Fresenius achieves record financial results in 2007 - positive outlook for 2008

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• Sales: € 11.4 billion, + 5 % at actual rates, + 10 % in constant currency
• EBIT: € 1.6 billion, + 11 % at actual rates, + 17 % in constant currency
• Net income: € 410 million, + 24 % at actual rates, + 28 % in constant currency
• All financial targets met or exceeded
• Double-digit EBIT growth in all business segments
• Strengthened market position through targeted acquisitions
• 15th consecutive dividend increase

Dividend increase of ~15 % per share proposed
Based on the excellent financial results the Management Board will propose to the Supervisory Board a dividend increase of ~15 % to € 0.66 per ordinary share (2006: € 0.57) and € 0.67 per preference share (2006: € 0.58). The corresponding total dividend distribution amounts to € 103.2 million (2006: € 88.8 million).

Positive outlook for 2008: Substantial sales and earnings growth expected
For 2008, Fresenius Group projects further improvements in its financial results: Group sales are expected to grow by 8 to 10 % in constant currency. Net income is expected to increase by 10 to 15 % in constant currency. All business segments are expected to contribute to this growth.

Investments in property, plant and equipment and in intangible assets are planned to increase from € 705 million in 2007 to ~€ 750 million.

Strong sales growth across all business segments and regions
Group sales increased by 10 % in constant currency and by 5 % at actual rates to € 11,358 million (2006: € 10,777 million). Organic sales growth was 6 %. Acquisitions contributed a further 6 %. Divestitures reduced sales growth by 2 %. Currency translation had a negative impact of 5 %. This is mainly attributable to the average US dollar rate depreciating 9 % against the Euro.

Sales growth in the business segments was affected as follows:

In Europe sales grew by 7 % in constant currency with organic sales growth contributing 5 %. In North America sales grew by 10 % in constant currency due to the full-year Renal Care Group consolidation and an organic growth rate of 5 %. Strong growth rates were achieved in the emerging markets with organic growth of 9 % in Asia-Pacific, 10 % in Latin America and 26 % in Africa.

Excellent earnings growth and strong margin improvement
Group EBITDA increased by 15 % in constant currency and by 10 % at actual rates to € 2,030 million (2006: € 1,843 million). Group operating income (EBIT) grew by 17 % in constant currency and by 11 % at actual rates to € 1,609 million (2006: € 1,444 million). The Group's EBIT margin improved by 80 basis points to 14.2 % (2006: 13.4 %).

Group net interest was € -368 million (2006: € -395 million, including one-time expenses of € 30 million for the early refinancing of Group debt).

The tax rate was 36.1 % (2006: 39.5 %; adjusted for the tax expense related to the divestiture of US dialysis clinics: 37.2 %).

Minority interest increased to € 383 million (2006: € 305 million), of which 92 % was attributable to the minority interest in Fresenius Medical Care.

Group net income grew strongly by 28 % in constant currency and by 24 % at actual rates to € 410 million (2006: € 330 million, including one-time expenses of € 22 million). Earnings per ordinary share were € 2.64 and earnings per preference share were € 2.65 (2006 adjusted for the February 2007 share split: ordinary share € 2.15, preference share € 2.16). This represents an increase of 23 % for both share classes.

Investments in property, plant and equipment at high level
Fresenius Group spent € 705 million for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (2006: € 600 million). The increase is mainly attributable to the business segments Fresenius Medical Care and Fresenius Helios. Acquisition spending was € 613 million (2006: € 3,714 million). All business segments strengthened their market position through targeted acquisitions.

Strong cash flow
Operating cash flow increased by 23 % to € 1,296 million (2006: € 1,052 million). Key driver was the strong increase in earnings. Cash flow margin was 11.4 % (2006: 9.8 %). Cash flow before acquisitions and dividends increased by 31 % to € 630 million (2006: € 481 million). Free cash flow after acquisitions (€ 392 million) and dividends (€ 205 million) was € 33 million (2006: € -2,909 million).

Solid balance sheet structure: Leverage ratio improved
Fresenius Group's total assets increased by 8 % in constant currency and by 2 % at actual rates to € 15,324 million (December 31, 2006: € 15,024 million). Current assets increased by 5 % to € 4,291 million (December 31, 2006: € 4,106 million). Non-current assets were € 11,033 million (December 31, 2006: € 10,918 million).

Shareholders' equity including minority interest grew by 6 % to € 6,059 million (December 31, 2006: € 5,728 million). The equity ratio (including minority interest) was 39.5 % (December 31, 2006: 38.1 %).

Group debt decreased by 3 % at actual rates to € 5,699 million (December 31, 2006: € 5,872 million). In constant currency, Group debt increased by 3 %. The net debt/EBITDA ratio improved to 2.6, well below the level of 3.0 as of December 31, 2006.

