Bastei Lübbe AG: Sales and operating income increased significantly in the first nine months of 2013/2014

Bastei Lübbe AG: Sales and operating income increased significantly in the first nine months of 2013/2014.

- Sales increased by 16.4%, up to 85.2 million euros (previous year: 73.2 million euros).

- Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose disproportionately by 30.1%, reaching 12.1 million euros (previous year: 9.3 million euros).

- The EBIT margin improved to 14.2% (previous year: 12.7%)

Today, Bastei Lübbe AG, a company listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN DE000A1X3YY0), published its nine-month report for 2013/2014. During the period 1 April to 31 December 2013, the Cologne-based media company generated a significant increase not only in its sales, but also in its operating income. Income rose from 73.2 million euros to 85.2 million euros (+16.4%) compared to the first nine months of the 2012/2013 financial year. Sales growth was achieved in all three segments (books, non-books, novels and puzzle books). Digital sales rose by 112% as against the same period in the previous year, thus increasing from 4 million euros to 8.5 million euros and accounting for 13.8% of print sales (previous year: 7.5%).

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose disproportionately in the first nine months of 2013/2014 by 30.1% to 12.1 million euros (previous year: 9.3 million euros). The EBIT margin improved from 12.7% to 14.2% in line with this development. The financial result remained unchanged at -1.8 million euros (previous year: -1.8 million euros) due to interest expenditures for the bond. Total income after taxes increased by 20.6% to 7.6 million euros during the period under review (previous year: 6.3 million euros).
The balance sheet total as at 31 December 2013 was 111.2 million euros, compared to 89.6 million euros at 31 March 2013. The increase amounts to 21.6 million euros and largely stems from the inflow of funds due to the initial public offering. Equity increased by 26.8 million euros to 50.6 million euros in the first nine months of 2013/2014. The equity capital ratio of Bastei Lübbe AG increased from 29.9% to 45.6% as a result. The cash flow from operations rose to a positive 3.2 million euros in the period under review, following on from a negative value of 1.6 million euros in the previous year.

Based on this positive growth, the Board expects the company to achieve its targets for the year.
The full nine-month report for 2013/2014 can be downloaded from http://www.luebbe.de/Investor-Relations/_investor_finanzberichte_de.

Contact Bastei Lübbe AG:
Barbara Fischer
Head of Public Relations
Tel.: + 49 / (0)221 / 82 00 28 50
E-Mail: barbara.fischer@luebbe.de