Wuppertal, 28 May 2008 – The Prime Standard-listed investment holding company GESCO AG enjoyed strong growth in the financial year 2007/2008 (1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008). According to unaudited figures, Group sales rose by 24% to around € 333 million (previous year: € 268 million). Group net income after minority interests showed above average improvement of 34% reaching € 17.9 million (previous year: € 13.3 million), which represents earnings per share of € 5.92 (previous year: € 4.83) according to IFRS. GESCO Group was able to achieve record results for the fourth year in succession.

On the basis of the preliminary figures, the Executive Board is assuming a proposed dividend of € 2.42 per share. This consists of a basic dividend of € 2.20 plus a 10% bonus of € 0.22 to mark the 10 year anniversary of the company’s IPO. The previous year’s dividend amounted to € 1.50 per share.

The financial statements for the 2007/2008 financial year and the forecast for the 2008/2009 financial year will be presented at the accounts press conference on 26 June 2008.

This text was published as ad-hoc-notification on 27 May 2008.

About GESCO AG
GESCO AG is the parent company of a group of small and medium-sized companies in the field of industrial Base Technologies. GESCO acquires successful niche providers, generally as part of succession arrangements, in order to retain and further develop these long term. As a listed company (official trading on the Prime Standard segment) GESCO AG offers private and institutional investors access to the SMEs.