Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 6-K
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant To Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of July, 2008
Commission File Number 1-12090
 
GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A.B. de C.V.
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
 
Constituyentes 1154, Piso 7
Col. Lomas Altas, México D.F. 11954
(Address of principal office)
 
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
 
(Check One) Form 20-F x   Form 40-F o
 
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)
 
(Check One) Yes o  No x 
 
(If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b). 82-__.)
 

 
For Immediate Release
 
July 21, 2008
 

Grupo Radio Centro Reports Second Quarter and First Half 2008 Results

 
Mexico City, July 21, 2008 - Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: RC, BMV: RCENTRO-A) (the “Company”), one of Mexico’s leading radio broadcasting companies, announced today its results of operations for the second quarter and first half ended June 30, 2008. All figures were prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards issued by the Mexican Board for Research and Development of Financial Information Standards.

Second Quarter Results

Broadcasting revenue for the second quarter 2008 was Ps. 173,613,000, representing an increase of 16.1% compared to the Ps. 149,589,000 reported in the second quarter 2007. This increase was mainly attributable to higher advertising expenditures from the Company’s clients, who purchased more airtime during the second quarter 2008 compared to the same period 2007. This was a result of a highly competitive environment, mainly in the retail sector, the Company’s efforts to gain market share with competitive sales plans and the strengthening of the Company’s sales force staff.

The Company’s broadcasting expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the second quarter 2008 were Ps. 108,856,000, representing an increase of 5.0% compared to the Ps. 103,641,000 reported in the second quarter 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher sales commissions to the Company’s general sales force as a result of the increase in broadcasting revenue, as well as higher expenses related to the Company’s promotional activities, market research, and advertising during the second quarter 2008 compared to the same period 2007.

For the second quarter 2008, the Company reported broadcasting income (i.e., broadcasting revenue minus broadcasting expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) of Ps. 64,757,000, a 40.9% increase compared to the Ps. 45,948,000 reported in the second quarter 2007. This increase in broadcasting income was mainly attributable to the aforementioned increase in broadcasting revenue.

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the second quarter 2008 were Ps. 8,051,000, a 9.0% decrease compared to the Ps. 8,851,000 reported in the second quarter 2007. Depreciation and amortization expenses were lower in the second quarter 2008 due to the Company no longer recording depreciation on certain assets whose useful lives have ended.

The Company’s corporate, general and administrative expenses were Ps. 3,805,000 in the second quarter 2008, compared to the Ps. 3,834,000 reported in the second quarter 2007.

The Company reported operating income of Ps. 52,901,000 in the second quarter 2008, a 59.0% increase compared to the Ps. 33,263,000 in operating income reported in the second quarter 2007. This increase was due to increased broadcasting revenue during the second quarter 2008 compared to the second quarter2007, as described above.
 

Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
Second Quarter 2008 Results

During the second quarter 2008, other expenses, net, were Ps. 12,622,000, a 32.6% increase compared to the Ps. 9,521,000 reported in the second quarter 2007. This increase was mainly attributable to higher legal expenses during the second quarter 2008 compared to the comparable period of 2007.

The Company’s comprehensive financing cost for the second quarter 2008 was Ps. 4,370,000, an increase of 69.6% compared to the Ps. 2,576,000 reported in the second quarter 2007. This unfavorable change was mainly due to fees paid in the second quarter 2008 in connection with amendments to the Company’s credit facility with GE Capital CEF México, S. de R.L. de C.V. and Banco Inbursa S.A., which was set to expire in June, 2008 and was renewed for an additional two years.

For the second quarter 2008, the Company reported income before taxes of Ps. 35,909,000, an increase of 69.7% compared to the Ps. 21,166,000 reported in the second quarter 2007, primarily from the increase in broadcasting income during the second quarter 2008, as described above.

The Company recorded income taxes of Ps. 10,469,000 in the second quarter 2008, an increase of 104.6% compared to the Ps. 5,117,000 recorded in the second quarter 2007. This increase was due to higher taxable income in the second quarter 2008 compared to the comparable period.

As a result of the foregoing, the Company’s net income for the second quarter 2008 reached Ps. 25,440,000, an increase of 58.5% compared to net income of Ps. 16,049,000 reported in the second quarter 2007.

First Half Results

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, broadcasting revenue was Ps. 301,871,000, representing an 8.5% increase compared to the Ps. 278,123,000 reported in the same period 2007. The increase in broadcasting revenue was mainly attributable to an increase in advertising expenditures by the Company’s clients, who purchased more airtime during the first half 2008 than the comparable period. This was the result of a highly competitive environment, mainly in the retail sector, as well as the Company’s efforts to gain market share with competitive sales plans and the strengthening of the Company’s sales force staff.

The Company’s broadcasting expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the first six months of 2008 were Ps. 212,837,000, a slight decrease compared to the Ps.  213,610,000 reported in the same period 2007.

Broadcasting income (i.e., broadcasting revenue minus broadcasting expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the first six months of 2008 was Ps. 89,034,000, an increase of 38.0% compared to the Ps. 64,513,000 reported in the same period 2007. This increase was mainly attributable to the increase in broadcasting revenue, as described above.

