11.08.2006 – 08:38

Österreichische Post AG

euro adhoc: Österreichische Post AG
quarterly or semiannual financial statement
Austrian Post: Strong Results in First Half 2006

  Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc.
  The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.

11.08.2006

Austrian Post: Strong Results in First Half 2006
Revenues up 3.0%; EBIT up 17.9%

- Mail Division delivers revenue increase and stable earnings
 - Parcel & Logistics Division with strong growth in revenues and
   earnings
 - Branch Network Division achieves lasting turnaround
 - Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working
   capital up 8.4% to EUR 141.7m
 - Outlook for 2006: EBIT growth of 10-15% expected

The first half of the 2006 financial year was extremely satisfactory
for Austrian Post. The stock market listing in May was very
successful, and the business operations of the company developed very
favourably. Revenues rose by 3% to EUR 861.4m, and EBIT climbed 17.9%
to EUR 66.3m.

Improved revenues in all divisions Based on growth in all its
divisions, Austrian Post posted sales revenues of EUR 861.4m in first
half 2006. This represents an increase of EUR 25.4m, or 3.0% higher
than in the same period last year. This improvement was chiefly
attributable to increases in revenues of EUR 11.8m from the Mail
Division (+1.9%) and of EUR 9.9m from the Parcel & Logistics Division
(+9.7%).

Business activities in the Mail Division were characterised by an
increase in the volume of direct mail (advertising). The business
development of the Parcel & Logistics Division was also very
favourable, as a result of the increased revenues generated by the
Internet mail order business. The Branch Network Division also posted
revenue growth.

Revenue

EUR m                            H1       H1   Change
                               2005     2006
Post Group                    836.0    861.4     +3.0%
  Mail Division               638.7    650.5     +1.9%
  Parcel & Logisitics Divison 101.5    111.4     +9.7%
  Branch Network Division      93.3     96.8     +3.7%
  Other/Consolidation           2.4      2.7    +12.5%
Earnings up 17.9%
In the first half of 2006, Austrian Post increased EBIT to EUR 66.3m, or by
17.9% year on year. The EBIT margin advanced to 7.7%. EBITDA for the first half

year of EUR 117.9m was up 14.5% compared with last year, pushing up
the EBITDA margin to 13.7%.

EUR m                                H1       H1    Change
                                   2005     2006
Revenue                           836,0    861,4     +3,0%
EBITDA                            103,0    117,9    +14,5%
EBIT                               56,2     66,3    +17,9%
All operating divisions made a positive contribution to earnings. EBIT for the

Mail Division was EUR 131.3m, for the Parcel & Logistics Division EUR
9.5m and for the Branch Network Division EUR 11.0m.

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital  rose  to  EUR
141.7m,  a rise of 8.4% in comparison with the same  period  last
year.  The  increase  is attributable to the  improvement  in
earnings  and  to  higher  provisions  and depreciation. The increase
in cash and  cash  equivalents  totalled  EUR  83.2m, after payment
of the EUR 40m dividend for financial 2005.

Positive outlook for 2006 Austrian Post expects a stable mail market
throughout 2006. Based on present trends, it is unlikely that the
further liberalisation that came into effect on 1 January 2006,
combined with third party access to cluster box units in Austria,
will have any significant impact on Austrian Post's overall
performance in 2006. The situation with respect to financial partner
BAWAG P.S.K. appears to be stabilising, so that there should be no
significant negative effects on revenues from financial services in
the branches during the current financial year.

On this basis, Group revenue is expected to increase slightly in
2006, with EBIT projected to grow by 10% to 15% compared to last
year's level of EUR 103.0m. Austrian Post's medium-term goal is to
maintain its EBIT margin in the 7% to 8% range.

end of announcement                               euro adhoc 11.08.2006 08:01:24

Further inquiry note:

Austrian Post
Investor Relations:
Harald Hagenauer
Tel.: +43(1)515 51-30401
mailto:harald.hagenauer@post.at

Corporate Communications/Public Relations:
Michael Homola
Tel.: +43(1)515 51-32010
mailto:michael.homola@post.at

Branche: Transport
ISIN: AT0000APOST4
WKN: A0JML5
Index: ATX Prime
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / stock market

Original-Content von: Österreichische Post AG, übermittelt durch news aktuell