DGAP-News
ZEAL Network SE: ZEAL achieved strong earnings growth in the first nine months driven by a robust underlying performance
DGAP-News: ZEAL Network SE / Key word(s): 9-month figures
ZEAL Network SE: ZEAL achieved strong earnings growth in the first
nine months driven by a robust underlying performance
13.11.2015 / 07:15
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Press release
ZEAL achieved strong earnings growth in the first nine months driven by a
robust underlying performance
- Total operating performance: Hedging income and high jackpot months
offset majority of impact from high prize pay-outs
- EBIT up 85.8% to EUR 20.7 million
- Growth of earnings per share to EUR 0.97 per share
- Dividend pay-out expected to be at least EUR 2.80 for 2016
- ZEAL reiterates its guidance from 2 September 2015
(London, 13 November 2015) ZEAL Group performed solidly in the first nine
months of 2015 and the growth strategy is progressing in line with plan.
Throughout the period the Group has expanded its product portfolio in the
Business-to-Consumer segment and continues to make headway towards its
strategic goals in the Business-to-Business/Business-to Government segment.
Dr. Helmut Becker, Chief Executive Officer: "ZEAL has achieved a robust
profit increase in the first nine months of 2015, despite exceptionally
high prize pay-outs. We are also gaining traction with new gaming product
initiatives launched earlier this year that are driving an increased
revenue per customer."
During the period, the Group's underlying business performance remained
strong. ZEAL delivered EBIT growth of 85.8% resulting from a reduction in
operating expenses, income from hedging instruments and the benefit of
exceptionally high jackpots that drove higher than average player
involvement in July and September. This in turn mitigated the adverse EBIT
impact of exceptionally high prize pay-outs in May and September.
Correspondingly consolidated net profit for the period rose significantly
to EUR 8.2 million from EUR 1.1 million in the previous year and EPS rose
from EUR 0.12 in 2014 to EUR 0.97 in the current period.
As a result of the high prize pay-outs, consolidated revenue decreased to
EUR 51.9 million (prior year: EUR 105.4 million) in the first nine months,
whilst total operating performance was down by EUR 17.0 million to EUR 91.9
million. The Group uses total operating performance as a measure for
top-line guidance in order to include income from hedging instruments. In
the period total operating performance benefitted from hedging instruments
income of EUR 38.3 million.
In line with its dividend policy, ZEAL paid out its third interim dividend
of EUR 0.70 per share at the end of September. ZEAL anticipates the final
Press release
ZEAL achieved strong earnings growth in the first nine months driven by a
robust underlying performance
- Total operating performance: Hedging income and high jackpot months
offset majority of impact from high prize pay-outs
- EBIT up 85.8% to EUR 20.7 million
- Growth of earnings per share to EUR 0.97 per share
- Dividend pay-out expected to be at least EUR 2.80 for 2016
- ZEAL reiterates its guidance from 2 September 2015
(London, 13 November 2015) ZEAL Group performed solidly in the first nine
months of 2015 and the growth strategy is progressing in line with plan.
Throughout the period the Group has expanded its product portfolio in the
Business-to-Consumer segment and continues to make headway towards its
strategic goals in the Business-to-Business/Business-to Government segment.
Dr. Helmut Becker, Chief Executive Officer: "ZEAL has achieved a robust
profit increase in the first nine months of 2015, despite exceptionally
high prize pay-outs. We are also gaining traction with new gaming product
initiatives launched earlier this year that are driving an increased
revenue per customer."
During the period, the Group's underlying business performance remained
strong. ZEAL delivered EBIT growth of 85.8% resulting from a reduction in
operating expenses, income from hedging instruments and the benefit of
exceptionally high jackpots that drove higher than average player
involvement in July and September. This in turn mitigated the adverse EBIT
impact of exceptionally high prize pay-outs in May and September.
Correspondingly consolidated net profit for the period rose significantly
to EUR 8.2 million from EUR 1.1 million in the previous year and EPS rose
from EUR 0.12 in 2014 to EUR 0.97 in the current period.
As a result of the high prize pay-outs, consolidated revenue decreased to
EUR 51.9 million (prior year: EUR 105.4 million) in the first nine months,
whilst total operating performance was down by EUR 17.0 million to EUR 91.9
million. The Group uses total operating performance as a measure for
top-line guidance in order to include income from hedging instruments. In
the period total operating performance benefitted from hedging instruments
income of EUR 38.3 million.
In line with its dividend policy, ZEAL paid out its third interim dividend
of EUR 0.70 per share at the end of September. ZEAL anticipates the final