EANS-Adhoc: Sartorius AG
Dynamic development of earnings in the Biotechnology
Division | Cost-cutting measures in the Mechatronics Division show effect |
Consolidated operating earnings (underlying EBITA) up 8.3% | Significantly
positive cash flows ...
ad-hoc disclosure pursuant to section 15 of the WpHG transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Figures for the First Nine Months of 2009
21.10.2009
In the Biotechnology Division, order intake rose 12.7% (currency-adjusted: +10.3%) to 303.4 million euros from 269.3 million euros a year ago; revenue climbed 9.0% (+6.7%) to 298.0 million euros from 273.3 million euros a year earlier. In the Mechatronics Division, order intake stabilized as of the second quarter, albeit at a level of 151.4 million euros that is substantially lower (-18.0%; currency-adjusted: -20.6%) than in the comparable year-earlier period (184.8 mn. euros). At 146.8 million euros, the division's revenue is 18.5% (-21.1%) down from a year ago (180.0 mn. euros). On the whole, the Sartorius Group's order intake at 454.8 million euros (+0.2%; currency-adjusted: -2.3%) attained the previous year's level (454.0 mn. euros). Consolidated sales eased 1.9% (-4.3%) to 444.7 million euros from 453.4 million euros the year before.
Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary expenses (underlying EBITA) rose to 43.9 million euros from 40.6 million euros a year ago; the corresponding margin, to 9.9% from 8.9%. The Biotechnology Division contributed to this growth with 46.3 million euros (prev. year: 29.1 mn. euros) in earnings and with a margin increase from 10.7% to 15.5%. At -2.4 million euros (11.4 mn. euros), the Mechatronics Division delivered negative earnings, though it reported slightly positive third-quarter operating earnings due to cost-cutting measures.
Without extraordinary items and the two non-cash items of amortization and interest for share price warrants, consolidated net profit after minority interest is at 13.9 million euros (prev. year: 13.7 mn. euros); the corresponding earnings per share are at 0.81 euro (0.80 euro). Extraordinary expenses total 24.7 million euros, which essentially entail provisions for the restructuring program already implemented in the Mechatronics Division to a large extent. Unadjusted consolidated net profit after minority interest is at -7.0 million euros (10.0 mn. euros).
Cash flows from operating activities at 104.8 million euros (15.3 mn. euros) are significantly positive. The ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA is at 3.0; the interest coverage ratio, at 7.0. Therefore, no adjustments to the company's syndicated loan agreement were necessary.
For the last three months of the current fiscal year, company management expects the Biotechnology Division´s revenue to increase and its earnings to rise overproportionately relative to the fourth quarter in 2008. The company continues to expect exceptionally difficult market conditions for the Mechatronics Division. However, management anticipates a slightly positive fourth-quarter underlying EBITA for this division because of its successfully implemented cost-reduction program.
Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius, will discuss the results with analysts and investors on Thursday, October 22, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET), in a teleconference. You may dial into the teleconference starting at 2:45 p.m. CET at the following numbers: Germany +49 (0)69 9897 2623; France +33 (0)1 70 99 42 84; UK +44 (0)20 7138 0845; USA +1 212 444 0896 The dial-in code is: 4830253 The webcast and presentation can be viewed at www.sartorius.com.
Further inquiry note:
Andreas Wiederhold
Team Leader Treasury & Investor Relations
Telefon: +49 (0)551 308-1668
E-Mail: andreas.wiederhold@sartorius.com
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE0007165607
WKN: 716560
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
Hannover / free trade
München / free trade