Excluding Maroc Telecom consolidated for the first time this quarter, revenue growth was 8% and EBITDA growth was 35%. For the first half of 2001, the company generated strong EBITDA growth of 77% to 2.2 billion euros versus pro forma results for the first half of the prior year (62% excluding Maroc Telecom). Revenues for the same period were 12.4 billion euros, reflecting a 15% increase over the pro forma first half 2000, excluding Universal Studios Group Filmed Entertainment, and 11%(1) overall excluding Maroc Telecom.
The results produced by Vivendi Universal in the second quarter are well ahead of market consensus, said Jean-Marie Messier, chairman and CEO of Vivendi Universal to the press. They confirm the robustness of our businesses, with limited exposure to advertising; the benefits of a truly global position; and the fast progress of the reorganization and implementation of our recent merger.
With three quarters of the ‘aggressive’ incremental EBITDA target for the full year 2001 already achieved in the first half of the year, I can only re-emphasize our confidence. We will at least meet our stated targets.
