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Rational AG: Preliminary figures for the 2016 fiscal year

DGAP-News: RATIONAL AG / Key word(s): Preliminary Results Rational AG: Preliminary figures for the 2016 fiscal year 16.01.2017 / 18:30 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Press release Rational AG: Preliminary figures for the 2016 fiscal year

- Sales revenues up by 9 percent

- Technology leadership successfully expanded

- 27 percent EBIT margin

Landsberg, 16 January 2017 According to preliminary calculations, Rational posted sales revenues of around 613 million euros in the 2016 fiscal year. This equates to growth of 9 percent compared to the previous year (564 million euros). All regions around the world contributed to this positive development. Frima grew considerably faster with an increase in sales revenues of 22 percent, thus making a significant contribution to the success.

Investments in the future

The rollout of new products in the SelfCookingCenter(R) area and the new VarioCooking Center(R) 112L incurred costs of around 5 million euros, which had a negative impact on earnings for 2016. "Our new generation of appliances was showcased at a total of 50 launch events worldwide to around 5,000 enthusiastic dealers, planners, customers and representatives of the press. The entire brand image and all product documents were redesigned and translated into around 40 languages", said Dr Stadelmann, CEO of the Rational Group.

27 percent EBIT margin expected

In line with sales revenue performance and taking into account the one-off costs, Rational expects earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of around 166-167 million euros (previous year: 160 million euros). This equates to an EBIT margin of 27 percent (previous year: 28 percent).

Negative currency effects

The weakness of foreign currencies that are important for Rational in relation to the euro - in particular the British pound - had a negative impact on sales revenues and earnings performance, as already reported during 2016. After exchange rate adjustments, sales revenues were around 10 percent above the previous year, and the EBIT margin reached around 28 percent.