AURELIUS Equity Opportunities publishes Annual Report 2022 – Resilience in a volatile environment

• Total consolidated revenues come to EUR 3,108.2 million
• Group EBITDA comes to EUR 284.1 million, operating EBITDA EUR 224.6 million
• Free cash flow: EUR -38.7 million
• NAV: EUR 895.8 million
• Dividend proposal for EUR 0.50, additional share buyback planned at EUR 1.00 per share

Grünwald, March 27, 2023 – AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (AURELIUS; ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) publishes its Annual Report for the 2022 financial year. AURELIUS generated total consolidated revenues of EUR 3,108.2 million (2021: EUR 3,261.2 million). Annualized consolidated revenues from continued operations came to EUR 3,023.8 million (2021: EUR 2,541.4 million).

Operating EBITDA amounted to EUR 224.6 million in financial year 2022 (2021: EUR 249.7 million). The EBITDA of the combined Group amounted to EUR 284.1 million in financial year 2022 (2021: EUR 358.3 million). The difference from the previous year is mainly attributable to the lower gains on bargain purchases, which came to only EUR 1.2 million in financial year 2022 (2021: EUR 36.4 million). Gains on company exits declined from EUR 163.7 million in 2021 to EUR 100.9 million in the past financial year. The restructuring and non-recurring expenses incurred for reorganizing the portfolio companies amounted to EUR 69.6 million in financial year 2022 (2021: EUR 91.5 million). The net revaluation effect of the co-investments accounted for at equity amounted to EUR 27.0 million (2021: EUR 0 million).

At December 31, 2002, cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 331.5 million (December 31, 2021: EUR 444.0 million). This figure was largely influenced by cash outflows for investing activities, the dividend payment (EUR 41.5 million), and share buybacks (EUR 42.7 million).

In the current capital market environment, the company’s dividend strategy is largely based on value strategies originating in the United States, which prioritize share buybacks over dividends. The Management will propose to the annual general meeting that the company pays a dividend of EUR 0.50 per share for the 2022 financial year. After expiration of the current share buyback program, moreover, the company intends to launch another program for an amount of EUR 26 million (equal to approx. EUR 1.00 per share).

The Group’s net asset value (NAV) came to EUR 895.8 million at the end of financial year 2022 (December 31, 2021: EUR 1,014.7 million). This corresponds to a NAV of EUR 33.57 per share. The decrease from the previous year is mainly attributable to the incessantly tense geopolitical and global economic environment, which is manifesting in the form of sharply higher energy costs, supply chain challenges, and uncertainty on the part of market participants.

The AURELIUS portfolio companies have proved to be largely resilient and sturdy in a persistently volatile market environment. The operational closeness and support given by AURELIUS to its portfolio companies is paying off.

Key figures

1) The prior-year consolidated statement of comprehensive income and consolidated statement of cash flows have been adjusted for comparison purposes in accordance with IFRS 5.
2) From continued operations.
3) Including non-controlling interests.

ABOUT AURELIUS

AURELIUS is a pan-European alternative investment firm. Deep operational expertise and experience enable AURELIUS to accelerate value creation within its portfolio companies. The Group has offices in London, Luxembourg, Munich, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Madrid, Milan and Dusseldorf.

Our key investment platforms are AURELIUS European Opportunities IV fund and the listed AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8, Ticker Symbol: AR4), which specialise in corporate carve-out transactions and acquiring companies with development potential in the mid-market. The investment strategy’s core element is growth of its portfolio companies, supported by a team of almost 100 operating taskforce experts.

AURELIUS Group additionally operates in the areas of growth capital, real estate and alternative lending solutions. AURELIUS Growth Investments is focused on transactions involving buy-and-builds, buyouts and succession solutions across the small cap sector. AURELIUS Real Estate Opportunities focuses on real estate investments, the value of which can be increased in the long-term by means of active management. AURELIUS Finance Company provides flexible lending solutions to firms across Europe.

With its group charity AURELIUS Refugee Initiative e.V., AURELIUS provides comprehensive support to refugees on their way towards a better life.

To find out more, visit www.aurelius-group.com

CONTACT

AURELIUS Group
Investor Relations
Phone: +49 (89) 544799 – 0    +44 (0) 20 7440 0480
E-mail: [email protected]