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 on September 9, 2026. Shareholders approved all proposed resolutions, including a dividend of EUR 0.25 per share for the 2025/2026 financial year. The total payout amounts to EUR 3,300,025.00, representing a payout ratio of 50 percent of distributable profit, which is at the upper end of the company's defined dividend strategy. Based on the XETRA closing price of EUR 7.00 on September 8, 2026, the dividend yield is 3.6 percent. The approval of the dividend underscores Bastei Lubbe's commitment to returning value to shareholders while maintaining a solid financial foundation.
The past financial year was marked by an attractive programme of top-selling titles and continued community growth, which significantly increased reach and visibility. CEO Soheil Dastyari described the year as "enormously productive" but also economically challenging. The company made sustainable investments in new segments, products, and services. Notable innovations include shelfie.audio, which makes audiobooks a physical experience again; 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 initiatives are part of Bastei Lubbe's corporate strategy to broaden its scope and drive sustained growth.
Chief Financial Officer Mathis Gerkensmeyer highlighted that despite economic challenges, the company significantly increased its cash flow. Combined with a solid balance sheet, this provides a sound financial basis for reliably sharing success with shareholders through a payout ratio of 50 percent. The dividend approval reflects confidence in the company's financial health and its ability to generate consistent returns.
The new financial year 2026/2027 has started well, 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'. Strong sales of the paperback edition of Ken Follett's 'The Armour of Light' and Eva Almstadt's crime novel 'Akte Nordsee - Die letzte Predigt' also contributed. These successes indicate that Bastei Lubbe's strategy of investing in diverse content and community-driven models is paying off.
The implications of these developments are significant for the publishing industry. Bastei Lubbe's community models show further growth potential, and its segment, product, and service innovations create new opportunities for revenue and profit growth. By expanding into new formats like shelfie.audio and acquiring Papertoons, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of industry trends. The entry of LYX into the US market demonstrates its ambition to capture international audiences. As competitors increasingly copy its community model, Bastei Lubbe's continuous innovation and strategic investments may help it maintain a competitive edge.
Detailed voting results and the Executive Board's presentation are available at bastei-luebbe.de/unternehmen/investor-relations/hauptversammlung (German language). Further information about the company can be found at www.bastei-luebbe.de.
