Luxembourg, 20th July, 2009 - Metro International S.A. ("Metro International" or the "Group") (MTROA, MTROB), today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended 30th June 2009. Information was submitted for publication on 20th July, 2009 at 8:00 A.M. CET. SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS * Net revenues declined by 12 percent in the second quarter adjusting for currency movements, closed and divested operations and revenues lost due to the Easter Holidays. Total net revenues decreased year-on-year in the second quarter by 26 percent to EUR 60.7 million (2008: EUR 81.5 million). * The operating loss excluding closed and divested operations was EUR 1.2 million in the second quarter (2008: operating profit of EUR 2.5 million excluding closed and divested operations). The total operating loss was EUR 3.0 million (2008: operating profit of EUR 0.6 million). * The net loss for the second quarter was EUR 3.7 million (2008: loss of EUR 2.0 million). * Operating costs declined year-on-year in the second quarter by 11 percent excluding currency movements, one-off items, closed and divested operations. Costs incurred at headquarters declined year-on-year by 31 percent in the second quarter excluding one-off items. * In May, Metro in the US was divested to Seabay Media Holdings LLC ("Seabay Media"). Seabay Media will continue to publish Metro in the US under a service and license agreement with Metro International. * In June, Metro International exercised its option to acquire 58.5 percent of the capital and votes in its franchise operation in St. Petersburg, Russia. * In June, Metro Portugal was fully divested to two local media companies, Holdmédia and Metro News. Concurrently Metro International signed a Franchise Agreement with the new owners. * In June, the final results of the issue of Swedish Depository Receipts ("SDRs") regarding subordinated debentures and warrants (the "Rights Issue") were revealed. Through the Rights Issue, Metro International received proceeds of SEK 527.8 million (EUR 48.7 million) before transaction costs. * Overall readership increased year-on-year by 8 percent for the Group in the second quarter. * The basic and diluted net loss per share for the second quarter was EUR 0.007 and EUR 0.01 respectively (2008 basic and diluted: EUR 0.004). HALF YEAR HIGHLIGHTS * Total net revenues decreased by 15 percent for the half year adjusting for currency movements, closed and divested operations. Total net sales decreased by 25 percent to EUR 116.3 million (2008: EUR 154.9 million). * The operating loss for the half year, excluding closed and divested operations, was EUR 9.1 million (2008: loss of EUR 0.9 million). The total operating loss was EUR 17.7 million (2008: loss of EUR 5.0 million). * The net loss for the half year was EUR 18.9 million (2008: loss of EUR 8.3 million). * Operational costs for the half year declined by 8 percent for the half year excluding currency movements, one-off items, closed and divested operations. * Metro International recorded for the half year a basic net loss per share of EUR 0.03 (2008: net loss EUR 0.01). SUBSEQUENT EVENTS * On 10th July, the Group announced that four members of the Group's senior management have during the second quarter decided to leave Metro International for individual reasons. * On 14th July, Metro International entered into a franchise agreement in Ecuador with the leading media group Grupo Hoy. On 15th July, Grupo Hoy's existing free newspapers Metro Hoy and Metro Quil were re-launched under Metro International's global newspaper format. Metro International will initially hold 15 percent equity interest in the publishing company with an option to increase this shareholding in the future. CONFERENCE CALL Metro International will host a conference call today at 10.00 A.M. CET which will be broadcast live on the internet and as a conference call. Participants can take part in the call either through the audiocast or the conference call. To view the Internet Audiocast: A live audiocast of the presentation will be available on www.metro.lu, 20th July 2009 at 10.00 A.M. CET. To participate in the conference call, please dial in on the following numbers: Sweden Tel: +46 (0)8 505 598 53 UK / International Tel: +44 (0)20 304 324 36 US free phone number Tel: +1 866 458 40 87 Conference call participants can access the presentation slides on http://www.metro.lu/node/79. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available at Metro's website www.metro.lu approximately one hour after the event. For further information, please visit www.metro.lu or contact: Per Mikael Jensen, CEO and Tel: +44 (0)20 7016 President 1300 Anders Kronborg, CFO Tel: +44 (0)79 1254 0800 Ingrid Selden, IR Contact Tel: +44 (0)77 2524 5881 DATE OF NEXT REPORT Metro's financial results for the second quarter ended 30th September 2009 will be published on 19th October 2009. *** ABOUT METRO INTERNATIONAL AND METRO Metro is the largest international newspaper in the world. Metro is published in over 100 major cities in 19 countries across Europe, North & South America and Asia. Metro has a unique global reach - attracting a young, active, well-educated Metropolitan audience of 17 million daily readers. Metro International S.A. shares are listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm through Swedish Depository Receipts of series A and series B under the symbols MTROA and MTROB.
FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER ENDED 30TH JUNE 2009
| Source: Metro International S.A.