Aristocrat hails digital growth as key financials rise

Aristocrat Leisure has cited the performance of its digital segment as one of the main reasons behind financial growth in the 12 months to September 30.

Revenue for the full year amounted to A$2.45bn (€1.56bn/US$1.89bn), which represents a jump of 15.3% on the A$2.13bn generated in the previous year.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also hiked 24.2% year-on-year to A$1bn, with an increased margin of 40.8%.

Meanwhile, net profit after tax climbed 41.3% to A$495.1m, while net profit after tax and before amortisation of acquired intangibles jumped 36% to A$543m.

Aristocrat was also able to cut net debt cash by 35.1% to A$652.3m, while total dividend per share at year-end stood at 34 cents, up 36% on 25 cents at the end of the previous 12 months.

Trevor Croker, chief executive and managing director of Aristocrat, said: “Aristocrat delivered high quality results over the 2017 fiscal year, against a backdrop of mostly flat markets and increasing competitive pressure.

“Industry leading content, hardware and technology, coupled with effective execution focused on our highest value opportunities once again underpinned our performance.

“Further growth in our core recurring revenue segments of gaming operations and digital social casino was particularly pleasing, with 52% of group revenues deriving from recurring sources during the year as well as growth in outright sales over the period.

“This represents further progress in ensuring Aristocrat delivers sustainable returns and cashflow over time, consistent with our strategy and shareholders’ interests.”

The results come as Aristocrat this week also entered into a binding agreement to acquire social gaming company Big Fish Games for $990m.

Subject to customary completion adjustments, the all-cash deal will see Big Fish operate as a standalone business alongside Aristocrat’s Product Madness and Plarium, the latter of which it recently acquired in a deal worth $500m.

Aristocrat expects the latest transaction to go through in the first quarter of next year.

Related article: Aristocrat to acquire Big Fish Games for $990m