DGAP-News: RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG (english)

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG generates record earnings in the first half of 2009



RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG / Half Year Results



20.07.2009



Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.

The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this

announcement.

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* Record levels for key ratios in the first half of 2009: 903,094 patients

(+8.4%) / revenues of EUR 1.14 billion (+8.6%) / net consolidated profit of

EUR 65.8 million (+6.3%)

* EBITDA EUR 140.5 million (+9.3%) / EBIT EUR 91.2 million (+5.8%)

* Forecast for full-year 2009 reaffirmed

* Capital increase announced to finance growth plans



Bad Neustadt a.d. Saale, 20 July 2009 ----- RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG achieved

record levels in all its key ratios in the first half of 2009.



A total of 903,094 patients were treated in the Group's hospitals in the

first six months of 2009. This translates into a rise of 8.4% compared with

the same period last year. Revenues climbed by 8.6% to reach EUR 1.14

billion. Net consolidated profit also rose by 6.3% to reach EUR 65.8

million in the first half of 2009. During the reporting period, EBITDA

stood at EUR 140.5 million, exceeding the figure of the same period in 2008

by 9.3%. During the same period, EBIT grew by 5.8% to EUR 91.2 million.



'We have achieved a record result in difficult economic times. This success

confirms our strategy and our long-term-oriented business model',

emphasised Wolfgang Pföhler, chairman of the Board of Management of

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG.



Operating cash flow grew by 11.9% and reached EUR 116.5 million in the

first six months of the current financial year.



After deducting minority interests in profit of EUR 3.8 million from net

consolidated profit of the first half, EPS rises from EUR 0.57 to EUR 0.60.



The Group currently has 48 hospitals with 14,860 beds at a total of 37

sites in 9 federal states. The Group had 34,226 employees (+5.7%) within

its hospital network as at the reporting date.



Outlook

'We are right on target and therefore reaffirm our forecast for financial

year 2009', said Wolfgang Pföhler upon publication of the half-year

figures. For financial year 2009 the Group expects to generate revenues of

EUR 2.3 billion and a net consolidated profit of EUR 130 million within a

possible fluctuation range of plus or minus EUR 5 million in view of the

related risks and opportunities.



Capital increase

Against the background of the sustained recession and in anticipation of a

new wave of hospital privatisations, the Board of Management and the

Supervisory Board jointly resolved to effect a capital increase. 'It is an

opportunity for shareholders to invest in our business model and, together

with us, to push ahead the Company's growth', explained Wolfgang Pföhler.



'Our financing is very sound', reported Dr. Erik Hamann, CFO of

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG. 'The capital increase is expected to be used to finance

the Group's planned growth.'



The Company yesterday published the terms of the capital increase according

to which the Company's registered share capital will be increased from

currently EUR 259,200,000.00 by up to EUR 86,380,000.00 to up to EUR

345,580,000.00 against cash contributions through issuance of up to

34,552,000 non-par shares each having a notional nominal amount in the

registered share capital of EUR 2.50. The new shares, subject to approval

of the securities prospectus by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority

(BaFin), are scheduled to be offered to the Company's shareholders for

subscription during the period from 22 July 2009 to 4 August 2009 (in each

case inclusive) at a subscription price of EUR 13.30 per new share and in a

ratio of 3 existing shares to 1 new share. Trading in subscription rights

is expected to be permitted on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange during the

period from 22 July 2009 to 31 July 2009 (in each case inclusive). The

capital increase - accompanied by syndicate banks led by COMMERZBANK

Aktiengesellschaft and Morgan Stanley Bank AG - is intended to raise gross

proceeds of up to 460 million euros. The management board will determine

with the Supervisory Board's consent the final issue volume after the end

of the subscription period and after the private placement, presumably on 5

August 2009.



Wolfgang Pföhler explained: 'We are taking this step out of a position of

strength and want to send a clear signal to public operators that we will

be available at an early stage as a discussion partner for a possible

privatisation.' With its pursued growth course, RHÖN-KLINIKUM Group is

steadfastly continuing its transition from classic hospital operator to

integrated healthcare provider. The objective is to build up a Germany-wide

healthcare network covering all care levels and making it possible for

patients to reach one of the Group's facilities within a maximum 1.5 to two

hours' drive. 'Our vision is to be able to make generalised, high-quality

healthcare provision in Germany accessible and affordable for everyone',

explained Wolfgang Pföhler in conclusion.



Due to the planned capital increase, the Company has brought forward the

publication of its half-year figures, which had originally been planned for

6 August 2009.





These materials are not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or

into the United States (including its territories and dependencies, any

State of the United States and the District of Columbia). These materials

do not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase

or to subscribe for securities. The shares in Rhön-Klinikum AG (the

'Shares') mentioned herein may not be offered or sold in the United States

absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S.

Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'). The Shares have

not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act and will not

be offered or sold in the United States, except on the basis of applicable

exemptions from registration. There will be no public offering of

securities in the United States or anywhere outside of Germany. The public

offer in Germany will be made exclusively by means of and on the basis of a

German-language prospectus.



The above information contains forward looking statements which are based

on assumptions in respect of the future development of the company. The

future results of the RHÖN-KLINIKUM Group could significantly deviate from

the expectations contained in the forward looking statements.









Contact:

Dr. Erik Hamann

Member of the Board of Management for Financing, IR, Controlling

Tel.: (09771) 65-1351 Fax: (09771) 991736

E-mail: vfire@rhoen-klinikum-ag.com



Dr. Irmgard Stippler

Member of the Board of Management for Communication/IT

Tel.: (09771) 65-1321 Fax: (09771) 65-1820

E-mail: kommunikation@rhoen-klinikum-ag.com





20.07.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP



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Language: English

Issuer: RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG

Schlossplatz 1

97616 Bad Neustadt a.d.Saale

Deutschland

Phone: +49 (0)9771 - 65-0

Fax: +49 (0)9771 - 97 467

E-mail: rka@rhoen-klinikum-ag.com

Internet: www.rhoen-klinikum-ag.com

ISIN: DE0007042301

WKN: 704230

Indices: MDAX

Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), München;

Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart



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