Alternative Performance Measures

In this Combined Management Report, the following Alternative Performance Measures, which are not defined in accordance with IFRS , are used to explain the results of operations and/or net assets and financial position. These should not be considered in isolation but as complementary information for evaluating Bertelsmann’s business situation and are differentiated in terms of strictly defined and broadly defined key performance indicators, in the same way as the value-oriented management system.

The organic growth is calculated by adjusting the reported revenue growth for the impact of exchange rate effects and corporate acquisition and disposals. When determining the exchange rate effects, the functional currency that is valid in the respective country is used. The other effects include changes in methods, for example.

Organic Revenue Growth

in percent20172016
Organic revenue growth1,70,9
Exchange rate effects(1,0)(1,3)
Portfolio and other effects0,7(0,7)
Reported organic revenue growth1,4(1,1)

Operating EBITDA

Operating EBITDA  is determined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and Impairment  losses and is adjusted for special items. The adjustments for special items serve to determine a sustainable operating result that could be repeated under normal economic circumstances and is not affected by special factors or structural distortions. These special items primarily include impairment losses and reversals of impairment losses, remeasurements, restructuring expenses and/or results from disposals of investments. This means that operating EBITDA is a meaningful performance indicator. Disposal effects of strategic real estate transactions are not included in the special items.

Operating EBITDA

in € millions20172016
EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes)1,8961,799
Amortization/depreciation, impairments/reversals of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment691632
Amortization/depreciation, impairments/reversals of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment not included in special items(34)(2)
Special items83139
attributable to: RTL Group10(7)
attributable to: Penguin Random House3938
attributable to: Gruner + Jahr4830
attributable to: BMG108
attributable to: Arvato2851
attributable to: Bertelsmann Printing Group57
attributable to: Bertelsmann Education Group5017
attributable to: Bertelsmann Investments(144)(35)
attributable to: Corporate/Consolidation3730
Operating EBITDA2,6362,568

BVA

BVA  measures the profit realized above and beyond the appropriate return on invested capital. This form of value orientation is reflected in strategic investment, portfolio planning and the management of Group operations and, together with qualitative criteria, provides the basis for measuring the variable portion of management remuneration. BVA is calculated as the difference between net operating profit after tax (NOPAT) and the cost of capital. NOPAT is calculated on the basis of operating EBITDA. NOPAT is determined by deducting depreciation and amortization, provided that they are not included in special items, and a flat 33 percent tax. Cost of capital is the product of the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and the average level of capital invested. The uniform WACC after taxes is 8 percent. The average invested capital is calculated quarterly on the basis of the Group’s operating assets less non-interestbearing operating liabilities. In addition, 66 percent of the net present value of the operating leases is considered in the calculation of invested capital plus other commitments from technical broadcasting facilities. BVA is determined from financial year 2018 onward without taking into account the Bertelsmann Investments division. Bertelsmann Investments’ business performance is essentially measured by EBIT and therefore no NOPAT contribution occurs for this division. To maintain consistency, the invested capital will be adjusted for the Bertelsmann Investment division; hence, capital costs will be neutralized.

BVA

in € millions20172016 (adjusted)
Operating EBITDA2,6362,568
Amortization/depreciation, impairments/reversals of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment not included in special items(657)(630)
Operating EBIT1,9791,938
Flat taxes (33 percent)(653)(640)
NOPAT (Net Operating Profit After Tax)1,3261,298
Average invested capital15,06214,383
Cost of capital (8 percent)1,2051,151
BVA121147
Correction BVA Bertelsmann Investments4233
BVA (as of 2018 used methodology)163180

Cash Conversion Rate

The cash conversion rate serves as a measure of cash generated from business activities and is calculated as the ratio of operating free cash flow to operating EBIT. The operating free cash flow is determined on the basis of the cash flow from operating activities as reported in the consolidated cash flow statement, whereby the impact of paid income taxes and the change in provisions for pensions and similar obligations on cash flow from operating activities is offset. Operating free cash flow is also reduced by investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment or, if applicable, increased by proceeds from the sale of non-current assets. Further adjustments are made to ensure an allocation of capital flows to the relevant periods and to offset the impact of payment flows resulting from special items on the operating free cash flow in a way that is methodically consistent with the operating EBITDA. Further adjustments in the financial year 2017 mainly reflected the impact of restructuring measures on payments. The operating EBITDA is used to calculate the operating EBIT by deducting amortization and depreciation, provided that these are not included in special items. The Group aims to maintain a cash conversion rate of 90 percent to 100 percent as a long-term average.

Cash Conversion Rate

in € millions20172016
Cash flow from operating activities1,6421,954
Income taxes paid434234
Change in provisions for pensions and similar obligations8455
Investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment (less proceeds from the sale of non-current assets)(489)(610)
Further adjustments151166
Operating free cash flow1,8221,799
Operating EBTIDA2,6362,568
Amortization/depreciation, impairments/reversals of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment not included in special items657630
Operating EBIT1,9791,938
Cash Conversion Rate (in percent)
Operating free cash flow / Operating EBIT
9293

Economic Debt

Net financial debt is calculated on the basis of gross financial debt, which comprises the balance sheet items current and noncurrent financial debt minus cash and cash equivalents. Economic debt is defined as net financial debt less the 50 percent par value component of the hybrid bonds plus provisions for pensions, profit participation capital and the net present value of operating leases. In calculating economic debt, the hybrid bonds are accounted for at 50 percent as both bonds are classified by the Rating  agencies as 50 percent equity. Economic debt is modified for the purposes of calculating the leverage factor.

Economic Debt

in € millions20172016
Gross financial debt4,9193,998
Less cash and cash equivalents(1,440)(1,373)
Net financial debt3,4792,625
Less 50 percent of the par value of the hybrid bonds(625)(625)
Provisions for pensions1,6851,999
Profit participation capital413413
Net present value of operating leases1,2611,501
Economic debt6,2135,913

Leverage Factor

One of the financial targets is a dynamic leverage factor calculated as the ratio of economic debt to operating EBITDA and limited to the defined maximum of 2.5. In determining the leverage factor, the economic debt and the operating EBITDA are modified to enable financial management that corresponds to the Group’s structure and its tolerable indebtedness. The modifications in regard to the economic debt largely relate to cash and cash equivalents, which are tied up in the Group while the modifications in regard to the operating EBTIDA address the Group’s structure and its co- shareholder shares. The leverage factor determined in this way is thus always more conservative than the figure that would be obtained using only the items recognized in the balance sheet.

Leverage Factor

in € millions20172016
Economic debt6,2135,913
Modifications125199
Economic debtLF6,3386,112
Operating EBITDA2,6362,568
Modifications(99)(101)
Operating EBITDALF2,5372,467
Leverage Factor: Economic debtLF/2.52.5