Fresenius Medical Care AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: FME, FME3) (NYSE: FMS, FMS-p), the world's largest provider of Dialysis Products and Services today announced the launch of a new hemodialysis machine at the European Dialysis and Transplantation Association / European Renal Association (EDTA/ERA) Congress in Istanbul that will further improve the treatment of patients with chronic kidney failure. The 5008 series machines will be introduced to Europe, Asia and the Middle East in the second half of the year and will gradually replace the current 4008 series over the next years. Since 1992 the 4008 series has established itself as the most successful and most widely used hemodialysis machine. With the new 5008 model, Fresenius Medical Care is already addressing future challenges of dialysis therapies. These challenges include the growing number of patients afflicted with multiple diseases as well as increasing demands on treatment quality, despite the staffing and financial constraints of the health care sector. The 5008 offers the highest treatment quality at low cost.

"With the development of the new 5008 therapy system we have reached a significant milestone that further improves our position as the world's leading supplier of dialysis products for patients with chronic kidney failure," said Emanuele Gatti, Fresenius Medical Care Management Board Member for Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. "The 5008 is an important investment in our future and in our company's continued success. Once again we underline our innovation and leadership in dialysis products." With the 5008 series the company aims at continually growing faster in the machine business than the dialysis market, which expands at an average of 7%. In the year following its introduction, the company will be in a position to increase the production of the new machines to as many as 10,000 per year.

Fresenius Medical Care had $1.73 billion in worldwide product sales in 2004 and is the clear leader with a market share of 27%. Nearly every second dialysis machine produced worldwide last year was manufactured by Fresenius Medical Care – twice as many as the second-largest manufacturer. Beside the dialyzer (the "artificial kidney"), which filters the blood of patients with chronic kidney failure, dialysis machines are the most important products for hemodialysis. While the dialyzer filters a patient's blood, the dialysis machine pumps and monitors the circulation of blood outside the patient's body. The machine also maintains the composition of the dialysis solution and introduces anticoagulants. Treatments generally last three to six hours and are usually carried out three times a week.

Over the past few years, the research and development department created a completely new concept for the 5008 therapy system. The developers called upon the broad experience gathered by Fresenius Medical Care, a vertically integrated company that treats patients with chronic kidney failure in 1,630 of its own clinics worldwide. The machine was not only tested in the laboratory but also proved itself in more than 200,000 treatments in selected European dialysis clinics of the company. The company's vertical integration has allowed it to optimally adapt the new machines to the needs of both patients and specialists in the clinics. "This has made the 5008 easily the most modern dialysis machine," said Management Board Member Emanuele Gatti. "Our customers profit from the broad knowledge we have been able to gather by working closely with our own clinics."

The 5008 series is characterized by a very simple user guidance. Nurses and doctors can operate the new dialysis machine easily and – above all – safely using a touch-screen monitor and self-explanatory menus. Routine blood handling procedures were simplified or shortened, which also reduces the amount of training necessary. "Nurses and doctors now have additional time to maintain the crucial contact to the patient," emphasized Gatti. The new dialysis machine also lowers operating costs since it requires up to 30% less water and electricity.

Online Hemodiafiltration (HDF) is a standard feature of the new therapy system. This treatment modality is currently the best and most efficient kidney replacement therapy. "For the first time, this procedure can be widely used since it has been made simpler and the use of resources has been optimized," said Gatti. Online HDF reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications, which are the cause of more than 50% of the deaths of dialysis patients. Among the benefits, blood pressure and anaemia are better controlled with Online HDF. Also the procedure removes excess water more gently while filtering toxins from a patient's blood more efficiently.

Using Online Hemodiafiltration (HDF) to treat patients with chronic kidney failure can lead to a significantly lower risk of mortality compared to treatment with standard hemodialysis. A study has just been presented during the European Dialysis and Transplantation Association (EDTA) / European Renal Association (ERA) Congress in Istanbul and shows that the mortality rate among patients that received Online-HDF treatment was 35% lower than that of patients receiving conventional hemodialysis therapy. Data were gathered over a one-year period from more than 2,500 patients in 56 European dialysis clinics of Fresenius Medical Care.

The study provides substantial scientific evidence that the treatment method can significantly reduce the mortality of patients with chronic renal failure. Following the positive results, Fresenius Medical Care now expects an increase in demand for online-HDF, which is already considered the best possible treatment because of its ability to remove a wider range of toxins from the blood of patients with chronic kidney failure. Fresenius Medical Care offers Online-HDF since 1996 through a module for the 4008 dialysis machine and is now included as standard equipment in the new 5008 therapy system, which was launched in Istanbul.

