Ad-hoc | 9 August 2005 07:56

Rational AG:Continued its growth succcessfully in the first half of 2005

Ad hoc announcement §15 WpHG Period Result/First Half 2005 Rational AG:Continued its growth succcessfully in the first half of 2005 Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— * Sales: + 14 percent * EBIT: + 40 percent * Cashflow: + 51 percent Landsberg, August 9, 2005. RATIONAL AG has successfully continued its international growth in the first six month of 2005. Its sales revenues of 111.7 million euros represent an increase of 14 percent or 13.9 million euros over the comparative figures for the last year (97.8 million euros). The growth rate of 11 percent in Q2 2005 exceeded even last year’s relatively strong figure for the same quarter that was achieved thanks to the launch of the new SelfCooking Center(R). Disproportional growth in Europe – Germany up with 20 percent Besides the above-average growth in our European subsidiaries in the first half of 2005 particularly the sales performance in Germany was increased. Growth in sales of 20 percent up to 17.9 million euros (previous year: 14.9 million euros) approves impressively the superiority of the RATIONAL SelfCooking Center(R)-technology in the fiercely competitive and ongoing economically difficult German sales market. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) 40 percent higher At 60.7 percent, the gross yield margin in the first half of 2005 is well above comparison figures of previous periods. Higher raw material prices were more than offset by cost savings and productivity gains in the production and delivery process. Together with a modest increase in the expenses of sales and administration and a slight fall in research and development expenditure, this has resulted in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increasing by 40 percent to 26.2 million euros (previous year: 18.7 million euros). The EBIT of 14.2 million euros in Q2 2005 is 30 percent higher than the comparable figure for last year (10.9 million euros). Cash flow from operating activities 51 percent above previous year Based on half year’s excellent earning situation and further improvements in the management of inventory and receivables, cash flow from operating activities was raised by 51 percent up to 9.3 million euros (previous year: 6.2 million euros). Business growth according to plan Business growth in the first half of 2005 met the company’s expectations completely. For the whole year the management expects to achieve the planned sales growth of 10 percent to 244 million euros (previous year: 222 million euros), whilst at the same time achieving an increase in earnings before interest and taxes of 12 percent to 60 million euros (previous year: 54 million euros). Rational AG Iglinger Straße 62 86899 Landsberg a. Lech Deutschland ISIN: DE0007010803 (SDAX) WKN: 701080 Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, München und Stuttgart End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 09.08.2005 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad hoc announcement: Contact: RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Dr. Günter Blaschke Tel. (08191) 327-364 Fax (08191) 327-272 E-mail: g.blaschke@rational-online.de http://www.rational-ag.com Information for editors: RATIONAL is the world market and technology leader for the thermal preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973, employs more than 750 people, 500 of whom are in Germany. RATIONAL was floated on the German stock market in 2000 and is currently represented in the SDAX. Since the IPO in 2000, the price of RATIONAL shares has nearly quadrupled, making them one of the leading German shares and one of the jewels in the SDAX crown. The company’s principal objective is to offer customers maximum benefit at all times. Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of sustainability, expressed in its policies on environmental protection, leadership and social responsibility. Numerous international awards bear witness year on year to the high level of RATIONAL’s work. million of euros Q2 2005 Q2 2004 1. HY/05 1. HY/04 Sales 58.312 52.522 111.731 97.770 EBIT 14.200 10.911 26.194 18.704 Earnings 8.760 6.548 16.153 11.174 EPS (in euros) 0.77 0.58 1.42 0.98 End of message (c)DGAP 090756 Aug 05