Record year for GESCO: Earnings per share of EUR 3.39, dividend increase of 40%

23.05.2006

Wuppertal, 23 May 2006 – Based on the unaudited figures for financial year 2005/2006 ended on 31 March 2006, Prime Standard-listed holding company GESCO AG will exceed its forecast, which was last revised upwards in December 2005.

At EUR 234 million, Group sales are around 22% up on the previous year’s figure of EUR 192 million. The rise in Group net income for the year was even more significant at around 50% to EUR 9.3 million (previous year: EUR 6.2 million). Based on the total number of shares of 2,749,000, this produces earnings per share of EUR 3.39 (previous year: EUR 2.49 with a total of 2,500,000 shares). These are the best sales and earnings figures recorded in the company’s history.

On the basis of the preliminary figures, the Executive Board assumes a proposed dividend of EUR 1.25 EUR per share, which represents an increase of around 40% compared with the previous year (EUR 0.90). As a result, the pay-out ratio is also at a record high.

The financial statements for the 2005/2006 financial year and the forecast for financial year 2006/2007 will be presented at the accounts press conference on 29 June 2006.