10.08.2016 – 17:47

Highlight Communications AG

DGAP-News: 2Q2016: Highlight Group with significant improvement after six months

DGAP-News: Highlight Communications AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results
2Q2016: Highlight Group with significant improvement after six months

10.08.2016 / 17:44
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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In the first half of 2016, the Highlight Group generated sales and earnings
significantly higher than the comparative figures for the previous year:
Consolidated sales rise by 63.0% to CHF 206.5 millionEBIT almost doubled from
CHF 7.2 million to CHF 13.9 millionNet profit for the period improves more than
proportionately from CHF 0.6 million to CHF 8.1 millionEarnings per share
increase from CHF 0.02 to CHF 0.19
Group development in the first half of 2016
Consolidated sales of CHF 206.5 million exceeded the previous year's figure (CHF
126.7 million) by 63.0%. Both the Film segment (+72.2%) and the Sports- and
Event-Marketing segment (+33.0%) contributed to this increase.
 The rise in the Film segment was based firstly on extremely good sales figures
of the box-office hits "Fack Ju Göhte 2" and "Look Who's Back" in home
entertainment marketing. Secondly, the TV series "Shadowhunters", which the
Constantin Film Group produced for the US network Freeform, began broadcasting.
 The sales increase in the Sports- and Event-Marketing segment was due to the
higher agency commissions that the TEAM Group generated as a result of the
successful marketing of rights for the UEFA club competitions (2015/16 to
2017/18 seasons).
 Consolidated operating expenses rose by CHF 106.8 million to CHF 258.6 million,
after CHF 151.8 million in the first half of 2015. This was primarily due to a
rise in the cost of materials and licenses in connection with productions and
significantly higher amortization and impairment on film assets.
 EBIT increased from CHF 7.2 million to CHF 13.9 million, representing an
improvement of 93.1%.
 Consolidated net profit for the period increased from CHF 0.6 million to CHF
8.1 million, of which CHF 8.2 million was attributable to Highlight shareholders
(previous year's period: CHF 0.8 million). Earnings per share therefore rose
from CHF 0.02 to CHF 0.19.
 Consolidated equity (including non-controlling interests) totaled CHF 93.4
million as of the end of the first half of 2016. The decline of CHF 10.4 million
as against December 31, 2015 essentially results from the acquisition of
treasury stock.
 Net liquidity amounted to CHF 26.7 million - an increase of CHF 24.6 million as
against year-end 2015.
The German interim report as of June 30, 2016 will be available for download at
www.highlight-communications.ch starting from today, and the English version
from August 15, 2016 at the latest.

Highlight Group at a glance                            

Group figures according to IFRS                        

                                                                     

in CHF million                          2Q2016        2Q2015        Change in %

Sales                                   206.5         126.7         63.0

EBIT                                    13.9          7.2           93.1

Net profit for the period               8.1           0.6           1,250.0

Net profit attributable to shareholders 8.2           0.8           925.0

Earnings per share (in CHF)             0.19          0.02          850.0

Segment sales                                                        

Film                                    176.9         102.7         72.2

Sports- and Event-Marketing             29.4          22.1          33.0

Other Business Activities               0.2           1.8           -88.9

Segment result                                                       

Film                                    0.8           0.9           -11.1

Sports- and Event-Marketing             12.8          9.7           32.0

Other Business Activities               2.7           -0.6          550.0

                                                                     

in CHF million                          June 30, 2016 Dec. 31, 2015 Change in %

Balance sheet total                     366.7         458.0         -19.9

Equity                                  93.4          103.8         -10.0

Equity ratio (%)                        25.5          22.7          2.8 points

Current financial liabilities           83.8          104.3         -19.7

Cash and cash equivalents               110.6         106.4         3.9

                                                                     

                                                                     

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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10.08.2016  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.

The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Archive at www.dgap.de
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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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491241  10.08.2016