• Number of treated patients rises by 4 percent to approx. 2.65 million
• Financial figures for 2013 significantly affected by special influences
• Revenues rise by approx. 5 percent to EURO 3.01 billion
• EBITDA falls by just under 6 percent to EURO 275 million
• Net consolidated profit falls by just under 3 percent to EURO 90 million
• Outlook for 2015 confirmed with an EBITDA margin of about 14 percent

The transaction sale of a total of 40 hospitals to Fresenius / Helios which was commenced during the last financial year and is now largely completed did not affect the number of patients treated by RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG. Overall over 2.65 million people were treated in the 54 hospitals which still belonged to the corporate group in 2013; that is roughly 4 percent more than during the previous year. Consequently the company's revenue also grew by approx. 5 percent to approx. EURO 3.01 billion and thus crossed the 3 billion mark for the first time.

However, particularly at the end of the year the transaction required considerable management resources both at the group headquarters and also in the individual hospitals. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) thus fell by approx. 6 percent to EURO 275 million despite the increased revenues. Numerous special influences, such as costs for the necessary staff modifications in the group administration, considerable consultation expenses in connection with the sale transaction and other structural one-time effects – totalling between EURO 30 million and EURO 40 million at EBITDA level – came to bear here. Against this background the net consolidated profit also decreased slightly by just under 3 percent to EURO 90 million.

"The achieved earnings are generally satisfactory in consideration of the challenging framework conditions of handling the sale transaction," Dr. Dr. Martin Siebert, CEO of RHÖN KLINIKUM AG, explained. In 2013 outstanding work for the overall benefit of patients was again carried out due to the dedication of employees despite the uncertainty and extra load associated with the transaction. "We are now reaping the reward of our work following the successful sale. We let the shareholders have an appropriate share in the sales proceeds and also have a more than solid financial basis for the challenges of the future. With the new corporate structure we will place an emphasis on increasing efficiency and profitability without cutting back on the quality of treatment," Jens-Peter Neumann, CFO of RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG, said.

Outlook

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG will refrain from giving a target for revenues and earnings for the current financial year 2014. The prime reasons for this are the unfinished structural changes in the company and the special effects which are caused by the sale and included in the balance sheet and which still have to be dealt with.

The company expects revenues of EURO 1.06 billion to EURO 1.12 billion and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of between EURO 145 million and EURO 155 million for 2015, the first full financial year with the new corporate structure. Our outlook is subject to any regulatory changes which may affect reimbursement rates in the coming year.

"A new era has now begun for RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG. With ten hospitals in five locations and approx. 15,000 employees we shall now concentrate on expanding our expertise in medical science and remain one of the largest hospital operators in Germany. With this focussed direction and streamlined portfolio we can now concentrate all our strength again on offering our patients first-class yet affordable medical services. This will also have a positive effect on the level of earnings in the foreseeable future," Dr. Dr. Martin Siebert concluded.