Hamburg, 18 June 2007. The wine trading group Hawesko Holding AG (HAW GR, HAWG.DE, DE0006042708) is satisfied with the economic development in fiscal year 2007 up to now, particularly with the sentiment of the market. At the company's annual general meeting of shareholders in Hamburg today, CEO Alexander Margaritoff reported that by the end of May (1 January - 31 May 2007) Hawesko's sales had exceeded the sales figures for the same period in the previous year by nearly 10 %. As already reported, sales in the first quarter (1 January -31 March 2007) increased by 6 %. For the full 2007 fiscal year the management board expects, in line with its original budget, an increase in sales and EBIT at the level of the previous year. This forecast includes the costs from continuing the test of multiwein specialty stores as well as from the intensified acquisition of new customers. The management board expects an increase in EBIT for 2008. In fiscal year 2006, the Hawesko Group posted sales of Euro 303 million, EBIT of Euro 18.6 million and earnings per share of Euro 1.23.

 

The annual shareholders' meeting of the company approved the proposed ordinary dividend of Euro 0.85 per share (previous year: Euro 0.70 plus a bonus payment of Euro 0.30). The other proposals of the management and supervisory boards were also approved by the shareholders' meeting; these included primarily a renewed authorization to purchase treasury shares.

 

Hawesko Holding AG is a leading supplier of premium wines and champagnes.  Its sales channels include specialist wine retail (Jacques' Wein-Depot), wholesale (Wein Wolf und CWD Champagner & Wein Distributionsgesellschaft) and mail order (particularly Hanseatisches Wein- und Sekt-Kontor). The Group employed an average of 551 staff members during the past fiscal year. The shares of Hawesko Holding AG are listed on the Hanseatic Stock Exchange in Hamburg as well as in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

# # #

 

Published by:
Hawesko Holding AG,
Postfach 20 15 52,
20205 Hamburg

 

Internet:
http://www.hawesko.com    
(Company information)
http://www.hawesko.com    
(Online shop)
http://www.jacques.de         
(Information Jacques' Wein-Depot)

 

Press/Media:     
Vera Maria Bau, VMB Consulting   
Phone:  +49 (0)228 4496 240    
Fax:    +49 (0)228 4496 298    
E-mail: vmb-pr@t-online.de    

 

Investor Relations:
Thomas Hutchinson, Hawesko Holding AG
Phone: +49 (0)40 30 39 21 00
Fax:   +49 (0)40 30 39 21 05
E-mail: ir@hawesko.com