euro adhoc: Andritz AG
other
Andritz Group announces long-term company
targets at Capital Market Days 2008
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21.10.2008
Graz, October 21, 2008. On the occasion of the Andritz Capital Market Days 2008, Wolfgang Leitner, President & CEO of Andritz AG, today announced the long-term targets for the international technology Group up to 2010/2011, and confirmed the guidance for 2008: `From today´s perspective, we expect sales to rise to approximately 3.5 billion Euros and EBITA margin to increase compared to 2007. The actual extent of the increase depends on the further development of the global financial and economic crisis and its impact on our customers and - consequently - ourselves,´ Leitner said.
The Andritz Group´s declared sales target for 2010/2011 is 4.5 billion Euros. Achievement of this target is also dependent on the future development of the global economy and Andritz´s success in acquiring further companies. `Given our cash position of about 800 million Euros, the current financial crisis can also provide opportunities for Andritz to acquire interesting companies at very attractive terms", Leitner said, but did not mention potential acquisition targets.
Along with the growth in sales, Andritz also aims to increase profitability. `The goal for the Andritz Group is to achieve a sustainable EBITA margin averaging 7% over the economic cycle, with the target to reach 8% at the economic peak. Whether Andritz will already be able to improve the margin in 2009 cannot be predicted at this stage, given the current difficult economic environment. The solid order backlog and the high sales contributions from business areas that are likely to be less affected by the general economic situation should help to mitigate, even if they cannot entirely prevent, the impact Andritz may feel from a possible severe economic slowdown,´ Leitner said.
With regard to dividend payments, Andritz intends to maintain its policy of continuity. After increasing the payout ratio to almost 40% for the 2007 business year, Andritz aims to gradually raise the payout ratio to approximately 50% in the coming years. With a dividend payment of 1.00 Euro per share for 2007, Andritz currently offers an attractive dividend yield of almost 5.9%.
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The Andritz Group The Andritz Group is a global market leader in the supply of customized plants, systems, and services for the pulp and paper industry, the hydropower industry, the steel industry, and other specialized industries (solid/liquid separation, feed, and biofuel). Headquartered in Graz, Austria, the Group has about 12,900 employees worldwide. It manufactures and sells its products and services globally.
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Further inquiry note:
Dr. Michael Buchbauer
Head of Investor Relations
Tel.: +43 316 6902 2979
Fax: +43 316 6902 465
mailto:michael.buchbauer@andritz.com
Branche: Machine Manufacturing
ISIN: AT0000730007
WKN: 632305
Index: WBI, ATX Prime, ATX
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official dealing
Original content of: Andritz AG, transmitted by news aktuell