Half-Year Results 2007/08

A dynamic start to the new financial year

 

With all its brands continuing to enjoy vigorous growth, and a further improvement inprofitability, Sonova has continued to build its leading position in the market for innovativehearing solutions. The results achieved in the first half of 2007/08 put the company in agood position to clearly beat overall hearing instrument market growth in the full financialyear 2007/08.

• Sales increase by 18.3% to CHF 596.3 million (thereof 15.4% organic) and market share gains in all major markets

• EBITA margin (excluding one-off costs for the prohibited ReSound acquisition) rises to 26.9% (prior year 25.1%)

• Income after taxes (excluding one-off costs) grows by 35.6% to CHF 138.5 million. Reported income after taxes reaches CHF 107.4 million

• 69% of total sales are generated with products introduced less than 2 years ago

• In the first half of 2007/08 several new, highly competitive hearing systems have been launched: Audéo, the personal communication assistant, Una in the entry-level segment and Moxi from Unitron Hearing

• In October 2007, the Sonova hearing system brands launched four innovative products: The hearing systems Exélia, Naída, Yuu and inspiro set new benchmarks in the hearing instrument industry

• Outlook for the financial year 2007/08: We expect to further expand our market share and anticipate organic sales growth of over 10%, as well as a continuing improvement of the EBITA margin