Deutsche Börse With Record Results Again In 2002

Deutsche Börse AG ended the year 2002 with record results and surpassed its growth targets again. Preliminary figures which the company presented on Tuesday show that sales including net interest income from banking business rose from 760.3 million euros to 1.17 billion euros in the year just ended. The company's EBIT increased 26 percent to 351.2 million euros. The earnings per share rose from 2.04 euros to 2.18 euros. The EBITA, the earnings before interest and taxes and writedowns on goodwill, which is an important comparative factor, especially for American investors, achieved 419.9 million euros after 278.3 million euros in business year 2001.

For the fourth quarter of 2002, Deutsche Börse shows sales including net interest income of 372.4 million euros as opposed to 200.2 million euros in Q4/2001. The EBIT rose from 52.8 million euros to 95.9 million euros. The EBITA more than doubled from 53 million euros to 113.6 million euros.

Mathias Hlubek, chief financial officer of Deutsche Börse AG, said: "The year 2002 was another very successful year for Deutsche Börse. We benefit from our diversified business model, which was rounded out by the successful acquisition of Clearstream in the area of settlement." According to Hlubek, the Executive Board of Deutsche Börse will propose that the dividend per share be raised 22 percent to 0.44 euros.

The segment reporting shows Eurex to be the strongest segment in the year 2002: Eurex boosted sales revenue from 268.8 million euros to 331.6 million euros. Clearstream, whose sales have been included in the segment reporting since the consolidation as of July 1, 2002, contributed 277 million euros. The Xetra segment contributes 210.8 million euros after 243.1 million euros in 2001.