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Stabilus S.A. confirms preliminary figures for fiscal 2016 and proposes a dividend of 50 cents per share

- Stabilus confirms preliminary figures for fiscal 2016: sales revenues +20.6 per cent to EUR737.5m; adjusted EBIT +29.7 per cent to EUR98.8m; net income for fiscal 2016 EUR48.0m following EUR17.0m in the 2015 FY

- Executive board and supervisory board to propose, at the shareholder meeting to be held on February 15, 2017, a dividend of 50 cents per share

Luxembourg/Koblenz, December 15, 2016 - Stabilus S.A. (ISIN: LU1066226637), a leading worldwide supplier of gas springs, hydraulic dampers and electromechanical drives for motion control purposes, has successfully concluded the 2016 fiscal year (Oct 1, 2015 - Sept 30, 2016). The company today presented its annual report for 2016, confirming the preliminary figures as originally released on November 28. Furthermore, executive board and supervisory board are proposing a dividend of 50 cents per share.

Group sales revenues increased year-on-year in fiscal 2016 by 20.6 per cent to EUR737.5m. A breakdown by operative segments (regions) reveals that Group sales revenues in Europe rose by 18.1 per cent. Principal growth drivers here were the first-time equipping of new automotive platforms with POWERISE and increasing sales in the medical technology sector. In NAFTA, the company posted growth of 26.0 per cent. Decisive factors in this region were the continuing shift to SUVs, the buoyant POWERISE business, and strong growth in the medical technology and solar sectors. In Asia / Pacific and RoW (Rest of World), Stabilus reported growth of 14.7 per cent. Within this region, most especially in China, robust growth of 24.5 per cent was achieved, yet also in Japan and South Korea Stabilus was able to grow the automotive business in an otherwise stagnating vehicle market.

In the year under review, the overall automotive business posted strong growth of 18.7 per cent, rising to EUR515.3m. Sales in the industrial segment also grew significantly, climbing by 25.5 per cent to EUR222.2m. The newly acquired entities contributed to sales growth in the industrial division, reporting revenues of EUR27.3m in Q4.

Following adjustments for special items, EBITDA advanced in fiscal 2016 by 24.2 per cent to EUR133.3m. At EUR98.8m, adjusted earnings (adjusted EBIT) in the 2016 FY rose by 29.7 per cent year-on-year. The adjusted EBIT margin increased from 12.5 per cent in the 2015 FY to 13.4 per cent in fiscal 2016.

Group earnings for fiscal 2016 stood at EUR48.0m, up from EUR17.0m in the previous year.

The executive board and supervisory board have resolved to propose, at the shareholder meeting taking place in Luxembourg on February 15, 2017, that a dividend of 50 cents per share be paid. This amounts to a total dividend payout of EUR12.35m, equivalent to 25.7 per cent of consolidated net income. This is in line with the dividend policy announced by the company upon its flotation, according to which the company aims to distribute dividends on the basis of a 20 to 40 per cent ratio to consolidated net income.

CEO Dietmar Siemssen stated: "We can look back on a strong business year in which we fully accomplished the objectives we had set ourselves. We would like our investors to share in this development by paying them a dividend. The acquisition is designed to help us develop in keeping with our long-term growth strategy. We are committed to being the world's leading supplier of systems and solutions whose products initiate, control, and dampen motion."

As well as reporting strong revenue growth across all regions and markets, Stabilus completed another important step in its long-term growth strategy by acquiring ACE, Hahn Gasfedern, Fabreeka and Tech Products in summer of 2016. Strong demand for Stabilus motion control solutions is being further boosted by megatrends such as comfort, ergonomics, and safety in the workplace.

For fiscal 2017 (ending on Sept 30, 2017), Stabilus is expecting sales revenues of EUR865m - equivalent to a growth rate of around 17 per cent - and an adjusted EBIT margin of 13 to 14 per cent.

An English-language version of the full report for fiscal 2016 can be downloaded from the Investor Relations section at www.ir.stabilus.com.

About Stabilus

As one of the world's leading providers of gas springs, damping solutions and electromechanical POWERISE drives, Stabilus has for eight decades been demonstrating its expertise in the automotive industry and a variety of other sectors. Gas springs, dampers and electromechanical drives from Stabilus optimize opening, closing, lifting, lowering and adjusting actions, and also protect against vibration. Employing more than 5,000 people worldwide, the company has its operational headquarters in Koblenz. Stabilus has reported sales revenues of EUR737.5m in the 2016 business year. Stabilus operates production plants in nine countries and distributes its products in over 50 countries in Europe, North, Central and South America as well as Asia Pacific via its regional offices and sales partners. Stabilus is listed in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and included in the SDAX index.

Important Notice

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Stabilus Group management and other information currently available to Stabilus. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here.