Corporate | 24 July 2003 08:14

ATOSS Software AG english

ATOSS Software AG records best half-yearly result in its history Corporate-news announcement sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– ATOSS Software AG records best half-yearly result in its history Munich, 24.07.2003 – According to provisional figures, ATOSS Software AG increased its sales by 9 per cent in the first half of 2003 and improved its earnings substantially compared with the previous year. ATOSS’ growth rate accelerated significantly, and the company’s earnings in the first half of the year were the highest since its formation in 1987. The prospects for the Munich-based software specialist’s intelligent personnel deployment solutions remain likewise positive for the second half of the year. Marked growth against the trend growth, especially in the Software segment With sales of EUR 11.8 million in the first half of 2003, ATOSS Software AG accelerated its growth rate and finished the period 9 per cent ahead of the previous year (EUR 10.9 million). In the process, ATOSS countered the trend in the sector by once again recording marked growth rates, particularly in the software licenses segment. Sales of software licenses increased by 11 per cent to EUR 2.8 million, with income from software maintenance increasing by 7 per cent to EUR 3.6 million. Particularly noteworthy contributions to this trend were made by two important orders from the ALDI Süd group and the Meyer Werft shipyard, which will also generate further sales in the second half of the year. Sales in the consulting segment increased by 7 per cent to EUR 3.5 million. Although IT Services continued to grow very strongly – by 18 per cent – and generated sales of EUR 2.5 million, the Consulting division, which had shown very buoyant growth in the preceding quarters, declined by -12 per cent. Sales in the Hardware segment increased by 15 per cent to EUR 1.3 million. Considerable improvement in profitability, EBIT margin increases by around 10 percent Earnings before depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes (EBITDA) doubled from EUR 0.8 million to EUR 1.7 million in the first half of 2003. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were multiplied several times over from EUR 0.2 million to EUR 1.1 million, with the EBIT margin consequently rising from 2 per cent in the previous year to 9 per cent in the period under review. The strong increase in earnings can be attributed to sales gains in the Software segment on the one hand, and to an improved cost structure on the other. Pre-tax earnings (EBT) were up from EUR 0.8 million to EUR 1.4 million (+67 per cent), with earnings for the period rising from EUR 0.5 million to EUR 0.9 million (+80 per cent). Cash flow from business activity improved again, from EUR 1.4 million to EUR 1.7 million. Outlook: marked sales and earnings gains expected for the year as a whole Although the situation in the sector and the general economy currently shows no signs of an improvement, the Management Board remains optimistic for 2003 as a whole. In view of the current orders position and the positive trend in the first half of the year, ATOSS is confident that the second half of the year will deliver further year-on-year sales and earnings increases. Important dates: 15.08.2003 Publication of report for first half-year 2003 24.10.2003 Publication of provisional figures for third quarter 2003 14.11.2003 Publication of report for third quarter 2003 29.12.2003 Cutoff date for distribution 30.12.2003 Distribution of EUR 1.50 per share Further information: http://www.atoss.com Contact: ATOSS Software AG Am Moosfeld 3, D-81829 Munich Christof Leiber Tel.: +49 (0) 89 4 27 71-265 – Fax: +49 (0) 89 4 27 71-100 revolution-in-time@atoss.com end of message, (c)DGAP 24.07.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 510440; ISIN: DE0005104400; Index: Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover und Stuttgart 240814 Jul 03