STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 29, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Observer (Other OTC:OBSEF):
-- The group's operating revenue rose to SEK 1,272.3 million (954.8), an increase of 33.3 percent. Organic growth in local currency was -2 percent (9). -- Operating profit before goodwill amortization and items affecting comparability rose to SEK 234.3 million (160.6). For comparable units, profit rose by 8 percent. The operating margin improved to 18.4 percent (16.8). -- All regions improved their profits compared to the third quarter 2001. The quarterly operating margin rose to 17.6 percent compared to 16.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. -- Profit per share after tax and full dilution, excluding goodwill amortization and items affecting comparability, amounted to SEK 2.22 (1.68). -- Cash flow from operating activities was further strengthened to SEK 165.5 million (16.2). -- The integration of Bacon's of the U.S. is progressing according to plan, and the company reported positive organic growth during the third quarter.
Comment by Observer CEO Robert Lundberg: "The market in several countries appears to have stabilized. Whether this will result in a general improvement depends on economic development and is therefore difficult to determine. The positive profit trend is a consequence of our cost controls. The focus on operating margins will continue until we have seen clear evidence of an improved economy.
Market
A number of underlying trends indicate good long-term prospects for Observer's services. Globalization, growing information flows and rapid technological developments are giving businesses and organizations more reason than ever to monitor developments in their industries and society. At the same time, there is a growing need to improve communication in Public Relations (PR) and Investor Relations (IR) and evaluate the results of communication activities.
Media Intelligence
The weak economy has distinguished the market in 2002. The flow of relevant business news has been weak and media coverage has declined due to poor advertising spending.
Slow economic development has led to less PR and IR activity. Observer's Media Intelligence services, on the other hand, continue to resist the slowdown better than the market for PR services in general. While leading global PR firms have reported negative growth of around 10 percent in 2002, Observer has developed significantly better.
A broad range of services, an international presence and the opportunity to utilize economies of scale remain decisive factors for maintaining a strong market position and good profitability. The market for analytical services remains good.
Communication Tools
Growth in Communication Tools' services is also being affected by the weak economy, which has slowed IR and PR activity.
As a result of lower client activity, the number of projects in the Publish (distribution) area has declined. In the Select (database) area, revenue is based on annual subscriptions and has remained stable despite current market conditions. Select's sales in key markets such as the U.S. and UK are progressing well.
With the acquisition of Bacon's of the U.S. in late 2001, Observer's operations in the Select (database) area have grown, which has meant a greater seasonal variation in the group's revenue. Normally, Select's sales in the U.S. are concentrated in the first and fourth quarters.
Revenue
Operating revenue amounted to SEK 1,272.3 million (954.8), an increase of 33.3 percent. Of this total, Media Intelligence accounted for SEK 975.1 million (763.1) and Communication Tools for SEK 313.3 million (203.6).
Organic growth in local currency remains stable at the same level as earlier in the year, amounting to -2 percent in both the third quarter and the period January-September. Organic growth in the Nordic countries was -5 percent, while the rest of Europe as a whole reached +1 percent.
In comparison with the third quarter of the previous year (pro forma), Bacon's of the U.S. reported positive organic growth for the period July- September 2002. The company is consolidated as of December 2001.
In the Nordic countries, value-added services accounted for 38 percent (38) of Media Intelligence's revenue, while in the UK and Germany the share was 8 percent (5).
Profit
The group's operating profit before goodwill amortization and items affecting comparability amounted to SEK 234.3 million (160.6). Operating profit was charged during the period with SEK 8.1 million for integration costs in the U.S.
The operating margin rose to 18.4 percent (16.8). The Media Intelligence division reached an operating margin of 18.2 percent (15.4) and Communication Tools 26.0 percent (24.8).
As a result of cost controls, good operating margins were maintained during the seasonally weak third quarter. In all regions, margins improved compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. The third quarter's operating margin was 17.6 percent, against 16.2 percent last year.
Net financial income and expenses amounted to SEK -52.8 million (-25.2), which includes a net interest expense of SEK -58.0 million, exchange rate effects of SEK +5.9 million and other items of SEK -0.7 million.
Profit after tax for the period amounted to SEK 19.4 million (21.9). Profit per share after tax and full dilution, excluding goodwill amortization and items affecting comparability, amounted to SEK 2.22 (1.68). The lower tax charge during the second and third quarters is due to the U.S. acquisition, which will also reduce taxes in the future.
