AI Terminal

MODULE: AI_ANALYST
Interactive Q&A, Risk Assessment, Summarization
MODULE: DATA_EXTRACT
Excel Export, XBRL Parsing, Table Digitization
MODULE: PEER_COMP
Sector Benchmarking, Sentiment Analysis
SYSTEM ACCESS LOCKED
Authenticate / Register Log In

Ernst Russ AG

Quarterly Report May 28, 2008

5393_10-q_2008-05-28_366226db-2089-45a2-a668-65e70960c0b9.pdf

Quarterly Report

Open in Viewer

Opens in native device viewer

  1. Quarter 2. Quarter 3. Quarter

HCI THREE-MONTH REPORT 2008

Key fi nancial indicators

Three months ended Three months ended
Earnings March 31, 2008 March 31, 2007
Revenues in EUR thousands 26,488 31,814
EBIT in EUR thousands 3,034 12,226
EBT in EUR thousands 1,640 12,887
Group net earnings in EUR thousands 1,238 9,889
Return on sales in % 4.67 31.08
EBIT margin in % 11.45 38.43
Earnings per share in EUR 0.05 0.41
Placed equity in EUR million 153.7 139.0
Balance sheet March 31, 2008 December 31, 2007
Total assets in EUR thousands 225,617 239,879
Equity in EUR thousands 116,612 118,034
Equity ratio in % 51.69% 49.21%
Staff March 31, 2008 March 31, 2007
Average employees 297 242
Personnel costs in EUR thousands 5,420 5,672
Personnel costs in % of revenue 20.46 17.83

HCI Capital AG Share

Hint: Rounding differences likely to occur.

HCI Group has had an eventful start to the 2008 fi nancial year: the fi rst few months were not only characterised by a series of fundamental changes – we continued growing the business through product placement, successfully pursuing our diversifi cation strategy.

HCI Group placed EUR 153.7 million in equity during the fi rst three months of the current fi nancial year, up 10.6 % from the same period of the previous year (Q1 2007: EUR 139.0 million). This marked year-on-year increase in placement volumes was due in particular to the successful placement of structured products and real estate funds of funds. Clearly, this demonstrated the consistent pursuit of the diversifi cation strategy adopted by HCI Group. Although the commissions and margins generated through these products are relatively low – as a result of which the successful placement has not yet been fully refl ected in HCI's revenues – some products incorporate performance-based commission schedules.

Revenues of EUR 26.5 million during the period under review were lower than the EUR 31.8 million generated during the same period of the previous year. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 3.0 million also fell short of the result achieved in the fi rst quarter of 2007 (EUR 12.2 million). This decline was predominantly due to lower gross profi t (refl ecting margin developments) and to lower other operating income. The latter was in line with expectations: during the fi rst quarter of the 2007 fi nancial year, we had generated income from the brokerage of ships and real estate. As planned, no such transactions were entered into during the fi rst quarter of 2008. Consolidated net income for the period was EUR 1.2 million, which was thus lower than the EUR 9.9 million recorded for the same period of the previous year, also refl ecting a decline in the net fi nancial result.

Looking at the well-stocked product pipeline, and at planned placements whereby a major portion of high-commission and high-margin products will be sold from the third quarter onwards, we believe that we will be able to markedly improve our result over the course of the year. Against this background, we affi rm our target consolidated net income of EUR 33 million for the 2008 fi nancial year.

The shipping product sector contributed signifi cantly to the overall level of placements, with structured products in this asset class (Shipping Protect and freight rate certifi cates) being particularly successful. With placed equity capital of EUR 81.3 million, this product sector outperformed the previous year's fi gure by 4.7 % (Q1 2007: EUR 77.6 million). EUR 23.0 in equity capital alone was placed in structured products; this translates to more than a six-fold increase year-on-year (Q1 2007: EUR 3.5 million, including the HSC Optivita Europe LV index certifi cate). HCI Group thus seamlessly carried over the momentum of this class of products – which were launched in 2007 – into the current fi nancial year. Growth momentum was particularly strong in the real estate product sector, where placements almost tripled, rising from EUR 12.3 million (Q1 2007) to EUR 33.1 million in the period under review. This strong result was attributable in particular to the successful concept of the HCI Real Estate BRIC+ fund. Although placements in the secondary life insurance market, at EUR 37.7 million, fell short of the very strong results achieved during the same quarter of the previous year (Q1 2007: EUR 46.1 million), they nevertheless outperformed our own targets. Refl ecting the ongoing crisis in the fi nancial markets, demand for fund products in the private equity segment remained weak. This meant that the EUR 1.6 million in equity capital placed in this product sector was down on the same period of the previous year (Q1 2007: 3.0 million), as expected.

A further key event during the fi rst quarter was the takeover offer which MPC Capital AG submitted to the other shareholders of HCI Capital AG on 12 March 2008. The Management Board and Supervisory Board of HCI Capital AG published a comprehensive joint reasoned statement on the takeover offer on 26 March 2008. Moreover, the Management Boards of both companies have entered into a Business Combination Agreement, which provides for the continued independent existence of HCI Capital and the HCI brand, within the scope of the intended two-brand strategy. The Agreement also guarantees jobs within HCI Group, and Group locations for at least three years. We are convinced that this Agreement provides a key foundation for safeguarding the company's positive development potential, in the best interests of HCI Group staff, business partners, customers and of course its shareholders, with additional momentum being provided by an intensifi ed cooperation with MPC Capital AG.

