DGAP-News: Softing AG: Continued strong growth and earnings in the first 9 months


DGAP-News: Softing AG / Key word(s): Preliminary Results
Softing AG: Continued strong growth and earnings in the first 9 months

05.11.2013 / 13:37

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  - EBIT up by approx. 24%, EPS up by 21%
  - Sales grow by approx. 9%
  - Earnings guidance confirmed for 2013

Softing is publishing preliminary figures for the first three quarters of
2013 in advance of upcoming capital market conferences and road shows.

In the first nine months of the year, sales rose by approx. 9% to EUR 38.3
million (previous year: EUR 35.2 million). EBIT grew by 24% to EUR 4.2
million (previous year: EUR 3.4 million). EPS for the first three quarters
is EUR 0.46 (previous year: EUR 0.38). At EUR 40 million, incoming orders
are also up year on year (previous year: EUR 38 million).

In the third quarter, sales rose by 16% to EUR 12.8 million (previous year:
EUR 11.0 million). EBIT increased to EUR 1.1 million (previous year: EUR
0.98 million) and incoming orders grew by 6.1% to EUR 12.6 million
(previous year: EUR 11.9 million).

The incoming orders do not include existing calls for products under
blanket orders with a volume of more than EUR 4 million. These products,
which have already been scheduled in the production plan, are very likely
to be converted into sales in 2014.

The Automotive Electronics segment was the main growth driver in the period
under review. Softing reported especially high demand here for products and
services which have a particularly good contribution margin thanks to their
unique selling points. The figures from the Industrial Automation segment
were also EUR 1.2 million higher than in the same period last year,
although customer expectations for the next months are considerably more
mixed than in the automotive industry.

In both segments, delivery bottlenecks due to a sudden dramatic rise in
demand from large customers for the month of December have impacted sales
growth. This means that despite increased demand and the traditionally
strong fourth quarter, the company's sales and earnings guidance cannot be
raised. Earnings between EUR 5.8 and 6.2 million and sales between EUR 53
and 56 million are anticipated for the year 2013 as a whole.

CEO and Softing shareholder Dr. Trier summarized the Q3 figures as follows:
'Once again, the results show that our products enjoy a high degree of
customer acceptance. It is especially pleasing that we are already in a
position to count on clear double-digit sales growth with improved EBIT
margins in 2014 thanks to strong demand from key customers and orders that
could not be delivered in 2013.'

The complete Quarterly Report 3/2013 with the final figures can be
downloaded from the investor relations section at www.softing.com from
November 15, 2013.

About Softing AG
Softing is a global management holding company. The companies of the
Softing Group produce and market hardware and software for in the
industrial automation and automotive electronics segments. They develop
high-quality standard technology products and customized solutions in close
cooperation with their customers. Both of Softing's business segments
operate in growth markets. Softing aims at achieving sustainable
profitability with double-digit sales growth annually.


End of Corporate News

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Language:    English                                               
Company:     Softing AG                                            
             Richard-Reitzner-Allee 6                              
             85540 Haar                                            
             Germany                                               
Phone:       +49 (0)89 456 56-333                                  
Fax:         +49 (0)89 456 56-399                                  
E-mail:      InvestorRelations@softing.com                         
Internet:    www.softing.com                                       
ISIN:        DE0005178008                                          
WKN:         517800                                                
Listed:      Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);      
             Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München,  
             Stuttgart                                             
 
 
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