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Ernst Russ AG

Quarterly Report May 9, 2007

5393_10-q_2007-05-09_c2b82a33-34ac-4f4c-9ea6-ad8ba277e5f0.pdf

Quarterly Report

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  1. Quarter 2. Quarter 3. Quarter

HCI THREE-MONTH REPORT 2007

Performance Ratios

Three months ended Three months ended
Earnings March 31, 2007 March 31, 2006
Revenues in EUR thousands 31,814 28,609
EBIT in EUR thousands 12,226 10,568
EBT in EUR thousands 12,887 11,955
Group net earnings in EUR thousands 9,889 7,508
Net margin in % 31.08 26.2
EBIT margin in % 38.43 36.9
Earnings per share in EUR 0.41 0.31
Placed equity in EUR million 139 121
Balance sheet March 31, 2007 December 31, 2006
Total assets in EUR thousands 229,963 227,086
Equity in EUR thousands 133,073 123,347
Equity ratio in % 57.87 % 54.32 %
Staff March 31, 2007 March 31, 2006
Average employees 242 225
Personnel costs in EUR thousands 5,672 6,013
Personnel costs in % of revenue 17.83 21.0

HCI Capital AG Share

Hint: Rounding differences likely to occur.

the fi rst three months of the current fi nancial year 2007 were very eventful for HCI Capital AG. Three new companies from the fi nancial-services sector became major shareholders in the HCI Group, thereby contributing considerably to the desired stability of the Group's shareholder structure. The price of the HCI share developed positively at the beginning of the present year; all in all, the company is satisfi ed with the business development of the fi rst quarter 2007.

Revenues for the fi rst quarter of 2007 rose by 11.2 percent against 2006, totaling EUR 3.2 million against EUR 28.6 million in 2006. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) likewise rose against the same period for the previous year amounting to EUR 12.2 million (2006: EUR 10.6 million). Consolidated net earnings rose by 31.7 percent to EUR 9.9 million (fi rst quarter 2006: EUR 7.5 million). Overall placement fi gures rose for the period under review by 14.9 percent to EUR 139.0 million against the previous year's results (EUR 121.0 million). These fi gures clearly document the company's sound business model, the basis for sustained growth.

The ship segment profi ted from the prolonged high-level demand for investment offers in this product area with the volume of placed equity capital rising to EUR 77.6 million, a 54.1 percent increase over the total volume of EUR 50.4 million for the same period in 2006. Worldwide, the demand for closed-end real estate funds developed below the previous year's level. As a result of this downward trend, HCI Capital AG reported a 40.3 percent drop in placement volume for the fi rst quarter of 2007, amounting to a EUR 8.3 million loss over the EUR 20.6 million for the same period in 2006. The secondary life insurance market segment developed during the fi rst quarter of 2007 on a higher level than the same period in 2006, with the HCI Group reporting approximately EUR 46.0 million in placed equity capital, an increase of 10.1 percent against the previous year's fi gure (2006: EUR 41.8 million). In the private equity fund of funds segment, placement of the company's new product HCI Private Equity VI was just launched at the end of the fi rst quarter of 2007 and EUR 3.0 million in equity capital placed within a very short time. By comparison, this area totaled EUR 8.2 million for the fi rst quarter of 2006.

HCI Capital AG offers top-quality products in all product segments. In late 2006, the HCI Group enlarged its product portfolio to include structured products. The HCI Group places great importance on the development of innovative, customized products, as this is an investment market growing both in relevance and appeal. For example, the HCI certifi cate on German and British secondary life insurance market policies, a product currently in the focus of the HCI Group. After-Sales Services and Asset Management are two divisions presently undergoing further development. Given these achievements and objectives, the Management Board asserts its forecast for HCI Capital AG's development during the fi nancial year 2007.

At this point, we wish to express our thanks and appreciation to the 278 dedicated and creative employees who presently work for and towards the success of HCI Capital AG.

We also wish to thank the shareholders of HCI Capital AG for the trust they have placed in our company and hope that they will continue to participate in the success and further development of HCI Capital AG.

