Corporate | 22 November 2012 07:25
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United Internet AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results
Montabaur, November 22, 2012. Figures published today for the first nine months of 2012 reveal that United Internet AG continued its growth course as Europe's leading internet specialist also in the third quarter of 2012. In the first three quarters of the current fiscal year, the company succeeded in raising both sales and customer contract figures to new record levels and significantly improved earnings in its established business fields. At the same time, considerable investments were made in the establishment and expansion of new business fields in order to tap further growth potential for the future.
Development of the Group
In its operating business, i.e. without consideration of special items, United Internet also improved earnings significantly in its established business fields during the first nine months of 2012. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 20.6%, from EUR 277.4 million last year to EUR 334.5 million, while earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved by 24.1%, from EUR 215.8 million last year to EUR 267.8 million. As already announced, this strong growth in earnings of the Group's established business fields was used to invest heavily in the development of new business fields. The main focus was placed on the international marketing campaign for the 1&1 MyWebsite and the development of De-Mail applications. In line with planning, EBIT-effective start-up losses of EUR 98.6 million (prior year: EUR 17.0 million) were incurred for these activities in the first nine months of 2012. As a result of these start-up losses, there was an expected overall decline in earnings of United Internet AG in its operating business compared to the comparative figures of last year. Adjusted for special items, EBITDA amounted to EUR 237.7 million (prior year: EUR 261.1 million) and EBIT totaled EUR 169.2 million (prior year: EUR 198.8 million). Pre-tax earnings (EBT) stood at EUR 157.5 million (prior year: EUR 193.9 million), while earnings per share (EPS) reached EUR 0.55 (prior year: EUR 0.62). Consistently strong free cash flow underlines the entire Group's ability to generate high levels of cash – while at the same time achieving strong qualitative growth. Despite high start-up costs in new business fields, this figure was only slightly down on the previous year at EUR 145.0 million (prior year: EUR 149.3 million).
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Positive special items Jan. – Sept. 2012 (Versatel): EBITDA and EBIT effect: EUR 24.8 million
'We still see both strong growth and very attractive margins in our established business fields. This gives us the strength to invest large sums in the development of our new business fields, such as the international roll-out of the 1&1 MyWebsite and the development of De-Mail. This will enable us to tap new growth potential for the future,' states Ralph Dommermuth, CEO of United Internet, in his assessment of the company's first nine months 2012 and adds: 'With the results achieved so far this year, we are well on track to meeting the targets we set for 2012 as a whole.'
Outlook
For 2013, United Internet expects further strong earnings growth with an EPS of around EUR 1.00 – EUR 1.10 (after approx. EUR 0.30 – EUR 0.40 start-up losses in new business fields).
The 9-Month Report 2012 and an overview of all key performance indicators can be accessed at www.united-internet.de in the Investor Relations / Reports section or the Investor Relations / Info-Center section.
About United Internet
Contact
End of Corporate News 22.11.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP’s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de |
| Language: | English | |
| Company: | United Internet AG | |
| Elgendorfer Straße 57 | ||
| 56410 Montabaur | ||
| Germany | ||
| Phone: | +49 (0)2602 / 96 – 1100 | |
| Fax: | +49 (0)2602 / 96 – 1013 | |
| E-mail: | info@united-internet.de | |
| Internet: | www.united-internet.de | |
| ISIN: | DE0005089031 | |
| WKN: | 508903 | |
| Indices: | TecDAX | |
| Listed: | Regulierter Markt in Berlin, Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart | |
| End of News | DGAP News-Service |
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