The group is an integrated information and media business, structured in three operating divisions: Business Publishing, Business Information and Exhibitions. Business Publishing essentially comprises our marketing solutions activities except exhibitions. The primary focus of our marketing solutions is on measurable effectiveness, which is why digital media are a priority. Business Information essentially comprises our business-critical information activities. Their primary focus is on workflow-enabled content and to build a portfolio of high value subscription products within our target markets. The primary focus of Exhibitions is to build a portfolio of international events within our target markets.

Our core strategy is to lead our selected market communities with a diversified portfolio of market-leading publishing brands, events and business-critical information and workflow solutions. We typically aim to achieve this by:
•Creating or acquiring the leading digital information, marketing publication or exhibition brand for high value professional and commercial markets
•Reinforcing those brands through multiple brand extensions eg awards, summits, showcases, special reports, research, magazines, digital newsletters, databases, workflow tools etc.
•Exploiting the premium route to market offered by our marketing brands to enhance the market penetration of our information brands.

Centaur’s vision as a business is to secure sustainable market leadership through customer intimacy, product and service quality and continuous innovation. We believe that the key to our success lies in the calibre and commitment of our people. We aim to provide them with a working environment in which they will thrive. Our meritocratic and entrepreneurial culture is based on the following key values:
•Integrity – we aim to inspire trust and respect in our relationships both internally and externally and in the quality and usefulness of our products and services
•Creative Enterprise – we encourage our people to look for profitable new opportunities to serve our markets and to set high standards of implementation of these initiatives

http://www.centaur.co.uk/

Year-end trading statement

RNS


RNS Number : 0571J

Centaur Media PLC

11 July 2013






11 July 2013



Centaur Media Plc



Year-end trading statement



Centaur Media plc (LSE: CAU, the "Group"), the business information and events group, today issues a trading update for the year ended 30 June 2013 and outlines a refocusing of the business around its key markets.



Current trading

The Group expects to report profits slightly ahead of market expectations following the IMS published on 15 May 2013, with reported revenues up 10% on the prior year, EBITDA margins maintained at 18% and adjusted profits before taxation up 8%. Underlying revenues are, as anticipated in the IMS, expected to be 3% lower than in the previous year. Net debt at 30 June 2013 has reduced as expected to £19.5m, a multiple of approximately 1.5 times anticipated EBITDA.



The Group continues to make good progress in rebalancing revenues in favour of digital, paid for content and events. Digital and events revenues now account for 34% and 36% respectively of Group revenues, with both revenue types growing on a reported basis by approximately 27% compared to last year. Paid for content revenues now account for 28% of Group revenues compared to 24% last year.



Strategic refocus

The Group is refocusing its business around four market segments: Marketing, Professional, Financial and Consumer.



This approach is driven by renewed emphasis on the customers Centaur serves across each of these markets. It will facilitate greater focus on delivery and execution of revenue and cost synergies, and strengthen initiatives to increase the proportion of revenues generated from digital, paid for content and events.



The Group will report its results for the year ended 30 June 2013 across these four segments and will provide more detail when the final results are published in September 2013.



Organisational changes

Peter Harris has been appointed as interim Group Finance Director, a non Board position. Peter has a strong finance background across both the media and quoted company sectors including senior roles at Capital Radio and the Engine Group. The management team has been further strengthened with an interim appointment to the Business Publishing Managing Director position. The Board has initiated a process to appoint a new Chief Executive.



Business review

The Business Publishing division has closed out the year well with a busy and successful programme of awards events. The weakness across the financial titles reported in the May IMS, particularly in print, has shown signs of stabilising and Centaur continues to see good growth in digital revenues across the division.



In Business Information, the Econsultancy and Profile subscription products are growing strongly. Econsultancy's UK business continues to grow rapidly, and the Group has acted to address the losses incurred in Econsultancy's overseas operations. Whilst the Board continues to recognise the exciting growth potential that Econsultancy offers, the EBITDA expectations in the earn-out year to 31 December 2015 have reduced from £4m to £3m with a consequential reduction in the anticipated deferred consideration.



In the Exhibitions division, Marketing Week Live, Subcon and the two regional Homebuilding shows all ran in line with expectations.



The Group has a strong pipeline of new product development initiatives. The Meetings Show has launched at Olympia this week, the Festival of Marketing runs for the first time in October, and a number of new digital products will be launched in the first half of the 2014 financial year.



