26 January 2005 At today’s Annual General Meeting of The Future Network plc, the international special-interest consumer magazine group, Chairman Roger Parry will give the following update to shareholders.
This trading update provides an overview of Future’s revenues and general trading for the three months ended 31 December 2004 (‘the first quarter’). All revenue growth figures are given year-on-year and in constant currency.
Trading for October to December has been satisfactory with profits modestly ahead of the Board’s expectation for this important quarter.
Total Group revenue was up 3%, reflecting strong growth in the Group’s entertainment titles (up 17%), offset by declines in games and computing revenues (both divisions down 1%).
Like-for-like Group revenue (excluding acquisitions made during the 12 months to 30 September 2004) declined by 1%, mostly attributable to the previously indicated weakness in US games advertising in the period, compounded by a weaker
Dollar. The Board continues to be confident of a satisfactory performance from the Group’s games portfolio for the financial year 2005 as a whole.
At the operating level, first quarter profitability (in terms of adjusted operating profit as a percentage of turnover) was modestly ahead of that for the first quarter last year. Last year such profits represented approximately 44% of the total for the twelve months ended 30 September 2004. The Board expects that this strong seasonal quarter will account for a similarly significant portion of profitability for the current financial year to 30 September 2005.
Circulation revenue (which accounts for some 68% of Group revenues) grew by 7% and advertising revenue (30% of Group revenues) fell 4%.
Revenue performance for the first quarter (October to December) can be analysed as follows:
Territory
UK
Growth (sterling) 0%
Growth (constant currency) 0%
Proportion of Group 51%
US
Growth (sterling) + 1%
Growth (constant currency) + 10%
Proportion of Group 28%
Mainland Europe
Growth (sterling) + 1%
Growth (constant currency) + 1%
Proportion of Group 21%
Total Group
Growth (sterling) 0%
Growth (constant currency) + 3%
Sector
Games
Growth (sterling) – 4%
Growth (constant currency) – 1%
Proportion of Group 47%
Computing
Growth (sterling) – 3%
Growth (constant currency) – 1%
Proportion of Group 28%
Entertainment
Growth (sterling) + 15%
Growth (constant currency) + 17%
Proportion of Group 25%
Total Group
Growth (sterling) 0%
Growth (constant currency) + 3%
The average value of the Dollar against Sterling declined by 9% compared with the first quarter last year, so that revenue growth in Dollar terms was much stronger than that reported in sterling. The average value of the Euro against Sterling in the period weakened by less than 1%.
UK business
In the UK for the December quarter, both revenues and profits were at or above budgeted levels. Future UK turnover remained steady, with adjusted operating profits modestly above the same period in the previous year. The results for the quarter do not include the impact of the acquisition of three titles at the end of 2004, namely Junior, Junior Pregnancy & Baby and Wedding Day. These titles, together with the 11 motoring enthusiast titles acquired this week from A&S Publishing, will contribute to the financial year to 30 September 2005 and following a period of integration, are expected to have a more significant positive impact on the financial year to 30 September 2006.
US business
Future US turnover rose by 10% and operating profitability is slightly ahead of the same quarter last year. Our US business has continued its planning for developing into the Action Sports area. In January 2005, Future US acquired Snowboard Journal, which is an early-stage magazine serving this special-interest area, at a cash cost of £0.2m. This acquisition will help our launch of Future Snowboard in the late summer of 2005.
Mainland Europe
Turnover in Mainland Europe grew by 1% reflecting stable performance in France but a tough competitive market in Italy. However, operating profitability for Mainland Europe overall was comfortably above its level for the first quarter last year.
Outlook
Operating profitability for the important December quarter has modestly exceeded the prior year and the Board’s expectation, providing a good start to the current financial year.
The Board expects to report the Group’s results for the half-year to 31 March on 14 June 2005.
Enquiries:
The Future Network plc
Greg Ingham, Chief Executive Tel: 01225 442244
John Bowman, Finance Director Tel: 01225 732281
Hogarth Partnership
James Longfield/Georgina Briscoe Tel: 020 7357 9477
