Corporate | 28 July 2005 07:59

ARQUES revises forecast for 2005

Corporate-news processed and transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— ARQUES revises forecast for 2005 Figures for first half year require adjustment to projections Starnberg, July 28, 2005 – The current forecast of ARQUES group (ISIN DE0005156004) for financial year 2005 is being adjusted based on the changes which have taken place in the companies to be consolidated in the ARQUES group financial statements since the publication of the last forecast (June 20, 2005), the figures available for the current financial year 2005 and the revised forecast for the remainder of the financial year. According to this adjustment, ARQUES expects a turnover of EUR 415.0 million in the financial year 2005, which represents an increase of 222.7% compared to the previous year. The annualised turnover should exceed the previously announced target of EUR 500.0 million within the second half of 2005. The planned earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) are EUR 23.0 million (+121.2% compared to the year end 2004) and the earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) are planned at EUR 16.0 million (+125.4% compared to the year end 2004). Including possible “bargain purchases” which are part of the ARQUES business model, ARQUES expects an annual net profit of EUR 36.O million. Financial figures of the ARQUES Group EUR million FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005* FY 2005** +/- in % (compared to year end 2004) Consolidated revenues 28.7 128.6 367.0 415.0 +222.7% EBITDA 5.6 10.4 20.0 23.0 +121.2% EBIT 5.0 7.1 14.0 16.0 +125.4% Profit from ordinary activities 4.8 6.8 12.0 14.0 +105.9% Consolidated profit 5.0 38.7 32.0 36.0 -7.0% Earnings per share (in EUR) 3.16 20.71 16.00 16.93 -18.3% Shareholders’ equity 7.6 53.2 85.0 89.0 +67.3% * Forecast as at: June 20, 2005 / ** Forecast as at: July 28, 2005 Contact: ARQUES Investor Relations Anke Lüdemann Phone: +49(0)8151/651 0 Email: Luedemann@arques.de End of announcement (c)DGAP 28.07.2005 —————————————————————————— WKN: 515600 ; ISIN: DE0005156004; Index: Listed: Geregelter Markt (Prime Standard) in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, München und Stuttgart 280759 Jul 05