euro adhoc: feratel media technologies AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet /
Results for the first half of financial 2007/2008:
feratel media technologies AG right on target!
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6-month report
21.12.2007
The results of feratel media technologies AG for the first half of the 2007/2008 business year demonstrate a continued growth in sales and a marked improvement in EBITDA.
The results for the first two quarters are in line with expectations. "We are satisfied with our performance," says Markus Schröcksnadel, CEO of the listed company feratel media technologies AG, in response to the half-yearly figures. "The results show that we are right on target."
At EUR 8.8 million, consolidated sales at feratel media technologies AG are 49 percent up in the period-to-period comparison. That increase is due primarily 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 also showed a further improvement in comparison with the first half of 2006/2007, from minus TEUR 310.7 to minus TEUR 151.2.
Seasonal pattern of business The results for the first two quarters need to be interpreted in the light of the fact that the period from May to October (1st and 2nd quarters) is traditionally weak. That has led to a negative contribution to results in the first half of the year in the past, too. There are two reasons for this effect. Firstly, sales in the Telecommunications Division are concentrated in the second half of the financial year, and secondly, 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 directly related expenditures. The result from ordinary activities (EBT) for the first two quarters was minus TEUR 2,170.1 after minus TEUR1,045.6. The operating result (EBIT) came to minus TEUR 2,048.8 compared with minus TEUR 1,109.6 in the same period of the previous year. In financial 2006/2007, an EBIT of TEUR 1,043.1 and an EBT of TEUR 1,136.0 were generated from sales totaling EUR 20.8 million.
Strong performance at home and abroad Once again feratel media technologies AG has been able to consolidate its position as a leading developer and provider of tourism information systems and innovative advertising platforms. With the contract for the Neusiedler See Card, feratel is handling Austria's biggest visitor card project with an integrated visitor registration service. The feratel Infoterminal also put in a strong showing in the period under report, with one in two of all orders now being delivered to other European countries. That includes Infoterminal's recent debut in Greece and Ireland, as well as further sales in the first two quarters to the tourism industry in Italy, Spain, Bulgaria and Austria. New customers were also recruited in the fields of winter destination, outdoor and public transport advertising, including Sky Europe, Intersport, Brenner Outlet Shop, Ready for Nature, Kästle and many others. In addition, the feratel group once again demonstrated its powers of innovation with the development of the web-based hotel management software that was launched recently.
Outlook Both the general economic data and the predictions for the tourism industry for 2008 look promising. On the basis of performance to date within the various divisions, the Executive Board at feratel media technologies AG is expecting a positive outcome to the 2007/2008 business year, with further improvements to all key figures for sales and earnings. "We are confident that the targets set will be achieved. At the present time, agreement between the budgeted results and the actual figures confirms that the Board's expectations for the 2007/2008 business year are realistic. In financial 2006/2007, an EBIT of TEUR 1,043.1 and an EBT of TEUR 1,136.0 were generated from sales totaling EUR 20.8 million," says CEO Markus Schröcksnadel.
Q1 + Q2 2007/2008 in figures (pursuant to IFRS)
Q1 + Q2 2007/2008 Q1 + Q2 2006/2007 Year-end 2006/2007
TEUR TEUR TEUR
Sales 8,788.3 5,898.3 20,830.4
Income from operations 9,307.5 6,185.1 21,710.9
EBITDA -151.2 -310.7 4,498.7
EBIT -2,048.8 -1,109.6 1,043.1
EBT -2,170.1 -1,045.6 1,136.0end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further inquiry note:
Enquiries to Gabriela Huter, feratel media technologies AG, Maria-Theresien-
Strasse 8, A-6020 Innsbruck,
fon: +43 512 7280-407, fax: +43 512 7280-80, mail: gabriela.huter@feratel.com,
www.feratel.com
Branche: Tourism & Leisure
ISIN: AT0000737804
WKN: 615165
Index: WBI, Standard Market Auction
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market
Original content of: feratel media technologies AG, transmitted by news aktuell