Ad-hoc | 7 May 2003 07:59

Rational AG english

Rational AG: Continued growth and earning power Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Rational AG: Continued growth and earning power Landsberg am Lech, 07.05.03. RATIONAL AG (WKN 701080), the manufacturer of combi-steamers for professional kitchens, has made a successful start to the new business year. The first quarter of 2003 saw sales rise by 7.4 per cent to 43.2m euros compared to the same period last year (40.2m euros). The rate of growth was moderated by the current strength of the euro against the US dollar, pound sterling and the Japanese yen, without which the figure for sales increase would have been even 11 per cent. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) stood at 7.6m euros (6.0m the previous year), 28.1 per cent above the first quarter of 2002. Group earnings after tax in fact rose by 39 per cent from 3.3m to 4.5m euros. Earnings per share are 0.40 euros compared to 0.29 euros the previous year. The company does not expect to see any significant improvement in the global economic situation in 2003. However, in view of the still unexploited international market potential of around 80 per cent and flexible corporate structures which enable RATIONAL to respond rapidly to market developments, the company’s management is optimistic that both sales and earnings (EBIT) can be increased by 10 per cent in the 2003 business year to 194m euros and 42m euros respectively. Contact RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Erich Baumgärtner Tel. (08191) 327-420, Fax (08191) 327 272 E-mail: e.baumgaertner@rational-online.de In millions of euros Q1/03 Q1/02 Sales revenue 43,2 40,2 EBIT 7,6 6,0 Group Earnings 4,5 3,3 EPS (euros) 0,40 0,29 end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 07.05.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 701080; ISIN: DE0007010803; Index: SDAX Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf und Stuttgart 070759 Mai 03