RATIONAL AG — Earnings Release 2010

Mar 22, 2011

News Details

Ad-hoc | 22 March 2011 09:14

RATIONAL AG: Fiscal year 2010 – Return to clear-cut growth

RATIONAL AG / Key word(s): Final Results

22.03.2011 09:14

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RATIONAL AG: Fiscal year 2010 - Return to clear-cut growth

• Sales up by 11 percent
• EBIT above 100 million euros for the first time
• 5.00 euro dividend and 4.00 euro special dividend proposed

Landsberg, March 22, 2011. With sales growth of 11 percent, RATIONAL AG
impressively turned the tide in 2010. The business gained momentum quarter
by quarter. At 350.1 million euros, sales in fiscal year 2010 were the
highest ever in the Company's history (previous year: 314.4 million euros).
All sales regions contributed to this growth, 30 percent of which came from
the BRIC states (Brazil, Russia, India, China) in 2010. But the
well-established markets in the Americas and Europe also returned to
growth.

30 percent EBIT margin

In 2010 RATIONAL further increased the Company's earning power thanks to
major increases in efficiency and productivity. Earnings before interest
and taxes (EBIT) rose by 17 percent from 90.5 million euros to 105.8
million euros. The EBIT margin is 30 percent, compared to 29 percent the
previous year. Net earnings rose by 19 percent from 67.3 million euros to
79.8 million euros.

160 million euros in liquid funds - 75 percent equity ratio

The Company has an extremely sound financing structure and as at December
31, 2010 held liquid funds of more than 160 million euros. The equity ratio
was further increased from 71 percent in the previous year to 75 percent.

5.00 euro dividend plus 4.00 euro special dividend proposed

Due to the Company's very good liquidity situation and the positive global
economic trends, the Supervisory Board and Executive Board have decided to
propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders in 2011 a dividend increase
from 3.50 euros to 5.00 euros per share plus an additional special dividend
of 4.00 euros per share.

For shareholders this gives a dividend yield of 5.4 percent in relation to
the 2010 year-end price. Despite the planned distribution of over 102
million euros the company's available liquid funds continue to be at a very
high level.

RATIONAL invests in the future

As at December 31, 2010 the company employed 1,092 people, which is 99 more
than at the start of the year. Due to the positive trends, good future
prospects and the large worldwide potential for growth in all regions of
the world, efforts were made to further expand sales capacities, in
particular.

Positive outlook for 2011

RATIONAL has put everything in place for further success in 2011. The
Company has products that are superior to those of its competitors,
excellent customer loyalty, a sound business model, and a solid underlying
financial position.

Because of the anticipated developments in the economy, the optimistic
prospects for the sector and the good competitive position, the company
expects sales growth of around 10 percent for 2011, together with continued
good earnings figures.

Contact:
RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft
Dr. Günter Blaschke
Tel. +49 (0)8191 327-364
Fax +49 (0)8191 327-272
e-Mail: g.blaschke@rational-online.com
www.rational-online.com

Information for editors:
RATIONAL is the world market and technology leader for the thermal
preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973,
employs around 1,100 people, of which more than 600 are in Germany. Since
the IPO in 2000 RATIONAL was floated in the Prime Standard on the German
stock market and is currently listed on the MDAX.

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.

                            2010              2009    Change in %

Sales (in m EUR) 350.1 314.4 +11
EBIT (in m EUR) 105.8 90.5 +17
EBT (in m EUR) 105.6 90.1 +17
EPS (in EUR) 7.02 5.92 +19

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Language: English
Company: RATIONAL AG
Iglinger Straße 62
86899 Landsberg a. Lech
Deutschland
Phone: 0049 8191 327 364
Fax: 0049 8191 327 272
E-mail: i.klinckmann@rational-online.com
Internet: www.rational-online.com
ISIN: DE0007010803
WKN: 701080
Indices: MDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart

End of Announcement DGAP News-Service

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