Axel Springer Posts 1.5% Rise In Q2 Net Profit, Backs 2012 Forecast

Germany's Axel Springer AG AXELF reported a 1.5% rise in its net profit for the second quarter. Axel Springer's quarterly net profit increased to 80.2 million euros ($99.4 million), versus EUR79 million, in the year-ago quarter. However, analysts were expecting a net profit of EUR84 million. Its EBITDA rose around 6.4% to EUR172.2 million, versus analaysts' estimtes of UR166 million. Its revenue gained to EUR831.4 million from EUR788.8 million, missing analysts' estimates of EUR834 million. Axel Springer's earnings per share rose to EUR0.81 from EUR0.80, versus analysts' estimates of EUR0.80. Axel Springer backed its forecast for 2012.