Bechtle AG — Earnings Release 2004

Jan 4, 2005

News Details

Ad-hoc | 4 January 2005 11:46

Bechtle AG: Preliminary figures for 2004 significantly above forecast

Ad hoc announcement §15 WpHG Figures Bechtle AG: Preliminary figures for 2004 significantly above forecast Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— Bechtle AG: Preliminary figures for 2004 significantly above forecast -new records established in revenues and earnings -targets exceeded despite weak economy and moderate sector performance -revenues and earnings exceed expectations in final quarter Neckarsulm, 04.01.2005 – Bechtle AG continued to generate growth in the 2004 business year despite the weak economic environment. According to preliminary calculations, revenues will exceed 1.08 billion euros, which represents an increase of at least 36 percent compared with the previous year (2003: 791.9 million euros). At 1 billion euros plus X, therefore, revenues have clearly met the previously announced targets. Earnings before tax (EBT) will exceed the target corridor of 34 to 35 million euros that had already been corrected upwards at the beginning of November 2004 due to the excellent performance in December and will be above the 37 million euros mark (2003: 27.2 million euros). The increase in earnings will thus be over 36 percent. The demand for IT products and services in what is traditionally the strongest last quarter significantly exceeded expectations. Revenues in the final quarter of the year, at over 330 million euros, exceeded figures for the comparative period in the previous year by over 43 percent (Q4 2003: 229.7 million euros). These sales figures, however, also include large-order projects with lower margins. Nevertheless, preliminary calculations indicate that final pre-tax earnings in the fourth quarter will also be well above the previous year’s level of 10.3 million euros. In the business year just completed, Bechtle has increased its profitability once again and – also as a result of targeted acquisitions – now has a strong position in the marketplace with its IT System House and eCommerce business areas. Contact: Bechtle AG, Sabine Emich, Investor Relations, phone: +49 (0) 7132/981-4115, fax: +49 (0) 7132/981-4116, sabine.emich@bechtle.com Bechtle AG Bechtle Platz 1 74172 Neckarsulm Deutschland ISIN: DE0005158703 WKN: 515870 Listed: Frankfurt; Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 04.01.2005 041146 Jän 05