Sincerely,

Harald Christ (Chairman of the Board) Hamburg, May 2007

HCI Stock

On January 17, 2007, HCI Sicar A.G. sold 29.5 percent of its shares to MPC Capital AG. Then, on Feburary 1, 2007, the Hamburg-based Peter Döhle Group and the investment group Corsair Capital LLC acquired 10 percent of the HCI stock each off-exchange. In the context of this transaction MPC Capital AG reduced its investment in HCI by 14.4 percentage points to 15.1 percent, however, acquired a further 2.2 percent of the voting rights from HCI Sicar A.G., the latter having completely withdrawn its commitment from HCI. Christ Capital GmbH disposed of 3.4 percent of its share in the capital stock, retaining 8.8 percent of the outstanding stock in HCI Capital AG. As a result, the number of free-fl oating shares totals 56.1 percent.

Towards the end of March 2007, over 17,000 private single shareholders held stock in HCI Capital AG, accounting for approximately 24 percent of the company's capital stock. Whereas institutional investors in HCI Capital AG are, to a large extent, of Anglo-Saxon origin for the period under review, the percentage of German institutional investors has increased compared to the time of the IPO in autumn of 2005.

The daily trading volume averaged approximately 79,000 shares for the period under review, corresponding to a very lively liquidity of HCI stock among the companies listed on the Prime Standard. HCI Capital AG ranks high among the small caps listed by the Deutsche Börse AG. The HCI stock developed positive during the fi rst quarter of 2007. HCI stock traded highest at EUR 18.80 on February 20, 2007 and lowest at EUR 14.93 on January 3, 2007.

Currently, 14 independent research analysts have initiated research studies on HCI Capital AG. Eight analysts recommended buying HCI stock, fi ve recommended keeping the stock and one analyst recommended selling the stock. On average, analysts estimate a target price of EUR 18.60.

Hamburger Sparkasse, another credit institute covering the analysis of HCI Capital AG, carried out an initial rating during the fi rst quarter of the current fi nancial year. The experts began their coverage with a recommendation to buy.

Several road shows and capital market conferences provided HCI management the opportunity to meet and talk with institutional investors in Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain and Scandinavia about HCI Capital AG's business development and strategy. Furthermore, various meetings with investors took place at the company's head offi ces in Hamburg.

In the upcoming months, a large number of road shows and capital market conferences are scheduled where HCI Capital AG will have the opportunity to present its perspective for the future to institutional investors from all over Europe.

HCI Capital AG does not own any stock in the company.

The Economic Environment

National economic conditions

The global economic situation continued to develop positively during the spring of 2007, however, with expansion slowing slightly compared to the same period of the preceding year. Whereas the rise in U.S. industrial production has slackened off somewhat, high growth rates continue to be measured in developing countries and emerging markets and there is a perceptible economic revival in the Euro zone as well as Japan.

At present, the German economy is recovering. German industry improved its competitive position and its profi tability against last year's fi gures, profi ting too from the ongoing global economic expansion and the sustained high demand for German export products.

Leading stock markets all over the world continue to report fi gures above those for the same period last year and continued to develop positively during the fi rst quarter of 2007. The German share indexes DAX, MDAX and SDAX are developing very positively and showing rising trends.

Oil prices came under pressure in early 2007, however, since late January the average price for this resource has been rising steadily. In early 2007, the Euro also lost ground against the U.S. dollar, but regained its strong position, rising to an exchange rate of USD 1.34 to the Euro by late March.

Industry trends

According to the annual report for 2006 by funds analyst Stefan Loipfi nger initiators reported investors placing a total of approximately EUR 11.6 billion in closed-end investments. The total market gained considerable momentum during the latter half of 2006 in particular. In the last quarter of the fi nancial year 2006 alone, close to 39.4 percent of the total equity capital was placed, a fi gure that once again underscores the seasonal character of placement success. Whereas in 2006 closed-end real estate funds and private equity funds of funds developed positively, ship funds and investment products in the secondary life insurance market declined signifi cantly.

For the fi rst quarter of the current fi nancial year, HCI Capital AG has not had any evidence of quantitative data pointing to poor or alarming predictions for the total market development. Nevertheless, based on the placement results for 2006 and a survey carried out by funds initiators, economic and funds analyst Stefan Loipfi nger realistically estimates that total equity capital placement in closed-end funds could well total EUR 11.5 billion in 2007.

Business Development

The HCI Group generated revenue earnings totaling EUR 31.8 million during the reporting period, an increase of 11.2 percent against EUR 28.6 million in the previous fi nancial year.

Revenues from the HCI Group's design and sales activities rose to EUR 25.4 million against the previous year as a result of the slightly increased placement volume.

Due to a continued rise in the volume of equity capital in trust management, earnings from the trust management division (After Sales & Services) increased against last year to EUR 6.4 million.

