Fresenius SE: Q1-3/2009: Strong organic growth achieved - Outlook for 2009 fully confirmed

• Sales: € 10.4 billion, +19 % at actual rates, +15 % in constant currency
• EBIT: € 1.5 billion, +24 % at actual rates, +19 % in constant currency
• Adjusted net income*: € 368 million, +14 % at actual rates, +12 % in constant currency

• Ongoing sales and earnings growth across all business segments
• Fresenius Medical Care improves guidance
• Fresenius Kabi confirms guidance - number of product approvals at APP Pharmaceuticals increased
• Fresenius Helios raises earnings guidance
• Fresenius Vamed confirms guidance
• Excellent cash flow results in significantly reduced leverage

Group outlook for 2009 fully confirmed
Based on the Group's strong financial results, Fresenius fully confirms its positive outlook for 2009. Group sales are expected to grow by more than 10 % in constant currency.

Organic growth is projected to be in a 6 to 8 % range. Adjusted net income* is expected to increase by approximately 10 % in constant currency.

Fresenius plans to invest € 700 to 750 million in property, plant and equipment.

* Net income attributable to Fresenius SE; adjusted for the effects of mark-to-market accounting of the Mandatory Exchangeable Bonds (MEB) and the Contingent Value Rights (CVR) relating to the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals. Both are non-cash charges.

Strong sales growth across all business segments continued
Group sales increased by 15 % in constant currency and by 19 % at actual rates to € 10,429 million (Q1-3/2008: € 8,761 million). Organic sales growth was 8 % for the first three quarters and increased to 9 % in the third quarter. Acquisitions contributed a further 7 %. Currency translation had a positive impact of 4 %. This is mainly attributable to the average US dollar rate improving 10 % against the euro in the first three quarters of 2009.

Sales growth in the business segments was as follows:

In Europe sales grew by 11 % in constant currency with organic sales growth contributing 8 %. In North America sales grew by 20 % in constant currency, mainly due to the consolidation of APP Pharmaceuticals from September 2008. Strong organic growth rates were achieved in the emerging markets, reaching 13 % in Asia-Pacific and 12 % in Latin America.

Continued strong earnings growth
Group EBITDA increased by 19 % in constant currency and by 24 % at actual rates to € 1,911 million (Q1-3/2008 adjusted: € 1,546 million). Group operating income (EBIT) grew by 19 % in constant currency and by 24 % at actual rates to € 1,496 million (Q1-3/2008 adjusted: € 1,209 million). The Group's EBIT margin increased to 14.3 % (Q1-3/2008 adjusted: 13.8 %).

Group net interest was € -439 million (Q1-3/2008: € -271 million). Lower average interest rates on liabilities of Fresenius Medical Care were more than offset by incremental debt relating to the acquisitions of APP Pharmaceuticals and Dabur Pharma and currency translation effects.

The other financial result was € -30 million and includes valuation changes of the fair redemption value of the Mandatory Exchangeable Bonds (MEB) of € -3 million and the Contingent Value Rights (CVR) of € -27 million. Both are non-cash charges.

The adjusted Group tax rate* was 30.8 % (Q1-3/2008 adjusted: 34.2 %). This decrease was largely driven by the revaluation of a tax claim at Fresenius Medical Care in Q2 2009.

Noncontrolling interest increased to € 363 million (Q1-3/2008: € 293 million), of which 94 % was attributable to the noncontrolling interest in Fresenius Medical Care.

Adjusted net income** grew by 12 % in constant currency and by 14 % at actual rates to € 368 million (Q1-3/2008 adjusted: € 324 million). Adjusted earnings per ordinary share increased to € 2.28 and adjusted earnings per preference share increased to € 2.29 (Q1-3/2008 adjusted: ordinary share € 2.06, preference share € 2.07). This represents an increase of 11 % at actual rates and 9 % in constant currency for both share classes.

The Group's US GAAP financial results as of September 30, 2009 and as of September 30, 2008, include the effects of mark-to-market accounting of the Mandatory Exchangeable Bonds (MEB) and the Contingent Value Rights (CVR) relating to the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals. Those special items are recognized in the financial result of the "Corporate/Other" segment. Adjusted earnings represent the Group's business operations in the reporting period. In the previous year's period, the Group's US GAAP financial statements include in addition several special items relating to the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals. Please see page 14 of this Investor News for the reconciliation to earnings according to US GAAP.

