JCDecaux Announces Revenue Increase For First Half

Outdoor advertising group, JCDecaux, has announced a 5.7% increase in revenues for the first six months of 2005, reaching €833.7 million, reflecting a sound performance for the group, despite softening advertising conditions in some European markets.

Operating margin for the company enjoyed a healthy rise of 4.7% to hit €229.1 million, representing 27.5% of consolidated revenues.

JCDecaux’s Transport division’s operating margin jumped by an impressive 17.6% to €8 million during the first half of 2004, while its Billboard department also enjoyed a healthy performance, rising by 15.1% to reach euro;29.8 million.

Elsewhere, the group’s street furniture department increased its operating margin by 2.7% to €191.3 million.

Commenting on the results, Jean-Francois Decaux, chairman of the executive board and co-chief executive officer said: “Our first year results are in line with our previous commands and reflects the softening of advertising conditions in certain European markets as well as the evolution of our business mix, with a growing revenue contribution from the lower-margin Transport division.”

He continued: “In the last six months we have successfully expanded our footprint in Asia, where advertising markets are growing rapidly. Our latest business developments in China and Japan pave the way for a higher exposure for us in the fastest growing geographical world.”

JCDecaux are optimistic about the rest of 2005, expecting to achieve organic growth of around 4% for the year as a whole.

JCDecaux: 020 7298 8000 www.jcdecaux.co.uk