Ad-hoc | 13 February 2002 07:59

HAWESKO Holding AG english

Hawesko nearly doubles operating profit in 2001 Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– – Sales rise by 14% to Euro 264 million – Further increase in sales and profits expected for 2002 Hamburg, 13 February 2002. The wine trading group Hawesko Holding AG (HAWG.F, DE0006042708) nearly doubled its operating result (EBIT) in fiscal year 2001. According to the preliminary sales and profit figures released today, it increased to Euro 17 million (2000: Euro 8.7 million). Consolidated group sales came to Euro 264 million (excluding sales tax), thereby exceeding the previous year’s figure by 14%. The Hawesko Group posted an operating (EBIT) margin of 6.4% for 2001 (2000: 3.7%), which comes already very close to the medium-term goal – 7% – of the management board. The final figures together with the audited annual financial statements will be presented at the balance sheet press conference on 29 April 2002. The success of the past year is reflected in the earnings per share which will range between Euro 1.60 and Euro 1.70, a development which, in the view of the management board, justifies a dividend payment of at least Euro 1.00 per share. For 2002 as a whole, the management board anticipates an increase in Group sales of 7% – to between Euro 280 million and Euro 285 million – with a proportional increase in profits to approximately Euro 18 million, whereby the management board expects sales growth primarily in the second half of the year. # # # The full announcement is available on the Internet at http://www.hawesko.com -> press end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 13.02.2002 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 604270; ISIN: DE0006042708; Index: SDax Listed: Amtlicher Handel in Frankfurt (SMAX), Hamburg; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart 130759 Feb 02