Ad hoc announcement §15 WpHG
Marburg, November 7, 2005. According to preliminary figures, the 3U group generated sales of 89.13 mn EUR in the first nine months of the financial year2005. This corresponds to an increase of 17.27 mn EUR or 24.0% compared to the same period of the previous year (71.86 mn EUR). Sales in the third quarter rose to 31.12 mn EUR, which reflects an increase of 3.68 mn EUR (+13.4%) compared to the third quarter 2004. EBITDA of the 3U group amounts to2.25 mn EUR in the third quarter 2005. For the first nine months of 2005, EBITDA sums up to 4.71 mn EUR. The surplus of 14.40 mn EUR in the third quarter 2005 is mainly a result of the already communicated agreement with GasLINE and discontinued operations of carrier24 GmbH, effective as of August 23, 2005. Thus, as of September 30, 2005, cumulative net profits amount to 4.17 mn EUR (previous year: -18.73 mn EUR). In the “fixed-line” segment the record sales level of the previous quarter (22.10 mn EUR) could be asserted, amounting to 22.33 mn EUR in the third quarter of 2005. EBITDA advanced in comparison to the previous quarter from-0.86 mn EUR to -0.60 mn EUR. The segment “broadband/IP” recorded sales of 8.78 mn EUR in the third quarter of 2005 (previous quarter: 9.23 mn EUR), while an EBITDA of 2.85 mn EUR could be recorded. The subsidiary LambdaNet again proved to be profit-yielding, as the EBITDA increased to 2.18 mn EUR in the third quarter 2005 (previous quarter: 1.76 mn EUR). This corresponds to anEBITDA margin of 25.9%.
As of September 30, 2005, the 3U group’s equity ratio amounted to 36.87%, a significant improvement in comparison to the equity ratio at the end of the second quarter 2005 (23.06%). This results mainly from a balance sheet contraction caused by the deconsolidation of carrier24 GmbH, a reduction of long-term liabilities as well as the realization of extraordinary earnings. Cash and cash equivalents rose from 36.72 mn EUR as of June 30, 2005, to 43.43mn EUR.
Due to positive proceedings in the operating business the management board of the 3U TELECOM AG now expects group sales of 118 to 120 mn EUR for the full financial year 2005 (previous forecast: 105 to 110 mn EUR). At the same time both the advances in the operating business and once-only, non-operating itemspermit a balanced group result for the full financial year 2005 (previous forecast: net loss in seven-figure range).
The complete 9-months-report will be published on November 15, 2005.
Contact:
3U TELECOM AG
Ulrich Wiehle
Tel.: +49 6421 999-1200
Fax: +49 6421 999-1111
ir@3u.net