[Satellite Today 04-30-09] SES reported revenues of 423.9 million euros ($562 million), an increase of 8.4 percent over the same period in 2008, according to the company’s first quarter financial results released April 28.
    SES’ first-quarter EBITDA jumped 12.2 percent to 308.9 million euros ($409 million), with an increase in operating profit of 14.7 percent to 189.7 million euros ($251 million).
    SES said that at the end of the quarter, the company concluded a 2 billion euro ($2.65 billion) syndicated credit facility to enhance its debt maturity.
    SES CEO Romain Bausch said that while he was pleased with the company’s progress in signing a number of new contracts and considerable growth in HD programming, the global economic climate is keeping SES on guard.
    "Should the recessionary environment last into 2010, it is possible that SES might suffer some negative impact, whether through the reduction of growth initiatives or as a result of customers experiencing difficulties. However, at this point, SES has experienced no direct negative impact. The majority of our customers have solid businesses and many are still demonstrating healthy growth. Therefore, the outlook for the group at this stage remains positive and the guidance published in February this year remains unchanged," said Bausch, in a statement.