Ad-hoc | 24 March 2005 08:00

ORBIS AG once again profitable during the 2004

Ad hoc announcement §15 WpHG Positive full year results 2004 ORBIS AG once again profitable during the 2004 Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— Saarbrücken, March 24, 2005 – The Saarbrücken-based business consulting firm ORBIS AG achieved profitability once again for the 2004 fiscal year. With consolidated sales amounting to EUR 19.763 million (2003: EUR 21,024), the company achieved an EBIT of EUR 138,000 (2003: EUR 313,000) while the consolidated net income totaled EUR 118,000 (2003: EUR 599,000). This corresponds to a profit per share of EUR 0.01 (2003: EUR 0.07). The 6 percent drop in sales revenues (2003: 21 percent) was in line with the subdued expectations for further market development; while the decrease in earnings was primarily due to lower financial results. However, these results are in line with the company’s declared objective, i.e. a return to profitability. During the reporting year, shareholders’ equity increased to EUR 16,419 million (2003: EUR 16.206 million), with the equity ratio rising to 61 percent (2003: 56 percent). The total assets of ORBIS amount to EUR 27.078 million (2003: 28,860 million), resulting largely from a reduction in both current liabilities and long-term debt. As of December 31, 2004 cash and cash equivalents totaled EUR 4.722 million (2003: EUR 7.094 million). The cash flow from operating activities experienced a cash outflow of EUR 2.564 million, which is primarily the result of a reduction in ORBIS’s receivables portfolio. As scheduled, long-term debt was reduced by EUR 923,000. The average number of staff during the year was 191 (2003: 226). During the fourth quarter of the 2004 fiscal year, ORBIS AG generated sales revenues to the tune of EUR 5,157 million, while the operating result (EBIT) for the quarter was EUR 132,000. ORBIS has entered 2005 with confidence and expects to benefit from a renewed momentum in its business segments. ORBIS is planning single-digit revenue growth in line with general market conditions, backed by an existing order level for 2005 that corresponds to 55 percent of the company’s planned total turnover for the year. Sustainable profitability that develops in tandem with the growth in sales revenues remains ORBIS AG’s corporate core objective. Contact: Dr. Sabine Stürmer, Head Investor Relations of ORBIS AG Ph.: +49 (0)681 99 24 605, e-mail: sabine.stuermer@orbis.de For further information, please visit http://www.orbis.de . ORBIS AG Nell-Breuning-Allee 3-5 66115 Saarbrücken Deutschland ISIN: DE0005228779 WKN: 522877 Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 24.03.2005 240800 Mär 05