Corporate | 31 March 2009 13:51
AURELIUS AG / Final Results Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - Revenue and earnings confirm preliminary figures - Current negative economic environment impacts equity investments - Market environment shall be utilized for further acquisitions Munich, 31 March 2009 - Munich-based industrial holding AURELIUS published its complete annual report for 2008 today. As forecast, both the company's revenue and operating income increased. Consolidated revenue from continuing operations grew to EUR 583.0 million (previous year: EUR 266.5 million). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose to EUR 72.5 million (previous year: EUR 63.7 million). Operating earnings in particular rose significantly. While bargain purchase still accounted for more than 80 percent of EBITDA in 2007, its share of EBITDA fell to around 18 percent or EUR 13.4 million in 2008. As expected, the net profit of EUR 36.2 million did not meet the previous year's level of EUR 47.4 million. This was due to the high positive one-off items in the previous year. Correspondingly, earnings per share came in at EUR 4.24 (previous year EUR 4.70). The company's Management Board and Supervisory Board will recommend a dividend of EUR 0.50 per share to the Annual General Meeting. Even against the backdrop of the economic crisis AURELIUS is well prepared for the current financial year 2009. 'In 2009 we wish to benefit from the current favorable conditions on the market and grow through further acquisitions', says Dr. Dirk Markus, CEO of AURELIUS. In spite of the very negative market environment - which can be seen particularly at those investments that deliver to other companies (B2B) - AURELIUS still expects additional growth for 2009. However, the unpredictability of economic developments in the current economic environment does not permit realistic detail planning prior to the second half of 2009. The complete 2008 annual report is available for download on the AURELIUS website at www.aureliusinvest.de/downloads_de.html. For further information on AURELIUS please contact: Ingo Middelmenne Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Phone +49 (89) 544799 - 56 Fax +49 (89) 544799 - 55 ingo.middelmenne@aureliusinvest.de About AURELIUS AG Munich-based AURELIUS AG acquires medium-sized companies and business units that no longer belong to the core business of their previous owners. AURELIUS acquires companies even in complex situations and actively develops them. Through its operational in-house team, AURELIUS enhances the value of its portfolio companies to the benefit of all stakeholders taking into account corporate and social responsibility. The shares of AURELIUS AG are traded on the open market of the Frankfurt stock exchange (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8). 31.03.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP ----------------------------------------------------------------------