DGAP-Adhoc: Asian Bamboo announces preliminary Q1-Q2 2014

Asian Bamboo AG / Key word(s): Preliminary Results 07.08.2014 16:14 Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Asian Bamboo announces preliminary Q1-Q2 2014 results and adjusts its guidance for the year Hamburg, 7 August 2014 - Asian Bamboo AG ("Asian Bamboo", "the Company", ISIN: DE000A0M6M79, ticker symbol: "5AB", ADR ticker symbol "ASIBY"), announces the following preliminary results for the period Q1-Q2 2014 (percentage numbers are year-on-year comparisons): - Revenue decreased 22% to EUR 10.8 million* (Q1-Q2 2013: EUR 13.7 million*) - Gross profit including FVBA-changes** increased 204% to EUR 5 million (Q1-Q2 2013: EUR 1.6 million), equivalent to a gross profit margin including FVBA-changes of 46% (Q1-Q2 2013: restated: 12%) - Net profit of EUR 8.1 million (Q1-Q2 2013 restated: net loss of EUR 2.2 million) - Operating cash flow before movements in working capital was EUR 1.3 million (Q1-Q2 2013: EUR 4.5 million) - Net cash generated from operating activities was positive EUR 4.2 million (Q1-Q2 2013: negative EUR 4 million) - Cash and cash equivalents of EUR 26 million (31 December 2013: EUR 28.5 million) * Revenue numbers do not include sales of bamboo fibre as it is treated as a discontinued operation **FVBA is an abbreviation for gains/(losses) arising from changes in the fair value less estimated costs to sell of biological assets In the first half of the year the performance remained unsatisfactory due to the structural issues the plantation business is facing. In addition, the spring bamboo shoot harvest was negatively affected by heavy rain during the key harvesting weeks, which also had a negative impact on the amount of dried bamboo shoots available for harvest. The Management Board continued to exercise stringent cost control and the provisions made for onerous plantation lease contracts have lowered the total amortisation costs. In addition, on 22 April the Company announced an agreement to give up the rights to certain plantations, which resulted in an accounting gain of EUR 6.9 million in Q2. Most importantly, the business continued to be net operating cash flow positive. The Management Board expects the overall operating situation for the plantation business to remain challenging. Due to the negative impact of weather in Q2 and the bleak outlook, the Management Board lowers the revenue forecasts to around EUR 23 million. However, at the same time the Management Board maintains the net operating cash flow forecast at EUR 3 million and expects a slightly positive net profit in FY 2014. For enquiries, please contact: Asian Bamboo AG: Peter Sjovall +852-9385 3868 Chief Financial Officer peter.sjovall@asian-bamboo.com Anja Holst +49-(0)40 37644 798 Investor Relations Director anja.holst@asian-bamboo.com About Asian Bamboo AG: Asian Bamboo is a leading integrated company in the bamboo industry. The Company currently owns long-term leasing rights for 40 bamboo plantations with a total size of 50,338 hectares (ha). It is planning to diversify its business into property development. As a National Key Flagship Enterprise, Asian Bamboo is at the forefront of developing the agriculture industry in China. Asian Bamboo has obtained organic food accreditations in China, Japan, Europe and the United States in addition to its HACCP and ISO9001 certifications. Its plantation management has received GLOBALGAP (Global Good Agriculture Practices) certification from the Swiss-based company SGS. Since 16 November 2007, Asian Bamboo has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "5AB". In addition, the stock is traded as an ADR under the ticker symbol "ASIBY". The Company's financial statements are audited by Deloitte and its registered office is located in Hamburg, Germany. For more information about Asian Bamboo, please visit the Asian Bamboo website at www.asian-bamboo.com or www.asian-bamboo.de Disclaimer: This release is for information only and does not constitute an offer to sell, purchase, exchange or transfer any securities or a solicitation of any such offer in the United States or any other jurisdiction. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act') and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Neither Asian Bamboo AG ("Asian Bamboo") nor any other participant in the transactions described herein intends to register any securities under the Securities Act or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States in connection with the proposals described in this announcement. The shares may not be offered to the public in any jurisdiction in circumstances which would require the preparation or registration of any prospectus or offering document relating to the shares in such jurisdiction. No action has been taken by Asian Bamboo or any of their affiliates that would permit an offering of the shares or possession or distribution of this announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to such securities in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. As far as this release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the business, financial condition and results of operations of Asian Bamboo, these statements are based on current expectations or beliefs of Asian Bamboo's management. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. Apart from other factors not mentioned here, differences could occur as a result of changes in the overall economic situation and the competitive environment - especially in the core business segments and markets of Asian Bamboo. Also, the development of the financial markets and changes in national as well as international provisions, particularly in the field of tax legislation and financial reporting standards, could have an effect. Terrorist attacks and their consequences could increase the likelihood and the extent of differences. Asian Bamboo undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. 07.08.2014 The DGAP 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: Asian Bamboo AG Stadthausbrücke 1-3 20355 Hamburg Germany Phone: +49 40 37644 798 Fax: +49 40 37644 500 E-mail: info@asian-bamboo.de Internet: www.asian-bamboo.de ISIN: DE000A0M6M79, DE000A0M6M79 WKN: A0M6M7, A0M6M7 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart End of Announcement DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------