Ad-hoc | 7 November 2006 08:15

Rational AG: Ongoing strong growth

Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— RATIONAL AG: Ongoing strong growth Sales +16% EBIT +24% Cashflow +85% Landsberg, November 07, 2006. RATIONAL AG, world market leader in cooking technology for professional kitchens, has continued its world-wide growth. In the first 9 months of fiscal 2006 the company posted sales of 198.8 million euros, what is 16 percent up on the previous year’s figure of 172.1 million euros. Sales in the third quarter of 2006 rose by 14 percent to 68.5 million euros. A disproportional share of this development is caused by the success of our high-potential markets of the future like America. The European countries are also still forging ahead in terms of growth,with high double-digit rates of increase. Above-average rise in earnings – EBIT margin at 27 percent Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 53.2 million euros in the first 9 months of 2006 are once again well up on the previous year (42.9 million euros), by 10.3 million euros or 24 percent. The EBIT margin rose to 27 percent, compared to 25 percent for the same period last year. EBIT in the 3rd quarter of 2006 is 19.6 million euros, an increase of 18 percent or 2.9 million euros compared to 16.7 million euros last year. Operational cashflow up to 37.8 million euros The improvement in RATIONAL AG’s earning power, coupled with the low capitalization ratio for production and a generally very low working capital resulted in another excellent cashflow situation in the first nine months of 2006. Cashflow from operational business activities as at September 30, 2006 is 37.8 million euros, no less than 17.3 million euros or 85 percent above last year’s figure of 20.5 million euros. Business on track On the basis of the year-to-date performance the management is confident to reach the planned sales growth of 15 percent, to 283 million euros in 2006. Given how results have developed to date, management expects even to exceed the original guidance for EBIT growth of 17 percent to 78 million euros (last year’s figure: 66.9 million euros). Contact: RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Dr. Günter Blaschke Tel. +49(0) 8191 327-364 Fax +49(0)8191 327-272 e-Mail: g.blaschke@rational-online.de 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 800 people, 500 of whom are in Germany. Since the IPO in 2000 RATIONAL was floated in the Prime Standard on the German stock market and is currently represented in the SDAX. The Price of RATIONAL shares has duplicated several times since the IPO. 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. Q3 2006 Q3 2005 9M 2006 9M 2005 Sales (million of euros) 68.5 60.4 198.8 172.1 EBIT (million of euros) 19.6 16.7 53.2 42.9 EBT (million of euros) 19.7 16.7 53.5 43.1 EPS (euros) 1.11 0.91 3.01 2.33 (c)DGAP 07.11.2006 ————————————————————————— Language: English Issuer: Rational AG Iglinger Straße 62 86899 Landsberg a. Lech Deutschland Phone: +49 (0)8191 327-283 Fax: +49 (0)8191 327-533 E-mail: h.wiedemann@rational-online.de WWW: www.rational-online.de ISIN: DE0007010803 WKN: 701080 Indices: SDAX Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service —————————————————————————