In a highly competitive environment and despite some contrasting results, the Group has implemented a number of important strategic measures which will significantly strengthen its earnings capacity and its prospects for expansion.
A detailed review of the financial statements is provided in the attachment.
In Switzerland the year was marked by the success of the free newspaper Le Matin Bleu which has already attained a daily audience of 400,000 readers and exceeded its advertising volume budget, despite the arrival of its Zürich competitor 20 minutes. However, this situation is generating heavier competition in the market and giving rise to increased pressure on our margins.
The excellent results and strong progress of the Group's Internet activities, each of which is the leader in its market (jobup.ch, homegate.ch, swissfriends.ch) were confirmed. Edipresse continued its expansion strategy with three major initiatives:
The industrial restructuring of the Swiss print facilities was completed in the course of the year: the newspaper print facilities (CIE – Edipresse Printing Centre) have been grouped together on a single site at Bussigny since July 2006 and the Vernier site was closed down; the IRL commercial print facility was sold to the Swiss Printers group effective 1 July 2006.
At the international level, Eastern Europe and Asia achieved good results. Edipresse increased its stake in its Russian subsidiary Edipresse-Konliga (to 69.9%) and in its Asian subsidiary (to 100%).
The launches completed in Russia, Ukraine and Romania were successful; in particular, the very swift expansion of the Ukrainian subsidiary should enable Edipresse to become the largest publisher in that country.
In Spain and Portugal the magazine market experienced a dismal economic situation. Edipresse's Iberian subsidiaries generally posted unsatisfactory results. This situation will not occur again in 2007. A marked recovery is expected in Portugal, where Edimpresa is still the unchallenged market leader, but the main change will come from the Spanish market, where Edipresse's strategy will be radically altered:
Edipresse is presenting a section entitled Environment and social responsibility in its annual report for the first time. This initiative highlights the substantial efforts made by the Group to protect the environment, develop its staff and support activities of a humanitarian nature.
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For further information on the results:
Christopher Bolton, Chief Financial Officer christopher
Email
+41 21 349 45 26
For other information:
Gregory Blatt, Director Marketing, Communications and Strategye
Email
+41 21 349 45 02