26.07.2004 – 07:32

WINCOR NIXDORF Aktiengesellschaft

euro adhoc: WINCOR NIXDORF Aktiengesellschaft
Earnings Forecast / Wincor Nixdorf’s business in Q3 fiscal 03/04 ahead of expectations Full-year forecast raised (E)

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  The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.

Paderborn, July 26, 2004. Wincor Nixdorf AG (ISIN: DE000A0CAYB2) is
raising its forecast for growth to the end of its fiscal year
(September 30) to 8% for net sales and 10% for operating profit
(EBITA). 
In the first three quarters of fiscal 2003/04, the company lifted net
sales by 9.2% and operating profit (EBITA) by 9.3% above last year’s
equivalent levels. This growth is the result of further
internationalization of the company’s business and was driven by
growth in both the Banking and Retail segments. Here, the Product and
Solutions & Services business types grew at the same rate.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2003/04, net sales increased
9.2% to EUR 1,127.5 million (last year equivalent: EUR 1,032.9m).
Adjusting for exchange rate effects in the relationship between the
euro and the US dollar, net sales improved 12.9%. The company
succeeded in growing its net sales in Quarter 3 by 13.3% to EUR
394.1m (last year equivalent: EUR 347.7m).  Operating profit (EBITA)
was up 9.3% at EUR 80.9m over the nine months (last year equivalent:
EUR 74.0m), leaving the EBITA return constant at 7.2% of net sales.
There was a rise in net profit for the period during the first nine
months, which finished at EUR 30.4m (last year’s equivalent figure 
EUR 10.4m).

Comments: 
America the strongest growing region
In the Europe region (excluding Germany), net sales in the first nine
months of the fiscal year grew 15.9% to EUR 542.0m (last year
equivalent: EUR 467.7m). In Germany, subdued levels of business with
banks and good levels of business with retailers meant that net sales
finished the first nine months slightly below last year’s level, at
EUR 380.5m. Net sales in the America region grew in US dollar terms
by 55.9%. after conversion to euros, net sales rose 38.2% to EUR
83.9m in the first nine months of the year (last year equivalent: EUR
60.7m). In the Asia-Pacific & Africa region, Wincor Nixdorf succeeded
in growing its net sales in US dollar terms by 13.3% above their
level during the same period last year. Expressed in euros, net sales
finished at EUR 121.0m, the same level as last time.

Double-digit growth in retail 
Business performance in the Banking segment during the first nine
months of the year produced net sales 8.6% higher at EUR 664.2m. The
Retail segment reported a 10.0% rise in net sales to EUR 463.3m.
Several orders received from the lottery and industrial manufacturing
industries during the quarter under report confirmed the company’s
strategy of using its core competencies acquired in the retail and
banking industries to expand into neighboring sectors.

Performance by business types: software business expanded
During the first nine months of the year, net sales in the Product
business - including for example sales of automated teller machines
and electronic point-of-sale systems -  increased by 9.2% to EUR
684.9m. The Solutions & Services business was up 9% at EUR 442.6m and
continued to enjoy a positive business developement in software
field.

More service delivery personnel
As at June 30, 2004, the number of employees within the Group
increased to 5,681 (4,926 as at September 30, 2003). The rise in
headcount in the quarter under review was 213, mainly associated with
augmentation of IT services resources which are to be expanded to
create a full-coverage IT service network across Europe.

Continuing sustainable growth
"This good business performance at the 9-month mark has exceeded our
expectations. We are expecting to see continued good performance in
Quarter 4 and are confident of being able once again to close the
full year with sustained growth", said the company’s President,
Karl-Heinz Stiller. The Management is raising its forecast growth for
net sales for the full year to 8%, and for profit to 10% (EBITA).
This performance will be underpinned by sizeable incremental growth
in both the Banking and Retail segments.

Interim report for third quarter for download: www.wincor-nixdorf.com

end of announcement        euro adhoc 26.07.2004

Further inquiry note:

Press: Andreas Bruck
Tel.: +49 (0)5251 693 5200
E-Mail: andreas.bruck@wincor-nixdorf.com
Investor Relations: Peter Holder
Tel.: +49 (0)5251 693 5050
E-Mail: peter.holder@wincor-nixdorf.com

Branche: Computing & Information Technology
ISIN: DE000A0CAYB2
WKN: A0CAYB
Index: Prime All Share, Prime Standard
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