Yours sincerely,

Hamburg, May 2008

Wolfgang Essing Chairman of the Management Board

The HCI Share

The HCI share price performance during the fi rst three months of 2008 was defi ned by various factors. In general, equity markets were extremely volatile, refl ecting the impact of the fi nancial markets crisis. This was evident in the trading range established by the German blue-chip DAX index, which saw a high of just under 8,000 points at the beginning of the year, and a low of around 6,200 points in March. The SDAX, the benchmark index for HCI, fl uctuated between 4,200 and 5,200 points during the period under review, declining by 14.0 % during this period.

The HCI share could not escape this trend completely unscathed. Having started the year at EUR 14.90, bearish equity market sentiment pushed the share price to its period low of EUR 12.78. Following the announcement of MPC Capital AG's takeover offer on 12 February 2008, which provided for an offer price of EUR 14.22, the HCI share price hit an interim high of EUR 15.83. It returned to the offer price level at the beginning of March, after publication of HCI Capital AG's results and proposed dividend for the 2007 fi nancial year, remaining largely unchanged until the end of the period. Overall, the HCI share price declined by 4.6 % during the period under review.

A daily average of approx. 72,000 shares was traded on the Xetra electronic trading system during the period under review (Q1 2007: 79,000), indicating a very good level of market liquidity for a company listed in the Prime Standard.

Numerous changes to the shareholder structure of HCI Capital AG took place during the fi rst quarter of 2008, and up to the time this report was published. On 12 March 2008, MPC Capital AG extended a takeover offer to all other shareholders of HCI Capital AG. At the time of publishing the offer, MPC Capital AG already held a 15.1 % stake in the company's issued share capital and voting rights. Furthermore, on 11 February 2008 MPC Capital AG entered into an agreement to acquire an additional 20.03 % stake in HCI's capital from Corsair III Investments (Luxembourg). Shares tendered by way of acceptance of the takeover offer until the end of the offer periods on 28 April 2008 amounted to an aggregate 5.67 % of HCI Capital AG's issued share capital and voting rights. Taking into account the share exchange agreement with Corsair, upon consummation of the takeover offer MPC Capital AG now holds a 40.80 % stake in HCI Capital AG. Moreover, Mr Jochen Döhle has increased his interest in HCI Capital AG to 20.09 % (including indirect shareholdings via Döhle ICL Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG, and Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft Peter Döhle mbH). The new shareholder structure is thus as follows:

MPC Capital AG 40.80 %
Döhle Group 20.09 %
Free fl oat 39.11 %

Given the free fl oat of 39.11 % and a share price of EUR 14.22 as at the reporting date, the market capitalisation amounted to EUR 133.5 million.

Independent research coverage of the HCI share currently indicates an average price target of EUR 14.97. The share is covered by twelve analysts preparing company reports and evaluations on an ongoing basis. Eight analysts currently recommend the share be held, or have adopted a 'neutral' stance. Three analysts have issued a 'buy' recommendation. One analyst has assessed the share to be an 'underperformer'.

During the period under review, senior management presented HCI Capital AG's company strategy and business performance at an analysts' conference, at the press conference to present the fi nancial statements, as well as at various road shows and capital markets conferences throughout Germany and the United Kingdom. In addition, numerous discussions were held with analysts and investors at the company's Hamburg headquarters.

Further presentations are planned for the 2008 fi nancial year, at capital markets conferences and within the scope of road shows with institutional investors in Germany and abroad, in order to maintain close contact and a continuous dialogue with capital market participants.

HCI Capital AG does not hold any treasury shares.

Business Environment

Macro-economic environment

Leading German economic research institutes believe that the global economy is burdened by the crisis affecting the US real estate and fi nancial sectors. The US economy is bordering on recession, while growth momentum in Western European economies has weakened somewhat, and macro-economic demand in Japan grows only slightly anymore. Notwithstanding these trends, global economic growth is still advancing at an impressive rate, thanks to the strength of industrial production in emerging markets, which prevailed until recently. Overall, the global economy is still expected to continue to grow, albeit at a markedly slower pace compared to the previous year. The crisis affecting the US real estate and fi nancial sectors is seen as the most signifi cant downside risk for global economic momentum: should the US economy enter a marked recessionary phase, this would also be likely to feed through into a global slowdown.

The German business environment remained positive until the spring of 2008, in spite of various adverse factors. Economic research institutes believe that the domestic economy entered the new year with strong momentum: sentiment indicators remain at high levels, while demand and production indicators also show an upward trend. In addition, the falling unemployment rate demonstrates that the underlying ience being remarkable in view of the tight monetary policy of the previous year, the strong appreciation of the euro, the massive price increases of crude oil and foodstuffs, and the impact of the US real estate and fi nancial markets crisis.

The current economic environment poses a major challenge for central banks, as they try to manage the confl icting factors of an acute liquidity shortage in the fi nancial sector, a weakening economy, and infl ationary pressures emanating from the ongoing price increases affecting crude oil and foodstuffs. Leading central banks pursued different policies during the period under review. Whilst the US Federal Reserve signifi cantly lowered its key interest rate in several steps, to 2.00 % (as at 30 April 2008), particularly for the purpose of securing the supply of liquidity to the fi nancial sector, the European Central Bank maintained its key interest rate at 4.00 % unchanged, refl ecting its assessment that current infl ationary risks require more urgent attention. Against this background, no interest rate cuts are expected in the euro zone for the foreseeable future.

