DGAP-News

Nanogate improves profitability significantly - Seite 2

well as the first-time consolidation of the recently acquired majority
equity holding, Walter Goletz GmbH, contributed to the positive
performance. The overall performance increased to EUR 53.4 million
(previous year: EUR 45.5 million). The Group is focusing more and more on
the systems business and on supplying complete components. The component
business promises greater sales and a greater margin, but is associated
with greater use of materials. Accordingly, the gross profit margin (as a
proportion of overall performance) came to 61.2 % in the first half-year
(previous year: 62.4 %).

Nanogate improved its profitability significantly in the first half-year.
The increase in sales of around 20 % was accompanied by an increase in the
operating result (EBITDA), also of around 20 %, to EUR 5.9 million
(previous year: EUR 4.9 million). Without the expenses associated with the
ongoing growth programme as well as following adjustment for transaction
and integration costs, the operating result would have risen even further.
The EBITDA margin amounted to 11.3 % (previous year: 11.4 %), thereby
reaching the previous year's level. Despite the increase in amortisation as
a result of the course of investment, consolidated EBIT increased
considerably by almost 40 % to EUR 2.3 million (previous year: EUR 1.7
million). The net financial result is positively influenced by changes
relating to the valuation of subsidiaries and their obligations (IAS 8).
Pre-tax profit rose to EUR 1.8 million (previous year: EUR 0.5 million)
despite the expenses resulting from the Phase5 growth strategy.
Consolidated net income increased accordingly from EUR 0.3 million to EUR
1.2 million, improving the profit per share from EUR 0.09 to EUR 0.36 per
share.

In addition to increased profitability, cash flow from operating
activities, which has improved again, is reflected in the Group's good
financial development. The cash inflow from operating activities increased
by around 30 % to some EUR 4.3 million (previous year: EUR 3.3 million).
Cash flow from investments came to EUR -7.8 million (previous year: EUR
-6.4 million). The most important expansion steps include the majority
stake in plastics specialist Goletz and the creation of the new N-Metals
Chrome platform. The Group's balance sheet as at the 30 June 2016 reporting
date is also affected by the first-time consolidation of Goletz, meaning
that the balance sheet total increased to EUR 143.1 million (31 December
2015: EUR 123.8 million). Due to consolidation effects, the equity ratio
amounted to 36.4 % (31 December 2015: 41.4 %). Equity improved again with