LPKF
Deutsche Börse, the manager of the German stock exchange, has admitted LPKF Laser & Electronics AG to the TecDAX, the index comprising the 30 leading German technology stocks. LPKF, a special mechanical engineering company, is the world market leader for laser systems used, amongst other things, in the development and production of electronic devices. The company has been listed on the stock exchange since 1998.
Managing Board Chairman Dr. Ingo Bretthauer anticipates that the admission to the TecDAX will raise the company’s public profile: “Gaining greater exposure as a second-tier stock and B2B supplier requires a considerable effort. Having been promoted to the TecDAX provides us with the opportunity to be considered also by those investors who predominantly pick index-listed stocks.”
The strong image of a listed German corporation is beneficial for the company particularly in its international markets where the majority of its customers are based. Says Chief Financial Officer Kai Bentz: “The stringent transparency requirements stipulated by the stock exchange are quite a challenge for a medium-sized company. But we acknowledge that the strict reporting discipline also has particular benefits for the management of our internal processes - this kind of transparency clearly works both ways.”
Having experienced strong growth in recent years, LPKF continued to boost its sales and earnings also during the first six months of the current financial year. Assuming a stable trend in the world economy, the Managing Board expects the LPKF Group to report 2012 sales of between EUR 100 and 105 million, with the 2012 EBIT margin coming in between 15 and 17 percent. Since the start of the year the share price has risen by 40 percent from EUR 10.00 to its current level of EUR 13.98, taking the company’s market capitalisation to EUR 156 million.