Bertelsmann confirmed its previously announced key 2011 financials posting group profit attributable to Bertelsmann shareholders of 465 million euros, down from 478 million euros a year ago. Special items, primarily from businesses in structurally declining markets, were reflected in a reduced Group profit.
Profit before taxes from continuing operations slid to 1.05 billion euros from 1.1 billion euros a year earlier.
Consolidated revenues grew 1.2 percent to 15.25 billion euros from the previous year's 15.07 billion euros. Organic growth was 1.7 percent.
In fiscal 2011, positive impetus mainly came from the ad sales-driven businesses, particularly those of the RTL Group, as well as TV production, the rapidly growing e-book business and the service sector, the company noted. This was offset by planned start-up losses for new businesses and a weak business performance of some of the printing operations, as well as declines in the replication and direct-marketing businesses.
Commenting on the outlook for the current year, Bertelsmann's CEO Thomas Rabe, said, "...Bertelsmann is off to a good start in 2012. If economic growth in our key markets is stable or slightly positive, we expect a moderate increase in revenues for 2012, with operating EBIT continuing high, return on sales at over 11 percent, and higher Group profit than in 2011."
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.