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, where shareholders approved a dividend of EUR 0.25 per share. The decision reflects the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders while continuing to invest in future growth initiatives. 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 defined dividend strategy. Based on the XETRA closing price of EUR 7.00 on 8 September 2026, the dividend yield stands at 3.6 percent.
The 2025/2026 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' 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 sharing success with shareholders.
Key innovations include the product shelfie.audio, which makes audiobooks a physical experience once 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 underscore Bastei Lubbe's role as an innovation driver in the publishing industry and create new opportunities for revenue and profit growth.
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 to a strong first quarter.
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, with over 14 imprints and annual revenues exceeding EUR 118 million in the 2025/2026 financial year. Its shares have been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2013. Further information can be found at www.bastei-luebbe.de.
