United Internet becomes somewhat more optimistic
After the first nine months, the United Internet Group sees the chance of slightly more profit in its day-to-day business than originally expected. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in 2023 should be slightly higher than the previous year's figure of around 1.27 billion euros, as the parent company of 1&1 and Ionos announced in Montabaur on Friday. Group CEO Ralph Dommermuth had previously expected stagnation. United Internet confirmed its targets for sales and capital expenditure, while its mobile subsidiary 1&1 also maintained its forecast.
In the first nine months of the year, United Internet was able to persuade a large number of its users to take out fee-based contracts. In total, the number of fee-based contracts rose by 730,000 to just over 28 million. Sales of the parent company in the third quarter rose by 4.7% to just under EUR 4.6 billion. United Internet also benefited from slight growth at 1&1.
Adjusted for special items such as additional costs for the Ionos IPO, United Internet's operating profit (EBITDA) rose by around one percent to almost EUR 996 million. The increase was somewhat stronger at 1&1, which reported almost EUR 585 million.
United Internet's optimistic outlook for the remaining quarter is partially due to the stronger-than-expected performance in its telecommunications sector, as seen in the quarterly figures. The group's EBITDA, which includes income from the Internet and its telecommunications services, is projected to surpass the 2022 figure, thanks to the growth in fee-based contracts.
Source: www.dpa.com
