09.03.2005 – 07:22

Basler AG

euro adhoc: Basler Vision Technologies AG
Annual Reports
Basler shows record turnover and excellent profitability in 2004

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09.03.2005

Basler shows record turnover and excellent profitability in 2004

Forecast for 2005: increased turnover with continuing good
profitability

Ahrensburg, 9 March 2005 - Basler AG, the leading company in Vision
Technology, the technology on which artificial vision systems are
based, has now published the audited figures for the Annual Report
2004 and made a definite forecast for the current financial year. 
The audited figures now published show that Basler increased turnover
in 2004 by 47% to Euro 52.4 million (2003: Euro 35.7 million). Growth
in turnover has mainly been driven by product innovation which
increased Basler’s share in all its target markets.

According to US GAAP, increased turnover and optimized productivity
led to pre-tax earnings in 2004 of Euro 5.1 million (2003: Euro 0.7
million). With activation of loss brought-forward, the tax result
amounted to + Euro 2.0 million giving net operating earnings of Euro
7.1 million (2003: Euro 3.0 million). Earnings per share improved to
Euro 2.04 (2003: Euro 0.85).

For 2005 (and for the first time using International Financial
Reporting Standards - IFRS, which became mandatory this year) growth
in turnover is expected to continue, though less dynamically, to
yield Euro 54 million (+ 3% compared with 2004), giving pre-tax
earnings of between Euro 7 - 7.5 million and a pre-tax margin of at
least 13%. From a current perspective, the first half-year should be
weaker and the second half-year more dynamic than in 2004. The
forecast makes provision for high investment in research and
development of approx. 17% of overall turnover. This investment will
create the groundwork needed for further innovation and high organic
growth.

The current market portfolio evidences a pattern of autonomous market
cycles and thus a large degree of independence from single markets
enabling good long-term growth. The forecast for 2005 predicts a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28% over a three year period.

Details of the Annual Report will be given at today’s Conference Call
for analysts and investors, and at the press conference for the
Annual Financial Statements. The Annual Report for 2004 is available
online and as a PDF download at www.baslerweb.com.

end of announcement                    euro adhoc 09.03.2005 06:46:04 

Further inquiry note:

Christian Höck
Tel.: +49 (0)4102 463 175
E-Mail: christian.hoeck@baslerweb.com

Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0005102008
WKN: 510200
Index: Prime Standard, CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / regulated dealing
Berliner Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Bayerische Börse / free trade
Bremer Wertpapierbörse (BWB) / free trade

Original content of: Basler AG, transmitted by news aktuell