EANS-Adhoc: Semperit AG Holding: EBT rose by 18.8% during the first three quarters
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quarterly report
20.11.2009
Total revenue decreased by 10.0% to EUR 442.9 million EBT increased by 18.8% to EUR 54.9 million End of the economic tailspin - however forecasting remains difficult
Vienna, November 20, 2009 - Despite the prevailing difficult business environment, Semperit succeeded in further improving earnings during the first three quarters of 2009 in comparison to the previous year. This can be mainly attributed to the Sempermed division, which continued to develop very positively.
| |1-9/2008 |1-9/2009 |Change in % | |Revenue in EUR |492.0 |442.9 |-10.0 | |million | | | | |EBT in EUR million |46.2 |54.9 |+18.8 |
Notwithstanding a 10.0% decline in revenue to EUR 442.9 million, earnings before tax (EBT) of the Semperit Group rose by 18.8% during the first three quarters of 2009, to EUR 54.9 million (previous year: EUR 46.2 million). The losses suffered by the cyclically-dependent business areas could be more than compensated for by the good results of Sempermed.
PERFORMANCE OF THE DIVISIONS The Sempermed division also continued its positive development in the third quarter and revenue increased 17.8% to EUR 203.8 million during the first nine months of 2009. Based on the ongoing upturn in the examination glove segment, production capacity at the existing plant in Thailand will be expanded. Furthermore, plans were finalised for a new state-of-the-art plant in Surat Thani, Thailand, with a total investment volume of approximately EUR 25 million.
The decline in revenues of the divisions Semperflex and Semperform by 39.9% to EUR 77.7 million and by 16.8% to EUR 77.1 million, respectively, was attributed to the global recession. Earnings before tax of the Semperflex division decreased to EUR 2.5 million (previous year: EUR 13.9 million) despite adjustments carried out to reduce fixed costs and fell to EUR 7.7 million (previous year: EUR 12.9 million) for the Semperform division.
The Sempertrans division registered a revenue decrease of 13.2% in the first three quarters, to EUR 84.3 million. However, this can be considered as satisfactory in the light of the difficult market environment. Earnings before tax at EUR 10.5 million still slightly surpassed the previous year´s figure of EUR 10.4 million.
OUTLOOK Although Semperit once again succeeded in surpassing its previous year´s result in the third quarter of 2009, forecasting of the company´s future business development remains difficult. With the exception of the Sempermed division, revenues in the other divisions for the year 2009 as a whole are expected to be lower than in 2008. It remains to be seen whether the economic contraction in various markets has sustainably bottomed out. Overall, despite the current price hikes on raw material markets, Semperit anticipates satisfactory results for the business year 2009.
In light of the current environment, Semperit is continuing to focus on measures designed to strengthen its competitive position, in order to gain additional market share in difficult times and be well prepared to take advantage of a future economic upswing. In addition to intensified market penetration efforts, the operational priorities are concentrated on implementing programmes to enhance efficiency and reduce material consumption, as well as increased training of employees.
end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further inquiry note:
Semperit AG Holding
Investor Relations
DI Michael Wolfram
Tel.: +43 (1) 79 777-583
E-Mail: michael.wolfram@semperit.at
Branche: Synthetics & Plastics
ISIN: AT0000785555
WKN: 870378
Index: WBI, ATX Prime, ViDX
Börsen: Frankfurt / stock market
Stuttgart / stock market
Berlin / free trade
Wien / official market
Original content of: Semperit AG Holding, transmitted by news aktuell