GfK significantly increases forecast for 2004

NUREMBERG (Germany) 19th August (PROTEXT/ots) - The GfKGroup closed the first six months of 2004 with clearly improvedfigures compared with the previous year. Sales were up by almost14 per cent to EUR 320.6 million, with EBIT after income fromparticipations of EUR 35.5 million rising at an even higher rateof 19.1 per cent. The margin, that is EBIT after income fromparticipations in relation to sales, increased to 11.1 per cent(previous year: 10.6 per cent) in the first half-year.Consolidated total income rose by almost 37 per cent to EUR 21.2million.

On the strength of the good performance, GfK is increasingist forecast for the year. The new sales target is EUR 660million, an increase of EUR 10 million on the previous targetfigure. EBIT after income from participations is set to increaseto over EUR 82 million (previously EUR 78 million), whichequates to a margin of approx. 12.5 per cent.

GfK anticipates very good business growth in 2004. Thecompany's performance in the first six months of the year hasexceeded expectations. With the companies acquired so far thisyear, sales growth will be up by almost 11 per cent to EUR 660million. This is an increase of EUR 10 million on the figureanticipated originally. On a comparable basis with last year,this means growth of 6.7 per cent. GfK is therefore growingconsiderably faster than the market research sector as a whole,whose growth is estimated at up to four per cent. Accordingly,the company is winning market share.

In addition, GfK is aiming to increase EBIT after income fromparticipations to over EUR 82 million, which is significantlyhigher than the increase in sales. The target margin, i.e. theratio of EBIT after income from participations to sales, isaround 12.5 per cent.

Press release and disclaimer are available under:http://www.gfk.com/english/presse/pressemeldung/contentdetail.php?id=613

Contact: Dr. Ulrike Schöneberg Tel. +49-(0)911-395-2645ulrike.schoeneberg@gfk.de

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