Munich, August 13, 2015 – The AURELIUS Group (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) increased its total consolidated revenues in the first half of 2015 by 16 percent to EUR 932.7 million (first half of 2014: EUR 804.0 million). Consolidated revenues reached EUR 2,085.5 million on an annual basis – an increase of 28 percent. Thus, consolidated revenues on an annual basis exceeded EUR 2 billion for the first time.

Operating EBITDA increased significantly

At EUR 108.6 million, the AURELIUS Group's total EBITDA nearly reached the previous year's very high level (first half of 2014: EUR 111.5 million) in the first half of 2015, although there were no business acquisitions in the first half of 2015 – in contrast to the first half of 2014. In the first half of 2014, the disposal of equity investments over their carrying amounts had delivered a contribution of EUR 32.0 million to EBITDA. The operating performance of Group entities was very positive in the first half of 2015. This is reflected in a 22 percent increase in operating EBITDA to EUR 62.6 million (first half of 2014: EUR 51.2 million). In particular the subsidiaries SECOP, the Berentzen Group, Scholl Footwear, and the Special Chemicals segment contributed to this development.

Already five promising new acquisitions in the current year

Two new acquisitions were successfully completed in the first half of 2015 with the acquisition of the AURELIUS also acquired the remaining 21.9 percent interest in the international IT consultant Getronics from Dutch Royal KPN, thus expanding its investment in the international IT consulting firm to 100 percent.

Three further acquisitions have already been completed in the current third quarter: The purchase of the leading British recycler of hard plastic waste Regain Polymers, the acquisition of the UK's leading supplier of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures Transform Medical, and the acquisition of the European Crafts business of the British Coats Group announced in February.

The income from the reversal of negative goodwill resulting from the capital consolidation ("bargain purchase") from companies acquired in the first half of 2015 amounted to EUR 65.4 million (first half of 2014: EUR 43.6 million). The acquisitions completed in the third quarter are not yet included in this figure. As a result of the reorientation of Group entities, restructuring and non-recurring expenses were incurred in the amount of EUR 19.4 EUR million in the reporting period (first half of 2014: EUR 15.3 million).

The Net Asset Value of the Group entities was increased by 3.8 percent to EUR 1,193.7 million compared to the end of fiscal 2014 (December 31, 2014: EUR 1,150.6 million), despite the distribution of dividends in the amount of EUR 62.8 million since then.

Positive outlook

"Our Group entities performed very positively. Our comprehensive application of the operational reorientation is paying off in full. We have also already completed some very promising transactions in the current year. Our international offices in London, Stockholm, and Madrid contributed in particular to this. The geographical expansion of our business model is also bearing fruit. We are working intensively on further business transactions on the buy and sell side. 2015 will be another record year for AURELIUS", says AURELIUS CEO Dr. Dirk Markus. "We expect to exceed the previous solid figures from 2014 for both total EBITDA as well as operating EBITDA." Consolidated revenues are expected to increase to over EUR 1.9 billion for fiscal year 2015.

Key figures (in € millions)

¹ From continuing operations

² Incl. non-controlling interests

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