Successful 2014 Business Year: CENIT raises EBIT by 12%; dividend more than doubles to EUR 0.90, base dividend of EUR 0.50 EUR expected for 2014 and next 2 years.

31.03.2015

Stuttgart, March 31, 2015 – CENIT AG has closed out a successful 2014 business year. Despite a difficult global business climate, the software and consulting provider achieved an on-year increase in both sales and EBIT. Based on the Annual Report of CENIT Aktiengesellschaft, Stuttgart, the Managing and Supervisory Boards will propose to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 13, 2015 that a dividend of EUR 0.90 be paid per share.

During the 2014 business year, CENIT Group achieved sales revenue of EUR 123,394 k (2013: EUR 118,921 k/3.8%). Revenue in the CENIT Consulting and Services field totaled EUR 53,943 k, representing a slight contraction of 3.0% (2013: EUR 55,631 k). Sales saw an increase in the field of third-party software, with a gain of 11.9% to EUR 56,251 k (2013: EUR 50,248 k). Sales of CENIT’s proprietary software remained virtually unchanged at EUR 12,728 k against EUR 12,791 k in 2013 (-0.5%).

In 2014, gross profits (operative performance less cost of materials) amounted to EUR 75,200 k (2013: EUR 73,242 k), representing a growth of 2.7%. CENIT achieved EBITDA in the amount of EUR 11,662 k (2013: EUR 10,635 k/9.7%) and EBIT of EUR 9,328 k (2013: EUR 8,331 k/12.0%). Earnings per share were EUR 0.76 (2013: EUR 0.70/8.6%).

Order Intake

During the 2014 business year, orders received by CENIT Group amounted to TUR 122,552 k (2013: EUR 111,824 k). Orders in hand on December 31, 2014 totaled EUR 34,578 k (2013: EUR 36,868 k).

Asset and Financial Situation

CENIT has no liabilities in relation to credit institutions, whether short-term or long-term. On the balance sheet date, the company’s equity capital was EUR 39,352 k (2013: EUR 35,930 k), representing an equity ratio of 58.8% (2013: 59.5%). On the balance sheet date, bank deposits and liquid assets totaled EUR 33,250 k (2013: EUR 26,632 k). Operative cash flow amounted to EUR 9,401 k (2013: EUR 8,854 k). In 2014, cash flow was influenced by dividend payment to shareholders in the total amount of EUR 2,929 k as well as investments in the amount of EUR 303 k.

Employees

On December 31, 2014 CENIT Group employed 659 staff world-wide (2013: 671). Consolidated personnel expenditures during the reporting period were EUR 49,129 k (2013: EUR 47,728 k). CENIT currently provides training for 52 young professionals in a variety of occupations. Trainees include informatics and economics students from the Dual University of Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) and vocational trainees in the field of information technology.

Dividend

The Managing and Supervisory Boards will propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders on May 13, 2015 that a dividend in the amount of EUR 0.40 per share be disbursed from the unappropriated profit of CENIT AG of EUR 7,562 k. Additionally, the Managing and Supervisory Boards will propose payment of a base dividend of EUR 0.50 per share in the current year and the two years thereafter, under the provision that the earnings situation of the company does not change substantially; a development that currently is not to be expected. The dividend proposal for 2014 thus amounts to a total of EUR 0.90 per share.

Outlook

An equity ratio of well over 50% places CENIT on very secure footing. This lets CENIT act as a strong and reliable partner for its customers.

For the current business year, CENIT Group anticipates total sales growth of up to 3% and earnings growth of approx. 5% from both business segments.
The complete 2014 Annual Report is available in German and English on the CENIT homepage.

Tanja Marinovic
Tanja Marinovic
Marketing/ Investor Relations