Österreichische Post AG / Difficult -3-

(premiumpresse) - 19.05.2009 05:36EANS-Adhoc: Österreichische Post AG / Difficult market environment in 2009 due to economic recession: revenue decline of 2.4% and EBIT down 4.3% in the first quarter of 2009


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19.05.2009

Austrian Post - Difficult market environment in 2009 due to economic recession:
revenue decline of 2.4% and EBIT down 4.3% in the first quarter of 2009

- Difficult market environment in the recessionary year 2009;
Deteriorating economic climate negatively impacts letter mail and parcel
volumes
- Q1 2009 featured two fewer working days than Q1 2008
- Group revenue down 2.4%, or EUR 14.7m
- Mail (-4.6%): Decline in daily business mail and direct mail items
- Parcel Logistics (-0.1%): On balance stable development based on
core business in Austria and Germany and consolidation effects
- Branch Network (5.6%): Positive development in sales of retail
products and financial services
- Measures initiated to improve efficiency and reduce costs; positive effects
expected in upcoming quarters
- Earnings before interest and tax decrease 4.3%, to EUR 47.8m
- Balance sheet and cash flow
- Free cash flow before financial investments in securities at EUR 22.9m
- Cash and cash equivalents and financial investments in securities
rise by EUR 15.4m in the first quarter, to EUR 356.0m

Austrian Post at a glance
Against the backdrop of the international economic crisis, the year 2009
also poses a major challenge to Austrian Post. As the first quarter of 2009
demonstrated, the recession resulted in a serious downturn in the business
development of many companies. In turn, this negatively impacted the
business of Austrian Post, leading to reduced letter mail, direct mail and
parcel delivery volumes. Accordingly, total revenue of Austrian Post fell
by 2.4% or EUR 14.7m from the same period of the previous year, to EUR
595.2m. The two fewer working days compared to Q1 2008 also contributed to
the decline.
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were down 4.3%, to EUR 47.8m.
Revenue losses could not be fully compensated by cost reduction measures.
In particular, the 2009 salary increases of 3.7% pushed up staff costs, the
largest single operating expense item.

The first months of 2009 clearly showed that a more difficult economic
environment is to be expected for the year as a whole than originally
anticipated at the beginning of the year. Economic forecasts for the
markets in which Austrian Post operates were recently once again revised
downwards. Back in December 2008, the Austrian Institute of Economic
Studies (WIFO) and Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) predicted negative
growth rates in Austria of -0.5% and -0.1% respectively. In April 2009,
the EU Commission already forecast that the Austrian economy would contract
by -4.0% in 2009. Post will not be immune against the consequences of this
immense economic downswing. The company expects that the deteriorating
economic situation will continue to have a negative effect on letter mail,
parcel delivery and direct mail volumes.

For this reason, the main goal of Austrian Posts management team is to do
its best to counteract impending revenue decline by implementing
operational cost savings. This approach involves efficiency-enhancing
measures along with a sales offensive. Austrian Post is more intensively
promoting the increased use of direct mailings in the communications mix of
companies as well as new services such as mailroom services and document
printing.

Efficiency improvements and rationalisation measures are essential in order
to compensate for a decline in revenue by means of cost reductions. In an
initial step, the Management Board of Austrian Post has launched a
programme to cut the cost of materials and operating expenses (excluding
staff costs) in the Group by about EUR 30m over the next 12 months. In
addition, planned capital expenditure (CAPEX) will be cut back by 20% in
2009, to about EUR 80m.

Efficiency improvements are also planned for operational processes. Austrian
Post aims to have a cost structure in its letter mail delivery services which
is appropriate for a competitive environment. In the second half of 2009,
Austrian Post will start replacing 300 unprofitable company-owned branches with
partner-operated postal service points. It is enormously important to
implement efficiency-enhancing measures in a timely manner as long as we are
doing economically well, in order to achieve the targeted savings effects,
says Rudolf Jettmar, Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Austrian Post.

Business development - earnings in detail
The recession arising as a consequence of the international financial crisis
has clearly left its mark on the real economy, seriously dampening the economic
performance of companies. This development has led to an overall decline in
business mail volumes. The business development of Austrian Post in the first
quarter of 2009 was not only negatively affected by the recession, but also by
the two fewer working days compared to Q1 2008. Accordingly, total revenue fell
by 2.4% in the first quarter of the 2009 financial year, or EUR 14.7m, to EUR
595.2m.

