Paris, 14 March 2007 - JCDecaux SA (Euronext Paris: DEC), the number one outdoor advertising company in Europe and Asia-Pacific and the number two worldwide, announced today strong results for the year ended December 31, 2006, underpinned by good organic revenue growth.
Street Furniture: Operating margin increased by 6.1% to €407.8 million. The operating margin as a percentage of revenues was 41.4%, a decrease of 10 basis points compared to 2005, as expected. Strong operating margin increases were recorded in many European markets including the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands, while France recorded sound operating margin growth over the period. In Central and Eastern Europe, Sweden, Asia-Pacific and the United States, operating margin grew in double digits, while in Italy, the operating margin doubled in 2006 compared to the prior year.
Transport: Operating margin increased by 70.1% to €52.9 million. As a percentage of revenues, the operating margin rose to a record 10.4%, an increase of 250 basis points compared to 2005 (7.9%). This improvement was driven both by the very strong increase in revenues, particularly in the United States, in France and Spain, as well as the contribution from the Chinese companies acquired in 2005, whose operating margins as a percentage of revenues are well above the Transport division average.
Billboard: Operating margin increased by 24.4% to €72.9 million and as a percentage of revenues, the operating margin rose to 16.0%, an increase of 230 basis points compared to 2005 (13.7%). These strong increases were driven by solid revenue growth over the period, continued investment in quality locations as well as the ongoing benefits from the cost control program. The strongest performances were reported in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain and in Central & Eastern Europe, where the operating margin grew in double digits over the period in all these areas.
Commenting on the 2006 results, Jean-Charles Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-CEO, said: “We are pleased to announce another year of record performance that reflects the dedication of our teams and the quality of our media portfolio. Market share gains in most of our core European operations and an increasing contribution from our more recently developed geographies combined to drive a strong increase in both organic revenues and operating margin. In 2007, we expect organic revenue growth to be maintained at a similar rate to that in 2006, reflecting the good opportunities in our markets. The short-term effect of contract renewal cycles in France and successful new contract wins in some of our Street Furniture markets will affect the operating margin as a percentage of revenues of this division in the current year, which we expect to be largely offset by the continued development in Transport and Billboard. We look forward to the future with confidence and believe that the Group is well positioned in its markets."
(1) Operating Margin = Revenues less Direct Operating Expenses (excluding Maintenance spare parts) less SG&A expenses. (2) EBIT = Earnings Before Interests and Taxes = Operating Margin less Depreciation, amortization and provisions less Maintenance spare parts less Other operating income and expenses. (3) Due to the retrospective application of the IAS 21 amendment applicable as of January 1st 2006 and the finalisation of the purchase accounting related to the Chinese acquisitions in 2005, 2005 EBIT and net income have been restated. (4) The goodwill of VVR Decaux GmbH has been impaired for an amount of €4.0 million euro, following an asset transfer agreement signed on March 8, 2007 between JCDecaux SA and Wall AG (5) Free cash flow = Net cash flow from operating activities less net capital investments (tangible and intangible assets). (6) Net debt = Debt net of cash and net of loans granted to companies consolidated under the proportionate method, and including the non-cash impact of IAS39 (on both debt and derivatives) and excluding the non-cash impact of IAS 32 (debt on commitments to purchase minority interests).