euro adhoc: ComBOTS AG
quarterly or semiannual financial statement
Ad-hoc
disclosure according to § 15 WpHG (German Securities Trading Act): ComBOTS AG in
Q1/06 with liquid assets of 516 million Euro - result characterized by heavy
investment in rese
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
20.04.2006
Karlsruhe, April 20, 2006. With its financials for the first quarter of fiscal 2006, ComBOTS AG (ISIN: DE000CMBT111) reports about a business development characterized by heavy investment in research and development. At the same time, liquid assets increased significantly to EUR 516 million. The value of the almost 10% shareholding in United Internet, according to IFRS only recorded in the balance sheet, increased by more than EUR 120 million or +65% during the first quarter alone. Consequently, the sustainable strategy pursued by the company to focus on the market for Personal Digital Communication has borne its first fruits. The operating focus of the company is on the scheduled preparation for the international launch of the new ComBOTS® product on July 12, 2006.
The profit and loss statement of Q1/06 shows an operating result (EBIT) of EUR -8.5 million (Q1/05: EUR -2.8 million). The EBIT is determined primarily by heavy and fully cost effective investments in research and development (EUR 6.3 million, Q1/05: EUR 2.7 million). This reflects yet again the efforts of the company to take a highly innovative product, intended for worldwide marketing, to market maturity. Overall, the financial income amounted to EUR 1.7 million during the first quarter, and the net income for the period reached EUR -4.6 million (Q1/05: EUR 1.6 million). Contrasting the disclosed loss, the appreciation of the United Internet investment in Q1/06 amounting to EUR 121.2 million has not been recognized as income in the profit and loss statement.
The net assets of EUR 516 million break down into EUR 208 million in cash and EUR 308 million in United Internet shares on the reporting date March 31, 2006. Since the announcement of the alliance with United Internet in March 2005 the value of the block of shares hence increased by EUR 175 million (+132%). Based on the freely traded shares of ComBOTS AG (without own shares) the asset value amounts to EUR 14.46 per share as at March 31, 2006. Consequently, three months before product launch the liquid asset value continues to be above the current share price.
The execution of the contracts concerning the integration of the Portal business into the United Internet Group is now smoothly and almost completely concluded, including any due taxes and compensation payments for working capital. The successful implementation of the alliance provides ComBOTS AG with the financial strength to consistently strive towards its goal of becoming the world's most successful company for Personal Digital Communication.
Appendix: Table financial figures
in EUR million Q1/2006 Q1/2005 Revenues 0 0.2 Research and development -6.3 -2.7 Operating income (EBIT) -8.5 -2.7 Financial income 1.7 0.9 Net income for the period -4.6 1.6 Earnings per share (in EUR) -0.13 0.05 Liquid funds and securities 516.2 107.6 Balance sheet total 559.5 158.8
Contact Person for Press and Media: Oliver Schwartz, Head of PR Europe, tel +49 (0)721 5160 2221, Mail public.relations@combots.com
Contact Person for Analysts and for Investors: Silvia Teschner, Investor Relations, tel +49 (0)721 5160 2701, Mail investor.relations@combots.com
end of announcement euro adhoc 20.04.2006 07:45:54
Further inquiry note:
Silvia Teschner
Investor Relations
Tel.: +49 (0)721 5160 2701
E-Mail: silvia.teschner@combots.com
Branche: Online
ISIN: DE000CMBT111
WKN: CMBT11
Index: TecDAX, Midcap Market Index, HDAX, Prime All Share, CDAX
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / regulated dealing/prime
standard
Börse Berlin-Bremen / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Niedersächsische Börse zu Hannover / free trade
Bayerische Börse / free trade