First quarter revenue of the Mail Division decreased by 4.6%, led by declining
business in the Letter Mail and Infomail (addressed and unaddressed direct mail
items) business areas. The economic downturn and the resulting reduction in
daily business mail volumes and delays in advertising expenditures had a
perceptibly negative impact on revenue.

In the Parcel Logistics Division, revenue remained largely constant. A volume
decline in the premium parcel segment was opposed by consolidation effects and
a stable development in standard parcels. The redimensioning measures in parcel
logistics operations carried out in Austria succeeded in increasing efficiency
following the loss of two major mail order customers in the previous year.
Furthermore, the existing customer relationship with the competing parcel
provider Hermes calls for delivery of B2C parcels by Austrian Post as of June
1, 2009, and will contribute to a further productivity improvement.
The 5.6% growth in revenue generated by the Branch Network Division can be
attributed to the good development in sales of retail products (mobile
telephony, fixed line network) and financial services.

Revenue
EUR m Q1 Q1 Change Structure
2008 2009 % Q1 2009
Revenue 609.9 595.2 -2.4% 100.0%
EBITDA 75.4 72.2 -4.2% 12.1%
EBIT 49.9 47.8 -4.3% 8.0%
EBT 52.0 48.4 -6.8% 8.1%
Profit for the
period 41.9 33.7 -19.5% 5.7%
Earnings per share) 0.60 0.50 -16.6% -

In the light of the prevailing economic situation, the management of Austrian
Post is increasingly focusing its efforts on a sales offensive as well as
efficiency improvements and reducing all operating expenses. An attempt is
being made to counteract declining revenue by cost-cutting measures. The wage
agreements concluded at the end of 2008, which called for salary increases of
about 3.7% in Austria due to the high inflation rate in 2008, pushed up staff
costs. This rise will be continually counteracted by a hiring freeze as well as
exploiting employee fluctuation during 2009.
All operating divisions suffered from recession-related reductions in earnings.
The Mail Division generated an EBIT of EUR 63.1m (- EUR 11.0m from Q1 2008),
whereas EBIT at the Parcel Logistics was EUR 0.7m (- EUR 4.0m), and the
Branch Network Division posted an EBIT of EUR 0.2m (- EUR 2.4m). In contrast,
an earnings improvement was achieved in the Other/Consolidation segment, which
encompasses non-allocated costs for central departments, expenses in connection
with unused properties and for the employee social plan as well as the change
in the provision for employee under-utilisation, income from rents and leases
and gains on the disposal of property, plant and equipment. The EBIT loss of
the Other/Consolidation segment was reduced to minus EUR 16.2m, due to a lower
change in the provision for employee under-utilisation.

The financial result declined to EUR 0.7m in the first quarter of 2009, which
is related, amongst other reasons, to lower interest rates.

Earnings before tax fell by 6.8%, to EUR 18.4m. After deducting income taxes
totalling EUR 14.7m, Group net profit for the period (earnings after tax)
amounted to EUR 33.7m, corresponding to EUR 0.50 per share.

Solid Balance Sheet Structure
Austrian Post pursues a risk-adverse business approach. This is demonstrated by
the high equity ratio of 40.8%, the relatively low level of financial
liabilities and the high amount of cash and cash equivalents. The analysis of
the balance sheet of Austrian Post shows a considerable level of current and
non-current financial resources on the assets side. Austrian Post had cash and
cash equivalents of EUR 241.1m as at March 31, 2009, and financial investments
of securities amounting to EUR 104.7m. Accordingly, total liquid financial
resources at the disposal of Austrian Post rose from EUR 340.4m to EUR 356.0m
in the first quarter of 2009, as opposed to financial liabilities of only EUR
143.8m.

Cash Flow
Total operating cash flow before changes in working capital amounted to EUR
57.3m, which includes recession-related effects as well as the lower number of
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
May 19, 2009 01:36 ET (05:36 GMT)
EANS-Adhoc: Österreichische Post AG / Difficult -2-
working days in the first quarter of 2009. Revenue decreases could not be fully
compensated by cost reduction measures.

