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freenet AG confirms preliminary figures for financial year 2016

DGAP-News: freenet AG / Key word(s): Final Results freenet AG confirms preliminary figures for financial year 2016 23.03.2017 / 08:46 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. freenet AG confirms preliminary figures for financial year 2016

- 7.8 percent increase in Group revenue to 3.362 billion euros (previous year: 3.118 billion euros)

- Significant growth of 18.5 percent in Group EBITDA¹ to 438.8 million euros (previous year: 370.2 million euros)

- 20.0 percent increase in free cash flow² to 341.5 million euros (previous year: 284.5 million euros)

- Dividend proposal of 1.60 euros (previous year: 1.55 euros) for financial year 2016

- Details concerning TV business and guidance to be disclosed on the capital market day in Cologne scheduled for 12 April 2017

Büdelsdorf, 23 March 2017 - Following verification of the annual financial statements of freenet AG [ISIN DE000A0Z2ZZ5] as at 31 December 2016 and approval of the consolidated financial statements as at 31 December 2016 by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board has confirmed the preliminary figures already announced on 02 March 2017 in full.

According to this, the company reached respectively exceeded all targets communicated for financial year 2016. Group revenue increased by 7.8 percent of 3.362 billion euros (previous year: 3.118 billion euros). Based on a solid Mobile Communications core business the rise is essentially due to the revenue contribution of the newly created TV and Media segment amounting to 218.9 million euros, as well as increased revenue from the sale of hardware and high-value digital lifestyle products. The Group EBITDA increased significantly, by 18.5 percent to 438.8 million euros (previous year: 370.2 million euros). Of this amount, 28.0 million euros came from the TV and Media segment and 36.5 million euros from the equity interest of the freenet AG in the Sunrise Communications Group AG. The gross profit increased by 13.7 percent to 898.7 million euros (previous year: 790.4 million euros). After accounting for the interest result in the amount of -54.9 million euros (previous year: -44.1 million euros) and deducting the income tax charges in the amount of 27.5 million euros (previous year: 33.2 million euros), the company achieved a Group result of 216.4 million euros, equivalent to earnings per share of 1.78 euros (previous year: 1.73 euros).