Roularta Media Group Market review and peer benchmarking Bloomberg: ROU:BB 14 July 2020 Reuters: RLRT.BR

Key quarterly insights: 2Q20 Some light at the end of the tunnel while lockdown measures are easing The Covid-19 outbreak and its lockdown measures from mid-March to May confronted Roularta with two trends: a positive impact on subscriber revenues, but a more severe negative one on advertising revenue, external printing and events related to magazine brands. After cutting the previously proposed dividend (EUR 0.50/share) to nil on 1 April, the Board decided to hand in part of the Directors’ fees and Roularta’s management will waive its bonus for FY20. However, there are some signs of light ahead as Roularta restarted printing and distributing their free media titles in May, after a five weeks pause of iconic publications such as: De Zondag Roularta P/E vs European peers and De Streekkrant (17% of FY19 sales). 30 In search for higher yields On 2 June, Belfius, a Belgian state-owned bank, acquired a minority stake of 30% in Immovlan, Belgium’s #2 residential real estate 20 web site, which until then was a 50/50 JV between Roularta and , another leading Belgian media company. Although the price tag was not disclosed, we expect a decent cash-in for Roularta from this transaction, which could also help to crystalise the value of its remaining 35% stake in Immovlan. The proceeds of the transaction should bring Roularta’s net cash position to exceed EUR 100m, 10 providing for a decent leeway to invest in value-accretive M&A opportunities, chasing higher returns than those offered by banks for cash holdings. In line with this strategy, Roularta announced a binding offer on 2 Belgian French-speaking television magazines: Moustique and Télé Pocket, appearing weekly with 50k and 20k copies respectively. This logic of this bid is probably linked to filling 0 the capacity of its printing press as well as exploiting synergies such as content, subscription model and digital roll-out towards these Jan-03 Jan-06 Jan-09 Jan-12 Jan-15 Jan-18 two brands. Roularta Print Media & Others Valuation assessment €m 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020e 2021e 2022e The market currently values Roularta at an enterprise value (EV) of a mere EUR 12m, which includes a market cap of EUR 163m, the Sales 278.6 258.3 278.4 298.0 245.5 285.7 283.1 value of restated minorities of EUR 6m, EUR 96m of net cash expected in 2020e as well as the estimated value of EUR 60m for its EBIT 6.7 -13.0 -63.7 7.5 -0.1 7.6 12.0 50% stakes in Mediafin and Bayard (down from EUR 74m previously estimated). Our fair equity value estimate is at EUR 16/share Net profit 21.5 -10.9 79.9 10.9 2.4 10.6 16.0 (from EUR 15). We value the core Print Media activity at an EV of €59m (7.8x EV/EBIT ‘21e). We believe this business has more EPS (€) 1.65 -0.84 6.14 0.83 0.19 0.81 1.22 potential value, given, among others, Roularta’s leading market positions in free newspapers and in (news, business and women) DPS (€) 0.50 0.00 5.50 0.50 0.00 0.55 0.55 magazines as well as it state-of-the-art printing facilities. P/E (x) 14.7 na 3.2 16.3 66.0 15.3 10.1 Yield (%) 2.1 0.0 28.0 3.7 0.0 4.4 4.4 Adj. EV/EBIT (x) 32.7 na na 3.1 na na na Arnaud W. Goossens Dennis Dendas Source: Merodis Equity Research, Factset [email protected] [email protected] Pricing date: 30/6/2020 Please refer to important disclosures at the end of this report Monthly market review dashboard

Goals of this Dashboard  Follow-up to our coverage of Roularta which was launched in October 2015  Tool to keep investors up to date with Roularta’s equity story as well as its valuation in a sector context  Update investors on recent company and sector news flow

Corporate calendar of Roularta’s upcoming announcements and events  Friday, 14 August 2020: 1H20 results (8.15AM CET; Analyst meeting at 1PM) Access our recent research reports on Roularta:  “4Q19 market review” (quarterly dashboard), 8 January 2020  “1Q20 market review” (quarterly dashboard), 8 April 2020

2 Company profile A domestic leader in high-quality print media

Company description Combined sales breakdown (2019) Shareholders

Roularta is Belgium's leading media company offering Line TV & Free float (1) local weekly free newspapers in Flanders (Deze Week, De extensions Radio ad 15% Zondag, Steps), 9% 2% Treasury Internet shares (2) nationwide weekly news, business and women magazines 7% 5% Print ad (Knack, Le Vif L'Express, Trends, Trends Tendance, Bestinver 33% 8% Libelle/Femme d’Aujourd’hui and Flair and Feeling/Gael), 3rd-party (3) internet platforms (Storesquare, Digilocal, Proxistore, own printing Family & related 14% Readershi content websites) and 72% (4) a 50% JV stake in Mediafin, Belgium's leading daily business p 35% newspapers ( and L’Echo). Combined group sales are almost entirely generated in Belgium through (1) Print Media Advertising (33%), (2) Readers Market (subscriptions and newsstand sales) (35%), (3) Third-Party Segment sales (2019) BU sales (2019) Printing (14%), (4) Internet advertising and related (7%), (5) Newspape Audiovisua other sources of revenues (inc. Line Extensions) (8%) and (6) TV Printing r l and Radio advertising revenues (2%). Roularta's consolidated 13% 4% 2% accounts include the full contribution of its Print Media activity Third- (advertising and readers market ex-Bayard, internet activity, line party print 14% extensions and third-party printing). The 50% stakes in Mediafin Magazines and Bayard are equity-accounted. The company acquired the Local 58% women magazines in an asset deal with Sanoma (June 2018), Media media with sales in the region of €70m for a consideration of €25m. The Brands 22% company restated its business segmentation to include two 87% activities: Media Brands (87% of group sales in 2019) and Printing Services (13%).

