Bastei Lubbe AG, a general-interest publishing group listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, held its annual general meeting as a digital event, where shareholders approved a dividend of EUR 0.25 per share for the 2025/2026 financial year. The decision reflects the company's solid financial position and commitment to returning value to shareholders, with a total payout of EUR 3,300,025.00, representing a payout ratio of 50 percent of distributable profit, at the upper end of its defined dividend strategy.
The approved dividend, based on the XETRA closing price of EUR 7.00 on 8 September 2026, offers a dividend yield of 3.6 percent. This move underscores Bastei Lubbe's ability to maintain shareholder returns despite an economically challenging year. CEO Soheil Dastyari noted that the past financial year was "enormously productive" while also being economically challenging, allowing the company to make targeted investments in new offerings that align with its corporate strategy to broaden scope and drive sustained growth.
During the meeting, the Executive Board highlighted several strategic initiatives that are expected to fuel future revenue and profit growth. These include the product innovation shelfie.audio, which makes audiobooks a physical experience once again; the launch of the new literary imprint Pfaueninsel; the acquisition of Papertoons, Germany's first manhwa and manga publisher; and the successful entry of the community brand LYX into the US market. These investments demonstrate Bastei Lubbe's focus on innovation and expanding its reach in the publishing industry.
Chief Financial Officer Mathis Gerkensmeyer emphasized the company's financial strength, stating that despite the challenging financial year, Bastei Lubbe was able to significantly increase its cash flow. "Together with our solid balance sheet, this provides a sound financial basis for once again reliably sharing the company's success with our shareholders through a payout ratio of 50 per cent," he added. This financial stability is crucial as the company continues to invest in new segments and products.
The annual general meeting also saw the discharge of the boards with overwhelming approval, and the proportion of share capital represented at the meeting was 79.62 percent. Detailed voting results and the Executive Board's presentation are available at bastei-luebbe.de/unternehmen/investor-relations/hauptversammlung (German language).
Looking ahead, Bastei Lubbe has started the 2026/2027 financial year with further revenue growth, driven by top titles and SPIEGEL bestsellers such as 'Traume aus Feuer' by Florian Illies and Lucy Astner's novel 'Kein Sommer ohne August'. Additionally, strong sales of the paperback edition of Ken Follett's novel 'The Armour of Light' and Eva Almstadt's crime novel 'Akte Nordsee - Die letzte Predigt' contributed to a strong first quarter. This positive momentum, combined with the company's innovative strategies, positions Bastei Lubbe for continued success in the competitive publishing landscape.
Bastei Lubbe AG is the leading independent publishing group in Germany, with annual revenues of over EUR 118 million in the 2025/2026 financial year. The company owns more than 14 imprints and has established several rapidly expanding community-driven business models. As a pioneer of digital media, Bastei Lubbe produces thousands of audio and eBooks distributed via all digital exploitation channels. Further information can be found at www.bastei-luebbe.de.
