Active worldwide in the lubricants field, FUCHS PETROLUB AG in Mannheim was able to increase worldwide sales and thus continue internal growth by 3.2% in the first half of 2003 - despite the weak overall economy and resultant weak state of the market. External growth added another 1.0 % so that, adjusted for currency differences, there was a growth in sales of 4.2%. Translation effects, however, resulted in 3.7% lower sales figures of € 522.5 million (542.3). Half-year profit after goodwill amortization and taxes amounted to € 13.2 million (12.0). This is an increase of 10% on last year. Before goodwill amortization, half-year profit after tax was € 19.3 million (17.4) or € 2.6 (2.4) per share after the share split (1:3) implemented on 28 July 2003. Entire group sales for the year 2003 will amount to over € 1.0 billion. Earnings will continue to be healthy - a forecast that means the group will be measured against the peak result from 2002 of € 24.1 million.
Mannheim, den 15.08.2003
FUCHS PETROLUB AG
Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Friesenheimer Str. 17
68169 Mannheim
Tel.: (06 21) 38 02 - 104
This press release is also available over the Internet at www.fuchs-oil.de.