Ad-hoc | 23 November 2001 07:57

Gericom AG english

GERICOM grows faster than the market Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– GERICOM grows faster than the market Linz, November 23, 2001: As a result of the continuing strong increase in demand for GERICOM-notebooks and further success in the international business, GERICOM, which is listed on the New Market (WKN 565 773), was again able to grow at a much faster rate than the market in the first nine months 2001. As compared with the first nine months of the preceding year (EUR 218.78 m), group sales increased by 73.67% to EUR 379.95 m. EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) reached EUR 18.66 m. Compared to the first nine months of 2000 (EUR 10.47 m), this represents growth of 78.18%. The resulting EBIT margin of 4.91% therefore exceeds that of the previous year (1st nine months 2000: 4.79%). Net income almost doubled in the first three quarters 2001 and reached EUR 12.56 m (previous year EUR 6.34 m). Earnings per share went up by 53.33% from EUR 0,75 to EUR 1,15. This success can be traced to continuing European expansion and increasingly successful promotional business with international retail chains. In the first nine months of 2001, 38% of sales were obtained outside Germany (2000: 30%). Total sales in excess of EUR 500 m are anticipated for 2001, which is well above the budgeted target. As opposed to the 40% planned, this corresponds with growth of more than 50% over 2000. The EBIT margin is expected to amount to 4.9%. A detailed press release and the complete quarterly report will be available from midday today on the internet under http://www.gericom.com. Contact: Michaela Hochreiter, Investor Relations Manager, Tel. +43/732/7664- 9113, Mail: hochreiter@gericom.com end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 23.11.2001 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 565 773; Index: Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 230757 Nov 01