Munich, March 24, 2016 – The AURELIUS Group (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) published its annual report today for the 2015 fiscal year and reports on the most successful fiscal year so far in the Company's history. AURELIUS accordingly increased its total consolidated revenues by 31 percent to EUR 2,013.3 million (2014: EUR 1,531.8 million). Annualized consolidated revenues increased to EUR 2,960.4 million (2014: EUR 1,725.3 million). This can be attributed largely to a total of 8 acquisitions in the past 12 months. EBITDA for the combined group reached EUR 266.1 million (2014: EUR 161.4 million). Operating EBITDA also rose considerably due to the solid performance of most of the Group entities with an increase of 30 percent to EUR 123.2 million (2014: EUR 95.1 million).

Business portfolio considerably expanded as a result of eight acquisitions

AURELIUS once again positioned itself successfully as a well-known partner of major corporations in the acquisition of complex, pan-European corporate spin-offs in the 2015 fiscal year just ended. In addition to the European operations of Tavex SA, a producer of denim fabrics for well-known jeans manufacturers, the solid board and graphic board operations of the Smurfit Kappa Group (today: SOLIDUS Solutions) and the European craft business of British Coats plc (today: MEZ) were acquired. AURELIUS' continued strong presence in the United Kingdom also paid off. In the second half of 2015, AURELIUS acquired Regain Polymers, the leading British recycler of hard plastic waste, Transform Medical, a provider of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, and Allied Healthcare, the largest provider of home care services. Since January 1, 2016, the trade operations of Swiss Valora Group (today: Conaxess) and the Reuss-Seifert & Hammerl Group also belong to AURELIUS.

At EUR 176.8 million, the income from the reversal of negative goodwill from the capital consolidation ("bargain purchase gain") from the subsidiaries consolidated for the first time in fiscal year 2015 clearly exceeded the previous year's level (2014: EUR 76.8 million). Restructuring and non-recurring expenses amounted to EUR 63.3 million (2014: EUR 59.8 million).

Successful sale of the hotel property portfolio results in special dividend of EUR 0.55 per share

AURELIUS sold a portfolio of four hotel properties in Munich and Hannover in the 2015 fiscal year just ended, thereby realizing a positive contribution to earnings in the double digit millions. The shareholders will share directly in this success in line with the current dividend policy. The Company's Executive Board and Supervisory Board will therefore propose a dividend distribution in the total amount of EUR 1.45 per share (2014: EUR 2.00) from the net retained profits at the annual general meeting to be held on June 9, 2016, in Munich. The dividend comprises an increased base dividend of EUR 0.90 (2014: EUR 0.80) as well as a special dividend from the aforementioned purchases of EUR 0.55 (2014: EUR 1.20). The planned distribution thus amounts to EUR 45.9 million (2014: EUR 63.4 million).

Strong financial basis for further growth

As a result of the convertible bond issued in November 2015 and the sales proceeds for the hotel property portfolio sold in 2015, the portfolio of liquid assets in the AURELIUS Group reached the record level of EUR 548.9 million as of the reporting date December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014: EUR 333.3 million). The equity ratio increased to 28 percent (December 31, 2014: 26 percent).

The net asset value of the Group entities was increased to EUR 1,252.7 million (December 31, 2014: EUR 1,150.6 million).

Optimistic outlook

"We assume that the environment in the market for corporate transactions will remain positive for the 2016 fiscal year. We are planning on five to eight new acquisitions in the current year. We managed the first highly successful exit from our portfolio with the sale of our subsidiary fidelis HR in March 2016. In addition, we placed around 20 percent of our listed subsidiary Berentzen Group AG with institutional investors," said Dr. Dirk Markus, Chief Executive Officer of AURELIUS. "We have made a very good start to the current year. We will also continue to grow this year and let our shareholders share in this development with an attractive dividend."

The complete 2015 Annual Report can be downloaded over the Internet under www.aureliusinvest.de.

Key figures

1) The prior-year consolidated statement of comprehensive income and consolicated statement of financial position was adjusted for comparison purposes according to the provisions set forth under IFRS 3.45 ff.

2) From continuing operations.

3) Incl. non-controlling interests.

Net Asset Value of the AURELIUS Group entities (in € millions)