Source: Merodis, Factset

3 Share price performance Under pressure since 1Q17, with transformational deals and strong 2H18, 1H19 & 2H19 to the rescue

Roularta 3-year share price performance vs peers (rebased) Roularta 10-year share price performance vs peers (rebased)

30 30

25 25

20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0 Jul-17 Jan-18 Jul-18 Jan-19 Jul-19 Jan-20 Jul-10 Jul-12 Jul-14 Jul-16 Jul-18 Roularta Print media & others Roularta Print media & others

Source: Merodis, Factset

4 Analyst Recommendations, Earnings Expectations Consensus stabilizes after downgrading due to Covid-19

Consensus view EPS Worms (€/share) Consensus EPS 2017-19 (€/share) 2009 2.0 2020 consensus EPS estimates for Roularta have been stable (0% q- 6.0 2010 o-q) following a 39%-downwards revision since December, 2019. We 5.0 2011 2019 1.5 expect top-line to be severely hit, particularly in 1H20, with an 18% 4.0 2012 2020 drop in sales which we expect for FY20e. Costs should come down 3.0 2013 too as the company makes good use of government unemployment 2.0 2014 1.0 2021 2015 subsidies, but we expect a sharp EPS impact (down 77% in 2020e). 1.0 2016 Consensus currently expects 2021e earnings of €0.66 (stable 0% q-o- 0.0 2017 0.5 q) per share vs. our forecast of €0.81. Our 2022e EPS forecast, which -1.0 2018 we expect at €1.22, shows a strong EPS growth y-o-y (51%), -2.0 2019 2020 0.0 reflecting improving EBITDA margins to 8.8% from 7.1% in 2021e. Dec-03 Dec-07 Dec-11 Dec-15 Dec-19 2021 Jun-17 Jun-18 Jun-19 Jun-20 Roularta’s share price was down 3.9% in 2Q20, faring worse than the broader market (+12.6% for the Euro Stoxx 600), and lagging behind Belgian SMCs (+8.2%) and Print Media peers (+2.7% q-o-q). The Analyst recommendations vs. peer average Merodis Equity Research estimates (MERe) vs. consensus (%) share’s 12 months low was €11.75 (intraday on 7 August 2019), while its high during the year was €17.20 (29 January 2020). Sell Only one broker covers the stock according to Factset, KBC Securities MER vs Cns (%) 2020e 2021e 2022e (Hold recommendation with €16 target price). Kepler Chevreux, Sales -9.8 1.2 0.0 which initiated coverage in September 2018, is no longer listed on EBITDA -17.8 1.5 -0.6 Factset as actively covering the stock and Degroof Petercam does not appear to have published anything recently according to Factset. EBIT -77.3 -5.1 -0.2 EPS -56.5 23.2 0.4 Buy DPS -100.0 0.0 0.0 Jan-03Jan-05Jan-07Jan-09Jan-11Jan-13Jan-15Jan-17Jan-19 Net cash 8.3 0.1 0.0 Roularta Sector average

Source: Merodis, Factset

5 Sector benchmarking and valuation analysis Benchmarking Print Media peers and listed Printing companies

Sector financial benchmarking

Freefloat Liquidity Depr/ Capex/ ND/EBITDA EBITDA margin (%) EBIT margin (%) Net margin (%) ROE (%) 2020-22e CAGR (%) Company (%) 2020 (daily,€m) EBITDA Sales 2020e 2021e 2022e 2020e 2021e 2022e 2020e 2021e 2022e 2020e 2021e 2022e 2020e 2021e 2022e EPS EBITDA Sales Impresa 41 0.05 2% 6.4 13.7 10.2 5.1 6.7 Solocal 90 1.98 12% 7% 4.6 5.7 4.2 29.4 24.4 29.5 23.6 18.4 23.6 7.8 -2.2 2.6 -19.1 3.2 3.0 Gruppo Editoriale 33 0.45 36% 2% 0.5 0.0 7.1 7.2 1.2 0.5 Mondadori 46 0.57 33% 1% 0.1 0.0 0.1 10.5 10.6 11.9 5.5 7.0 8.4 2.5 3.3 4.1 11.0 12.9 15.0 RCS 15 0.43 27% 2% 3.1 1.9 1.5 10.8 13.0 12.9 4.8 7.3 8.0 2.7 4.7 5.4 7.9 13.0 11.4 Vocento 55 0.06 48% 2% 3.3 2.1 1.6 6.2 9.3 11.5 1.1 4.6 6.8 -1.6 1.0 2.7 144.9 41.4 3.7 Sanoma 38 1.40 -383% 3% 1.5 1.1 1.0 27.3 29.0 29.5 11.4 13.4 14.0 7.5 9.1 9.7 13.6 8.4 4.2 Connect 94 0.12 55% 1% 1.8 1.4 0.9 2.4 2.8 3.1 1.8 2.2 2.3 1.2 1.5 1.6 39.9 92.3 15.9 9.8 -3.0

