Press Release

ZEISS presents half-year figures: high-tech drives growth

Revenue achieved in first half of fiscal year grows to EUR 2.8 billion – EBIT at prior-year level despite negative currency effects.

18 May 2018

Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment sees major growth thanks to future-oriented EUV
Medical technology and industrial metrology business still on track for growth
Kaschke: “High-tech solutions from ZEISS are playing a major role in shaping the digital future”
Positive outlook for second half of fiscal year

Oberkochen, Germany | 14 May 2018 | Corporate News

The first six months of fiscal year 2017/18 (ended 31 March 2018) were successful for the ZEISS Group and saw its revenue rise by 9 percent to EUR 2.773 billion (1st six months of 2016/17: EUR 2.550 billion), and as much as 13 percent after adjustments for currency effects. At EUR 380 million, the earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were high despite clearly negative currency effects compared to the previous year (EUR 384 million). The EBIT margin is at 14 percent. Incoming orders hit EUR 2.839 billion (1st six months of 2016/17: EUR 2.743 billion).

“It is our business in the high-tech fields of semiconductor manufacturing technology, industrial metrology and medical technology in particular that are enabling our growth and helping further advance the ZEISS Group,” said Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of ZEISS. “We are benefitting once again from our balanced and future-oriented portfolio and our broad global footprint.”

Segment development

Revenue (in millions of euros)

	1st six months of 2017/18	1st six months of 2016/17	Difference (like-for-like)
Research & Quality Technology	737	743	-1% (+4%)
Medical Technology	724	682	+6% (+13%)
Vision Care/Consumer Products	538	553	-3% (+ 3%)
Semiconductor Manufacture Technology	732	541	+35% (+36%)

* Not identical to the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group

Key figures

ZEISS generates around 90 percent of its business outside Germany. The pace of growth differs greatly by region. This positive business trend is borne in particular by the dynamically developing economies in the APAC region.

ZEISS has increased expenditure on research and development by around 20 percent: in the first half of fiscal year 2017/18 this amounted to EUR 298 million (1st half of 2016/17: EUR 247 million).

Investments in property, plant and equipment amounted to EUR 115 million in the reporting period (1st half of 2016/17: EUR 75 million). These compared to depreciations totaling EUR 77 million (1st half of 2016/17: EUR 76 million).

On 31 March 2018, net liquidity amounted to EUR 2,036 million, which was EUR 50 million above the figure posted at the end of fiscal year 2016/17.

Free cash flow totaled EUR 349 million (1st half of 2016/17: EUR 264 million). With a figure totaling EUR 3,549 million, the company’s equity rose by around 3 percent over the end-of-year figure for fiscal year 2016/17 (30 September 2017: EUR 3,429 million).

The number of employees increased by 8 percent. Almost 800 new employees were hired in Germany alone. On 31 March 2018, ZEISS had a global workforce of around 28,300 employees.

Prof. Dr. sc. nat. Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of the ZEISS Group
Thomas Spitzenpfeil, Member of the Executive Board of the ZEISS Group (CFO and CIO)

Outlook: Continuing the growth trajectory

Press contact Jörg Nitschke

Head of Corporate Brand, Communications and Public Affairs
ZEISS Group

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries. The ZEISS Group develops, produces and distributes measuring technology, microscopes, medical technology, eyeglass lenses, camera and cinema lenses, binoculars and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. With its solutions, the company constantly advances the world of optics and helps shape technological progress. ZEISS is divided up into the four segments Research & Quality Technology, Medical Technology, Vision Care/Consumer Products and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. The ZEISS Group is represented in more than 40 countries and has over 50 sales and service locations, more than 30 manufacturing sites and about 25 research and development centers around the globe.

In fiscal year 2016/17 the company generated revenue approximating €5.3 billion with around 27,000 employees. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. Carl Zeiss AG is the strategic management holding company that manages the ZEISS Group. The company is wholly owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).

Further information at www.zeiss.com