12.05.2016 – 14:21

Highlight Communications AG

DGAP-News: Highlight Group with jump in sales and earnings

DGAP-News: Highlight Communications AG / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim
Statement
Highlight Group with jump in sales and earnings

12.05.2016 / 14:19
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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-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: +41 (0)61 816 96 91                                                

E-mail:  ir@hlcom.ch                                                       

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12.05.2016  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.

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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


End of News DGAP News Service
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463183  12.05.2016