Wuppertal, 9 February 2005 – On the basis of the nine-month figures, the Prime Standard-listed holding company GESCO AG is expecting to exceed the target figures for financial year 2004/2005 (01 April 2004 to 31 March 2005) announced at the accounts press conference on 24 June 2004.

The target for sales was EUR 176 million. On the basis of current figures, sales may amount to around EUR 190 million.

The target figure for Group net income for the year was EUR 4.8 million and earnings per share amounting to EUR 1.93. Based on the information available now, Group net income may amount to approximately EUR 5.4 million. This figure includes EUR 0.2 million reduction of amortisation on goodwill due to changes in accounting standards, which was not included in the targets. The expected earnings per share amount to approximately EUR 2.16.

The interim report for the first nine months (1 April to 31 December 2004) will be published on 15 February 2005 and the financial statements for 2004/2005 will be presented at the accounts press conference on 28 June 2005.