Explanation of profi t development

For the current reporting period, the primary expenditure items for the HCI Group were the costs of purchased services and personnel expenses.

The cost of purchased services, which consists primarily of commissions paid to sales partners, rose by 38.6 percent to EUR 15.0 million due to the higher volume of placed equity capital as compared to the same reporting period in the previous fi nancial year. The reason for this above-average increase, compared to the equity capital placed during the reporting period, was the separate settlement of a real estate fund (Holland 25, an exclusive Dresdner Bank product) during the same reporting period of the previous year, in which only the net margin was recorded as sales revenue and which, in turn, was not offset by the cost of purchased services.

Personnel expenses decreased by 5.7 percent during the fi rst nine months of the fi nancial year against the previous year due in particular to high bonus payments made during the same reporting period last year and despite the fact that the average number of employees has increased signifi cantly from 225 to 242.

The increase in other operating income by EUR 1.1 million to EUR 4.8 million is particularly noteworthy. Other operating income consists primarily of earnings from ship brokerage and the sale of a Dutch real estate portfolio. In a strong seller's market and with market conditions favorable the company was able to sell these assets without jeopardizing the long-term product availability of HCI Group funds.

Other operating expenses developed moderately, dropping by 4.5 percent to EUR 4.3 million.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose to EUR 12.2 million during the fi rst quarter of the current fi nancial year compared to EUR 10.6 million for the same period in the previous year as a direct result of the business development described above and special items accounted for as per March 31, 2007. This amount includes the investment results of joint venture companies and is computed on the basis of the equity method. The EBIT for these companies rose by EUR 0.9 million to EUR 1.2 million for the period under review.

The fi nancial result dropped by 52.4 percent against the same period for the previous year, totaling EUR 0.7 million. The determining factor here was the guaranteed returns from secondary life insurance market funds, which are included in this item. The decrease in fi nancial result is due to increased interest payments during the period under review, brought about by a higher share of borrowed capital, necessary for fi nancing the acquisition of an interest in Aragon AG.

During the same period, earnings before taxes (EBT) rose by 7.8 percent to EUR 12.9 million over the previous year's EUR 12.0 million.

During the fi rst quarter of 2007, the Group's tax ratio dropped to 23.3 percent, thus falling below the estimated annual tax ratio of 30 percent. This was due to the divestiture of a deferred tax liability effective during the reporting period.

The consolidated net income for the fi rst nine months rose against the previous year's EUR 7.5 million by 31.7 percent to approximately EUR 9.9 million.

Placement volume

Infl uenced by the positive placement development during the fi rst quarter of the current fi nancial year, albeit a falling placement volume in the real estate fund segment in the interim, HCI Capital AG placed equity capital totaling EUR 139 million, thereby exceeding the placement result for same period of the previous year (EUR 121 million). The fi rst quarter of 2007 records a 14.9 percent increase against the same period for the previous fi nancial year. This is due to several reasons, one particularly being the exceptional placement success in the ship fund and secondary life insurance market segments.

Placement in the individual product categories developed as follows:

There was a marked increase in the ship fund segment against the same period of the previous fi nancial year. With placements totaling close to EUR 77.6 million during the fi rst quarter of 2007 (EUR 50.4 million for the same period in 2006), ship funds were once again the strongest product category in terms of equity capital placement.

Given stable global economic growth and with Chinese exports steadily developing and other regions such as India and Brazil growing, the development trend in the shipping markets continues to be positive. Based on an overall stable development of charter rates in container as well as tanker shipping in 2006, experts estimate that charter rates will shift laterally while remaining at a high level, and foresee an upward trend for the bulker segment.

In the segment of closed-end real estate funds, equity capital placement did not develop satisfactorily for HCI Capital AG during the period under review. The company continued to focus on the U.S.A. as a target market for its products. The volume of placed equity in the real estate segment dropped 40.3 percent to EUR 12.3 million against the previous year (EUR 20.6 million in the fi rst quarter of 2006). HCI sees new opportunities for applying its competence in the institutional funds division thanks to its joint venture with U.S. real estate investor Behringer Harvard, with HCI in charge of purchasing, optimization and property management. An accumulated investment volume of up to EUR one billion is slated for investment over the next three years.

The secondary life insurance market fund segment focused on British and German secondary life insurance markets during the fi rst quarter of the current fi nancial year. Placement volume for the fi rst three months totaled EUR 46.0 million as compared to EUR 41.8 million for the previous year, an increase of 10.1 percent.

