WebCentral revenues up

Web and application hosting services have continued to underlie revenue growth for ASX-listed WebCentral Group.

The company has recorded revenue of $29.8 million — up four percent year on year — for the half year to 31 December 2005.

However, net profits after tax for the same period were $1.3 million — down from $1.7 million during the previous corresponding period.

Group EBITDA was $5.5 million for the half year, compared with $6.6 million year on year.

WebCentral’s web and application hosting business reported 11 percent year on year growth to $22.9 million. Software as a service/ASP business revenues also increased recording 73 percent growth to $1.9 million.

Thr group’s media business, FTR, acheived revenues of $6.9 million, down from $8.0 million on the corresponding half year.

Despite net profits after tax falling, CEO Andrew Spicer said in an ASX statement that he was buoyed by the 31 percent growth seen in the company’s managed hosting business.

“Key to WebCentral’s growth has been the implementation of our strategy to expand our high value managed hosting business in corporate and government markets,” he said.

“The investments we have made...continue to take advantage of the double digit growth that analysts are forecasting for the managed hosting segment of our industry.”