Group sales grew to € 582.2 million, an increase of 19% compared to the previous year (€ 488 million). Sales were thus in the upper range of the target range of € 575 to 585 million. All GESCO Group segments contributed to the increase in sales.
At € 49.4 million, EBIT exceeded the previous year by 11% (previous year: € 44.6 million).
The consolidated net earnings after minority interests rose to € 33.8 million, an increase of 26% over the previous year (€ 26.9 million). The consolidated net earnings was thus slightly above the forecast range of € 30.7 to 32.2 million. The Group tax rate in particular had a positive influence here.
Earnings per share amount to € 3.12 (2021: € 2.48). Against the backdrop of the planned inorganic growth, the Management Board and the Supervisory Board have today decided to propose to the upcoming Annual General Meeting the payment of a dividend in the amount of € 1.00 per dividend-bearing share. The Annual General Meeting will take place in presence at the SANAA building at the World Heritage Site of the Zeche Zollverein in Essen on 12 June 2023.
The business figures in this release are preliminary and unaudited. They have not yet been approved by the Supervisory Board. The Annual Report 2022 with the final figures will be published on 18 April 2023 at 7:30 a.m. CET on the website at www.gesco.de/investor-relations/finanzberichte.