The private equity fund of funds product category continued to draw investors during the reporting period, with equity capital placement totaling EUR 3.0 million for the fi rst quarter of 2007 compared to EUR 8.2 million for the same period in 2006. This 63.4 percent drop against the fi rst quarter of 2006 is, however, due to the current lack of product availability. Meanwhile, a new fund, HCI Private Equity VI, was recently launched.

Outlook

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts sustained positive development of the global economy for 2007. Germany is presently on the economic growth track. Funds analyst Stefan Loipfi nger estimates a placement volume of approximately EUR 11.5 billion in the total market for closedend investments.

Given this background, HCI Capital AG expects investors' placement volume to total approximately EUR 700 million in equity capital and revenues to total approximately EUR 150 million for the current fi nancial year, with consolidated net income after taxes amounting to an estimated EUR 31 million, thus generating an approximate EUR 1.29 in earnings per share. In the coming year, HCI Capital AG intends to continue focusing on dividend payout to shareholders and once again propose a high dividend distribution on the distributable net income.

Profi t expectations for the current fi nancial year, lowered signifi cantly against 2006, are primarily based on a conservative estimation of revenues from the sale of ships, intermediary ship trade and the sale of real estate properties. In addition, the current outlook refl ects the implementation of the company's diversifi cation strategy and the projected steady increase of recurring revenues.

During the current fi nancial year, the HCI Group will offer closed-end investments in the ship, real estate, private equity fund of funds, secondary life insurance market and asset creation segments. By extending its range of products to include structured products (guarantee products, certifi cates), the HCI Group has enlarged both investment possibilities and product structures for the prospective investor. The expansion of management activities in the product segments ship, real estate and secondary life insurance market during the current fi nancial year will serve to promote consistent returns and the increased predictability of business success during the current fi nancial year even more. And fi nally, HCI Capital AG places its competent management and its extensive network at the disposal of an ever-growing number of institutional investors, a move creating a broad basis for sustained growth while further establishing the company increasingly as an internationally operating asset manager.

Hamburg, May 2007 HCI Capital AG The Management Board

Harald Christ

Dr. Ralf Friedrichs

Wolfgang Essing

Dr. Rolando Gennari

Consolidated income statement

interim fi nancial statements as at March 31, 2007

EUR '000
Note
Three months
ended
March 31,
2007
Three months
ended
March 31,
2006
Revenues
(3)
31,814 28,609
Other operating income
(4)
4,773 3,694
Change in inventories 205 259
Cost of purchased services - 14,987 - 10,815
Personnel expenses - 5,672 - 6,013
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment and amortization of intangible assets - 817 - 1,006
Other operating expenses - 4,284 - 4,483
Results of associated companies and joint ventures accounted
(5)
for using the equity method
1,194 323
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) 12,226 10,568
Interest income 473 701
Interest and similar expenses - 550 - 171
Other fi nancial result
(6)
738 857
Earnings before taxes (EBT) 12,887 11,955
Income taxes
(7)
- 2,998 - 4,447
Consolidated net income for the period 9,889 7,508
Consoldiated net income for the period attributable to the group 9,889 7,507
Consolidated net income for the period atributable to minority shareholders 0 1
Earnings per share (basic) in EUR
(8)
0.41 0.31
Earnings per share (diluted) in EUR
(8)
0.41 0.31

Consolidated balance sheet

as at March 31, 2007

EUR '000
Note
March 31,
2007
December 31,
2006
ASSETS
Non-current assets 65,834 65,314
Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment 11,092 11,768
Investments in joint ventures accounted for using the equity method 41,011 39,979
Other investments 13,143 12,966
Other fi nancial assets 588 601
Current assets 163,002 160,391
Work in progress and fi nished services 2,253 2,010
Trade receivables 52,788 58,678
Receivables from related parties
(12)
1,288 1,355
Income tax receivables 151 147
Other current assets 32,292 32,088
Other fi nancial assets 31,690 31,709
Other miscellaneous assets 602 379
Securities
(9)
7,199 0
Liquid funds 59,531 58,613
Assets held for sale 7,500 7,500
Deferred taxes 1,127 1,381
Total assets 229,963 227,086
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity 133,073 123,347
Subscribed capital 24,000 24,000
Capital reserve 76,016 76,016
Consolidated retained earnings 47,895 38,006
Currency translation - 306 - 143
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 618 626
Pension provisions 17 16
Liabilities to banks 582 591
Other fi nancial liabilities 19 19
Current provisions and liabilities 92,171 99,155
Other provisions 2,137 2,402
Liabilities to banks 38,404 33,023
Trade payables 21,718 26,394
Payables to related parties
(12)
864 4,263
Income tax payables 15,742 20,224
Other current liabilities 13,306 12,849
Other fi nancial liabilities 6,073 4,563
Other miscellaneous liabilities 7,233 8,286
Deferred taxes 4,101 3,958
Total equity and liabilities 229,963 227,086

