Rational AG / Quarter Results 07.05.2008 Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report pursuant to § 15 WpHG Ad-hoc report RATIONAL AG RATIONAL AG: Good start in the 1st quarter of 2008 Sales up 8% Earnings up 23% Landsberg, May 7, 2008. RATIONAL AG had a good start to 2008, with sales up 8 percent in the 1st quarter to 79.5 million euros (previous year 73.9 million euros). These figures are on target for the planned growth of 15 percent for the year as a whole. When looking at the planned seasonal breakdown for 2008, it should be remembered that Easter week was very early this year. Compared to last year, there were three fewer working days in March, and the usual holiday time also had to be planned in over Easter. Above-average earnings The companys income situation was especially pleasing. Consolidated earnings in the 1st quarter of 2008 were up by 23 percent from 11.3 million euros last year to 13.9 million euros. In addition to the 7 percent improvement in EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) to 18.7 million euros, the earnings situation was also helped by the much lower rate of tax introduced as a result of the German tax reform. Forecast for 2008 confirmed Despite adverse economic conditions and the unexpectedly sustained decline in the value of the US dollar and pound sterling, we are still confident of achieving the planned 15 percent increase in sales to 387 million euros in 2008, along with the corresponding 15 percent rise in EBIT to 106 million euros. Contact: RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Dr. Günter Blaschke Tel. +49 (0)8191 327-364 Fax +49 (0)8191 327-272 e-Mail: g.blaschke@rational-online.de www.rational-ag.com Information for editors: The RATIONAL-group is the world market and technology leader for the thermal preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973, employs more than 1,000 people, more than 600 of whom are in Germany. Since the IPO in 2000 RATIONAL was floated in the Prime Standard on the German stock market and is currently listed in the SDAX. The Price of RATIONAL shares has duplicated several times since the IPO. The companys principal objective is to offer customers maximum benefit. Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of sustainability, expressed in its policies on environmental protection, leadership and social responsibility. Numerous international awards bear witness year on year to the high level of RATIONALs work.<pre> Q1/2008 Q1/2007 Change in % Sales (million of euros) 79.5 73.9 +8 EBIT (million of euros) 18.7 17.5 +7 EBT (million of euros) 19.0 17.7 +7 EPS (in euros) 1.22 1.00 +23</pre> DGAP 07.05.2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: Rational AG Iglinger Straße 62 86899 Landsberg a. Lech Deutschland Phone: +49 (0)8191 327-283 Fax: +49 (0)8191 327-533 E-mail: h.sieber@rational-online.de Internet: www.rational-ag.com ISIN: DE0007010803 WKN: 701080 Indices: SDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DGAP-Adhoc: Rational AG: Good start in the 1st quarter of 2008
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