Ad-hoc 2006-03-16

Sixt lifts 2005 EBT by 113% to EUR 91 million – Dividend increase planned

Sixt Aktiengesellschaft / Preliminary ResultsAd-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.----------------------------------------------------------------------Ad hoc disclosure in accordance with section 15 of the WpHG(Wertpapierhandelsgesetz - German Securities Trading Act)Sixt AG, Zugspitzstr. 1, 82049 Pullach, GermanyWKN: 723132, ISIN: DE0007231326WKN: 723133, ISIN: DE0037231334Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Prime Standard SegmentPullach, 16 March 2006 – Preliminary figures show that Sixt AG liftedrevenue above expectations and improved earnings substantially in 2005. TheManaging Board is therefore planning a further increase in the dividend. Itrates 2005 as by far the most successful year in the company’s history.For 2005, the mobility services provider is for the first time presentingits consolidated financial statements in accordance with InternationalAccounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards(IFRS), with prior-year figures adjusted. In contrast to German accountingprinciples (HGB/German Commercial Code), proceeds from the sale of usedvehicles in the Vehicle Rental Business Unit are no longer recognised asrevenue. Instead, the selling expenses for these rental vehicles includedin “Fleet expenses and cost of lease assets” are reduced by thecorresponding sale proceeds. This has no effect on the Group's results ofoperations, but significantly reduces consolidated revenue compared withthe amount recognised in accordance with the HGB.Driven by the Group’s highly successful business operations and a moderaterise in costs, consolidated profit before tax (EBT) reached EUR 90.9million, an increase of 113.1% as against the previous year (EUR 42.6million). Consolidated net profit after minority interests jumped by129.9%, from EUR 24.3 million to EUR 55.9 million. Earnings before interestand taxes (EBIT) reached EUR 123.6 million, compared with EUR 94.8 millionin 2004 (+30.4%).Consolidated revenue rose by 14.2%, from EUR 1.17 billion to EUR 1.34billion. Consolidated operating revenue from rental and leasing activities(consolidated revenue less proceeds from the sale of used lease vehicles),which is the best measure of Sixt’s operating performance, grew by 16.0%from EUR 927.4 million to EUR 1.08 billion. The Group therefore exceededits target of almost 10% growth.The strong growth in consolidated revenue is attributable primarily to theVehicle Rental Business Unit, where revenue increased by 17.8% to EUR 770.4million (2004: EUR 653.7 million). This business unit’s EBT rose from EUR28.9 million to EUR 69.4 million (+140.3%).The Leasing Business Unit lifted revenue from leasing business (excludingthe proceeds of vehicle sales) by 11.6% to EUR 305.4 million (2004: EUR273.7 million), and EBT from EUR 13.9 million to EUR 14.6 million (+5.2%).The Managing Board will propose to the Supervisory Board a dividend of EUR0.80 per ordinary share for financial year 2005 (previous year: EUR 0.60)and EUR 0.82 per preference share (previous year: EUR 0.62). The totalamount distributed would therefore be EUR 18.2 million (previous year: EUR13.6 million).The Managing Board is optimistic about the prospects for the Group’sbusiness development in 2006. Provided that no unforeseen events occur, itexpects further improvements in consolidated operating revenue andoperating profit.The complete consolidated financial statements for 2005 will be presentedon 5 April 2006.Contact: Frank ElsnerFrank Elsner Kommunikation für Unternehmen GmbHTel.: ++49 – (0) 54 04 – 91 92 0Fax: ++49 – (0) 54 04 – 91 92 29DGAP 16.03.2006 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- language:     Englishemitter:      Sixt Aktiengesellschaft              Zugspitzstraße 1              82049 Pullach Deutschlandphone:        +49 - (0)5404 9192-0fax:          +49 - (0)5404 9192-29email:        office@elsner-kommunikation.deWWW:          www.elsner-kommunikation.deISIN:         DE0007231326WKN:          723132indexes:      SDAXstockmarkets: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), München;              Freiverkehr in Berlin-Bremen, Hannover, Düsseldorf, Hamburg,              Stuttgart; Foreign Exchange(s) London End of News                                     DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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