Austrian Post maintains its original outlook for the entire year 2013. A stable 
or slightly positive revenue development is expected. The medium-term revenue 
growth target of 1-2% per year defined by Austrian Post remains unchanged. 
The primary macro trends, i.e. electronic substitution of letter mail, the 
development of the advertising industry and the development of domestic and 
international parcel volumes remain unchanged. Austrian Post expects an ongoing 
volume decline in traditional addressed letter mail items in the amount of 3-5% 
p.a., reflecting international trends. 
In contrast, there could be a stabilisation in direct mail volumes in 2013 
following the drop in advertising mail volumes in the previous financial year. A 
robust advertising industry and positive volume effects caused by various 
elections should contribute to this development. In the parcel segment, Austrian 
Post continues to anticipate growth in its business with private customers, 
whereas the intensive level of competition in the business customer segment is 
likely to continue. 
Enhancing the profitability of the services offered will continue to be a key 
focal point of the Group's activities. In particular, Austrian Post will 
maintain its efforts to promote efficiency increases in its parcel and logistics 
business. With respect to sustainable earnings development, Austrian Post 
confirms the targeted EBITDA margin in the range of 10-12% for the Group. The 
company is also striving to achieve a further improvement in its earnings before 
interest and tax (EBIT) compared to 2012. 
The operating cash flow generated by Austrian Post will continue to be used 
prudently and in a targeted manner to finance sustainable efficiency 
improvements, structural measures and future-oriented investments. Total capital 
expenditure is expected to reach a level of about EUR 90m in 2013. This will 
primarily focus on replacement investments in existing facilities as well as 
their continuous modernisation and efficiency enhancement. Domestic and 
international acquisitions which aim to round off and safeguard Austrian Post's 
core business are possible. 
 
PERFORMANCE OF DIVISIONS 
MAIL & BRANCH NETWORK DIVISION 
Divisional revenue developed very positively in the first quarter of 2013, 
increasing by 1.5% to EUR 391.0m. This development can be attributed to the 
first-time full consolidation of new Group subsidiaries (plus EUR 6.2m) and the 
positive effects of various elections and referendums in Austria in the first 
quarter of 2013. 
Letter Mail revenue improved by 2.1% from the prior-year period to EUR 209.5m. 
The substitution of letter mail by electronic media is continuing as before. 
Such decreases took place, for example, in the telecommunications customer 
segment. In contrast, various elections provided added impetus, due to the fact 
that the possibility of voting by absentee ballot has emerged as a popular 
instrument of direct democracy. New services offered in the field of Mail 
Solutions also posted growth. 
Revenue in the field of Direct Mail also increased in the first quarter of 2013, 
climbing by 2.8% to EUR 112.8m. The rise here was also due to the newly 
consolidated subsidiaries and the positive effects of elections on the business. 
On the other hand, Media Post revenue was down by 1.3% in the first three months 
of 2013 to EUR 35.3m. Branch Services revenue also fell by 3.1% to EUR 33.4m, 
which is mainly related to the decline in financial services. 
On balance, EBIT of the Mail & Branch Network Division improved by 3.3% to EUR 
79.0m, which can be attributed to the good revenue development as well as the 
ongoing efficiency enhancement measures. 
 
PARCEL & LOGISTICS DIVISION 
External sales of the Parcel & Logistics Division decreased by 3.9% to EUR 
212.1m in the first quarter of 2013. However, the prior-year quarter still 
included the revenue achieved by the Benelux subsidiaries disposed of during the 
first half of 2012. The deconsolidation of the Dutch company took place as of 
March 15, 2012, and the disposal of the Belgian subsidiary took effect on May 
31, 2012. Adjusted to take account of the former Benelux subsidiaries, the 
division actually achieved a 1.0% revenue increase on a year-on-year comparison. 
This growth was driven by increases in Austria and in South East and Eastern 
Europe. In contrast, revenue declined in Germany. 
Premium Parcels (parcel delivery within 24 hours), which are mainly used in the 
business-to-business segment, generated revenue of EUR 158.9m in the first 
quarter of 2013, a drop of 6.2% from the previous year. This decline is 
primarily due to the deconsolidation of the Benelux subsidiaries as well as the 
downward trend in Germany. Parcel volumes of business customers increased at an 
above-average rate in Austria. 
Standard Parcels, which mainly involve shipments to private customers, also 
posted growth. Revenue rose by 5.2% to EUR 45.9m. 
Earnings of the Parcel & Logistics Division featured an EBIT of EUR 7.4m, 
comparable to the prior-year level. The EBIT margin of 3.4% is within the 
targeted range for the entire year 2013. 
 
The interim report for the first quarter of 2013 is available on the Internet at 
www.post.at/ir/en --> Publications --> Financial Reports 
 
 
 
end of announcement                               euro adhoc 
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 17, 2013 01:30 ET (05:30 GMT)