Clear Media Announces Annual Results For the Year Ended 31 December 2013

HONG KONG, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Clear Media Limited ("Clear Media" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; SEHK Stock Code: 100), the leading outdoor advertising company in China listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, is pleased to announce its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2013.

The Group's total turnover increased by 8.2% to HK$1,647 million for the year ended 31 December 2013. The Group's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation ("EBITDA") increased by 7% to HK$662 million (2012: HK$619 million). Earnings before interest and tax ("EBIT") increased by 11.3% to HK$348 million (2012: HK$312 million). Net profit for the period decreased by 8.3% to HK$201 million (2012: HK$219 million) due to a withholding tax provision of HK$27 million for future distribution of profits from the Group's PRC subsidiary. Free cash flow increased by 23.1% to HK$342 million. Basic earnings per share for the year ended 31 December 2013 were HK37.81 cents, dropped by 8.8% from the same period last year. The Directors proposed a final dividend of HK15 cents per share (2012: HK 15 cents).

As of 31 December 2013, Clear Media operated the most extensive standardized bus shelter advertising network in Mainland China, with a total of more than 38,000 panels (2012: 37,000 panels) covering 27 cities. Revenue from the bus shelter advertising business increased by 8.2% to HK$1,647 million (2012: HK$1,552 million). The adjustment to the Group's 2013 advertising rate card was relatively modest when compared with that of the same time last year. The average selling price ("ASP") increased by 3.6% (2012: 14%) for the year. The overall occupancy rate recovered mildly to 61% (2012: 59%).

For the year ended 31 December 2013, revenue from the Group's bus shelter advertising operations in the key cities of Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing increased by 7.8% to HK$929 million (2012: HK$862 million). Among these three cities, the revenue performance was led by the operation in Guangzhou, followed by Shanghai and Beijing.

Revenue from Guangzhou increased by 31.1% for the year to HK$314 million (2012: HK$240 million), mainly due to a 13.7% increase in ASP, a 2.6% increase in average panel numbers and the higher occupancy rate at 56% (2012: 50%).

Revenue from Shanghai increased 8.2% to HK$210 million (2012: HK$194 million). The average number of bus shelter panels rose by 5.7%. The ASP declined by 4.4% due to change of customer mix and the occupancy rate improved to 54% (2012:51%).

Revenue from Beijing declined by 5.4% for the year ended 31 December 2013 to HK$405 million (2012: HK$428 million), mainly due to a 3% decline in ASP and the decline in the occupancy rate to 63% (2012: 65%). The average number of bus shelter panels increased by 1.3%.

Revenue from all mid-tier cities, where the Group has operations in, increased by 15.3% to HK$770 million (2012: HK$668 million) for the year ended 31 December 2013. ASP increased by 6.6% and the occupancy rate increased to 62% (2012: 61%). The average number of bus shelter panels increased by 6.1%.

Mr. Han Zi Jing, the Chief Executive Officer said, "We operated the most extensive standardized bus shelter advertising network in Mainland China. In 2013, the subsidiary of the Group, Hainan White Horse Advertising Media Investment Co., Ltd, secured the concession rights to develop, manage and sell advertising panels located at bus shelters in the city of Nanjing, for a period of 10 years commencing 2014. The Group currently operates in the city more than 1,300 bus shelter advertising panels and be able to significantly expand the number of panels in the city, an achievement that enhance our leading position in the outdoor advertising market in China."

Mr. Mark Thewlis, the Executive Chairman said, "Management expects the current trading conditions to continue for our core bus shelter advertising business in 2014. We expect growth from the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to continue to outperform the big 3 cities. We anticipate that advertisers will continue to prefer to commit as late as possible. In 2014 we plan to add our first commercial digital panels aimed at attracting new advertisers and providing our existing advertisers with a new flexible network to reach audiences in China's most popular cities."

Financial Highlights

Income Statement Highlights for the year ended 31 December
(HK$'000)	2013	2012	% Change
Turnover	1,647,455	1,522,036	+8.2%
EBITDA	662,317	619,245	+7.0%
Net profit	201,008	219,236	- 8.3%
Free cash flow	341,535	277,528	+23.1%
Basic EPS (HK cents)	37.81	41.44	- 8.8%
Dividend per share (HK cents)	15	15	0.0%

Balance Sheet Highlights
(HK$'000)	31 December 2013	31 December 2012
Cash and cash equivalents	892,822	1,289,724
Net assets	2,884,724	3,377,428

About Clear Media Limited

Clear Media is the leading outdoor media company in China listed on the main board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, and derives 100% of its revenue from China. Clear Media has created a standardized bus shelter network that covers 27 cities and reaches the most affluent consumers in China. The Group enjoys leading market shares in key cities and serves leading international and local advertisers.

For more information on Clear Media please visit: www.clear-media.net.

For further information:

Clear Media Limited
Mr. Jeffrey Yip
Director of Investor Relations, Company Secretary
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

iPR Ogilvy & Mather
Natalie Tam/ Peter Chan / Clara Liu/ Venus Wong
Tel: [phone] 6955/ 3920 7631/ 3920 7649
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE Clear Media Limited

Copyright 2014 PR Newswire