euro adhoc: Lycos Europe N.V. / Annual Reports / LYCOS Europe N.V. increases 2005 revenues by 21 percent and breaks even in fourth quarter with EBITDA result (E)

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22.02.2006

• Total revenues in 2005 grow by 21 percent to EUR 125.5 million and are spread
almost evenly among the three main revenue streams Paid Services & Shopping,
Internet Access and Advertising Business
• EBITDA in full year 2005 improves by 64 percent to EUR (12.3) million, net
loss decreases by 56 percent to EUR (20.2) million
• LYCOS Europe N.V. breaks even in Q4/2005 on EBITDA with EUR 0.0 million and
improves net loss by 83 percent vs. Q4/2004 to EUR (1.7) million

Haarlem / Netherlands, 22nd February 2006 - LYCOS Europe N.V., one of the
leading European portal providers and developer of web applications, today
announced its results for the financial year 2005. Mostly driven by an increase
in total revenues by 21 percent to EUR 125.5 mln (vs. EUR 103.8 mln last year)
and a successful implementation of several cost optimization measures LYCOS
Europe N.V. achieved to significantly improve its results targeting
profitability for the full year 2006. The 2005 net loss diminished by 56 percent
to EUR (20.2) mln compared with last year’s EUR (45.5) mln. The 2005 EBITDA
result improved even more by 64 percent to EUR (12.3) mln vs. EUR (34.2) mln in
2004.

The total revenues of LYCOS Europe were spread almost evenly among the three
main revenue streams Paid Services & Shopping, Internet Access (Interconnect)
and Advertising. The above average growing Paid Services & Shopping contributed
to total revenues with a share of 35 percent (EUR 43.8 mln, increase of 40.6
percent vs. 2004), followed by the Interconnect division with a current share of
32 percent (EUR 40.3 mln, increase of 38.0 percent vs. 2004) and advertising
revenues also with a share of 32 percent (EUR 40.1 mln, decrease of 2.9 percent
vs. 2004, but restated by one-term-events increased by 8.0 percent in 2005 vs.
2004). Revenues from Licensing and others contributed 1.0 percent (EUR 1.3 mln)
to total revenues. The revenue development in 2005 shows that LYCOS Europe was
able to successfully develop revenue generators apart from the advertising
market.

In the financial year 2005 costs of revenues of EUR 59.7 mln remained on an
almost constant level (2004: EUR 57.8 mln), while at the same time the revenues
rose by EUR 21.7 mln. The gross margin therefore improved by 8 percentage points
to 52 percent.

LYCOS Europe managed to achieve a balanced EBITDA result of EUR 0.0 mln in the
fourth quarter 2005, compared with EUR (5.5) mln in Q4/2004. At the same time,
net loss improved by 83 percent to EUR (1.7) mln compared with EUR (10.1) mln in
the corresponding quarter of 2004. This positive development was mostly driven
by the successful implementation of several cost optimization measures and
therefore a much enhanced cost base. The capital efficiency was raised
significantly, leading e.g. to an improvement in the ratio of accounts
receivables to total revenues by 39 percent (y-o-y). In relation to the fourth
quarter 2004, revenues amounted to EUR 32.2 mln and therewith slightly dipped by
3 percent (Q4/2004: EUR 33.3 mln). Due to pricing pressure especially in the
Swedish broadband access market coming along with a churn in narrowband
customers, LYCOS Europe’s Interconnect revenues diminished by 14 percent in the
fourth quarter 2005 (EUR 9.7 mln vs. EUR 11.2 mln in Q4/2004) whilst revenues
from Paid Services & Shopping grew by 23 percent to EUR 11.5 mln (vs. EUR 9.3
mln in last year’s reference period).

Cash, cash equivalents and other investments decreased by 14 percent from EUR
121.7 mln on 31st December 2004 to EUR 105.1 mln on 31st December 2005. The
average monthly cash reduction in 2005 amounted to EUR 1.4 mln, an improvement
of 70 percent vs. 2004 (EUR 4.5 mln per month). This positive development is
attributed to increased revenues and an enhanced cost base as well as improved
capital efficiency.

- ends -

"With the financials 2005 at hand, LYCOS Europe has proven the capability for a
turnaround coming along with increasing revenues and significantly improved
results. Being right on track with our financials and being well-positioned to
breakeven in the full year 2006, we will now focus on increasing the pace to
market new and enhanced products. LYCOS Europe now has the right set-up, the
means, the strategy and the creativity to benefit from the ongoing growth of the
Internet business. We see high potentials especially in the field of search,
communication and community", comments Christoph Mohn, CEO of LYCOS Europe N.V.

Mln.EUR (except share,margin) Full Year 05         Full Year 04          Change
Total revenues                125.5                103.8                 21%
Pro forma gross profit        65.8                 46.0                  43%
Pro forma gross margin        52%                  44%                   18%
Loss from operations          (22.7)               (50.3)                55%
Net loss                      (20.2)               (45.5)                56%
Net loss per share in Euro    (0.06)               (0.15)                56%
EBITDA                        (12.3)               (34.2)                64%
Cash, cash equiv., other inv. 105.1                 121.7                (14%)

Mln.EUR (except share,margin) 3months end. 12/31/05 3months end. 12/31/04 Change
Total revenues                32.2                  33.3                  (3%)
Pro forma gross profit        17.3                  16.5                  5%
Pro forma gross margin        54%                   50%                   8%
Loss from operations          (2.5)                 (11.3)                78%
Net loss                      (1.7)                 (10.1)                83%
Net loss per share in Euro    (0.01)                (0.03)                83%
EBITDA                         0.0                  (5.5)                 100%

Further inquiry note:
Kay Oberbeck, Director PR & IR
Tel.: +49 (0)5241 8071055
E-Mail: [email protected]

end of announcement euro adhoc 22.02.2006 07:48:47
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emitter: Lycos Europe N.V.
Richard Holkade 36
D-2033 PZ Haarlem
phone: +49 (0)5241 80 71000
FAX: +49 (0)5241 80 71450
mail: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.lycos-europe.com
ISIN: NL0000233195
indexes: Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse,
free trade: Börse Berlin-Bremen, Hamburger Wertpapierbörse,
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse, Börse Düsseldorf,
Niedersächsische Börse zu Hannover, Bayerische Börse
sector: Software
language: English

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