Clariant AG — Earnings Release 2003

May 7, 2003

News Details

Ad-hoc | 7 May 2003 07:30

Clariant AG part 1

Solid sales growth in a difficult market environment – Part 1 of 2 Ad-hoc-announcement processed and transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Clariant in the 1st Quarter of 2003 Solid sales growth in a difficult market environment Muttenz, Switzerland, May 7, 2003 – In the first three months of 2003 Clariant increased sales in local currencies by 4% over the previous year. With the exception of the Life Science & Electronic Chemicals division (LSE), all divisions contributed to the sales growth with considerable volume increases. Owing to the negative currency effect, however, sales in Swiss francs fell by 8%. The operating result was reduced by a provision of CHF 38 mn due to further delays in starting up production at a plant in the U.S. for the Functional Chemicals division (FUN). KEY FINANCIAL FIGURES (in CHF mn) Comparison between 1st quarter 2003 and 1st quarter 2002 (unaudited; figures rounded off) Change in % excl. FUN (2003 compared provision Reported Restated(1) to 2002 restated) 2003 2003 2002 2002 CHF LC Net sales 2 106 2 106 2 398 2 278 -8 +4 Gross profit 712 712 801 763 -7 +1 EBITDA(2) 212 250 329 310 -32 -26 EBIT 113 151 194 180 -37 -31 Net income 2 40 88 – – – As per Mar. 2003 Dec. 2003 Net debt 3 665 3 476 Equity 947 914 (1) The figures for 2002 were restated since in the period under review the North American hydrosulfite business, the European emulsions business and the global emulsion powder business as well as the Portuguese emulsions business were sold. The data represent the result from the ongoing businesses. (2) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is calculated from operating profit (EBIT) plus depreciation and amortization. End of Part 1 end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 07.05.2003 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement: Your contacts at Clariant Media Relations Christoph Hafner Tel. +41 61 469 67 46 Rainer Weihofen Tel. +41 61 469 67 42 Fax +41 61 469 69 99 Investor Relations Tel. +41 61 469 67 48 Fax +41 61 469 67 67 Iris Welten Tel. +41 61 469 67 47 Holger Schimanke Tel. +41 61 469 67 45 Daniel Leuthardt Tel. +41 61 469 67 49 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 895929; ISIN: CH0012142631; Index: SMI Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (General Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, München und Stuttgart; Schweizer Börse (Hauptsegment); SEAQ- Handel in London 070730 Mai 03