Number of employees increased
As of December 31, 2007, Fresenius increased the number of its employees by 9 % to 114,181 (December 31, 2006: 104,872). The increase is mainly attributable to the business segments Fresenius Medical Care and Fresenius Helios.

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.

Following the successful completion of the phase II/III study with Removab® in the indication malignant ascites, Fresenius Biotech dispatched the marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) in December 2007. The company applies for the EU authorization of Removab® for the intraperitoneal treatment of malignant ascites in patients with epithelial cancers where no standard therapy is available or no longer feasible. EMEA started the scientific evaluation of the dossier at the end of January 2008. In additional phase II studies Fresenius Biotech is focusing on the use of Removab® for solid tumors in the indications ovarian cancer and gastric cancer.

For the future marketing of Removab® in the USA and Japan, Fresenius Biotech is in discussions with potential partners.

Phase II studies with the antibody Rexomun® (ertumaxumab) in the indication breast cancer are ongoing.

In 2007, Fresenius Biotech's operating income (EBIT) was € -50 million (2006: € -45 million). For 2008, Fresenius Biotech expects an EBIT of approximately € -50 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 December 31, 2007, Fresenius Medical Care was serving 173,863 patients in 2,238 dialysis clinics.

• Sales increased by 14 % to US$ 9.7 billion
• Net income well above guidance
• Outlook 2008: Sales growth of more than 7 % and net income growth
• of 12 to 15 % expected

In 2007, Fresenius Medical Care achieved excellent sales growth of 14 % to US$ 9,720 million (2006: US$ 8,499 million). This was mainly driven by organic growth of 6 % and by the full-year consolidation of Renal Care Group. Sales in dialysis care increased by 13 % to US$ 7,213 million (2006: US$ 6,377 million). In dialysis products, sales grew by 18 % to US$ 2,507 million (2006: US$ 2,122 million).

In North America sales increased by 11 % to US$ 6,663 million (2006: US$ 6,025 million). Sales outside North America ("International" segment) grew by 24 % (in constant currency: 15 %) to US$ 3,057 million (2006: US$ 2,474 million). Strong sales growth in constant currency was achieved in Europe (+9 %), Latin America (+14 %), and the Asia-Pacific region (+40 %).

EBIT rose by 20 % to US$ 1,580 million (2006: US$ 1,318 million). The EBIT margin was 16.3 % (2006: 15.5 %). Net income increased by 34 % to US$ 717 million (2006: US$ 537 million, including one-time expenses of US$ 37 million).

In November 2007, Fresenius Medical Care announced the acquisition of Renal Solutions, Inc. (RSI). With the RSI transaction, Fresenius Medical Care is acquiring a key technology for the expansion of home hemodialysis.

For 2008, Fresenius Medical Care expects to achieve revenue of more than US$ 10.4 billion, an increase of more than 7 %. Net income is expected to be between US$ 805 million and US$ 825 million, an increase of 12 % to 15 %.

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

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

• Sales exceed 2 billion euros for the first time
• Targeted acquisitions strengthen market position
• Outlook 2008: Strong sales growth and EBIT margin of around 16.5 %

Fresenius Kabi increased sales by 7 % to € 2,030 million (2006: € 1,893 million). The company achieved excellent organic growth of 8 %, at the upper end of the guidance of 6 to 8 %. Acquisitions contributed 1 % to sales. Currency translation effects had a negative impact of 2 %. This was mainly due to the depreciation of currencies in South Africa, China, Mexico and Canada.

Organic sales growth in Europe (excluding Germany) was 5 %. In Germany organic sales growth was 2 %. In the Asia-Pacific region Fresenius Kabi achieved significant organic sales growth of 22 %. Organic sales growth in Latin America was 9 % and in other regions 10 %.

Fresenius Kabi continued its excellent earnings growth in 2007. EBIT grew by 14 % to € 332 million (2006: € 291 million). The EBIT margin improved by 100 basis points to 16.4 % (2006: 15.4 %). Fresenius Kabi reported strong growth in net income of 28 % to € 183 million (2006: € 143 million, including one-time expenses for early debt refinancing of € 11 million).

In the fourth quarter of 2007, Fresenius Kabi announced acquisitions to strengthen its business activities especially in the fields of clinical nutrition and intravenously administered generic drugs (I.V. drugs). Fresenius Kabi acquired from Nestlé S.A. the enteral nutrition businesses in France (Novartis Nutrition) and in Spain (Nestlé España). In addition, Fresenius Kabi acquired the Chilean company Laboratorio Sanderson S.A. and the Italian company Ribbon S.r.L. Aggregate sales of the three acquired businesses was about € 128 million in 2007.

