ZEAL Network SE announces its preliminary unaudited results for year ended 2015: Guidance outperformed, preliminary Guidance issued for 2016 and dividend policy reiterated

ZEAL Network SE / Key word(s): Preliminary Results/Forecast
15.03.2016 07:41

Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Based on unaudited figures, ZEAL expects consolidated 'Total Operating Performance' of EUR 141.0 million compared to the prior year of EUR 145.7 million. The decrease in 'Total Operating Performance' was primarily due to a large jackpot pay-out of EUR 15.0 million, which was partially offset by revenue generated by the newly introduced Instant Win Games.
'Normalised' revenue in the year of EUR 141.2 million compared to EUR 131.8 million in the prior period, being driven by a more favourable jackpot situation in 2015 compared to 2014 and an enhanced product portfolio in the secondary lottery business.

An EBIT of EUR 42.9 million represents an increase of 123% (prior year: EUR 19.2 million). The positive EBIT development resulted primarily from a better cost structure, including a decrease in Gaming Duty of EUR 17.5 million.

EBIT was also significantly ahead of guidance, as most recently updated in September 2015, driven by a strong fourth quarter and a successful reclaim of Spanish lottery tax withheld.

As already announced the non-cash charge for the Geonomics investments (of approximately EUR 19 million) will have a negative impact on the Group's profit by the same amount. As such the Group reports a net profit of EUR 1.3 million for the year (prior year: EUR 5.3 million) with an Earnings per Share (EPS) figure of approximately EUR 0.16 (prior year: EUR 0.63).  
For 2016, ZEAL expects 'Total Operating Performance' of EUR 140 to EUR 150 million and anticipates that consolidated EBIT will range between EUR 40 and EUR 50 million.

ZEAL reiterates its dividend policy of at least EUR 2.80 per share in quarterly installments.


15.03.2016 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
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Language:     English
Company:      ZEAL Network SE
              5 th Floor One New Change 
              EC4M 9AF London
              United Kingdom
Phone:        +44 (0)20 3739-7000
Fax:          +44 (0)20 3739-7099
E-mail:       office@zeal-network.co.uk
Internet:     www.zeal-network.co.uk
ISIN:         GB00BHD66J44
WKN:          TPP024  
Indices:      SDAX
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich,               Stuttgart
 
End of Announcement DGAP News-Service  

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