Having peaked at a level of around USD 106 per barrel during the fi rst quarter of 2008, crude oil traded at USD 102.41 per barrel at the end of the period under review. The euro continued to appreciate against the US dollar during the fi rst three months of 2008, trading at USD 1.58 by the end of March.

Sector trends

Forecasts by market analysts paint a mixed picture for closedend investment products during the 2008 fi nancial year. Even though sector observers do not rule out placement volumes reaching record levels, this will largely depend on how long the fi nancial market crisis remains a burden. In terms of individual segments, signifi cant potential for growth is attributed to specialty funds in particular, such as aircraft funds. A positive trend is also envisaged for real estate funds. Moreover, issuing houses continue to report strong demand for closedend ship funds.

Business development

Placement volumes

The aggregate volume of equity capital placed by HCI Group was up by a signifi cant 10.6 % year-on-year during the fi rst three months of 2008, at EUR 153.7 million (Q1 2007: EUR 139.0 million). The overall growth was attributable in particular to successful placements in the shipping product sector – predominantly refl ecting growth in structured products such as guaranteed products and freight rate certifi cates – as well as dynamic growth in equity capital placed in the real estate product sector. These strong results more than compensated for the slowdown in placements in secondary life insurance market funds and private equity funds of funds. At the same time, the positive results achieved especially in structured products clearly shows the growing benefi ts of the diversifi cation strategy adopted by HCI Group.

Equity capital placed outside Germany totalled EUR 2.9 million during the period under review (Q1 2007: EUR 10.4 million). Related sales activities during the fi rst quarter of 2008 focused exclusively on the Austrian market.

Placements in the various product lines are analysed below:

Growth momentum in ship funds was attributable to structured products, which HCI successfully launched in 2007. At EUR 58.2 million, placements of traditional closed-end ship investments and asset creation plans fell short of the EUR 76.4 million fi gure reported for the same quarter of the previous year; this was in line with projections. In contrast, placements of structured products (HSC Shipping Protect I and II; HSC Freight Rate Certifi cate III) were fi rmly established just about one year after this product class was launched in early 2007. With EUR 23.0 million in equity capital placed during the fi rst three months of the current fi nancial year, volumes in this segment multiplied compared to the same period of the previous year (Q1 2007: EUR 1.2 million). Aggregate equity capital placed in the ship segment totalled EUR 81.3 million, up 4.7 % year-on-year (Q1 2007: EUR 77.6 million).

Business in closed-end real estate funds was very brisk indeed during the period under review. Refl ecting a marked year-on-year improvement, total placements during the fi rst three months of the 2008 fi nancial year amounted to EUR 33.1 million, rising nearly three-fold (plus EUR 20.8 million) from the EUR 12.3 million recorded in the fi rst quarter of 2007. This development was primarily attributable to the placement success of the HCI Real Estate BRIC+ fund. The product concept of this fund of funds, which invests in real estate funds in the emerging property markets in Brazil, Russia, India and China, incorporates a global diversifi cation structure that so far is unique in the market. The HCI Real Estate BRIC+ fund alone contributed EUR 29.5 million to placements achieved in the real estate product sector. As a particularly positive effect in this context, we succeeded in acquiring major banks as distribution partners for this product, which has also strengthened our distribution platform.

Equity capital placed in the secondary life insurance market, comprising secondary life insurance funds and asset creation plans, totalled EUR 37.7 million. Even though this fi gure refl ected a year-on-year decline of approx. 18.0 % (Q1 2007: EUR 46.1 million), we are nevertheless satisfi ed with the results achieved during the fi rst quarter of 2008, which were fully in line with our projections. HSC Optivita X UK, a fund investing in UK life insurance policies, provided a signifi cant contribution, with EUR 35.9 million placed in this fund alone. An additional EUR 1.1 million was placed in the HSC Optivita IX Germany product. No structured products were offered in this product sector during the period under review. A re-launch of the HSC Optivita Europe LV index certifi cate – which had contributed EUR 2.3 million to placements in the fi rst quarter of 2007 – is planned for the third quarter of the current fi nancial year.

Equity capital placed in private equity funds of funds amounted to EUR 1.6 million: as expected, this was a signifi cant 45.1 % decline from the EUR 3.0 million placed in the same quarter of the previous year, albeit at a low absolute level of placements. Prevailing uncertainty on the fi nancial markets continued to have a tangible negative impact on demand for investment offers in the private equity sector.

Results of operations

The strong increase in placements which HCI Group achieved during the fi rst quarter of 2008 was essentially based on structured products and real estate funds of funds, both generating lower levels of commission and margins compared to other product groups. Against this background, revenues of EUR 26.5 million during the period under review were down by approx. 16.7 % compared to the EUR 31.8 million generated in the same period of the previous year.

At EUR 20.5 million, fund design and sales revenues for the fi rst quarter of 2008 still fell markedly short of the same quarter of the previous year (Q1 2007: EUR 25.4 million). Trust and service fees of EUR 5.5 million were slightly lower year-on-year (Q1 2007: EUR 6.1 million); this was attributable to non-recurring effects in the real estate sector, which had been pronounced in the fi rst quarter of 2007. Management revenues increased from EUR 0.3 million (Q1 2007) to EUR 0.5 million.

In the 2007 fi nancial year, the brokerage of ships and real estate had generated signifi cant other operating income already in the fi rst quarter of the year. As projected, no such transactions took place during the fi rst three months of the current fi nancial year. Accordingly, other operating income of EUR 1.0 million was lower than in the same period of the previous year (Q1 2007: EUR 4.8 million).

