Balda AG reported consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended September 2013. Consolidated sales from continuing operations stood at EUR 17.5 million in the first three months, up from the prior-year figure of EUR 8.1 million. This considerable increase can be attributed primarily to the contribution to sales by the US companies that have been consolidated since the beginning of 2013. Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of the continuing operations in the first three months amounted to EUR 1.1 million, compared with EUR 0.5 million in the comparative period. After taxes, the Group posted a profit from continuing operations of EUR 7.3 million, which is dominated by the effects of net finance income (currency gains) compared to EUR 6.7 million in prior-year period. The consolidated earnings after taxes for the quarter were EUR 7.3 million, compared with EUR 6.8 million in the prior-year period. Consolidated LBIT at EUR 0.3 million.

The Management Board aims to achieve, based on the current portfolio, consolidated sales of EUR 70 million to EUR 80 million and a single-digit EBITDA margin (based on sales) in the 2013/2014 financial year. On this basis, consolidated earnings before and after taxes are also expected to be positive.