Fusion Corporate Partners

Future plc, the  specialist media group and  digital publisher,has announced  unaudited interim results for the half-year ended 31 March 2013.

Financial Highlights

Click on the table for a larger image.

Summary

• Group revenues down 1%, EBITDAE down 23%, impacted by cyclical decline in Games market
• Group digital revenues up 33% year-on-year and now represent 25% of Group revenues
• US operations on track to return to EBITDAE profitability in FY13
• New credit facility for four years to February 2017
• Sale of UK Rock titles in April for £10.2m strengthens the balance sheet to support continued investment in the transition to a predominantly digital business

Digital highlights

• Unique users up 46% year-on-year to 51.4 million a month
• Page views up 38% year-on-year to 299 million a month
• Digital advertising now represents 57% of total advertising, up from 47% a year ago
• Over five million digital editions sold across all platforms
• Over 300,000 subscribers to digital editions, up over 75% since March 2012
• FutureFolio signed up to power 80 digital magazines for third parties

Mark Wood, Chief Executive, said, “We experienced some difficult trading conditions in the first half, above all in the Games market, which has been in a trough ahead of new console releases from Microsoft and Sony. However, the first half figures mask tremendous progress towards a predominantly digital business, reflected in a 33% growth in digital revenues. “Our refocusing of the US business is on track to meet our commitment to return the US to EBITDAE profitability this year.

“Despite continued challenging conditions, and the impact of the Games cycle, we are seeing increased momentum on commercial revenues, contributions from new initiatives and bottom line improvements from cost efficiencies. These all point to a strong performance in the second half of the year, much as we saw in FY12, and we believe we are on track to achieve results broadly in line with our expectations.”

UK, London

Related articles:

• Future sells Classic Rock and Metal Hammer Posted on April 2, 2013
• Future plc interim management statement for the period from 1 October 2012 to date Posted on February 4, 2013
• Future Plc preliminary results – earnings boosted by digital growth Posted on November 27, 2012
• Future sells its US Music division to New Bay Media for $3M Posted on January 13, 2012
• Future PLC’s CEO & FD resign Posted on October 27, 2011
• Future Publishing emerges as a contender for BBC Worldwide’s magazine division Posted on February 24, 2011