A review of the economic balance of the 2015/16 season

FC Barcelona presented on Thursday its economic balance for the 2015/16 season, with a €678.9 million in revenues and €28.7 million profit after tax.

Susana Monje, vice-president responsible for the economic area, spoke of the club’s successful year, which has seen a 12% improvement on the year before.

This year also managed a ratio of net debt of EBITDA of 1.94, which means that the Club is within the parameters of equity balance for the 2017/18 season.

The revenue of €679million is the highest in the club’s history, representing an increase of €45.9million in relation to the budget (up 7%) and up 12% (€71.2 million) compared to revenues achieved 2014/15 season, when the amount of €608million was also a record.

The Board decided to prepare the accounts for the financial year 2015/16 including the economic effects arising from the Can Rigalt deal, an amount totalling €30million to cope with any obligations that may arise.

The economic balance presents a profit after tax of about €29million and has increased by €13.6million, up 90% compared to last year’s budget (€15 million). Excluding the impact of the Can Rigalt land deal, the actual profit would have been €54million, the highest ever achieved by the Club.

Despite the significant effect of the termination of the contract of the land is in this section, nearly 29 million representing a positive deviation compared to the €8.5 million budgeted, 43% over budget.

There was a significant reduction in debt, which went from €328million in 2014/15 to €271.4million 2015/16. This spells a €160million reduction in respect to the debt in 2010. This debt reduction is in line with the club’s strategic plan.

The debt/EBITDA ratio stands at 1.94 (with a debt of €271million and EBITDA of €139.6million), which is the lowest in recent years. The equity balance rule contained in Article 67 of the Statutes and the transitory provisions for the 2015/16 season is a figure below 2.5. Therefore, two years ahead of schedule, a ratio well below the maximum allowed has been achieved by a significant margin.

The strength of the Club’s equity continues to increase as a result of investments in improving facilities and assets. Specifically, €19.7million has been invested. Investment in Espai Barça this year totalled €9.2million.