Moneysupermarket.com 1H Sales Seen Up 5% On Yr, Ebitda Dips

LONDON (Dow Jones)--U.K. price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC (MONY.LN) Friday said first-half revenue is expected to be up about 5% on the year, although earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, or Ebitda, are expected to fall slightly due to increased investments made during the half. The firm--which said its results for the six months to June 30 are expected to be in line with its board's previous expectations--said revenue is expected to total about GBP71.5 million. The sales gain has been driven by a 6% rise in U.K. internet revenue on the year, with money, insurance and home services revenue all showing strong growth. Moneysupermarket.com said travel-related business was tougher, however, with revenue here down about 20% on the year. The company has continued to invest in new products and has spent more on media advertising. It said these efforts have lifted gross margins. It said first-half Ebitda is expected to total about GBP18 million, down from GBP18.6 million in the first half of 2009, due to the increased investment spend. Moneysupermarket.com added that profits in the half improved as it began to see returns on its investments, although it didn't provide specific figures. -By Hannah Benjamin, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9298; hannah.benjamin@dowjones.com Order free Annual Report for Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=GB00B1ZBKY84 or call +44 (0)208 391 6028 (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 09, 2010 03:18 ET (07:18 GMT)