Aspo's Capital Markets Day: Aspo updates its financial targets and keeps its guidance unchanged

ASPO Plc   STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE  November 27, 2013 at 8:45


As announced previously, Aspo will arrange a Capital Markets Day in Vantaa today, November 27, 2013, starting at 9 a.m. At the event, Aspo's management will introduce the company's strategy and the development stages of its different businesses. In addition, the subsidiary management will introduce the strategy and position of each business in different market areas. Presentation material in Finnish will be available today at 9 a.m. on the company's website at www.aspo.fi.

Summary:

Aspo will update its financial targets. The company is seeking an operating profit level which is closer to 10% than 5%, ROE which is over 20% on average and net gearing of up to 100%. Previous financial targets: The company is seeking an operating profit level which is closer to 10% than 5%, ROE and ROI which are over 20% on average, and will distribute an annual dividend which is, on average, at least half of the annual profit.

Aspo is keeping its dividend division policy unchanged. Aspo will distribute an annual dividend which is, on average, at least half of the annual profit.

The guidance for 2013 issued in the interim report for January to September will remain unchanged. Aspo aims to increase its operating profit and to achieve the previous year's level in net sales.

The strategy of Aspo Group remains unchanged. The key factors of the strategy are diversity, operating in the eastern growth markets and the ability to implement structural changes.

At the event, Aspo's management will introduce the benefits of being a conglomerate, the role of different businesses in Aspo Group, the structural changes implemented by the group in recent years, and the value to the owners the changes have created.

Aspo's businesses are at different stages of development. Leipurin and Telko have grown profitably and strengthened their positions, especially in the eastern growth markets. ESL Shipping has an established position as a transporter of dry bulk cargo. Kaukomarkkinat, which is in the initial stages of development, invests in business based on energy-efficient property technology.

In a separate stock exchange release today, Aspo has announced that it is reviewing the preconditions for listing Leipurin on the Helsinki stock exchange.


ASPO Plc

Aki Ojanen
CEO

Further information:
Aki Ojanen, Managing Director, Aspo Plc, phone +358 9 5211 or +358 400 106 592
aki.ojanen@aspo.com

DISTRIBUTION:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Key media
www.aspo.com

Aspo is a conglomerate that owns and develops business operations in the Northern Europe and growth markets focusing on demanding B-to-B customers. Our strong company brands - ESL Shipping, Leipurin, Telko and Kaukomarkkinat - aim to be the market leaders in their sectors. They are responsible for their own operations, customer relationships, and the development of these. Together they generate Aspo's goodwill. Aspo's Group structure and business operations are continually developed without any predefined schedules.