Ad-hoc | 7 April 2003 08:25

Softing AG english

Softing AG: Figures for Q1/2003 clearly indicate return to success Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Based on preliminary figures, the Softing Group achieved significant improvements in terms of incoming orders, sales revenue and earnings in the first quarter of 2003. Incoming orders in the past quarter were up approx. 25% to EUR 4.7 million (previous year: EUR 3.7 million). Worldwide sales came in at approx. EUR 4.8 million, an increase of more than 40% over the same period last year (EUR 3.3 million). The result was almost balanced as earnings improved by EUR 1.2 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2002 (previous year: EUR -1.3 million). Incoming orders amounted to EUR 3.2 million as of March 31, 2003 (previous year: EUR 2.5 million). Another positive sign is the fact that the Industrial Automation and the Automotive Electronics divisions contributed almost equally to the business success in the first quarter. The first quarter thus confirmed the turnaround of the Softing Group which was already recognizable in the fourth quarter of 2002. The Group expects the result in fiscal year 2003 to be more or less balanced. Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2003 were EUR 5.0 million, up EUR 0.1 million compared to December 31, 2002 (EUR 4.9 million). The complete Quarterly Report 1/2003 can be downloaded from the investor relations section at www.softing.com from May 15, 2003. end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 07.04.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 517800; ISIN: DE0005178008; Index: Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 070825 Apr 03