OSLO, Norway, Nov. 09, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Findexa, which recently announced a recommended offer from Eniro, has today released third-quarter numbers.
Operating revenue (run rate based), for the three months to 30 September 2005, were NOK 428 million against NOK 417 million for the same period last year, giving year-to-date revenues of NOK 1,260 million compared to NOK 1,255 million for the same period in 2004. Online activities for the quarter saw a 51% increase in revenues, compensating for a 4% decline in print revenues.
EBITDA was NOK 204 million for the quarter compared to NOK 210 last year.Findexa launched the web search service Yelo on 18 October. The goal is to make Yelo the best Norwegian search engine providing the most relevant search results for Findexa's online users. Yelo also offers valuable extra information from Gule Sider and Telefonkatalogen, an advantage not available at competing sites. The search market in Norway is growing rapidly at a rate of approximately 50% annually. Yelo is therefore expected to be an increasingly important additional channel for advertisers in the years to come, and opens new opportunities for Findexa in the online market.
Overall usage of Findexa's online services has increased significantly. Gule Sider Internet had over 2 million unique users in September. The introduction of classifieds services, the launch of Yelo, as well as the publication of tax lists have all contributed to this record online usage for Findexa's sites.
The Company has declared a dividend for the quarter of NOK 0.72 per share, which will be paid on 1 December 2005 based on shareholdings as at 11 November 2005.
The announcement of results comes as Findexa is reaching the final stages of a recommended offer from Eniro AB of Sweden. Eniro's shareholders voted at 7 November in favour of the offer following earlier clearance from the Norwegian competition authorities.
Cornel Riklin, Findexa's CEO, said: "I am pleased to confirm that Eniro's shareholders voted in favour of the acquisition of Findexa. I believe the combination of the two companies will benefit and create new and exciting opportunities for Findexa's customers, employees, and shareholders."
The report can be downloaded from the following link: http://hugin.info/133752/R/1020160/160619.pdf
Facts about Findexa
Findexa is one of Norway's leading media companies and the largest Norwegian directory publisher. Its main brands are Gule Sider(R), Telefonkatalogen(TM), Ditt Distrikt(R) and BizKit(R). The brands are distributed in the form of printed directories, internet services, SMS, on CD-Rom and via the Telefonkatalogen(TM) 1880 directory assistance service.
The company had revenues of NOK 1,723 million in 2004 and EBITDA of NOK 775 million.
Findexa was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange on 25 May 2004.
For further information, visit www.findexa.no.