DGAP-News: FUCHS increases sales revenues despite currency effects, and confirms forecast


DGAP-News: FUCHS PETROLUB SE / Key word(s): Interim Report
FUCHS increases sales revenues despite currency effects, and confirms
forecast

31.10.2014 / 07:00

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FUCHS increases sales revenues despite currency effects, and confirms
forecast

- Sales revenues up by just under 2% to EUR 1.4 billion (+4% currency
adjusted)
- At EUR 236 million, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) at previous
year's level
- Free cash flow increased to EUR 108 million
- Earnings forecast confirmed
 

The first nine months of 2014 at a glance

<pre>
Amounts in EUR million                     1-9 2014     1-9 2013   Dev. %
Sales revenues (1)                          1,402.8      1,379.0      1.7
Europe                                        851.3        833.3      2.2
Asia-Pacific, Africa                          378.1        366.4      3.2
North and South America                       235.9        235.0      0.4
Consolidation                                 -62.5        -55.7
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)       235.9        237.2     -0.5
Earnings after tax                            164.1        165.6     -0.9
Earnings per share in EUR
Ordinary share (2)                             1.17         1.16      0.9
Preference share (2)                           1.18         1.17      0.9
Gross cash flow                               175.3        167.7      4.5
Investments in long-term assets                23.8         51.2    -53.5
Employees as at September 30                  4,124        3,874      6.5
</pre>
(1) By company location
(2) Previous year's figures have been adjusted for reasons of comparability

Performance
The FUCHS PETROLUB Group recorded organic growth of 4% in the first nine
months of 2014. However, the increases in sales volumes were largely eroded
by currency translation effects in the first six months. In total Group
sales revenues increased by EUR 24 million or nearly 2% to EUR 1,403
million (1,379).

Thanks to a strong third quarter, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)
of EUR 236 million (237) reached the previous year's level. At EUR 164
million, earnings after tax were 1% below the previous year's value (166).

Earnings per share increased to EUR 1.17 (1.16) per ordinary share and to
EUR 1.18 (1.17) per preference share. These increases were a result of the
share buybacks.

Investments
In the period under review, EUR 24 million (51) were invested in property,
plant and equipment. The key areas of investment were in Germany, China and
the US.

In addition, FUCHS continued to pursue its specialization strategy in the
second quarter with two targeted acquisitions in England, South Africa and
Australia.

Employees
As at September 30, 2014, the FUCHS PETROLUB Group employed 4,124 people
worldwide (3,874). This represents an increase of 236 persons relative to
the end of the previous year. Approximately half of these new employees can
be attributed to the acquisitions in South Africa and Great Britain.

Outlook
The growth initiative is set to continue. FUCHS therefore stands by its
prediction of organic growth in the low single-figure percentage range for
the remaining months and thus for the whole year. In terms of EBIT, the
Group expects to repeat the previous year's record value. FUCHS also plans
to repeat last year's excellent earnings after tax. The Group anticipates
free cash flow for 2014 to at least reach the previous year's level (EUR
150 million).

Mannheim, October 31, 2014

FUCHS PETROLUB SE
Public Relations
Friesenheimer Str. 17
68169 Mannheim / Germany
Tel: +49 (0)621 3802-1104 
E-mail: tina.vogel@fuchs-oil.de 

The information below can be accessed at the following web addresses:

Press release:
www.fuchs-oil.com 

Interim report as at September 30, 2014:
http://www.fuchs-oil.com/ir_ninemonths.html 

Press photos:
http://www.fuchs-oil.com/pressphotos1.html

Important note
This press release contains statements about future developments that are
based on assumptions and estimates by the management of FUCHS PETROLUB SE.
Even if the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and
estimates are accurate, future actual developments and future actual
results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due
to a variety of factors. These factors can include changes in the overall
economic climate, changes to exchange rates and interest rates, and changes
in the lubricants industry. FUCHS PETROLUB SE provides no guarantee that
future developments and the results actually achieved in the future will
match the assumptions and estimates set out in this press release and
assumes no liability for such.



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31.10.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Language:    English                                                      
Company:     FUCHS PETROLUB SE                                            
             Friesenheimer Str. 17                                        
             68169 Mannheim                                               
             Germany                                                      
Phone:       +49 (0)621 / 3802-0                                          
Fax:         +49 (0)621 / 3802-7190                                       
E-mail:      ir@fuchs-oil.de                                              
Internet:    www.fuchs-oil.de                                             
ISIN:        DE0005790430, DE0005790406                                   
WKN:         579043, 579040                                               
Indices:     MDAX                                                         
Listed:      Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Stuttgart;  
             Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München          
 
 
End of News    DGAP News-Service  
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