DGAP-Adhoc: Leica Camera AG: Fiscal 2007/2008 closed with

Leica Camera AG / Final Results

18.06.2008 

Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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In fiscal year 2007/2008 (FY end: March 31) the group of companies led by
Leica Camera AG, Solms, Germany (ISIN DE000A0EPU98), has achieved sales of
EUR 156.2 million according to the Group financial statements prepared by
the Board of Management. This constitutes a 7.3 % increase on the previous
year sales of EUR 145.7 million. The Group net result for the year came to
a positive EUR 3.0 million, thus improving previous years net income of
EUR 0.5 million by EUR 2.5 million. The annual financial statements of
Leica Camera AG were adopted and the Group financial statements approved in
the Supervisory Board meeting on June 18, 2008.

The increase in annual sales was mainly due to the sales of compact cameras
increasing by EUR 10.1 million to EUR 49.5 million and the sales of system
cameras increasing by EUR 3.6 million to EUR 57.2 million. In the compact
cameras product line, the D-Lux 3, C-Lux 2 and V-Lux 1 models were
particularly successful. The rise in sales of system cameras resulted from
the sales of the LEICA M8 and the lenses appertaining thereto.

Sales of binoculars, rangefinders and scopes in the Leica sports optics
range registered a decrease by 3.1 % to EUR 29.7 million. In fiscal
2007/2008 the Company introduced the Ultravid HD binoculars to the market.
Further product innovations in sports optics will be presented in the
course of the current fiscal year and are intended to generate new growth
stimuli.

Sales abroad grew at a higher rate of 10.7 % and at EUR 134.5 million
accounted for 86.1 % of total sales. Sales in the North American region
were up 18.8 % to EUR 44.9 million, thus accounting for 28.8 % of total
sales and making the region the most important individual market. Sales in
Germany fell by 10.2 % to EUR 21.8 million. Both Europe (excluding
Germany), as well as Asia and Australia saw sales increases  by 3.5 % and
12.7 %, respectively.

The Company was able to improve on previous years slightly positive net
income of EUR 0.5 million and achieved a Group net income of EUR 3.0
million. This development is mainly due to the significant increase of the
operating result by EUR 2.8 million, which increase was based on the sales
upturn, as well as on cost savings. The interest result improved by EUR 0.6
million, mainly due to interest received on balances with banks. In fiscal
2007/2008 the Company repaid EUR 4.8 million of its financial liabilities.
The equity basis and the liquidity position of the Leica Group have been
improved as compared to the previous year. The equity ratio increased from
18.1 % as at March 31, 2007 to 20.8 % as at March 31, 2008.

The Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

For the fiscal year 2008/2009 the Board of Management expects a Group net
loss in the higher one-digit EUR million range, resulting from research and
development expenditure, selling costs and delayed market introduction of
new products. The same applies to the single-entity financial statements of
Leica Camera AG. Provided innovative products be successfully introduced to
the market at the 2008 photokina trade fair the Board of Management deems
probable a break-even or slightly positive result in fiscal year 2009/2010.


Contact:
Ralph Hagenauer / Phone direct +49 6442 - 208 152 / Fax direct +49 6442 -
208 333 / ralph.hagenauer@leica-camera.com


DGAP 18.06.2008 
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Language:     English
Issuer:       Leica Camera AG
              Oskar-Barnack-Straße 11
              35606 Solms
              Deutschland
Phone:        06442-208-0
Fax:          06442-208-333
E-mail:       ir@leica-camera.com
Internet:     www.leica-camera.com
ISIN:         DE000A0EPU98
WKN:          A0EPU9
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (General Standard);
              Freiverkehr in Berlin, München, Hamburg, Stuttgart
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
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DGAP-Adhoc: Leica Camera AG: Fiscal 2007/2008 closed with 7.3 % sales growth and Group net income of EUR 3.0 million