The cost of purchased services, which predominantly comprises commissions paid to distribution partners, was EUR 13.8 million in the period under review, down by approx. 8.0 % year-on-year (Q1 2007: EUR 15.0 million), refl ecting the structure of placements where the bulk of volumes was in lower-commission products. The lower rate of decline in commission expenses, compared to the decline in revenues, is another clear indication that sales in the fi rst quarter of 2008 were dominated by products yielding lower margins. Accordingly, the gross profi t margin of 47.1 % for the fi rst quarter of 2008 was markedly lower than the 53.5 % margin recorded for the same quarter of 2007.

Personnel expenses were down by approx. 5.3 %, to EUR 5.4 million in the fi rst three months of the current fi nancial year, predominantly due to lower provisions for variable remuneration. Personnel expenses related to fi xed remuneration only showed a slight increase. On average, HCI Group employed 297 staff (Q1 2007: 242) during the period under review.

Other operating expenses of EUR 5.2 million as at the reporting date were up 20.9 % year-on year (Q1 2007: EUR 4.3 million). The increase in non-staff expenditure was largely due to additional consultancy expenses incurred in relation to the takeover offer by MPC Capital AG; essentially, this represents non-recurring effects.

The result of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method was EUR 1.0 million during the period under review, down from the previous year (Q1 2007: EUR 1.2 million). HAMMONIA Reederei GmbH & Co. KG (EUR 0.2 million), Aragon AG (EUR 0.5 million), and NY Credit Operating LP (EUR 0.3 million) were the main contributors. The year-onyear decline was largely attributable to a lower contribution by Hammonia Reederei GmbH & Co KG (Q1 2007: EUR 1.0 million), refl ecting exchange rate effects decreasing charter revenue denominated in US dollars.

Given the business developments outlined above, operating earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 3.0 million for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2008 fell short of the result achieved in the fi rst quarter of 2007 (EUR 12.2 million).

The net fi nancial result of minus EUR 1.4 million refl ected a negative swing of EUR 2.1 million from the previous year's fi gure (Q1 2007: EUR 0.7 million). While interest income rose to EUR 0.7 million (Q1 2007: EUR 0.5 million), the increase in interest expenses, to EUR 1.0 million (Q1 2007: EUR 0.6 million), refl ected the higher leverage largely attributable to fi nancing the shareholding held by HCI Real Estate Finance I GmbH & Co. KG in NY Credit Operating LP, which was consolidated for the fi rst time as at 31 December 2007. The decline in the other fi nancial result for the period under review, which showed a defi cit of EUR 0.9 million (Q1 2007: EUR 0.7 million), was largely due to the negative currency translation effects as a result of the weak US dollar.

Earnings before taxes (EBT) of EUR 1.6 million for the period under review showed a marked decline from the fi gure achieved in the fi rst quarter of 2007 (EUR 12.9 million).

Income taxes amounted to EUR 0.4 million for the fi rst three months of the 2008 fi nancial year.

Consolidated net income for the period of EUR 1.2 million was lower than in the same period of the previous year (Q1 2007: EUR 9.9 million).

Financial position

During the current reporting period, the HCI Group generated a cash fl ow from operating activities of minus EUR 3.1 million, thus signifi cantly lower compared to the cash fl ow of EUR 2.6 million in Q1 2007. This reduction is due mainly to the strong decline of consolidated net income for the period versus previous year's fi gure.

The negative cash fl ow from investing activities is mainly caused by the purchase of shares in eFonds Holding AG amounting to EUR 6.0 million.

The positive cash fl ow from fi nancing activities was mainly driven by the loan fi nancing of the investment in eFonds Holding AG. This was partly netted by repayments of funds especially for the investment in Aragon AG, which amounted to EUR 2.2 million.

HCI Group's fi nancial resource fund totalled EUR 28.5 million as per 31 March 2008, a decline of EUR 6.2 million compared to previous year's fi gure as per 31 March 2007.

Net assets

Total assets amounted to EUR 225.6 million as at the reporting date of 31 March 2008, down 6.0 % from 31 December 2007 (EUR 239.9 million). This decline was largely due to lower trade receivables (down EUR 7.0 million, to EUR 24.7 million), and a lower level of cash and cash equivalents (down EUR 6.2 million, to EUR 28.5 million).

Shareholders' equity amounted to EUR 116.6 million as at 31 March 2008. The decline by EUR 1.5 million – despite a EUR 1.2 million contribution from consolidated net income – was attributable to fair value changes and currency translation effects recognised directly in equity. Given the concurrent decline in total assets, HCI Group's equity ratio rose from 49.2 % as at 31 December 2007 to 51.7 % on the reporting date.

The decrease in liabilities was largely due to lower trade liabilities (down EUR 9.2 million, to EUR 9.8 million).

Outlook

The macro-economic outlook for 2008 remains mixed. Leading economic research institutes believe that the global economy will continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace than in the previous year. The crisis affecting the US real estate sector and the fi nancial markets remains a burden, as it also holds additional risks for global growth. In Germany, the negative impact emanating from foreign trade will be increasingly felt over the course of the year, with the momentum in the export sector, in particular, likely to slow down. In contrast, the research institutes envisage domestic demand growth to continue. The real gross domestic product growth rate for 2008 is forecast to be around 1.8%, whilst relief on the labour market is seen to last throughout the year, albeit with a lower decline in the unemployment rate. The infl ation rate – currently at higher levels – is expected to return to a year-on-year rate of approx. 2.6%. Against this background, there is no scope for interest rate cuts in the euro zone.

