euro adhoc: Mühlbauer Holding AG & Co.KGaA
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet /
'Ad-hoc message pursuant to § 15 WpHG'
In 2006 Mühlbauer achieved another record in sales and earnings - dividend
increase to EUR 1.25 projected
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
14.03.2007
Roding, March 15, 2007 - Mühlbauer Holding AG & Co. KGaA quoted on the Prime Standard and worldwide active independent advisor and manufacturer of innovative security solutions for the TECURITY® market consistently pushed ahead its positioning in promising growth markets in the 2006 financial year. At the same time, the technology group grew further, improved results and more than reinforced the position in its markets.
With generated earnings before taxes (EBIT) of EUR 34.4 million, Mühlbauer was able to exceed the comparable value of last year by 4.1% (EUR 33.1 million), while consolidated earnings before taxes (EBT) even rose 9.6% to EUR 38.0 million (EUR 34.7 million) over the same period of time. The profit margin of 23.7% was once again slightly up on the value of last year (23.4%) despite the group's drive towards globalization in the year under report. Mühlbauer also managed to significantly improve its net earnings: Due to extraordinary gains from the capitalization of a claim for a tax refund, net earnings amounted to EUR 27.7 million and increased by 20.4% compared to the value of last year (EUR 23.0 million), which corresponds to earnings per share of EUR 1.90 (EUR 1.59). Once again the Mühlbauer Group wants to continue its profit-oriented dividend policy and enables shareholders to participate in the result of the past financial year: A proposal will be forwarded to the Annual General Meeting suggesting the payment of a dividend of EUR 1.00 and - on the occasion of the 25-year company anniversary - an additional special dividend of EUR 0.25 per share, which amounts to a total dividend of EUR 1.25 (EUR 0.90) per share.
At EUR 2.4 million, free cashflow was clearly below the level of the previous year (EUR 22.7 million), due to higher expenditures for investments and due to funds used for financing of net working capital. At the end of the reporting period, the proportion of equity capital in total capital, however, was at 80.1% compared to 76.3% in the previous year.
Mühlbauer's sales figure hit an all-time high and climbed 8.7% to EUR 160.9 million *(EUR 148.1 million) over the previous year. All business areas made their contribution to growth. With an order income of EUR 161.5 million in the 2006 financial year, the Mühlbauer Group is only 2.1% behind the value of last year (EUR 165.0 million). Also the global technology group's order backlog almost maintained the level of last year and was at EUR 79.2 million (EUR 81.7 million).
The Mühlbauer Group considers itself well positioned for the future: As a result of the increasing implementation of security-oriented identification systems in Smart Card and passport format the demand for innovative and reliable technology and software solutions is growing. Because of the high preparedness of many states to make major investments the opportunities are very positive to benefit from this trend. Additionally RFID technology, which is predicted to possess high growth potential, is also gaining importance. With its sophisticated technology solutions for the manufacture of RFID Smart Label, Mühlbauer is extremely well prepared to generate above-average profits from the expected rise in demand in these future markets. Based on its comprehensive, innovative and solution-oriented product portfolio, the global technology group expects to continue the positive trend in business.
* Sales figures are the gross values before subtraction of any deductions on sales proceeds of EUR 0.2 million (EUR 0.2 million)
Contact and additional information: Investor Relations, Tilo Rosenberger, Tel.: +49 (0) 9461-952-1653, Fax: +49 (0) 9461-952-8520, investor-relations@muehlbauer.de, Mühlbauer Holding AG & Co. KGaA, Josef-Mühlbauer-Platz 1, 93426 Roding, Germany, www.muehlbauer.de.
end of announcement euro adhoc 15.03.2007 08:15:00
Further inquiry note:
Hubert Forster
CFO
+49(0)9461-952-1141
hubert.forster@muehlbauer.de
Branche: Machine Manufacturing
ISIN: DE0006627201
WKN: 662720
Index: Nemax 50, CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / regulated dealing/prime
standard
Börse Berlin-Bremen / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
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