Celesio AG / Final Results 03.02.2009 Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celesio ends 2008 with a successful quarter and adjusts goodwill valuations in four foreign markets According to preliminary figures, Celesio reached its expected profit level for the 2008 financial year and, having significantly improved EBITDA from the third to the fourth quarter, lies within the range of its forecast. Celesio will publish its detailed financial statements when it holds its balance sheet press conference on 26 March 2009. At the same time, Celesio is adjusting goodwill in four foreign markets: In the pharmacy markets of the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and Italy, Celesio is applying higher risk premiums as a result of increased macroeconomic uncertainty, and is making an extraordinary goodwill adjustment of 287 million euro in total. The pharmacies concerned represent around 20 per cent of the group's entire pharmacy revenue of approximately 3.6 billion euro, and continue to be seen as essential components of Celesio's country portfolio, with positive profit and growth expectations. The extraordinary goodwill adjustment will apply to the 2008 financial year and does not affect liquidity. Celesio will report a net profit adjusted for write-off and will propose a dividend payout, which is unchanged as percentage of adjusted net profit. The goodwill adjustment does not influence the forecast for 2009. Celesio emphasizes that the fundamental growth drivers in the healthcare market remain intact. The extraordinary goodwill adjustment applies to approximately 11 per cent of the Celesio Group's total goodwill of approximately 2.6 billion euro before these adjustments (as at the end of 2008). The company's equity capital ratio will still amount to over 30 per cent. The value in use of the Celesio group clearly covers the goodwill in its balance sheet. Investor Relations Contact: Torben Bonnke +49(0)711.5001-1208 DGAP 03.02.2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: Celesio AG Neckartalstr. 155 70376 Stuttgart Deutschland Phone: +49 (0)711 5001-735 Fax: +49 (0)711 5001-736 E-mail: investor@celesio.com Internet: www.celesio.com ISIN: DE000CLS1001 WKN: CLS100 Indices: MDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Berlin, Frankfurt (Prime Standard), München, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart; Freiverkehr in Hannover, Hamburg; Terminbörse EUREX End of News DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DGAP-Adhoc: Celesio AG: Celesio ends 2008 with a successful quarter and adjusts goodwill valuations in four foreign markets
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