DGAP-Adhoc: RATIONAL AG: Fall in sales held at moderate

RATIONAL AG / Quarter Results

06.05.2009 

Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Report pursuant to § 15 WpHG 

- Ad-hoc report -

RATIONAL AG

RATIONAL AG: Fall in sales held at moderate level despite the global
economic crisis

  - 8 percent fall in sales

  - 21 percent EBIT margin

Landsberg, May 6, 2009. Sales of 73.3 million euros (previous year 79.5
million euros) in the first quarter represented a modest fall of 8 percent
compared to the previous year's quarter. The main reason for this is that
many customers feel uncertain about future economic trends, and in
consequence have delayed decisions to purchase. The situation in Asia is
very gratifying. Last year's successful growth path continued in the first
quarter of 2009 with a rise of 8 percent.

21 percent EBIT margin 

In response to the expected fall in sales, RATIONAL has initiated extensive
measures to cut costs. The effect of these measures will become
increasingly apparent over the coming months. However, these cost savings,
efficiency increases and the positive effects of lower raw material prices
could not completely offset the absolute fall in gross yield, with the
result that EBIT fell by 3.5 million euros or around 19 percent to 15.2
million euros. Nonetheless, at 21 percent the EBIT margin is again very
healthy.

57.5 million Cash available

A positive operating cash flow of 2.5 million euros (previous year 10.9
million euros) was achieved in the first quarter. This decrease was due to
to the lower profits and in particular to the sharp fall in trade accounts
payable as a result of early payment discounts being actively exploited.
Cash funds, including fixed-term deposits, stood at 57.5 million euros at
the end of March, compared to 57.1 million euros as at December 31, 2008.

71 percent equity ratio

With an equity ratio of 71 percent (previous year 71 percent) and an
equity-to-fixed-assets ratio of 233 percent (previous year 310 percent),
RATIONAL has an extremely sound asset structure. This guarantees plenty of
room for manoeuvre, flexibility and considerable independence in all
commercial decisions, even when financial markets are under pressure.

Reliable forecast for 2009 not possible

Because of the mixed signals and assessments being put out by banks and
economic research institutes as regards expected economic trends, it is
still not possible to make a reliable forecast of business performance in
the current year. However, business trends in the first quarter give
grounds for optimism that the decline in sales may even off at a moderate
level in the current fiscal year.

Contact:

RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft
Dr. Günter Blaschke
Tel. +49 (0)8191 327-364 
Fax +49 (0)8191 327-272

e-Mail: g.blaschke@rational-online.com 
www.rational-online.com

Information for editors:

RATIONAL is the world market and technology leader for the thermal
preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973,
employs more than 1,000 people, of which more than 600 are in Germany.
Since the IPO in 2000 RATIONAL was floated in the Prime Standard on the
German stock market and is currently listed on the MDAX.

The company's principal objective is to offer customers maximum benefit.
Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of sustainability,
expressed in its policies on environmental protection, leadership and
social responsibility. Numerous international awards bear witness year on
year to the high level of RATIONAL's work.<pre>
                                    Q1/2009     Q1/2008      Change in %
Sales  (million of euros)           73.3        79.5               -8
EBIT   (million of euros)           15.2        18.7              -19
EBT    (million of euros)           15.2        19.0              -20
EPS    (in euros)                   0.98        1.22              -20</pre>
DGAP 06.05.2009 
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Language:     English
Issuer:       RATIONAL AG
              Iglinger Straße 62
              86899 Landsberg a. Lech
              Deutschland
Phone:        0049 8191 327 364
Fax:          0049 8191 327 272
E-mail:       i.klinckmann@rational-online.com
Internet:     www.rational-online.com
ISIN:         DE0007010803
WKN:          701080
Indices:      MDAX
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
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DGAP-Adhoc: RATIONAL AG: Fall in sales held at moderate level despite the global economic crisis
