DGAP-Adhoc: Preliminary figures for the first nine months of 2008 CTS EVENTIM escapes downturn in consumption

CTS EVENTIM AG / Preliminary Results/Quarter Results

13.11.2008 

Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Ad-hoc Announcement pursuant to Section 15 WpHG (Securities Trading Act)

Preliminary figures for the first nine months of 2008
CTS EVENTIM escapes downturn in consumption

Group increases revenue by 3.7% to EUR 292.0 million / Group earnings rise
5.9% to EUR 16.4 million / Ticketing grows by 30% / 139 million visitors to
www.eventim.de and www.getgo.de portals

Munich, 13 November 2008. CTS EVENTIM AG, listed on the SDAX exchange (ISIN
DE0005470306), achieved continued and consistent growth in the first nine
months of 2008 despite difficult market conditions and also expects a
significant year-on-year increase in the fourth quarter. In the Ticketing
segment especially, the Group is seemingly unaffected by the weak economic
climate. Internet ticketing is booming, the ticket volume growth rate
amounts up to 30% hitherto. CTS expects a new record for what is
traditionally a strong fourth quarter: in October and November, total
ticketing volume has already increased significantly. Internet sales, in
particular, are exceeding expectations. The Management Board reiterates its
forecast that results for 2008 as a whole will show a further year-on-year
increase. In 2007, CTS produced an EBIT figure of EUR 47 million.

In the period from 1 January to 30 September 2008, the Group generated EUR
292.0 million in revenue (Q1-3/2007: EUR 281.5 million, up 3.7%), an EBIT
of EUR 30.8 million (Q1-3/2007: EUR 32.4 million, down 4.8%) and an EBITDA
of EUR 36.3 million (Q1-3/2007: EUR 37.4 million, down 3.0%). The cash flow
for the reporting period was EUR 28.3 million (Q1-3/2007: EUR 26.5
million). Group earnings amounted to EUR 16.4 million (Q1-3/2007: EUR 15.5
million), equivalent to earnings per share of EUR 0.68 (Q1-3/2007: EUR
0.65).

Ticketing: revenue increased by 29.5% and EBIT by 28.5%

The significantly higher revenue and earnings achieved by the Ticketing
segment were mainly attributable to high-margin ticket sales via the
Internet. With revenue at EUR 71.1 million before consolidation of segments
(Q1-3/2007: EUR 54.9 million, up 29.5%), a strongly improved EBIT figure of
EUR 16.7 million was achieved (Q1-3/2007: EUR 13.0 million, up 28.5%).
EBITDA, at EUR 20.7 million, was up 22.9% from EUR 16.8 million in
Q1-3/2007. Internet ticket sales rose in volume to 5.6 million tickets sold
(Q1-3/2007: 4.3 million). The websites of the CTS Group, especially the
online portals at www.eventim.de and www.getgo.de, logged more than 139
million users in the first three quarters of 2008. A significant
year-on-year increase is expected for the fourth quarter. In the first nine
months of 2008, the additional companies included in consolidation and
expenses for implementing the partnership with Live Nation led as expected
to reduced earnings margins.

Live Entertainment: slight 3.0% decline in revenue confirms strong position
following record year

As expected, the Live Entertainment segment was unable to reach the record
figures achieved the year before. This was due to a slightly smaller number
of concerts and tours. In the first nine months of 2008, revenue amounted
to EUR 223.1 million (Q1-3/2007: EUR 230.0 million, down 3.0%), while the
EBIT came in at EUR 14.1 million (Q1-3/2007: EUR 19.4 million, down 27.0%)
and EBITDA at EUR 15.6 million (Q1-3/2007: EUR 20.5 million, down 24.2%).
Preproduction costs for new types of event reduced earnings over the
reporting period by EUR 2.0 million.

The Management Board is satisfied with the Group’s progress in the first
nine months of the year and is optimistic about the total figures for 2008
as a whole. Significant growth rates are expected for the traditionally
strong fourth quarter. Efforts remain focused on further growth in Internet
ticketing, on implementing the long-term partnership with Live Nation and
on international expansion. As recently as September, CTS AG took over
Lippupiste OY, the Finnish ticketing company.

The full interim report will be available on the Internet at www.eventim.de
in both German and English, in an online version and in download form, as
from 25 November 2008.

For further information contact:
Volker Bischoff, CFO, CTS EVENTIM AG, +49 (0)421-3666-233 
DGAP 13.11.2008 
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Language:     English
Issuer:       CTS EVENTIM AG
              Contrescarpe 75 A
              28195 Bremen
              Deutschland
Phone:        +49 (0)421-36 66-233
Fax:          +49 (0)421-36 66-290
E-mail:       investor@eventim.de
Internet:     www.eventim.de
ISIN:         DE0005470306
WKN:          547030
Indices:      SDAX
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin, Hannover, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
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