PRINT MEDIA PRINT Wilmington 88 0.16 32% 2% 2.7 1.4 13.3 17.8 10.7 15.2 5.8 9.2 Axel Springer 4 0.71 30% 6% PRINT MEDIA AVERAGE 50 0.59 -12% 3% 2.7 1.7 1.5 13.4 14.3 16.4 8.7 9.7 10.5 3.6 3.4 4.3 8.6 21.9 39.6 38.8 15.7 2.0 PRINT MEDIA MEDIAN 43 0.44 32% 2% 2.7 1.4 1.2 10.8 11.8 12.4 7.9 7.3 8.2 2.7 2.4 3.4 7.9 13.0 15.0 14.8 9.1 3.3 Roularta (consolidated) 15 0.03 101% 3% -7.9 -5.7 -5.1 5.0 7.1 8.8 0.0 2.7 4.2 1.0 3.7 5.6 1.1 4.7 6.8 155.3 42.5 7.4 % prem./(disc.) vs median -65 -92.3 217.9 35.1 -394.3 -511.4 -515.0 -53.9 -40.1 -29.0 -100.4 -63.8 -48.6 -63.2 52.8 67.9 -86.5 -64.1 -54.5 951.9 366.1 122.1 Source: Merodis, Factset Sector valuation

Price MCap P/E EV/Sales EV/EBITDA EV/EBIT P/B DYield Company Country (local) (local m) 2020e 2021e 2022e 2020e 2021e 2022e 2020e 2021e 2022e 2020e 2021e 2022e 2020e 2021e 2022e 2020e 2021e 2022e Impresa 0.14 23 2.5 1.0 7.3 9.8 0.2 0.0 Solocal 0.16 94 4.1 6.3 1.6 1.6 1.4 5.3 6.6 4.9 6.7 8.8 6.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Gruppo Editoriale ITALY 0.46 225 46.0 46.0 0.4 0.4 6.1 5.8 0.0 0.6 Mondadori ITALY 0.96 248 11.9 9.4 7.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 3.3 3.0 2.8 6.2 4.5 3.9 1.3 1.2 1.0 0.7 4.8 5.8 RCS ITALY 0.62 319 14.0 7.7 7.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 6.8 4.8 4.4 15.3 8.5 7.1 1.1 0.9 0.8 2.4 4.9 4.9 Vocento SPAIN 0.74 89 55.2 11.6 9.2 0.5 0.4 0.4 7.6 4.8 3.8 41.0 9.6 6.3 1.4 1.8 5.4 Sanoma FINLAND 9.01 1,470 16.1 13.2 12.5 1.8 1.6 1.6 6.6 5.6 5.3 15.7 12.1 11.3 2.5 5.6 6.1 6.3 Connect UNITED KINGDOM 0.17 43 2.5 2.1 1.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 3.0 2.5 1.9 4.0 3.2 2.7 0.7 1.1 4.3 5.8 5.8 6.1

PRINT MEDIA PRINT Wilmington UNITED KINGDOM 1.24 108 18.8 11.0 1.4 1.2 10.2 6.6 12.8 7.7 0.0 4.7 Axel Springer 63.00 6,797 PRINT MEDIA AVERAGE 19.0 14.4 7.5 0.9 0.8 0.7 6.3 4.9 3.8 13.9 7.8 6.2 0.8 1.1 2.2 1.8 3.6 4.7 PRINT MEDIA MEDIAN 14.0 11.0 7.5 0.7 0.5 0.5 6.6 5.2 4.1 11.3 8.5 6.2 0.9 1.1 1.8 0.7 4.7 5.6 Roularta (consolidated) BELGIUM 12.40 163 66.0 15.3 10.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1 1.0 -0.3 -0.8 -141.1 -0.8 -1.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.0 4.4 4.4 % prem./(disc.) vs median 370.9 38.9 34.9 -93.3 -103.9 -114.0 -85.1 -105.6 -119.5 -1,351.7 -109.1 -126.6 -17.3 -34.5 -61.8 -100.0 -6.6 -20.9 Source: Merodis, Factset 6 P/E valuation relative to the sector A recent normalisation driven by regained profitability momentum

