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METRO Group proposes to raise dividend by around 10 percent

23.05.2007

METRO Group proposes to raise dividend by around 10 percent

For fiscal year 2006 the Management Board and Supervisory Board have proposed a dividend increase from € 1.02 to € 1.12 per share of common stock to the Annual General Meeting. This is based on the positive course of business as well as the successful placement of the remaining stake in Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermärkte Holding AG.

In fiscal year 2006 METRO Group stepped up sales by 7.5 percent to around € 60 billion. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose even stronger, namely by 14.1 percent to nearly € 2 billion. Earnings per share increased from € 1.63 to € 3.23, net of special effects by 7 percent. At the end of the fiscal year under review, the store network covered 30 countries with more than 260,000 employees working at round about 2,400 locations. Growth was again particularly strong in the markets of the future in Eastern Europe and Asia. In this context, the share of international business in consolidated sales reached a new record high of around 56 percent.

"METRO Group continued this positive business trend also during the current year: In the First Quarter we have been able to lay a solid foundation for a successful fiscal year 2007 despite the VAT hike in Germany. The results of the first three months underscore our forecast for this year," said Dr. Körber. "This notwithstanding, the VAT increase has not been pleasant for consumers. For our company and in view of the fact that business already picked up speed again in March I can only say: It could have been worse!"

METRO Group continues to expect a rise in sales of 8 to 9 percent including the acquisitions made in 2006. Regarding EBIT, the company targets a 6 to 8 percent increase. Around € 2.5 billion are earmarked for investments, in particular for the continued international expansion of the growth drivers Metro Cash & Carry as well as Media Markt and Saturn.

The growth drivers of the METRO Group – Metro Cash & Carry as well as Media Markt and Saturn – are set to open more than 100 new stores in 2007. Metro Cash & Carry will expand into Pakistan. Media Markt plans its market entry into Turkey this year. Real will complete the integration of the Wal-Mart locations taken over in Germany and continue its expansion in Eastern Europe.

Press Materials

METRO Group is one of the most important international retailing companies. In 2006 the group reached sales of about € 60 billion. The company has a headcount of some 270,000 employees and operates about 2,400 outlets in 30 countries. The operating business is performed by the sales brands which operate independently in the market: Metro/Makro Cash & Carry – world market leader in cash & carry wholesale, Real hypermarkets and Extra supermarkets, Media Markt and Saturn – market leader in consumer electronics centers in Europe, and Galeria Kaufhof department stores.

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