GOOD YEAR OF PERFORMANCE
- Group revenues down 1%, an underlying increase of 3%
- Good growth from B2B: revenues up 1%, an underlying increase of
7%; with profits up 7%, an underlying increase of 8%
- Associated's underlying revenues were up 2%, with a slight
improvement in operating margins
- Operational focus at Northcliffe: profits up 54% despite
underlying revenues down 6%
- Group operating profit of £300m, up 7% on a reported and
underlying basis; operating margin increased from 14% to 15%
- Profit before tax of £255m, up 10%
- Active portfolio management: purchase of Jobrapido; sale of Evanta and
remaining stake in dmg radio Australia; creation of Zoopla Property Group
joint venture and, in November 2012, disposal of A&N Media's digital
operations in central Europe
- Disposal of Northcliffe Media agreed in November 2012; adjusted results
excluding discontinued operations shown on page 20
- Net debt reduced by £106 million to £613 million; net debt: EBITDA of 1.6
times
- Share buy back programme of up to £100m over the coming year
- Earnings per share up 7% to 49.4p; full year dividend increased by 6% to
18.0p.
Martin Morgan, Chief Executive, said:
"DMGT has delivered a good set of results in the 12 months to 30
September. Group adjusted pre-tax profits rose by 10%. Our international B2B
companies have increased their revenues and profits by 7% and 8% respectively
on an underlying basis. Although our UK consumer businesses were impacted by
challenging trading conditions, it was particularly pleasing that Associated
was able to grow its revenues by 2% on an underlying basis and that
underlying profits for the consumer businesses rose 12% - reflecting greater
productivity and efficiency linked to continued digitisation in that division.
We continued to refine our portfolio of businesses during the year
with further acquisitions and disposals aimed at improving our long term
growth potential. Today we are a more focused and financially stronger Group,
leaving us well positioned for 2013 and beyond."
