Vivendi: 2019 half-year results

Strong increase in profitability
Record results delivered by Universal Music Group

 

  • Significant increase in revenues (+13.6%) to 7,353 million euros, fueled by the growth of Universal Music Group’s business (UMG) (+ 24.0% on an actual basis, +18.6% on an organic basis, year-on-year) and the integration of Editis.
  • Tripling of earnings attributable to Vivendi SA shareowners (€520 million)
    due in particular to the increase in EBITA (+32.4% year-on-year).
    • UMG: excellent momentum in all its businesses (streaming and subscription, physical sales, publishing and merchandising). The process of opening up UMG’s share capital is progressing
    • Canal+ Group: continued development of international operations and plans for acquisitions outside of France; transformation plan for the Group’s French activities
    • Havas: positive organic growth and solid profitability
  • Success of the share buyback program: 5% of the share capital was repurchased between the end of May and July 23, 2019.

 

PR190725 H1 2019 Vivendi_EN

 

This press release contains unaudited condensed financial results established under IFRS, which were approved by Vivendi’s Management Board on July 23, 2019, and reviewed by the Vivendi Audit Committee on July 23, 2019 and by Vivendi’s Supervisory Board on July 25, 2019.

 

[1] Constant perimeter notably reflects the impacts of the acquisition of the remaining interest in Ingrooves Music Group by Universal Music Group (March 15, 2019), the acquisition of Editis (January 31, 2019), the acquisition of Paylogic by Vivendi Village (April 16, 2018) and the sale of MyBestPro by Vivendi Village (December 21, 2018). The organic growth reported does not eliminate the impact on 2019 EBITA of the initial application of
IFRS 16 (+€18 million euros).

[2] Non-GAAP measures.

[3] A reconciliation of EBIT to EBITA and to income from operations, as well as a reconciliation of earnings attributable to Vivendi SA shareowners to adjusted net income, are presented in Appendix II.

 

About Vivendi

Since 2014, Vivendi has been focused on building a world-class content, media and communications group with European roots. In content creation, Vivendi owns powerful, complementary assets in music (Universal Music Group), movies and series (Canal+ Group), publishing (Editis) and mobile games (Gameloft) which are the most popular forms of entertainment content in the world today. In the distribution market, Vivendi has acquired the Dailymotion platform and repositioned it to create a new digital showcase for its content. The Group has also joined forces with several telecom operators and platforms to maximize the reach of its distribution networks. In communications, through Havas. the Group possesses unique creative expertise in promoting free content and producing short formats, which are increasingly viewed on mobile devices. In addition, through Vivendi Village, the Group explores new forms of business in live entertainment, franchises and ticketing that are complementary to its core activities. Vivendi’s various businesses cohesively work together as an integrated industrial group to create greater value. www.vivendi.com

 

Important Disclaimers

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect Vivendi’s financial condition, results of operations, business, strategy, plans and outlook, including the impact of certain transactions and the payment of dividends and distribution, as well as share repurchases. Although Vivendi believes that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, including, but not limited to, the risks related to antitrust and other regulatory approvals as well as any other approvals which may be required in connection with certain transactions and the risks described in the documents of the Group filed by Vivendi with the Autorité des marchés financiers (the French securities regulator), which are also available in English on Vivendi’s website (www.vivendi.com). Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of documents filed by Vivendi with the Autorité des marchés financiers at www.amf-france.org, or directly from Vivendi. Accordingly, we caution readers against relying on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. Vivendi disclaims any intention or obligation to provide, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Unsponsored ADRs. Vivendi does not sponsor any American Depositary Receipt (ADR) facility in respect of its shares. Any ADR facility currently in existence is “unsponsored” and has no ties whatsoever to Vivendi. Vivendi disclaims any liability in respect of any such facility.