Rheinmetall overcomes automotive crisis and increases earnings in Defence – return to former strength in earnings power in 2010 

  • Defence 2009: EBIT improved by 11% to €215 million
  • Crisis mastered: Automotive operating results exceed expectations 
  • Operating free cash flow: raised to €186 million
  • Liquidity: net liquidity improves from €-205 million to €+44 million
  • Growth prospects: Group aims for a sales increase of over 8% in 2010
  • EBIT forecast for 2010: EBIT between €220 million and €250 million

Rheinmetall AG increased the performance of the Defence division further and reported positive EBIT of €15 million for fiscal 2009, despite high expenses in the Automotive business as a result of the crisis. Both company divisions achieved better operating results than originally forecast. The company intends to pay its shareholders a dividend of €0.30 per share.