Softing AG / Key word(s): Preliminary Results 18.03.2014 14:35 Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Softing AG again records growth in 2013 - Earnings per share increases to EUR 0.69 (EUR 0.59) - Sales continue to grow to EUR 52.6 million (EUR 49.4. million) - Dividend to be proposed to the Annual General Meeting Softing announces 2013 consolidated sales of EUR 52,6 million (previous year: 49,4) and an EBIT of EUR 6,2 million (previous year: 4,9). Both segments - Industrial Automation and Automotive Electronics - again contributed approximately equal amounts to sales. Earnings, however, were dominated by considerable growth in Automotive Electronics. In the Industrial Automation segment, consolidated sales at just under EUR 26.5 million and EBIT at just under EUR 2.3 million remained almost stable. These figures are impacted by delays in development, which will push back high-margin new business to 2014. The Automotive Electronics segment boosted sales by EUR 3 million to around EUR 26 million and posted EBIT of around EUR 3.9 million in 2013. This growth was due to strong fundamental business and considerably expanded demand in vehicle diagnostics. Cash and cash equivalents increased from EUR 11.5 million to EUR 12.12 million year on year. This corresponds to net cash of EUR 1.88 per share (previous year: EUR 1.79) because Softing does not have any bank debts with the exception of minor credit lines at foreign subsidiaries. Earnings per share were EUR 0.69 (previous year: EUR 0.59). At its financials meeting, the Supervisory Board of Softing AG today approved the Executive Board's proposal regarding the appropriation of profits, which is to propose to the Annual General Meeting to be held on May 7, 2014, to distribute a dividend of EUR 0.35 per share for the 2013 financial year. According to the proposal, shareholders will have the option to receive the dividend either in cash or in the form of shares in Softing AG, which are to be issued for this purpose at a price approximating the market price prevailing at that time. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board intend to resolve a capital increase from existing authorized capital after the close of the Annual General Meeting. This resolution is to be specified further by resolutions of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board, which are to be taken during the further course of the planned process. The figures for the 2013 financial year are available for inspection at www.softing.com upon publication of the annual report on March 28, 2014. About Softing AG Softing is a global management holding company. The companies of the Softing Group produce and market hardware and software for in the industrial automation and automotive electronics segments. They develop high-quality standard technology products and customized solutions in close cooperation with their customers. Both of Softing's business segments operate in growth markets. Softing aims at achieving sustainable profitability with double-digit sales growth annually. 18.03.2014 DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Softing AG Richard-Reitzner-Allee 6 85540 Haar Germany Phone: +49 (0)89 456 56-333 Fax: +49 (0)89 456 56-399 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.softing.com ISIN: DE0005178008 WKN: 517800 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart End of Announcement DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------