euro adhoc: Westag & Getalit AG
Quarterly or Semiannual Financial
Statements
Clear growth in first half of 2004 despite continued
decline in construction activity (E)
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
Although a certain number of construction projects were brought forward due to the scheduled reduction in the subsidy for owner-occupied housing, incoming orders in the building construction sector in the first five months of 2004 were down 4.4% on the same period of the previous year, according to the Federal Statistical Office. In this difficult environment, Westag & Getalit AG increased its first-half sales by 4.0% to EUR 84.2 million (previous year EUR 80.9 million). Increased foreign business enabled us to boost our international sales by 9.5% to EUR 14.1 million. Overall, our export share stood at 16.8% (previous year: 15.9%).
The result before income taxes clearly increased over the previous year, reaching a gratifying EUR 3,420 thousand in the first six months of 2004 (previous year: EUR 706 thousand). All three divisions reported a positive sales development and a profit before income taxes. This is not least attributable to the continuation of our strict cost management policy. Net income improved from the previous years EUR 407 thousand to EUR 1,890 thousand in H1 2004. Half-year DVFA/SG earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.35 EUR (previous year: EUR 0.06).
Today's Annual General Meeting in Rheda-Wiedenbrück decided that a dividend of EUR 0.28 per ordinary share (no dividend paid in previous year) and of EUR 0.34 per preference share (previous year: EUR 0.12) be distributed to the shareholders for 2003.
The Supervisory Board has appointed Dipl.-Kfm. Jan Trommershausen, former Spokesman of the management at SaarGummi GmbH, Wadern-Büschfeld, to the Management Board of Westag & Getalit. He will assume responsibility for the central divisions on September 1, 2004.
The general economic environment in Germany remains characterised by uncertainty. A certain downward trend is expected for the construction sector also in the near future. Even though our company is winning market share, we therefore see only few growth opportunities in Germany. There are interesting opportunities on the export front, though. On the cost side, we will generally continue our strict cost-cutting policy. What we are concerned about - apart from continued pressure on sales prices - is the price trend of some of our key commodities. The surge in oil prices is having a direct impact on chemicals products. Should it continue, other raw materials will be affected as well. Westag & Getalit AG will thus be facing further challenges. In view of the recent development of our company, we are confident that we are on the right course also where our profits are concerned.
end of announcement euro adhoc 12.08.2004
Further inquiry note:
Felix Huisgen
Tel.: +49 (0)5242 17 5350
E-Mail: huisgen@westag-getalit.de
Branche: Building materials
ISIN: DE0007775207
WKN: 777520
Index: Prime All Share, Prime Standard
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / official dealing
Berliner Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Bremer Wertpapierbörse (BWB) / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Original content of: Westag & Getalit AG, transmitted by news aktuell