Ahlers AG / Preliminary Results 28.01.2009 Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ad-hoc release to § 15 WpHG Ahlers AG, Herford ISIN DE0005009708 and ISIN DE0005009732 Consolidated net profit 2007/08 remains below expectations at EUR 0.3 million; sales up 3.2 percent on the previous year; cost-cutting programme proceeding according to plan In the fiscal year 2007/08, menswear manufacturer Ahlers generated EUR 268.1 million in sales, which represented a 3.2 percent increase over the previous years EUR 259.9 million. According to preliminary figures, consolidated net profit after taxes remained below managements expectations at EUR 0.3 million (previous year: EUR 9.7 million), which was primarily attributable to the lower sales generated in the fourth quarter (-7 percent). Towards the end of the year, the result was also adversely affected by the sudden and strong devaluation of the Polish zloty, which led to a less advantageous currency difference of EUR 1.8 million from the euro-based funding of the Polish subsidiaries. As announced in October, Ahlers has launched a comprehensive cost-cutting programme, which will entail savings in a high single-digit million amount already in the current fiscal year 2008/09. The programme is proceeding according to plan. All necessary social plans were agreed and the respective notices of termination given last year. At EUR 4.4 million the resulting non-recurrent expenses were in line with expectations and the respective provisions were recognised in the financial statements for 2007/08. The operating result before non-recurrent, off-period and exchange rate effects amounted to EUR 7.8 million, down 20 percent on the previous year. As of the end of the year, the Ahlers Group had positive cash and cash equivalents and an equity ratio of a good 50 percent. In view of the positive financial situation, it should be possible to pay out a satisfactory dividend. Herford, January 28, 2009 The Managing Board Ahlers AG Elverdisser Str. 313 32052 Herford DGAP 28.01.2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: Ahlers AG Elverdisser Straße 313 32052 Herford Deutschland Phone: +49 (0)5221 979-0 Fax: +49 (0)5221 70058 E-mail: ahlers-ag@ahlers-ag.com Internet: www.ahlers-ag.com ISIN: DE0005009708, DE0005009732 WKN: 500970, 500973 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Düsseldorf; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Stuttgart, Hamburg End of News DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DGAP-Adhoc: Ahlers AG: Consolidated net profit 2007/08 remains below expectations at EUR 0.3 million; sales up 3.2 percent on the previous year; cost-cutting programme proceeding according to plan
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