Sonova posts new sales record and significant earnings growth for the financial year 2009/10

Sonova generated a new sales record of CHF 1,500 million, an increase of 20.1% in Swiss francs. The Group was able to consolidate its leading position due to an organic growth rate of 18.4% in local currencies and 5.4% growth through acquisitions. Profitability rose significantly, as indicated by an EBITA margin of 28.0%, while income after taxes totaling CHF 355 million was a clear 24.9% above the previous-year level.

• The Sonova Group posted a new sales record of CHF 1,500 million for financial year 2009/10, representing an increase of 20.1% in Swiss francs, despite a negative currency effect of 3.7%
• Organic sales growth of 18.4% in local currencies significantly exceeded the market growth of the hearing instrument industry
• The integration of the newly acquired companies Advanced Bionics and InSound Medical proceeds according to plan; 5.4% sales growth in total through acquisitions
• The EBITA margin increased to 28.0% from 26.6%
• The Group posted cash-based basic earnings per share of CHF 5.602; 26.4% higher than in the previous year
• 77% of total sales were generated with products launched within the last two years; new products such as Exélia Art, Audéo MINI & SMART by Phonak and Fuse by Unitron set new benchmarks in hearing instrument technology
• Higher dividend of CHF 1.20 per share proposed to the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting
• Based on current market conditions, the Sonova Group expects organic sales growth of 8–10% in local currencies and, taking into account investments in new market segments and expenditures for the integration of the acquired companies, an EBITA margin of 26–27%