Consolidated cash fl ow statement

for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2007

Three months Three months
ended ended
March 31, March 31,
EUR '000 2007 2006
Consolidated net income for the period 9,889 7,508
Depreciation, amortization and impairment/ write-ups of non-current assets 817 1,006
Gains(-) /losses(+) from joint ventures - 1,194 - 323
Gains(-) / losses(+) from the disposal of non-current assets - 60 171
Increase in pension provisions and other long-term obligations 1 - 1
Changes in deferred taxes 397 - 514
Other non-cash income and expenses 22 - 67
Increase/ decrease in working capital - 6,848 - 25,388
Increase in inventories - 243 - 259
Increase/ decrease in trade receivables 5,890 - 2,579
Decrease in pre-fi nancing of limited liability partner contributions 1 1,494
Increase/ decrease in other assets - 197 518
Increase/ decrease in current provisions - 265 1,187
Decrease in trade payables - 4,676 - 11,644
Decrease in receivables from and payables to related parties - 3,332 - 3,118
Decrease in other liabilities - 4,024 - 10,987
Other movements in operating activities - 2 0
Cash fl ows from operating activities 3,024 - 17,608
Proceeds from disposals of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment 0 109
Proceeds from disposal of investments 177 184
Payments for investments in intangible assets and in property, plant and equipment - 140 - 144
Payments for subscribed shares in joint ventures 0 - 3,000
Payments for other investments - 294 - 1,822
Cash fl ows from investing activities - 257 - 4,673
Proceeds from additions to other fi nancing liabilities 8,861 59
Repayments of other fi nancing liabilities - 3,511 - 1,114
Repayments of acquisition price deferrals in business combinations 0 - 1,000
Cash fl ow from fi nancing activities 5,350 - 2,055
Changes in cash and cash equivalents 8,117 - 24,336
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 58,613 94,563
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
(10)
66,730 70,227

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2007

in EUR '000 Subscribed
capital
Capital
reserve
Consolidated
retained
earnings
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment
Net cost in
excess of
net assets
acquired on
the acquisi
tion of com
panies under
common con
trol and suc
cessive share
acquisitions
Total Minority
interests
Consolidated
equity
Balance at 01.01.2006 24,000 76,016 32,133 0 - 14,596 117,553 101 117,654
Consolidated net income
for the period (consolidated
comprehensive income)
7,507 7,507 1 7,508
Other changes 2 2 - 1 1
Balance at 31.03.2006 24,000 76,016 39,642 0 - 14,596 125,062 101 125,163
Balance at 01.01.2007 24,000 76,016 38,006 - 143 - 14,532 123,347 0 123,347
Consolidated net income
for the period
9,889 9.889 9,889
Change of currency trans
lation differences
- 163 - 163 - 163
Consolidated comprehensive
income
9,889 - 163 9,726 9,726
Balance at 31.03.2007 24,000 76,016 47,895 - 306 - 14,532 133,073 0 133,073

NOTES

to the consolidated interim fi nancial statements of HCI Capital AG as at March 31, 2007 in accordance with IFRS

General

HCI Capital AG was created from HCI Holding GmbH by converting that company's legal form pursuant to a conversion resolution dated January 25, 2005 and amended March 8, 2005. The conversion was registered in the commercial register of the local court of Hamburg on March 30, 2005.

(1) Accounting policies

The unaudited consolidated interim fi nancial statements of HCI Capital AG and its subsidiaries (referred to below as: "HCI Group") as at March 31, 2007 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34.

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 December 31, 2006. The consolidated interim fi nancial statements as at March 31, 2007 should therefore be read in conjunction with the consolidated fi nancial statements as at December 31, 2006.

(2) Consolidation

During the fi rst quarter of 2007, no newly founded company (fi rst quarter 2006: 1), was consolidated for the fi rst time.

