Gaumont announced on Friday that it had returned to profit in the first half of 2023, but referred to an uncertain economic context and the negative impact of the writers' strike in Hollywood.

The French film and series producer posted a group share net profit of 4.6 million euros in the first six months of the year, compared with a loss of 4.1 million euros in the same period of 2022.

Sales nevertheless contracted sharply to 91 million euros, compared with 110 million euros in the first half of 2022.

Sales from theatrical distribution jumped to 8.4 million euros, compared with 3.4 million a year earlier, thanks to the success of films such as 'Tirailleurs' and 'Mon Crime'.

Audiovisual production, however, fell to 48 million euros, compared with 73.7 million on June 30, 2022.

The group, which points to an economic context that is "as uncertain as ever", plans to release six films in theaters in the second half of the year, and to deliver six series and two feature films produced for platforms.

It also warns that the strikes by American writers and actors, which began last May and July respectively, will have a significant negative impact on its business in the second half of the year.

Listed on the Paris Bourse, Gaumont shares (+0.4%) showed little reaction to this publication on Friday morning, in particularly low trading volumes.

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