Corporate | 30 August 2012 08:00

INDUS Holding AG holds its ground in difficult environment

INDUS Holding AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results

30.08.2012 / 08:00

INDUS Holding AG holds its ground in difficult environment

– EBIT margin of 9.7% reflects satisfactory earnings position
– Cost-cutting programme showing effect

Bergisch Gladbach, August 30, 2012 – The business performance of INDUS Holding AG in the first half of 2012 was almost according to plan. First-half Group sales increased moderately to EUR 540.7 million (H1 2011: EUR 535.6 million). The Group generated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 52.4 million (H1 2011: EUR 59.2 million). Due to the lower growth momentum and the pressure arising from energy prices, the cost of materials and personnel expenses, the EBIT margin, at 9.7%, remained below the 2011 record level (H1 2011: 11.1%). While this means that INDUS was unable to fully isolate itself from the general economic trend, the company benefited from its well-balanced investment portfolio. At EUR 23.5 million, net income for the period was clearly below the prior year level (H1 2011: EUR 33.3 million) due to extraordinary tax effects in 2011 and the result from discontinued operations.

Equity ratio of 36%, high reserve liquidity of approx. EUR 136 million
Operating cash flow amounted to EUR -9.3 million at the six-month stage (H1 2011: EUR 31.1 million). This change, too, is due to one-time effects in 2011 totalling approx. EUR 33 million, especially a new ABS programme. The equity ratio remained stable at 35.8% (December 31, 2011: 36.7%). At the six-month stage, INDUS had extremely high liquidity of EUR 135.7 million. These liquid funds are not only used to secure acquisition opportunities but were deliberately built up as a reserve position in view of the growing unrest in the financial markets.

Guidance for 2012 confirmed: Sales in excess of EUR 1 billion; EBIT margin target of 10%
INDUS CEO Jürgen Abromeit again confirmed the targets for the full year 2012. 'Needless to say, INDUS is also feeling the first effects of the financial and debt crisis but our diversification allowed us to hold our ground in this difficult environment. In view of the current order situation, we assume that we will be able to reach our targets. INDUS expects its sales revenues to again pass the one billion euro mark in 2012, but our earnings outlook is more cautious; our earnings margin target of 10% remains very ambitious. We will only reach it if the pressure on the cost side eases.' INDUS currently believes that the adjustment measures initiated will continue to show effect and that 2012 will be a successful financial year for the Group in spite of the difficult environment.

Contact:
Regina Wolter
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Phone +49 2204 4000 70
E-Mail wolter@indus.de

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Language:	English
Company:	INDUS Holding AG
	Kölner Straße 32
	51429 Bergisch Gladbach
	Germany
Phone:	+49 (0)2204 40 00-0
Fax:	+49 (0)2204 40 00-20
E-mail:	indus@indus.de
Internet:	www.indus.de
ISIN:	DE0006200108
WKN:	620010
Listed:	Regulierter Markt in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart

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183310  30.08.2012