19.05.2004 – 08:33

LPKF Laser & Electronics AG

euro adhoc: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Quarterly or Semiannual Financial Statements
LPKF increases turnover in first quarter 2004 and gives positive outlook (E)

  Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc.
  The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.

The Group generated the following results in the first three months:
~
                      2004 (3 months)  2003 (3 months)  Change      
Turnover KEUR        5,085            4,563             +11.4%
Profit KEUR            -84             -217             +61.3%
Net margin           -1.7%            -4.8%
EBIT KEUR              -85             -299             +71.6%
EBIT margin          -1.7%            -6.6%
EPS EUR              -0.01            -0.02             +50.0%
Cash and cash
equivalents KEUR     5,114            4,805             + 6.4%
Capital ratio        73.5%            68.0%
Current orders
in hand KEUR         3,638            4,189             -13.2%
Orders received KEUR 7,968            5,139             +55.1%
~
Notes on the Q1 results:
The first positive effects of the global economic recovery in the
electronics industry are happily reflected in the development of LPKF
Laser & Electronics AG’s turnover in the first quarter 2004. Compared
to the same period the previous year, turnover has risen by 11.4% to
KEUR 5,085 (KEUR 4,563). The growth in turnover would have been even
higher year-on-year if there had not been such a decline in the value
of the Dollar compared to the Euro in the meantime. The consolidated
profit is slightly negative at KEUR -84 (KEUR -217). This is
attributable in part to one-off human resource costs. The development
in turnover is particularly satisfactory in the Laser Systems segment
which posted an increase of 32.7%. The profitability of this segment
of KEUR 82 is not satisfactory because of an investment in the new
plastic laser welding technology. However, the development of this
product line is completely on schedule and will generate much better
results in future.

Outlook for 2004:
Orders received in recent weeks, from Asia in particular, underpin
LPKF Laser & Electronics AG’s growth strategy. There has been an
increase in demand for the new laser technologies such as MicroLine
Drill and MicroLine Cut. The investment climate has improved again.
There is also a high demand for the high-end systems in the Rapid PCB
Prototyping segment which can lead to an improvement in this
division. The 3D-MID technology is enjoying a high demand thanks to
its special market position. This confirms LPKF Laser & Electronics
AG’s global marketing activities in this sector. The unique character
of 3D-MID technology and the first successes in series applications
have already generated many orders for samples - opening up excellent
opportunities for moving on to series production.

end of announcement        euro adhoc 19.05.2004

Further inquiry note:

Ulrike Thoms-von Meding
LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Tel.: +49(0)5131 7095 382
u.thomsvonmeding@lpkf.de

Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0006450000
WKN: 645000
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Prime Standard, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / regulated dealing
Niedersächsische Börse zu Hannover / free trade
Berliner Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Bayerische Börse / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Bremer Wertpapierbörse (BWB) / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade

Original content of: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG, transmitted by news aktuell