Marburg, November 8, 2013 –3U HOLDING AG (ISIN DE0005167902) publishes 9-month results 2013: Group sales declined significantly from EUR 52.07 million by EUR 23.43 million to EUR 28.64 million compared to the previous year. In particular the sales shortfall in the segment Telephony in the first half year is responsible for this. In this segment, sales declined by EUR 24.24 million compared to the corresponding period. This primarily affected low-margin sales in the wholesale/value added services area.
It has to be highlighted that earnings improved overall nevertheless. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2013 increased by EUR 3.90 million to EUR –2.84 million compared to the same period of the previous year (EUR –6.74 million). In the third quarter of 2013, EBITDA amounted to EUR –0.39 million, while in the first quarter it was reported at EUR –1.61 million and in the second quarter at EUR –0.84 million.
Group’s earnings in the first nine months of 2013 with EUR –3.59 million are EUR 2.70 million higher than the Group’s earnings of the comparable period 2012 (EUR –6.29 million).
Despite the apparent turnaround of the Group, the Management Board has no choice but to adjust the forecast for 2013 and 2014. In its updated forecast the Management Board of 3U HOLDING AG expects for the fiscal year 2013 consolidated sales of between EUR 38 million to EUR 40 million and EBITDA of EUR –3.5 million to EUR –2.5 million. The earnings forecast of between EUR –4.5 million and EUR –3.0 million remains unchanged. For 2014, the Management Board anticipates sales of between EUR 44 million and EUR 49 million, EBITDA between EUR –0.5 million and EUR 1.5 million and earnings of between EUR –3.5 million to EUR –1.5 million. With this forecast it should be noted that the partial or entire sale of Subsidiaries belongs to the corporate purpose of 3U HOLDING AG as a holding company and can lead to positive special effects. However, there are limitations to plan net income therefrom and is therefore disregarded in the preceding prognosis. In addition, 3U HOLDING AG plans to grow inorganically through acquisitions in 2014. Resulting effects from this are also disregarded in the prognosis.
The publication of the 9-month report 2013 will take place today.