RATIONAL AG — Earnings Release 2008

May 7, 2008

News Details

Ad-hoc | 7 May 2008 11:01

Rational AG: Good start in the 1st quarter of 2008

Rational AG / Quarter Results

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               Report pursuant to § 15 WpHG 
                     – Ad-hoc report –
                        RATIONAL AG

RATIONAL AG: Good start in the 1st quarter of 2008

         Sales up 8%

         Earnings up 23%

Landsberg, May 7, 2008. RATIONAL AG had a good start to 2008, with sales up
8 percent in the 1st quarter to 79.5 million euros (previous year 73.9
million euros). These figures are on target for the planned growth of 15
percent for the year as a whole.

When looking at the planned seasonal breakdown for 2008, it should be
remembered that Easter week was very early this year. Compared to last
year, there were three fewer working days in March, and the usual holiday
time also had to be planned in over Easter.

Above-average earnings

The company’s income situation was especially pleasing. Consolidated
earnings in the 1st quarter of 2008 were up by 23 percent from 11.3 million
euros last year to 13.9 million euros. In addition to the 7 percent
improvement in EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) to 18.7 million
euros, the earnings situation was also helped by the much lower rate of tax
introduced as a result of the German tax reform.

Forecast for 2008 confirmed

Despite adverse economic conditions and the unexpectedly sustained decline
in the value of the US dollar and pound sterling, we are still confident of
achieving the planned 15 percent increase in sales to 387 million euros in
2008, along with the corresponding 15 percent rise in EBIT to 106 million
euros.

Contact:

RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft
Dr. Günter Blaschke
Tel. +49 (0)8191 327-364
Fax +49 (0)8191 327-272

e-Mail: g.blaschke@rational-online.de
www.rational-ag.com

Information for editors:

The RATIONAL-group is the world market and technology leader for the
thermal preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded
in 1973, employs more than 1,000 people, more than 600 of whom are in
Germany. Since the IPO in 2000 RATIONAL was floated in the Prime Standard
on the German stock market and is currently listed in the SDAX. The Price
of RATIONAL shares has duplicated several times since the IPO.

The company’s principal objective is to offer customers maximum benefit.
Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of sustainability,
expressed in its policies on environmental protection, leadership and
social responsibility. Numerous international awards bear witness year on
year to the high level of RATIONAL’s work.

                                Q1/2008     Q1/2007      Change in %

Sales (million of euros) 79.5 73.9 +8
EBIT (million of euros) 18.7 17.5 +7
EBT (million of euros) 19.0 17.7 +7
EPS (in euros) 1.22 1.00 +23

07.05.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

Language: English
Issuer: Rational AG
Iglinger Straße 62
86899 Landsberg a. Lech
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)8191 327-283
Fax: +49 (0)8191 327-533
E-mail: h.sieber@rational-online.de
Internet: www.rational-ag.com
ISIN: DE0007010803
WKN: 701080
Indices: SDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart

End of News DGAP News-Service

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