Wienerberger AG

Good Performance of the Wienerberger Group in the first half of 2017

Business news for the stock market

Wien (pta007/17.08.2017/07:30) - Overview
- 4% revenue growth to Eur 1,528.7 million (H1 2016: Eur 1,468.9 million)
- EBITDA up by 7% to Eur 190.1 million (H1 2016: Eur 178.3 million)
- Net profit plus 54% to Eur 41.7 million (H1 2016: Eur 27.1 million)

Development of business of the Divisions
- Clay Building Materials Europe: Consistently strong across Western and Eastern Europe
- Pipes & Pavers Europe: Healthy demand in majority of core markets; weak order book in international project business and increasing raw material costs with negative impact on plastic pipe business
- North America: Satisfactory development of brick and plastic pipe activities

Outlook
- Target for 2017 maintained

Wienerberger AG showed a good performance in the first half of 2017. Commenting on the Group's development in the first six months, Heimo Scheuch, Chief Executive Officer of Wienerberger AG, says, "I am satisfied with the good results of the Wienerberger Group in the first half of the year. We saw highly diverging market developments in the pipe and bricks segments with the European brick and tiles business being our main growth driver. In the last months, we concentrated on the consistent implementation of our strategy, we were intensifying our customer relations, launching innovative products and solutions, and we were implementing our digital roadmap. Moreover, we are continuously exploring growth opportunities in our different business areas as well as optimizing existing structures and processes. Once again, we have shown our ability to grow even in a challenging environment."

After a very positive development of business during the first three months, the performance of markets in the second quarter of 2017 was in line with the Group's expectations. Overall, Wienerberger increased its revenues by 4% to Eur 1,528.7 million in the first half of the year. Negative foreign exchange effects resulting from the British pound and the Turkish lira diminished revenues by Eur 10.1 million. EBITDA came to Eur 190.1 million, up by 7% from the comparable period of the previous year. While foreign exchange effects depressed EBITDA by Eur -3.6 million, real estate sales generated a positive contribution to earnings in the amount of Eur 8.0 million. The increase in net profit from Eur 27.1 million in the first half of the previous year to Eur 41.7 million in the first half of 2017 reflects a highly satisfactory development.