Delbrück, July 25, 2024 - paragon GmbH & Co. KGaA [ISIN DE0005558696] today announced
preliminary figures for the first six months. Various optimization measures and reduced net
debt led to a significant improvement in profitability.
• As expected, sales fell to EUR 75.4 million after 6 months following the sale of the starter battery business in fall 2023 (prior-year period: EUR 86.4 million)
• Current sales development also reflects the slow recovery in customer call-off behavior
• Despite the challenging market environment, EBITDA (continuing operations) improved from EUR 8.1 million in the same period of the previous year to EUR 8.5 million thanks to various optimization measures - EBITDA ratio now at 11.3% (same period of the previous year: 9.3%)
• Reduced net debt leads to a significant reduction in financing expenses
• Earnings after interest and taxes significantly improved from EUR -5.6 million in H1/2023 to EUR -1.0 million in continuing operations in the first half of 2024 - slightly positive result expected for the year as a whole
• Improved profitability also reflected in operating cash flow - significant increase in the first half of the year from EUR -5.4 million (same period of the previous year) to EUR 2.6 million
• Publication of final figures for the first half of the year on August 21, 2024
