RTL Group H1 Profit Decreases; Underlying Revenue Up 2.9%; Raises EBITA Outlook

(RTTNews) - RTL Group (AUO.F) reported that its first-half profit to shareholders decreased to 341 million euros from 351 million euros, last year. Reported earnings per share was 2.22 euros compared to 2.28 euros. Reported EBITA increased 8.6% year-over-year to 580 million euros from 534 million euros.

First-half revenue increased 3.2 percent to 2.88 billion euros from 2.79 billion euros, prior year. Underlying revenue was up 2.9%. The Group said the increase was driven by higher revenue from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, Groupe M6, RTL Nederland and RTL Group's rapidly growing digital businesses.

RTL Group raiseed its EBITA outlook given on 10 March 2016. The Group now expects full-year EBITA to be slightly up in a range of 1.0 percent to 2.5 percent compared to previous outlook of to be broadly stable year-over-year. RTL Group confirmed revenue outlook. The Group still expects total full-year revenue to continue to grow moderately, in a range of 2.5 percent to 5.0 percent, predominantly driven by the Group's digital businesses and Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland.

On 24 August 2016, RTL Group's Board authorised the distribution of an interim dividend of 1.00 euros per share, to be paid in September 2016.