Further improvement in sales and earnings in third quarter (PR0526)

Key data for the third quarter of 2005

The Micronas Group generated consolidated net sales of CHF 225.2 million in the third quarter, 14.9 percent higher than in the previous quarter. Operating profit (EBIT) improved by 87.7 percent to CHF 27.4 million, equivalent to 12.2 percent of net sales. Order intake stood at CHF 206.8 million. The book-to-bill ratio was 0.92. Profit for the reporting period reached CHF 20.0 million, a quarter-on-quarter improvement of 65.3 percent. Earnings per share were CHF 0.62, an increase of 67.6 percent over the previous three months.

For the 2005 business year as a whole, the Micronas Group expects sales to reach CHF 830 to 840 million and a profit for the period of CHF 45 to 50 million.