- On a pro forma basis, revenues posted an increase of 3.3%. However, due to divestments in the printing sector, the turnover decreased from CHF 444.4 million to CHF 428.7 million (-3.5%).
- EBIT (operating profit) of the Group increased from CHF 23.8 million to CHF 45.9 million. This favourable trend is essentially attributable to the improved profitability of the magazine division and to the results generated from the disposal of various assets (real estate and the RBA transaction).
- The Group's net results rose from CHF 11.2 million to CHF 22 million.

Several strategic transactions were concluded during the first half of 2007:
- the merger of certain operations in Spain with the company RBA Revistas. The Edipresse Group holds 33% of the new publishing entity RBA Edipresse, which has become the largest Spanish magazine publisher;
- the creation of Edipresse Luxes, a new Geneva-based multimedia entity, devoted to the world of fine watchmaking and luxury;
- the 20% stake in the Internet publisher Virtual Network and the creation of Romandie Online, the largest online advertising agency in French-speaking Switzerland as a joint venture with Virtual Network.

With its growth in readership, Le Matin Bleu confirmed its position as the leading free daily in French-speaking Switzerland. Advertising revenues of the other dailies recorded a slight increase overall; however, the presence of the free dailies is felt on the sales figures of paid-for newspapers.

The Group's different shareholdings in Internet companies saw very positive trends, both in terms of turnover and profitability (homegate, JobUp, Swissfriends, Virtual Network, etc.).

The Edipresse Group remains very active in the magazine sector, which greatly improved its operating profit, even with the launch of several new titles (in Ukraine, Russia, Spain and Asia). In Eastern European and Asian markets, the Edipresse Group recorded a strong increase in revenues.

During the 2nd half of this year, the Group will continue to make investments in the magazine sector with several launches planned in Eastern Europe and in Asia, where Edipresse's business activities should continue to benefit from sustained growth.

Competitive pressure in the newspaper sector in French-speaking Switzerland will remain strong, due to the growth of free dailies. It has to be expected that the advertising market will remain stagnant. However, Internet activities should continue to increase.

For additional information on the results:
Michel Preiswerk, Chief Financial Officer
invest@edipresse.com, + 41 21 349 45 98

Download:

(pdf, 65 Ko)

For other additional information:
Gregory Blatt, Managing Director Marketing, Communications and Strategy
communication@edipresse.com, + 41 21 349 45 02

Editor's note:
Edipresse Group is an international media and communications company headquartered in Switzerland. The Group is active in newspapers, magazines and electronic publishing. It publishes over 180 titles and websites, and employs 3,500 people. Edipresse is present in 20 countries and territories; the company has operations in Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, France, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, and several Asian countries such as China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.