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Published 2022-02-11

Schibsted Results 4th Quarter 2021

Today Schibsted released its Q4 2021 report

Documents and Links

Results presentation Q4 2021
Schibsted Financials and Analytical Info Q4 2021
Interim report Q4 2021
Q4 2021 Webcast link

A solid Q4 concluded a strong, record-high 2021 for Schibsted

“Q4 concluded a strong, record-high 2021 for Schibsted, with strong underlying1 revenue growth of 11 percent and an EBITDA of 2,740 million, up NOK 615 million compared to last year,” CEO Kristin Skogen Lund says.

“Q4 was a solid quarter with 7 percent underlying2 revenue growth driven by Nordic Marketplaces, and News Media. EBITDA ended at NOK 634 million, NOK 30 million below last year driven by higher investments across the Group, while Marketplaces Norway delivered strong year-on-year EBITDA growth of NOK 99 million,” CEO Kristin Skogen Lund says.

“Nordic Marketplaces delivered once again strong underlying2 revenue growth of 18 percent, driven by our professional customers in Norway, Sweden and Finland, and particularly in Jobs. In particular Norway stands out, delivering another exceptionally strong quarter measured in both revenues and EBITDA; its best quarter in 2021, while Q4 usually declines quarter-on-quarter due to seasonality. While Jobs was the main driver for the strong performance, Motors and advertising revenues also continued to grow well in Norway. The increase in Motors was driven by Nettbil as well as higher car volumes on Finn, which is exceptional looking at trends in other markets. In Sweden, Jobs continued its strong growth while the car supply shortage and lower revenues from the Generalist business affected results negatively. Finland grew well in Q4, mainly driven by higher volumes in Jobs, and also made good progress in Real estate, growing cross-traffic between Oikotie and Tori by 30 percent quarter-on-quarter. Trends in Denmark improved, but revenues ended still below last year driven by lower volumes in Motors as the business continued to be affected by the car supply shortage. However, Bilbasen’s position remains strong, and average revenue per listing increased in the fourth quarter due to sales efforts,” CEO Kristin Skogen Lund says.

“News Media continued to perform well with an underlying3 revenue growth of 6 percent thanks to a strong quarter for digital advertising, in particular for VG and Aftonbladet, as well as steady growth in digital subscriptions. As expected, costs increased year-on-year due to a ramp up of investments in new strategic initiatives across our brands with focus on content, including podcasts,” CEO Kristin Skogen Lund says.

“eCommerce & Distribution delivered revenues in line with last year, driven by slower parcel volume growth in the market,” CEO Kristin Skogen Lund says.

“Lendo continued with strong underlying3 revenue growth in Q4 driven by high demand and improved conversion in Sweden and Norway, while the overall portfolio in Financial Services & Ventures had a mixed performance. Within this portfolio, Mötesplatsen and Let’s Deal were exited,” CEO Kristin Skogen Lund says.

“Ventures increased our investment in Tibber to around 15 percent ownership in Q4, made several new investments ranging from Fintech to Digital Health, and sold Capcito with a solid return,” CEO Kristin Skogen Lund says.

“In accordance with our dividend policy, the Board has proposed an ordinary dividend of NOK 2.00 per share for 2021,” CEO Kristin Skogen Lund says.

This quarter’s highlights

  • Underlying2 revenue growth of 7 percent, EBITDA of NOK 634 million.
  • Nordic Marketplaces: 18 percent underlying2 revenue growth, primarily driven by the Job vertical. Especially a strong quarter for Norway with 31 percent revenue growth and 50 percent EBITDA margin. Accelerated revenue growth in Finland, while Sweden and Denmark continued to be affected by the car supply shortage.
  • News Media: Continued to perform well with 6 percent underlying3 revenue growth thanks to strong digital advertising sales and steady growth in subscriptions. As expected, cost increased driven by content investments; 11 percent EBITDA margin.
  • eCommerce & Distribution delivered revenues in line with last year, driven by slower parcel volume growth in the market.
  • Financial Services & Ventures: Continued strong underlying3 revenue growth of 21 percent in Lendo. High activity in Ventures.
  • Dividend of NOK 2.00 per share proposed for 2021.

Fourth quarter

Year

(NOK million)

2021

2020

Change

2021

2020

Change

Schibsted Group

 

 

Operating revenues

3,936

3,620

9%

14,623

12,908

13%

  – of which digital

2,635

2,245

17%

9,557

7,893

21%

EBITDA

634

665

(5%)

2,740

2,126

29%

EBITDA margin

16%

18%

19%

16%

Alternative performance measures used in this release are described and presented in the section Definitions and reconciliations in the quarterly report.

Webcast presentation including Q&A, 11 February 2022 at 09:00 CET

CEO Kristin Skogen Lund and Head of IR Jann-Boje Meinecke will present the Q4 results as a live webcast, including a Q&A session. The presentation and following Q&A session will be held in English. The webcast can be viewed live at schibsted.com/ir.

For the Q&A, participants can send in written questions via Slido (link: sli.do; event code: 549703). It will not be possible to ask questions by phone.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not be possible to attend the presentation in person at our headquarters in Oslo.

A recording of the presentation will be available on our IR website shortly after the live webcast has ended.

1 Foreign exchange neutral basis and including pro-forma revenues for Oikotie and Marketplaces Denmark before Schibsted ownership
2 Foreign exchange neutral basis and including pro-forma revenues for Marketplaces Denmark in Q4 2020
3 Foreign exchange neutral basis