Today, Schibsted Media Group released its Q4 2015
report.
"Q4 2015 was a good quarter for Schibsted. The online
classifieds operations revenues and operating profit
grew well. I am particularly satisfied with the
performance in our French and Spanish operations", CEO
Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"During 2015 we have seen great value creation through
in-market consolidation of online classifieds.
Schibsted's ambition is to continue to pursue such
opportunities in the markets we operate. In Q4, we
were very happy to sign the agreements to acquire the
leading Swedish real estate marketplace Hemnet. We
believe this type of consolidation will contribute to
create better marketplaces for buyers and sellers",
Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"The development in our media houses in Norway and
Sweden is affected by big changes in consumer and
advertising markets. Despite these changes, the media
houses continue to produce great journalistic
achievements. Margin levels were stable compared to Q4
2014, but continued cost cutting is necessary going
forward", Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
"We have gradually increased our efforts within
digital product and technology development during 2015
- and we plan to do even more in 2016. During Q4 2015
we announced a new organizational model for Schibsted.
Moving the responsibility and resources for product
and technology development to global units will enable
us to deliver great products to our customers quicker
and more efficiently. We believe this will increase
our competitive strength considerably going forward",
Rolv Erik Ryssdal says.
In Schibsted's new organizational structure, the
technology function has been strengthened. Rian
Liebenberg, EVP Chief Technology Officer says:
"We have an ambitious roadmap for further launches
during 2016, and plan to launch targeted advertising
solutions in our most important markets. This will
enable us to capture revenues in the fast growing
online ad market. The global platforms we are
developing for media houses, market places and
advertising will ensure that Schibsted can offer top
class digital services to consumers and advertisers
going forward".
Highlights of Q4 2015
(Figures in brackets refer to corresponding quarter in
2014.)
- EBITDA ex. Investment phase of NOK 617 million, a
growth of 10 percent. Online classifieds EBITDA ex.
Investment phase grew 21 percent to NOK 520 million.
- Broad-based revenue growth in Online Classifieds in
Q4. France and Spain both grew 20 percent.
- Agreement to acquire 80 percent of Hemnet signed.
The acquisition is subject to clearance by Swedish
competition authorities (KKV).
- Continued strong growth in key performance
indicators in most Investment phase markets.
- 83 percent growth in number of visits per month in
the Investment phase portfolio in Q4.
- Strong growth in active users and new approved ads
for mobile-only classifieds app Shpock in UK, Germany
and Austria.
- Leboncoin with successful push in the real estate
market. More than 70 percent of former customers of
the old cooperative real estate package signed direct
contract with Leboncoin by December 2015.
- Investments in product and technology, building a
new foundation for growth.
- Self-service advertising solution launched in
France.
- Geotargeting ads on mobile in Scandinavia.
- New mobile apps introduced in major European
markets.
- New media platform being rolled out.
- Mixed development in Media houses.
- Media House margins stable in Q4 as a result of
cost focus.
- Total circulation revenues for subscription
newspapers in Norway were flat in Q4, helped by online
growth.
- Print advertising continued to decline. Operating
expenses in Schibsted Norge Media House declined 11
percent in Q4.
- Schibsted Growth revenues top SEK 1 billion for
2015, steady growth and profit improvement for
personal finance and price comparison services.
- Dividend proposed at NOK 1.75 per share for 2015.
Q4 Q4 Full year
2014 2015 (MNOK) 2015 2014
3,874 3,947 Operating revenues 15,117 14,975
Gross operating
453 442 profit (EBITDA) 2,016 1,941
Gross operating profit
(EBITDA)
559 617 ex. Investment phase 2,527 2,444
EBITDA margin
15 % 16 % ex. Investment phase 17 % 16 %
Schibsted invites to an analyst and press conference
at Apotekergaten 10, Oslo, 19 February 2016 at 09:00
CET. The presentation will be held in English and
transmitted live as a video webcast on
www.schibsted.com/ir.
A conference call with Q&A linked to the Q4 2015
numbers will take place 19 February 2016 at 14:00 CET.
Please dial in at the following numbers:
Norway: 800 56 053
UK: 0800 279 4841
USA: 1877 280 2296
International: +44(0)20 3427 1915
Conference ID is 2485661
Contact persons:
Trond Berger, CFO. Tel: +47 916 86 695
Jo Christian Steigedal, Head of IR. Tel: +47 415 08 733
Oslo, 19 February 2016
SCHIBSTED ASA
Jo Christian Steigedal
Head of IR
This information is subject to the disclosure
requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian
Securities Trading Act.