Schaeffler confirms group guidance

HERZOGENAURACH, September 19, 2018. Global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler reconfirmed its guidance today for the 2018 financial year at group level. According to that guidance, Schaeffler is forecasting revenue growth of 5 to 6 percent at constant currency, an EBIT margin before special items of 10.5 to 11.5 percent, and free cash flow before inflows and outflows for M&A activities of approximately EUR 450 million.

Based on current projections, Schaeffler is now forecasting the Automotive OEM division’s revenue to grow by 4.5 to 5.5 percent at constant currency (previously 6 to 7 percent), reflecting market conditions. This adjustment is driven by lower demand in the regions Greater China and Europe. At the same time, the group is now forecasting its Industrial division’s revenue to grow by 8 to 9 percent at constant currency (previously 6 to 7 percent) on the back of positive performance and increased order intake. On this basis, the Industrial division’s EBIT margin before special items is expected to be in the 10 to 11 percent range (previously 9 to 10 percent), while the EBIT margin before special items for the Automotive OEM division is expected to be in the 8.5 to 9.5 percent range (previously 9.5 to 10.5 percent).

The group’s Automotive Aftermarket division remains on track to achieve its originally advised constant-currency revenue growth of 3 to 4 percent and EBIT margin before special items of 16.5 to 17.5 percent.

With regard to the Automotive Aftermarket and Industrial divisions, the Schaeffler Group expects to finish the full year at the upper ends of the above-stated margin ranges.

Klaus Rosenfeld, Schaeffler AG CEO, said in advance of the group’s September 20 Capital Markets Day (CMD): “As already mentioned after the second quarter, we are operating in a challenging environment in the automotive business. Nevertheless, on the back of the strong performance of the Industrial division we can confirm our group guidance for the full year. This is possible because we are both an automotive and an industrial supplier.”

At the CMD, Schaeffler will present its strategy and for the first time introduce each of its three divisions. The event is aimed exclusively at financial analysts and institutional investors. The presentations making up the event will be published on Schaeffler’s corporate website at 7 a.m. CET on September 20. 

Forward-looking statements and projections
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial consequences of the plans and events described herein. No one undertakes any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this press release. Statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or events should not be taken as representation that such trends or events will continue in the future. The cautionary statements set out above should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Schaeffler, or persons acting on its behalf, may issue.

About Schaeffler
The Schaeffler Group is a global automotive and industrial supplier. Top quality, outstanding technology, and exceptionally innovative spirit form the basis for the continued success of the company. By delivering high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis applications, as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications, the Schaeffler Group is already shaping “Mobility for tomorrow” to a significant degree. The technology company generated sales of approximately EUR 14 billion in 2017. With more than 92,000 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world’s largest family companies and, with approximately 170 locations in over 50 countries, has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and sales companies.

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Contact:

Thorsten Möllmann, Senior Vice President Global Communications & Branding, Schaeffler AG, 
Herzogenaurach, Germany
Phone +49 9132 82-5000, email: presse@schaeffler.com
	Dr. Axel Lüdeke, Head of Business and Financial Communications & PR, Schaeffler AG, 
Herzogenaurach, Germany
Phone +49 9132 82-5000, email: presse@schaeffler.com
	
Renata Casaro, Head of Investor Relations,
Schaeffler AG, Herzogenaurach, Germany
Phone +49 9132 82-4440, email: ir@schaeffler.com
	Jens Briemle, Investor Relations,
Schaeffler AG, Herzogenaurach, Germany
Phone +49 9132 82-4440, email: ir@schaeffler.com