3U Holding AG — Earnings Release 2004

Mar 10, 2005

News Details

Ad-hoc | 10 March 2005 16:23

3U TELECOM AG: Preliminary figures 2004 and outlook 2005

Ad hoc announcement §15 WpHG Financial Result 3U TELECOM AG: Preliminary figures 2004 and outlook 2005 Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— Marburg, March 10th, 2005 – According to preliminary figures the 3U group recorded sales of 96.46mn EUR in 2004. This compares to 64.68mn EUR in the previous year – an increase of 49.1%. These figures are mainly a result of the acquisition of LambdaNet Communications AG as well as the first-time consolidation of carrier24 GmbH as of year end, which provides the complete network for our fixed-line business. The consolidation of carrier24 is demanded by US GAAP regulation. During Q4 2004 the fixed line segment recorded sales of 15.00mn EUR (Q3 2004: 17.21mn EUR). Sales of subsidiary LambdaNet (Broadband / IP segment) amounted to 8.91mn EUR in Q4 2004 (Q3 2004: 9.35mn EUR). The first-time consolidation of carrier24 contributed 3.17mn EUR to total sales in 2004. EBITDA of the 3U group for the full year 2004 amounted to 4.07mn EUR (previous year: 5.76mn EUR). While the EBITDA of minus 2.64mn EUR in Q4 2004 was again negative in the fixed-line segment (Q3 2004: minus 0.49mn EUR), the subsidiary LambdaNet was able to record an EBITDA of 1.25mn EUR in Q4 2004 (Q3 2004: 1.83mn EUR). The net loss of the 3U group in 2004 was 29.15mn EUR (net income 2003: 1.73mn EUR) and was mainly determined – after extraordinary goodwill amortization in Q2 2004 – by non-liquidity related one-time effects in Q4 2004. During this period the group recorded in total a net loss of minus 11.65mn EUR (following a accumulated net loss of 17.50mn EUR at the end of Q3 2004). Net loss in Q4 2004 results from the consolidation effects of carrier24 GmbH, contributing minus 4.58mn EUR for the full year 2004. The subsidiary LambdaNet recorded a net loss of minus 4.42mn EUR in Q4 2004 due to scheduled depreciation and amortization (Q3 2004: minus 3.46mn EUR). In addition, the fixed-line segment added a net loss of minus 2.66mn EUR during Q4 (Q3 2004: minus 1.10mn EUR, and for full year 2004 minus 13.04mn EUR). Net loss and the development of EBITDA in Q4 2004 are mainly a result of restructuring costs for the subsidiaries as well as provisions for legal issues and back duties as a result of a tax audit for the years 1999 through 2002. As of December 31st, 2004 cash and cash equivalents remained stable with 39.81mn EUR in comparison to 39.60mn EUR at the end of Q3 2004. For the fiscal year 2005 the 3U group expects an increase in sales of at least 10%, while EBITDA is expected to rise even stronger. The expectations are based especially on intensified sales and marketing activities, lower cost structures and a successful reorginization of the group, which should be fully realized in 2005. The company’s final figures for 2004 will be published on March 15th, 2005 with the release of the annual report. Contact: 3U TELECOM AG Ulrich Wiehle Tel.: +49 (0)6421 999-1200 Fax: +49 (0)6421 999-1111 wiehle@3u.net 3U TELECOM AG Neue Kasseler Str. 62 F 35039 Marburg Deutschland ISIN: DE0005167902 WKN: 516790 Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover und Stuttgart End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 10.03.2005 101623 Mär 05