The HCI Group sold its interests in HCI Weser Trader Schiffstreuhand GmbH & Co. KG and HCI Jade Trader Schiffstreu-

Notes to the consolidated income statement

hand GmbH & Co. KG under an agreement dated February 14, 2006. HCI Weser Trader Schiffstreuhand GmbH & Co. KG and HCI Jade Trader Schiffstreuhand GmbH & Co. KG formed part of the ship segment. The disposal resulted in a gain of EUR 15,000. The proceeds of EUR 117,000 were offset against certain of the HCI Group's liabilities due to the sold companies. The effect of the disposal of the assets and liabilities of the sold companies on the fi nancial position of the HCI Group was insignifi cant.

The HCI Group made a contribution of EUR 3,000,000 in connection with the acquisition of a ship by a subsidiary of the joint venture HAMMONIA Reederei GmbH & Co. KG during the fi rst quarter of 2006.

Under a share purchase and assignment agreement dated December 13, 2006, HCI Capital AG acquired 25 % plus one share of Aragon AG, Wiesbaden, a company listed in the Entry Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The business of Aragon AG consists of placing fi nancial products and providing related services. The acquisition of the shares, which results in the HCI Group gaining signifi cant infl uence, is thus intended to strengthen the HCI Group's distribution activities. No consolidated fi nancial data on Aragon AG was available at the time this consolidated balance sheet was compiled as per March 31, 2007, thus rendering an allocation of the acquisition price impossible.

(3) Revenue

Revenue consists of the following:

EUR '000 Three months ended
March 31, 2007
Three months ended
March 31, 2006
Sales revenues
Ship 16,061 11,165
Real estate 1,435 2,080
Private equity 307 902
Secondary life insurance market 7,603 8,149
Total sales revenues 25,406 22,296
Trust and service fees
Ship 4,434 4,048
Real estate 1,106 780
Private equity 96 104
Secondary life insurance market 432 384
Trust and service contract fees 6,068 5,316
Management fees 340 994
Other revenues 0 3
Total revenues 31,814 28,609

(4) Other operating income

Other operating income for the fi rst quarter of 2007 includes commission income of EUR 2,772,000 (fi rst quarter 2006: EUR 2,675,000) from sourcing ships for the ship funds established by the HCI Group. Proceeds from the sale of real estate properties during the fi rst quarter of 2007 totaled EUR 1,332,000 (fi rst quarter 2006: EUR 0).

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

The results from joint ventures and associated companies accounted for using the equity method increased from EUR 323,000 (fi rst quarter 2006) to EUR 1,194,000 for the fi rst quarter 2007, with Hammonia Reederei GmbH & Co. KG accounting for EUR 991,000 (fi rst quarter 2006: EUR 312,000).

(6) Other fi nancial results

Other fi nancial result for the fi rst quarter of 2007 includes exchange losses of EUR 373,000 (fi rst quarter 2006: EUR 184,000).

Other fi nancial result also includes fees of EUR 1,048,000 (fi rst quarter 2006: EUR 883,000) received by the HCI Group in the form of preliminary dividends from the secondary life insurance market funds.

(7) Income Taxes

The reduction in the effective tax rate during the fi rst quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 is due to change in the composition of income including expansion in the ship segment as well as in the item other operating income and resulting in a correspondingly higher trade income tax reduction. Further, the item includes a special item amounting to EUR 656,000, thus reducing tax expenditure.

(8) Earnings per share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are determined as follows:

Three months ended
March 31, 2007
Three months ended
March 31, 2006
Consolidated net income for the period attributable to the group EUR '000 9,889 7,507
Weighted average number of shares outstanding '000s of shares 24,000 24,000
Earnings per share for the period EUR 0.41 0.31

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

Notes to the consolidated balance sheet

(9) Securities

This item includes shares in stock listed on the stock exchange. These short-term investments had already been liquidated by reporting date as at March 31, 2007.

Other

(10) Consolidated cash fl ow statement disclosures

The following income taxes, interest and investment income paid and received are included in cash fl ows from operating activities:

EUR '000 Three months ended
March 31, 2007
Three months ended
March 31, 2006
Interest paid 414 176
Interest received 296 5
Income taxes paid 6,694 12,710
Income taxes received 12 5
Investment income received 158 1

Cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated cash fl ow statement are composed as follows:

Three months ended
March 31, 2007
Three months ended
March 31, 2006
7,199 0
59,531 70,227
66,730 70,227

There were no signifi cant non-cash transactions during the fi rst quarters of 2007 and 2006.