Valuation P/E ratio of Roularta vs. Print Media EV/EBITDA ratio of Roularta vs. Print Media 30 30 On consensus EPS estimates, Roularta shares trade at a P/E 12M forward of 23.4x, a hefty premium versus Print Media peers in Europe (currently at a median of 8.6x; the premium was 348% in 20 20 March 2020). Importantly, the volatility is due to profitability at Roularta which is still expected to be negatively impacted by weak 10 10 market conditions in the ad space for Roularta’s core activity. As a reminder, Roularta disposed of its stake in Medialaan in 2018, which means Roularta is now a Print Media pure play compared to 0 0 the past when TV broadcasting (through Medialaan) was the main Jan-03 Jan-06 Jan-09 Jan-12 Jan-15 Jan-18 Jan-03 Jan-06 Jan-09 Jan-12 Jan-15 Jan-18 profit contributor and the key value driver of the stock (in 2016, 73% Roularta Print Media & Others Roularta Printed Media peers of Roularta’s EBIT and 80% of its EPS was generated by Medialaan). The rerating compared to the Print Media sector is driven entirely by the share price performance since October 2017 as well as the sharp P/E Premium/(Discount) of Roularta vs. Print Media EV/EBITDA Premium/(Discount) of Roularta vs. Print Media cut in Roularta’s earnings estimates due to launching costs in digital initiatives such as Storesquare (discontinued as from 2019). 100% 200% The Print Media sector is valued at 8.6x P/E 12M forward (from 5.9x 150% in March 2020, ie. a 46% rise due to easing of lockdown measures 50% and reversion of the broader market) and at 5.1x EV/EBITDA 12M 100% forward (vs. 4.0x previously), which compares to a LT average of 0% 50% 12.5x and 7.0x respectively. The historical valuation range for the 0% sector is 5.9x-19.4x (P/E) and 3.9x-10.9x (EV/EBITDA), which suggest -50% that the sector remains at the low-end of its historical range, -50% particularly with regards to EV/EBITDA. -100% -100% Jan-03 Jan-06 Jan-09 Jan-12 Jan-15 Jan-18 Jan-03 Jan-06 Jan-09 Jan-12 Jan-15 Jan-18

Source: Merodis, Factset

7 Fair value estimate Reflecting the Medialaan disposal, the Mediafin acquisition, and, since July 2018, the Sanoma acquisition

Roularta updated sum-of-the-parts

Ownership Adjusted Discount EV/EBIT Net debt Equity Value Value w/o (EURm) (%) EBIT 21e to peers multiple 21e 19e Value value/sh. split discount

Print media 100% 7.6 0.0 7.8 59.0 11.8 74% 59.0 Group enterprise value 59.0 59.0 - Net Financial Debt/(cash) (19) 95.9 95.9 - Other liabilities (19) -5.6 -5.6 + NPV tax asset (balance sheet) 5.5 5.5 + Equity value of Mediafin stake 50% 43.5 3.3 21% 43.5 + Equity value of Bayard stake 50% 2.1 0.0 7.8 -6.1 11.3 0.9 5% 11.3 = Estimated market value of equity 209.6 209.6 Total share outstanding (m) 13.1 13.1 Equity value per share 16.0 16.0

Source: Merodis, Factset

8 Valuation indicators

Print Media valuation correlation with expected EPS growth Print Media sector valuation correlation with EBIT margins

18 1.8 y = 0.1025x - 0.1772 PEG PEG PEG R² = 0.8943 1.6 Sanoma Solocal 16 1.0x 0.2x 0.1x Roularta 14 1.4 Sanoma 1.2 Wilmington 12 Vocento 1.0 10 0.8 8 RCS

0.6 Vocento P/E 21eP/E

6 20e EV/Sales 0.4 Mondadori 4 0.2 Connect 2 Connect 0.0 Roularta 0 -0.2 0 50 100 150 200 0 5 10 15 20 EPS CAGR 2020-22e EBIT margin (%) 21e

Source: Merodis, Factset

9 Sales growth expectations Impacted by cyclical and structural effects

Expected Sales Growth 2020 expected sales growth (%) 2021 expected sales growth (%) 5% 8% At the end of June, consensus expectations for 2020 Print Media ROU-BRU ROU-BRU 6% sales stood at -10.4% (vs. -3.1% in March 2020), reflecting the Covid- 0% 19 impact. As a reminder, we expect sales to fall by 18% in FY20e IPR-LIS 4% IPR-LIS with a more severe impact in 1H20e without any free media ad sales -5% IPDC-DUB 2% IPDC-DUB since mid March and even magazine ad revenues down by 50% since 0% the beginning of the lockdown in Belgium on 18 March. The -10% GEDI-IT GEDI-IT acquisition of 100% of Plus Magazine, a magazine for senior citizens -2% -15% MN-MIL MN-MIL with sales of EUR 6.6m (in 2019), should have a slight positive impact -4% on top-line growth for 2020e. -20% VOC-MCE -6% VOC-MCE Consensus sales expectations for Roularta in 2021 increased Mar-15 May-16 Jul-17 Sep-18 Nov-19 Mar-15 May-16 Jul-17 Sep-18 Nov-19 significantly to 7.0% (vs. MERe +16% with a Covid-19 catch-up effect). Sector sales, are expected to increase slightly by 0.2% in 2021 (from -1.4% previously). 2020 expected sales growth, Roularta vs. peers 2021 expected sales growth, Roularta vs. peers In addition to the Covid-19 crisis which is likely to affect many sectors around the world, the media sector is suffering from the 5% 8% structural impact of online media gaining market share over 6% 0% traditional Printed Media and TV in terms of advertising revenues. 4% This is driven by changes in viewership, which is moving from the traditional media to online. -5% 2% 0% -10% -2% -15% -4% Mar-15 Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 Mar-15 Jan-16 Nov-16 Sep-17 Jul-18 May-19 Mar-20 ROU-BRU Peer avg. ROU-BRU Peer avg.

