from GUILLEMOT (EPA:GUI)
GUILLEMOT CORPORATION: FIRST-QUARTER 2024 TURNOVER UP 28%
Carentoir, April 25, 2024
FIRST-QUARTER 2024 TURNOVER UP 28%
Unaudited data (€m) January 1 to March 31, 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
Thrustmaster | 24.7 | 19.3 | +28% |
Gaming accessories | 24.7 | 19.3 | +28% |
Hercules | 3.1 | 2.5 | +24% |
Digital devices | 3.1 | 2.5 | +24% |
TOTAL | 27.8 | 21.8 | +28% |
The Group’s turnover grew 28% in the first quarter of 2024, to €27.8 million.
Thrustmaster’s sales regained momentum, notably thanks to its range of racing wheels, growing 28% despite a market downturn over the period.
Revenue was also up 24% at Hercules, with consumer sales strong.
Financial position at March 31, 2024
• Net debt (excluding available-for-sale securities) was negative at -€18.4 million.
• The value of the portfolio of available-for-sale Ubisoft Entertainment shares stood at €8.7 million.
Thrustmaster news o Racing
Racing game releases have heated up, with Le Mans Ultimate released on February 20 and EA SPORTS™ F1® 24 and Assetto Corsa® EVO both due to be released on May 31. These games will boost sales of products in Thrustmaster’s racing ecosystem. The new EVO Racing 32R Leather wheel is due to be released in early May. This versatile round wheel rim is ideal for rally racing as well as other sim racing disciplines (GT, etc.). Its easy-to-access paddle shifters, magnetic sensors and premium design make for a perfectly-balanced wheel that delivers optimal racing sensations. Its size makes it compatible with all existing and future Thrustmaster racing wheel bases with a detachable wheel rim.
o Flight/Joysticks
The launch of the new AVA (Advanced Versatile Aviation) range is a revolutionary breakthrough for
Thrustmaster. The new Thrustmaster AVA high-end modular joystick base was announced on
April 24. Specially designed with pilots in mind, it is well-suited to all types of flight (civil and military aviation and space flight), offering a huge range of custom configurations (adjustable joystick tension and an extensive ecosystem of accessories). These high-flying new accessories underscore Thrustmaster’s rightful place in the top-tier flight sim segment.
o Farming/Trucking
The commercial rollout of the new SimTask range, available since last November, is currently ongoing, with growing sales of accessories in the range. The T128 SimTask Pack for Xbox was released on February 15. Consisting of a T128 racing wheel bundled with a SimTask Steering Kit, it allows the wheel to be placed in a flat position, for a realistic experience when driving heavy vehicles and farm machinery. The rotary spinner knob also allows for greater maneuverability when playing farming games.
Hercules news
The launch of the DJControl Inpulse T7 Premium Edition controller at the NAMM Show in late January was a great success. Sales of this high-end version have had a very strong start, giving the brand’s momentum a further boost.
At the same time, the new Hercules Stream category, with the Stream 100 and Stream 200 XLR launched last December, is designed to meet the needs of advanced and occasional streamers. The new range has been the subject of numerous rave reviews. In a review published on February 2, GameRevolution described the Hercules Stream 200 XLR as the “streamer’s best friend” and awarded it a score of 9 out of 10 for its “impressive customizability”. Meanwhile, GamingTrend described the Hercules Stream 100 audio controller as “excellent”, highlighting its “bright screen and customization possibilities”. In this new streaming market, Hercules is confident that it will be able to meet the increasingly specialized needs of streamers.
Buyback and retirement of treasury shares
Under the share buyback program approved at the combined shareholders’ general meeting held on June 1, 2023[1], Guillemot Corporation S.A. decided to purchase[2] a maximum number of 400,000 shares for retirement. Guillemot Corporation S.A. appointed an independent investment services provider to purchase these shares.
Outlook
The Group will leverage the growing momentum in terms of sales of its recently-launched accessories, and is preparing to launch major new Thrustmaster products in the second half of 2024.
For fiscal 2024, the Group expects to return to growth and deliver a net operating profit.
Guillemot Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of interactive entertainment hardware and accessories. The Group offers a diversified range of products under the Hercules and Thrustmaster brand names. Active in this market since 1984, the Guillemot Corporation Group is currently present in 11 countries (France, Germany, Spain, the UK, the
United States, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Romania, the Netherlands and China [Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong]) and distributes its products in more than 150 countries worldwide. The Group’s mission is to offer high-performance, ergonomic products which maximize the enjoyment of digital interactive entertainment for end users.
Contact: Guillemot Financial Information — Telephone: +33 (0) 2 99 08 08 80 —www.guillemot.com
[1] Details of the buyback program were published in the Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF (the French Financial Markets Authority) on April 26, 2023.
[2] The purchase price may not exceed the maximum purchase price of €40 per share set at the shareholders’ general meeting held on June 1, 2023.