Overall, the outlook for closed-end investment products remains positive, with a mixed picture depending on the subsegment.

Thanks to its well-stocked product pipeline, the HCI Group is in a good position to even outperform the previous year's record placement levels in the 2008 fi nancial year. HCI Group plans to place aggregate equity capital amounting to EUR 880 million in 2008. On this basis, we expect consolidated net income for the year of EUR 33 million, which equates to earnings per share of approximately EUR 1.38.

For the 2008 fi nancial year, the HCI Group will offer a product range that has reached a very high degree of diversifi cation, in terms of asset classes, product types and target customers.

HCI Group plans a total placement volume of EUR 413 million in the ship product sector, comprising closed-end funds, asset creation plans, and institutional business. The level of equity capital placements in closed-end real estate funds (including institutional business in this sector) is projected to be EUR 150 million. Given the fi nancial markets crisis and the associated burdens on demand, the contribution of the private equity product sector to placement volumes is expected to be limited, at around EUR 12 million. We expect placements amounting to EUR 85 million in the secondary life insurance market, driven by demand for funds investing in UK life insurance policies in particular.

We foresee a good potential for further growth in structured products, a product sector launched during the previous year. Placement volumes in this sector are planned at EUR 100 million, comprising further guaranteed products (HSC Shipping Protect, HSC Multi Asset Protect), freight rate certifi cates, and a re-launch of the HSC Optivita Europe LV index certifi cate.

Over and above the well-established product areas, the HCI Group will also be exploring two new asset classes with closed-end funds in the 2008 fi nancial year. Here, EUR 120 million is planned in terms of placements, comprising an aircraft fund and the HCI Deepsea Oil Explorer, the latter developed in cooperation with MPC Capital AG.

Given the projected placements, we envisage a major portion of high-commission and high-margin products (especially closed-end ship funds, aircraft funds, and the HCI Deepsea Oil Explorer) to be sold from the third quarter onwards. Against this background, we expect a marked improvement in profi tability during the second half of the year.

All told, we are convinced that the key strategic measures HCI Group has implemented over recent years – in terms of product development, sales, and asset management – will yield sustainable benefi ts during the 2008 fi nancial year. Thanks to its know-how, its close linkup with relevant markets, and its strong brand, the HCI Group has outstanding potential to maintain and continuously grow its leading position among providers of closed-end investment products in Germany.

Hamburg, May 2008

HCI Capital AG The Management Board

Wolfgang Essing Dr. Rolando Gennari Dr. Oliver Moosmayer

Consolidated income statement

interim fi nancial statements as at March 31, 2008

Three months
ended March 31,
Three months
ended March 31,
EUR '000
Note
2008 2007
Revenues (5) 26,488 31,814
Other operating income (6) 950 4,773
Change in inventories - 250 205
Cost of purchased services - 13,769 - 14,987
Personnel expenses - 5,420 - 5,672
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and
intangible assets
- 685 - 817
Other operating expenses - 5,240 - 4,284
Results of associated companies and joint ventures accounted for using the equity
method
(7) 960 1,194
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) 3,034 12,226
Interest income (8) 677 473
Interest and similar expenses (8) - 1,140 - 550
Other fi nancial result (8) - 931 738
Earnings before taxes (EBT) 1,640 12.887
Income taxes (9) - 402 -2,998
Consolidated net income for the period 1,238 9,889
Consoldiated net income for the period attributable to the group 1,238 9,889
Consolidated net income for the period atributable to minority shareholders 0 0
Earnings per share (basic) in EUR (10) 0.05 0.41
Earnings per share (diluted) in EUR (10) 0.05 0.41

Consolidated balance sheet

as at March 31, 2008

March 31, December 31,
Note 2008 2007
ASSETS EUR '000 EUR '000
Non-current assets 130,376 130,099
Intangible assets 5,043 5,538
Property, plant and equipment 1,804 1,875
Investments in associated companies and interests in joint ventures accounted for using
the equity method
88,072 86,226
Investment securities 15,878 15,834
Other fi nancial assets 18,542 19,953
Deferred taxes 1,037 673
Current assets 95,241 109,780
Work in progress and fi nished services 1,497 1,772
Trade receivables 24,748 31,785
Receivables from related parties
(12)
1,000 1,052
Income tax receivables 13,818 9,966
Other assets 18,152 22,965
Other fi nancial assets 17,905 22,373
Other miscellaneous assets 247 592
Securities 7,501 7,501
Cash and cash equivalents 28,525 34,739
Total assets 225,617 239,879
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES EUR '000 EUR '000
Equity 116,612 118,034
Subscribed capital 24,000 24,000
Capital reserve 76,016 76,016
Retained earnings 37,225 35,987
Accumulated other equity
(3)
- 6,097 - 3,437
Net cost in excess of net assets acquired on the acquisition of companies under common - 14,532 - 14,532
control and successive share acquisitions
Non-current provisions and liabilities 17,627 18,606
Pension provisions 19 19
Liabilities to banks
(4)
15,424 16,532
Other miscellaneous liabilities 19 19
Deferred taxes 2,165 2,036
Current provisions and liabilities 91,378 103,239
Other provisions 1,542 1,267
Financial debt 52,252 49,514
Liabilities to banks
(4)
44,681 41,943
Other fi nancials debt 7,571 7,571
Trade payables 9,874 19,066
Payables to related parties
(12)
1,014 2,206
Income tax payables 17,291 17,984
Other current liabilities 9,405 13,202
Other fi nancial liabilities 1,837 2,304
Other miscellaneous liabilities 7,568 10,898
Total equity and liabilities 225,617 239,879

