JCDecaux Sees Strong Start To 2006

Outdoor advertising group, JCDecaux, has enjoyed a strong start to 2006, reporting an increase of 16.5% in revenues for the first three months of the year.

Revenues reached €442.2 million in the first quarter of 2006, compared to €379.7 million in the same period last year.

JCDecaux’s street furniture division increased revenues by 7.4% to €227.5 million from €211.9 million in the first quarter of 2005, with organic revenues rising by 5.4% over the period.

The advertising market strengthened in France, with growth continuing in many European countries. Market conditions in the United Kingdom proved challenging however, while revenues grew in double digits in Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.

Billboard revenues rose by 5.0% to €103.9 million from €99.0 million in the same period last year, with organic revenue growth at 4.2%.

The group’s transport division also performed well, with revenues up by 61%, reaching €110.8 million from €68.8 million in the first quarter of 2005. Organic revenues rose by a record 21.3%, with strong increases in most countries.

Commenting on the results, Jean-François Decaux, chairman of the executive board and co-chief executive officer, said: “As anticipated, our first quarter revenues showed strong organic growth, reflecting solid performances from Street Furniture and Billboard and a record increase from our Transport division.

“The strong revenue increase from Transport advertising as well as the improvement in the French advertising market should continue fuelling our organic revenue growth, which we now expect to exceed 6% for 2006.”

JCDecaux, enjoyed a good 2005 reporting a year on year increase of 7.2% in revenues, reaching €1.74 million, on the backend of stronger than expected growth in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Sound organic revenue growth in the group’s Street Furniture and Transport divisions led to overall organic revenue growth of 4% for 2005. Revenues slightly decreased in France over 2005, however, but were solid in other European countries and strong in North America and Asia-Pacific.

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