EANS-Adhoc: Österreichische Post AG / EBIT down 11.9%, or EUR 20.1m Strong cash flow and solid balance sheet

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16.03.2010

Austrian Post - Annual Results 2009:
Revenue decline of 3.5%, or EUR 84.5m; EBIT down 11.9%, or EUR 20.1m Strong
cash flow and solid balance sheet

-Difficult market environment in 2009: postal services negatively impacted by
the recession
-Group revenue down 3.5%, or EUR 84.5m, to EUR 2,356.9m
-Successful efficiency and cost reduction measures have a positive impact:
savings targets achieved with regard to staff costs and operating expenses
-EBIT decline of 11.9%, or EUR 20.1m, to EUR 149.4m
-Ongoing strong cash flow and stable balance sheet with increased cash and cash
equivalents
-Continuation of attractive dividend policy: dividend proposal of EUR
1.50/share in 2009
-Strategic cornerstones and medium-term goals of the Group were defined
-Outlook 2010: Revenue down 1-2% from 2009, stable EBITDA margin of 10-12%

Austrian Post: 2009 at a glance
The economic crisis did not leave Austrian Post untouched, and placed
considerable burdens on the company in 2009. The recession put increasing
pressure on letter mail and parcel revenues, due to the fact that many
customers also tried to achieve cost savings for postal services. In turn, this
had a negative effect on the volume and price development for Austrian Post.
Accordingly, the crisis accelerated the trend towards the substitution of
letters by electronic media. On balance, total revenue of Austrian Post fell by
3.5%, to EUR 2,356.9m.

Measures were promptly initiated to compensate for the downturn in revenue, in
order to sustainably reduce staff costs and operating expenses within the
Group. By not filling vacant positions, Austrian Post succeeded in compensating
for the strong salary increases for staff in 2009, related to high inflationary
pressure in the previous year. The original savings target of EUR 30m was
surpassed based on net cost reductions of close to EUR 40m. As a result of the
aforementioned developments, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) fell by
11.9%, to EUR 149.4m.

A further positive consequence of initiatives implemented on the revenue and
cost side in 2009 to counteract the recession was the solid balance sheet and
financial position of the company. Accordingly, free cash flow improved on the
basis of a selective investment policy while the level of cash, cash
equivalents and securities on the balance sheet also further increased, from
EUR 340.6m to EUR 350.5m in 2009.

Ambitious targets
Ambitious medium-term business targets have been set for Austrian Post. With
regard to revenue, the aim is to achieve a medium-term growth rate of 1-2%
annually, assuming a successful mitigation of losses in the letter mail segment
by increased business in the parcel and logistics segment. The high level of
profitability should be reflected in a sustainable EBITDA margin of 10-12% made
possible by ongoing efficiency improvements and cost reductions. And finally,
our goal is to continue the attractive dividend policy, by distributing at
least 75% of the Group net profit along with the targeted sustainable annual
dividend of EUR 1.50 per share. For the 2009 financial year, EUR 1.50 per share
will also be proposed to the Annual General Meeting scheduled for April 22,
2010.

Austrian Post Georg Pölzl expects the difficult market environment to continue
in 2010. "We must take advantage of our growth opportunities and decisively
make further improvements to our cost structure. We must be able to succeed in
maintaining our quality and cost leadership, even more so in a fully
liberalised postal market", Pölzl says.

Austrian Post still expects total Group revenue in 2010 to decline by about 1-
2%. Revenue of the Mail Division is expected to decrease, primarily as a result
of electronic substitution. In contrast, a rise in revenue of the Parcel &
Logistics Division should be possible in the light of the more favourable
market environment expected to prevail in 2010. The goal of the company is to
achieve a sustainable further reduction in total costs and maintain
profitability. Austrian Post will strive to attain an EBITDA margin of 10-12%
in 2010 as well.

Business development in 2009
The business development of Austrian Post in 2009 was shaped by the economic
downturn in its core markets. The recession led to a severe decline in
international volumes for letters and parcels, and also accelerated the trend
towards the substitution of letter mail by electronic media. As a result, total
revenue of Austrian Post in the 2009 financial year fell 3.5%, or EUR 84.5m, to
EUR 2,356.9m.

