Daimler AG / Final Results
14.02.2008
Release of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Net profit of 4.0 billion (2006: 3.8 billion)
Earnings per share of 3.83 (2006: 3.66)
Revenue of 99.4 billion at prior-year level (99.2 billion)
Dividend to rise to 2.00 per share (2006 1.50)
Share buyback will be continued, effective today
Outlook: further significant improvement of EBIT from continuing
operations expected
Stuttgart - Daimler AG (stock abbreviation DAI) today presented its
preliminary and unaudited figures for the Group and the divisions for the
2007 financial year.
Daimler achieved EBIT of 8,710 million in 2007 (2006: 4,992 million),
surpassing the earnings target of at least 8.5 billion that had previously
been announced for the year 2007.
There was a positive impact from the significantly higher EBIT from the
Mercedes-Benz Cars division, which profited from the efficiency
im-provements it achieved and from the favorable development of unit sales.
The Daimler Trucks division achieved earnings in excess of the high
prior-year level despite the decrease in unit sales in the NAFTA region and
Japan. Daimler Financial Services was unable to equal its prior-year
earnings, primarily due to the expense of setting up its own financial
services organization in the NAFTA region following the separation from
Chrysler Financial. The EBIT posted by Vans, Buses, Other was higher than
in 2006 due to earnings improvements in the vans and buses units, but also
due to special gains realized in connection with the transfer of interest
in EADS. However, this segments EBIT was negatively impacted by the
Groups share of the results of EADS and Chrysler.
Moreover, EBIT was negatively impacted by unfavorable currency hedging
conditions. Earnings in both years were impacted by special items. In the
year 2007, earnings included gains on the transfer of shares in EADS as
well as charges relating to the new management model and the 19.9% interest
in Chrysler.
Despite charges totaling 2.2 billion related to the Chrysler transac-tion,
net profit of 4.0 billion was higher than in the prior year (2006: 3.8
billion). Earnings per share reached 3.83, compared with 3.66 in 2006.
The Board of Management recommends to the Supervisory Board that for the
year 2007, a dividend of 2.00 be distributed for each share entitled to a
dividend (2006: 1.50). Related to the number of shares entitled to a
dividend as of December 31, 2007, this constitutes a dividend distribution
of 2,028 million (2006: 1,542 million). The proposed dividend takes into
account both the development of operating result and cash flow in 2007 as
well as the outlook for the following years.
Share buyback program
In order to optimize its capital structure, the Group initiated a share
buyback program in August 2007, utilizing the authorization granted by the
Annual Meeting of April 4, 2007. This authorized the Board of Management to
acquire treasury shares up to a maximum nominal amount of 267 million or
nearly 10% of the share capital, and to cancel those shares without any
further resolution by the Annual Meeting.
In this context, it was announced that up to 7.5 billion would be ap-plied
to buy back nearly 10% of the companys own shares. By the middle of
December 2007, 50 million shares had been acquired for 3.5 billion. These
shares were canceled by the end of the year. The share buyback program will
be continued today.
Shares worth up to an additional 4 billion are to be acquired on the stock
exchange. For shares acquired on the stock exchange, the price paid by
Daimler AG for each share (excluding transaction costs) may not be more
than 5% higher or 5% lower than the price determined on the respective day
of trading in the opening auction in the Xetra trading system at the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
The program is based on the retained earnings in the balance sheet of
Daimler AG. In its 2007 financial statements, Daimler AG will report a net
profit of 12.4 billion, of which a dividend pay-out of 2.0 billion is
proposed. This means that the company will have sufficient retained
earnings to carry out further share buybacks.
The acquisition will take place for the purpose of the subsequent
cancellation of the shares, without any reduction in the share capital.
The buyback will take place under the leadership of a bank, which will make
its decisions on the time of the individual buybacks independently and
without being influenced by Daimler AG.
Information on the share buyback program will be published as the buyback
proceeds at www.daimler.com/ir.
Unit sales and revenue
Daimler sold a total of 2.1 million vehicles in 2007, thus surpassing the
number sold in the 2006 by 1%. Group revenue of 99.4 billion equaled the
prior-year level; adjusted for currency translation effects, the increase
amounted to 3%.
Mercedes-Benz Cars improved its EBIT to 4,753 million (2006: 1,783
million), and its return on sales of 9.1% significantly surpassed its
original target of 7%. The cost efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz Cars
division was further improved. The significant increase in earnings was
also due to the positive development of unit sales. However, currency
effects had a negative impact on EBIT in 2007.
With EBIT of 2.1 billion, the Daimler Trucks division once again
succeeded in surpassing its very high prior-year earnings by 15%. The
return on sales rose from 5.8% to 7.5%.
The increase in earnings was primarily due to the efficiency improvements
achieved in the context of the Global Excellence program, a more favorable
model mix, and higher unit sales of trucks in Europe and Latin America.
Daimler Financial Services posted EBIT of 630 million, which was lower
than in 2006 (807 million). The positive business development of Daimler
Financial Services could not offset the expenses connected with setting up
a separate financial services organization in the NAFTA region following
the transfer of a majority interest in Chrysler. Nonetheless, with a
return on equity of 14.8% in 2007, the division achieved its previously
announced target of more than 14%.
