Storytel Group reports solid operational performance, surpassing 2.5 million subscribers in the first quarter 2025
“The first quarter delivered solid financial results, reflecting strong momentum across both our Streaming and Publishing segments”, says Bodil Eriksson Torp, CEO Storytel Group
Highlights
Unless otherwise specified, numbers are for Q1 2025 and are compared to Q1 2024
- Group revenue up 7% to 953 (892) MSEK, and equals 7% at constant exchange rates (CER).
- Streaming revenue up 6% and Publishing revenue up 16%.
- Gross profit up 12% to 423 (378) MSEK, equaling a margin of 44.4% (42.4%).
- Adjusted EBITDA increased by 44% to 150 (104) MSEK, equaling a margin of 15.7% (11.7%).
- Items Affecting Comparability (IACs) of -15 (-55) MSEK, fully related to long term incentive programs and not affecting cash flow
- Net profit for the period amounted to 19 (-23) MSEK.
- Earnings per share, before and after dilution, amounted to 0.20 (-0.32) SEK
- The Board of Directors of Storytel Group proposes to the Annual General Meeting a one-off dividend of SEK 1.00 per share.
- In the quarter, Storytel Group acquired a majority stake in the Swedish publisher Bokfabriken. Following a dialogue with the Swedish Competition Authority (SCA) in February, Storytel has decided to voluntarily give the SCA an opportunity to review the transaction, even though there was no obligation to do so.
Financial summary
| MSEK | Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 | Change |
| Group Revenue¹ | 953 | 892 | 7% |
| Streaming Revenue² | 862 | 812 | 6% |
| Publishing Revenue³ | 283 | 245 | 16% |
| Gross profit | 423 | 378 | 12% |
| Gross margin % | 44.4 | 42.4 | 2.0p |
| Operating profit | 55 | -24 | n.a |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 150 | 104 | 44% |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin % | 15.7 | 11.7 | 4.0p |
| EBITDA | 135 | 51 | 164% |
| Earnings per share, basic (SEK) | 0.20 | -0.32 | n.a |
| Earnings per share, diluted (SEK) | 0.20 | -0.32 | n.a |
| Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital | 88 | 28 | 214% |
| Cash flow for the period | -73 | -97 | -25% |
| Net Interest-Bearing Debt (NIBD) | 116 | 348 | -67% |
| NIBD/adjusted EBITDA ratio | 0.18 | 0.99 | -82% |
| ¹ The adjustments from segment level to group level are 1) Removing Storytel Norway at 50%, 2) Removing internal publishing revenue from Net Sales and adding internal publishing revenue as cost reduction within Cost of Sales, 3) Costs related to central group overhead functions 4) Adding result from Norway in accordance with the equity method. See Note 5 to the financial statements for additional details. | |||
| ² Streaming revenue includes 50% of Storytel Norway’s revenue in line with Storytels ownership. | |||
| ³ Publishing revenue includes both external and group-internal revenue. | |||