DEAG remains on a growth course in 2013 with strong 9-month figures

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-  Sales up 29.7 per cent
-  EBIT up 19.3 per cent
-  Strong Q4 expected
-  Ideally filled pipeline for robust growth in 2014

DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG (ISIN DE000A0Z23G6) is still on a sales and earnings growth course 9 months into 2013. From preliminary figures, sales rose 29.7 per cent compared with the prior year period, to EUR 125.2 million.

In the first 9 months, EBITDA climbed 30.1 per cent to EUR 6.6 million. EBIT was up 19.3 per cent to EUR 5.0 million. At EUR 2.2 million, group earnings after taxes and minority interests from continued operations were 22.1 per cent above the previous period's figure.

Expenses for the "Qivive" litigation (see ad-hoc notification of 24 May 2013 and 6-month report) have been included in full as discontinued operations. After the successfully asserted recourse claims against the auditing company, other claims for damages have been made. DEAG is confident that the currently disclosed expense of EUR 2.47 million can be reduced further.

Q3 2013, which for seasonal reasons is not a strong quarter, was completed with better than expected sales and earnings. Sold-out events such as Swan Lake and Carmen in the Royal Albert Hall delivered a particularly good result in the English market. Open-air concerts with Depeche Mode and Bruce Springsteen, along with successful concerts by David Garrett, Peter Maffay and Eric Clapton, formed the basis for good results in the Rock/Pop sector. In partnership with the Circus FlicFlac, this year saw a decisive step in Family Entertainment that will be continued in 2014.

Given this positive development and against the background of a clearly strong Q4, DEAG is optimistic about 2013 as a whole. Sold-out tours, such as those from Andreas Gabalier, Black Sabbath, Jamie Cullum and Musikantenstadl were part of the DEAG success story in a strong Q4. On the earnings side, revenue from ticket sales is playing an ever greater part, in line with the DEAG strategy.

For 2014 - already underpinned by advance ticket sales - DEAG anticipates the profitable growth course. A part of the strategic focus at DEAG will be on growth in the Family Entertainment sector.

The consolidated interim report for the first nine months will be published on 29 November 2013 under Investor Relations at www.deag.de.