euro adhoc: quarterly or semiannual financial statement
Bene AG: Report on the
first three quarters of 2006/2007
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
18.12.2006
Group sales 3.4% up, at EUR 137.9 million EBIT 8.7% up, at EUR 10.0 million EBIT margin improved to 7.3% Positive outlook confirmed
Wien/Waidhofen an der Ybbs, December 18, 2006. BENE AG, listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange (ISIN AT00000BENE6) since November 3, 2006 has managed to further improve sales and profits during the first nine months of the current business year. Total sales during that period were EUR 137.9 million, compared to EUR 133.3 million for the previous year. The 3.4% increase was due to organic growth of the firm´s business activity.
In Austria, sales went up 10.3% during the first nine months, reaching a total of EUR 51.8 million; the increase in the UK was 5.6% (to EUR 19.3 million) and in "other markets" it was 9.7% (to EUR 20.4 million). Sales in Germany were EUR 33.5 mill. (previous year: EUR 34.9 million), in Russia EUR 12.9 mill. (previous year: EUR 14.6 mill.).
During the first three quarters of the current year, BENE Group managed to push up EBIT to EUR 10.0 mill., which equals an increase of 8.7% over the same period of last year; the resulting EBIT margin was 7.3% (previous year: 6.9%).
The financial result improved by EUR 0.3 million, to EUR 0.6 million, due to optimized financial management. The resulting EBT in the amount of EUR 8.3 million went up 13.7%, to EUR 9.4 million, with an EBT margin of 6.8% (previous year: 6.2%). The equity ratio on the reporting date 31.10.2006 was 31.0%, compared to 27.9% on 31.01.2006.
Investments to expand and modernize production came up to EUR 3.7 million (previous year: 3.3 million) during the first three quarters.
On the reporting date 31.10.2006, BENE Group had 1,267 employees, 70 more than a year before; this equals an increase of 5.8%.
Based on an overall positive economic development, the management of BENE Group is optimistic and expects a strong fourth quarter and total annual sales of around EUR 195 million. Profits for 2006/07 should also be significantly higher than last year.
A more comprehensive quarterly report for the first three quarters 2006/07 is available at www.bene.com .
end of announcement euro adhoc 18.12.2006 07:00:00
Further inquiry note:
Investor Relations
Gerald Strohmaier, MBA
Head of Finance & Investor Relations
BENE AG A-3340 WAIDHOFEN/YBBS SCHWARZWIESENSTRASSE 3
www.bene.com
TELEPHONE +43-7442-500-3372 FAX +43-7442-500-993372
E-MAIL: IR@BENE.COM
Branche: Furnishings & Furniture
ISIN: AT00000BENE6
WKN:
Index: ATX Prime
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market