DGAP-News

Hornbach Holding AG: Hornbach boosts earnings strength - Seite 2

quarter and by 2.6 percent cumulatively in the first nine months.

In the third quarter of 2014/2015, Hornbach launched operations in Germany
at three former Praktiker / Max Bahr locations in Ulm, Lüneburg, and Kamen.
As of November 30, 2014, Hornbach was thus operating 147 DIY megastores
with garden centers in nine European countries, of which 98 stores in
Germany.
At Euro 180 million, sales at the Hornbach Baustoff Union GmbH subgroup
upheld their slight lead over the previous year in the first nine months of
2014/2015, and that despite slightly weaker demand in the third quarter.
Cumulative EBIT at this subgroup rose 1.6 percent to Euro 8.7 million.

At the Hornbach Immobilien AG subgroup, higher rental income and the profit
from the sale of a property no longer required for operations more than
offset higher real estate expenses. Operating earnings grew by 7.7 percent
to Euro 41.6 million in the first nine months of 2014/2015.

The Hornbach Group's earnings showed disproportionate growth compared with
sales in the first nine months of 2014/2015. Thanks above all to pleasing
like-for-like sales growth at the DIY megastores with garden centers in
conjunction with an improved gross margin, the Group significantly offset
the higher costs incurred, particularly for its expansion, in the second
and third quarters. Earnings also benefited from increased earnings
strength at the Hornbach Immobilien AG and Hornbach Baustoff Union GmbH
subgroups. Consolidated operating earnings (EBIT) for the first nine months
grew by 9.0 percent to Euro 189.2 million. Net income for the same period
grew by 13.1 percent to Euro 119.0 million. Cumulative earnings per
preference share amount to Euro 6.09 (2013/2014: Euro 5.41).


Note: The extensive interim reports of Hornbach Holding AG and
Hornbach-Baumarkt-AG can be downloaded from the internet at:
www.hornbach-group.com/reports.


Key Figures for the 3rd Quarter and First Nine Months at a Glance

Key figures: Hornbach Holding AG Group     3rd Quarter 3rd Quarter        ±

(in Euro million, unless otherwise stated)  2014/2015   2013/2014      in %



Net sales                                       875.8       851.1       2.9

of which Hornbach-Baumarkt-AG subgroup          814.9       788.1       3.4

- Germany                                       477.4       456.8       4.5

- Other European countries                      337.5       331.3       1.9

Like-for-like sales growth (DIY)1)               1.0%        4.6%

of which Hornbach Baustoff Union GmbH

subgroup                                         60.5        62.5      -3.2

Gross margin (as % of net sales)                36.7%       36.0%

EBIT                                             36.5        35.3       3.6