- Steady Growth in Revenue and Net Profit
HONG KONG, Aug. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
- Bus shelter advertising revenue, net of value added tax,
increased by 5.3% to HK$819
million
- EBITDA increased by 7.4% to HK$315
million
- EBIT increased by 12.1% to HK$151
million
- Net profit increased by 4.4% to HK$91
million
- Basic earnings per share increased by 3% to HK16.90 cents
Clear Media Limited ("Clear Media" or the "Company",
together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; SEHK Stock Code: 100),
the largest bus shelter advertising panel operator in China listed on The Stock Exchange of
Hong Kong, is pleased to announce
its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2014.
The Group's total turnover for the six months ended 30 June 2014 increased by 5.3% year on year to
HK$819 million. The Group's earnings
before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation ("EBITDA") for
the period increased by 7.4% year on year to HK$315 million (1H2013: HK$294 million). Earnings before interest and tax
("EBIT") increased by 12.1% to HK$151
million (1H2013: HK$135
million). Net profit for the period increased by 4.4% year
on year to HK$91 million (1H2013:
HK$87 million) mainly driven by the
higher turnover from the core bus shelter advertising business.
Basic earnings per share for the first half of 2014 increased by 3%
year on year to HK16.90 cents (1H2013: HK16.41 cents).
As of 30 June 2014, Clear media
operated the most extensive standardized bus shelter advertising
network in Mainland China, with a total of more than 41,000 panels
(1H2013: 37,000) covering 27 cities. Revenue, net of value added
tax, from the bus shelter advertising business increased by 5.3%
year on year to HK$819 million
(1H2013: HK$778 million), on the back
of the moderate economic growth China. The average selling price before value
added tax (the "ASP") increased by 3.6% (1H2013: 2%) during the
first half of 2014. The overall occupancy rate increased marginally
to 60% (1H2013: 59%)
For the six months ended 30 June
2014, revenue before value added tax ("gross revenue") from
the Group's bus shelter advertising operations in the key cities of
Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai increased by 15.8% year on year to
HK$487 million (1H2013: HK$420 million). Among the three key cities, the
revenue performance was led by the operation in Beijing, followed by Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Gross revenue from Beijing
increased by 12.7% year on year to HK$218
million (1H2013: HK$193
million) for the first half of 2014, mainly due to a 4.5%
increase in the average number of panels, a 4.0% increase in the
ASP and the higher occupancy rate at 66% (1H2013: 64%).
Gross revenue from Guangzhou
increased by 17.5% year on year to HK$157
million (1H2013: HK$134
million). Although the average number of bus shelter panels
in the city decreased by 2.1%, the ASP grew 5.4% and the occupancy
rate increased to 58% (1H2013: 51%).
Gross revenue from Shanghai
increased by 19.7% year on year to HK$112
million (1H2013: HK$93
million), attributable to a 15.5% increase in the average
number of panel and a 3.8% increase in the ASP. The occupancy rate
in this city for the first half in 2014 reached 50% (1H2013:
51%).
Gross revenue from all mid-tier cities, where the Group has
operations in, increased by 4.5% to HK$381
million (1H2013: HK$365
million) for the six months ended 30
June 2014. The ASP increased by 0.7% and the average number
of bus shelter panels increased by 7.2%. The occupancy rate during
the period dropped slightly to 60% (1H2013: 62%).
Mr. Han Zi Jing, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Group, said: "Despite mild economic growth
in Mainland China and the fact that both local and international
advertisers remained cautious about advertising placements, the
Group achieved stable business growth during the period. With a
total of more than 41,000 panels covering 27 cities, Clear Media
has maintained its leading position as the largest bus shelter
advertising panel operator in China. The Group is confident about
maintaining its leading position in the outdoor advertising market
in China going forward."
Mr. Mark Thewlis, the Executive
Chairman of the Group, said: "We expect the current trading
conditions to continue for our core bus shelter advertising
business for the remainder of 2014. We envisage that advertisers
will continue to prefer to commit their orders as late as possible.
In July 2014, our first batch of
commercial digital panels was introduced, attracting a new
advertising revenue stream. We hope that this new business strategy
would help boost return for our shareholders."
Financial Highlights
Income statement highlights for the six months ended
30 June 2014
(HK$'000)
|
2014
(Unaudited)
|
2013
(Unaudited)
|
% Change
|
Turnover
|
819,249
|
777,786
|
+5.3%
|
EBITDA
|
315,369
|
293,652
|
+7.4%
|
Net profit
|
90,645
|
86,804
|
+4.4%
|
Basic EPS (HK
cents)
|
16.90
|
16.41
|
+3%
|
Balance sheet highlights
(HK$'000)
|
30 June
2014
(Unaudited)
|
31 December
2013
(Audited)
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
953,305
|
892,822
|
Net assets
|
2,846,799
|
2,884,724
|
To see the full version of this release, including financial
tables, click here:
http://photos.prnasia.com/prnk/20140805/8521404423
###
About Clear Media Limited
Clear Media is the largest bus shelter advertising panel
operator in China, with leading
market shares from 60% to more than 90% in top-tier cities, and
also a broad presence in the fastest growing cities across the
country. We provide one-stop solutions for countrywide advertising
campaigns for our customers. Listed on the Main Board of The Stock
Exchange of Hong Kong since 2002
under the stock code 100, Clear Media's largest shareholder is
Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE: CCO), one of the world's largest
outdoor media companies.
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: +852-2235-3977
Fax: +852-2235-3911
Email: jeffrey.yip@clear-media.net
iPR Ogilvy & Mather
Natalie Tam/ Peter Chan / Clara
Liu/ Venus Wong
Tel: +852-2136-6182 / +852-2136-6955 / +852-3920-7631 /
+852-3920-7649
Fax: +852-3170-6606
Email: clearmedia@iprogilvy.com