Corporate | 25 March 2014 08:00

AURELIUS publishes annual report – good provisional consolidated figures for 2013 confirmed

AURELIUS AG / Key word(s): Final Results

25.03.2014 / 08:00

AURELIUS publishes annual report – good provisional consolidated figures for 2013 confirmed

– Total consolidated revenues rise to EUR 1,525.2 million (up 11%) thanks mainly to acquisitions

– Operating EBITDA totals EUR 106.2 million

– Dividend of EUR 1.05 per share (basic dividend up to EUR 0.70 plus
special dividend of EUR 0.35)

– Positive outlook: effects on results and cash from company disposals in double-digit million euro range in Q1 2014

Munich, March 25, 2014 – The AURELIUS Group (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) has today published its annual report for the 2013 fiscal year. Fiscal 2013 went very well for the AURELIUS Group. Total consolidated revenues, including the subsidiaries sold and hence deconsolidated during the reporting period, rose by 11 percent to EUR 1,525.2 million. The annualized consolidated revenues amounted to EUR 1,602.2 million.

During fiscal 2013, AURELIUS added highly promising, new companies to the corporate group: Studienkreis, a provider of extra tuition for children, was acquired in January 2013; fidelis HR (formerly known as TDS HR Services & Solutions GmbH), a software and outsourcing service provider for HR departments, was added in May 2013; and provider brightONE (former activities of the Finland-based Tieto Group in Germany, the Netherlands, India and Poland), an IT service provider, was purchased in July 2013. In addition, several of the portfolio companies were reinforced by add-on acquisitions: the LD Didactic subsidiary acquired the product portfolio of ELWE(R) Technik, an established premium vendor of education systems and devices; fidelis HR bought HCM Gilde, a consultancy specializing in the field of HR services; the IT subsidiary Getronics purchased the sales activities of the Japan-based NEC Group covering unified communications in the UK, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland; and the compressor manufacturer SECOP completed the biggest add-on deal in the history of AURELIUS with the acquisition of the major assets of ACC Austria (now known as Secop Austria). In July, AURELIUS also acquired the rights to the Sealine motor yacht brand, with products now being manufactured by the AURELIUS subsidiary HanseYachts under license.

Strong operating performance by portfolio companies

AURELIUS achieved further success in the development of its portfolio companies. The consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) totaled EUR 106.2 million despite the very successful disposals in 2012, thus reflecting the strong performance of the subsidiaries. Income of EUR 41.2 million from the reversal of negative goodwill (bargain purchase) was generated on the purchase of companies, while restructuring and non-recurring expenses of EUR 58.8 million accrued during the past fiscal year. All in all, the AURELIUS Group generated consolidated EBITDA totaling EUR 88.6 million.

Special dividend of EUR 0.35 repeated from company disposals, basic dividend increased by 17 percent to EUR 0.70

The Executive Board once again wishes to allow the shareholders of AURELIUS AG to share in the company’s success in the last fiscal year and will consequently propose to the Supervisory Board that the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held on May 21, 2014 be asked to approve a resolution to pay a dividend of EUR 1.05 per share out of the distributable profit of AURELIUS AG. This payout consists of a basic dividend of EUR 0.70, up from EUR 0.60 last year, plus a special dividend of EUR 0.35 to be financed out of the most recent gains on disposal. This means that the planned aggregate dividend payout would amount to EUR 33.3 million.

Gains on company disposals in Q1 2014

By way of closing at January 31, 2014, AURELIUS sold the healthcare activities of brightONE to T-Systems. This transaction will result in cash inflows and results effects in the double-digit million euro range in the first quarter of 2014. The AURELIUS Group already had cash and cash equivalents of EUR 223.9 million at its disposal at the reporting date of December 31, 2013.

“We are very confident looking ahead to the current year, 2014. More than half of our cash holdings are available for future company purchases and our pipeline is well stocked. The market for company acquisitions in our niche remains highly lucrative. We are looking forward to several transactions on both the buying and selling side over the coming months,” says Dr. Dirk Markus, CEO of AURELIUS.

The complete 2013 Annual Report is available to download now online at www.aureliusinvest.de .

Key figures (in EUR millions)

	01/01-12/31/2013	01/01-12/31/2012¹
Total consolidated revenues ¹’²	1,525.2	1,378.1
Consolidated revenues (annualized) ²	1,602.2	1,583.7
Total consolidated EBITDA ¹	88.6	162.4
of which bargain purchase income
	41.2	105.9
of which restructuring and non-recurring expenses	-58.8	-57.7
Consolidated operating EBITDA ¹	106.2	114.2
Consolidated profit/loss after taxes ²	8.2	54.4
Earnings per share (in EUR)	0.61	2.69
Cash flow from operating activities	55.7	30.1
Cash flow from investing activities	-48.8	62.3
Free cash flow	6.9	92.4
	12/31/2013	12/31/2012 4
Assets	1,215.4	1,174.1
of which cash and cash equivalents	223.9	244.7
Liabilities	849.2	822.9
of which financial liabilities	135.6	169.6
Shareholders’ equity ³	366.2	351.2
Equity ratio ³ (in %)	30.1	29.9
Workforce at the reporting date	11,110	10,226

1) The prior-year consolidated statement of comprehensive income has been adjusted for comparison purposes to reflect the provisions of IFRS 5, on account of the initial application of IAS 19R and pursuant to IFRS 3.49 et. seq
2) From continuing operations.
3) Incl. minorities.
4) The prior-year figures in the consolidated statement of financial position have been adjusted to reflect the initial application of IAS 19R and the provisions of IFRS 3.49 et. seq.

ABOUT AURELIUS
AURELIUS has been successfully operating in the international market for company acquisitions for many years. The focus is on companies and corporate spin-offs in markets with plenty of potential for development. Once under the AURELIUS umbrella, the acquisitions are given a long-term strategic orientation and their potential developed. Building on active operational support, the subsidiaries benefit from the management experience and financial strength of the parent company. This is what makes AURELIUS a “good home” for companies and their employees.
At present, the AURELIUS Group encompasses 17 subsidiaries around the globe with facilities in Europe, Asia and the United States. Among others, these include traditional names like Blaupunkt and Berentzen together with numerous industrial enterprises. Companies are acquired in accordance with strict investment criteria, although there is no specific industry focus. Shares of AURELIUS AG are listed in the m:access segment of the Munich Stock Exchange and are traded on all German stock exchanges under ISIN DE000A0JK2A8.
To find out more, visit www.aureliusinvest.de .

CONTACT
Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Phone +49 (89) 544799 – 0
Fax +49 (89) 544799 – 55
investor@aureliusinvest.de

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