In the 3rd quarter of fiscal year 2005/06, ThyssenKrupp achieved its highest-ever quarterly income before taxes of EUR806 million (fiscal year 2004/2005: EUR577 million). Order intake and sales likewise showed encouraging growth. Order intake from continuing operations reached EUR12.4 billion, 18% higher than the same quarter a year earlier. Sales from continuing operations improved by 8% to EUR12.1 billion. Dr. Ekkehard Schulz, Executive Board Chairman of ThyssenKrupp AG: "We expect the generally positive business performance to continue in the further course of the year. For fiscal year 2005/2006 we plan sales of EUR46 billion."

The highlights for the 3rd quarter and for the first nine months of fiscal 2005/2006 were as follows:
･ Order intake from continuing operations totaled EUR12.4 billion in the 3rd quarter, up 18% from a year earlier, and EUR36.8 billion in the first nine months (prior year: EUR32.6 billion).

･ Sales rose by 8% to EUR12.1 billion in the third quarter, and totaled EUR34.9 billion in the first nine months (prior year: EUR32.0 billion).

･ EBITDA reached EUR1,290 million, exceeding the prior-year figure of EUR1,013 million. For the first nine months, the figure increased from EUR2,976 million in fiscal 2004/2005 to EUR3,466 million in the current fiscal year.

･ Income from continuing operations before taxes improved to EUR806 million from EUR577 million in the prior-year quarter. In the first nine months EBT rose to EUR2,004 million from EUR1,555 million a year earlier.

･ Earnings per share from continuing operations reached EUR0.87, compared with EUR0.66 in the 3rd quarter of the previous year. For the first nine months, earnings per share increased from EUR1.76 to EUR2.20.

･ Net financial liabilities were completely eliminated in the 3rd quarter 2005/2006. At June 30, 2006 net financial receivables amounted to EUR496 million. The Group's financial situation thus improved by EUR673 million compared with September 30, 2005 and by EUR2,321 million compared with June 30, 2005.
Dr. Schulz: "Based on the very good performance in the first nine months of fiscal 2005/2006, for the full year we now aim to achieve earnings before taxes - excluding major nonrecurring effects - of around EUR2.5 billion."

The full interim report is available in German and English online and downloadable versions at http://www.thyssenkrupp.com.