Nabaltec AG confirms preliminary figures for Financial Year 2014 and provides outlook for results in Q1/2015

Nabaltec AG published its 2014 consolidated financial statements today and confirmed the preliminary figures for last year. Revenues remained stable at a high level, climbing by 7.8% to EUR 143.3 million (2013: EUR 132.9 million). EBIT grew by a strong 21.0%, to EUR 12.7 million (2013: EUR 10.5 million), and EBITDA climbed to EUR 22.4 million, up from EUR 19.8 million the year before (up 13.1 %). Nabaltec's consolidated earnings (after non-controlling interests) more than doubled in the reporting year, to EUR 5.5 million (2013: EUR 2.6 million). Accordingly, earnings per share increased from EUR 0.33 the year before to EUR 0.69 in 2014 (up 109.1%).

Results in all four quarters of 2014 exceeded the comparison values from the year before and contributed equally to the overall revenue growth. Orders received for the year as a whole added up to EUR 151.2 million, up 15.0% from the year before.

Nabaltec's operating cash flow increased 62.0% from the year before, to EUR 20.9 million (2013: EUR 12.9 million). An increase in trade payables and other liabilities was offset by increases in inventories, as well as in trade payables and other assets. Cash flow from investment activity came to EUR -10.0 million in the reporting period, after EUR -2.6 million (adjusted for investment allocations amounting to EUR 3.2 million) in the previous year. In addition to the dividend payout in the amount of EUR 0.48 million, Nabaltec made EUR 10.0 million in scheduled amortization payments in the past financial year. Accordingly, cash flow from financing activity was EUR -13.8 million in 2014, down from EUR 5.2 million the year before. Nabaltec's cash and cash equivalents as of 31 December 2014 came to EUR 27.2 million, down from EUR 29.7 million on the reporting date of the year before.

According to Johannes Heckmann, Member of the Board of Nabaltec AG: "We have had a very good start in the new year and not only we, but our customers also, are optimistic about the remainder of the year. In view of the strong outlook, we, the Management Board and the Supervisory Board, intend to propose to our shareholders at the 2015 annual meeting that we double our dividend to EUR 0.12 per share. With this dividend policy, we plan to create a balance between continuing to ensure that Nabaltec, as a fast-growing company, maintains a solid capital base, while at the same time implementing a comprehensible long-term dividend strategy and allowing our shareholders to receive a fair share of our current operational success."

In the first three months of 2015, Nabaltec posted revenues of EUR 38.8 million according to preliminary figures, representing a significant improvement over both last quarter and the same quarter of last year, and marking a new record high. The business division "Functional Fillers" posted revenues of EUR 26.9 million and the business division "Technical Ceramics" reported EUR 11.9 million in revenues. According to preliminary figures, Nabaltec had an operating result of EUR 4.8 million in the reporting period, as well as an EBIT margin (EBIT as a percentage of total performance) of 12.6% and EBITDA of EUR 7.3 million.

As the economy continues to stabilize, Nabaltec expects revenue growth in the mid-single digits this year. As far as operating result (EBIT) is concerned, the company expects a margin in 2015 which is in line with the year before. Strict management of costs in all areas will serve to further stabilize and improve earning power.