Consolidated cash fl ow statement

for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2008

Three months Three months
ended March 31, ended March 31,
EUR ' 000 2008 2007
Consolidated net income for the period 1,238 9,889
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment 685 817
Gains(-) from associated companies and joint ventures - 960 - 1,194
Gains(-) from the disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment - 113 - 60
Increase in pension provisions 1 1
Tax expense 402 2,601
Elimination of net interest income and net investment income 1,394 - 661
Other non-cash income and expenses 602 22
Increase / decrease in working capital - 4,655 - 1,885
Increase / decrease in inventories 275 - 243
Decrease in trade receivables 7,037 5,890
Increase / decrease in other assets 2,918 4,767
Increase / decrease in current provisions 275 - 265
Increase / decrease in trade payables - 9,193 - 4,676
Increase / decrease in receivables from and payables to related parties - 1,139 - 3,332
Decrease in other liabilities - 4,489 - 4,024
Other movements in operating activities - 339 - 2
Taxes paid - 5,136 - 6,694
Tax refunds 106 12
Interest paid - 300 - 414
Interest received 181 296
Distributions received 3,412 158
Cash fl ows from operating activities - 3,143 2,888
Proceeds from disposals of intangible assets, property, plant and equipment as well as assets held for sale 49 0
Proceeds from disposal of investment securities and investments in associates held for sale 110 177
Payments for investments, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment - 121 - 140
Payments for investments in associated companies and interest in joint ventures - 6,025 0
Payments for investments securities and securities classifi ed as current assets - 44 - 294
Cash fl ows from investing activities - 6,031 - 257
Proceeds from additions to fi nancial liabilities 6.000 8,861
Repayments of fi nancial liabilities - 3,040 - 3,375
Cash fl ow from fi nancing activities 2,960 5,486
Net Changes in cash and cash equivalents - 6,214 8,117
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 34,739 58,613
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 28,525 66,730

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2008

in EUR '000 Subscribed
capital
Capital
reserve
Retained
earnings
Income and
expenses rec
ognised direct
ly in equity
Foreign
currency trans
lation adjust
ment
Net cost in
excess of
net assets
acquired on
the acquisition
of companies
under common
control and
successive
share acquisi
tions
Consolidated
equity
Balance at 01.01.2007 24,000 76,016 38,006 0 - 143 - 14,532 123,347
Consolidated net income for the
period
9,889 9,889
Changes in foreign currency
translation adjustment
- 163 - 163
Consolidated comprehensive
income
9,889 - 163 9,726
Balance at 31.03.2007 24,000 76,016 47,895 0 - 306 - 14,532 133,073
Balance at 01.01.2008 24,000 76,016 35,987 - 2,334 - 1,103 - 14,532 118,034
Consolidated net income for the
period
1,238 1,238
Proportional change in the fair
value of derivatives of cash fl ow
hedges at associates
- 1,878 - 1,878
Changes in foreign currency
translation adjustment
- 709 - 709
Expenses for capital procurement - 73 - 73
Consolidated comprehensive
income
1,238 - 1,951 - 709 - 1,422
Balance at 31.03.2008 24,000 76,016 37,225 - 4,285 - 1,812 - 14,532 116,612

NOTES

to the consolidated interim fi nancial statements of HCI Capital AG as at 31 March 2008 in accordance with IFRS

GENERAL

(1) Accounting policies

The consolidated interim fi nancial statements of HCI Capital AG and its subsidiaries (referred to below as: "HCI Group") as at 31 March 2008 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 whereby the Notes have been compiled in a condensed version in accordance with IAS 34.10.

The accounting policies followed in the consolidated interim fi nancial statements of the HCI Group are those applied in preparing the IFRS consolidated fi nancial statements of HCI Capital AG as at 31 December 2007. The consolidated interim fi nancial statements as at 31 March 2008 should therefore be read in conjunction with the consolidated fi nancial statements as at 31 December 2007. Please refer to the consolidated fi nancial statements as at 31 December 2007 for IASB and IFRIC standards and interpretations in effect since 1 January 2008.

The standards and interpretations listed below, as published by IASB and IFRIC in 2006 and 2007, are not yet mandatory for the preparation of the consolidated interim fi nancial statements as at 31 March 2008 for the HCI Group:

  • IFRS 8 "Operating Segments"
  • IFRIC 11 "IFRS 2 Group and Treasury Share Transactions"
  • IFRIC 12 "Service Concession Arrangements"
  • IFRIC 13 "Customer Loyalty Programmes"
  • IFRIC 14 "IAS 19 The Limit on a Defi ned Benefi t Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction"
  • Amendments to IAS 23 "Borrowing Costs"
  • Amendments to IAS 1 "Presentation of Financial Statements"

At present, the HCI Group assumes that the application of the above standards, with exception of IAS 1 and IFRS 8, at the time the application of these standards and their interpretations became mandatory, will not have any signifi cant effects on the fi nancial situation, net assets and results of the group. With regard to IFRS 8 the company is currently in the process of appraising its possible effects. Following the amendment of IAS 1 changes in the presentation and titles of fi nancial statements are to be expected.

