RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG / Half Year ResultsRelease of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStoryAG.The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
* Record levels for key ratios in the first half of 2009: 903,094 patients(+8.4%) / revenues of EUR 1.14 billion (+8.6%) / net consolidated profit ofEUR 65.8 million (+6.3%)* EBITDA EUR 140.5 million (+9.3%) / EBIT EUR 91.2 million (+5.8%)* Forecast for full-year 2009 reaffirmed* Capital increase announced to finance growth plans Bad Neustadt a.d. Saale, 20 July 2009 ----- RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG achievedrecord levels in all its key ratios in the first half of 2009.A total of 903,094 patients were treated in the Group's hospitals in thefirst six months of 2009. This translates into a rise of 8.4% compared withthe same period last year. Revenues climbed by 8.6% to reach EUR 1.14billion. Net consolidated profit also rose by 6.3% to reach EUR 65.8million in the first half of 2009. During the reporting period, EBITDAstood at EUR 140.5 million, exceeding the figure of the same period in 2008by 9.3%. During the same period, EBIT grew by 5.8% to EUR 91.2 million.'We have achieved a record result in difficult economic times. This successconfirms our strategy and our long-term-oriented business model',emphasised Wolfgang Pföhler, chairman of the Board of Management ofRHÖN-KLINIKUM AG.Operating cash flow grew by 11.9% and reached EUR 116.5 million in thefirst six months of the current financial year.After deducting minority interests in profit of EUR 3.8 million from netconsolidated profit of the first half, EPS rises from EUR 0.57 to EUR 0.60.The Group currently has 48 hospitals with 14,860 beds at a total of 37sites in 9 federal states. The Group had 34,226 employees (+5.7%) withinits hospital network as at the reporting date.Outlook'We are right on target and therefore reaffirm our forecast for financialyear 2009', said Wolfgang Pföhler upon publication of the half-yearfigures. For financial year 2009 the Group expects to generate revenues ofEUR 2.3 billion and a net consolidated profit of EUR 130 million within apossible fluctuation range of plus or minus EUR 5 million in view of therelated risks and opportunities.Capital increaseAgainst the background of the sustained recession and in anticipation of anew wave of hospital privatisations, the Board of Management and theSupervisory Board jointly resolved to effect a capital increase. 'It is anopportunity for shareholders to invest in our business model and, togetherwith us, to push ahead the Company's growth', explained Wolfgang Pföhler.'Our financing is very sound', reported Dr. Erik Hamann, CFO ofRHÖN-KLINIKUM AG. 'The capital increase is expected to be used to financethe Group's planned growth.'The Company yesterday published the terms of the capital increase accordingto which the Company's registered share capital will be increased fromcurrently EUR 259,200,000.00 by up to EUR 86,380,000.00 to up to EUR345,580,000.00 against cash contributions through issuance of up to34,552,000 non-par shares each having a notional nominal amount in theregistered share capital of EUR 2.50. The new shares, subject to approvalof the securities prospectus by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority(BaFin), are scheduled to be offered to the Company's shareholders forsubscription during the period from 22 July 2009 to 4 August 2009 (in eachcase inclusive) at a subscription price of EUR 13.30 per new share and in aratio of 3 existing shares to 1 new share. Trading in subscription rightsis expected to be permitted on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange during theperiod from 22 July 2009 to 31 July 2009 (in each case inclusive). Thecapital increase - accompanied by syndicate banks led by COMMERZBANKAktiengesellschaft and Morgan Stanley Bank AG - is intended to raise grossproceeds of up to 460 million euros. The management board will determinewith the Supervisory Board's consent the final issue volume after the endof the subscription period and after the private placement, presumably on 5August 2009.Wolfgang Pföhler explained: 'We are taking this step out of a position ofstrength and want to send a clear signal to public operators that we willbe available at an early stage as a discussion partner for a possibleprivatisation.' With its pursued growth course, RHÖN-KLINIKUM Group issteadfastly continuing its transition from classic hospital operator tointegrated healthcare provider. The objective is to build up a Germany-widehealthcare network covering all care levels and making it possible forpatients to reach one of the Group's facilities within a maximum 1.5 to twohours' drive. 'Our vision is to be able to make generalised, high-qualityhealthcare provision in Germany accessible and affordable for everyone',explained Wolfgang Pföhler in conclusion.Due to the planned capital increase, the Company has brought forward thepublication of its half-year figures, which had originally been planned for6 August 2009.These materials are not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in orinto the United States (including its territories and dependencies, anyState of the United States and the District of Columbia). These materialsdo not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchaseor to subscribe for securities. The shares in Rhön-Klinikum AG (the'Shares') mentioned herein may not be offered or sold in the United Statesabsent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S.Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'). The Shares havenot been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act and will notbe offered or sold in the United States, except on the basis of applicableexemptions from registration. There will be no public offering ofsecurities in the United States or anywhere outside of Germany. The publicoffer in Germany will be made exclusively by means of and on the basis of aGerman-language prospectus.The above information contains forward looking statements which are basedon assumptions in respect of the future development of the company. Thefuture results of the RHÖN-KLINIKUM Group could significantly deviate fromthe expectations contained in the forward looking statements.Contact:Dr. Erik HamannMember of the Board of Management for Financing, IR, Controlling Tel.: (09771) 65-1351 Fax: (09771) 991736E-mail: vfire@rhoen-klinikum-ag.com Dr. Irmgard StipplerMember of the Board of Management for Communication/IT Tel.: (09771) 65-1321 Fax: (09771) 65-1820 E-mail: kommunikation@rhoen-klinikum-ag.com20.07.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
 Language: EnglishIssuer: RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG Schlossplatz 1 97616 Bad Neustadt a.d.Saale DeutschlandPhone: +49 (0)9771 - 65-0Fax: +49 (0)9771 - 97 467E-mail: rka@rhoen-klinikum-ag.comInternet: www.rhoen-klinikum-ag.comISIN: DE0007042301WKN: 704230Indices: MDAXListed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), München; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service