Less sales, but more profit at AZ Medien in 2016
AZ Medien posted a profit of 2.5 million Swiss francs in 2016. That is 1.1 million Swiss francs more than in the previous year. Operating revenue, however, fell by 4.4 percent to 235.7 million Swiss francs.
Publisher Peter Wanner's media company increased its operating result (EBITDA) by 3 percent to CHF 29.2 million. According to a statement on Wednesday, cost discipline and the implementation of various measures to increase efficiency contributed to the improved result.
According to Axel Wüstmann, CEO at AZ Medien, the improvement in results was achieved despite declining advertising revenues in the print sector and a drop in sales of CHF 10.8 million. Increases in digital, TV and newspaper printing could have partially compensated for the decline in the print advertising market.
The workforce decreased by 4.8 percent to 843 full-time positions in the past financial year. At the same time, investments totaled CHF 12.2 million. The launch of TV25, the purchase of TV licenses, the acquisition of Swissmom and the modernization of the Vogt Schild Druck commercial print shop were the main factors, according to the statement.
AZ Medien was able to increase its equity ratio by two percentage points to 47 percent. Debt financing was reduced by CHF 7.7 million. The company proposes a dividend of 20 percent on the nominal capital to the shareholders.
Among other things, the Aargau media company publishes the Aargauer Zeitung and operates the regional stations TeleZüri, Tele M1 and TeleBärn. (SDA)
