Universal Music Group N.V. Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter and Half Year Ended June 30, 2024
Rhea-AI Summary
Universal Music Group (UMG) reported its Q2 2024 and H1 2024 financial results. Q2 revenue was €2,932 million, an 8.7% increase year-over-year, driven by growth across all segments. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 10.0% to €649 million. Major revenue contributors included Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and SEVENTEEN.
H1 2024 revenue increased by 7.3% to €5,526 million. Key segments like Recorded Music grew by 4.7%, and Music Publishing by 13.4%. H1 Adjusted EBITDA rose by 11.5% to €1,240 million, with an EPS increase to €0.50 from €0.34 in H1 2023. An interim dividend of €0.24 per share was declared.
Despite these positive indicators, net debt increased to €2,612 million, and free cash flow showed a €460 million outflow. Streaming revenue showed a minor 4.2% decline in Q2, offset by gains in other categories.
Positive
- Q2 revenue increased by 8.7% to €2,932 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 rose by 10.0% to €649 million.
- H1 revenue increased by 7.3% to €5,526 million.
- H1 Adjusted EBITDA grew by 11.5% to €1,240 million.
- EPS for H1 increased to €0.50 from €0.34 in H1 2023.
- Interim dividend of €0.24 per share declared.
Negative
- Net debt increased to €2,612 million.
- Free cash flow showed a €460 million outflow.
- Streaming revenue in Q2 declined by 4.2%.
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Q2 2024 Results Highlights1
- Revenue of
€2,932 million increased8.7% year-over-year, or9.6% in constant currency, driven by growth across all segments - Recorded Music revenue grew
5.8% year-over-year, or6.8% in constant currency, while Music Publishing grew10.1% year-over-year, or10.4% in constant currency and Merchandising grew44.6% year-over-year, or43.7% in constant currency - Recorded Music subscription revenue grew
6.5% year-over-year, or6.9% in constant currency and streaming revenue decreased4.2% year-over-year, or3.9% in constant currency, while physical revenue grew9.5% year-over-year, or14.4% in constant currency and license and other revenue grew18.0% year-over-year on both a reported and constant currency basis - Adjusted EBITDA of
€649 million increased10.0% year-over-year, or11.3% in constant currency, and Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 0.2 percentage points to22.1% - Recorded Music top sellers included Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, SEVENTEEN, Morgan Wallen and Ae! group
H1 2024 Results Highlights1
- Revenue of
€5,526 million increased7.3% year-over-year, or8.8% in constant currency, driven by growth across all segments - Recorded Music revenue grew
4.7% year-over-year, or6.3% in constant currency, while Music Publishing grew13.4% year-over-year, or14.3% in constant currency and Merchandising grew29.2% year-over-year, or29.7% in constant currency - Recorded Music subscription revenue grew
8.5% year-over-year, or9.6% in constant currency and streaming revenue grew1.8% year-over-year, or2.5% in constant currency, while physical revenue declined4.2% year-over-year, but grew0.3% in constant currency and license and other revenue grew9.3% year-over-year, or10.2% in constant currency - Adjusted EBITDA of
€1,240 million increased11.5% year-over-year, or13.4% in constant currency, and Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 0.8 percentage points to22.4% - EPS of
€0.50 per share compared to€0.34 in the first half of 2023 and Adjusted EPS of€0.44 per share compared to€0.42 in the first half of 2023 - Interim dividend of
€439 million , or€0.24 per share
1 | This press release includes certain alternative performance indicators which are not defined in the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as endorsed by the EU. The descriptions of these alternative performance indicators and reconciliations of non-IFRS to IFRS measures are included in the Interim Financial Review and Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements which is available on our website at investors.universalmusic.com/reports. |
HILVERSUM,
UMG´s Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge said, "Our continued strong revenue growth this quarter demonstrates that we are, by design, a multifaceted music entertainment company that places our artists at the center of everything we do. Our unique structure, which is both innovative and constantly evolving, enables us to support our recording artists and songwriters with an ever-expanding array of revenue sources, reinforced by new products and the exciting next phase of development of streaming services."
"Our varied revenue streams, across both emerging and established businesses, allowed us to once again achieve high-single digit revenue growth and double-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth this quarter" said Boyd Muir, UMG's EVP, CFO and President of Operations. "We continue to invest into the growth we see ahead of us as we execute against our long-term strategic plan."
