“In 2021, the Figaro group recorded its best results for more than ten years. With an operating result of 31 million euros, we exceeded the level of 2019, before the pandemic. If we remove the loss of 6 million recorded by activities still at a standstill in 2021 - travel,
cruises
and ticketing -, the group's operating profit amounts to 37 million",
rejoices Marc Feuillée, managing director of the Figaro group. .
He points out that in view of these results, Le Figaro is one of the most profitable press groups in the sector.
In 2021, it generated a positive cash flow of 50 million euros proving its financial solidity.
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Despite the persistence of difficulties in the ticketing and travel business, the Figaro group posted a turnover of 500 million euros, up 6% compared to 2020.
“After the 2020 crisis which ended with a loss of 7 million euros, the first in ten years, the group has demonstrated its ability to react very quickly and to rebound strongly in 2021. This validates the strategy pursued for several years”
, adds Marc Feuillée.
Today, the Figaro group is stronger than before the crisis.
More than 50% of its activity is carried out in digital, which brings growth and profitability
Marc Feuillée, managing director of the Figaro group
“Today, the Figaro group is stronger than before the crisis. More than 50% of its activity is carried out in digital, which brings growth and profitability. This is the result of its transformation in recent years. From now on, the group is based on an ambitious model combining strong free audiences and the development of a large portfolio of paying subscribers around Le
Figaro
.
Its website also wants to address as many people as possible and not close its access to paying subscribers only.
Last year, Le Figaro was at the top of the audiences of news sites twelve months out of twelve, according to figures published by Médiamétrie”,
specifies the general manager of the group.
A balance between free audiences and paid subscriptions
The subsidiary CCM Benchmark (which publishes free sites such as the Journal des femmes, L'Internaute or Le Journal du net and performance marketing services) posted in 2021 a turnover of 65 million euros and a gross operating income of 19 million euros.
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This balance between free audiences and paid subscriptions made it possible to take advantage of both the strong rebound in advertising revenues and the strong growth in readership revenues.
With 400,000 web and print subscribers, the Figaro group has increased its subscriber base by 60% in two years.
“We now aim to pass the 500,000 subscriber mark by the end of 2023.”
In 2021, the magazines
Madame Figaro
and
Le Figaro Magazine
posted good growth in circulation, respectively + 3.2% and + 2.1%.
Finally, the Figaro Classified activity (classified advertisements in real estate and employment) benefited from the good momentum of the real estate market.
Good start to the year
Thanks to this balanced model, the Figaro group hopes to repeat, in 2022, the performance of the past year.
“The first quarter of 2022 looks set to grow and we are ahead of our forecasts.
However, we have learned in recent years that we have to be very careful.
There are in particular elements of concern on the price of paper and energy and of course on the level of the international situation”,
tempers Marc Feuillée.
Backed by the support of our shareholder, the Dassault group, we are ready in 2022 to seize all opportunities for internal and external growth.
Marc Feuillée, managing director of the Figaro group
“Building on the support of our shareholder, the Dassault group, we are ready in 2022 to seize all opportunities for internal and external growth in order to continue growing our audiences and winning over new digital subscribers,”
continues the CEO.
The Dassault group has shown its double support by buying a real estate asset in Paris which will house the editorial staff of
Le Figaro
and its management by the end of the year and by consolidating the group's development strategy.