Ad-hoc | 21 February 2002 08:00

United Labels AG english

UNITEDLABELS announces positive Q4/2001 Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– UNITEDLABELS announces positive Q4/2001 -Preliminary results for FY 2001 -Adjusted targets slightly exceeded -Cash and cash equivalents of EUR6.2 million (Münster, 21 Feb. 2002) – According to preliminary figures, UNITEDLABELS AG (DE 0005489561), the Münster-based specialists for comicware sold under licence, achieved an EBIT result of EUR -8.9 million (previous year: EUR 2.6 million) on consolidated sales of EUR 32.8 million (previous year: EUR 28.9 million). The company was thus able to slightly exceed targets – as revised in November 2001 – for the financial year ended. The year-on-year revenue increase amounted to 13.4%. Following a period characterised by exceptional events, the fourth quarter suggested a trend reversal – back to profitability in terms of operating activities. Against the backdrop of an incisive cost-reduction programme implemented by the company, UNITEDLABELS AG achieved an above-par EBIT figure of EUR 0.47 million in the fourth quarter (4.4%). At the balance sheet date, UNITEDLABELS AG had at its disposal cash and cash equivalents of EUR 6.2 million. For Q4/2001, this meant a quarter-on-quarter increase in cash and cash equivalents of EUR 2.1 million. The full, audited financial statements for 2001 will be published on March 20, 2002. For further information, please visit http://www.unitedlabels.com or contact the following members of staff: UNITEDLABELS AG Katarina Orlovic (IR) Tanja Vogt (PR) Tel.: +49 (0) 251-3221-406 Tel: +49 (0) 251-3221-190 Fax: +49 (0) 251-3221-960 Fax: +49 (0) 251-3221-982 korlovic@unitedlabels.com tvogt@unitedlabels.com end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 21.02.2002 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement: Positive Fourth Quarter for UNITEDLABELS AG -Positive EBIT for Q4 -Preliminary results for FY 2001 -Adjusted targets slightly exceeded (Münster, 21 Feb. 2002) – According to preliminary figures, UNITEDLABELS AG, the Münster-based specialists for comicware sold under licence, achieved a year-on- year increase in revenues – up from EUR28.9 million to EUR32.8 million. At the end of the fourth quarter 2001, the company’s earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to EUR-8.9 million. The net loss stood at EUR5.8 million. Following an adjustment to its targets in November 2001, UNITEDLABELS had estimated revenues of approx. 32 million euros for the financial year 2001. This figure was slightly exceeded. The year-on-year revenue increase amounted to 13.4%. Despite the strained economic climate, dominated by a number of extraordinary events, the company managed to record an above-par EBIT figure of EUR0.47 million in the fourth quarter. This equates to a return on sales of 4.4%. At the balance sheet date, UNITEDLABELS AG had at its disposal cash and cash equivalents of EUR6.2 million (previous year: EUR17.3 million). For Q4/2001, this meant a quarter-on-quarter increase in cash and cash equivalents of EUR2.1 million (+51.2%). Back to profitability The above-par EBIT result in the fourth quarter, coupled with the fact that 2001 was impacted by a number of exceptional items, clearly highlights the enormous potential of UNITEDLABELS AG. This performance shows that the cost-reduction measures already introduced by the company are bearing fruit. “It is due to the committed contribution of the entire team at UNITEDLABELS AG that we have been able to implement the necessary measures so quickly, allowing us to reap the rewards as early as the fourth quarter,” said CEO and founder Peter M. Boder. Thus, UNITEDLABELS is ready and primed for a return to profitability. UNITEDLABELS AG is one of Europe’s leading specialists for comicware sold under licence. The licensing partners working in cooperation with the independent media company from Münster (Germany) include global players from the world of media and entertainment, such as Disney, AOL-Time/Warner and 20th Century Fox. UNITEDLABELS is able to reach all age groups within the European market of licensed products, thanks to its successful portfolio of well-established classics, such as Snoopy and Sesame Street, and popular stars like The Simpsons and South Park. The company has already established the most comprehensive sales network in Europe, benefiting from 3,700 retail partners with 17,600 stores and more than 370 million consumers. The full, audited financial statements for 2001 will be published on March 20, 2002. For further information, photographs and logos, please visit http://www.unitedlabels.com or contact one of the following members of staff: UNITEDLABELS AG Tanja Vogt Katarina Orlovic Public Relations Investor Relations Tel.: +49 (0) 251-3221-190 Tel.: +49 (0) 251-3221-406 Fax: +49 (0) 251-3221-982 Fax: +49 (0) 251-3221-960 E-mail: tvogt@unitedlabels.com E-mail: korlovic@unitedlabels.com ——————————————————————————– WKN: 548956; ISIN: DE0005489561; Index: Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Stuttgart, München, Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Düsseldorf und Hannover 210800 Feb 02