Ad hoc: Wincor Nixdorf - right on course in first half

Wincor Nixdorf AG (ISIN: DE000A0CAYB2) grew its net sales revenue to EUR 840.9 million during the first six months of fiscal 2004/2005, 14.7 % ahead of the first half last year (EUR 733.4 million), and 16.7 % ahead before taking account of exchange rate movements. Operating profit before amortization of product know-how (EBITA) increased 29.5 % to EUR 62.8 million (last year equivalent: EUR 48.5 million) and lifted the company’s return on sales 0.9 percentage points to 7.5 % (last year: 6.6 %) at the half-way mark. A major contribution to this was provided by various cost reduction programs. Net profit for the period rose to EUR 23.9 million, EUR 1.4 million ahead of this time last year (EUR 22.5 million) which in fact included a tax rebate.