French advertising and communications firm Publicis Groupe SA (PUBGY.PK, PGPEF.PK) Friday said its consolidated revenue, as published, grew 15.5 percent in the second quarter, with an organic growth of 1.6 percent. The company reported a 19 percent increase in first-half net income, on 14.3 percent growth in revenues.
Publicis Groupe confirmed that growth in its second half will be higher than in the first half. It is also maintaining its medium-term goal to generate 75 percent of its revenue in digital communications and high-growth countries.
For the second quarter, the company's quarterly revenues were 1.63 billion euros, with the impact of exchange rates being 101 million euros.
In Europe, revenue growth was a marginal 2 percent, with 1.7 percent decline organically, while revenues from North America surged 22.4 percent, with an organic growth of 1.8 percent.
Maurice Lévy, chairman and CEO of the company said, "Just as we announced in our February forecast, organic growth has leveled off in the second quarter. This standstill results essentially from non-recurring events. New Business has maintained a strong profile, particularly in digital, which should see another double digit increase."
For the first half, the company's net income attributable to shareholders increased to 275 million euros from 231 million euros in the previous year. On a per share basis, earnings improved to 1.28 euros from 1.03 euros per share in the prior year.
Headline earnings per share were 1.32 euros, up from 1.08 euros a year ago.
Revenues for the half year grew 14.3 percent to 3.08 billion euros. Organic growth was 2.8 percent. According to the company, this growth rate is lower than last year due to the slowing down of the global economy in the second quarter as well as non-recurring elements.
Operating margin was 13.5 percent, same as last year.
In Paris, Publicis Groupe shares closed Thursday's regular trading at 38.45 euros, up 1.83 percent.
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