RUBIS : half-year 2008 results

+------------------------+

|  HALF-YEAR 2008 RESULTS|
+------------------------+

+---------------------+
|  10 September 2008  |
+---------------------+

STRONG performance

NET PROFIT UP 16%

Rubis accounts at 30 June 2008 recorded a strong performance, again confirming the resilient nature of its business and its capacity to control its trading margin, during this period of great instability.

Against a background of significant capital expenditure, and despite particularly difficult sourcing conditions (strong hikes in oil prices), current operating profit rose 24%, with net profit, Group's share up 16% for business volumes up 5%.

Key figures for the first half of 2008

+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+
|       (in E million)      |  2007 |  2008 |  Change|
+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+
|  Total sales-revenues     |  379.5|  544.1|     43%|
+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+
|  Gross operating profit   |   44.3|   49.0|     11%|
+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+
|  Current operating profit |   31.7|   39.5|     24%|
+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+
|  - of which Rubis Energie |   21.3|   26.4|     23%|
+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+
|  - of which Rubis Terminal|   13.5|   16.2|     20%|
+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+
|  Net profit, Group's share|   21.1|   24.4|     16%|
+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+
|  Cash flow                |   35.0|   34.7|    (1%)|
+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+
|  Capital expenditure      |   24.3|   54.3|       -|
+---------------------------+-------+-------+--------+

- Revenues: E544 million
Cash-flow generated by the group: E35 million, helping maintening a sound financial structure during a period of intense investment.
Capital expenditure: E54.3 million, including E30.3 million assigned to financing the new Rotterdam terminal.
Total shareholders' equity: E431 million
Debt rate: 34%

Highlights of the first half-year

The beginning of 2008 was particularly active, with the commissioning of the chemical and oil terminal in Rotterdam, and continued acquisitions.

Thus, in June 2008 the group signed three agreement protocols pertaining to acquisitions of assets or subsidiaries, resulting in the second half of 2008 in:

- The purchase from Shell of its Channel Islands petroleum products distribution business (finalised on 27 August 2008);
The purchase from Total of its LPG distribution subsidiary in Spain (finalised on 29 August 2008);
The purchase from Shell of its airport refuelling business in the Antilles and French Guiana.

2008 outlook

The Group's construction plans are coming to fruition through industrial projects in Rotterdam and Antwerp, and thanks to Rubis' capacity to make new acquisitions.

The group's positioning and the specific nature of its model ensure it good visibility and low exposure to cyclical issues.

Purchases in the first half of the year make the goal of good profit growth throughout the financial year as a whole more attainable.

Next update:

Q3 2008 revenue and financial information - 14 November 2008

You can also consult the financial presentation of 2008 half-year results

at www.rubis.fr



Copyright Hugin

The appendixes relating to the press release are available on:
http://www.hugingroup.com/documents_ir/PJ/CO/2008/142823_88_6U49_Semestriels2008GB.pdf

Information réglementée :
Type : Nouvelle information
Thème(s):
Communiqués au titre de l'obligation d'information permanente - Communiqué sur comptes, résultats, chiffres d'affaires