Ad hoc announcement VERBUND AG / Keyword(s): Quarter Results/Interim Report VERBUND AG: VERBUND results for quarter 1/2016: positive income trend despite persistently difficult operating environment Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP – a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Conditions in the European electricity market continued to worsen during quarter 1/2016. One of the main factors impacting VERBUND's income trend is the price of wholesale electricity on the EEX, the German electricity exchange. These prices saw another dramatic decline from their already historically low level at the end of 2015/beginning of 2016. The decrease in the price of wholesale electricity was attributable to lower prices for coal and an additional drop in CO2 prices on the global markets. The strategic focus of VERBUND in quarter 1/2016 was on continuing to systematically implement our strategy. This included increasing the regulated portion of the Group's asset portfolio and strengthening our customer-focused business in energy-related services and products. The Group's income trend for quarter 1/2016 was positive. The operating result increased by 4.5%, and EBITDA declined only slightly, with a decrease of 2.0% to EUR213.5m compared with the previous year. The hydro coefficient representing the water supply from rivers was 1.00, which is equivalent to the long-term average, and 3 percentage points below the level of quarter 1/2015. Generation from hydropower therefore decreased by 212 GWh. Due to the significantly lower level of thermal generation, VERBUND's own generation decreased by 10.0% compared with quarter 1/2015 to a total of 6,705 GWh. The difficult operating environment in the energy market was reflected in lower average sales prices. However, higher earnings in the Grid segment in particular and lower expenses thanks to the programmes to reduce costs were able to compensate for the negative effects. The Group result amounted to EUR82.4m, a rise of 29.9% over the prior-year comparative. The increase was primarily attributable to the improvement in the financial result, which was due in particular to bond repayments in 2015. Outlook for 2016 confirmed On the basis of average own generation from hydropower, we expect EBITDA of approximately EUR750m and a Group result of approximately EUR230m for financial year 2016. KPIs Unit Q1/2015 Q1/2016 Change Revenue* EURm 727.2 806.3 10.9 % EBITDA EURm 217.8 213.5 -2.0 % Operating result EURm 123.8 129.4 4.5 % Group result EURm 63.4 82.4 29.9 % Earnings per share EUR 0.18 0.24 29.9 % EBIT margin* % 17.0 16.1 - EBITDA margin* % 30.0 26.5 - Cash flow from operating activities EURm 166.1 265.8 60.0% Free cash flow after dividends EURm 266.3 216.5 -18.7% Gearing % 72.1 62.4 - * The comparative figures have been adjusted retrospectively in accordance with IAS 8. Further information and the interim financial report for quarter 1/2016 is available at www.verbund.com > Investor Relations > Latest financial results. Contact: Andreas Wollein Head of Group Finance and Investor Relations T.: +43 (0)5 03 13 - 52604 F.: +43 (0)5 03 13 - 52694 mailto:investor@verbund.com 04.05.2016 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: VERBUND AG Am Hof 6A 1010 Wien Austria Phone: 0043-1-53113-52616 Fax: 0043-1-53113-52694 E-mail: investor@verbund.com Internet: www.verbund.com ISIN: AT0000746409 WKN: 877738 Indices: ATX Listed: Wien (Amtlicher Handel / Official Market) End of Announcement DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------