Gigaset AG

Earnings Release • Mar 21, 2005

News Details

Corporate | 21 March 2005 07:30

ARQUES Industries AG shows considerable turnover and profit increases for 2004

Corporate-news announcement sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. —————————————————————————— ARQUES shows considerable turnover and profit increases for 2004 – Executive Board announces preliminary 2004 results Starnberg, 21.03.2005 – According to the preliminary year end results, ARQUES Industries AG (ISIN DE0005156004) has shown a substantial increase in turnover for the financial year 2004 and clearly exceeded its targets. The company turnover rose from EUR 28.6 million in 2003 to EUR 128.6 million in 2004 +348.1 %). In fact, when consolidating all subsidiaries as of 1 January 2004, the annualised group turnover amounted to EUR 262.6 compared to EUR 70 millions in the previous year (+275.1%). The group profits increased from EUR 5.1 millions in 2003 to EUR 38.7 in 2004 (+658.3%). This includes the so called “bargain purchase” effect which is shown as a profit at a value of EUR 33.4 million (as prescribed in the IAS 3 of 01.04.2004). Therefore the profit per share is EUR 20.93 compared to EUR 3.16 in 2003 (+562.3%). Operational profits could also be increased considerably. The profits before depreciation, taxes and interest (EBITDA) rose to EUR 10.4 million (2003: EUR 5.6 millions). The result only partially reflects the yield capacity of the ARQUES group, since the majority of the turnover could only be consolidated by purchases in the second half year, therefore it should be seen has a “half- yearly amount”. Due to the positive development ARQUES was able to increase its equity from EUR 7.2 million in 2003 to EUR 52,3 million in 2004 (+625.9%). An equity ratio of 37.2 % (2003: 18.5%) demonstrates a stable balance sheet. On the holding level the equity ratio amounts to 93%, since no bank loans were necessary. The audited results for the 2004 financial year will be published shortly. Contact: ARQUES Investor Relations ++49 (0) 8151 – 651 130 end of message, (c)DGAP 21.03.2005 —————————————————————————— WKN: 515600 ; ISIN: DE0005156004; Index: Listed: Freiverkehr in Frankfurt, Berlin, München und Stuttgart 210730 Mär 05