Fresenius Kabi expects to continue its positive financial performance in 2008. The company targets sales growth in constant currency of 12 to 15 %. Organic growth is expected to contribute 7 % to this target. Strong growth is anticipated in particular from the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions. Further, Fresenius Kabi forecasts an EBIT margin of around 16.5 %. It is anticipated that the recent acquisitions will initially contribute to Fresenius Kabi's EBIT at a margin below par, also due to amortization of intangible assets. Adjusted for the recent acquisitions, Fresenius Kabi's EBIT margin is expected to progress into the range of 16.5 to 17 %.

Fresenius ProServe
As from January 1, 2008, the former business segment Fresenius ProServe has been replaced by the two business segments Fresenius Helios and Fresenius Vamed. These two businesses had previously made up the business segment Fresenius ProServe. The financial results of Fresenius Helios and Fresenius Vamed are already presented separately on the following pages for the full-year 2007.

The financial performance at Fresenius ProServe was as follows:

Sales grew by 5 % to € 2,268 million (2006: € 2,155 million). Organic growth was 3 %. EBIT increased by 18 % to € 181 million (2006: € 154 million). The EBIT margin improved to 8.0 % (2006: 7.1 %).

Organic sales growth guidance of 2 - 3 % and EBIT projection of > € 170 million was fully achieved.

The subsidiaries Pharmaplan and Pharmatec were divested and deconsolidated as from January 1, 2007, and June 30, 2007, respectively.

Fresenius Helios
Fresenius Helios is one of the largest private hospital operators in Germany. The HELIOS Kliniken Group owns 60 hospitals, including five maximum care hospitals in Erfurt, Berlin-Buch, Wuppertal, Schwerin and Krefeld. HELIOS treats about 500,000 inpatients per year at its clinics and has a total of approximately 17,200 beds.

• Sales and earnings substantially increased
• Expansion in the German hospital market continued
• Outlook 2008: Sales of more than 2 billion euros expected

Fresenius Helios increased sales by 10 % to € 1,841 million (2006: € 1,673 million), and achieved very good organic growth of 3 %. Acquisitions contributed 9 %, divestitures reduced sales growth by 2 %.

EBIT increased by 17 % to € 155 million (2006: € 133 million). The EBIT margin improved by 50 basis points to 8.4 %. Fresenius Helios achieved this very good result despite a number of external negative factors: the increase in value-added tax, wage tariff increases, and the 0.5 % budget cut for the stabilization of public health costs all affected earnings. Net income improved by 8 % to € 64 million (2006: € 59 million).

In the fourth quarter of 2007, Fresenius Helios acquired 74.9 % of Krefeld Municipal Hospitals (Krefeld and Hüls). Both hospitals together have approximately 3,300 employees and achieved sales of about € 175 million in 2006. The hospitals are consolidated in the Group's balance sheet as of December 31, 2007.

The outlook for the full year 2008 remains very positive. Fresenius Helios expects to achieve sales of more than € 2,050 million. EBIT is projected to increase to € 160 to 170 million, despite the initially negative contribution of the Krefeld Municipal Hospitals.

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

• Order intake and order backlog at all-time high
• Acquisition in the service business for hospitals
• Outlook 2008: Sales and EBIT growth of 5 – 10 % expected

Fresenius Vamed achieved sales growth of 4 % to € 408 million (2006: € 392 million). The project business generated sales of € 259 million (2006: € 249 million), sales in the service business was € 149 million (2006: € 143 million), an increase of 4 % in each segment.

EBIT was € 26 million (2006: € 23 million). The EBIT margin improved to 6.4 % (2006: 5.9 %). Net income increased by 15 % to € 23 million (2006: € 20 million).

Order intake in the project business grew by 17 % to € 395 million (2006: € 337 million). In the fourth quarter of 2007, order intake rose by 70 % compared to the same quarter of the previous year and reached € 173 million. Order backlog as of December 31, 2007, was € 510 million (December 31, 2006: € 387 million).

In February 2008, Fresenius Vamed announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire the hospital planning, consulting and service company HERMED in Germany. Both regionally and strategically, HERMED fits perfectly to the business of VAMED. VAMED concentrates on larger hospitals whereas HERMED focuses on smaller and medium-sized health care facilities. HERMED achieved sales of around € 12 million in 2007.

In 2008, Fresenius Vamed expects to achieve sales growth and an increase in EBIT of 5 to 10 %.

Press Conference and Video Webcast
As part of the publication of the results for fiscal year 2007, a press conference will be held at the Fresenius headquarters in Bad Homburg on February 20, 2008 at 10 a.m. CET. All journalists are cordially invited to follow the conference in a live broadcast over our Website. Following the meeting, a recording of the conference will be available as video-on-demand.

Annual report
The annual report 2007 will be available from March 11, 2008 at www.fresenius.com / Investor Relations / Financial reports.