HELMA Eigenheimbau AG — Earnings Release 2008

Sep 9, 2008

News Details

Corporate | 9 September 2008 08:30

HELMA Eigenheimbau AG reports strong half-year results; over 35% increase in total output; positive outlook.

HELMA Eigenheimbau AG / Half Year Results

Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory
AG.
The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

---

HELMA Eigenheimbau AG reports strong half-year results; over 35% increase
in total output; positive outlook.

Lehrte, September 9, 2008 – HELMA Eigenheimbau AG has raised total
consolidated output by over 35% to €25.32 million in the first half of
2008. Besides the completion of the restructuring, the main reasons for the
significant growth were the increasing establishment of the numerous new
showhouse locations, and the successful reduction in average throughput
times to 10.4 months.

Other operating income of €0.18 million was also achieved in the reporting
period. Given materials expense of €19.99 million, gross earnings amounted
to €5.51 million. This corresponds to a significantly improved gross profit
margin of 21.8% relative to total output.

The cost-reduction measures connected with the restructuring of the HELMA
Group have already delivered their hoped-for effects in the first six
months of the current financial year, and these effects will be even more
pronounced in the second half of the year. Personnel expense was cut to
€2.92 million (2007 full year: €6.48 million); other operating expenses
amounted to €2.62 million. Given depreciation and amortisation of €0.52
million, half-year EBIT amounts to €-0.54 million.

TURNAROUND FOR 2008 IN SIGHT / POSITIVE OUTLOOK:

Since the first half of the year is traditionally seasonally
under-represented in terms of sales and earnings, the HELMA Group is well
on its way to achieving the forecast turnaround in terms of EBIT. The
Management Board of HELMA is consequently reconfirming the sales and EBIT
forecasts for the 2008 financial year it issued in February 2008, and is
stating these in even more specific terms. Total output of between €55
million and €58 million is anticipated (FY 2007: €45.6 million), and EBIT
between €0.4 million and €0.7 million (FY 2007: €-5.3 million).

However, it is not only the good result achieved in the first half of the
year that allows the HELMA Group to look to the future with renewed
optimism; sales figures also exhibit a significantly positive trend. Net
new orders received were up 19.5% to €35.5 million in the first half of
2008. Significant medium-term growth rates can also be anticipated due to
the further establishment of showhouse locations, the success of the solar
house, and the further increases in the number of customer recommendations.

The HELMA Group will also be able to further reduce its fixed costs,
despite the anticipated detectable increase in total output, both in the
second half of 2008 and in the 2009 financial year. Consequently, a
significant enhancement of profitability, and a sustained return to the
profit zone, can be anticipated for the medium term.

The Management Board of HELMA Eigenheimbau AG will also issue a specific
forecast for the 2009 financial year at the time of the publication of the
half-year report on September 30, 2008.

ABOUT HELMA EIGENHEIMBAU AG:

HELMA Eigenheimbau AG is a customer-oriented, full-service construction
service provider. The company’s focus lies in the development, planning,
sale, and construction management of turnkey or partly finished detached
and semi-detached houses in solid construction or element solid
construction. The tailored planning and individualisation that the company
offers at no extra cost, as well as its in-depth expertise in the field of
energy-efficient construction, are perceived by the market as a
particularly unique selling point of HELMA Eigenheimbau AG. As a property
developer, the HELMA Wohnungsbau GmbH & Co. KG subsidiary complements the
service range of the HELMA Group. HELMA Eigenheimbau AG (ISIN:
DE0000A0EQ578) has been listed in the Entry Standard of the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange since 19 September 2006.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR:

30 September 2008: 2008 half-year report
6 October 2008: 2008 Q3 sales figures
7-9 October 2008: International Roadshow
20-21 October 2008: Specialist conference of the Real Estate Share
Initiative

CONTACT:

UBJ. GmbH, Gerrit Janssen
Haus der Wirtschaft, Kapstadtring 10
D-22297 Hamburg
Telephone: +49 (0)40 – 63 78 – 54 14
Telefax: +49 (0)40 – 63 78 – 54 23
E-mail: gerrit.janssen@ubj.de

09.09.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

Language: English
Issuer: HELMA Eigenheimbau AG
Zum Meersefeld 4
31275 Lehrte
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)5132/8850-0
Fax: +49 (0)5132/8850-111
E-mail: info@helma.de
Internet: www.helma.de
ISIN: DE000A0EQ578
WKN: A0EQ57
Listed: Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart; Entry
Standard in Frankfurt

End of News DGAP News-Service

---