(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 and other services to parties external to 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
Three months ended
March 31, 2007
March 31, 2006
Revenue from external
customers
EBIT Revenue from external
customers
EBIT
Ship 20,495 11,353 15,215 7,952
Real estate 2,827 2,157 3,855 1,482
Private equity 404 75 1,006 93
Secondary life insurance market 8,034 1,930 8,533 2,813
Total segments 31,760 15,515 28,609 12,340
Other/holding 54 - 3,289 0 - 1,772
Group 31,814 12,226 28,609 10,568

(12) Related parties

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

EUR '000 March 31, 2007 December 31, 2006
Receivables from non-consolidated subsidiaries 4 3
Receivables from joint ventures and associates 1,284 1,352
Receivables from related parties 1,288 1,355
Payables to HCI SICAR A.G., HCI Trust AG,
their shareholders and to companies they control
0 120
Payables to non-consolidated subsidiaries 864 910
Payables to HCI Group management 0 3,233
Payables to related parties 864 4,263
Provisions for bonuses due to HCI Group management 411 0
Provisions for profi t sharing 0 1,543
Other provisions 411 1,543

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

TEUR Three months ended
March 31, 2007
Three months ended
March 31, 2006
Income from joint ventures and associates 1,194 323
Income from related parties 1,194 323
Expenses paid and payable to HCI Group management 1,109 964
Expenses paid or payable to related parties 1,109 964

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 March 31, 2007:

EUR '000 March 31, 2007
Guarantees 811,085
Placement guarantees 317,709
Future payments under operating leases 4,790

The HCI Group provided guarantees and similar commitments amounting to EUR 124,697,000 and USD 912,074,000 respectively, which include loan amounts valued at EUR 112,909,000 and USD 565,333,000 respectively. Placement guarantees amounting to EUR 80,268,000 and USD 315,511,000 respectively, which include EUR 48,520,000 and USD 139,451,000 respectively, that are part of the funds not yet included in the equity raised for the funds.

(14) Proposed dividend

The Management and Supervisory Boards will propose to the annual general meeting to be held on May 10, 2007 the payment of a dividend of EUR 33,600,000 out of retained earnings of HCI Capital AG as at December 31, 2006 of EUR 41,525,000 as determined in accordance with the provisions of the German Commercial Code [Handelsgesetzbuch]. This represents a dividend of EUR 1.40 per share.

(15) Subsequent events

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

Disclaimer

Forward-looking statements

These documents contain certain forward-looking statements and information regarding future developments that are based on the opinions of the Management Board of HCI Capital AG, as well as on assumptions and information currently available to HCI Capital AG. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "assume," "intend," "plan," "should," "could" and "project" as well as similar terms related to the company, are intended to indicate such forward-looking statements, which are therefore subject to a level of uncertainty.

A number of factors could cause the actual results of the HCI Group to differ materially from the projections for the future as made in such forward-looking statements.

HCI Capital AG assumes no obligation to the public to update or correct forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to vary from expectations. The forward-looking statements refl ect the perspective as of the date on which they were made.

Financial Calendar

15.11.2007 Publication of nine-month fi gures

12.11.-14.11.2007 Deutsche Börse, KfW Mittelstandsbank - Deutsches Eigenkapitalforum, Frankfurt

10.11.2007 Stock Exchange Day, Hamburg

11.09.2007 SRC Stock Day Financial Services, Frankfurt

16.08.2007 Publication of six-month fi gures

21.06.2007 Citigroup Investor Jour Fixe, London

24.05.2007 Dresdner Kleinwort Mid & Small Cap Financial Seminar, London

10.05.2007 Annual shareholders' meeting

08.05.2007 Publication of three-month fi gures

19.03.2007 HCI fi nancial analyst meeting, Frankfurt

07.03.2007 Presentation of 2006 full year results

27.02.2007 Publication of preliminary results 2006 & Outlook 2007

06.02.2007 Roadshow Berenberg Bank, Frankfurt

29.01.-31.01.2007 Roadshow Berenberg Bank Low Countries, London, Scandinavia

More information?

HCI Capital AG Bleichenbrücke 10 D-20354 Hamburg Telefon +49 40 88 88 1-0 Telefax +49 40 88 88 1-199 [email protected] oder www.hci-capital.de

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