Bertelsmann announces preliminary figures for 2011
- Slight growth in revenues and solid operating EBIT
On the basis of preliminary and unaudited figures, the revenues of continuing operations of the international media company Bertelsmann increased to €15.3 billion (previous year: €15.1 billion) in the 2011 fiscal year. Organic growth, adjusted for portfolio and currency effects, came to about two percent. At a good €1.7 billion, Operating EBIT was slightly below the previous year’s €1.8 billion. A good performance of the advertising-driven businesses and rapidly growing e-book sales were offset by planned start-up losses for new growth platforms and the weak business performance of some of the printing operations, as well as declines in the replication and direct-marketing businesses. The Group’s Return on Sales, at around 11 percent (previous year: 12.1 percent), clearly exceeded the 10-percent mark.
Operating EBITDA totaled approximately €2.2 billion (previous year: €2.4 billion). Net financial debt remained unchanged at €1.9 billion (December 31, 2011) despite increased investment, and is well balanced with the company's profitability and cash flow. All prior-year figures were adjusted for the discontinued club and bookselling businesses of the former Direct Group.
Based on the preliminary figures, a dividend of 15 percent of par value (previous year: 15 percent) is expected for Bertelsmann Profit Participation Certificate 2001 (ISIN DE0005229942). The payout on Profit Participation Certificate 1992 (ISIN DE0005229900) is expected to be 5.5 to 7.5 percent of par value (previous year: 7.23 percent). The payout for both participation certificates is scheduled for May 2012.
The figures cited here are preliminary, unaudited figures. The full and audited annual financial statement will be published on March 28, 2012.
About Bertelsmann AG
Bertelsmann is an international media company whose core divisions encompass television (RTL Group), book publishing (Random House), magazine publishing (Gruner + Jahr), and outsourcing services (Arvato) in 50 countries. In 2011, the company’s businesses, with their 100,000 employees, generated revenues of €15.3 billion*. Bertelsmann stands for a distinctive combination of creativity and entrepreneurship that empowers the creation of first-rate media, communications, and service offerings to inspire people around the world and to provide innovative solutions for customers.
*based on preliminary, unaudited figures
For further questions, please contact:
Bertelsmann AG
Andreas Grafemeyer
Senior Vice President Media Relations
Phone: +49 – 52 41 / 80 24 66
andreas.grafemeyer@bertelsmann.de
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