Deutsche Börse Targets Further Growth Again In 2003 - EBIT Projected At 440 To 460 Million Euros - Higher Dividend Expected Again In 2003

Deutsche Börse AG wants to grow further in 2003 as well, Chief Financial Officer Mathias Hlubek told journalists in Frankfurt on Thursday at the presentation of the company's annual financial statements for the year 2002. Hlubek said the company expects earnings before interest and taxes in 2003 at 440 to 460 million euros. The dividend for 2003 could be increased again by more than 20 percent if expectations for the company's growth are met, Hlubek said.

For the financial year just ended, the Supervisory Board and Executive Board will propose to the general meeting that the dividend be raised 22 percent to 0.44 euros per share. Deutsche Börse is thus disbursing 49.2 million euros to its shareholders; a 33 percent increase from 2001 reflecting the higher number of shares.

The annual financial statements for business year 2002 - as reported in the presentation of the provisional results - show 46 percent growth in sales revenue to 1.11 billion euros. The EBIT of Deutsche Börse increased 26 percent to 351.2 million euros. The EBIT contains amortization and write-downs on goodwill amounting to 68.7 million euros after acquiring the clearing and settlement subsidiary Clearstream International and the IT subsidiary entory. Thus the EBITA, which is calculated before such charges for goodwill, was 51 percent higher at 419.9 million euros.