Corporate | 31 March 2011 11:20

2010 best year in the corporate history of AURELIUS Group

AURELIUS AG / Key word(s): Final Results

31.03.2011 / 11:20

2010 best year in the corporate history of AURELIUS Group

– Annualized group revenues exceed one billion mark

– EBITDA rises by 88 per cent to 238.3 million euros

– Completion of largest acquisition since the company's existence

– Dividend of 1.30 euros per share recommended, share buy-back intended

– Further profitable growth of the portfolio companies expected for 2011 and 2012

Munich, 31 March 2011 – With group revenues of 906.1 million euros (previous year: 711.4 million euros) and EBITDA of 238.3 million euros (previous year: 127.0 million euros) the AURELIUS Group (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8) closed the fiscal year 2010 as best year in its corporate history. Annualized (group) revenues exceeded the one billion mark in autumn 2010 already and rose to 1.2 billion euros at the end of 2010. EBITDA from continuing operations, rising by 88 per cent to 238.3 million euros (previous year: 127.0 million euros), includes profits of 98.4 million euros from the reversal of negative goodwill (bargain purchase) and profits of 59.5 million euros from the consolidation of debts due to the first-time inclusion of newly acquired companies. The diluted earnings per share more than doubled to 17.48 euros (previous year: 8.43 euros). The positive development is also reflected in the operating cash flow totaling 134.9 million euros (previous year: 11.3 million euros).

An equity ratio of 33 per cent (previous year: 34 per cent) and cash and cash equivalents of 177.2 million euros (previous year: 155.6 million euros) provide AURELIUS with a very solid balance sheet ratio.

'In the fiscal year 2010 AURELIUS generated record figures on a large scale: Annualized revenues exceeded the one billion mark in autumn already and the EBITDA was increased by 88 per cent compared to the previous year. We clearly exceeded our ambitious plans and the figures confirm the consistency of our business model,' says Dr Dirk Markus, CEO of AURELIUS AG, adding, 'Five acquisitions and the operative developments of our portfolio companies are the cornerstones for further success.'

Executive and supervisory boards recommend dividend increase and are planning a share buy-back
Due to the successful year 2010 the company's executive and supervisory boards have decided on a dividend increase. They will be recommending a dividend of 1.30 euros per share to the annual shareholders' meeting (increase of 16 per cent). An amount of approx. 12.5 million euros will therefore be paid to the shareholders of the AURELIUS AG. Furthermore, AURELIUS is planning to buy back own shares of up to 5 million euros by the end of 2011.

Further development of acquisition strategy
In 2010 AURELIUS carried out five successful acquisitions among them the SECOP Group (formerly: Danfoss Household Compressors) – AURELIUS' largest acquisition since its existence. Apart from SECOP, AURELIUS also acquired the French ISOCHEM Group, a provider of specialty chemicals, the Scottish chemical producer CalaChem Ltd. (formerly: KemFine UK Ltd.), a portfolio of hotel properties of the GHOTEL Group as well as the shipping company Peter Deilmann and its MS DEUTSCHLAND. AURELIUS has firmly established as GOOD HOME for companies. At the same time the industrial holding has extended its investment focus on more prosperous companies showing further optimization potential.

Positive outlook and increasing operational contribution of the portfolio companies
For 2011 and 2012 AURELIUS – depending on the future economic development – expects a rising level of revenues as well as further improvement of the operating profit of the portfolio companies. The profitable growth shall be continued undiminished. Due to its substantial cash and cash equivalents AURELIUS is very well prepared for new acquisitions.

The complete 2010 financial statement is available for downloading on the website of AURELIUS ( www.aureliusinvest.de ).

Key figures

		2010	2009	Change
Revenues ¹, ²	EUR mn	906.1	711.4	+ 27%
Group revenues (annualised) ²	EUR mn	1,246.3	822.8	+ 51%
EBITDA ¹, ²	EUR mn	238.3	127.0	+ 88%
Group earnings for the period	EUR mn	138.8	80.6	+ 72%
Earnings per share
Basic ¹, ²	EUR	17.51	8.53	+ 105%
Diluted ¹, ²	EUR	17.48	8.43	+ 107%
Cash flow from operating activities	EUR mn	134.9	11.3	+ 1,094%
Cash flow from investing activities	EUR mn	-70.6	96.8	(173%)
Free cash flow	EUR mn	64.3	108.1	(41%)
		2010	2009	Change
Assets	EUR mn	1,060.1	679.0	+ 56%
thereof cash and cash equivalents	EUR mn	177.2	155.6	+ 14%
Liabilities	EUR mn	706.0	449.7	+ 57%
thereof financial liabilities	EUR mn	187.9	71.4	+ 163%
Equity ³	EUR mn	354.1	229.3	+ 54%
Equity ratio ³	in %	33.4	33.8	(1%)
Number of employees (as of the balance sheet day)		6,803	3,523	+ 93%

¹ The figures of the previous year were adjusted according to IFRS 5
² From continued operations
³ Including minorities

About Aurelius
AURELIUS AG is an industrial holding with a long-term investment horizon focusing on the acquisition of companies with potential for development. AURELIUS has some longstanding investment and management experience in various industries. By applying management capacities and the necessary funding for investments in innovative products, distribution and research AURELIUS constantly advances its portfolio companies. With offices in Munich and London as well as portfolio companies in Germany, England, France, Ireland, Poland, the Netherlands and Switzerland, AURELIUS operates throughout Europe. The shares of AURELIUS AG are traded on the open market of the Frankfurt stock exchange (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8). For more information, please visit http://www.aureliusinvest.com .

Press contact AURELIUS AG:
Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Phone +49 (89) 544799 – 0
Fax +49 (89) 544799 – 55
investor@aureliusinvest.de

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