2007 Annual Shareholder Meeting: WACKER confirms positive Outlook for current Fiscal Year
Munich (euro adhoc) -
- SUPERVISORY AND EXECUTIVE BOARDS PROPOSALS ADOPTED BY A LARGE MAJORITY - 2006 DIVIDEND RAISED TO 2.00 PER SHARE, PLUS A SPECIAL BONUS OF 0.50 - WACKERS GROWTH CONTINUES IN Q1 2007 - FULL-YEAR SALES INCREASE EXPECTED TO EXCEED 10 PERCENT, WITH A HIGHER EBITDA MARGIN THAN LAST YEAR
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May 29, 2007 - Wacker Chemie AG confirmed its positive 2007 sales and earnings forecast at the first Annual Shareholder Meeting since its April 2006 IPO. Based on current exchange rates, the MDAX-listed Group expects sales in 2007 to be over 10 percent higher than last year. As for earnings, the EBITDA margin is estimated to show further increase. After posting its best results in over 90 years, the Munich-based chemical company is paying out a total of EUR124.2 million (2006: EUR70.9m) to its shareholders. This means each dividend-bearing share has earned EUR2, up from last year´s EUR1.60. Additionally, the shareholders approved a one-time special bonus of EUR0.50 per dividend-bearing share. They also adopted the Supervisory and Executive Boards´ other proposals by large majorities.
WACKER´s 2006 sales and earnings figures marked a new all time high. Sales increased 21 percent to EUR3.34 billion (2005: EUR2.76bn), with net profit more than doubling to EUR311.3 million (2005: EUR143.7m).
The Group´s growth continued seamlessly into the first quarter of 2007. Q1 sales rose to EUR943.7 million, 18 percent above the EUR798.5 million posted in Q1 2006. First-quarter net profit soared 73 percent from EUR66.2 million to EUR114.5 million.
"Across the board, our figures clearly show we are on the right track," said CEO Peter-Alexander Wacker in Munich today. "Each of our key business sectors is making good progress. What´s more, business is also profiting from renewable energy and other global trends, such as energy-efficient construction and inroads made by electronics into ever-more applications and walks of life. Consequently, I´m optimistic that WACKER will continue benefiting from the economy´s strength with above-average growth."
Resolutions and Voting Results At today´s Annual Shareholder Meeting, 43,354,345 voting shares were represented - 83.13 percent of all eligible shares (number of shares outstanding: 49,677,983). The voting results were as follows for agenda topics 2 through 7:
Topic 2: Resolution on the Appropriation of Net Retained Profit The Executive and Supervisory Boards proposed net retained profit for fiscal 2006, amounting to EUR763.6 million, to be appropriated as follows: EUR124.2 million to be paid to shareholders, EUR315 million to be kept as retained earnings and EUR324.4 million to be carried forward to new account. The proposal was adopted. The result was: - 43,100,266 Yes votes (99.99 percent) - 876 No votes
Topic 3: Resolution on the Ratification of the Acts of the Executive Board The Executive and Supervisory Boards´ proposal to ratify the acts of the members of Wacker Chemie AG´s Executive Board during fiscal 2006 was adopted. The result was: - 43,000,586 Yes votes (99.99 percent) - 180 No votes
Topic 4: Resolution on the Ratification of the Acts of the Supervisory Board The Executive and Supervisory Boards´ proposal to ratify the acts of the members of Wacker Chemie AG´s Supervisory Board during fiscal 2006 was adopted. The result was: - 43,024,023 Yes votes (99.99 percent) - 219 No votes
Topic 5: Resolution on the Appointment of Auditor The Supervisory Board´s proposal to appoint KPMG as auditor for fiscal 2007 was adopted. The result was: - 43,323,500 Yes votes (99.95 percent) - 20,681 No votes
Topic 6: Approval of the Profit-and-Loss Transfer Agreement between Wacker Biotech GmbH and Wacker Chemie AG The Executive and Supervisory Boards´ proposal to approve the profit-and-loss transfer agreement between Wacker Biotech GmbH and Wacker Chemie AG was adopted. The result was: - 43,084,297 Yes votes (99.99 percent) - 97 No votes
Topic 7: Authorization to Acquire Treasury Shares The Executive and Supervisory Boards´ proposal to authorize the Executive Board to acquire treasury shares representing up to 10 percent of the current share capital was adopted. The result was: - 43,068,830 Yes votes (99.94 percent) - 25,336 No votes
Information for editorial offices: All documents relating to the 2007 Annual Shareholding Meeting of Wacker Chemie AG can be downloaded from WACKER´s website (www.wacker.com) under Investor Relations.
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates of WACKER´s Executive Board. Although we assume the expectations in these forward-looking statements are realistic, we cannot guarantee they will prove to be correct. The assumptions may harbor risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual figures to differ considerably from the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such discrepancies include, among other things, changes in the economic and business environment, variations in exchange and interest rates, the introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance for new products or services, and changes in corporate strategy. WACKER does not plan to update the forward-looking statements, nor does it assume the obligation to do so.
This press release contains statements about the resolutions of the 2007 Annual Shareholder Meeting. These statements serve the sole purpose of providing an overview. They may not always correspond to the exact wording and full extent of the resolutions adopted at the Annual Shareholder Meeting.
end of announcement euro adhoc 29.05.2007 14:31:07
Further inquiry note:
Christof Bachmair
Media Relations & Information
Tel.: +49 (0)89 6279 1830
E-Mail: christof.bachmair@wacker.com
Branche: Chemicals
ISIN: DE000WCH8881
WKN: WCH888
Index: CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, MDAX, Midcap Market Index,
Prime All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / official dealing/prime standard
Original content of: Wacker Chemie AG, transmitted by news aktuell