• Forecast for growth in revenues to just over € 2.0 billion achieved
• Net consolidated profit of € 111m in line with own expectations
• Rise in patient treatments by 10.8 % to 1.55 millionRise in revenues and net profit even excluding one-off tax effects
• Group succeeds in meeting and coping with challenges from healthcare reform, VAT increase and wage developments amounting to € 39 million

The preliminary trend figures for financial year 2007 published today by RHÖN-KLINIKUM Group, Germany’s first listed hospital group with headquarters in the Rhön, once more underscore the soundness of the Group’s forecasts.

In a year without any major acquisitions, revenues grew from € 1.93 billion by 4.7 % to € 2.02 billion. EBITDA* rose 13.9 % to reach € 251.9 million (previous year: € 221.2 million). Operating cash flow stood at € 192.9 million, 16.9 % above the previous year’s level (previous year: € 165.0 million). EBIT** posted a 9.6 % gain to reach € 160.1 million (previous year: € 146.1 million). EBT grew 11.1 % to reach € 139.7 million (previous year: € 125.7 million).

2007 net consolidated profit – before minorities – rose 1.7 % to reach € 111.0 million (previous year: € 109.1 million), thus meeting the Management’s expectations. Excluding the one-off tax effects in 2006 (€ 19.1 million) and 2007 (€ 9.9 million), growth in net consolidated profit was € 11.1 million to € 101.1 million, or 12.3 %, on an adjusted basis. “We have thus offset the extraordinary burdens from changes in legislation and wage increases to the tune of € 39 million thanks to numerous rationalisation and restructuring measures”, stated Wolfgang Pföhler, chairman of the Board of Management of RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG.

The earnings-per-share figure was € 1.02 (previous year: € 1.01).
During the year ended 31 December 2007, the Group's hospitals treated a total of 1,544,451 patients (previous year: 1,394,035), of which 552,538 (previous year: 526,226) in the acute inpatient, 982,358 (previous year: 858,708) in the outpatient and 9,555 (previous year: 9,101) in the rehab and other areas.
As at 31 December 2007, the 46 consolidated hospitals owned by RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG had over 14,647 beds/places (previous year: 14,703).

Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg contributed revenues of € 411.9 million and a profit of € 1.1 million. “We have thus fulfilled our forecast that we would produce a “positive break-even” result by the end of 2007”, stated Gerald Meder, deputy chairman of the Board of Management of RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG and chairman of the Management Board of Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg GmbH.

“Despite the difficult framework conditions, the Group is targeting a further expansion in revenue, earnings and its market position also in the current year”, explained Pföhler in conclusion.

For the current financial year 2008 the Group’s management reaffirmed their forecast: “Not including further acquisitions and/or extraordinary effects, we expect revenues of € 2.08 billion and a net consolidated profit of € 123 million”.