AURELIUS: Focus on reinvestments in the equity portfolio in the first half of 2018

DGAP-News: AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA / Key word(s): Half Year Results AURELIUS: Focus on reinvestments in the equity portfolio in the first half of 2018 09.08.2018 / 07:30 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. AURELIUS: Focus on reinvestments in the equity portfolio in the first half of 2018 - Total consolidated revenues reach EUR 1.9 billion - Five acquisitions in the first half of 2018 - Positive development of operating earnings despite sales of very profitable group companies in the past financial year - Positive outlook for the full year 2018 Munich, August 9, 2018 - AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) published its consolidated Group interim financial statements for the first half of 2018 on today's date. Due to the sales of high-revenue portfolio companies in the second half of 2017, the total consolidated revenues of EUR 1,874.9 million generated in the reporting period were less than the comparison figure for the first half of 2017 (EUR 2,282.9 million). On an annualized basis, consolidated revenues came to EUR 3,838.6 million, which was higher than the prior-period comparison figure (H1 2017: EUR 3,574.4 million) as a result of the brisk acquisition activity in the first half of 2018. Five acquisitions in the first half of 2018 AURELIUS completed five new acquisitions in the first half of 2018. The globally active multi-channel book dealer Bertram Books (formerly: Connect Books) in the United Kingdom was acquired in February 2018. AURELIUS subsidiaries also strengthened their market positions further by means of four strategic add-on acquisitions. Solidus bolstered its activities in southern Europe with the acquisition of Abelan Board Industrial, a prestigious producer of packaging solutions made of cardboard and solid board. The AURELIUS subsidiary B+P Gerüstbau improved its market position in southern Germany by acquiring Gustav Raetz oHG. GHOTEL hotel & living acquired two hotels of the "nestor" brand in the greater Stuttgart area in February 2018 and a 4-star hotel and the corresponding hotel property in Göttingen in April 2018. Positive development of operating earnings despite the sales of very profitable group companies in the past financial year The EBITDA of the combined Group reached EUR 30.2 million in the first half of 2018 (H1 2017: EUR 303.0 million). The year-ago figure had included high gains on bargain purchases resulting from the acquisition of Office Depot Europe at January 1, 2017. At EUR 8.8 million, the gains on bargain purchases for the first half of 2018 were considerably less than the prior-period comparison figure (H1 2017: EUR 275.1 million). The purchase price allocations for the companies acquired in the first half of 2018 have not yet been completed and are therefore provisional. The restructuring and non-recurring expenses for the restructuring of Group companies amounted to EUR 35.2 million in the first half of 2018 (H1 2017: EUR 47.8 million). The income from sales of investments above book value came to EUR 2.6 million (H1 2017: EUR 0). Despite the sales of very profitable companies and the acquisitions of companies that are still undergoing the restructuring process in financial years 2017 and 2018, the operating EBITDA of the combined Group reached EUR 54.0 million in the first half of 2018 (H1 2017: EUR 75.7 million). The net asset value of the AURELIUS portfolio was EUR 1.3 billion at June 30, 2018 (December 31, 2017: EUR 1.5 billion). Cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 357.3 million at the reporting date (December 31, 2017: EUR 606.3 million). The reduction of both these values resulted mainly from the payment of a record dividend of EUR 141.0 million to shareholders in the second quarter of 2018. Positive outlook for the full year 2018 For financial year 2018, the Executive Board of AURELIUS Equity Opportunities expects that annualized consolidated revenues will be slightly higher than the prior-year figure. In addition, operating EBITDA should be at the average level of the preceding years. After the reporting date, AURELIUS acquired another company with turnaround potential, the British multi-channel home-shopping provider Ideal Shopping Direct. In addition, the Executive Board expects further acquisitions and add-on acquisitions to strengthen the existing Group companies in the coming months. Key figures (in EUR millions) 1/1-6/30/2017 1/1-6/30/2018 Total consolidated revenues 2,282.9 1,874.9 Consolidated revenues (annualized) 1 3,574.4 3,838.6 EBITDA of the combined Group 303.0 30.2 - of which gains on bargain purchases 275.1 8.8 - of which restructuring and non-recurring expenses -47.8 -35.2 - of which earnings from sales of investments above book value -/- 2.6 Operating EBITDA of the combined Group 75.7 54.0 Consolidated profit 2 223.7 -21.0 Earnings per share, diluted (EUR) 1,3 6.59 -0.64 Cash flows from operating activities 3 -71.6 -58.9 Cash flows from investing activities 3 24.7 -87.1 Free cash flow 3 -46.9 -146.0   12/31/2017 6/30/2018 Assets 2,202.1 2,024.7 of which cash and cash equivalents 606.3 357.3 Liabilities 1,573.5 1,485.4 of which financial liabilities 520.5 477.0 Equity 2 628.6 539.3 Equity ratio 2 (in %) 28.5 26.6 Number of employees at the reporting date 19,263 18,272   1) From continued operations. 2) Including non-controlling interests. 3) The year-ago consolidated statement of comprehensive income and consolidated statement of cash flows have been adjusted for comparison purposes in accordance with IFRS 5. Net asset value of the AURELIUS portfolio (in EUR millions)   6/30/2018 Industrial Production 420.2 Retail & Consumer Products 522.0 Services & Solutions 158.0 NAV of portfolio companies 1,100.2 Other 237.3 Total 1,337.5   ABOUT AURELIUS AURELIUS Group is a pan-European investment group with offices in Munich, London, Stockholm and Madrid. Since it was founded in 2006, AURELIUS has grown from a local turnaround investor to an international multi-asset manager. AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8, ticker symbol: AR4) represents the listed entity within the AURELIUS Group that focuses on investing in special and turnaround situations and mid-market transaction opportunities in a broad range of industries. AURELIUS Equity Opportunities currently has 22 portfolio companies located across Europe which employ around 20,000 people and generate annual revenues of more than EUR 3.8 billion. The shares of AURELIUS Equity Opportunities are traded on all German stock exchanges. The company's market capitalization is approximately EUR 1.6 billion (as of August 2018). The AURELIUS Group also operates in the areas of growth capital and debt opportunities. AURELIUS Growth Capital invests in successor solutions and spin-offs from larger mid-sized companies and corporate groups. AURELIUS Debt Opportunities provides capital to British companies in the form of alternative financing vehicles. With its group charity AURELIUS Refugee Initiative e.V., AURELIUS provides comprehensive support for refugees on their way towards a better life. To find out more, visit www.aureliusinvest.de. CONTACT AURELIUS Group Anke Banaschewski Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Phone: [phone] - 0 Fax: [phone] - 55 E-mail: [e-mail]   09.08.2018 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. 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Language:	English
Company:	AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA
	Ludwig-Ganghofer-Straße 6
	82031 Grünwald
	Germany
Phone:	[phone]
Fax:	[phone]
E-mail:	[e-mail]
Internet:	www.aureliusinvest.de
ISIN:	DE000A0JK2A8
WKN:	A0JK2A
Listed:	Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich (m:access), Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange

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