DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG increases Group result 2011 by 91% and plans dividend for the first time

- Earnings per share rise from EUR 0.11 to EUR 0.21
- Executive board proposes dividend payment for the first time
- Positive outlook also for 2012

Berlin, March 22, 2012 – DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG (ISIN DE000A0Z23G6), listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, continued to consolidate its leading market position in fiscal 2011. Despite an altogether challenging market environment, the company succeeded in pursuing its growth course and nearly doubling its Group result.

Between January 1 and December 31, 2011 the DEAG Group raised, according to so far preliminary numbers, its sales revenues from EUR 125.8 million to EUR 128.3 million. At the same time the company was able to increase its Group result after taxes and minorities massively. According to preliminary figures, it rose by 91% from EUR 1.3 million to EUR 2.6 million. This corresponds to earnings per share of a total EUR 0.21, compared to EUR 0.11 in 2010 and EUR 0.04 in 2009.

The by far disproportionate growth in result was achieved despite significant one-off expenses in Switzerland, including in particular integration and consulting expenses for restructuring and optimization measures of the Swiss investees, the setting up of Starclick Entertainment AG and the development of a new business line. The necessary one-off expenses totaled EUR 1.8 million. EBIT hence amounted to EUR 7.2 million or an adjusted EUR 9.0 million, compared to EUR 8.2 million during the previous year (plus 10%).

With the publication of the Annual Report the Executive Board will for the first time in company history propose a dividend payment for the past financial year.

The Executive Board of DEAG anticipates a continuation of the positive business development in fiscal 2012. A very well filled pipeline with many artists, tours and attractive events allows for an optimistic outlook, together with the already achieved sales on an above-average level. Apart from open airs in Switzerland with Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna and Metallica, productions such as “AIDA” in the London Royal Albert Hall, “Carmen” produced by Volker Schlöndorff at the Seefestspiele Berlin or Peter Maffay´s rock fairy tale “Tabaluga – Signs of the Time”, three tours with David Garrett and events with Anna Netrebko and Diana Krall are only an excerpt from the 2012 program highlights.

The final numbers and the Annual Report 2011 will be published at the end of March 2012 and will be available on www.deag.de in the Investor Relations section.

DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG
Executive Board

DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG is a leading provider of live entertainment and the largest organizer of high-margin classical events in Europe. Founded in 1978 and stock-listed since 1998, the company draws on 30+ years of experience.

With group companies in Germany, the UK and Switzerland, DEAG stages 1,500+ events and sells 3.5 m tickets per year in the fields of family entertainment, rock/pop, classical and German music. The company also operates venues in Frankfurt/M, Stuttgart and Zurich.

In the concert business, DEAG acts as both tour organizer and local promoter, ensuring additional risk diversification through its broad positioning. During recent years, DEAG continuously enhanced its value chain by implementing a comprehensive “360-Degree Approach.” With its own music label DEAG Music and a wide range of activities in publishing rights, live recording, sponsoring, merchandise, ticketing etc and powerful partners such as Sony Music Entertainment, Ticketmaster, Ringier AG et al, DEAG is perfectly positioned as an integrated and highly synergistic international Entertainment Content Company.

For further information please contact:
Axel Muehlhaus, edicto GmbH
Eschersheimer Landstraße 42
60322 Frankfurt
Tel: +49 69 90 550 552
Email: deag@edicto.de

This release was published on openPR.