Heidelberg, Germany (PROTEXT/ots) - The initial repercussionsof the events in the USA in September are reflected in theprovisional figures for the first half year up to September 30.The company forecasts weaker figures for the second half year. Following a good first quarter (April 1 to June 30) for fiscal2001/02 (sales up 8 % and operating result up just under 22 %),the events in the USA had a clear impact on HeidelbergerDruckmaschinen AG's second quarter results. The provisionalfigures indicate that Heidelberg Group sales for the first halfof the year are euros 2.3 billion, 4.8% above the level for thesame period last year (just under euros 2.2 billion). Theoperating profit is expected to be in the region of euros 110million, i.e. euros 43 million or 28 % below the half-yearresult for fiscal 2000/2001. The profit after tax is expected tobe euros 62 million, euros 20 million less than in the first halfof the previous fiscal year. Sales in September were euros 100 million down onexpectations, this particularly affecting the USA and the WebSystems division (with high US component). This is some 30 %below last year's sales figure and around euros 65 million belowlast year's operating result (previous year: loss of euros 24million). Sales in the Sheetfed division of euros 1.57 billion(previous year: euros 1.35 billion) and an operating result ofaround euros 260 million (previous year: euros 212 million) arein line with expectations, as are the sales figures andanticipated results of the other divisions. A comparison of the regions shows just how severely thecurrent situation is being impacted by the economic developmentsin the USA. Sales in all regions developed well, with theexception of the NAFTA region, where sales levels fell by euros137 million or 18.9 % compared with the previous year. In its sales and results forecasts for the year as a whole,the company had previously assumed that the economic recovery inthe USA would begin in the second half of the current fiscalyear. Developments now suggest there will be an economic downturnin the USA and that this may have consequences for business inEurope and Asia. As a result, sales in the second half of theyear are expected to be further down on the previous year thathitherto anticipated. Despite the fact that cost-cutting measures were introduced atan early date and will save around euros 100 million in thesecond half of this year, it appears as things presently standthat the results for the current year will fall below those ofthe previous year. Against this backdrop, the company expectsprofits after tax for the year as a whole to lie between euros200 and 220 million. The half-year results of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG willbe published on November 9, 2001. ots Original Text Service:Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG Internet:http://www.presseportal.de For further information: HeidelbergerDruckmaschinen AG Unternehmenskommunikation Hans-Dieter SiegfriedTel.: 06221-92 5063 Fax: 06221 92 5069 e-mail: hans-dieter.siegfried@de.heidelberg.com Heidelberger DruckmaschinenAktiengesellschaft Corporate Communications Kurfuersten-Anlage 52- 60 69115 Heidelberg Germany Phone +49-62 21-92-50 60 Fax +49-62 21-92-50 69 www.heidelberg.com
Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug"PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to bepublished under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial serviceproviding distribution of press releases from clients, who areidentified in the text of Protext reports and who bear fullresponsibility for their contents. PROTEXT