- Turnover increases to 28.5 million euro (previous year: 26.7 million euro)
- EBITDA improved, at minus 0.95 million euro (previous year: minus 1.94 million euro)
- EBIT affected by special depreciation of 5.81 million euro following a portfolio adjustment
- Outlook for 2013: clear growth in turnover to more than 130 million euro and expected positive EBITDA
Munich, 5 June 2013 – Ecommerce Alliance AG, a company listed on the Entry Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN DE000A1C9YW6 / WKN A1C9YW), saw an increase in turnover for the 2012 business year from 26.7 million euro to 28.5 million euro. This represents an increase of approximately 7 per cent compared to the 2011 business year. The increased turnover results mainly from higher sales in the Ecommerce Services segment as well as positive business development for Shirtinator AG in the Ecommerce Brands segment.
The group achieved a clear 38 per cent improvement in gross profit, at 10.8 million euro in 2012. The profitable Ecommerce Services segment is behind this achievement. EBITDA improved by 51 per cent compared to the 2011 business year and was 0.95 million euro (previous year: minus 1.95 million euro). Of this, the high-margin business units account for 1.32 million euro (inclusive of holding costs). The loss-making pauldirekt GmbH and Experience Media GmbH accounted for minus 2.27 million euro of EBITDA.
As part of its annual impairment test and in view of the acquisition of the majority of shares in wap-telecom GmbH in 2013, Ecommerce Alliance carried out an examination of the valuation of its shareholdings, adjusting the portfolio. The valuation attributed to pauldirekt GmbH and other ECA Media & Ventures GmbH shares was significantly reduced in consequence. Special items in connection with goodwill amortisation and asset depreciation totalled 5.81 million euro.
The group result for the period after these special items was minus 2.06 million euro (previous year minus 3.5 million euro), an improvement of 41 per cent compared to the previous year. After special items, the group result for the 2012 business year was minus 8.51 million euro. Earnings per share for the reporting period was thus 5.46 euro, compared to minus 2.25 euro the previous year.
Despite the depreciation and amortisation measures it has taken, Ecommerce Alliance AG still has a strong equity base. The group's equity capital at 31 December 2012 was 10.43 million euro (31 December 2011: 18.93 million euro). The equity ratio on the 2012 balance sheet date was approximately 62 per cent, compared to 73.4 per cent at the end of 2011. With liquid assets of 3.14 million euro (previous year: 4.87 million euro), the group is able to meet its payment obligations on time, at any time.
Outlook
With the acquisition of the wap-telecom group, Ecommerce Alliance AG has repositioned itself for 2013 and taken a ground-breaking new direction. An enhanced focus on the rapidly growing smart phone and tablet markets alongside e-commerce markets will form the basis of the company strategy in the future. From 2013 the group of consolidated companies will be organised in the segments Mobile, Services and Brands. The central concern will be profitable growth, with a strategic aim for Ecommerce Alliance AG to become the category leader in the smart phone/tablet e-commerce business areas. In particular, this will mean utilising the strong synergies with getperformance, getlogics and mailcommerce companies.
Against a background of positive sector forecasts and the new strategic direction, the board anticipate a clear rise in sales of more than 130 million euro and a positive EBITDA in the 2013 business year.
The full 2012 annual report is available in german for download at www.mountain-alliance.de.
