Ad-hoc | 8 August 2003 07:55

Rational AG english

Earnings up 35 percent – gains in market share Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Earnings up 35 percent – gains in market share Landsberg on Lech, August 8, 2003. In the first six months of 2003, RATIONAL AG, manufacturer of combi-steamers for professional kitchens, continued on its profitable growth course. For the first six months, sales revenue went up 7.0 percent to 88.2 million euros, from 82.4 million euros for the same period the previous year. Excluding the negative effect of the high exchange rate of the euro against the US dollar, the British pound and the Japanese yen, growth was 11 percent, a figure that reflects the company’s real selling performance. This positive development helped to increase RATIONAL AG’s market share from 47 percent to 49 percent. Lower selling and administration expenses have caused earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to rise 35 percent from 13.1 million to 17.7 million euros, a figure that is well ahead of expectations, in spite of increasing expenditure on research and development. Net income after tax went up 11 percent from 9.7 million to 10.8 million euros. Earnings per share are 0.95 euros, compared to 0.85 euros the previous year. Against a background of positive trends in many of its sales markets and in anticipation of a more stable exchange rate development in the second six months, the company is still confident that it will achieve the expected 10 percent growth in sales revenue to 194 million euros and in earnings (EBIT) to 42 million euros in fiscal 2003. (EUR million) Fist half 2003 First half 2002 Sales revenue 88.2 82.4 EBIT 17.7 13.1 Net income 10.8 9.7 EPS (in euros) 0.95 0.85 Contact: RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Erich Baumgärtner Tel. (+49-8191) 327-420, Fax (+49-8191) 327 272 E-mail: e.baumgaertner@rational-online.de end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 08.08.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 701080; ISIN: DE0007010803; Index: SDAX Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf und Stuttgart 080755 Aug 03