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the first six months of 2008 were Ps. 15,732,000, a decrease of 11.5% compared to the Ps. 17,780,000 reported in the same period 2007. This decrease was due to the Company no longer recording depreciation on certain of the Company assets whose useful lives have ended.

The Company’s corporate, general and administrative expenses for the first six months of 2008 were Ps. 7,300,000, a slight increase compared to the Ps. 7,273,000 reported in the same period 2007.
 
2

Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
Second Quarter 2008 Results

As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported operating income of Ps. 66,002,000 for the first six months of 2008, a 67.3% increase compared to the Ps. 39,460,000 reported in the same period 2007.

Other expenses, net, for the first six months of 2008 were Ps. 24,445,000, a 19.3% increase compared to the Ps. 20,498,000 reported in the same period 2007. This increase was mainly attributable to higher legal expenses during the second quarter 2008, as well as other expenses related to the Company’s listings on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (the Mexican stock exchange) and The New York Stock Exchange compared to the same period 2007. 

The Company’s comprehensive cost of financing for the first six months of 2008 was Ps. 4,507,000, a 118.2% increase compared to the Ps. 2,066,000 reported in the same period 2007. This unfavorable change was mainly due to fees paid in the second quarter 2008 in connection with the amendment of the Company’s credit facility, as described above.

For the first six months of 2008, the Company reported income before taxes of Ps. 37,050,000, a 119.3% increase compared to the Ps. 16,896,000 reported in the same period 2007, mainly due to the previously mentioned increase in broadcasting revenue.

The Company recorded income taxes of Ps. 10,800,000 for the first six months of 2008, compared to the Ps. 3,815,000 recorded in the same period 2007, primarily due to higher taxable income.

As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported net income of Ps. 26,250,000 in the first half of 2008, more than double the Ps. 13,081,000 reported in the first six months of 2007.
 
Company Description

Grupo Radio Centro owns and/or operates 14 radio stations. Of these 14 radio stations, Grupo Radio Centro operates 11 in Mexico City. The Company’s principal activities are the production and broadcasting of musical and entertainment programs, talk shows, news and special events programs. Revenue is primarily derived from the sale of commercial airtime. In addition to the Organización Radio Centro radio stations, the Company also operates Grupo RED radio stations and Organización Impulsora de Radio (OIR), a radio network that acts as the national sales representative for, and provides programming to, Grupo Radio Centro-affiliated radio stations.

3

Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
Second Quarter 2008 Results
 
Note on Forward Looking Statements
 
This release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements related to Grupo Radio Centro that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Grupo Radio Centro with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent filing on Form 20-F, which identifies important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Grupo Radio Centro on the date hereof, and Grupo Radio Centro assumes no obligation to update such statements.
 
RI Contacts
 
In México:
In NY:
Pedro Beltrán / Alfredo Azpeitia
Maria Barona / Peter Majeski
Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
i-advize Corporate Communications, Inc.
Tel: (5255) 5728-4800 Ext. 7018
Tel: (212) 406-3690
aazpeitia@grc.com.mx
grc@i-advize.com.mx 

4

Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
Second Quarter 2008 Results
 
GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A.B. DE C.V.
CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEETS
as of June 30, 2008 and 2007 (1)
(figures in thousands of Mexican pesos ("Ps.") and U.S. dollars ("U.S. $") (2)
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
   
U.S. $(2)
 
Ps.
 
Ps.
 
ASSETS
             
Current assets:
             
Cash and temporary investments
    10,148    
104,366
   
48,261
 
                     
Accounts receivable:
                   
Broadcasting, net
    15,731    
161,774
   
189,877
 
Other
    550    
5,658
   
5,753
 
Income taxes recoverable
    0    
0
   
6,488
 
      16,281    
167,432
   
202,118
 
                     
Prepaid expenses
    2,548    
26,206
   
23,148
 
Total current assets
    28,977    
298,004
   
273,527
 
                     
Property and equipment, net
    45,475    
467,669
   
473,077
 
Deferred charges, net
    507    
5,216
   
4,005
 
Excess of cost over book value of net assets of subsidiaries, net
    80,597    
828,863
   
828,862
 
Other assets
    323    
3,325
   
3,381
 
Total assets
    155,879    
1,603,077
   
1,582,852
 
                     
LIABILITIES
                   
Current:
                   
Advances from customers
    10,814    
111,219
   
102,977
 
Suppliers and other accounts payable
    7,004    
72,030
   
63,823
 
Taxes payable
    2,363    
24,299
   
24,483
 
Total current liabilities
    20,181    
207,548
   
191,283
 
                     
Long-Term:
                   
Reserve for labor liabilities
    5,846    
60,116
   
55,144
 
Deferred taxes
    217    
2,233
   
5,278
 
Total liabilities
    26,244    
269,897
   
251,705
 
                     
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                   
Capital stock
    109,918    
1,130,409
   
1,130,409
 
Cumulative earnings
    15,387    
158,240
   
156,220
 
Reserve for repurchase of shares
    4,263    
43,839
   
43,839
 
Minority interest
    67    
692
   
679
 
Total shareholders' equity
    129,635    
1,333,180
   
1,331,147
 
Total liabilities and Shareholders' equity
    155,879    
1,603,077
   
1,582,852
 

 
(1)
Amounts for the second quarter 2007 are expressed in Mexican pesos with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007.
     
