DGAP-News: Bechtle AG / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim Statement/Quarter Results Bechtle Reports Impressive Start into the Year 09.05.2018 / 07:30 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bechtle Reports Impressive Start into the Year - Q1 revenue 19.0 per cent above prior year - EBT up 12.5 per cent - Significantly improved operating cash flow Neckarsulm, 9 May 2018 - Bechtle AG has made a highly dynamic start into the fiscal year 2018. In the first quarter, the revenue climbed by a remarkable 19.0 per cent to EUR955.4 million. The domestic business and the business abroad accounted for almost equal shares of the revenue growth. Earnings before taxes (EBT) went up 12.5 per cent to EUR35.4 million. The EBT margin thus amounted to 3.7 per cent. In recent months, Bechtle again succeeded in staffing numerous vacancies with qualified people. As of 31 March, the company had 8,627 employees, some 919 more than in the prior year. "We are very pleased with our performance in the first quarter. Our customers continue to invest heavily in their IT. Year on year, both the revenue and the earnings of Bechtle increased very significantly, following up seamlessly on the successful fiscal year 2017," comments Dr. Thomas Olemotz, Chairman of the Executive Board of Bechtle AG. Demand for Services Remains High In the IT system house & managed services segment, the revenue grew 16.8 per cent to EUR658.2 million. At 18.3 per cent, the domestic growth was particularly strong. The demand for trend-setting IT solutions - e.g. in the field of hybrid cloud concepts, modern workplace and data centre architectures, networking and security - continued at a high level. In the system house segment, Bechtle was able to systematically expand its headcount by about 800 compared to the prior year. Despite the higher costs that this involved and the increased depreciation and amortisation, EBIT went up 5.6 per cent to EUR24.1 million. The EBIT margin declined from 4.0 per cent to 3.7 per cent. Growth Driver: E-Commerce The IT e-commerce segment recorded growth of 23.9 per cent to almost EUR300 million. The revenue in Germany increased 22.7 per cent, and the companies abroad even achieved revenue growth of 24.4 per cent. While almost all national subsidiaries contributed to this growth, the demand was especially high in Benelux. In the first quarter of 2018, EBIT surged 29.0 per cent to EUR11.6 million. At 3.9 per cent, the EBIT margin slightly outperformed the prior year. Numerous Vacancies Staffed As of 31 March 2018, Bechtle had a total of 8,627 employees. Year on year, this means an increase of 919 persons or 11.9 per cent. "Bechtle is perceived as an attractive employer in the IT market. In view of the increasingly noticeable shortage of qualified staff, it is imperative that we continue to invest in the people at Bechtle," explains Dr. Thomas Olemotz. Positive Outlook for the Year The Executive Board confirms its expectation that in 2018 as a whole, the revenue and earnings will grow significantly. "Bechtle has made an impressive start into the year. The figures of the first quarter represent a good basis for a successful fiscal year 2018," says Dr. Thomas Olemotz. Bechtle KPIs for the First Quarter of 2018 Q1 2018 Q1 2017 +/- Revenue EURk 955,389 803,129 +19.0% Domestic EURk 653,733 550,163 +18.8% Abroad EURk 301,656 252,966 +19.2% IT system house EURk 658,182 563,326 +16.8% IT e-commerce EURk 297,207 239,803 +23.9% EBIT EURk 35,718 31,823 +12.2% IT system house EURk 24,072 22,792 +5.6% IT e-commerce EURk 11,646 9,031 +29.0% EBIT margin % 3.7 4.0 EBT EURk 35,400 31,475 +12.5% EBT margin % 3.7 3.9 Earnings after taxes EURk 24,849 22,098 +12.4% Earnings per share EUR 0.59 0.531 +12.4% Cash flow from operating activities 13,939 -16,954 Employees 8,627 7,708 +11.9% 31.03.2018 31.12.2017 +/- Liquidity2 EURk 115,653 174,827 -33.8% Equity ratio % 57.6 53.9 Employees 8,627 8,353 +3.3% 1 adapted to share split 2 including time deposits and securities *** The interim statement for the first quarter of 2018 is available for download at www.bechtle.com/reports. About Bechtle Bechtle AG has about 70 IT system houses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. With its e-commerce companies in 14 countries, Bechtle is one of Europe's leading IT enterprises. Founded in 1983, the group is headquartered in Neckarsulm, Germany, and currently has about 8,600 employees. Bechtle offers its more than 70,000 customers from the fields of industry and trade, the public sector and the financial market a comprehensive, cross-vendor portfolio of IT infrastructure and IT operation solutions. Bechtle is listed in the technology index TecDAX. In 2017, the company's revenue amounted to approximately EUR3.6 billion. For more information, see bechtle.com. Contact Investor Relations Corporate Communications/Press Martin Link Sabine Brand [email protected] [email protected] Phone: +49 7132 981-4149 Phone: +49 7132 981-4115 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 09.05.2018 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Bechtle AG Bechtle Platz 1 74172 Neckarsulm Germany Phone: +49 7132 981-0 Fax: +49 7132 981-8000 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: bechtle.com ISIN: DE0005158703 WKN: 515870 Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange End of News DGAP News Service --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 683503 09.05.2018