euro adhoc: feratel media technologies AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet /
feratel on target in the first quarter of 2007/2008
Consolidated sales up 56 percent - with further growth to come
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
3-month report
28.09.2007
In the first quarter of 2007/2008 (1 May to 31 July) developments at feratel media technologies AG were positive in line with expectations. "Following a successful year in 2006/2007, there are strong indications that the current financial year will again be a year of growth," says a satisfied CEO Markus Schröcksnadel.
In the first quarter of 2007/2008, feratel reports consolidated sales totaling TEUR 4,371.0 compared with TEUR 2,796.3 in the same period of the previous year. That represents an increase of 56 percent, due mainly to consolidation of the Sitour companies acquired in the last quarter of the previous year in Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) improved from minus TEUR 184.0 to minus TEUR 116.3 in the period-to-period comparison.
Business with a seasonal bias In the first quarter of the financial year, the result from ordinary activities (EBT) is traditionally affected by a strong seasonal bias in trading, and this year EBT at feratel was again negative as anticipated for the period under report. This is due to the fact that sales in the Telecommunications Division are concentrated in the second half of the financial year, while overheads are distributed equally over the full twelve-month period. This seasonal effect has been additionally reinforced by the newly consolidated Sitour companies, whose business activities also have a pronounced seasonal focus. In a number of major markets, the period from May to October accounts for only five percent of income from advertising and also of related expenditures. This very small percentage is reflected in the results for the first half of the financial year. The winter months generate the remaining 95 percent, and that has a corresponding impact on the figures for the second half of the year.
"The operating result (EBIT) for the first three months of 2007/2008 was minus TEUR 1,046.7 and the result from ordinary activities (EBT) minus TEUR 1,090.7. Both were in line with expectations. If we look at the year-end figures for 2006/2007, we find an EBIT of TEUR 1,043.1 and an EBT of TEUR 1.136.0 generated from sales totaling EUR 20.8 million. For the current business year we are expecting a further increase in sales and - as in previous years - a positive result for the third and fourth quarters." explains Markus Schröcksnadel with regard to future developments.
Buoyant business With the installation of the first camera in the deepest and longest gorge in the Alps, the Liechtensteinklamm in St. Johann im Pongau, feratel broke completely new ground and gave an impressive demonstration of its competence in the process. Another camera was installed in Seewalchen on Lake Attersee, with the images now being transmitted on ORF 2. And the management of the Gotthardraststätte, one of Switzerland's most modern and best equipped motorway service areas, also chose a feratel product in the form of InfoChannel. Following Cambrils, Lloret de Mar became feratel's second Spanish Deskline user. The German town of Xanten in the Lower Rhine area is another new feratel customer. In collaboration with Allgäu-Tirol Vitales Land EEIG, a visitor information system was installed at the Allgäuer Tor motorway service area, while feratel's Eurosoft was chosen by Haidmühle in Bavaria and the Nato school in Oberammergau. Deskline is now also up and running at the Vals Tourism Association in Switzerland and GriwaRent AG, a holiday accommodation agency. And in July, Deskline was installed at Sportwelt Amade, one of the busiest tourist regions in Austria. feratel's information terminals were also in great demand, with five systems installed at home and abroad.
Outlook In the current financial year, in which the Sitour companies will be fully consolidated for the first time, a further increase in consolidated sales and a positive result are again expected.
"Concentration on the fields that constitute our core competence leaves us well placed to rise to the challenges of the future and to continue to target our fundamental goals of further geographic expansion and consolidation of our position as a leading developer and provider of tourist information systems," says Schröcksnadel.
First quarter of 2007/2008 in figures (pursuant to IFRS)
In the first quarter of the previous year, the following companies were not included in the consolidated financial statements of the feratel group: Sitour Marketing GmbH, Austria / Sitour Italia srl, Italy / Sitour Ceská republika s.r.o., Czech Republic / Sitour spol. s.r.o., Slovakia
1st q 2007/2008 1st q 2006/2007 financial year 06/07 Sales 4,371.0 2,796.3 20,830.4 Income from operations 4,631.0 2,970.9 21,710.9 EBITDA -116.3 -184.0 4,498.7 EBIT -1,046.7 -563.9 1,043.1 EBT -1,090.7 -503.8 1,136.0
end of announcement euro adhoc 28.09.2007 08:27:51
Further inquiry note:
Enquiries to: Gabriela Huter, PR & Marketing
Martin Fritsch, Investor Relations
feratel media technologies AG, Maria-Theresien-Strasse 8, A-6020 Innsbruck
Fon +43 512 7280-407, fax +43 512 7280-80, e-mail
gabriela.huter@feratel.com,martin.fritsch@feratel.com, www.feratel.com
Branche: Tourism & Leisure
ISIN: AT0000737804
WKN: 615165
Index: Standard Market Auction, WBI
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market