Profit was not charged with any provisions for social security expenses on potential benefits that would arise from the appreciation in value of employee stock options.
Growth and profit objective
Observer's long-term financial objective remains unchanged. The objective is to maintain annual organic growth of at least 10-15 percent. In addition, expansion will be achieved through acquisitions.
The group strives to maintain a long-term operating margin before goodwill amortization and items affecting comparability of 22 percent. Acquisitions of companies with low margins and special investments may temporarily result in a lower margin, however.
Financial position
In addition to high organic growth, Observer's growth strategy is based on acquisitions in new geographic markets. Acquisitions of companies with strong market positions lead to considerable goodwill. The total goodwill item on the balance sheet amounts to SEK 2,707.1 million. Since December 31, 2001 goodwill has decreased by SEK 344.1 million, of which SEK 250.8 million consists of exchange rate effects.
Cash flow from operating activities improved to SEK 165.5 million (16.2). The group's financial position is strong and liquid assets amounted to SEK 400 million at the end of the period.
In order to improve flexibility in the company's capital structure, the Board of Directors will consider at the next Annual General Meeting whether to complement Observer's dividend policy with a proposal to repurchase its own shares.
Shareholders' equity amounted to SEK 1,981.2 million (1,700.9) at the end of the period, or SEK 29.15 per share (30.64). The debt/equity ratio was 47 percent (37). In June the company's long-term financing was strengthened through a USD 175 revolving credit facility. The financing has a final maturity of five years and further strengthens the financial base.
Following the issue of 11,194,276 new shares in April, the conversion of convertible debenture loans and the exercise of warrants, there were 67,957,325 shares outstanding as of September 30.
Accounting principles
The interim report has been prepared in compliance with recommendation RR 20 of the Swedish Financial Accounting Standards Council's on Interim Financial Reporting.
Acquisitions/divestments
In August Observer acquired the U.S. broadcast news monitoring firm Media Pulse, which is part of a cooperative of around 30 firms active throughout the U.S. The company, which has a turnover of approximately USD 2 million, is being integrated into Bacon's.
Observer's holding in Jupiter Media Metrix was divested during the period without impacting earnings.
Outlook
Long-term development potential for Observer's services is good. Expectations are that Observer will continue to grow faster than the underlying market and maintain long-term organic growth of 10-15 percent a year. Efforts to expand geographically through acquisitions are continuing as well.
The cost base has been reduced, at the same time that the client offering has been expanded to include a number of new services. The expansion in North America creates the opportunity for attractive offerings for multinational clients.
The market in several countries appears to have stabilized. Whether this means that we will also soon see a general improvement will depend on the economy which at present is difficult to determine. The aim is to return as quickly as possible to an operating margin before goodwill amortization and items affecting comparability of 22 percent.
Stockholm, October 29, 2002
Robert Lundberg President and CEO
Observer AB Observer's operations are divided into two divisions. The Media Intelligence division, which is active in Business and Communication Intelligence, offers media and market monitoring and communication evaluations. It currently operates in the U.S., the U.K., Sweden, Canada, Germany, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. A special marketing unit for multinational clients has been established in London.
The Communication Tools division offers communication tools for clients primarily in IR and PR. The division builds databases with information on strategically important target groups in the media and financial world. Clients are also offered tools and channels for distributing and publishing business information and evaluating communication activities. Operations are conducted in the U.S., the U.K., Sweden, Canada, Finland, Germany and Norway.
For definitions, see Annual Report 2001.
Financial report schedule 2003: February 18, 2003 Year-end report for 2002 May 6, 2003 Interim report January-March 2003 August 5, 2003 Interim report January-June 2003 October 30, 2003 Interim report January-September 2003 For further information, please contact: Per Blixt, Senior VP Corporate Communications/Investor Relations telephone: +46 70 549 28 08 e-mail: per.blixt@observergroup.com Anders Lundmark, Chief Financial Officer telephone: +46 70 333 29 77 e-mail: anders.lundmark@observergroup.com Jan-Erik Jansson, Senior VP and Chief M&A Officer telephone: +46 8 507 410 14 or +46 70 511 91 53 e-mail: jan- erik.jansson@observergroup.com Robert Lundberg, President and CEO telephone: +46 8 507 410 10 e-mail: robert.lundberg@observergroup.com
Further comments on the interim report will be provided at a telephone conference with Observers AB's management at 1:00 p.m. (CET) on October 29. To participate, please phone +44 (0) 20 8240 8244. Use code: Observer.
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