   
As a result of a change in MFRS for periods beginning in 2008, we have not prepared 2008 amounts using inflation accounting or re-expressed 2007 amounts as of June 30, 2008.
     
 
(2)
Peso amounts have been translated into U.S. dollars, solely for the convenience of the reader, at the rate of Ps. 10.2841 per U.S. dollar, the rate on June 30, 2008.

5

Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
Second Quarter 2008 Results
 
GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A.B. DE C.V.
CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 (1)
(figures in thousands of Mexican pesos ("Ps.") and U.S. dollars ("U.S. $")(2) , except per Share and per ADS amounts)
   
2nd Quarter
 
 Accumulated 6 months
 
 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
 
 
U.S.$(2) 
 
Ps.
 
Ps.
 
U.S.$(1) 
 
Ps.
 
Ps.
 
                           
Broadcasting revenue (3)
   
16,882
   
173,613
   
149,589
   
29,353
   
301,871
   
278,123
 
Broadcasting expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses
   
10,585
   
108,856
   
103,641
   
20,696
   
212,837
   
213,610
 
Broadcasting income
   
6,297
   
64,757
   
45,948
   
8,657
   
89,034
   
64,513
 
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
   
783
   
8,051
   
8,851
   
1,530
   
15,732
   
17,780
 
Corporate, general and administrative expenses
   
370
   
3,805
   
3,834
   
710
   
7,300
   
7,273
 
Operating income
   
5,144
   
52,901
   
33,263
   
6,417
   
66,002
   
39,460
 
                                       
Other expenses, net
   
(1,227
)
 
(12,622
)
 
(9,521
)
 
(2,377
)
 
(24,445
)
 
(20,498
)
                                       
Comprehensive financing cost:
                         
Interest expense
   
(374
)
 
(3,844
)
 
(871
)
 
(459
)
 
(4,718
)
 
(1,399
)
Interest income (3)
   
(44
)
 
(452
)
 
(1,673
)
 
31
   
315
   
128
 
(Loss) Gain on foreign currency exchange, net
   
(7
)
 
(74
)
 
(32
)
 
(10
)
 
(104
)
 
1
 
(Loss) Gain on net monetary position (4)
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
(796
)
 
   
(425
)
 
(4,370
)
 
(2,576
)
 
(438
)
 
(4,507
)
 
(2,066
)
                                       
Income before income taxes
   
3,492
   
35,909
   
21,166
   
3,602
   
37,050
   
16,896
 
                                       
Income taxes
   
1,018
   
10,469
   
5,117
   
1,050
   
10,800
   
3,815
 
Net income
   
2,474
   
25,440
   
16,049
   
2,552
   
26,250
   
13,081
 
                                       
Net income applicable to:
                         
Majority interest
   
2,473
   
25,434
   
16,045
   
2,551
   
26,235
   
13,072
 
Minority interest
   
1
   
6
   
4
   
1
   
15
   
9
 
 
   
2,474
   
25,440
   
16,049
   
2,552
   
26,250
   
13,081
 
Net income per Series A Share (5)
               
0.062
   
0.6407
   
0.5001
 
Net income per ADS (5)
               
0.561
   
5.7663
   
4.5009
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding (000's) (5)
                   
162,725
   
162,592
 

 
 
(1)
Amounts for the second quarter 2007 are expressed in Mexican pesos with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007. As a result of a change in MFRS for periods beginning in 2008, we have not prepared 2008 amounts using inflation accounting or re-expressed 2007 amounts as of June 30, 2008.
 
 
(2)
Peso amounts have been translated into U.S. dollars, solely for the convenience of the reader, at the rate of Ps. 10.2841 per U.S. dollar, the rate on June 30, 2008.
 
 
(3)
Broadcasting revenue for a particular period includes (as a reclassification of interest income) interest earned on funds received by the Company pursuant to advance sales of commercial air time to the extent that the underlying funds were earned by the Company during the period in question. Advances from advertisers are recognized as broadcasting revenue only when the corresponding commercial air time has been transmitted. Interest earned and treated as broadcasting revenue for the second quarter of 2008 and 2007 was Ps. 1,393,000 and Ps. 537,000, respectively. Interest earned and treated as broadcasting revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was Ps. 2,361,000 and Ps. 934,000, respectively.
 
 
(4)
As a result of a change in MFRS for periods beginning in 2008, we will no longer use inflation accounting unless the economic enviroment is "inflationary", as defined by MFRS. Since the economic enviroment was not inflationary in the second quarter 2008, we have not reported gain (loss) on net monetary position for this period.
 
 
(5)
Earnings per share calculations are made for the last twelve months as of the date of the income statement, as required by the Mexican Stock Exchange.
 
6

 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
     
Date: July 21, 2008
By:
/s/ Pedro Beltrán Nasr
 
 
 
Name:
Pedro Beltrán Nasr
 
 
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer