Corporate | 30 July 2004 07:31

Deutsche Post World Net reports strong first half 2004

Corporate-news announcement processed and sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Deutsche Post World Net reports strong first half 2004 Second-quarter operating profit rises 45.2 percent – EBITA rises by 14.5 percent to 1.7 billion euros in the first half-year – First-half revenue up 9.6 percent to 21 billion euros – EBITA to increase by 7.5 to 12.5 percent in full-year 2004 – STAR program contributes 178 million euros to first-half earnings Bonn, July 30, 2004: Deutsche Post World Net reported a strong first half: Profit from operating activities (EBITA) rose by 14.5 percent to 1.682 billion euros from 1.469 billion euros in the year-earlier period. Consolidated net profit rose 10.9 percent to 721 million euros. Earnings per share increased to 0.65 euros from 0.58 euros. Second-quarter EBITA increased by 45.2 percent to 752 million euros, while second-quarter net profit nearly doubled to 280 million euros. Deutsche Post World Net group revenue rose by 9.6 percent to about 21 billion euros in the first half-year of 2004 from 19.2 billion euros in the year-earlier period. Revenue grew by 11.6 percent to 10.5 billion euros in the second quarter. The share of revenue generated outside of Germany rose by some 27 percent in the first half to about 9.9 billion euros, comprising nearly 47 percent of total group revenue. “We are very satisfied with our earnings performance this year, particularly the increases we were able to register in the second quarter,” said Klaus Zumwinkel, Chairman of the Management Board. “Our internationalization strategy is beginning to contribute handsomely to our overall results and we are competing vigorously throughout the world.” The STAR value creation and integration program contributed 178 million euros to earnings in the first half of 2004. Individual STAR successes included an increased automation rate in the mail centers in Germany as well as the progressive reduction of IT costs within the group. Since STAR began in November 2002, it has contributed 601 million euros to earnings. STAR is expected to contribute at least 1.4 billion euros to earnings by the end of 2005. After a review of the corporation’s first-half performance, Zumwinkel increased the earnings forecast for the full year: EBITA is now expected to rise by 7.5 to 12.5 percent. (Previous forecast: between 5 and 10 percent). This upward revision results from the about 75 million euros worth of net proceeds from the Postbank listing. Looking forward to 2005, the company expects EBITA to reach at least 3.6 billion euros. Notes: The full quarterly report can be found under http://www.deutschepost.de . It will be made available on July 30, 2004 at 07:30 a.m. CET. Klaus Zumwinkel and Edgar Ernst will comment on the results at a press conference in Bonn July 30 at 10 a.m. CET. Their speeches will be broadcast live over the Internet. Contact: Deutsche Post World Net Media Relations Ph. +49 228-182-9988 E-Mail pressestelle@deutschepost.de This interim report contains forward-looking statements that relate to the business, financial performance and results of operations of Deutsche Post AG. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and may be identified by words such as “believes”, “expects”, “predicts”, “intends”, “projects”, “plans”, “estimates”, “aims”, “foresees”, “anticipates”, “targets” and similar expressions. As these statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from the future development, performance or results expressly or implicitly assumed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this presentation. Deutsche Post AG does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this interim report.] We move the world. Deutsche Post World Net is one of the largest high-performing logistics providers in the world. With its brands Deutsche Post, DHL and Postbank, the Group offers its customers a global mail, express and logistics service as well as a wide range of financial services. The company is thus excellently positioned on the way to becoming the global number one in the express and logistics sector. Approximately 380,000 employees generated world wide revenues above EUR 40 bn in 2003. Deutsche Post World Net is listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange and is a member of the DAX 30 index. end of message, (c)DGAP 30.07.2004 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 555200; ISIN: DE0005552004; Index: DAX Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart; EUREX 300731 Jul 04