UMG Results
Three Months Ended June 30, | % | % | Six Months Ended June 30, | % | % | ||||
(in millions of euros) | 2024 | 2023 | YoY | const. | 2024 | 2023 | YoY | const. | |
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||||||
Revenue | 2,932 | 2,697 | 8.7 % | 9.6 % | 5,526 | 5,148 | 7.3 % | 8.8 % | |
EBITDA | 580 | 505 | 14.9 % | 17.4 % | 1,069 | 767 | 39.4 % | 43.5 % | |
EBITDA margin | 19.8 % | 18.7 % | 1.1pp | 19.3 % | 14.9 % | 4.4pp | |||
Adjusted EBITDA | 649 | 590 | 10.0 % | 11.3 % | 1,240 | 1,112 | 11.5 % | 13.4 % | |
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 22.1 % | 21.9 % | 0.2pp | 22.4 % | 21.6 % | 0.8pp | |||
Operating profit | 756 | 591 | 27.9 % | 32.4 % | |||||
Net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent | 914 | 625 | 46.2 % | 48.6 % | |||||
Adjusted net profit | 809 | 765 | 5.8 % | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities before income tax paid | 436 | 703 | (38.0 %) | ||||||
Free cash flow | (460) | (13) | |||||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | 1,825 | 1,817 | |||||||
EPS - basic | 0.50 | 0.34 | |||||||
EPS - diluted | 0.49 | 0.34 | |||||||
Adjusted EPS - basic | 0.44 | 0.42 | |||||||
Adjusted EPS - diluted | 0.44 | 0.42 | |||||||
As at | % | ||
(in millions of euros) | June 30, 2024 | December 31, | YoY |
(unaudited) | (audited) | ||
Net Debt | (2,612) | (1,689) | 54.6 % |
Note: % YoY indicates % change year-over-year; % const. indicates % change year-over-year adjusted for constant currency. Constant currency is calculated by taking current year results and comparing against prior year results restated at current year rates. |
Q2 2024 Results
Revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was
EBITDA for the quarter improved
H1 2024 Results
In the half year ended June 30, 2024 ("H1 2024"), UMG's revenue increased to
Cost of revenues, consisting of artist and product costs, increased by
EBITDA of
Operating profit improved
Net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent in H1 2024 amounted to
Net cash provided by operating activities before income tax paid decreased
Cash paid for catalogue acquisitions was
In line with UMG's dividend policy to pay a dividend of at least
Net debt at the end of H1 2024 was
Recorded Music
Three Months Ended June 30, | % | % | Six Months Ended June 30, | % | % | ||||
(in millions of euros) | 2024 | 2023 | YoY | const. | 2024 | 2023 | YoY | const. | |
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||||||
Subscriptions and streaming | 1,480 | 1,426 | 3.8 % | 4.1 % | 2,945 | 2,755 | 6.9 % | 7.9 % | |
of which streaming | 343 | 358 | (4.2 %) | (3.9 %) | 685 | 673 | 1.8 % | 2.5 % | |
of which subscription | 1,137 | 1,068 | 6.5 % | 6.9 % | 2,260 | 2,082 | 8.5 % | 9.6 % | |
Downloads and other digital | 48 | 61 | (21.3 %) | (18.6 %) | 94 | 116 | (19.0 %) | (16.8 %) | |
Physical | 357 | 326 | 9.5 % | 14.4 % | 612 | 639 | (4.2 %) | 0.3 % | |
License and other | 315 | 267 | 18.0 % | 18.0 % | 539 | 493 | 9.3 % | 10.2 % | |
Recorded Music revenues | 2,200 | 2,080 | 5.8 % | 6.8 % | 4,190 | 4,003 | 4.7 % | 6.3 % | |
EBITDA | 959 | 698 | 37.4 % | 41.4 % | |||||
EBITDA margin | 22.9 % | 17.4 % | 5.5pp | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,065 | 969 | 9.9 % | 11.9 % | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 25.4 % | 24.2 % | 1.2pp | ||||||
Note: % YoY indicates % change year-over-year; % const. indicates % change year-over-year adjusted for constant currency. |
Q2 2024
Recorded Music revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was
H1 2024
Recorded Music revenue in H1 2024 was
Subscription revenue grew
Recorded Music EBITDA of
Music Publishing
Three Months Ended June 30, | % | % | Six Months Ended June 30, | % | % | ||||
(in millions of euros) | 2024 | 2023 | YoY | const. | 2024 | 2023 | YoY | const. | |
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||||||
Performance | 100 | 97 | 3.1 % | 4.2 % | 214 | 187 | 14.4 % | 15.7 % | |
Synchronisation | 61 | 60 | 1.7 % | 1.7 % | 124 | 129 | (3.9 %) | (3.1 %) | |
Digital | 311 | 264 | 17.8 % | 17.4 % | 595 | 495 | 20.2 % | 20.7 % | |
Mechanical | 26 | 29 | (10.3 %) | (10.3 %) | 51 | 52 | (1.9 %) | (1.9 %) | |
Other | 13 | 14 | (7.1 %) | 0.0 % | 24 | 26 | (7.7 %) | 0.0 % | |
Music Publishing revenues | 511 | 464 | 10.1 % | 10.4 % | 1,008 | 889 | 13.4 % | 14.3 % | |
EBITDA | 229 | 186 | 23.1 % | 23.8 % | |||||
