AZ Medien Group with best result in 10-year history
At 19.5 million Swiss francs, AZ Medien AG significantly increased its 2006 operating income (before financial results) by 35 percent compared with the previous year.
At 19.5 million Swiss francs, AZ Medien AG significantly increased its 2006 operating result (before financial income) by 35 percent compared to the previous year. The operating cash flow amounted to CHF 32 million and corresponds to 18 percent of the consolidated operating income of CHF 178.1 million, according to an AZ Medien press release.
The operating result of CHF 19.5 million is attributable to the successful development of all business divisions. While the newspapers only partially met expectations, according to AZ Medien, all other business areas were very successful. In particular, magazine publishing, AT Buchverlag, Radio Argovia and printing and distribution contributed to the record result.
At CHF 97.5 million, the largest share (55%) of operating income came from the Newspapers division. Compared to the previous year (CHF 100.4 million), operating income was two percent lower. The Aargauer Zeitung and the Limmattaler Tagblatt were able to maintain their circulation and stabilize their readership figures.
According to AZ Medien, the first year of cooperation with Publicitas as advertising marketer has developed satisfactorily: The volume of advertisements on the national market has developed well, as has the job market. However, the volume of advertisements from the local markets remained below expectations. The weekly newspapers Aargauer Woche and LIZ Limmat Zeitung have not yet achieved their targets in the advertising market.
The magazines combined in AZ Fachverlage AG (Kochen, Natürlich, Fit for Life, Technica, Bâtitech, Elektrotechnik, Mega Link, HK-Gebäudetechnik), AT Buchverlag and Meissner Bücher contributed to the pleasing development of the operating result with an increase in operating income of CHF 3 million to CHF 43.2 million. Meissner Bücher AG was sold to the Thalia Group in spring 2007 with retroactive effect from January 1.
The electronic media (Radio Argovia, Tele M1, Tele Tell) made a substantial contribution to the Group result and the losses of the regional television stations were further reduced. Radio Argovia even achieved a top result.
For 2007, the AZ Medien Group expects that a recovery in the labor market will lead to further growth in job advertisements, with a slight increase in commercial advertising. In addition, the cross-media business should continue to develop and the AZ Medien Group intends to expand its position in this market segment. Key investments in the current financial year are the development and publication of the MZ Sunday edition from September.
The operating result of CHF 19.5 million is attributable to the successful development of all business divisions. While the newspapers only partially met expectations, according to AZ Medien, all other business areas were very successful. In particular, magazine publishing, AT Buchverlag, Radio Argovia and printing and distribution contributed to the record result.
At CHF 97.5 million, the largest share (55%) of operating income came from the Newspapers division. Compared to the previous year (CHF 100.4 million), operating income was two percent lower. The Aargauer Zeitung and the Limmattaler Tagblatt were able to maintain their circulation and stabilize their readership figures.
According to AZ Medien, the first year of cooperation with Publicitas as advertising marketer has developed satisfactorily: The volume of advertisements on the national market has developed well, as has the job market. However, the volume of advertisements from the local markets remained below expectations. The weekly newspapers Aargauer Woche and LIZ Limmat Zeitung have not yet achieved their targets in the advertising market.
The magazines combined in AZ Fachverlage AG (Kochen, Natürlich, Fit for Life, Technica, Bâtitech, Elektrotechnik, Mega Link, HK-Gebäudetechnik), AT Buchverlag and Meissner Bücher contributed to the pleasing development of the operating result with an increase in operating income of CHF 3 million to CHF 43.2 million. Meissner Bücher AG was sold to the Thalia Group in spring 2007 with retroactive effect from January 1.
The electronic media (Radio Argovia, Tele M1, Tele Tell) made a substantial contribution to the Group result and the losses of the regional television stations were further reduced. Radio Argovia even achieved a top result.
For 2007, the AZ Medien Group expects that a recovery in the labor market will lead to further growth in job advertisements, with a slight increase in commercial advertising. In addition, the cross-media business should continue to develop and the AZ Medien Group intends to expand its position in this market segment. Key investments in the current financial year are the development and publication of the MZ Sunday edition from September.
