10.05.2023
Ringier Group delivers strong results for 2022
For the Ringier Group, the 2022 financial year was characterized by operational excellence and post-merger integration. This is due to the fact that three important strategic decisions were made in 2021, which also brought with them changes to consolidation methods. First, the takeover of the shares of Axel Springer SE in Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia and the Baltic States. Second, the launch of the SMG Swiss Marketplace Group, a comprehensive joint venture in the field of digital marketplaces. And third, the acquisition of the majority of shares in the Sportal Media Group in Bulgaria.
Despite the geopolitical crisis triggered by Russia’s war of attack against Ukraine, which began in February 2022, the high price of paper and resource scarcity, steep rise in energy prices and the resulting historically high inflation rate – especially in our countries in Central and Eastern Europe – 2022 was another successful year for Ringier, both financially and operationally. This was partly thanks to early intervention by an overarching task force and strict cost management.
Like-for-like, the Ringier Group once again increased its operating profit – EBITDA – by 9% to CHF 134.3 million. This represents the seventh consecutive increase, with the exception of the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.
The reported EBITDA for 2022 was CHF 104.9 million. The like-for-like adjustments totaling CHF 29.4 million compared to 2021 result from both the following strategic transactions in 2021. On the one hand, the founding of the SMG Swiss Marketplace Group in November 2021. This commitment is now only being reported as an «at-equity investment». Previously, the Scout24 Group was shown as a fully consolidated company. The purchase of Axel Springer from the Eastern European business (Slovakia, Serbia, Hungary, Baltic states), on the other hand, has led to full consolidation in these countries. Foreign currency effects from the strong appreciation of the Swiss franc in 2022 must also be taken into account.
The like-for-like turnover of CHF 1,010.1 million in 2022 was also significantly higher than in the previous year (2021: CHF 965.3 million). The lower reported turnover in 2022 (CHF 932.6 million) was again due to the changed consolidation method (SMG Swiss Marketplace Group now only as an at-equity investment). The like-for-like EBITDA margin was a solid 13.3%, surpassing the previous year (2021: 12.8%).
Source: www.ringier.com