First Quarter sales2005: EUR 16 million

03/05/05 - Confirmation of outlook for 2005

 

Audika finished the first quarter of 2005 with sales of EUR 16 million, a rise of +1.7%, or - 3.1% on a like-for-like basis.
This change, forecasted by the Group last March, is due to the adverse weather conditions in February and early March which affected the market as a whole.

 

EUR thousands Under IFRS	Q1 20	Q1 2005	Change
Sales	15,753	16,027	+1.7%

 

Audika continues to benefit from strong marketing and has also registered an increase in appointments at its centers since mid-March. In light of these factors, Audika expects reinvigorated activity in the second quarter, followed by a gradual pick-up in sales over the last six months of 2005. This trend will be reinforced with a favorable comparison basis for the second half. Audika therefore confirms its growth target of +20% in 2005.

 

 

Continuing nationwide expansion with six new centers

 

Since January 1, 2005, Audika has developed its network with the acquisition of five centers (three in Rhone-Alps and two in Languedoc-Roussillon) and the opening of a new center in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region, in line with its expansion strategy in France. More negotiations are currently underway working towards the Group’s medium-term target of 500 centers across France.

 

Audika Group will publish its sales for the first half of 2005 on July 26, 2005

 

 

About Audika:

 

With almost 300 centers in 74 different regions and a 13% market share, Audika is the number one network offering hearing correction consulting and solutions in France. Positioned on the market for hearing correction solutions for senior citizens, which is not affected by changes in the economic environment, Audika aims to consolidate its leadership in a sector that remains very highly fragmented. Audika is listed on Eurolist SMALL 90, compartment B.

 

 

ISIN FR0000063752-ADI

Reuters DIKA.PA

Bloomberg ADI

Number of shares: 3,150,000

 

If you would like to receive financial information on Audika by e-mail, go to: www.kaparcafinance.com or www.audika.com.



Audika contacts: Alain Tonnard / Etienne Sirand-Pugnet on +33 (0)1 55 37 30 30

Kaparca Finance contact: Guillaume Le Floch on +33 (0)1 72 74 82 25