While maintained revenue in H116 was no mean feat without the Champions League, pre-transfer EBITDA (our key metric) was a casualty (-59%) of much higher than expected costs, driven by the team’s outstanding performance. With inflationary wage pressure unlikely to abate in the face of continued success, we are lowering our EBITDA forecasts by €10m and €12m for FY16 and FY17. However, we are encouraged that Dortmund’s current runaway second place in the Bundesliga, with just a quarter of the season to go, justifies confidence in a possible step change in returns in FY17, assuming Champions League qualification. We still look for a doubling in pre-transfer EBITDA, albeit from the newly reduced base, and strong cash generation for player investment. Finances remain typically disciplined.
