Ströer is successfully driving forward the digital transformation process and has almost doubled the adjusted net profit

Ströer SE continued successfully on its profitable growth course and is presenting its preliminary results for fiscal year 2015. Annual revenue according to the preliminary results grew by more than 14% to EUR 824m, with organic growth at 10%. In the course of the transformational process, the Digital segment was a significant driver of growth, with the Group’s broad product mix, improved inventory utilization and good operating performance in the core market of Germany also having a positive effect. The acquisition of T-Online at the beginning of November 2015 is reflected in the first, positive earnings contributions. Operational EBITDA increased by 40% to EUR 208m. Adjusted earnings for the year rose sharply and almost doubled to EUR 106m, with adjusted earnings of 2.10 Euro per share also up two-fold.

The expansion of Ströer’s digital portfolio is a cornerstone of the new digital multi-channel strategy and key to the successful course. The German OOH business is also benefiting considerably from the digitization and growing relevance of Ströer as one of the most powerful German marketers.

The good performance of the operating business also had a positive effect on the financial position. At EUR 114m, free cash flow was in the three-digit millions for the first time, improving by around 50%. Within the space of a year, Ströer also reduced its leverage ratio considerably from 1.9 to 1.1 and thus also liabilities to EUR 231m as at the end of the fiscal year. This is the lowest ratio since the company went public.

“We are extremely satisfied with the course we have taken. Our excellent results underscore this. We have established a unique business model and successfully completed our transformation into a digital multi-channel media company. This development is exemplary characterized by the fact, that our original core product, the traditional billboards, will contribute less than 15 percent to our total revenue this year,” says Udo Müller, CEO Ströer SE. “We are having an excellent start into the year in all business areas and we confirm our current guidance of EBITDA of EUR 270m to EUR 280m and consolidated revenue of between EUR 1.1b and EUR 1.2b for 2016. For the first quarter of 2016 we expect organic growth of up to 10%.”

All figures for fiscal year 2015 are preliminary and unaudited. The final results will be published when the annual report is presented on 22 March 2016.