DGAP-Adhoc

H&R Aktiengesellschaft: Preliminary earnings significantly higher than previous year's figures

H&R Aktiengesellschaft / Key word(s): Preliminary Results

29.01.2016 09:18

Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted
by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ad hoc notification conforming to article 15 of the German law governing
the trading of securities (WpHG)


Preliminary figures for 2015

H&R AG: Preliminary earnings significantly higher than previous year's
figures and forecasts

- EBITDA increases by EUR54.5 million to hit EUR86 million

- Most-recent earnings expectations exceeded

- Fourth quarter of 2015 marked by consistently high sales volumes

- Sales revenue of EUR982.9 million below last year's figure as a result
of oil prices

Salzbergen (Germany), 28 January, 2016 According to preliminary
calculations for the 2015 financial year, the company H&R
Aktiengesellschaft (ISIN DE0007757007) has achieved earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR86 million
(2014: EUR31.5 million). The most-recent forecast, that of November 2015,
has therefore once again been exceeded. EBIT also developed very
positively, to rise by EUR43.4 million to EUR49.2 million (2014: EUR5.8
million). Earnings before tax (EBT) followed a similar curve, totaling
EUR34.7 million for the year under review (2014: -EUR7.8 million); an
increase of EUR42.5 million with respect to the previous year.

The course of 2015 was likewise marked by a series of windfall losses,
caused by the cost of raw materials. These were however, unlike in 2014,
amply compensated for by healthy business and good commercial margins.
Preliminary net earnings were, on balance and at EUR27.4 million (2014:
-EUR15.4 million), EUR42.8 million above the previous year's figure.

The significant improvements were achieved in sales revenues amounting to
EUR982.9 million; i.e. about 7% less than in the previous year (2014:
EUR1,058.6 million). This was due above all to lower-than-average crude oil
prices, with respect to the previous year, which had a high correlation to
sales. Revenues dropped correspondingly, with comparable production figures
and sales volumes.

Fourth quarter of continued high sales volumes and strong customer demand

After a successful first three quarters of strong commercial development in
2015, there was still no let-up, and the last few weeks of the year saw the
company running at full production capacity, while enjoying undiminished
high demand. Unlike in the previous year, which saw customers behave in a