DGAP-News: RATIONAL AG still on growth path in 2013

DGAP-News: RATIONAL AG / Key word(s): Final Results RATIONAL AG still on growth path in 2013 20.03.2014 / 09:30 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Press release RATIONAL AG still on growth path in 2013 - 6 percent sales growth (currency-adjusted 9 percent) - 28 percent EBIT margin - Dividend of 6.00 euros proposed - Cautious optimism about 2014 Landsberg, 20 March 2014. With total sales of 461.1 million euros in 2013 (2012: 435.0 million), RATIONAL AG was able to report year-on-year growth of 6 percent. "Although that means we've not been able to meet our original growth forecast of around 10 percent, we nevertheless managed to exceed the adjusted forecast of 5 percent issued during the year thanks to a strong fourth quarter", says Dr Peter Stadelmann, Chief Executive Officer of RATIONAL AG. Sales growth was negatively impacted by the relatively strong development of the euro compared with the previous year. After adjustment for these currency effects, organic growth was 9 percent. Growth in Europe and America The main growth drivers were Europe and America, with increases of 8 and 9 percent respectively (currency-adjusted +9 and +14). The company just failed to match the figure for the previous year in Germany and sales also declined slightly in Asia for currency-related reasons. However, Asia grew by 6 percent after adjustment for exchange rate effects. 28 percent EBIT margin Gross profit rose to 280.7 million euros (2012: 261.7 million euros). The gross margin ended at 61 percent (2012: 60 percent). Negative currency-related sales effects were more than compensated for by lower commodity prices and thanks to procuring components in part in foreign currency. At 128.3 million euros (2012: 122.7 million euros), EBIT was 5 percent up on the previous year. At 28 percent, the EBIT margin in 2013 reached the same high level as the previous year. Group earnings were 97.2 million euros, outperforming the previous year's figure by 4 percent (2012: 93.3 million euros). This equates to earnings per share of 8.55 euros (2012: 8.20 euros). Dividend of 6.00 euros proposed In order for shareholders to share in the company's success as appropriate, the Supervisory Board and Executive Board have decided to propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders on 30 April 2013 to distribute a dividend of 6.00 per share (2012: 5.70 euros). This represents a dividend payout ratio of 70 percent and a dividend yield of 2.5 percent relative to the stock price at the end of 2013. 78 new jobs created The total number of employees in the Group rose in 2013 from 1,263 to 1,341. "Selective expansion of capacities in our global sales and marketing organisations and in research and development means in particular that we've further improved our company's future prospects", said Dr Stadelmann. Of the 78 new jobs, 16 were added in Germany. Cautiously optimistic for 2014 Given the good forecasts for the world economy and RATIONAL's excellent market position, as well as the expansion in its sales activities and the anticipated positive boost from the newly launched table-top version of the VarioCookingCenter MULTIFICIENCY(R), the Landsberg-based company expects to be able to continue its successful growth in future. "We are cautiously optimistic about being able to keep on growing both our sales and earnings in fiscal 2014", added Dr Stadelmann. Contact person: RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Dr Peter Stadelmann Tel. +49 8191 327-3309 Fax +49 8191 327-272 E-mail: p.stadelmann@rational-online.com www.rational-online.com Information for editors: Rational is the world market and technology leader for the thermal preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973, employs more than 1,300 people, over 700 of whom are in Germany. Rational was floated in the Prime Standard of the German stock market in 2000 and is currently represented in the MDAX. The company's principal objective is to offer maximum customer benefit at all times. Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of sustainability, which is expressed in its policies on environmental protection, leadership, job security and social responsibility. Numerous international awards bear witness to the high quality of RATIONAL's work year on year. <pre> 2013 2012 Percentage change Sales (in million EUR) 461.1 435.0 +6 EBIT (in million EUR) 128.3 122.7 +5 EBT (in million EUR) 127.7 122.4 +4 EPS (in EUR) 8.55 8.20 +4 </pre> End of Corporate News --------------------------------------------------------------------- 20.03.2014 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: RATIONAL AG Iglinger Stra�e 62 86899 Landsberg a. Lech Germany Phone: 0049 8191 327 2209 Fax: 0049 8191 327 722209 E-mail: s.arnold@rational-online.com Internet: www.rational-online.com ISIN: DE0007010803 WKN: 701080 Indices: MDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 258414 20.03.2014