FUCHS PETROLUB SE — Earnings Release 2008

Nov 6, 2008

News Details

Corporate | 6 November 2008 07:00

Increase in sales revenues and profit after tax for the first nine months of the year

Fuchs Petrolub AG / Quarter Results

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The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Increase in sales revenues and profit after tax for the first nine months
of the year

The FUCHS PETROLUB Group was able to increase its profit after tax in the
first nine months of 2008 by 7.9% over the previous year to EUR94.1 million
(87.2). Group sales revenues increased by 5.1% to EUR1,083.5 million in the
first nine months. Earnings per ordinary and preference share amount to
EUR3.76 (3.34) and EUR3.81 (3.38) respectively. These figures represent an
increase of just under 13% growth over the previous year.

Group sales revenues enjoyed organic (internal) growth of 9.2% or EUR94.3
million in the first nine months of 2008. The increase was driven both by
volumes and prices. Conversion to the Group currency of the euro, which is
significantly stronger as a currency than was the case in the previous
year, led to a drop in sales revenues of EUR46.7 million or 4.5%. Taking
into account external growth of EUR4.6 million or 0.4%, this left a net
increase in sales revenues of 5.1% or EUR52.2 million.

There was a severe material price increase in the middle of the second
quarter 2008, in particular in terms of base oil prices. As a consequence
of this, gross profit increased by +1.4% or +EUR5.2 million to a level of
EUR388.6 million (383.4). As such, gross profit saw less of an increase
than sales revenues. Personnel and material costs in marketing and sales,
administration and R&D saw an inflation-based increase of EUR6.0 million.
As a result of this, at EUR144.5 million, earnings before interest and tax
(EBIT) was slightly below the previous year's level of EUR145.1 million.

Despite the share buyback and increased business scope, at -EUR6.4 million
the financial result of the first nine months of 2008 was better than in
the previous year (-6.9). The significantly reduced rate of taxation also
has a positive effect on profit after tax, which was increased by 7.9% to
EUR94.1 million (87.2).

Investments in property, plant and equipment, intangible and financial
assets rose as expected in the first nine months of 2008 to EUR31.6 million
(15.3). The driving factors behind the increase in capital expenditure are
the construction of the new facility in China, construction of the new
FUCHS LUBRITECH Group facility in Kaiserslautern and the purchase of real
estate in India.

The current economic framework conditions indicate a significant worldwide
economic downturn. In addition, the heightened severity of the global
financial market crisis has significantly increased uncertainty regarding
further development of the real economy. Making any kind of forecast is
therefore extremely risky.

In terms of sales revenues, the FUCHS PETROLUB Group expects to see
significant organic growth for 2008 as a whole, despite the fact that an
appreciable drop in sales is to be expected among several customer groups
in the fourth quarter. The Group is also targeting an EBIT level slightly
below the previous year's figure. However, as a result of a reduced rate of
taxation and a reduction in the number of shares, earnings per share should
be marginally above the previous year's level. FUCHS PETROLUB intends to
keep the dividends at least at the same level as the previous year.

The first nine months of 2008 at a glance

Group

(in EUR million) 1-9/2008 1-9/2007
Sales revenues (1) 1,083.5 1,031.3
Europe 743.7 704.2
North and South America 154.0 160.5
Asia-Pacific, Africa 212.4 189.3
Consolidation -26.6 -22.7
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 144.5 145.1
Profit after tax for the first nine months 94.1 87.2
Earnings per share in EUR
Ordinary share 3.76 3.34
Preference share 3.81 3.38
Gross cash flow 103.8 100.4
Capital expenditures (2) 31.6 15.3
Employees (as at September 30) 3,886 3,820

(1) By company location
(2) In property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and financial
assets

Mannheim, November 6, 2008

FUCHS PETROLUB AG
Public Relations
Friesenheimer Str. 17
68169 Mannheim
Tel.: ++49 (0) 621 3802 – 105

This press release is also available on the internet at
http://www.fuchs-oil.com.
Link to the quarterly report:
http://www.fuchs-oil.de/fileadmin/fuchs_upload/pdf_addons/QR2008/QB48e.pdf

Important note
This press release contains statements about future developments that are
based on assumptions and estimates by the management of FUCHS PETROLUB AG.
Even if the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and
estimates are accurate, future actual developments and future actual
results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due
to a variety of factors. These factors can include changes in the overall
economic climate, changes to exchange rates and interest rates, and changes
in the lubricants industry. FUCHS PETROLUB AG provides no guarantee that
future developments and the results actually achieved in the future will
agree with the assumptions and estimates set out in this press release and
assumes no liability for such.
06.11.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

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Language: English
Issuer: Fuchs Petrolub AG
Friesenheimer Str. 17
68169 Mannheim
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)621 / 3802-0
Fax: +49 (0)621 / 3802-190
E-mail: contact-de.fpoc@fuchs-oil.de
Internet: www.fuchs-oil.de
ISIN: DE0005790406, DE0005790430
WKN: 579040, 579043
Indices: MDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Stuttgart;
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München

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