Stable, double-digit growth in first half of fiscal year

• Half-year revenue again above prior-year level
• All four segments have contributed to growth
• Expenditure in research and development amounted to 14.5% of revenue
• High investment in future potential worldwide
• The number of employees increased by 6% to more than 40,000 for the first time

The ZEISS Group's stable, double-digit growth continued across all four ZEISS segments in the first half of fiscal year 2022/23 (ended 31 March 2023). Half-year revenue reached 4,836 million euros (up 18% on prior year) – at 917 million euros, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) was also above the good level of the prior year (up 181 million euros on prior year). Expenditure on research and development increased again and reached 14.5% (of revenue), and the number of employees increased by 6% to 41,259 globally.

"We are continuing the ZEISS Group's dynamic growth from the previous year in the first half of 2022/23," said Dr. Karl Lamprecht, President and CEO of ZEISS. "Our substantial expenditure on research and development and our investments in global infrastructure are important elements of our long-term growth strategy and underpin the company's positive development."

All four ZEISS segments contributed to the growth in the first half of fiscal year 2022/23. The on-going challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions are having a varying impact on the strategic business units. The importance of resilient and diversified supply chains continues to grow.

In the first half of this fiscal year, the direct-to-market segments recorded a positive development in orders which exceeded the previous year's. This is due to the continuing high demand for ZEISS products and solutions. The Medical Technology segment achieved very good half-year revenue, with the two strategic business units, Microsurgery and Ophthalmology, contributing to this growth. The Industrial Quality & Research segment also continued its good growth dynamic in the first two quarters of the current fiscal year. The Industrial Quality Solutions and Research Microscopy Solutions strategic business units both contributed to this. The Consumer Markets segment generated solid growth in revenue in the first half of 2022/23, with a slightly improved, although challenging, market situation. Despite the current slowdown in the semiconductor market, the high demand for the products of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment remains unchanged and has a significant impact on the strong growth in revenue in this area.

The regions contributed to the continued growth trajectory to varying degrees. The EMEA region improved its growth in revenue, and the AMERICAS and APAC regions also continued their growth in revenue.