Deutsche Börse AG: Preliminary Results 2005 - Cancellation Of Shares - Exchange Consolidation

According to the preliminary figures published by Deutsche Börse on Tuesday, sales revenue climbed by 13% to €1,631.5 million in 2005 (2004: €1,449.6 million). The company earned a further €112.7 million in net interest income from banking business (2004: €77.1 million). EBITA increased 35 percent to €710.9 million (2004: €527.6 million). Consolidated net income for 2005 reached €427.4 million (2004: €266.1 million). Earnings per share increased 68% to €4.00 (2004: €2.38).

In the fourth quarter sales revenues reached €408.8 million (Q4/2004: €364.4 million). Profits from the sale of subsidiaries and investments of around €13 million compensated some exceptional cost items in the fourth quarter. EBITA amounted to €178.9 million (Q4/2004: €120.7 million). Earnings per share rose to €0.96 (Q4/2004: €0.49). The promising start to the year shows sustained growth across the company’s core business. Deutsche Börse’s Executive Board proposes a threefold increase of the dividend from €0.70 to €2.10 per share. Furthermore, the company plans to reduce its subscribed share capital through the cancellation of 3.9 million shares in April 2006. With the cancellation the number of shares in the company will be reduced to 102.0 million; subscribed share capital will decrease to €102.0 million.

Deutsche Börse continues to be in favor of a dialogue with Euronext with a view towards a combination of two partners.