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Wacker Neuson SE: Wacker Neuson optimistic for 2017

DGAP-News: Wacker Neuson SE / Key word(s): Final Results/Forecast Wacker Neuson SE: Wacker Neuson optimistic for 2017 16.03.2017 / 09:57 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Wacker Neuson optimistic for 2017

(Munich, March 16, 2017) The international light and compact equipment manufacturer headquartered in Munich managed to keep fiscal 2016 revenue stable despite challenging market conditions. Profitability, however, was impacted by crises in key markets and regions. The company is positive about 2017 and expects revenue and earnings to grow again.

At EUR 1.36 billion, revenue for 2016 at previous year's level

2016 was a challenging year for the majority of international equipment manufacturers, with companies reporting regional losses in revenue and earnings "We were also unable to escape the difficulties in our markets. Our business in North America was particularly hard hit with revenue from light equipment in the region contracting in particular in 2016. In addition to this, demand for compact equipment in the European agricultural sector was weak," explains Cem Peksaglam, CEO of Wacker Neuson SE. "Our core region Europe was our revenue driver in 2016 and we broke the billion-euro revenue threshold for the first time here. This enabled us to keep overall revenue at the same level as the previous year," adds Peksaglam.

At EUR 1.36 billion, Group revenue for 2016 was 0.3 percent higher than the prior year when adjusted to discount currency effects. Nominal revenue was 1 percent lower than the previous year (2015: EUR 1.38 billion).

Profitability trends

Profit was negatively affected by crises in emerging markets and industries as well as a number of one-off effects. Profit before interest and tax (EBIT) contracted 15 percent to EUR 88.1 million. The EBIT margin dropped to 6.5 percent (2015: EUR 103.6 million; 7.5 percent). The Group was therefore able to meet the lower range of its adjusted forecast from August 2016. Group profit amounted to EUR 56.8 million (2015: EUR 66.2 million). Net earnings per share came to EUR 0.81 (2015: EUR 0.94).