euro adhoc: BWT Aktiengesellschaft
quarterly or semiannual financial statement
/ BWT growth driven by water hygiene and security continued in the third quarter
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
9-month report
16.11.2007
Sales +10.1% to EUR 289.3 million EBIT +11.2% to EUR 28.6 million Net income +11.1% to EUR 20.1 million
The BWT - Best Water Technology - Group continued its expansion also in Q3. "Drinking water quality and hygiene are elementary concerns of our customers and again in the headlines of media. Recognition of BWT and its central position in water technology is increasing," says Andreas Weissenbacher, CEO of the BWT Group.
With revenues of EUR 94.1 million, the previous year´s figure of EUR 88.5 million was exceeded by 6.3% and EBIT increased disproportionately by 8% to EUR 7.8 million. In the first nine months of the 2007 financial year, the BWT Group increased its consolidated revenues by 10.1% from EUR 262.8 million to EUR 289.3 million and EBIT by 11.2% from EUR 25.7 million to EUR 28.6 million. "BWT´s leading role on the European water treatment market was further consolidated", says Andreas Weissenbacher.
In addition to the creation of the "Point-of-Use" business, Asia and Eastern Europe represent focal points for the BWT growth strategy. In the first three quarters of 2007, revenue in Eastern Europe increased by 20% from EUR 18.4 million last year to EUR 22.1 million. Revenues in Asia increased by 27% to EUR 2.8 million.
Good results in high-tax countries led to an increase in the average consolidated tax rate from 27.5% to 30.3%. Consolidated earnings after minority interests increased by 11.1% to EUR 20.1 million. The number of shares issued remained unchanged, so that earnings per share came to EUR 1.13 after EUR 1.01 in the previous year.
Despite the improved earnings, cash flow from operating activities fell year-on-year from EUR 17.4 million to EUR 10.2 million in the period from January to September 2007. The expansion of working capital for delivery requirements and stock is primarily responsible for this. There was increased demand for stock in the production companies in Austria, Germany and France. This is due to stockbuilding as a precautionary measure in the light of rising raw material prices and the new Point-of-Use product range.
Higher investments in tangible assets (EUR 9.0 million after EUR 6.4 million the previous year) led to cash flow from investment activities of EUR -9.3 million (previous year: EUR -7.3 million). The higher dividend payment also contributed to the increase in net debt as at September 2007 compared with the end of the previous year (from EUR 24.7 million to EUR 31.1 million). Gearing as at September 30, 2007 increased compared with the previous year from 20.8% to 25.5% and was 22.6% at the end of the previous year. Group equity totaled EUR 121.9 million at the end of September 2007, thus resulting in an equity ratio of 42.1% (previous year: 40.4%).
Outlook
"We expect for the current financial year with the prevailing market conditions consolidated revenues in excess of EUR 390 million and consolidated net earnings of EUR 25 million. Further potential material price hikes and a continued flattening of growth in some markets we accept as challenges. Our comprehensive technological capabilities in water treatment, innovative products like our new softener AQA perla and our technologically leading Point-of-Use filters as well as international expansion should allow us to grow disproportionately in the next quarters," says Andreas Weissenbacher.
end of announcement euro adhoc 16.11.2007 07:30:00
Further inquiry note:
BWT Aktiengesellschaft
Ralf Burchert, CEFA
ralf.burchert@bwt.at
Tel.: 06232/5011-1113
Branche: Water Supply
ISIN: AT0000737705
WKN: 884042
Index: ATX Prime
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market