DGAP-Adhoc: RATIONAL AG: 11 percent sales growth in the

RATIONAL AG / Half Year Results

12.08.2008 

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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RATIONAL AG: 11 percent sales growth in the second quarter of 2008

Landsberg, August 12, 2008. Although the U.S. dollar and sterling have
fallen unexpectedly sharply against the euro since January, RATIONAL
increased its revenue by 11 percent in the second quarter of 2008, from
80.0 million euros to 89.0 million euros. Adjusted for the negative
exchange rate factors, the rate of growth in the second quarter reached
over 14 percent. Revenue for the first six months rose to 168.6 million
euros, which was an increase of 10 percent (previous year 153.9 million
euros).

EBIT up 13 percent

In the second quarter, EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) rose from
21.1 million euros to 23.9 million euros (+13 percent), taking the EBIT
margin to 26.9 percent.

EBIT for the first six months amounts to 42.7 million euros, an increase of
4.0 million euros or 10 percent. Consolidated profit in the first half of
the year advanced 27 percent, from 25.0 million euros to 31.6 million
euros. In addition to the increase in EBIT, this extraordinarily positive
performance was due to the reduction in the tax rate from 36 percent in the
first half of 2007 to 27 percent in the first half of 2008.

Revenue and profit forecast confirmed for full-year 2008

Given the successful development in the second quarter of this year, we are
confident that, in spite of the adverse economic conditions and the
sustained fall in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar and sterling, we
will be able to achieve the 15 percent increase in revenue and profit
budgeted for 2008.

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:

RATIONAL 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>

                               Q2 2008    Q2 2007    HY 2008    HY 2007
Sales (million of euros)          89.0       80.0      168.6      153.9
EBIT  (million of euros)          23.9       21.1       42.7       38.7
EBT   (million of euros)          24.1       21.3       43.1       39.0
EPS   (in euros)                  1.56       1.20       2.78       2.19</pre>
DGAP 12.08.2008 
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Language:     English
Issuer:       RATIONAL AG
              Iglinger Straße 62
              86899 Landsberg a. Lech
              Deutschland
Phone:        0049 8191 327 364
Fax:          0049 8191 327 272
E-mail:       i.klinckmann@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
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DGAP-Adhoc: RATIONAL AG: 11 percent sales growth in the second quarter of 2008