The EBIT of the Vans, Buses, Other segment amounted to 1,956 million in
2007 (2006: 1,327 million). The Mercedes-Benz Vans and Daimler Buses units
profited from the good development of unit sales and both achieved higher
earnings. The segments EBIT was also boosted by special gains realized in
connection with the transfer of interest in EADS (2007: 1,573 million,
2006: 519 million). In the fourth quarter, however, prorated charges of
235 million were recognized in connection with the A400M project
(continuing operations, therefore not included in the tables on pages 13
and 14).
Like Daimlers stake in EADS, as of August 4, 2007, its interest in
Chrysler Holding LLC is also accounted for in the Vans, Buses, Other
segment using the equity method with a time lag of three months. In the
year 2007, this resulted in a negative contribution to earnings of 377
million, including expenses of 322 million relating to additional
restructuring measures and expenses due to the new agreement reached with
the UAW in the fall of 2007, which were recognized without a time lag.
In accordance with IFRS, further expenses due to the new agreement reached
between Chrysler and the UAW in the fall of 2007 had to be recognized
immediately at their present value. On the other hand, the same agreement
also results in significantly lower future healthcare costs.
Although Airbus, Eurocopter, and EADS Astrium all made positive
contributions to the business development of EADS, the year under review
was also negatively impacted by delays in the A380 and A400M programs, as
well as by the weakness of the US dollar. Daimlers share of the result of
EADS amounted to a profit of 13 million (2006: loss of 193 million).
Outlook
Daimler anticipates a moderate increase in revenue in 2007. From todays
perspective, all operations should contribute to this growth. The regional
focus of expansion is likely to be mainly in the growth markets of Asia and
Eastern Europe.
On the basis of the divisions planning, the Daimler Group expects total
unit sales to increase significantly in the year 2008. Further growth is
also anticipated in 2009.
Mercedes-Benz Cars expects to achieve a renewed increase in EBIT in 2008.
As previously announced, the division has the goal of increasing its
return on sales to an average of10% by 2010 at the latest.
Further efficiency improvements in connection with the expected growth in
unit sales should result in a renewed increase in earnings for Daimler
Trucks this year. As of the year 2010, the division intends to achieve an
average return on sales of 8% throughout its business cycle; until
recently the target was to exceed 7%.
The profitability of the Mercedes-Benz Vans unit should continue im-proving
in the coming years. Taking into consideration further produc-tivity and
efficiency advances, Daimler Buses expects to achieve a high earnings level
also in the future.
Daimler Financial Services is confident that it will be able to achieve a
return on equity of at least 14% in 2008, despite the expenses connected
with developing its own financial services organization in North America
following the transfer of a majority interest in Chrysler.
On the basis of the divisions projections, Daimler expects to post EBIT
from continuing operations of well above the prior-year level in 2008. In
the year 2007, earnings included positive contributions in particular from
the disposal of shares in EADS and negative contributions related to
Chrysler and the new management model.
In the automotive business, the Group aims to achieve an average re-turn on
sales of 9% throughout the market and product cycles.
A fundamental condition for the targeted increase in earnings is a
generally stable economic and political environment, as well as the
anticipated moderate rise in the worldwide demand for cars and commercial
vehicles. Opportunities and risks may arise from the development of
currency exchange rates and raw-material prices.
The figures in this document are preliminary and have neither been approved
yet by the Supervisory Board nor audited by the external auditor.
This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current
views about future events. The words 'anticipate,' 'assume,' 'believe,'
'estimate,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'project,' 'should' and
similar ex-pressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These
statements are subject to many risks and uncer-tainties, including an
economic downturn or slow economic growth in important economic regions,
especially in Europe or North America; changes in currency exchange rates
and interest rates; the introduction of competing products and the possible
lack of acceptance of our products or services which may limit our ability
to raise prices; price increases in fuel, raw materials, and precious
metals; disruption of production due to shortages of materials, labor
strikes, or supplier insolvencies; a decline in resale prices of used
vehicles; the business outlook for Daimler Trucks, which may be affected if
the U.S. and Japanese commercial vehicle markets experience a sustained
weakness in demand for a longer period than originally expected; the
effective implementation of cost reduction and efficiency optimization
programs; the business outlook of Chrysler, in which we hold an equity
interest, including its ability to successfully implement its restructuring
plans; the business outlook of EADS, in which we hold an equity interest,
including the financial effects of delays in and potentially lower volumes
of future aircraft deliveries; changes in laws, regulations and government
policies, particularly those relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy
and safety, the resolution of pending governmental investigations and the
outcome of pending or threatened future legal proceedings; and other risks
and uncertainties, some of which we describe under the heading 'Risk
Report' in this Annual Report and under the headings 'Risk Factors' and
'Legal Proceedings' in the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks and
uncer-tainties materialize, or if the assumptions underlying any of our
forward-looking statements prove incorrect, then our actual results may be
materially different from those we express or imply by such statements. We
do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking
statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on
which it is made.
Further information on Daimler is available on the Internet at:
www.media.daimler.com.
DGAP 14.02.2008
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Language: English
Issuer: Daimler AG
Mercedesstraße 137
70327 Stuttgart
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)711-17 413 61
Fax: +49 (0)711-17 413 72
E-mail: ir.dai@daimler.com
Internet: http://www.daimler.com
ISIN: DE0007100000
WKN: 710000
Indices: DAX, EURO STOXX 50
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Stuttgart;
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hannover, München, Hamburg,
Düsseldorf; Foreign Exchange(s) NYSE
End of News DGAP News-Service
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DGAP-Adhoc: Daimler AG: Financial year 2007: Group EBIT of 8.7 billion (2006: 5.0 billion)
| Source: EQS Group AG