DGAP-News: H&R AG: Third quarter 2013 once again

DGAP-News: H&R AG / Key word(s): Preliminary Results H&R AG: Third quarter 2013 once again demonstrated better earnings performance than the preceding three months. 14.10.2013 / 10:30 --------------------------------------------------------------------- H&R Aktiengesellschaft: Third quarter 2013 once again demonstrated better earnings performance than the preceding three months. - Publication of preliminary results for Q3 2013 - Upward profitability trend continued - Full compliance with all financial covenants - Outlook confirmed (N.B.: All figures quoted in this press release concerning the third quarter of 2013 are preliminary) Salzbergen, 11 October 2013. H&R AG closed the first nine months of 2013 with preliminary sales of EUR 941.1 million. At the same time, at EBITDA adjusted for one-time effects of approximately EUR 25 million, operating profits for the first three quarters fell sharply behind the comparable period in 2012 (first nine months of 2012: EUR 46.3 million). 3. The third quarter is the strongest in 2013 In the third quarter of 2013, H&R Aktiengesellschaft achieved turnover of EUR 353.6 million. According to preliminary calculations, Q3 2013 recorded operating Group profits (EBITDA) of EUR 10.3 million before one-time expenditures of EUR 0.5 million. Thus the third quarter has returned the highest profits in 2013. 'The third quarter of 2013 presented yet another challenge in regard to rigid basic oil prices and the remaining market trends. The results of our newly introduced measures, such as the efficiency increase programme and the conversion of the Salzbergen refinery to a contract manufacturing model, have proven satisfactory. This enabled us partially to compensate for the various charges', says Niels H. Hansen, Chairman of the Executive Board of H&R AG. Full compliance with financial covenants As a result of the early introduction of various measures and the systematic strengthening of the individual programmes, H&R AG is in a more stable revenue position, once again confirmed by the Company's full compliance with its financial covenants. Adjusted forecast 'In spite of the recent positive but slow trend, we were unable to match the operating profits recorded last year (2012: EUR 49.4 million), but are confirming our outlook', says Niels H. Hansen. The adjusted operating profit for all of 2013 (EBITDA) will most likely be situated between EUR 33 million and EUR 38 million. H&R AG confirms its sales forecast as reaching EUR 1.2 billion. For a detailed presentation of its business performance, the Company refers to the publication of its quarterly report on 14 November 2013. Contact: H&R AG, Investor Relations / Communications, Ties Kaiser Neuenkirchener Stra�e 8, 48499 Salzbergen, Germany Phone: +49 40 43218-321, Fax: +49 40 43218-390 Email: ties.kaiser@hur.com www.hur.com H&R AG: H&R AG is an SDAX listed specialist chemicals company. It develops and manufactures crude oil-based chemical and pharmaceutical products and high-precision plastic parts. Forward-looking statements and forecasts: This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current estimates and forecasts made by the Executive Board and the information available to the Board at this time. Forward-looking statements should not be interpreted as guarantees that the projected future developments and results will materialise. Future developments and results are dependent on a range of factors. They comprise various risks and imponderables and rest on assumptions which may prove incorrect. We do not accept any obligation to update the forward-looking statements made in this press release. End of Corporate News --------------------------------------------------------------------- 14.10.2013 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: H&R AG Neuenkirchener Str. 8 48499 Salzbergen Germany Phone: +49 (0)40 43 218 321 Fax: +49 (0)40 43 218 390 E-mail: investor.relations@hur.com Internet: www.hur.com ISIN: DE0007757007 WKN: 775700 Indices: SDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hamburg; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hannover, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 234432 14.10.2013