Cash flow, balance sheet and exceptional items

Operating cash flow in the last two months of the year has been strong. Deferred revenues at 30 June 2013 were £14.3m, 27% ahead of the same period last year, reflecting the impact of new product launches and the acquisition of Econsultancy.



Exceptional costs in the second half of the year will include earn-out costs related to acquisitions, the unwinding of the discount related to the Econsultancy earn-out, and the impact of restructuring initiatives announced previously and the recent Board and management changes.



Mark Kerswell, Interim Chief Executive, commented:



"We are pleased to be able to report good growth in profitability and strong progress in developing attractive revenue streams in digital, paid for content and events.



"With renewed vigour and enthusiasm across the Group, improved stability, a sharper focus on our markets and customers and an encouraging pipeline of new digital platforms and event launches, we are increasingly confident that the outlook for 2014 is positive."



The Group expects to release its full year results on 12 September 2013.

9 Jun Numis 82.00 Buy

Interim Results

Operational Highlights



· Transformation to a multi-platform, customer focused business targeting core markets that are individually led, is well underway



· Strategic disposal of Perfect Information completed



· Econsultancy earn-out settlement addressed; integration across Marketing portfolio now accelerating



· Commercial outlook strengthening as a result of actions to date



· Trading outlook: 2014 expectations confirmed and prospects for 2015 encouraging with strong focus on digital paid-for content, live events and development of new revenue streams



Financial highlights



· Reported revenues for the six months to 30 June 2014 as expected at £40.8m (2013: £41.6m)

o Underlying1 digital paid-for content revenues up 30% to £5.3m; rate of growth accelerating

o Underlying1 deferred revenues up 23% to £14.7m

o Dependency on print advertising revenues continues to reduce



· Adjusted EBITDA of £9.0m (2013: £10.0m) with EBITDA margins at 22% (2013: 24%)



· Interim dividend increased by 8% to 1.7p (2013: 1.575 p)



· Net debt at 30 June 2014 of £10.2m (31 December 2013: £27m)



· Procurement and efficiency initiatives expected to deliver £1m of annualised savings in 2014


http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4859298

3 Nov N+1 Singer 82.00 Buy

Signal Update

Our system’s recommendation today is to STAY LONG. The previous BUY signal was issued on 20/10/2014, 11 days ago, when the stock price was 58.0000. Since then CAU.L has fallen by -0.22%.

Market Outlook

The bulls are strong. The negative sentiment that caused the bearish stop loss to be triggered has evaporated. Besides, the signal is suggesting to STAY LONG. It is best to follow the signal and continue to STAY LONG, but with a more cautious attitude.


http://www.britishbulls.com/SignalPage.aspx?lang=en&Ticker=CAU.L

Interim Management Statement

RNS


RNS Number : 6510W

Centaur Media PLC

11 November 2014






11 November 2014



Centaur Media Plc



Interim Management Statement



Centaur Media plc (LSE: CAU), the multi-platform media group, today issues its interim management statement for the period from 1 July 2014, based on results for the four month period to 31 October 2014 and with commentary on trading up to 10 November 2014.



Current trading and outlook



Underlying revenues1 increased by 6% in the period, a significant improvement relative to the negative trends reported over the last 18 months. The aggregate rate of growth across paid-for content and live events revenues is now outstripping declines in advertising revenues.



Paid-for content revenues grew by 20%, with the rate of growth continuing to accelerate. Live events revenues returned to growth whilst advertising revenues fell by 7% in the period compared to an 11% decline in the first six months of 2014.



Underlying deferred revenues2 at 31 October 2014 were £15m, 17% ahead of the same period last year. Forward bookings across the exhibitions portfolio are 6% ahead of the same point last year, and annualised contract values in respect of the group's digital subscription revenues grew by 32%.



The Board is encouraged by the momentum across the business and anticipates trading for 2014 to be in line with its expectations.



Andria Vidler, Chief Executive, commented:



"We are building momentum, especially in paid-for content and live events; these are now growing faster than the decline in more traditional advertising.



"We are confident of delivering a much stronger performance in H2 2014. This reflects a combination of the operational changes and efficiencies implemented across the business earlier in the year and a sharper focus on the markets that we serve.



"Bringing together our range of complementary products under market portfolio management is delivering stronger insight, interaction and impact and a better audience experience.



"Trading over the last four months has been encouraging and with an improving rate of growth, the outlook for 2015 is increasingly positive."



