Bastei Lubbe AG, a German general-interest publishing group listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, held its annual general meeting on September 9, 2026, as a digital event. 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, at the upper end of the company's dividend strategy of 40 to 50 percent. Based on the XETRA closing price of EUR 7.00 on September 8, 2026, the dividend yield is 3.6 percent.
CEO Soheil Dastyari described the past financial year as "enormously productive" yet "economically challenging," noting that the company made targeted investments in new offerings to broaden its scope and drive sustained growth. Chief Financial Officer Mathis Gerkensmeyer highlighted a significant increase in cash flow and a solid balance sheet, providing a sound basis for reliably sharing success with shareholders.
The 2025/2026 financial year was marked by an attractive programme with top-selling titles across various publishing brands. Continued community growth, with a sharp rise in reach and visibility, further underpinned the success of a model that competitors are increasingly copying. Bastei Lubbe also invested in new segments, products, and services, including the product innovation 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.
The new financial year 2026/2027 has started well, with further revenue growth driven by top titles and SPIEGEL bestsellers such as Florian Illies' 'Traume aus Feuer' and Lucy Astner's 'Kein Sommer ohne August,' as well as strong sales of Ken Follett's 'The Armour of Light' paperback and Eva Almstadt's crime novel 'Akte Nordsee - Die letzte Predigt.' At the meeting, 79.62 percent of the share capital was represented. Detailed voting results and the Executive Board's presentation are available at bastei-luebbe.de/unternehmen/investor-relations/hauptversammlung (German language).
Bastei Lubbe AG is the leading independent publishing group in Germany, based in Cologne, with more than 14 imprints. It publishes books, audio books, and e-books featuring high-quality popular entertainment as well as periodical novel booklets. The company sees itself as an innovation driver and has established several rapidly expanding community-driven business models. It is also a pioneer of digital media, producing thousands of audio and eBooks distributed via all digital exploitation channels. The Group generates annual revenues of over EUR 118 million (2025/2026 financial year). Its shares have been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (WKN A1X3YY, ISIN DE000A1X3YY0) since 2013. Further information can be found at www.bastei-luebbe.de.
