ElringKlinger raises dividend by 25% - AGM in Stuttgart looks back on encouraging fiscal 2006
Dettingen/Erms (euro adhoc) -
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Stuttgart, Dettingen/Erms, May 25, 2007 +++ SDAX-listed ElringKlinger AG will pay a dividend of EUR 1.25 (1.00) per share for the 2006 fiscal year. Attended by more than 600 shareholders, today's Annual General Meeting at the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum conference center in Stuttgart agreed a 25% dividend increase. The total dividend payment thus amounts to EUR 24 million.
Thus, ElringKlinger AG has again underlined its commitment to a dividend policy that allows shareholders to participate in the company's success in a sustained manner. Since 1997, the total dividend payout has risen from EUR 1.4 million to EUR 24.0 million. The proportion of profit distributed for 2006, calculated on the basis of consolidated net income after minority interests, thus stood at 41.6%.
The company's shareholders can look back on a successful financial year in 2006. The automotive supplier managed to lift sales revenues by 11.3% to EUR 528.4 (474.6) million in 2006; consolidated net income after minority interests was propelled upward by 36.3% to EUR 57.8 (42.2) million. What is more, the encouraging business trend has continued into the 2007 fiscal year.
The company's stock also performed well. Since the beginning of 2007, ElringKlinger's share price has risen by 44%.
100 percent of shareholders voted in favor of formally approving the actions of the Management Board and Supervisory Board. KPMG Deutsche Treuhand-Gesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft was again appointed as auditor for the fiscal year 2007.
In the foyer of the conference center in Stuttgart the company presented the latest developments within its various business units under the heading "Growth for the future". Those attending the event were particularly interested in the fuel cell components and high-performance plastic products developed by ElringKlinger's Engineered Plastics division.
The Group has forecast further growth in sales revenues and earnings for 2007. "We are determined to continue on the successful path of growth witnessed in recent years. For this purpose, we intend to invest more than EUR 60 million over the course of this year," said Chairman of the Management Board of ElringKlinger AG, Dr. Stefan Wolf, at the meeting. "Within this context, we will be focusing on the three core requirements of the automobile industry: the reduction of fuel consumption, the lowering of emission levels and the use of alternative energies and drive concepts. Committed to innovation and benefiting from our market position, we are well on the way to achieving our goals for the current 2007 fiscal year, despite the challenges of today's automobile markets. Sales revenues are to be expanded by 5 to 7%, while net consolidated income after minority interests adjusted for the one-off positive corporation tax effect in 2006 is to grow by around 10%," said Wolf.
end of announcement euro adhoc 25.05.2007 13:38:52
Further inquiry note:
Stephan Haas
Investor Relations Manager
Telefon: +49(0)7123 724-137
E-Mail: stephan.haas@elringklinger.de
Branche: Automotive Equipment
ISIN: DE0007856023
WKN: 785602
Index: SDAX, CDAX, Classic All Share, Prime All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / official dealing/prime standard
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