Business review



The marketing portfolio, which grew revenues by 11%, re-launched Marketing Week in print, desktop and mobile and also launched the US version of Fashion Monitor. The Festival of Marketing, one of the Group's flagship events, now in its second year, is expected to report revenue growth of 15%.



Across the professional portfolios, the second edition of The Meetings Show grew revenues by 38%, the rate of growth across the legal portfolio is increasing, and the HR portfolio is now returning to growth after a challenging H1. As a whole this portfolio grew revenues by 14%.



Trading across the financial portfolio continues as expected to be challenging, but this portfolio is benefiting from new leadership and forward bookings are improving. As a whole, revenues across this portfolio declined by 15%.



The home interest portfolio grew revenues by 8%; the re-launch of the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show was well received with strong re-bookings for the 2015 event.



The group as a whole is continuing to benefit from procurement and efficiency initiatives, and annualised savings of £1m will be delivered in 2014 as anticipated. The grouping of complementary products in market portfolios and the restructuring of the commercial sales and marketing teams is also delivering operational improvements.



Cash flow and balance sheet



Net debt at 31 October 2014 was £17.2m, and includes the impact of the £4.2m earn-out payment in respect of The Platforum that was settled in August 2014.



Reporting and KPI targets



The Board has identified new KPI targets. Reported KPIs will in future measure underlying revenue growth, adjusted operating profit margin, adjusted EPS and cash conversion. The group will also monitor the development of recurring revenue streams, including subscriptions and live events revenues, and the return on investment on acquisitions and new product development.



Alongside these KPI measures the group also intends to report against adjusted operating profit rather than adjusted EBITDA. This better reflects the underlying profitability across each of the market portfolios and is consistent with many of Centaur's peers. Underlying revenue measures will be reported across each market portfolio and in aggregate across three revenue categories: paid-for content, live events and advertising.



Appointment of new Chairman



Following the announcement that Patrick Taylor, the group's Chairman, intends to retire by the next AGM, the Board has commenced the search for a suitable replacement.



Investor briefing



An investor and analyst briefing will be held on 12 November at 3pm at The Festival of Marketing at Tobacco Dock, 50 Porters Walk, Wapping, London E1W 2SF.

===================================================-

11 Nov Numis 82.00 Buy
11 Nov N+1 Singer 82.00 Buy
11 Nov Westhouse... 71.00 Buy

Shares - Business information and media group Centaur Media is seeing an improvement in earnings quality and looks set for a strong 2015.Despite a recent rally this is not yet fully reflected in its valuation. Numis has a price target of 82p, implying a 30% upside.

Trading Statement
RNS
RNS Number : 4314C
Centaur Media PLC
19 January 2015



19 January 2015



Centaur Media Plc



Trading Update



Centaur Media plc (LSE: CAU), the multi-platform media group, today issues a trading update for the year ended 31 December 2014.



Current trading and outlook

The group expects to report profits in line with market expectations, with underlying[1] revenues increasing by 3% and adjusted operating margins increasing to 14%. Underlying revenues in the second half of the year grew by 7%, with the aggregate rate of growth across paid-for content and live events revenues continuing to outstrip declines in advertising revenues. Net debt at 31 December 2014 was £14.7m, slightly better than market expectations.



The Board remains encouraged by the momentum across the business. Alongside a continuing re-balancing of earnings in favour of the second half of the year, the group expects to deliver growth in 2015 adjusted operating profits and adjusted EPS ahead of current market expectations. 2015 adjusted operating margins are expected to increase to approximately 15%.



Operating board appointment

Steve McLaughlin has been appointed as Group Commercial Director. Steve's previous roles include Chief Commercial Officer for the Telegraph Media Group.



Andria Vidler, Chief Executive, commented:



"We are pleased to have delivered a strong performance in the second half of 2014, and are encouraged by the outlook for 2015.



"Having restructured the group, the business feels reinvigorated and positive about the year ahead. The consolidation of these changes alongside a sharper and more innovative focus on our markets will underpin further growth in both revenues and margins".



The group expects to release its results for the 18-month accounting period to 31 December 2014 on 11 March 2015.

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19 Jan Numis 84.00 Buy

19 Jan Westhouse... 77.00 Buy (Upgrades)

28 Jan N+1 Singer 85.00 Buy

Results for 18 month period

IC - Centaur recovery in full swing.

With much of the restructuring out of the way and a strong portfolio of refreshed brands, operational gearing should kick in and bring down the forward PE ratio from 12.

Interims Thurs 30 July

Interim results

18 Aug N+1 Singer 94.00 Buy