Source: Merodis, Factset

10 EBITDA growth and margin expectations Advertising revenue pressure keeps hurting margins

EBITDA expectations 2020 expected EBITDA growth (%) 2021 expected EBITDA growth (%) 150% 60% At the end of June, expected consensus EBITDA decline for 2020e at ROU-BRU ROU-BRU 50% Roularta lies at -25% (significantly declined vs. previously expected - 100% 11%, March 2020), compared to the peer average of +12% (from IPR-LIS 40% IPR-LIS +17% previously expected). Margin expectations remain below the 50% IPDC-DUB 30% IPDC-DUB peer average for 2020 and 2021, albeit with a slightly improving 20% trend. 0% GEDI-IT GEDI-IT Note that consensus changes to EBIT or EBITDA at Roularta are not 10% -50% MN-MIL MN-MIL interpretable in a straightforward manner. In Roularta’s case, its 0% reported EBITDA margin (as reflected by Factset consensus) is -100% VOC-MCE -10% VOC-MCE positively influenced by the IFRS 11 treatment of its 50% stake in Mar-15 May-16 Jul-17 Sep-18 Nov-19 Mar-15 May-16 Jul-17 Sep-18 Nov-19 Bayard and Mediafin (from March 2018), whereby 50% of Bayard’s net profit is accounted for in Roularta’s EBITDA and EBIT, but where its sales are not accounted for in its top-line. Merodis estimates 2020 expected EBITDA margin, Roularta vs. peers 2021 expected EBITDA margin, Roularta vs. peers exclude equity accounted results from the EBITDA and EBIT lines, but other analysts may treat these figures differently, or they may have 15% 15% recently changed their view on them.

The transactions impact IFRS EBITDA and EBIT as the Mediafin net 10% 10% contribution is added as from March 2018. Sanoma’s contribution is included in the consolidation scope from July 2018, as reflected in our forecasts. 5% 5%

0% 0% Mar-15 Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 Mar-15 Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 ROU-BRU Peer avg. ROU-BRU Peer avg.

Source: Merodis, Factset

11 Consensus payout expectations Stable dividend outlook backed by a strong balance sheet

Dividend payout 2020 expected Payout, Sector 2021 expected Payout, Sector 80 100 Roularta announced on 6 March 2020 that an ordinary dividend of 70 ROU-BRU ROU-BRU €0.5/share would be paid out on 2019 earnings, in line with our 80 forecast. The amount is in line with the historical average dividend of 60 IPR-LIS IPR-LIS €0.55/share in years when a dividend was paid (13 years over the 50 60 IPDC-DUB IPDC-DUB past 19 since the IPO). On 23 March, Roularta announced, however, 40 like many Belgian SMEs, that the Board would, in fact, propose to 30 GEDI-IT 40 GEDI-IT scrap the dividend due to the Covid-19 crisis and the pursuing lack of 20 visibility from the pandemic. MN-MIL 20 MN-MIL 10 Roularta’s targeted pay-out ratio is 30%, which is in line with its 0 VOC-MCE 0 VOC-MCE average payout ratio prior to the acquisition in France of c32% Mar-15 May-16 Jul-17 Sep-18 Nov-19 Mar-15 May-16 Jul-17 Sep-18 Nov-19 (2002-2006) and broadly in line with the Sector average. Consensus expects Roularta to pay out a dividend of €0.83/share in 2021e (vs. €0.55/share MERe), which leads to an expected payout of 2020 expected payout, Roularta vs. Peers 2021 expected payout, Roularta vs. Peers 126%, which is a bit excessive in our view. 80 100 The Mediafin acquisition and the Medialaan disposal are likely to have a negative impact on Roularta’s (ordinary) dividend payment 60 80 profile given the lower cash-generation potential of Mediafin vs. Medialaan. We believe, however, that a €0.55/share dividend in the 60 40 next years is sustainable given Roularta’s €96m net cash position. 40 20 20

0 0 Mar-15 Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 Mar-15 Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 ROU-BRU Peer avg. ROU-BRU Peer avg.

