Walldorf, 14 February 2001
According to provisional figures, REALTECH AG has increased its revenue in the fiscal year by 56% to Euro 45.2m (from Euro 28.9m in 1999), thus exceeding original planned sales of Euro 42.4m. The area that displayed the most rapid revenue growth was software, where a revenue of Euro 5.7m was achieved - more than three times the figure of Euro 1.8m from the previous year. The area of consulting also grew rapidly, increasing by 46% to Euro 39.5m (from Euro 27.1m in 1999).
Despite rapid growth and extensive investments, REALTECH has achieved provisional earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of Euro 2.0m (compared to Euro 4.0m in 1999), thus almost attaining the planned EBIT of Euro 2.1m. The provisional earnings before interest, tax and depreciation (EBITDA) is Euro 5.0m - approximately the same as in the previous year (Euro 5.1m in 1999). Despite a positive net interest income, the net loss for the year is expected to be Euro 0.9m due to depreciation of financial investments and income tax expenses (compared to a net income of Euro 2.2m in 1999).
A particular achievement is that REALTECH's provisional revenue of Euro 13.5m for the fourth quarter of 2000 (compared to Euro 9.2m in 1999) - Euro 2.0m of which comes from software (Euro 0.9m in 1999) - is the highest quarterly revenue that the company has achieved since it was founded. The provisional earnings before interest and tax for this quarter was 220% higher than in third quarter of 2000, thus continuing the upwards trend that began in the summer of 2000.
For the first quarter of 2001, REALTECH also anticipates a substantial increase in revenue to Euro 12m (compared to the figure of Euro 9.4m achieved in the first quarter of 2000). In view of the further expansion of sales & distribution, in addition to the fact that the first three months of a fiscal year have the lowest revenues in the area of software, the company should achieve the planned EBIT of Euro -1m for the first quarter. For the year as a whole, REALTECH expects a revenue of Euro 61.8m and earnings before interest and tax of Euro 1.6m.
REALTECH is scheduled to publish the final consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year 2000 on 30 March 2001.
If you have any questions related to this report, the REALTECH management board - represented by Daniele Di Croce, Rainer Schmidt and Roland Weishaupt - will be available to answer them between 10.00 and 12.00 this morning under the following number: +49 6227-837-500.