The cash flow from changes in working capital amounted to minus EUR 26.8m in Q1
2009, which relates to increased receivables from other postal companies
accompanied by a simultaneous reduction in liabilities. This seasonal effect
should be significantly reduced on an annual basis, similar to the situation in
the year 2008. On balance, the cash flow from operating activities totalled EUR
30.5m in the first three months of 2009.

The cash flow from investing activities at minus EUR 32.3m includes the
purchase of property, plant and equipment (CAPEX) amounting to EUR 14.9m, as
well as financial investments in securities, at EUR 24.7m. All in all, total
free cash flow reported in the first quarter of 2009 was minus EUR 1.8m,
whereas the free cash flow generated before financial investments in securities
was EUR 22.9m.

Employees
During the period under review, the average number of full-time employees at
Austrian Post fell by 2.5%, or 674 people, to 26,012. This decline can be
attributed to the lower number of employees working for the Mail Division.

Most of Austrian Posts labour force (21,655 full-time equivalent employees) is
employed by the parent company, Österreichische Post AG. The remaining 4,300
employees are employed at subsidiaries.

Outlook for 2009
The first months of 2009 have already demonstrated that a more difficult
economic environment is to be expected for the year as a whole than originally
forecast at the beginning of the year. Economic expectations for the markets in
which Austrian Post operates have been continually revised downwards. In
December 2008, the Austrian Institute of Economic Studies (WIFO) and Institute
for Advanced Studies (IHS) predicted negative growth rates in Austria of -0.5%
and -0.1% Austria respectively. In April 2009, the EU Commission already
forecast that the Austrian economy would contract by -4.0% in 2009. Austrian
Post will not be immune against the consequences of this immense economic
downswing. We expect that the deteriorating economic situation will continue to
have a negative effect on letter mail, parcel delivery and direct mail volumes.

We anticipate that the trends manifested in the first quarter will continue for
the time being. In the Mail Division, recessionary tendencies will continue to
have a negative impact on business mail and direct mail volumes. In the Parcel
Logistics Division, the focus on selected branches and the positive impetus
for growth provided by Internet-based businesses will contribute towards
reducing the consequences of the economic downturn compared to other logistics
segments. Positive effects are anticipated as a result of Austrian Posts
growing B2C parcel business in Austria during the second half of the 2009
financial year. The Branch Network Division is also expected to show a stable
development.
Based on the uncertain economic situation, Austrian Post is not in a position
to seriously provide a detailed revenue and earnings outlook for 2009 at this
time. As already predicted and demonstrated by first quarter developments,
revenue will be negatively impacted by the unfavourable economic situation and
the accompanying decline in letter mail and parcel delivery volumes. For this
reason, the main goal of Austrian Posts management team is to do its best to
counteract the impending revenue decline by implementing operational cost
savings and thereby keep earnings reductions at a minimum. This approach
involves implementing appropriate measures to carry out a sales offensive and
enhance efficiency. Austrian Post is more intensively promoting the increased
use of direct mailings in the communications mix of companies as well as new
services such as mailroom services or document printing.

Moreover, efficiency improvements and rationalisation measures are essential in
order to compensate for falling revenue by means of cost reductions. In an
initial step, the Management Board of Austrian Post has launched a programme to
cut the cost of materials and all operating expenses (excluding staff costs) in
the Group by about EUR 30m over the next 12 months. In addition, planned
capital expenditure (CAPEX) will be cut back by 20% in 2009, to about EUR 80m.

Efficiency improvements are also planned for operational processes. Austrian
Post aims to have a cost structure in its letter mail delivery services which
is appropriate for a competitive environment. In the Branch Network Division
Austrian Post will start replacing 300 unprofitable company-owned branches with
partner-operated postal service points in the second half of 2009, which will
also have a positive effect on earnings.

Performance of divisions
Mail Division
External sales of the Mail Division fell 4.6% from the comparable period of
2008, to EUR 353.0m. This decline primarily resulted from the economic slowdown
as well as the two fewer working days than in the first quarter of the previous
year.