Source: Merodis, Factset

12 Leverage expectations No longer an issue post the Medialaan disposal

Net-debt-to-EBITDA 2020 NFD/EBITDA, sector 2021 NFD/EBITDA, sector 10 8 The level of expected financial leverage in the Media Sector was high ROU-BRU 6 ROU-BRU in 2011 and 2012 and again in 2014 (where it exceeded 2.2x Net debt over EBITDA), but trended down since then, before moving 5 IPR-LIS 4 IPR-LIS back up with, on average, a ratio of 2x. Roularta’s ratio has exceeded 2 IPDC-DUB IPDC-DUB 2x only during 2014 but has reached a net cash position of €96m at 0 0 the end of 2019, following the transactions (Medialaan disposal and GEDI-IT -2 GEDI-IT the acquisitions of Mediafin and Sanoma women magazine titles) as -5 -4 well as the special €5/share dividend payout to shareholders in MN-MIL MN-MIL -6 2018. -10 VOC-MCE -8 VOC-MCE As a reminder, Roularta has paid back its €100m bond in 2018 and Mar-15 May-16 Jul-17 Sep-18 Nov-19 Mar-15 May-16 Jul-17 Sep-18 Nov-19 benefited from the first full-year impact in 2019. The company has a covenant threshold of 3.5x net debt over EBITDA based on annual EBITDA including the company’s share of Mediafin’s and Bayard’s 2020 NFD/EBITDA, Roularta vs. Peers 2021 NFD/EBITDA, Roularta vs. Peers net profit. Going forward, this has become a non-issue given Roularta’s 5 4 reported net cash position compared to a reported net debt position 2 of €96m at the end of 2019. 0 0 -2 -5 -4 -6 -10 -8 Mar-15 Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 Mar-15 Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 ROU-BRU Peer avg. ROU-BRU Peer avg.

Source: Merodis, Factset

13 Historical P&L, CF and Balance Sheet Performance

Historical Sales Growth, Roularta vs. Peers Historical EBITDA Margin, Roularta vs. Peers Historical EBIT Margin, Roularta vs. Peers

40% 30% 20%

30% 20% 10% 20% 10% 0% 10% 0% -10% 0% -10% -10% -20% -20% -20% -30% -30% 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 ROU-BRU Avg ROU-BRU Avg ROU-BRU Avg

Historical Capex (% sales), Roularta vs. Peers Historical FCF/Sales, Roularta vs. Peers Historical NWC/Sales, Roularta vs. Peers

10% 20% 15%

8% 15% 10%

6% 10% 5%

4% 5% 0%

2% 0% -5%

0% -5% -10% 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 ROU-BRU Avg ROU-BRU Avg ROU-BRU Avg

Source: Merodis, Factset

14 Share liquidity Well-below peers

Annualised share turnover, as a % of MCap Premium/Discount vs. Sector

20% 70

60 0%

50 -20% 40 -40% 30 -60% 20

10 -80%

0 -100% Jan-03 Jan-06 Jan-09 Jan-12 Jan-15 Jan-18 Jan-03 Jan-07 Jan-11 Jan-15 Jan-19 ROU-BRU Sector median % prem./(disc.)

