consolidated sales of between CHF 360 million and CHF 380 million as well as a consolidated net profit attributable to shareholders of between CHF 18 million and CHF 20 million for 2017 as a whole.
The quarterly statement as of September 30, 2017 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
3Q2017
3Q2016
Change in %
Sales
249.5
278.4
-10.4
EBIT
15.8
19.4
-18.6
Net profit for the period
9.0
11.5
-21.7
Net profit attributable to shareholders
8.6
11.1
-22.5
Earnings per share (in CHF)
0.16
0.26
-38.5
Segment sales
Film
205.5
234.1
-12.2
Sports- and Event-Marketing
44.0
44.1
-0.2
Other Business Activities
0.0
0.2
n/a
Segment earnings
Film
0.5
1.3
-61.5
Sports- and Event-Marketing
19.6
19.2
2.1
Other Business Activities
0.0
2.7
n/a
in CHF million
Sep. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Change in %
Balance sheet total
492.1
368.5
33.5
Equity
239.8
135.3
77.2
Equity ratio (%)
48.7
36.7
12.0 points
Current financial liabilities
84.4
52.3
61.4
Cash and cash equivalents
63.3
88.5
-28.5
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
22.11.2017 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.
The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de
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 