Net income*** (including special items) was € 339 million or € 2.10 per ordinary share and € 2.11 per preference share.

* Adjusted for the effects of mark-to-market accounting of the Mandatory Exchangeable Bonds (MEB) and the Contingent Value Rights (CVR) relating to the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals.
** Net income attributable to Fresenius SE; adjusted for the effects of mark-to-market accounting of the Mandatory Exchangeable Bonds (MEB) and the Contingent Value Rights (CVR) relating to the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals. Both are non-cash charges.
*** Net income attributable to Fresenius SE.

Continued investments in growth
Fresenius Group spent € 442 million for property, plant and equipment (Q1-3/2008: € 502 million). Acquisition spending was € 186 million (Q1-3/2008: € 3,760 million, mainly due to the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals).

Strong cash flow achieved
Operating cash flow increased by 52 % to € 1,120 million (Q1-3/2008: € 736 million), driven by strong earnings growth and tight working capital management. Net capital expenditure was € 446 million (Q1-3/2008: € 496 million). Cash flow before acquisitions and dividends nearly tripled to € 674 million (Q1-3/2008: € 240 million).

Balance sheet
Fresenius Group's total assets were € 20,632 million (December 31, 2008: € 20,544 million). In constant currency, total assets increased by 3 %. Current assets increased by 6 % to € 5,408 million (December 31, 2008: € 5,078 million). Non-current assets decreased by 2 % to € 15,224 million (December 31, 2008: € 15,466 million).

Total shareholders' equity increased by 4 % to € 7,237 million (December 31, 2008: € 6,943 million). The equity ratio (including noncontrolling interest) improved to 35.1 % (December 31, 2008: 33.8 %).
Group debt decreased by 4 % to € 8,476 million (December 31, 2008: € 8,787 million).

As of September 30, 2009, the net debt/EBITDA ratio was 3.1 and significantly improved from 3.6 at December 31, 2008 (pro forma the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals and excluding special items).

Number of employees increased
As of September 30, 2009, Fresenius increased the number of its employees by 6 % to 129,218 (December 31, 2008: 122,217).


Fresenius Biotech
Fresenius Biotech develops innovative therapies with trifunctional antibodies for the treatment of cancer. In the field of polyclonal antibodies, Fresenius Biotech has successfully marketed ATG-Fresenius S for many years. ATG-Fresenius S is an immunosuppressive agent used to prevent and treat graft rejection following organ transplantation.

On April 22, 2009, the European Commission granted Fresenius Biotech the approval for Removab (catumaxomab) for the treatment of malignant ascites. Removab was launched in Germany in May 2009. Market launch is under way in other European countries. As of September 30, 2009, Fresenius Biotech achieved Removab sales of more than € 1 million.

Fresenius Biotech's EBIT was € -32 million in the first three quarters of 2009 (Q1-3/2008: € -32 million). For 2009, Fresenius Biotech expects its EBIT to reach € -40 million to € -45 million.


The Business Segments

Fresenius Medical Care
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's leading provider of services and products for patients with chronic kidney failure. As of September 30, 2009, Fresenius Medical Care was treating 192,804 patients in 2,509 dialysis clinics.

• Continued strong organic sales growth of 8 %
• Q3 EBIT margin improved to 15.6 (Q2 2009: 15.1 %)
• Improved guidance for 2009

Fresenius Medical Care achieved sales growth of 4 % to US$ 8,212 million (Q1-3/2008: US$ 7,890 million). Organic growth was 8 %. Currency translation effects had a negative impact of 5 %.

Dialysis services revenue grew by 6 % to US$ 6,124 million (Q1-3/2008: US$ 5,753 million), an increase of 9 % in constant currency. Sales of dialysis products were US$ 2,088 million (Q1-3/2008: US$ 2,137 million). In constant currency, dialysis products sales increased by 8 %.