(2) Consolidation

Pursuant to the share purchase agreement of 24 January 2008, HCI Capital AG has acquired registered shares in eFonds Holding AG amounting to a 25.1% stake in the company, for a purchase price of EUR 6,025,004. The purchase price has been fully refi nanced. The purpose of this investment is to support the HCI Group's sales activities through the fi nancial products brokerage activities of the acquired entity. No fi nancial information was available from eFonds Holding AG at the time of preparing the consolidated interim fi nancial statements as at 31 March 2008; as a result, it was not yet possible to allocate the purchase price accordingly.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE-SHEET

(3) Shareholder's Equity

The item accumulated other equity includes foreign currency translation adjustments (EUR 1,812 thousand) as well as expenses directly balanced against equity. As per 31 December 2007 this comprised fair value changes of derivatives forming part of cash fl ow hedges related to derivatives that are used by NY Credit Operating Partnership LP amounting to minus EUR 2,334 thousand. This fair value change increased as per 31 March 2008 by EUR 1,878 thousand to minus EUR 4,212 thousand. For the fi rst time this item as per 31 March 2008 also comprises expenses of Aragon AG for capital procurement at an amount of EUR 73 thousand.

(4) Liabilities to banks

In the third quarter 2007 HCI Group raised a loan of EUR 22 million, due 30 September 2012, to fi nance the purchase of a shareholding in ARAGON AG. A scheduled repayment of EUR 2,200 thousand was made on this loan during the fi rst quarter of 2008.

HCI Real Estate Finance I GmbH & Co KG raised a loan in the amount of USD 55,500 thousand to refi nance the purchase of shares in NY Credit Operating Partnership LP. HSH Nordbank AG subsequently extended the loan facility until 31 December 2008, taking into consideration a redemption of USD 13,000 thousand during the course of the year. As at 31 March 2008, the carrying amount of the amount drawn, including accrued interest, is measured at EUR 33,942 thousand (31 December 2007: EUR 35,921 thousand).

HCI Capital AG took out a loan in the amount of EUR 6,000 thousand to fi nance the purchase of shares in eFonds Holding AG. The loan bears interest at 8.53% p. a., until further notice.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(5) Revenue

Revenue consists of the following:

Three months ended Three months ended
EUR '000 31 March 2008 31 March 2007
Sales revenues
Ship 12,014 16,061
Real estate 3,448 1,435
Private equity 177 307
Secondary life insurance market 4,821 7,603
Design and sales revenues 20,460 25,406
Trust and service fees
Ship 4,493 4,434
Real estate 425 1,106
Private equity 98 96
Secondary life insurance market 486 432
Trust and service contract fees 5,502 6,068
Management fees 526 340
Total revenues 26,488 31,814

(6) Other operating income

Other operating income for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2008 includes EUR 644 thousand in VAT refunds related to real estate brokerage services rendered in the previous year. The fi gure for the same period of the previous year included EUR 2,772 thousand in commission income for broker services rendered to a third party for the purchase of a vessel, and EUR 1,332 thousand in compensation payments for collateralisation services and real estate brokerage services.

(7) Results of joint ventures and associated companies accounted for using the equity method

EUR '000 Three months ended
31 March 2008
Three months ended
31 March 2007
ARAGON AG 446 0
NY Credit Operating Partnership LP 303 0
Hammonia Reederei GmbH & Co. KG 246 991
BH & HCI Real Estate Holding B.V. 23 136
HELLESPONT HAMMONIA GmbH & Co. KG - 11 67
BH & HCI Overschiestraat Holding B.V. - 47 0
Results of joint ventures accounted for using the equity method 960 1.194

(8) Net fi nancial result

The other fi nancial result includes EUR 570 thousand (Q1 2007: EUR 1,048 thousand) in fees which the HCI Group receives as preliminary distributions from secondary life insurance market funds.

The fi gure also includes EUR 1,671 thousand (Q1 2007: EUR 373 thousand) in foreign exchange losses.

(9) Income taxes

Income taxes comprise current tax expenses at an amount of EUR 637 thousand partly netted by earnings from deferred taxes of EUR 235 thousand.

(10) Earnings per share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are determined as follows:

Three months ended
31 March 2008
Three months ended
31 March 2007
Consolidated net income for the period attributable to the group EUR '000 1,238 9,889
Weighted average number of shares outstanding '000s of shares 24,000 24,000
Earnings per share for the period EUR 0.05 0.41

As there were no dilutive instruments outstanding during the periods, presented diluted earnings per share equal basic earnings per share.

OTHER

(11) Segment reporting

Segment information is determined using the accounting policies applied in the preparation of the consolidated fi nancial statements.

Revenue from external customers represents revenue from designing, initiating and distributing investments and from providing trust, after sale and management services to parties outside the group. The HCI Group uses EBIT, a metric commonly used around the world representing net earnings before interest and income taxes, to measure its segment results.

