• Number of patients and business development strongly influenced by the sales transaction
• Roughly 1.22 million patients treated
• Revenues amount to € 1.51 billion
• EBITDA stands at € 1.41 billion due to sales transaction
• Net consolidated profit amounts to € 1.23 billion
• Dividend proposal in the amount of €0.80 per share
• Outlook for 2015: Revenues between € 1.08 billion and € 1.12 billion, EBITDA between € 145 million and € 155 million

A total of roughly 1.22 million patients were treated in the RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG hospitals in the past year. Just like the number of patients the business development was also strongly influenced by the sale of a total of 43 hospitals which was completed in financial year 2014. The financial statement for the first two months of 2014 was drawn up with the full consolidation of the previous portfolio in its entirety. The portfolio underwent a gradual yet significant change with the operational transfer of the hospitals from March onwards; it now consists of ten facilities offering maximum medical care in five locations.

It is difficult to make a direct comparison of the financial figures with previous years, in particular with 2013, due to one-off effects which can generally be attributed to the transaction as well as the fact that the hospital portfolio was being restructured. Against this background the revenues of RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG amounted to € 1.51 billion for the past financial year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) stood at € 1.41 billion due to the proceeds from the sale of the hospitals while net consolidated profit was € 1.23 billion.

“The financial figures for 2014 are very satisfying taking into account the extraordinary situation which was not without its burdens due to the sales transaction. With the strategic re-orientation and our focus on services providing maximum medical care we created the preconditions for our company to position itself successfully and thrive in the attractive market segment of cutting-edge healthcare in a strongly regulated competitive environment,” Dr. Dr. Martin Siebert, CEO of RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG, said.

Dividend Proposal

The Board of Management and Supervisory Board shall propose to this year’s ordinary Annual General Meeting on 10 June the distribution of the net consolidated profit in the form of a dividend in the amount of € 0.80 per non-par share to the shareholders. In the course of distributing the sales proceeds the shareholders had the opportunity in Autumn 2014 through a share repurchase programme with subsequent capital reduction to offer their shares to the company. With an ultimate offer rate of approx. 98.4 % and together with last year’s dividend roughly € 1.67 billion has already been distributed to the shareholders with this instrument. We are currently planning to make use of the existing authorisation (Agenda Item 4 of the AGM on 12 June 2014) to carry out another share repurchase scheme after the Annual General Meeting through a public purchase offer with put options traded on the stock exchange and a volume of approx. 10 % of the current share capital. A final decision by the Board of Management and Supervisory Board on the actual procedure, exact time and financial aspects of the repurchase is still outstanding.

Employment in 2014

The number of employees also dropped with the sale of a total of 43 hospitals. As of 31 December 2014 a total of 15,602 employees was employed in the corporate facilities. The ten hospitals in five locations are each among the largest employers of their respective regions.

Outlook for 2015

For RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG 2015 is the first full financial year with the new portfolio structure. The company expects revenues of € 1.08 billion to € 1.12 billion and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of between € 145 million and € 155 million. As in 2013 and 2014 one-off effects will continue to influence the corporate results during this financial year as well, although to a lesser degree than in the past two years. The size of these positive and negative special influences is a low two-digit million figure; they will be priced in gradually over the entire financial year 2015 and will partially cancel each other out during the year. Regulatory changes, progress in major legal matters and financial effects from handling the transaction with Fresenius/Helios must also be taken into account here.

“Organic growth, acquisitions if an appropriate opportunity arises and if they fit our business model, and the determined expansion of network medicine will guarantee the company’s success in the future. Precisely because of its new structure and focus on innovation and excellence in treatment RHÖN KLINIKUM AG will continue to play an important role in the German healthcare economy,” Dr. Dr. Martin Siebert concluded.