Ad-hoc | 13 May 2004 07:32

Net income of first six months increases by 112%

Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– (Jena, 13 May 2004) In the first six months of the current financial year (up to 30 September) Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ISIN: DE000531370), which has a Prime Standard listing on the Deutsche Börse, significantly increased its profitability. Consolidated net income of the global provider of systems for the diagnosis and treatment of eye ailments increased by 112% to EUR 6.5m (previous year: EUR 3.0m). Earnings per share almost doubled. The latter amounted to EUR 0.23 (previous year: EUR 0.12). The EBIT margin increased to 11.3% (previous year: 11.0%). At EUR 13.1m, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) remained almost at last year’s level of EUR 13.4m. At EUR 115.9m, group sales were 3.8 percent down on the previous year’s figure (EUR 120.5m) as the result of the strong euro in the reporting period. On the basis of constant exchange rates sales would have risen by 5.1 percent to EUR 126.6m. The gross margin increased to 45.8% (previous year: 42.9%) in the first six months. Earnings were not affected by the currency fluctuations as the company also manufactures in the dollar region. The significant improvement in consolidated net income also had a positive impact on the operative cash flow. The latter rose by 29.1% to EUR 8.0m (previous year: EUR 6.2m). Despite the payment of an acquisition, cash and cash equivalents increased by 1.9% to EUR 45.9m, net debt decreased from EUR 24.2m (30 September 2003) by 32.6% to EUR 16.3m, the equity ratio of Carl Zeiss Meditec on 31 March 2004 stood at 61.3% (30 September 2003: 59.0%). For the whole year there could be a slight increase in sales if the US dollar regains strength against the euro. The company aims to raise its profitability further and plans a result above the previous year’s figure. Contact: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jens Brajer/Director Investor Relations, Goeschwitzer Str. 51 -52, 07745 Jena/Germany, Phone +49 (0)3641-220-105, Fax: +49 (0)3641- 220-117, e-mail: investors@meditec.zeiss.com end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 13.05.2004 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 531370; ISIN: DE0005313704; Index: Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 130732 Mai 04