FAQ

 

Has Bertelsmann issued bonds?

In the past, Bertelsmann has repeatedly issued bonds and comparable instruments through the capital markets or through private placements.

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What is a credit rating?

A credit rating is a classification of the creditworthiness of a borrower or a special debt instrument. The former is called an issuer rating, and the latter an issuance rating.

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What is the credit rating of Bertelsmann AG?

Since June 2002, Bertelsmann has been rated by the rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Moody's. S & P current rating is BBB+/stable/A-2 and Moody's rating is Baa1/stable/P-2 respectively.

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What are the financial goals of Bertelsmann?

Bertelsmann utilizes a financial control system employing quantitative financial targets concerning the Group`s economic debt and, to a lesser extent, its capital structure. One key financial target is a dynamic leverage factor calculated as the ratio of economic debt to operating EBITDA (after modifications) and limited to a maximum of 2.5. Economic debt is defined as net financial debt plus provisions for pensions, profit participation capital and present value of operating leases. Bertelsmann lowered the leverage factor from 3.0 to 2.5 at the end of the fiscal year 2010 due to the economic crisis and as part of a general limit deleveraging of corporates. 

These self-imposed financial goals reflect the conservative financial policy of the company and also take into account the existence of other financial obligations such as obligations from operating leasing contracts. The combined leverage factor for the fiscal year 2010 was 2.3. 

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What financial instruments does Bertelsmann use for External Financing?

Bertelsmann uses various financial instruments to diversify its financing sources. Besides the issuance of bonds and comparable instruments through the capital markets or through private placements, Bertelsmann has access to a Syndicated Credit Facility with a volume of EUR 1.2 billion which can be drawn by Bertelsmann AG when needed.

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News

Bertelsmann records significant profit hike in Q1-2012

Revenues up five percent to €3.64 billion Operating EBIT rises to €280 millionGroup profit increases to €147 million

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Bertelsmann’s Annual General Meeting resolves change of legal form to SE & Co. KGaA

Hartmut Ostrowski, Werner Bauer and Helmut Gettkant appointed to Supervisory Board

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Bertelsmann initiates long-term reshaping

Four strategic approaches: consolidation, digital transformation, growth platforms and growth regionsGroup revenues increased to €15.3 billion in 2011At €1.75 billion, Operating EBIT remains...

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Bertelsmann announces preliminary figures for 2011

Slight growth in revenues and solid operating EBIT

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Bertelsmann’s Revenues and Group Profit Up Year-on-Year After Nine Months of 2011

Revenues increase to €10.7 billionOperating EBIT stable at €1.03 billion Group profit rises to €377 millionBertelsmann, the international media group, reports increased revenues and Group profit...

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