Ad-hoc | 13 August 2004 07:30

GERICOM second quarter result surpasses that of 2003

Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– GERICOM second quarter result surpasses that of 2003 Revenues 77.96 m EUR (2003: 110.51 m EUR) / EBIT 0.63 m EUR (2003: – 0.70 m EUR) / revenue share of Home Entertainment reaches about 33% Linz, August 13, 2004. According to figures published today, despite a fall in sales revenues to EUR 77.96 m (2003: EUR 110.51 m), during the second quarter of 2004 SDAX listed GERICOM AG achieved a positive operating result (EBIT) of EUR 0.63 m (2003: loss of EUR 0.70 m). The successful marketing of new products in the emerging business division Home Entertainment was instrumental for the attained turnaround. With round about EUR 26 m it already contributed some 33% to overall revenues. A predominant catalyst for growth in this area was the clear rise in demand for digital consumer electronics in the run-up of the European Football Championships as well as the Olympic Summer Games 2004. Thus also the order backlog could increase to 34.75 m EUR compared to previous year (30.06.2004: 31.74 m EUR). Beyond inventory levels could be further reduced to 46.07 m EUR in contrast to 94.73 m EUR by the end of 2003. Shareholders’ equity rose to 59.39 m EUR with the equity ratio thus rising to more than 51% by the end of June. Decisive for the continuation of the positive trend of the first two quarters is the question as to weather or not the pessimistic mood of consumers throughout Europe and especially in the core market Germany can be overcome in the further course of the year. This factor will shape the operational development of GERICOM in the second half of the year. A persistent weakness in consumer spending can challenge the achievement of the 400 m EUR target in revenues. On the basis of cautious estimate, the management board of GERICOM AG assumes that the margins situation in the individual business segments shall not improve significantly over the level of the first half-year. The complete half-year report is available on the company website and can be accessed at www.gericom.com. end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 13.08.2004 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement: For further information please contact: GERICOM AG Mag. Patrick Prügger CFO Industriezeile 35 A-4021 Linz Telefon: +43-732-7664-5980 E-Mail: pruegger@gericom.com ——————————————————————————– WKN: 565773; ISIN: AT0000729108; Index: SDAX Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 130730 Aug 04