The results for the periods presented are as follows:

EUR '000 Three months ended 31 March 2008 Three months ended 31 March 2007
Revenue from
external customers
EBIT
Revenue from
external customers
EBIT
Ship 16,872 5,824 20,495 11,353
Real estate 4,009 288 2,827 2,157
Private equity 276 42 404 75
Secondary life insurance market 5,307 197 8,034 1,930
Total segments 26,464 6,351 31,760 15,515
Other / holding 24 - 3,317 54 - 3,289
Group 26,488 3,034 31,814 12,226

(12) Related parties

Receivables from and payables to related parties consist of the following:

EUR '000 31 March 2008 31 December 2007
Receivables from joint ventures and associates 944 923
Receivables from non-consolidated subsidiaries 56 129
Receivables from related parties 1,000 1,052
Payables to non-consolidated subsidiaries 610 608
Payables to HCI Group Management and Supervisory Board members 404 1,598
Payables to related parties 1,014 2,206
Provisions for bonuses due to HCI Group management 163 0
Other provisions 163 0

Income from and expenses paid and payable to related parties are summarized as follows:

EUR '000 Three months ended
31 March 2008
Three months ended
31 March 2007
Income from joint ventures and associates 999 1,194
Income from related parties 999 1,194
Expenses paid and payable to HCI Group Management and Supervisory Board members 490 1.109
Expenses for joint ventures and associates 58 0
Expenses paid or payable to related parties 548 1,109

Expenses paid and payable to HCI Group management consist of the fi xed remuneration components for the respective periods and the proportional bonus entitlements of the Management Board members as well as the remuneration of the Supervisory Board members.

(13) Contingent liabilities and other fi nancial commitments

The following contingent liabilities and other fi nancial commitments exist at 31 March 2008:

31 March 2008 31 December 2007
EUR '000 EUR '000 USD '000 EUR '000 EUR '000 USD '000
Guarantees 1,275,457 320,572 1,509,863 1,362,044 317,364 1,541,008
of which: related to con
struction phase loans
1,029,406 158,962 1,376,346 1,124,730 170,174 1,408,066
of which: drawn 798,379 251,361 864,945 851,120 229,372 917,141
Placement guarantees 419,934 80,702 536,394 313,644 68,354 361,828
of which: for funds not yet
in distribution
393,213 58,345 529,494 279,602 55,045 331,244
Future payments under
operating leases
4,107 4,107 5,006 5,006

Guarantees extended by HCI include those granted within the scope of construction phase loans. However, such loans are usually collateralised via assignment of refundment guarantees which are required from the shipyards' bankers under the respective construction agreements. Accordingly, in these cases the guarantees extended by HCI are indirectly secured by refundment guarantees pledged.

(14) Proposal on the appropriation of profi ts

The Management Board and Supervisory Board propose to the Annual General Meeting held on 15 May 2008 to use the net retained profi t (Bilanzgewinn) of HCI Capital AG (determined in accordance with the German Commercial Code) of EUR 25,818 thousand as at 31 December 2007 to distribute a dividend of EUR 0.70 per share, equivalent to a total distribution of EUR 16,800 thousand.

(15) Events after the balance sheet date

The CEO, Wolfgang Essing, and the supervisory board of HCI Capital AG on 23 April 2008 mutually agreed on a termination of his contract effective from 30 June 2008. On 8 May 2008 the supervisory board appointed Dr. Ralf Friedrichs as new member of the management board and CEO.

On 12 March 2008, MPC Capital AG extended a takeover offer to all other shareholders of HCI Capital AG. At that time, MPC Capital AG already held a 15.1% stake in the issued share capital and voting rights of HCI Capital AG. Furthermore, on 11 February 2008 MPC Capital AG entered into an agreement to acquire an additional 20,03 % stake in HCI's capital from Corsair III Investments (Luxembourg). Shares tendered by way of acceptance of the takeover offer until the end of the offer periods on 28 April 2008 amounted to an aggregate 5.67 % of HCI Capital AG's issued share capital and voting rights. Taking into account the share exchange agreement with Corsair, upon consummation of the takeover offer MPC Capital AG now holds a 40.80 % stake in HCI Capital AG.

No further signifi cant reportable events occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date.

Disclaimer

Forward-looking statements

These documents include certain forward-looking statements and information regarding future developments; these are based on the views and convictions of the Management Board of HCI Capital AG, and on assumptions and information currently available to HCI Capital AG. Words such as 'expect', 'assess', 'assume', 'intend', 'plan', 'should', 'might', 'project', or similar concepts referring to the company are designed to identify such forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of uncertainties.

Many factors could cause the actual results achieved by HCI Group to be materially different from the forecasts expressed in such forward-looking statements.

HCI Capital AG accepts no responsibility or liability to the general public for updating or correcting any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to differing risks and levels of uncertainty: as a result, the actual fi gures may deviate from projected values. Forward-looking statements refl ect the prevailing opinion at the time they were made.

Financial Calendar

30.01.2008 Publication of equity capital placements 2007

HCI CAPITAL: MEHR WERT. 10.03.2008 Annual fi nancial report 2007 / Press conference to present the fi nancial statements / Analysts' conference

onshäuser in Deutschland, das die Konzeption und Realisierung geschlossener Beteiligungsangebote in zahlreichen Produktklassen anbietet. Seit ihrer Grün-13.05.2008 Report on the fi rst three months of 2008

dung hat die HCI Gruppe 468 Emissionen mit einem Investitionsvolumen von rund 13,3 Mrd. EUR (Stand 31. Dezember 2007) realisiert. 15.05.2008 Annual General Meeting

Über 100.000 Anleger haben mit uns in die Bereiche Schiffsbeteiligungen, Immobilien investments, Private Equity, Zweitmarktlebensversicherungen, Aufbaupläne und strukturierte Produkte investiert und uns so zu einem der führen-13.08.2008 Half-yearly fi nancial report 2008

den Emissionshäuser in Deutschland gemacht. 12.11.2008 Report on the fi rst nine months of 2008

HCI Capital AG Bleichenbrücke 10 D-20354 Hamburg Telefon +49 40 88 88 1-125 Telefax +49 40 88 88 1-109 [email protected] oder www.hci-capital.de

Talk to a Data Expert

Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.