In North America sales increased by 9 % to US$ 5,600 million (Q1-3/2008: US$ 5,153 million). Dialysis services revenue grew by 8 % to US$ 4,994 million. Average revenue per treatment for the U.S. clinics increased to US$ 348 in Q3 2009 compared to US$ 333 for Q3 2008 and 344 US$ for Q2 2009. This development was mainly based on reimbursement increases and increased utilization of pharmaceuticals. Sales outside North America ("International" segment) were US$ 2,612 million (Q1-3/2008: US$ 2,737 million). In constant currency, sales growth was 9 %.

EBIT increased by 2 % to US$ 1,265 million (Q1-3/2008: US$ 1,240 million), resulting in an EBIT margin of 15.4 % (Q1-3/2008: 15.7 %). This development was mainly due to higher personnel expenses, price increases for pharmaceuticals as well as the impact of the launch of a generic version of PhosLo® in the U.S. market. These effects were partially offset by a strong performance of the dialysis product business, increased commercial payor revenue as well as the effect of cost control measures.

Net income* increased by 7 % to US$ 645 million (Q1-3/2008: US$ 603 million).

For the full year of 2009, Fresenius Medical Care now expects to achieve revenue of around US$ 11.2 billion (previously US$ 11.1 billion), an increase of around 8 % in constant currency.

Net income* is now expected to be between US$ 865 million and US$ 890 million in 2009. Previously, the company expected the net income to be in the range of US$ 850 million and US$ 890 million for the full year 2009.

* Net income attributable to Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

For further information, please see Fresenius Medical Care's Press Release at www.fmc-ag.com.  

Fresenius Kabi
Fresenius Kabi offers infusion therapies, intravenously administered generic drugs and clinical nutrition for seriously and chronically ill patients in the hospital and out-patient environments. The company is also a leading provider of medical devices and transfusion technology products.

• Organic sales growth accelerated to 8 %
• EBIT Margin increased to 19.4 %
• Outlook 2009 confirmed

Fresenius Kabi increased sales by 31 % to € 2,274 million (Q1-3/2008: € 1,734 million). Organic sales growth was 8 % in the first three quarters and increased to 9 % in the third quarter. Net acquisitions contributed 25 % to sales. Currency translation had a net negative impact of 2 %. This was mainly due to the depreciation of currencies in Great Britain and Brazil against the euro, whereas positive translation effects resulted from the strengthening of the Chinese yuan.

In Europe, sales reached € 1,159 million, driven by 5 % organic growth. In North America, sales increased to € 527 million (Q1-3/2008: € 134 million) due to the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals. In the Asia-Pacific region Fresenius Kabi achieved sales of € 361 million. Organic sales growth accelerated to 15 %. Sales in Latin America and Africa increased to € 227 million, driven by 16 % organic growth.

EBIT grew by 52 % to € 441 million (Q1-3/2008: € 290 million). EBIT includes a € 20 million non-cash charge related to the amortization of APP Pharmaceuticals' intangible assets. The EBIT margin increased to 19.4 % (Q1-3/2008: 16.7 %). Net interest grew to € 231 million (Q1-3/2008: € 64 million) due to the acquisition financing. Net income* was € 136 million (Q1-3/2008: € 149 million).

Sales at APP Pharmaceuticals increased by 16 % to US$ 632 million. APP Pharmaceuticals achieved significant sales growth in the product portfolio excluding Heparin in Q3, leading to a sales growth of 4 % in the first three quarters 2009. Adjusted EBITDA** grew by 20 % to US$ 260 million. EBIT was US$ 198 million. EBIT includes a US$ 27 million non-cash charge related to the amortization of intangible assets. The EBIT margin improved to 31.3 %. The number of product approvals from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has currently increased to seven, following only one approval in the first half of 2009.

Operating cash flow of Fresenius Kabi more than doubled to € 311 million (Q1-3/2008: € 144 million). This was primarily achieved through a tight working capital management. Given only moderate growth in capital expenditures, cash flow before acquisitions and dividends more than tripled to € 224 million (Q1-3/2008: € 69 million).

