Munich, August 11, 2016 – AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) continued its growth trend in the first half of 2016 and increased its consolidated revenues by 50 percent to EUR 1,346.7 million (H1 2015: EUR 898.2 million). Consolidated revenues reached EUR 3,022.4 million on an annualized basis – an increase of 68 percent. In particular, the new acquisitions over the past few months contributed to this result.

Successful corporate transactions characterized the first half of 2016

Six new Group entities were acquired in the first half of 2016 alone. Reuss-Seiffert & Hammerl, a manufacturer of consumables for the concrete construction industry, and Conaxess Trade, an exclusive distributor for consumer goods in the large-scale retail business, have belonged to the AURELIUS Group since January 1, 2016. With the acquisition of the CMC (Colt Managed Cloud) cloud business of Colt Group S.A., a leading provider of cloud and hosting services in Europe, and Calumet, a multi-channel retail group for all things related to photography as well as Working Links, the leading provider of professional and social rehabilitation services, AURELIUS UK positioned itself three times as a partner in complex acquisition opportunities in the United Kingdom. At the end of the first half of 2016, the commercial activities of the Abelan Group, a provider of packaging solutions for the European food sector, were acquired in Germany and the Netherlands.

"We see an uninterrupted growth trend and numerous opportunities for our business model", says Dr. Dirk Markus, Chairman of the Executive Board of AURELIUS Equity Opportunities. "All new subsidiaries have one thing in common: They command an expandable competitive position in fundamentally promising markets.

In addition to the sale of fidelis HR, a provider for the outsourcing of personnel administration services, to strategic buyer SD Worx, the Tavex Group was sold to a Spanish consortium of investors. AURELIUS Equity Opportunities also sold a significant portion of the interest in its subsidiary Berentzen Group AG in the past half-year. In total, AURELIUS received over EUR 80 million for these sales. The income from disposals in excess of the carrying amount amounted to EUR 3.6 million in the first half of 2016. Whereas the sale of fidelis HR generated a positive income, the Tavex Group was sold below its carrying amount. In both transactions, a very high cash multiple was realized on the capital employed (just under 10x for Tavex; around 40x for fidelis HR).

Key earnings figures reflect brisk transaction activity and solid operating development

Operating EBITDA reached EUR 47.7 million despite the sale of several profitable Group subsidiaries and shows the continuing positive performance of the existing Group entities (H1 2015: EUR 62.6 million). Income from the reversal of negative goodwill resulting from capital consolidation ("bargain purchase") from companies acquired in the first half of 2016 amounted to EUR 77.3 million (H1 2015: EUR 65.4 million). As a result of the reorientation of Group entities, restructuring and non-recurring expenses were incurred in the amount of EUR 28.9 million (H1 2015: EUR 19.4 million). Total EBITDA of the AURELIUS Group reached EUR 99.7 million (H1 2015: EUR 108.6 million).

The net asset value of Group entities increased as of June 30, 2016, to EUR 1,318.5 million, an increase of five percent compared to the end of fiscal year 2015 (December 31, 2015: EUR 1,252.7 million).

"The market for corporate transactions posted a positive surge in 2016. Economic as well as political developments are changing the operating environment in Europe. The recent BREXIT referendum in the United Kingdom is only the most prominent source of discontinuity. AURELIUS Equity Opportunities benefits from this environment. Regardless of whether it’s family businesses or major corporations, in the United Kingdom or continental Europe, the players must react and we are there to help them. We are well-prepared for this with more than EUR 400 million in liquid funds", says Dr. Dirk Markus and adds: "At the same time, we will work in the coming months to fully utilize the inherent potential of our existing subsidiaries and permanently increase the value of the equity through efficiency and growth. The prospects for the second half of 2016 are promising."

Key figures (in EUR millions)

¹ From continuing operations

² Incl. non-controlling interests

Net Asset Value of AURELIUS Group entities (in EUR millions)