Wacker Neuson SE : Preliminary figures for 2013 – Annual Report to be published on March 31, 2014

Wacker Neuson on the path to success despite weak market Munich, 03-Mar-2014 Preliminary figures show that the Wacker Neuson Group increased 2013 revenue and earnings relative to the previous year and achieved its goals for 2013. The Group remains optimistic about 2014.

Based on preliminary figures, Group revenue rose by 6 percent in fiscal 2013 to EUR 1,160 million (2012: 1,092 million). This figure was dampened by exchange rate fluctuations, however. Adjusted to discount these effects, revenue rose 8 percent. Wacker Neuson expanded its market share at national and international level, even managing to grow in certain markets that showed signs of contracting. All three business fields  light equipment, compact equipment and services  reported a rise in revenue relative to the previous year. Revenue also increased in Europe and the Americas. The Asia-Pacific region, however, performed slightly below the previous year's level due to a market downturn in Australia and New Zealand and exchange rate fluctuations.

With preliminary profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of around EUR 153 million and an EBITDA margin of 13.2 percent, the Group was able to further increase profitability in 2013 despite the highly competitive market backdrop (EBITDA 2012: EUR 142 million; EBITDA margin: 13.0 percent). Revenue and profit thus align with the Group's forecast from March 2013 (revenue of around EUR 1.2 billion; EBITDA margin in excess of 13.0 percent).

Profit before interest and tax (EBIT) increased by 12 percent to EUR 95 million (EBIT 2012: EUR 85 million) and thus twice as much as revenues. The EBIT margin thus rose to 8.2 percent (2012: 7.8 percent).

At EUR 297 million, preliminary Group revenue for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased by 6.5 percent relative to the previous year's quarter and by 7.5 percent relative to the third quarter of 2013 (Q4 2012: EUR 279 million; Q3 2013: EUR 276 million). The Q4 2013 EBITDA margin is estimated at 14.3 percent, up from 11.2 percent the previous year.

The first weeks of fiscal 2014 developed positively and the Executive Board expects further growth in fiscal 2014.

Due to short-term unavoidable time constraints, it was necessary to postpone the original press conference presenting the financial results, which was planned for March 17, to a new date. The full Annual Report with the final figures for fiscal 2013 plus the Group's forecast for 2014 will now be published on March 31, 2014 during a press conference in Munich presenting the Group's financial results.

Table: (Preliminary) revenue and earnings