Fresenius Kabi confirms its outlook for 2009: the company targets sales growth in constant currency of 25 to 30 %. Further, Fresenius Kabi forecasts an EBIT margin in the range of 19.5 to 20.5 %. Currency translation effects may impact Fresenius Kabi's margin as APP Pharmaceuticals provides a significant earnings contribution from the US$ area. This guidance is based on the US$/€ exchange rate from the beginning of 2009.

Special items relating to the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals are included in the segment "Corporate/Other". 

* Net income attributable to Fresenius Kabi AG
** Non-GAAP financial measures - Adjusted EBITDA is a defined term in the indenture governing the Contingent Value Rights (CVRs), however it is not a recognized term under GAAP.

Fresenius Helios
Fresenius Helios is one of the largest private hospital operators in Germany. The HELIOS Kliniken Group owns 62 hospitals, including five maximum care hospitals in Berlin-Buch, Erfurt, Krefeld, Schwerin and Wuppertal. HELIOS treats about 600,000 in-patients per year at its clinics and operates a total of more than 18,000 beds.

• Organic sales growth accelerated to 6 %
• Excellent earnings development at the established clinics
• Sales outlook 2009 confirmed, EBIT guidance raised

Fresenius Helios increased sales by 13 % to € 1,768 million (Q1-3/2008: € 1,568 million). Strong organic growth of 6 % was again driven by a significant increase in admissions. Net acquisitions contributed 7 % to overall sales growth.

EBIT grew by 20 % to € 152 million (Q1-3/2008: € 127 million) due to the excellent business operations of the established clinics. The EBIT margin increased to 8.6 % (Q1-3/2008: 8.1 %). Net income* improved by 39 % to € 82 million (Q1-3/2008: € 59 million).

At HELIOS' established clinics, sales rose by 6 % to € 1,646 million. EBIT improved by 22 % to € 154 million. The EBIT margin increased to 9.4 % (Q1-3/2008: 8.1 %). The acquired clinics (consolidation <1 year) achieved sales of € 122 million and € -2 million EBIT.

Fresenius Helios confirms its sales outlook for 2009 and expects to achieve sales of more than € 2.3 billion. EBIT is now projected to reach more than € 200 million. The previous guidance was € 190 to 200 million.

* Net income attributable to HELIOS Kliniken GmbH

Fresenius Vamed
Fresenius Vamed offers engineering and services for hospitals and other health care facilities.

• Sales increased by 36 %
• Order backlog at new all-time-high, strong order intake achieved in Q3
• Outlook 2009 fully confirmed

Fresenius Vamed achieved excellent sales growth of 36 % to € 393 million (Q1-3/2008: € 290 million). Organic sales growth was 29 %. The clinics in the Czech Republic acquired from Fresenius Helios contributed 7 %. Sales in the project business rose by 46 % to € 244 million (Q1-3/2008: € 167 million). Sales in the service business increased by 21 % to € 149 million (Q1-3/2008: € 123 million).

EBIT grew by 7 % to € 15 million (Q1-3/2008: € 14 million). Significant sales growth driven by a strong project business diluted the EBIT margin to 3.8 % (Q1-3/2008: 4.8 %). Net income* of € 13 million was € 1 million below previous year's level due to a decrease in interest income as a result of lower interest rates.

The excellent development of order intake and order backlog continued: Fresenius Vamed increased the order intake by 29 % to € 313 million (Q1-3/2008: € 242 million). In Q3 2009, Fresenius Vamed more than doubled its order intake to € 157 million (Q3 2008: € 72 million). Fresenius Vamed was awarded a >€ 80 million order for the turnkey construction of a general hospital in Gabon. The project is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2009. The construction work will take approximately two years.

The order backlog reached the new all-time-high of € 640 million (December 31, 2008: € 571 million).

Fresenius Vamed fully confirms its outlook for 2009 and expects to grow both sales and EBIT by approximately 10 %. 

* Net income attributable to VAMED AG


Analyst Conference
As part of the publication of the results of the first three quarters of 2009 a conference call will be held on November 3, 2009 at 2.00 p.m. CET (8.00 a.m. EST). You are cordially invited to follow the conference call in a live broadcast over the Internet at www.fresenius.com see Investor Relations / Presentations. Following the call, a recording will be available.