Fresenius SE joins the DAX 30

Deutsche Börse announced yesterday evening that Fresenius SE will be included in the DAX 30 index on March 23.

"We are very pleased to join the DAX 30 which comprises the thirty largest publicly-traded German companies", said Ulf Mark Schneider, Chairman of the Management Board of Fresenius SE. "This decision recognizes the continuous and profitable growth of our Group. I would like to thank our associates around the world. Their significant achievements and their commitment to our firm led to this success."

With Fresenius SE and Fresenius Medical Care, two companies of the Fresenius Group will be part of the most important German stock index. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, in which Fresenius SE holds a stake of about 36%, has been a member of the DAX 30 since 1999.

According to the equity index ranking of February 28, 2009, the Fresenius SE preference shares were ranked 25 by free float market capitalization and 37 by turnover. The company is currently included in the M-DAX.

Fresenius SE is a global health care group with four business segments: Fresenius Medical Care is the world's leading provider of products and services for patients with chronic kidney failure. Fresenius Kabi is focused on generic I.V. drugs, infusion therapy and clinical nutrition. Fresenius Helios is a leading German private hospital operator and Fresenius Vamed offers engineering and services for hospitals and other health care facilities.

Over the last ten years, Fresenius developed dynamically: Sales have almost tripled from approximately EUR 4.3 billion in 1998 to EUR 12.3 billion in 2008. Over the same period, operating income (EBIT) has increased from EUR 484 million to EUR 1,727 million (before special items). Today, Fresenius employs more than 122,000 employees worldwide. Approximately 37,000 work in Germany.

For 2009, Fresenius projects further improvements in its financial results: Group sales are expected to grow by more than 10 % in constant currency and adjusted net income^* is expected to increase by approximately 10 % in constant currency. 

^* before special items relating to the mark-to-market accounting of both the mandatory exchangeable bonds (MEB) and the contingent value rights (CVR).