DGAP-News: Hawesko Holding AG: Sales in 2018 rose by 3.4% to EUR 524 million -

- Revised EBIT target of EUR 28 million achieved,
consolidated net income rose by 19% to EUR 22 million

- Sharp rise in free cash flow to EUR 20.2 million (previous year: EUR 6.2 million)

- Dividend of EUR 1.30 per share proposed

- Comprehensive investment program in the Group's future adopted

Hamburg, 25 April 2019. The management board of Hawesko Holding AG (HAW, HAWG.DE, DE0006042708) announced it was satisfied overall with business performance in fiscal year 2018 at today's annual press conference. Despite a challenging market environment with a long, hot summer not conducive to wine consumption and customers' delay in autumn purchases, consolidated sales rose by 3.4% to EUR 524 million in 2018, due primarily to the acquisition of Wein & Co., the Austrian market leader in the premium wine segment. With regard to the result from operations, the Hawesko Group achieved its EBIT target, revised in October, of EUR 28 million (previous year: EUR 30 million). Consolidated net income excluding non-controlling interests amounted to EUR 22.0 million, thus surpassing the previous year's figure of EUR 18.5 million by 19%; this corresponds to EUR 2.45 per share (previous year: EUR2.06). Even after the acquisition of Wein & Co., the balance sheet shows a good equity ratio of 39%, while net indebtedness amounted to EUR 14.8 million (previous year: EUR 11.0 million). Free cash flow excluding acquisitions rose sharply from EUR 6.2 million in the previous year to EUR 20.2 million in the year under review. As in the previous year, the payment of a dividend of EUR 1.30 per share is planned.

During his presentation of the figures for 2018 in Hamburg, CEO Thorsten Hermelink remarked, "We succeeded in generating both organic and acquisitional growth once again in 2018, while the market overall stagnated for the fifth consecutive year. We've maintained our market position in Germany and taken an important strategic step towards internationalisation with the acquisition of Wein & Co."

The retail brand unit posted the strongest growth with an increase of 13% to EUR 172 million. The growth drivers here were the increase of 4% at Jacquesʼ and the addition of Wein & Co. in the fourth quarter. The B2B brand unit achieved sales of EUR 186 million, up 1% over the previous year. Sales at the e-commerce brand unit (prior to the application of IFRS 15) were roughly at the level of the previous year (just under EUR 171 million). Due to lower-than-expected sales, margin pressure and higher IT and logistics costs, the EBIT of the e-commerce brand unit, at EUR 7.6 million, fell short of the previous year's figure of EUR 10.2 million. Sales of the retail brand unit at EUR 15.0 million were likewise below the previous year's figure (EUR 16.4 million) due to higher expansion and integration costs. In contrast, the B2B brand unit increased its EBIT in 2018 by 17% to EUR 10.5 million.

The Hawesko Group remains on course for continued growth: For 2019, the management board anticipates an increase in sales, including Wein & Co., of approximately 7-9% compared to 2018. The EBIT margin is expected to be in the range between 5.0-5.7% in 2019.

Hermelink added, "We are adopting a program of comprehensive investment in the future of the Group for the coming years. We want to offer our customers an optimal shopping experience and are thus investing in e-commerce technologies, faster logistics and product innovations. Our strong cash flow will enable us to finance this sophisticated program with our own funds."

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Hawesko Holding AG is a leading purveyor of premium wines and champagnes. In fiscal year 2018, the Group employed 1,000 persons in the company's three sales channels: omnichannel (Jacques' Wein-Depot), B2B (Wein Wolf and CWD Champagner- und Wein-Distributionsgesellschaft) and digital (particularly HAWESKO and Vinos). The shares of Hawesko Holding AG are listed on the Hanseatic Stock Exchange in Hamburg as well as in the prime standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

The annual group accounts for 2018 are available for download in German at www.hawesko-holding.com/investoren and will be available in English translation shortly.

Publisher:

Hawesko Holding AG
Elbkaihaus
Grosse Elbstrasse 145d
22767 Hamburg

Internet: hawesko-holding.com (Company information)
hawesko.de (Online shop)
jacques.de (Jacques' Wein-Depot information and online shop)
vinos.de (Spanish wines sold through Vinos)
weinco.at (Online shop of Wein & Co.)
wirwinzer.de (German wines directly from the producers)

Press and Investor Relations contact:
Thomas Hutchinson
Phone: +49 (0)40 30 39 21 00
Fax +49 (0)40 30 39 21 05
E-mail: [email protected]