Wuppertal, 26 May 2009 – In the financial year 2008/2009 (1 April 2008 –31 March 2009), the SDAX listed investment holding company GESCO AG reached the ambitious guidance it had issued in June 2008 despite the global crisis. According to the as yet unaudited figures, Group sales increased by 13.6 % to around € 378.4 million (previous year: € 333.2 million). Group net income after minority interest increased by 20.9 % to € 21.6 million (€ 17.9 million) and earnings per share according to IFRS subsequently increased from € 5.92 to € 7.16. The guidance issued had assumed Group sales of around € 370 million and Group net income after minority interest of € 21.5 million corresponding to earnings per share of € 7.11.

Based on preliminary figures, the Executive Board is expecting a dividend proposal of € 2.50 per share. In the previous year, the company distributed a total dividend of € 2.42 per share which comprised a basic dividend of € 2.20 and a bonus of € 0.22 to mark the 10th anniversary of the company's listing.

For the new financial year 2009/2010 (1 April 2009 – 31 March 2010), the company is expecting declining sales and a clear drop in earnings as a result of the severe global recession.

The financial statements for the financial year 2008/2009 and the outlook for the financial year 2009/2010 will be presented at the annual accounts press conference on 25 June 2009.