Revenue generated by the Letter Mail Business Area was down by 3.9%, or EUR
7.9m. In addition to the substitution of traditional letters by electronic
media, the unfavorable economic situation of many customers resulted in lower
letter mail volumes. An analysis of business development on a sectoral basis
does not present a unified picture. Whereas mail volumes in the financial
services sector have remained relatively constant, the telecommunications and
industrial segments have been subject to negative growth. In addition, the
lower number of working days in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the
previous year also had a detrimental effect on business.

The revenue achieved by the Infomail Business Area (addressed and unaddressed
direct mail items) was also lower than in Q1 2008, decreasing by 6.5%, or EUR
8.6m. This downward trend can be attributed to the decline in printing orders
for advertising materials (meiller direct) as well as the overall volatile
volume development of advertising mail. For many customer groups, for example
in the retail business, direct mailings continue to represent an important
weekly instrument stimulating consumer sales. In contrast, several customer
segments, in particular mail order firms, are reducing or postponing
advertising campaigns as a result of the economic downturn. Positive effects on
mail volumes in Austria can be expected in the second and third quarters of
2009 as a result of upcoming elections.

Due to the prevailing market environment, the Media Post Business Area also
posted a decline in revenue, which fell 1.2% in the first quarter of 2009.

On balance, the Mail Division generated an EBITDA of EUR 71.2m, whereas EBIT in
Q1 2009 amounted to EUR 63.1m, a decrease of 14.9%, or EUR 11.0m, from the
comparable period of the previous year.

Parcel Logistics Division
In the first quarter of 2009, external sales of the Parcel Logistics Division
declined by 0.1%, to EUR 190.9m, which is mainly related to recessionary trends
in core markets. Moreover, downward pressure on prices has been perceptible in
all markets.

The main contribution to total revenue was made by the premium parcel service
(parcel delivery within 24 hours to private and business customers), which
accounted for EUR 160m. Against the backdrop of the international recession,
revenue fell in several countries. However, land transport suffered a more
moderate decline than many other logistics segments, such as in the freight or
express businesses. For the most part, this drop in parcel volumes was
compensated by an expansion in the consolidation scope.

From a regional perspective, the subsidiary trans-o-flex focusing on
pharmaceutical logistics, combined freight and temperature-controlled transport
in Germany accounted for the largest revenue share in this product segment, at
about 75%. This was followed by the Austrian market (9%), which featured
ongoing growth in B2B parcel volumes, South Eastern Europe and Eastern Europe
(8%), and the trans-o-flex companies in the Netherlands and Belgium (8%).

Total revenue generated by the standard parcels segment in Austria totalled EUR
31m. Business development remained stable in the first quarter of 2009,
following the revenue decline in the previous year resulting from the loss of
two large mail order customers.

EBIT of the Parcel Logistics Division in Q1 2009 was still positive, at EUR
0.7m, but was nevertheless considerably below the operating result achieved in
the preceding year. This development is related to the perceptible price
pressure, a recession-related delayed trend reversal in the Netherlands as well
as reduced internal sales. As of June 1, 2009, the situation of Austrian Post
will change due to a newly-concluded customer relationship with the parcel
provider Hermes. An annual volume growth of several million parcels is expected
as a consequence of the newly-signed contract.

Branch Network Division
During the first three months of 2009, external sales of the Branch Network
Division climbed by 5.6% compared to Q1 2008. Despite the current market
situation, Austrian Post raised sales of retail products, particularly in the
mobile telephony and fixed line segments.

The financial services segment also showed a gratifying development. The volume
of savings deposited at varying interest rates increased, as did investments in
securities.

The change of internal sales of the Branch Network Division, which fell minus
6.7%, is attributable to the decline in letter mail and parcel volumes in the
branch network, as well as the decrease in philately sales, which climbed in
the previous year as a result of UEFA EURO 2008 and a large international
postage stamp exhibition.

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
May 19, 2009 01:36 ET (05:36 GMT)
EANS-Adhoc:
Due to the lower internal sales, EBIT of the Branch Network Division fell to
EUR 0.2m, down from EUR 2.6m in the first quarter of the preceding year.

The planned conversion of 300 unprofitable company-operated branches to partner-
operated postal service points will be carried out in the second half of 2009,
and thus has not yet resulted in any efficiency-enhancing effects.


Vienna, May 19, 2009


end of announcement euro adhoc
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May 19, 2009 01:36 ET (05:36 GMT)