After nine months:

• 1.35 million patients (+ 9.1%) put their trust in us
• Revenues grow by 8.6% to € 1.72 billion
• Net consolidated profit rises by 8.9% to € 97.1 million

Forecast for 2009 refined

• Revenues of € 2.3 billion,
• Net consolidated profit just above € 130 million.

Positive outlook for 2010:

• Revenues rise to € 2.5 billion
• Net consolidated profit of € 145 million (± 5%) expected

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG witnessed strong growth in its key figures during the first nine months of 2009. A total of 1.35 million patients were treated within the entire Group. This translates into a rise of 9.1% compared with the same period last year. Revenues climbed by 8.6% to reach € 1.72 billion. Net consolidated profit rose 8.9% to reach € 97.1 million.

“These figures are proof that our offering – good medical care for everyone – is being well received”, said Wolfgang Pföhler, chairman of the Board of Management of RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG, “our organic growth has never been higher.”

After nine months, EBITDA stood at € 209.6 million, exceeding the figure of the same period in 2008 by 8.9%. During the same period, EBIT grew by 6.2% to € 134.8 million. It was optically burdened by € 4.0 million from the recognition of tax loss carry-forwards without effect on income.

Operating cash flow grew by 11.2% and reached € 173.9 million in the first nine months of the current financial year.

After deducting minority interests in profit of € 4.8 million from net consolidated profit, EPSnow amounts to € 0.83. 

“We have once again achieved record levels in our key figures”, said Dr. Erik Hamann, CFO of the hospital Group. “We have succeeded in offsetting cost increases by expanding our medical offering.”

The Group currently has 48 hospitals with 14,874 beds at a total of 37 sites in 9 federal states. As at the reporting date, the hospital group counted 34,828 employees. That is an increase of 1,149 employees or 3.4% compared with the beginning of the year.

During the first nine months, RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG invested € 183.8 million from own funds, with further investments planned up to the end of the year. “That is our contribution to securing healthcare delivery”, Pföhler said.

Outlook for 2010

After successfully carrying out the capital increase, the Company is continuing its growth course. The hospital Group plans to drive growth with the acquisition of further hospitals, particularly in its core business of acute inpatient care. The healthcare provider headquartered in the Rhön assumes that in the coming year the German state will increasingly come to see co-operation with private hospital operators as a good offer for securing generalised healthcare provision.

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG sees itself well prepared for 2010. The Company expects higher revenues and rising consolidated earnings. Specifically, revenues of € 2.5 billion and net profit of € 145 million (± 5%) are expected. Given the developments in legislation next year that are not yet fully foreseeable at this time, net consolidated profit may fluctuate within a range of plus or minus 5 per cent. As always, this initial forecast does not make any allowance for further acquisitions. “This positive outlook underpins our internal strength and our conviction that we will continue our Group’s growth”, concluded Pföhler.