SGS / SGS 2009 FULL YEAR RESULTS processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 


The SGS Group delivered a 6.3% increase in operating profit for the year largely
as a result of the improvement of full year operating margin by 50 basis points
to 17.3% (constant currency basis). In a challenging growth environment for many
of the Group's services and geographies, the Group was able to post revenue
growth of 2.5% (constant currency basis) to CHF 4.7 billion. Through the
introduction of new service offerings and proactive cost control measures, the
Group's preexceptional EBITDA at CHF 1 billion, increased 6.8% (constant
currency basis) at a margin of 22%. Reported net profit before exceptional items
remained constant at CHF 579 million (up 5.6% at constant currencies). As a
result of the Group's ability to increase profits and cash generation during the
year, the SGS Board of Directors proposes a dividend of CHF 60 per share, CHF
30 of which reflects the exceptional cash generation performance of the Group.





[HUG#1373748]



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SGS
1 place des Alpes
P.O. Box 2152 Geneva 1 Switzerland

WKN: 870264;ISIN: CH0002497458;

    SGS 2009 FULL YEAR RESULTS: http://hugin.info/100354/R/1373748/336664.pdf