Consolidated income statement

EUR m                 2008        2009      +/- %    Q4 2008     Q4 2009
Revenue            2,441.4     2,356.9      -3.5%      656.8       633.7
EBITDA               321.7       269.2     -16.3%      134.8       100.3
EBIT                 169.5       149.4     -11.9%       66.5        55.7
Profit for the
period               118.9        79.7     -33.0%       31.3        12.3
Earnings per share    1.71        1.18     -31.0%       0.45        0.18
(EUR)

Cost reduction measures were the top priority of Austrian Post in its efforts
to counteract the loss of revenue. The aim was to reduce staff costs and also
bring operating expenses below the comparable level of the 2008 financial year
by at least EUR 30m.

Staff costs comprise the largest operating expense item of Austrian Post and
continue to account for close to 50% of total revenue. In 2009, total staff
costs rose 1.8%, or EUR 20.1m, to EUR 1,139.3m. This increase is the result of
various changes to provisions in 2008 and 2009. Thus direct personnel
expenditure was slightly reduced. Savings were achieved as the result of
employee attrition, as well as the positive effects of the new collective wage
agreement for new employees, which came into effect in August 2009. The number
of employees fell by 1,081 year-on-year, to 25,921 persons. However, these
savings were in contrast to salary increases based on high inflationary
pressure in 2008 resulting in a 3.7% rise as of January 1, 2009. These salary
increases were mandatory under the terms of the collective wage agreement.

Savings of EUR 39.6m were realised with regard to operating expenses (i.e. raw
materials, consumables and services used as well as other operating expenses).
The biggest savings were achieved in purchasing external transport services,
expenditure for international postal services as well as for consulting,
communications and maintenance expenses.

EBIT by division

EUR m                    2008        2009      +/- %    Q4 2008     Q4 2009
Total EBIT              169.5       149.4     -11.9%       66.5        55.7
Mail                    254.5       221.1     -13.1%       64.0        56.7
Parcel & Logistics      -25.5        -9.3      63.5%      -32.2        -3.0
Branch Network           14.5        -9.2       ---         5.0        -2.5
Other                   -74.0       -53.5      27.7%       29.8         4.2
Consolidation             0.0         0.3       ---         0.0         0.0

Despite the high level of fixed costs in the business operations of Austrian
Post, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) only decreased by 11.9% or EUR
20.1m in 2009, to EUR 149.4m. The EBIT margin was 6.3%. The biggest savings
were reductions in operating expenses as well as in lower depreciation,
amortisation and impairment charges. Depreciation in total fell by 21.3% in
2009, to EUR 119.8m. The EBITDA-margin amounted to 11.4%.

In the 2009 financial year, the Mail Division generated a positive EBIT of EUR
221.1m, down EUR 33.4m from 2008, which is related to the overall revenue
decline. EBIT of the Parcel & Logistics Division improved to minus EUR 9.3m,
but its business operations in 2009 were negatively impacted by price pressure
in the industry. In contrast, its core business in Austria and Germany achieved
positive earnings in 2009. EBIT of the Branch Network Division was minus EUR
9.2m.

An earnings improvement was achieved in the Other segment, which encompasses
non-allocated costs for central departments, expenses in connection with unused
properties and for the employee social plan as well as the change in staff-
related provisions. EBIT of the Other segment improved to minus EUR 53.5m due
to various changes in provisions, as well as an increase in gains from the
disposal of property, plant and equipment compared to the previous year.

The other financial result of Austrian Post declined to minus EUR 24.6m, which
is related, amongst other reasons, to lower interest rates and a positive one-
off effect in 2008. The financial result also includes an impairment loss of
EUR 20.0m relating to Austrian Post´s shareholding in the BAWAG PSK consortium,
the valuation of which was already revised in 2008 as a result of the
international financial crisis. The write-down included in equity in 2008 is
now recognised in the consolidated income statement of Austrian Post for the
2009 financial year.

Earnings before tax were EUR 124.8m, a decline of 21.1%. After deducting income
taxes totalling EUR 45.1m, the Group net profit (profit after tax for the
period) amounted to EUR 79.7m, corresponding to earnings of EUR 1.18 per share
for the 2009 financial year.

Solid balance sheet structure
Austrian Post takes a risk-averse business approach. This is demonstrated by
the high equity ratio, the low level of financial liabilities and the high
amount of cash and cash equivalents.

