LZ Medien gently increases consolidated earnings
Operating expenses increased primarily due to the growth in sales. In the reporting year, expenses amounted to CHF 123.9 million compared to CHF 120.3 million in the previous year (+3.0%).
In 2006, LZ Medien Holding increased its operating income by CHF 4.2 million to a total of CHF 138.5 million, which corresponds to an increase of 3.2 percent compared to the previous year. A consolidated profit of 14.1 million was generated in the year under review. Compared to the previous year's profit of 11.8 million, this represents an increase of 19.5%. The growth in sales is mainly due to higher advertising revenue and sales from the new Internet Printing segment, as the company announced on Wednesday. The strong economic environment also boosted advertising revenues. An increase of 5.5 percent to CHF 48.3 million was recorded. A slight decrease of 0.8 percent was recorded in subscription and newsstand income. Sales amounted to CHF 38.8 million compared to CHF 39.1 million in the previous year. Income from the printing and calendar business segments remained stable. Sales amounted to CHF 44.2 million, an increase of 0.5% compared to the previous year. Other income and income from electronic media increased significantly with the Internet print shop, by CHF 1.7 million or 31.8% to a total of CHF 7.2 million.
Operating expenses increased primarily due to the growth in sales. In the reporting year, expenses amounted to CHF 123.9 million compared to CHF 120.3 million in the previous year (+3.0%). The operating result (EBITA) thus amounted to CHF 14.6 million compared to CHF 13.9 million in the previous year (+4.9%). The amortization of goodwill item increased by CHF 1.3 million to CHF 4.8 million due to acquisition activity and impairments, resulting in a result at EBIT level of CHF 9.8 million compared to CHF 10.4 million in the previous year (-5.9%).
At CHF 3.2 million, the financial result once again made a positive contribution to the Group result. Compared to the previous year, however, there was a slight decline of CHF 0.6 million due to the fact that the capital markets were no longer quite as strong. Thanks to the sale of properties no longer required for operations (Baselstrasse, Lucerne), other income was CHF 1.9 million higher than in the previous year. Benefiting from the acquisition activity, tax expenses were reduced by CHF 1.6 million. The cash flow return in the year under review was 17.4 percent (compared to 16.9% in the previous year). Total assets amounted to CHF 144.2 million at the end of 2006. Shareholders' equity increased from CHF 85.2 million to CHF 97.0 million (CHF 67.3% of the balance sheet total). The number of shares issued remains unchanged at 78,000. At the end of 2006, the LZ Group employed 517 people, 427 of whom worked for the company.
Operating expenses increased primarily due to the growth in sales. In the reporting year, expenses amounted to CHF 123.9 million compared to CHF 120.3 million in the previous year (+3.0%). The operating result (EBITA) thus amounted to CHF 14.6 million compared to CHF 13.9 million in the previous year (+4.9%). The amortization of goodwill item increased by CHF 1.3 million to CHF 4.8 million due to acquisition activity and impairments, resulting in a result at EBIT level of CHF 9.8 million compared to CHF 10.4 million in the previous year (-5.9%).
At CHF 3.2 million, the financial result once again made a positive contribution to the Group result. Compared to the previous year, however, there was a slight decline of CHF 0.6 million due to the fact that the capital markets were no longer quite as strong. Thanks to the sale of properties no longer required for operations (Baselstrasse, Lucerne), other income was CHF 1.9 million higher than in the previous year. Benefiting from the acquisition activity, tax expenses were reduced by CHF 1.6 million. The cash flow return in the year under review was 17.4 percent (compared to 16.9% in the previous year). Total assets amounted to CHF 144.2 million at the end of 2006. Shareholders' equity increased from CHF 85.2 million to CHF 97.0 million (CHF 67.3% of the balance sheet total). The number of shares issued remains unchanged at 78,000. At the end of 2006, the LZ Group employed 517 people, 427 of whom worked for the company.
