LAIQON AG — Earnings Release 2005

Apr 25, 2006

News Details

Corporate | 25 April 2006 10:30

Lloyd Fonds continues growth course in 2006

Corporate-news transmitted by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— * Successful year in 2005: – Placed equity of EUR 286 million 50% higher than that of the previous year – EBIT increase of 63% to EUR 22.8 million * Double-digit percentage growth rates again expected for 2006 Hamburg, April 25, 2006. The 2005 fiscal year was the most successful year in the history of Lloyd Fonds AG. In a dynamic market environment, the company increased revenues from EUR 52.0 million to 71.0 million. EBIT increased by 63% to EUR 22.8 million. Group net income increased 80% to more than EUR 17.1 million. In terms of equity placed, there was strong clear growth of 50%. In total, 9 new funds were issued with an investment volume of EUR 600 million. Total placed equity was EUR 286 million (of which 242 million was in EUR and 52 million in USD) compared to EUR 191 million in the previous year. Lloyd Fonds profited from their decision to concentrate on yield funds from early on. Over 80% of invested equity went into yield funds. Diversification continued in 2005 Lloyd Fonds has thus underlined its claim as one of Germany’s strongest growing issuing houses. Diversification of asset classes was continued as planned. While in 2004, 95% of equity was placed in the ships sector, in 2005 this figure lay at only 85%. The remaining equity was divided among the two growth segments traded UK endowment policies (12%) and renewable energies. Since 1995, over EUR 869 million of equity has been placed and an investment volume of EUR 2.6 billion realized. The number of investors also likewise clearly climbed more than 50% in 2005 from just under 12,000 to nearly 19,000. At the end of the year, investors held nearly 24,000 investments. Chairman of the Management Board of Lloyd Fonds AG Dr. Torsten Teichert expressed his satisfaction with the 2005 fiscal year: “The figures for 2005 again demonstrate Lloyd Fonds’ position as a highly profitable and strongly growing issuing house. Our company posted excellent increases in all the key figures. This shows we impressively maintained last year’s solid growth rate. Strong growth in revenues and net income and solid key financial figures in all segments are the result of both the quality of our funds as well as the company’s very good overall positioning. The first quarter of 2006 has already been impressive. We are well on the way to another record year!” High dividend yields of significantly more than 5% At the Annual General Meeting, Lloyd Fonds will propose that a dividend of EUR 1.10 per share be distributed for the 2005 fiscal year. This is equivalent to a distribution ratio of 80% on the basis of the IFRS financial statements. This makes Lloyd Fonds one of Germany’s leading companies with a dividend yield of 5.7% (current price of EUR 19.30). There are plans to raise the distribution ratio to around 90% in the coming years. Management Board increased to 3 members As of June 1, 2006, the Management Board will be expanded to 3 members through the addition of Dr. Marcus Simon as new Chief Financial Officer. Other members are Holger Schmitz who will be responsible for the various asset classes and for designing new funds in the future and Chairman of the Management Board Dr. Torsten Teichert. The increase in employees from 41 in 2004 to 65 on the balance sheet date and 92 by the middle of April 2006 further documents the company’s growth course. This growth will also be consistently pursued in 2006. Strong confidence for 2006 Developments in the first quarter indicate another record year for 2006. In the first quarter of 2006, EUR 153 million of equity was placed. This includes the exclusive placing of a ship fund via Deutsche Bank with an equity volume of USD 137 million within 5 weeks. Currently, the third traded UK endowment policy fund is being sold (over EUR 20 million already placed) and as of the beginning of April also the fleet fund X (EUR 52 million in equity). After a year in which Lloyd Fonds neither bought nor ordered a single ship, the pipeline is once again being filled. In the past weeks, attractive ships were acquired for new funds including the purchase of a TEUR 8,200 container ship with an equity volume of EUR 30 million (assumption in 2007 and placement in 2006). Together with a shipping company, four new constructions worth TEUR 4,300 were ordered at very attractive market prices (to be delivered in 2009). Lloyd Fonds will continue diversification in the real estate and renewable energies sectors as well as by expanding new asset classes and innovative fund concepts. In April, with energyONE a well respected asset partner was gained in the renewable energies segment. Here annual investment volume of up to EUR 100 million is planned. The share of asset classes excluding ships is to grow to over 30% of equity placed in 2006. In total, Lloyd Fonds will operate in five product segments (ships, real estate, renewable energies, life insurance and private equity) by the end of the year. For 2006 as a whole, Lloyd Fonds expects a significant increase of the equity placed of 30% to EUR 370 to 390 million. The sales target lies at EUR 90 million. For net income, an improvement to between EUR 19 million and EUR 20 million. “For 2006 we expect clear double-digit growth rates in all segments and in all relevant key figures”, says Holger Schmitz, Management Board member responsible for finance and products at Lloyd Fonds AG. Key figures for Lloyd Fonds AG (group) audited/ in EUR million) Profit and loss account: Fiscal Year 2005 2004 Change Sales 71.0 52.0 +36.5% EBIT 22.8 14.0 +62.9% EBIT margin 32.1% 27.0% +5.1%points Group net income 17.1 9.5 +80.0% Net earnings per share (in EUR) 1.60 1.02 +56.9% Cash flow from operating activities 7.5 6.0 +25.0% Funds development: Fiscal year 2005 2004 Change Placed equity per year 286 191 +49.7% Cumulative placed equity 870 584 +49.0% Number of cumulative fund issues 66 57 Number of investors (cumulative) 18,870 11,878 Balance sheet and other: Dec. 31, Dec. 31, 2005 2004 Balance sheet total 98.8 42.3 Equity 75.2 16.3 Equity ratio 76.1% 38.5% Employees 65 41 Press contact: Lloyd Fonds AG Neuer Wall 72 20354 Hamburg ir@lloydfonds.de For questions regarding the company: Dr. Götz Schlegtendal Telephone: 040-325678-148 (c)DGAP 25.04.2006 ————————————————————————— language: English emitter: Lloyd Fonds Aktiengesellschaft Neuer Wall 72 20354 Hamburg Deutschland phone: +49 (0)40 32 56 78-0 fax: +49 (0)40 32 56 78-99 email: info@lloydfonds.de WWW: www.lloydfonds.de ISIN: DE0006174873 WKN: 617487 indexes: stockmarkets: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service —————————————————————————