-- Achieved Good Growth in Free Cash Flow
-- Bus shelter advertising revenue increased by 8.2% to
HK$1,647 million
-- EBITDA increased by 7.0% to HK$662
million
-- EBIT increased by 11.3% to HK$348
million
-- A withholding tax provision of HK27 million for future
distribution of profits from the Group's PRC subsidiary was made.
Net profit decreased by 8.3% to HK$201
million
-- Free cash flow increased by 23.1% to HK$342 million
-- The Directors proposed a final dividend of HK15 cents per
share (2012: HK15 cents)
HONG KONG, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Clear Media
Limited ("Clear Media" or the "Company", together with its
subsidiaries, the "Group"; SEHK Stock Code: 100), the leading
outdoor advertising company in China listed on The Stock Exchange of
Hong Kong, is pleased to announce
its annual results for the year ended 31
December 2013.
The Group's total turnover increased by 8.2% to HK$1,647 million for the year ended 31 December 2013. The Group's earnings before
interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation ("EBITDA") increased
by 7% to HK$662 million (2012:
HK$619 million). Earnings before
interest and tax ("EBIT") increased by 11.3% to HK$348 million (2012: HK$312 million). Net profit for the period
decreased by 8.3% to HK$201 million
(2012: HK$219 million) due to a
withholding tax provision of HK$27
million for future distribution of profits from the Group's
PRC subsidiary. Free cash flow increased by 23.1% to HK$342 million. Basic earnings per share for the
year ended 31 December 2013 were
HK37.81 cents, dropped by 8.8% from the same period last year. The
Directors proposed a final dividend of HK15 cents per share (2012:
HK 15 cents).
As of 31 December 2013, Clear
Media operated the most extensive standardized bus shelter
advertising network in Mainland China, with a total of more than
38,000 panels (2012: 37,000 panels) covering 27 cities. Revenue
from the bus shelter advertising business increased by 8.2% to
HK$1,647 million (2012: HK$1,552 million). The adjustment to the Group's
2013 advertising rate card was relatively modest when compared with
that of the same time last year. The average selling price ("ASP")
increased by 3.6% (2012: 14%) for the year. The overall occupancy
rate recovered mildly to 61% (2012: 59%).
For the year ended 31 December
2013, revenue from the Group's bus shelter advertising
operations in the key cities of Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing increased by 7.8% to HK$929 million (2012: HK$862 million). Among these three cities, the
revenue performance was led by the operation in Guangzhou, followed by Shanghai and Beijing.
Revenue from Guangzhou
increased by 31.1% for the year to HK$314
million (2012: HK$240
million), mainly due to a 13.7% increase in ASP, a 2.6%
increase in average panel numbers and the higher occupancy rate at
56% (2012: 50%).
Revenue from Shanghai increased
8.2% to HK$210 million (2012:
HK$194 million). The average number
of bus shelter panels rose by 5.7%. The ASP declined by 4.4% due to
change of customer mix and the occupancy rate improved to 54%
(2012:51%).
Revenue from Beijing declined
by 5.4% for the year ended 31 December
2013 to HK$405 million (2012:
HK$428 million), mainly due to a 3%
decline in ASP and the decline in the occupancy rate to 63% (2012:
65%). The average number of bus shelter panels increased by
1.3%.
Revenue from all mid-tier cities, where the Group has operations
in, increased by 15.3% to HK$770
million (2012: HK$668 million)
for the year ended 31 December 2013.
ASP increased by 6.6% and the occupancy rate increased to 62%
(2012: 61%). The average number of bus shelter panels increased by
6.1%.
Mr. Han Zi Jing, the Chief
Executive Officer said, "We operated the most extensive
standardized bus shelter advertising network in Mainland China. In
2013, the subsidiary of the Group, Hainan White Horse Advertising
Media Investment Co., Ltd, secured the concession rights to
develop, manage and sell advertising panels located at bus shelters
in the city of Nanjing, for a
period of 10 years commencing 2014. The Group currently operates in
the city more than 1,300 bus shelter advertising panels and be able
to significantly expand the number of panels in the city, an
achievement that enhance our leading position in the outdoor
advertising market in China."
Mr. Mark Thewlis, the Executive
Chairman said, "Management expects the current trading
conditions to continue for our core bus shelter advertising
business in 2014. We expect growth from the Tier 2 and Tier 3
cities to continue to outperform the big 3 cities. We anticipate
that advertisers will continue to prefer to commit as late as
possible. In 2014 we plan to add our first commercial digital
panels aimed at attracting new advertisers and providing our
existing advertisers with a new flexible network to reach audiences
in China's most popular
cities."
Financial Highlights
|
|
Income Statement Highlights for
the year ended 31 December
|
|
(HK$'000)
|
2013
|
2012
|
% Change
|
|
Turnover
|
1,647,455
|
1,522,036
|
+8.2%
|
|
EBITDA
|
662,317
|
619,245
|
+7.0%
|
|
Net profit
|
201,008
|
219,236
|
- 8.3%
|
|
Free cash flow
|
341,535
|
277,528
|
+23.1%
|
|
Basic EPS (HK cents)
|
37.81
|
41.44
|
- 8.8%
|
|
Dividend per share (HK
cents)
|
15
|
15
|
0.0%
|
|
Balance Sheet
Highlights
|
|
(HK$'000)
|
31 December 2013
|
31 December
2012
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
892,822
|
1,289,724
|
|
Net assets
|
2,884,724
|
3,377,428
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
About Clear Media Limited
Clear Media is the leading outdoor media company in China listed on the main board of The Stock
Exchange of Hong Kong, and derives
100% of its revenue from China.
Clear Media has created a standardized bus shelter network that
covers 27 cities and reaches the most affluent consumers in
China. The Group enjoys leading
market shares in key cities and serves leading international and
local advertisers.
For more information on Clear Media please visit:
www.clear-media.net.
For further information:
Clear Media Limited
Mr. Jeffrey Yip
Director of Investor Relations, Company Secretary
Tel: 2235 3977
Fax: 2235 3911
Email: jeffrey.yip@clear-media.net
iPR Ogilvy & Mather
Natalie Tam/ Peter Chan / Clara
Liu/ Venus Wong
Tel: 2136 6182/ 2136 6955/ 3920 7631/ 3920 7649
Fax: 3170 6606
Email: clearmedia@iprogilvy.com