The analysis of the balance sheet of Austrian Post shows a considerable level
of financial resources on the assets side. Austrian Post had cash and cash
equivalents of EUR 293.8m as at December 31, 2009, and financial investments in
securities amounting to EUR 56.7m. Accordingly, the financial resources at the
disposal of Austrian Post rose from EUR 340.6m to EUR 350.5m in 2009. The
payments of both a basic dividend of EUR 1.50 per share and a special dividend
of EUR 1.00 per share (totalling EUR 168.9m) in 2009 were already taken into
account.

Strong cash flow
In 2009, operating cash flow before changes in working capital amounted to EUR
195.8m, a decline of EUR 41.2m from 2008. The revenue decline had a negative
effect on income, which was offset by cost savings and lower income taxes.

The cash flow from changes in working capital amounted to EUR 34.1m in 2009.
This change can be mainly attributed to a reduction in receivables, but also an
increase in liabilities. On balance, the cash flow from operating activities
totalled EUR 230.0m in 2009, compared to EUR 233.4m in 2008.

The cash flow from investing activities was EUR 6.9m in 2009, compared with
minus EUR 23.1m in the previous year. This primarily includes the purchase of
property, plant and equipment (CAPEX) amounting to EUR 65.6m (2008: EUR
102.9m), proceeds from the disposal of property, plant and equipment of EUR
30.3m (2008: EUR 40.0m), as well as the gain/loss resulting from the
acquisition and sale of financial investments in securities, at EUR 37.3m
(2008: EUR 47.9m). Accordingly, total free cash flow was EUR 236.9m, EUR 26.6m
above the previous year´s level. The free cash flow in 2009 before the
acquisition or sale of securities totalled EUR 199.6m, or EUR 37.2m below the
previous year´s level.

Employees
During the period under review, the average number of full-time employees at
Austrian Post fell by 4.0%, or 1,081 persons, to 25,921. The workforce
headcount at all divisions declined.

Most of Austrian Post´s labour force (21,598 full-time equivalent employees) is
employed by the parent company, Österreichische Post AG. More than 4,300 people
are employed by subsidiaries.

Outlook 2010
Austrian Post anticipates an ongoing revenue decline in the Mail Division,
primarily attributable to electronic substitution. It is difficult to precisely
predict the extent to which revenue will drop, but a contraction of between 3%
and 5% would seem to be a realistic estimate based on international experience.
On a medium-term basis, the Parcel & Logistics Division can expect annual
growth of between 6% and 9% due to an improved business environment. Already in
the course of 2010 Parcel revenue is expected to rise according to current
economic forecasts. Based on this assumption, Austrian Post forecasts a group
revenue decrease of between 1% and 2% in 2010 compared to 2009.

On a medium-term basis, Austrian Post will likely succeed in offsetting the
potential volume decline in the Mail Division by taking advantage of growth
opportunities. Accordingly, it will aim to achieve a revenue increase of
between 1% and 2% per year.

The initiative post@2011 defined a series of strategic business targets and
operational measures to take advantage of growth opportunities in order to
drive revenue growth and realise cost savings. The goal is to sustainably cut
overall costs at Austrian Post, maintain the high level of profitability and
achieve a sustainable EBITDA margin of 10-12% annually; also doing so in 2010.

In terms of its financing requirements for 2010, Austrian Post anticipates
total capital expenditure (CAPEX) to reach a level of about EUR 80m.

The Management Board of Austrian Post will propose to the upcoming Annual
General Meeting scheduled for April 22, 2010 the distribution of a dividend of
EUR 1.50 per share for the 2009 financial year. The current attractive dividend
policy will continue on a medium-term basis, based on a solid balance sheet
structure and cash generation. Austrian Post aims to achieve a dividend payout
ratio of at least 75% of the Group net profit, assuming a continuation of the
company´s successful business development and that no extraordinary
circumstances arise, as well as an annual dividend of EUR 1.50 per share.

Performance of divisions
Mail Division
Year-on-year external sales of the Mail Division fell by 4.3%, or EUR 63.2m, to
EUR 1,396.8m.
The Letter Mail Business Area suffered the biggest drop, with revenue down
5.4%, or EUR 41.9m, particularly as a consequence of the intensified
substitution of letters by electronic media, particularly in the
telecommunications segment. International mail volumes also declined.

The revenue generated by the Infomail Business Area (addressed and unaddressed
direct mail items) was also lower than in 2008, falling by 3.7%, or EUR 20.0m.
This unfavourable development can be primarily attributed to the recession-
related decline in advertising expenditures and the lower weight of mail items.