EBITDA margin | 22.7 % | 20.9 % | 1.8pp | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 241 | 216 | 11.6 % | 12.1 % | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 23.9 % | 24.3 % | (0.4pp) | ||||||
Note: % YoY indicates % change year-over-year; % const. indicates % change year-over-year adjusted for constant currency. |
Q2 2024
Music Publishing revenue in the second quarter of 2024 was
H1 2024
Music Publishing revenue amounted to
Music Publishing EBITDA of
Merchandising and Other
Three Months Ended June 30, | % | % | Six Months Ended June 30, | % | % | ||||
(in millions of euros) | 2024 | 2023 | YoY | const. | 2024 | 2023 | YoY | const. | |
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||||||
Merchandising and other revenues | 227 | 157 | 44.6 % | 43.7 % | 341 | 264 | 29.2 % | 29.7 % | |
EBITDA | 18 | 17 | 5.9 % | 5.9 % | |||||
EBITDA margin | 5.3 % | 6.4 % | (1.1pp) | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 18 | 20 | (10.0 %) | (10.0 %) | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 5.3 % | 7.6 % | (2.3pp) | ||||||
Note: % YoY indicates % change year-over-year; % const. indicates % change year-over-year adjusted for constant currency. |
Q2 2024
Merchandising and Other revenue in the second quarter of 2024 was
H1 2024
Merchandising and Other revenue grew to
Merchandising and Other EBITDA of
Conference Call Details
The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results on July 24, 2024 at 6:15PM CEST. A link to the live audio webcast will be available on investors.universalmusic.com and a link to the replay will be available after the call.
While listeners may use the webcast, a dial-in telephone number is required for investors and analysts to ask questions. Investors and analysts interested in asking questions can pre-register for a dial-in line at investors.universalmusic.com under the "Financial Reports" tab.
Cautionary Notice
This press release is published by Universal Music Group N.V. and contains inside information within the meaning of article 7 (1) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation).
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements with respect to UMG's financial condition, results of operations, business, strategy and plans. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as 'profit forecast', 'expect', 'estimate', 'project', 'anticipate', 'should', 'intend', 'plan', 'probability', 'risk', 'target', 'goal', 'objective', 'will', 'endeavour', 'optimistic', 'prospects' and similar expressions or variations on such expressions. Although UMG believes that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are related to factors that are outside UMG's control, including, but not limited to, UMG's inability to compete successfully and to identify, attract, sign and retain successful recording artists and songwriters, failure of streaming and subscription adoption or revenue to grow or to grow less rapidly than anticipated, UMG's reliance on digital service providers, UMG's inability to execute its business strategy, the global nature of UMG's operations, UMG's inability to protect its intellectual property and against piracy, UMG's inability to attract and retain key personnel, changes in laws and regulations and the other risks that are described in our 2023 Annual Report. Accordingly, UMG cautions readers against placing undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. UMG disclaims any intention or obligation to provide, update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Alternative Performance Indicators
This press release includes certain alternative performance indicators which are not defined in IFRS issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as endorsed by the EU. The descriptions of these alternative performance indicators and reconciliations of non-IFRS to IFRS measures are included in the Interim Financial Review and Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements which is available on our website at investors.universalmusic.com/reports.
About Universal Music Group
At Universal Music Group (EURONEXT: UMG), we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information on Universal Music Group N.V. visit www.universalmusic.com.
Contacts
Media
James Murtagh-Hopkins - communicationsnl@umusic.com
Investors
Erika Begun - investorrelations@umusic.com
Upcoming Calendar
Capital Markets Day
September 17, 2024 (additional details available at investors.universalmusic.com)
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SOURCE Universal Music Group N.V.