03.03.2005 – 07:53

ESCADA AG

euro adhoc: ESCADA AG
Quarterly or Semiannual Financial Statements / ESCADA earnings up again in Q1 - Bond issue planned

Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc.
  The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.

03.03.2005

Aschheim/Munich, March 3, 2005  - ESCADA AG’s positive performance
from the past fiscal year has carried on into the first quarter of
2004/2005. Consolidated revenues for the maker of women’s luxury
fashions climbed 8.1 % in the first three months, to EUR 160.1
million (Q1 of prior year: EUR 148.1 million). After adjustment for
changes in foreign-exchange rates, growth was 10.3 %. ESCADA brand
revenues were up 9.7 %, from EUR 100.2 million to EUR 109.9 million.
Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA) grew 46.4 % to EUR 20.5 million, as against EUR
14.0 million for the comparable quarter last year. Consolidated
profit after taxes and minority interests nearly doubled to EUR 5.9
million for the first quarter, compared to EUR 3.1 million for Q1 of
last fiscal year.

For fiscal 2004/2005 as a whole, management continues to expect that
Group revenues in euros will grow, EBITDA will increase significantly
and there will be a disproportionate improvement in consolidated
profit after taxes.

To safeguard the ESCADA Group’s long-term financing base, management
is planning a bond issue for a projected total of EUR 175 million.
The exact timing of the bond issue will depend on the market
conditions, and will be announced at a later date together with the
other relevant details. The bond is intended to replace existing bank
debt and help improve the Group’s capital structure in the long run.

These materials are not an offer for sales of the Securities in the
United States. The Securities may not be offered or sold in the
United States absent registration or an exemption from registration
under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. ESCADA AG does not
intend to register any portion of the offering in the United States
or to conduct a public offering of Securities in the United States.
Not for distribution in the United States.

Diese Unterlagen sind kein Angebot zum Kauf von Wertpapieren in den
Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika. Wertpapiere dürfen in den
Vereinigten Staaten nur mit vorheriger Registrierung oder ohne
vorherige Registrierung nur aufgrund einer Ausnahmeregelung verkauft
oder zum Kauf angeboten werden. ESCADA AG hat nicht die Absicht, das
Angebot oder einen Teil davon in den Vereinigten Staaten zu
registrieren oder ein öffentliches Angebot von Wertpapieren in den
Vereinigten Staaten durchzuführen.
Nicht zur Weitergabe in die Vereinigten Staaten.

end of announcement                    euro adhoc 03.03.2005 07:15:00 

Further inquiry note:

Viona Brandt
Tel.: +49 (0)89 9944 1336
E-Mail: viona.brandt@de.escada.com

Branche: Clothing
ISIN: DE0005692107
WKN: 569210
Index: SDAX, Prime Standard, CDAX, Classic All Share, Prime All Share
Börsen: Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / official dealing
Bayerische Börse / official dealing