Source: Merodis, Factset

15

Financial tear sheet

na

na

na

na

na

na

na

na

2.5

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

2.5

0.0

0.0

7.4

-7.3

15.3

14.6

12.9

84.3

42.5

42.5

-72.6

CAGR CAGR

155.3

155.3

634.4

203.2

155.3

328.2

20-22e

20-22e

20-22e

20-22e

20-22e

na

na

na

na

na

na

na

0.0

-2.9

-2.0

-2.0

-6.9

-0.2

-7.9

-6.9

-2.9

-0.7

-2.6

-3.7

-2.1

-7.9

-8.4

17.0

-25.2

-29.9

-12.6

-40.3

-14.7

-11.1

-17.0

-10.2

-12.5

-10.5

CAGR CAGR

08-19

08-19

08-19

08-19

08-19

6

7

9

0

7

2

0

5

6

4

9

4

6

0

0

0

0

0

-2

-4

-1

-1

-7

-7

60

45

44

52

91

78

51

58

23

14

21

24

25

16

13

12

25

0.7

-20

-54

-14

-17

-41

-0.2

-1.0

-1.6

-0.8

-0.1

163

-5.1

238

133

124

283

0.55

1.22

1.22

12.7

10.1

-128

18.09

12.40

13.03

13.14

2022e

2022e

2022e

2022e

2022e

2022e

2022e

6

5

6

3

9

2

0

4

4

3

7

1

6

0

0

0

0

9

8

8

-2

-6

-7

-7

60

68

45

62

92

79

29

na

65

16

18

25

29

20

11

20

0.7

0.0

0.0

-50

-14

-10

-41

-0.2

-0.8

-0.3

163

-5.7

333

229

120

130

286

0.55

0.81

0.81

15.2

15.3

-114

1001

17.45

12.40

13.03

13.14

2021e

2021e

2021e

2021e

2021e

2021e

2021e

6

0

1

0

1

3

0

5

1

0

5

6

0

0

0

0

0

2

7

2

1

0

-2

-2

-2

-1

-2

-7

-5

12

60

59

94

79

na

12

12

1.4

0.7

0.1

5.3

1.0

0.0

-96

-42

-13

-14

-83

-77

-40

-18

-32

163

-7.9

101

226

102

144

245

0.00

0.19

0.19

66.0

17.21

12.40

13.03

13.14

2020e

-141.1

2020e

2020e

2020e

2020e

2020e

2020e

9

5

5

4

3

4

4

3

7

3

2

9

6

2

0

2

0

7

8

-2

-1

-6

-9

-6

-8

-4

16

23

68

60

49

64

93

79

na

13

17

21

11

21

7.2

0.8

0.2

1.8

3.1

1.1

0.1

-96

-42

-12

-54

-86

-37

-10

179

-4.7

151

230

101

146

298

0.50

0.83

0.83

2019

2019

2019

2019

2019

2019

2019

17.48

13.60

13.03

13.14

9

0

3

4

0

3

0

0

0

8

8

-5

-2

-7

-7

72

90

38

51

10

10

96

29

78

10

na

na

na

10

96

28

36

28

80

1.2

3.2

0.7

3.5

0.4

-96

-43

-15

-41

-28

-63

-69

-64

-1.6

100

258

143

222

712

223

143

158

221

278

5.50

6.14

6.14

11.0

12.2

2018

2018

-11.7

2018

2018

2018

2018

2018

16.94

19.64

13.03

13.14

0

0

0

6

4

0

0

1

0

1

1

-5

-9

-5

-4

-4

-9

-2

-6

-5

-6

20

10

63

31

59

99

76

na

na

na

43

10

17

1.5

2.3

1.4

-10

-82

-48

-94

-13

-26

-16

-11

-18

-13

-8.5

358

306

203

106

129

154

258

0.00

62.2

-0.84

-0.84

2017

-27.7

-13.7

-27.7

2017

1126

2017

2017

2017

2017

2017

15.45

23.25

13.03

13.14

356.3

8

2

3

4

8

2

6

7

0

3

0

5

8

2

7

-5

-3

-4

-1

-4

-6

-8

-8

10

57

30

10

26

63

94

76

51

18

16

16

21

16

1.6

1.4

0.7

0.8

3.5

-10

-39

-67

-58

-10

-13

219

167

319

106

222

108

295

279

0.50

1.65

1.65

14.7

42.8

32.7

13.5

2016

2016

2016

2016

2016

2016

2016

16.92

24.24

13.03

13.14

18859

0

2

3

5

6

1

0

6

0

0

0

7

-7

-7

-6

-8

-6

-5

-3

na

10

76

10

37

32

36

52

92

22

75

45

35

na

39

12

15

64

12

18

0.0

1.0

3.2

0.4

9.6

6.6

0.4

4.2

-58

-21

-17

118

176

208

102

139

208

114

298

292

0.50

4.92

4.92

-671

-100

2015

2015

2015

2015

2015

2015

2015

15.80

15.85

13.07

13.14

0

0

8

1

9

2

3

2

7

0

0

9

4

4

-6

-7

-3

20

82

56

74

45

94

72

99

na

na

na

34

27

21

17

20

1.1

0.6

5.3

7.2

0.3

4.2

-66

-17

-89

-47

-50

-57

-54

-58

-51

-41

-1.1

141

123

162

143

116

152

221

300

0.00

16.4

36.0

-142

-11.0

-11.0

2014

2014

2014

2014

2014

2014

2014

10.90

12.36

12.97

13.14

0

0

6

1

3

6

0

2

0

0

1

5

-4

-2

-1

-3

-9

-4

-7

-6

-3

-7

-6

14

35

76

26

75

41

94

76

na

na

na

51

21

42

0.5

0.5

6.0

0.4

1.8

-18

-17

-38

-25

-10

-16

-58

-57

-49

-6.5

-2.7

-5.1

253

155

287

127

511

677

0.00

-4.44

-4.44

2013

-25.0

2013

2013

2013

2013

2013

2013

21.84

11.81

13.05

13.14

0

0

1

2

6

1

2

0

2

6

0

0

0

5

-1

-6

-2

-5

-6

-3

-4

-4

-3

-4

14

14

70

19

77

28

34

94

75

72

na

79

20

44

56

17

39

45

0.5

0.5

5.8

5.6

0.4

1.5

-73

-35

-41

-19

254

185

345

148

549

712

0.00

23.7

53.7

-0.19

-0.19

2012

-74.0

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

26.23

14.06

13.18

13.14

0

4

3

1

6

0

2

2

6

2

0

0

1

0

4

-3

-4

-3

-6

12

16

89

30

25

79

43

22

91

10

76

19

92

35

22

46

66

63

15

28

36

70

0.8

0.6

7.9

5.3

0.5

1.3

-50

-32

-15

-24

-16

369

275

351

124

581

731

0.35

1.17

1.17

16.9

17.9

10.4

