Darmstadt, 4 May 2021. Based on high demand expected to continue throughout the year and a very strong first quarter of 2021 with net sales of EUR 4.63 bn resulting in EBITDA pre¹ of EUR 1.51 bn and EPS pre¹ of EUR 2.18, Merck KGaA (the "Company") has raised its forecast for the entire group for fiscal 2021. The Company now projects net sales of approx. EUR 18.5 - 19.5 bn (previously "strong organic growth"). EBITDA pre¹ is anticipated to grow to approx. EUR 5.4 - 5.8 bn for the group (previously "organic: high single-digit to low teens growth"). EPS pre¹ is projected to amount to approx. EUR 7.50 - 8.20.

The Company will publish first-quarter 2021 figures as scheduled on 12 May 2021.

¹ EBITDA pre and EPS pre are alternative performance measures not defined by international accounting standards, used by the Company to improve the comparability of business performance over time and within the industry. EBITDA pre means earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization as well as adjustments (Ergebnis vor Zinsen, Ertragsteuern, Abschreibungen und Anpassungen). EPS pre means profit after tax including adjustments per theoretical shares outstanding (see Merck Annual Report 2020).



Contact:
Andreas Cezanne, Head of Corporate Media Relations