euro adhoc: Sartorius AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet
Group sales revenue
currency-adjusted up 0.9%
EBITA of EUR56.8 million achieved
Robust profit in
a difficult market environment
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Preliminary figures for fiscal 2008
10.02.2009
Sales revenue for the Sartorius Group in fiscal 2008 was EUR611.6 million (2007 pro forma: EUR622.7 mn). This corresponds to a currency-adjusted increase of 0.9%, or a decrease of 1.8% at the current exchange rates. Currency-adjusted sales for the Biotechnology Division were up 0.2% (current exchange rates: -2.6%) to EUR366.0 million (EUR375.9 mn). Revenue for the Mechatronics Division rose 1.8% on a currency-adjusted basis (current exchange rates: 0.5%) to EUR245.6 million (EUR246.8 mn). Based on constant exchange rates, order intake edged up 1.6% (Biotechnology Division: +3.0%; Mechatronics Division: -0.5%).
At EUR56.8 million, earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA) were 20.0% below the pro forma underlying figure of EUR71.1 million a year ago. The Biotechnology Division contributed earnings of EUR39.7 million (EUR49.7 mn) and the Mechatronics Division EUR17.1 million (EUR21.3 mn) to consolidated EBITA. This decline in earnings essentially resulted from the negative exchange rate impact, the market-induced decline in sales in North America for the Biotechnology Division and from the budgeted substantial increase in R&D expenses for the Mechatronics Division. The consolidated EBITA margin was 9.3% (11.4%).
The financial result decreased from -EUR11.8 million to -EUR23.7 million, especially due to the expenses for currency exchange rate hedging instruments of -EUR5.2 million and the non-cash item of interest expense for share price warrants of -EUR2.7 million. Net profit after minority interest totaled EUR12.4 million (EUR27.0 mn). Excluding the two non-cash items of amortization and interest for share price warrants, this corresponds to earnings per share of EUR1.07 euros (EUR1.78).
Over the coming months, company management expects highly difficult market conditions for the Mechatronics Division and, therefore, a decline in sales for fiscal 2009. For the Biotechnology Division, the company plans to achieve revenue growth. However, as high uncertainty continues to prevail over the global economical development, Sartorius upholds its opinion that for both divisions it is not possible to make a reliable forecast on development of business in 2009.
The numbers provided above are still subject to final review by the auditors. The final audited figures will be announced at the annual press conference on March 12, 2009.
Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius, will discuss the results with analysts and investors on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET), in a teleconference. You may dial into the tele-conference starting at 2:45 CET at the following numbers: Germany: +49 (0)69 5007 1317; France: +33 (0)1 70 99 42 98; UK: +44 (0)20 7806 1967; USA: +1 718 354 1391. The dial-in code is: 2415076; to view the webcast or presentation, log onto www.sartorius.com
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Andreas Wiederhold
Phone +49(0)551.308.1668
andreas.wiederhold@sartorius.com
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE0007165607
WKN: 716560
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin / free trade
Börse Hamburg / free trade
Börse Stuttgart / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
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Börse München / free trade