1st August 2006 - BREMBO Announces Second Quarter 2006 Results

The Board of Directors of Brembo approves the 2Q 2006. Sales are up 7.6% over 2Q 2005; all sectors are growing. Positive outlook also for the coming months.

2nd Quarter 2006 results:

Results as of 30.6.2006:

Consolidated results for the Second Quarter 2006

Consolidated revenues for the quarter amount to € 212.3 million, up 7.6% over the same quarter last year. The sectors mainly contributing to the growth are: racing (+18.6%), commercial vehicles (+10.5%) and passenger cars (+6.2%) as far as the Original Equipment is concerned, with encouraging signals from the Aftermarket sectors, after several months of troubles. The motorcycle segment continues its growth, with an increase of 1.9%.

The growth was good in Europe, driven in particular by sales to Germany, up 7.7% and to Italy, +4.1% over the same period of last year, with the exception of France, down 4.6%. Very good also sales to Nafta area (+40.6%) and to Brazil (+48.9%).

In the quarter development costs for € 2.4 million were capitalized, down 17.9% compared to previous year (€3 million).

Personnel expenses are € 39 million, up 8.5% over the same period last year, with an incidence on sales substantially unchanged. EBITDA margin, € 34.1 million or 16.1% of sales, is up 12.7%.

Amortization and depreciation increase from € 9.7 million of 2Q 2005 to € 9.8 million, with an increase of 1%. The Polish foundry completed its start-up phase and during the mounth of July the plant was handed-over to the subsidiary Brembo Poland Sp. Zoo.. Depreciation will start in July.

EBIT is € 24.3 million, or 11.4% of sales, compared to € 20.6 million (10.4% of sales) of previous year.

Financial charges (€ 2.7 million, +90%) include: € 1.3 million for negative exchange rate differences (€ 125.000 positive for the same quarter 2005), due to the depreciation of the Polish Zloty against the Euro, and € 1.3 million for net financial charges (€ 1.5 million in Q2 2005). The letter were affected by the increase of net indebtedness and rising of interest rates, partially compensated by settlement of a hedging financial instrument.

Taxes amount in the quarter to € 8.5 million, or 39.6% of profit, compared to 39.2% of previous year. Net profit is € 12.5 million, up 9.2% over previous year.

Net indebtedness at 30 June 2006 is € 245 million (€ 22.3 million as of 31 March 2006). Its increase is due to the strong boost in sales, to the prosecution of the investment plans and to dividend payment for € 14 million.

In the quarter investments in tangible and intangible assets were made for € 22.2 million, of which € 2.4 million for capitalized development costs.

In the quarter investments in tangible and intangible assets were made for € 22.2 million, of which € 2.4 million for  capitalized development costs.

Results as of 30th June 2006.

Consolidated revenues of the first half-year amount to € 413.8 million up 10.7% over the same period last year. After deducting cost of goods sold for € 270.4 million, up 10.2%, EBITDA amount to € 64.2 million, +12.4%. Amortization and depreciation amount to € 18.7 million, down 2.7% over previous year, also due to the suspension of depreciation of an industrial building held for sale. EBIT amount to € 45.4 million, up 20%. Net profit is € 23.5 million, up 14.1%.

Foreseeable evolution

Positive outlook for the months to come: the order portfolio shows a growth trend similar to what registered in the first six months of the year, with very encouraging signals from the passenger cars segment and with the aftermarket on the way to recovery. Net financial position will start to improve during the second half-year also thanks to the sale of some buildings no longer used for production.

The order portfolio for the next months seems to confirm a good performance of sales also for the next quarter. Up to now we do not have enough visibility on the second half-year to project the same growth level to the remaining part of the year.

The industrial plan for the rationalization of the disc production in Italy is proceeding as planned: within the first half of August the transfer of one plant to the new site in Mapello will be completed. The other factory will be completely transferred by the end of current year.

The international development programs are going  on as scheduled.

Source: Brembo Press Release