01.09.2017 – 08:43

Highlight Communications AG

DGAP-News: 2Q2017: Highlight Group with solid business development

DGAP-News: Highlight Communications AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results
2Q2017: Highlight Group with solid business development

31.08.2017 / 18:45
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Consolidated sales of CHF 160.4 million, below the previous year's figure as
expectedEBIT at CHF 6.9 million also below the previous year's levelConsolidated
net profit for the period at CHF 4.4 millionConsolidated equity rose by 70.1% to
CHF 230.2 millionSales and earnings forecast confirmed for fiscal year 2017
The Highlight Group's figures for the first half of the year were in line with
planning for the year as a whole.

Group development in the first half of 2017
Compared to the very strong figure for the same period of the previous year,
consolidated sales fell by 22.3% to CHF 160.4 million. The lower sales
essentially result from the Film segment, which achieved extraordinarily good
sales figures for the hit movies "Fack Ju Göhte 2" and "Look Who's Back" in home
entertainment exploitation in the first half of 2016. As expected, the company
was not able to repeat these results in the current fiscal year.
 Consolidated operating expenses declined by 7.8% to CHF 238.3 million. This
development is primarily due to lower amortization and impairment losses on film
assets. By contrast, the cost of materials and licenses climbed on account of
productions.
 As expected, EBIT declined from CHF 13.9 million to CHF 6.9 million, because,
according to planning, no major films were released in the first half of 2017
and no material TV licenses were invoiced in the second quarter. In addition,
there had been a one-time accounting profit of CHF 2.6 million from the
deconsolidation of Highlight Event and Entertainment AG and Pokermania GmbH in
the first half of 2016.
 The consolidated net profit for the period was also down year-on-year at CHF
4.4 million (previous year's period: CHF 8.1 million). The share of earnings
attributable to Highlight shareholders was CHF 4.0 million, corresponding to
earnings per share of CHF 0.08.
 The significant increase in consolidated equity (including non-controlling
interests) primarily results from the capital increase from authorized capital
performed in the second quarter of 2017. 15,750,000 new shares were issued at a
subscription price of EUR 5.20 per share.
In particular due to the strong theatrical slate in the second half of 2017
(including "Das Pubertier", "Ostwind - Aufbruch nach Ora", "Grießnockerlaffäre",
"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.

On August 23, the Annual General Meeting of Constantin Medien AG elected Dr.
Paul Graf as a member of the Supervisory Board, which subsequently elected him
as its Chairman on the same day. To allow Dr. Graf to concentrate on his
responsible new task, Dr. Graf and the Board of Directors of Highlight
Communications AG have agreed that Dr. Graf will set aside his roles at
Highlight Communications AG for the time being.

The interim report as of June 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                          2Q2017        2Q2016        Change in %

Sales                                   160.4         206.5         -22.3

EBIT                                    6.9           13.9          -50.4

Net profit for the period (after taxes) 4.4           8.1           -45.7

Net profit attributable to shareholders 4.0           8.2           -51.2

Earnings per share (CHF)                0.08          0.19          -57.9

Segment sales                                                        

Film                                    131.2         176.9         -25.8

Sports- and Event-Marketing             29.2          29.4          -0.7

Other Business Activities               0.0           0.2           n/a

Segment result                                                       

Film                                    -3.2          0.8           -500.0

Sports- and Event-Marketing             12.9          12.8          0.8

Other Business Activities               0.0           2.7           n/a

                                                                     

in CHF million                          June 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Change in %

Balance sheet total                     466.7         368.5         26.6

Equity                                  230.2         135.3         70.1

Equity ratio (%)                        49.3          36.7          12.6 points

Current financial liabilities           73.5          52.3          40.5

Cash and cash equivalents               62.6          88.5          -29.3

                                                                     

                                                                     

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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31.08.2017  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
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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, Tradegate
Exchange



 

End of News DGAP News Service

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