• Operating earnings before extraordinary effects distinctly improved
• Anticipated pickup of international business failed to materialise
• Significant margin improvement in Germany / liquidity raised

Kirkel – 27 October 2010. In the third quarter 2010, Praktiker Group succeeded in distinctly improving its operating earnings before extraordinary effects by 5.7 million euro to 40.0 million euro over the year-earlier value. Although Q3 sales dropped by 5.9 percent to 911.1 million euro this drop in sales could be more than compensated by an improvement of the gross profit margin and continued cost discipline. However, the transformation programme “Praktiker 2013” launched at the beginning of the year led to extraordinary effects in the amount of 8.0 million euro and thus also to a situation where the reported third quarter EBITA came in 6.8 percent lower than during the same period last year.

The Interim Report Q3/2010 is available here.

more

• Markus Schürholz appointed as new Chief Financial Officer; Management Board reduced to four members

Kirkel – 15 September 2010. At its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermärkte Holding AG agreed on a comprehensive reorganization of the Board of Management, setting the course for a successful implementation of the value creation program “Praktiker 2013” announced in March.

more

Kirkel – 22 July 2010. Continued poor weather and a noticeable but only slowly progressing improvement of the international market environment characterised the course of business of the Praktiker Group during the first half of 2010.

The Interim Report H1/2010 is available here.

The statement of CEO Wolfgang Werner regarding the interim report H1/2010 is available here.

more

Saarbrücken, May 21, 2010 – The shareholders of Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermärkte Holding AG will receive a dividend in the amount of 0.10 euro per share for financial year 2009. The corresponding proposal presented by the Management Board and the Supervisory Board was approved today with a large majority by the Fifth Ordinary Annual General Meeting of the company that went public in 2005. The dividends to be distributed total 5.8 million euro. Another six million euro from the net profit for the year will be appropriated to reserves.

The statement of CEO Wolfgang Werner regarding the General Annual Meeting 2010 is available here.

more

• Group sales receded in the first quarter but improved in March
• Earnings negative due to seasonal effects and slightly lower than last year
• Moderate increase in sales and significant increase in earnings continue to be expected for 2010

Kirkel – April 29, 2010. An extremely long winter and the economic weakness persisting in large parts of Eastern and South Eastern Europe have affected business of Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermärkte Holding AG also in the first quarter 2010. Group sales declined 6.0 percent to 747.9 million euro year on year. However, only the months of January and February were marked by receding sales. In March, sales could be increased in all segments. Despite improvements in the gross margin and on the cost side the usual seasonal operating losses increased slightly from 49.2 to 52.1 million euro year on year.

The Interim Report 1/2010 is available here.

more

• EBITA at 62.8 million euro within expectations
• Liquid funds increased to 263 million euro
• Dividend of 0.10 euro per share proposed
• Higher sales and distinctly better earnings expected in 2010
• Programme “Praktiker 2013” launched

Frankfurt, 26 March 2010 – The Praktiker Group closed the crisis year 2009 – sales dropped by 6.2 percent to 3.663 billion euro – with operating earnings (EBITA) in the amount of 62.8 million euro. Although EBITA have halved over the prior-year record earnings, they are still within management expectations. At the same time, liquid funds increased to 263 million euro as at 31 December 2009. “Securing earnings and liquidity were our top priorities in the financial year under review” stressed the CEO of Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermärkte Holding AG, Wolfgang Werner, at the press conference in Frankfurt/Main. “We reached these two overriding targets and thereby maintained a sound financial position for the Group”. For the year 2010 Werner anticipates a positive development – moderate in terms of sales and distinct in terms of operating earnings.

The speech and presentation of the annual press conference are available here.

more

• further develop the price, promotion and marketing strategy with regard to increased customer orientation,
• make shopping even more convenient for the customer,
• raise the availability of core products and services, improve the processes in logistics, in the store and in administration,
• examine new distribution channels such as for example an online shop,
• revise the assortments and increase the share of own-brand products with high quality,
• further centralise procurement,
• improve the efficiency of the corporate organisation and management
• and reduce the heterogeneity of the store portfolio.

Frankfurt – 26 March 2010. In the framework of a strategic reorientation the Praktiker Group plans to substantially boost sales, gross margins and earnings by the year 2013. To this effect the Management Board in autumn 2009 launched a comprehensive programme under the working title “Praktiker 2013” which was in a first phase introduced at Praktiker Germany and is currently being extended to Max Bahr and the international operations. “We are using this opportunity to completely restructure the company from top to bottom”, stressed the CEO of Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermärkte Holding AG, Wolfgang Werner, at his company’s press conference in Frankfurt/Main.

more

• Sales in Germany virtually at prior-year level
• Recession and weak currencies curb sales in Eastern Europe
• Good financial starting position for 2010

Kirkel – 7 January 2010. According to preliminary data, Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermärkte Holding AG achieved net Group sales of around 3.7 billion euros in the 2009 financial year. The decline in year-on-year comparison, of 6.2 percent (currency-adjusted: 3.3 percent) was within the range anticipated by Management.

more