International technology Group Andritz recorded a solid business development in the 2009 financial year in spite of the generally difficult economic environment. sales of the company amounted to approximately 3.2 billion EUR, thus 11% below the record figure for 2008. Order intake, at over 3.3 billion EUR, remained on a very solid level, only 10% below the high value of 2008. The order backlog at the end of 2009 amounted to approximately 4.4 billion EUR and was thus slightly higher than at the end of 2008. Due to the decline in sales and one-off restructuring expenses of approximately 29 MEUR, the Group’s EBITA declined to 164.1 MEUR (2008: 233.2 MEUR). Profitability (EBITA margin) amounted to 5.1% (2008: 6.5%) – excluding these one-off restructuring expenses, the EBITA margin was 6.0% (2008: 6.8%).
Net income (excl. non-controlling interests) amounted to 96.8 MEUR (2008: 139.7 MEUR). At the Annual General Meeting, the Executive Board will propose a dividend payment of 1.00 EUR per share (2008: 1.10 EUR), which is equivalent to an increase in the payout ratio to 52.9% (2008: 40.3%).