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

26.73

20.95

13.21

13.14

0

9

6

3

1

2

4

9

3

3

0

0

0

0

-3

-3

-9

-8

11

17

22

31

85

37

22

88

12

78

11

na

na

54

44

15

24

58

77

31

51

57

82

9.8

0.7

8.2

0.6

6.4

4.5

0.5

1.4

-49

-20

-19

365

111

248

131

345

155

602

712

0.50

2.31

2.31

15.1

2010

2010

2010

2010

2010

2010

2010

26.28

18.85

13.42

13.13

Financial summary Financial

0

0

3

3

3

4

8

0

2

0

-1

-6

-1

-1

-1

-2

-9

-8

-8

-4

-3

10

15

39

83

42

92

76

na

na

72

39

57

26

36

10

53

0.6

0.5

5.9

0.4

2.4

-84

-20

-23

-24

-39

-12

-20

-10

-4.6

316

127

184

312

198

584

707

0.00

30.9

-0.31

-0.31

2009

-45.0

-37.3

2009

2009

2009

2009

2009

2009

23.75

14.02

13.43

13.13

0

0

5

3

8

9

5

3

2

4

9

3

0

4

-6

-7

-9

12

22

50

82

31

37

92

75

12

na

81

28

74

62

67

14

18

33

70

1.2

0.9

7.7

8.2

0.7

2.4

-14

-31

-14

-49

-17

-35

568

165

393

491

318

275

110

640

129

782

0.00

1.04

1.04

18.9

28.9

17.4

2008

2008

2008

2008

2008

2008

2008

24.22

29.96

13.26

13.13

0

6

3

2

1

2

5

3

2

7

0

4

4

0

4

-2

-8

11

38

52

83

90

55

29

89

11

74

31

32

13

13

84

80

16

36

50

81

1.9

2.4

1.4

1.2

3.0

-24

-36

-36

-11

-24

-13

-14

-38

942

246

669

284

278

689

767

0.75

1.44

1.44

42.0

75.0

19.0

11.6

2007

2007

2007

2007

2007

2007

2007

25.70

60.61

11.03 11.04

16

Source:CompanyResearchdata, Equity Merodis

DPS

BVPS

EPS EPS FD

EPS

Share price

# of avg# sh. ex-treas.) (FD,

# of shares#

Per data share

FCF yield (%)

P/BVPS (x)

P/E (x)P/E

EV/Capital Employed (x)

EV/FCF (x) EV/FCF

EV/EBIT (x) EV/EBIT

EV/EBITDA (x) EV/EBITDA

EV/Sales (x)

Assoc. (gr. share) NFD (€m)

= Enterprise= Value (€m)

- Associates & Inv. (€m)

+ Restated Min.+ others + (€m)

+ Net Financial Net + (€) Debt

Market Capitalisation (€m)

Valuation

Dividend Payout (%)

ROE ROE (%)

ROCE post-tax (%)

Net Debt/EBITDA (x) Debt/EBITDA Net

Gearing (%)

Capital Employed/Sales (%)

WC/Sales (%)

WCR/Sales (%)

FCF/Sales (%)

Capex/Sales (%)

Tax rate (%)

Depreciation/EBITDA (%)

Depreciation/Sales (%)

Opex/Sales (%)

Net marginNet (%)

EBIT EBIT margin (%)

EBITDA marginEBITDA (%)

Gross margin (%)

Financial Ratios Financial

Shareholder Equity

Capital Employed

NWC

FCF

Net profitNet

EBIT

EBITDA

Sales

Growth (%) Growth

Equity

Gross Debt

Cash & Equivalent

Discontinued Assets

Capital Employed

WC

Balance Sheet (€m) Sheet Balance

Net Debt (incr.)/decr. Debt Net

Others

Equity issue

Dividends paid

Net disp./(acq.)Net

FCF

Capex

Gros Op CF

WCR

Adj. EBITDA

Cash Flow (€m) Cash

Net profitNet

Pretax profit

EBIT

EBITDA

Sales

Consolidated P&L (€m) Consolidated

Free-float (€m): MCap 24

Market Cap. (€m):Market Cap. 163 Enterprise Value (€m): 12 Disclaimer

This Report is solely for the information of the recipients. All information contained in this research report has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable. However, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made with respect to the completeness or accuracy of its contents, and it is not to be relied upon as such. Opinions contained in this research report represent the authors’ current opinions on the date of the report only. Merodis is not soliciting an action based upon it, and under no circumstances is it to be used or considered as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy.

This report is provided solely for the information of professional investors who are expected to make their own investment decisions without undue reliance on this report and Merodis accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this report or its contents.

ANALYST CERTIFICATION: Merodis has been mandated by the subject company to produce a neutral, fair, and elaborate equity research report about the subject company with the aim to increase investors’ awareness about the stock. The authors hereby declare that this report represents their personal opinion and that the company has neither limited nor in any other way influenced the content of this report. No part of the research analyst's compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific opinions or views expressed by the research analyst in this research report.

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All communication regarding this Report and requests for additional information should be directed to Merodis: Arnaud W. Goossens Dennis Dendas Partner Analyst [email protected] [email protected]

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17