Ad-hoc | 19 August 2005 07:54

ORBIS AG reports a clearly positive mid-year performance

Ad hoc announcement §15 WpHG positive half year results ORBIS AG reports a clearly positive mid-year performance Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— Saarbrücken, August 19, 2004 – ORBIS AG recorded clearly positive results for the first six months of 2005, both in absolute terms and by comparison with the previous year. ORBIS reported consolidated sales to the tune of EUR 10.530 million for the first half year of the 2005 fiscal year (previous year: EUR 10.518 million). These sales were primarily generated via consultancy projects in the company’s focus sectors of industrial companies, automotive suppliers, the consumer goods industry, and the commerce sector. The operating result (EBIT) improved by approx. EUR 0.5 million, from minus EUR 95,000 for the previous year to EUR 427,000. The EBT stood at EUR 486,000 for the first half year (previous year: minus EUR 51,000). The consolidated results for the period under review increased to plus EUR 395,000 (compared to a negative result of minus EUR 67,000 for the same period of 2004). This corresponds to a profit per share of EUR 0.043 (2004: minus EUR 0.007). Owing to the positive result, shareholders’ equity increased to EUR 16.820 million during the reporting period, resulting in an increase of the equity ratio to 61.4 percent (58.3 percent as of June 30, 2004). Particularly positive is the fact that the cash flow from operating activities showed a positive balance of EUR 1.256 million (2004: minus EUR 1.268 million). Accordingly, cash and cash equivalents rose by EUR 695,000, compared with the annual financial statements for 2004. The cost structures have been further optimized. For instance, other operating expenses fell by 10 percent from EUR 2.605 million to EUR 2.341 million. At EUR 7.064 million, the total personnel expenses for the first half of 2005 largely corresponded to the figure recorded during the same period for 2004 (EUR 7.033 million). As at June 30, 2005 ORBIS employed 187 staff (previous year: 192). Optimism for future developments runs high. Accordingly, 86 percent of the planned annual sales have either been secured (as early as at the beginning of the third quarter 2005) by way of binding commitments on the part of our clients or have been realized as sales revenues during the first half of 2005. Please find now the half year report on our website http://www.orbis.de For more information contact: Dr. Sabine Stürmer, Head Investor Relations of ORBIS AG Ph.: +49 (0)681 99 24 605, e-mail: sabine.stuermer@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 19.08.2005 190754 Aug 05