Due to the cyclical downturn in the business volume generated by daily
newspapers and weekly magazines, revenue of the Media Post Business Area fell
by 1.0%, or EUR 1.4m.

On balance, the Mail Division generated an EBITDA of EUR 271.1m, only 8.7% or
EUR 26.0m below the previous year´s level due to the implementation of cost
reduction measures. EBIT of the Mail Division was down 13.1% to EUR 221.1m, as
the result of higher depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses.

Parcel & Logistics Division
External sales of the Parcel & Logistics Division in 2009 fell by 2.2%, to EUR
768.4m, which is attributable to the recession-related price and volume
development. This represented a relatively mild decline in international
comparison.

The premium parcel service segment (parcel delivery within 24 hours) generated
revenue of EUR 623.9m in 2009, down from EUR 659.6m in the previous year. This
year-on-year decline of 5.4% is strongly linked to the international freight
and express mail business, where the cyclical downturn led to lower average
prices. Approximately 81% of total premium parcel service revenue was generated
by the trans-o-flex Group in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, which even
managed to increase parcel volumes in its core markets due to its high quality
service. The Austrian market accounted for 10% of revenue, and saw an increase
of Austrian Post´s market share in this internationally-oriented business,
whereas South East and Eastern Europe generated 9% of revenue, complementing
the international orientation of this product segment. The company Rhenus Life
Sciences in Germany, specialising in the transport and storage of health care
products and in temperature-controlled transport logistics, was acquired
effective July 1, 2009.

The standard parcel segment in Austria expanded in contrast to the overall
market trend. Revenue climbed substantially, rising 9.1% to EUR 134.4m, based
on the ongoing increase in Internet-based orders and new customers during 2009.
Austrian Post benefitted from the extremely successful development of its
parcel business in Austria, with revenue up 11.5%, to about EUR 200m. At the
same time, Austrian Post increased its market share in the private customer
parcel (B2C) segment as well as in the business parcel (B2B) segment.

EBIT of the Parcel & Logistics Division amounted to minus EUR 9.3m in 2009,
including one-off effects such as integration costs as well as the operating
losses of Rhenus Life Sciences acquired per July 1, 2009, totalling
approximately EUR 6.0m. The core business in Germany and Austria posted
positive results despite the recession-related pressure on prices and parcel
volumes.

Branch Network Division
External sales of the Branch Network Division fell slightly in 2009, declining
by 1.4%, or EUR 2.7m. Sales of financial services and pre-paid mobile telephony
products suffered from a similar downward trend.

The structural effect resulting from the reduced importance of the branch
network in terms of handling letter mail and parcels was demonstrated by the
decrease in internal sales of 10.2%, or EUR 21.1m. The sustainable decline in
letter mail and parcel volumes in the branch network is attributable to the
recession as well as the fact that letters are increasingly being collected
directly from large customers.

A change in customer requirements has necessitated a reorganisation of the
branch network. At the beginning of 2009, about 290 unprofitable post offices
were identified, which Austrian Post planned to convert to partner-operated
postal service points. In 2009 approximately 140 of these branches were
converted, whereas the planned replacement of 144 other post offices by postal
partner offices was halted by an official ruling issued by the Federal Ministry
of Transport, Innovation and Technology. The Postal Market Act contains new
regulations, which came into effect in January 2010, establishing the
prerequisites to offer more efficient postal services in cooperation with local
businesses.

EBIT of the Branch Network Division amounted to minus EUR 9.2m in 2009,
compared to a positive EUR 14.5m in the previous year. The originally planned
cost savings were only partly realised due to the delay mandated by public
authorities in converting small, unprofitable post offices.

Vienna, March 16, 2010

Further inquiry note:
Austrian Post
Head of Investor Relations
Mr. Harald Hagenauer
Tel.: +43 (0) 57767 - 30400

Head of Group Communications
Ms. Ina Sabitzer
Tel.: +43 (0) 57767 - 21763
[email protected]

Group Communication/Press Spokesman
Mr. Michael Homola
Tel.: +43 (0) 57767 - 32010
[email protected]
end of announcement euro adhoc
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issuer:   Österreichische Post AG
          Postgasse 8
          A-1010 Wien
phone:    +43 (0)57767-0
mail:     [email protected]
WWW:      www.post.at
sector:   Transport
ISIN:     AT0000APOST4
indexes:  ATX Prime, ATX

stockmarkets: stock market: Wien
language: English

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