"Online-HDF is gradually establishing itself as an advanced and innovative treatment modality in dialysis. It significantly improves life expectancy and the quality of life of patients," said Emanuele Gatti, Fresenius Medical Care Management Board Member for Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.

Bad Homburg, Germany – Fresenius Medical Care AG (the "Company") (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: FME, FME3) (NYSE: FMS, FMS-p), the world's largest provider of Dialysis Products and Services announced today that it has received a second request from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for additional information in connection with its proposed acquisition of Renal Care Group, Inc. The effect of this request, which was anticipated when the acquisition was announced, is to extend the waiting period imposed by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act until 30 days after the Company and Renal Care Group have complied with the request, unless that period is voluntarily extended by the parties or is terminated by the FTC. The Company intends to continue to cooperate fully with the FTC in its review of the proposed acquisition and to promptly respond to this request for additional information and that it will be able to complete the transaction during the second half of 2005.

According to a South Korean study now published in the journal Peritoneal Dialysis International (Vol 25, pp 248-255), patients live significantly longer if they use the PD solution balance developed by Fresenius Medical Care rather than conventional fluids. More than 1,100 patients were included in the retrospective analysis. This is the largest analysis on survival comparing conventional and new, more biocompatible PD solutions.

The researchers compared 611 patients treated with balance and 551 patients who received treatment with conventional dialysis fluid. The follow up period was up to 30 months. When treated with biocompatible balance, the relative mortality risk was reduced by 25% compared to conventional high quality treatment (also from Fresenius Medical Care). Differences in age or sex of the patients between both groups were taken into account.

The biocompatible dialysis fluid balance has a neutral pH and has extremely low levels of glucose degradation products (GDPs) compared to conventional PD fluids. A randomized, prospective multicenter study published in the journal Kidney International in 2004 (Vol. 66, pp. 408-418) demonstrated that the biocompatible dialysis fluid balance had less negative impact on the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum and in addition better preserves residual renal function. The positive impact of residual renal function on patient survival has been demonstrated already in clinical studies and is a key indicator of positive survival outcomes.

This relationship could be the reason for the better survival of patients treated with balance. "This study, for the first time, suggests that treatment with a novel biocompatible peritoneal dialysis fluid confers a significant survival advantage," says Professor Ho Yung Lee from the Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul.

South Korea is one of the countries with the highest number of peritoneal dialysis patients. Worldwide, about 150.000 patients are treated with this therapy. In peritoneal dialysis, which is one of two methods of treatment for patients with chronic kidney failure, the peritoneum serves as a dialysis membrane. Using a surgically implanted catheter, dialysis fluid is introduced into the peritoneal cavity and removed from it after a while. Toxins and surplus water, the latter with the help of the osmotic activity of glucose, are being moved through the peritoneum into the fluid and thus removed from the blood.
 

Fresenius AG today announced that Standard & Poor's and Moody's will change their credit ratings for the Company by one notch. Standard & Poor's plans to lower its rating from "BB+" to "BB" with a negative outlook upon completion of the Renal Care Group acquisition by Fresenius Medical Care. Moody's lowered its rating from "Ba1" to "Ba2" in anticipation of the Renal Care Group acquisition. The outlook is stable.

Stephan Sturm, Chief Financial Officer, commented: "This is an expected downgrade given the decision to fully debt-finance the acquisition of Renal Care Group. On the other hand, the acquisition sustainably strengthens Fresenius Medical Care's position in the global dialysis market. We have a proven ability to considerably reduce debt from solid cash flows and are therefore confident to meet our financial goals."

Bad Homburg, Germany – Fresenius Medical Care AG ("the Company") (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: FME, FME3) (NYSE: FMS, FMS-p), the world's largest provider of Dialysis Products and Services, today reports that subject to the completion of the Renal Care Group acquisition Standard & Poor's and Moody's will change their corporate credit rating for the Company by one notch. Standard & Poor's plans to lower the corporate credit rating from "BB+" to "BB". The outlook will be negative. In anticipation of the Renal Care Group acquisition Moody's lowered the corporate credit rating from "Ba1" to "Ba2". The outlook is stable.

Lawrence A. Rosen, Chief Financial Officer commented: "This change was expected and is a result of the additional leverage which Fresenius Medical Care will take on after the acquisition of Renal Care Group. The rating changes were anticipated in our $5.0 billion credit commitment that is currently in place to finance the acquisition. As the leader in the dialysis industry we are in a strong financial position with access to diverse funding sources. Our industry is characterized by stable cash flows and we have a proven ability to reduce debt significantly over time. Our position remains strong and we are very confident in meeting our financial targets."

Bad Homburg, Germany – Fresenius Medical Care AG ("the Company") (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: FME, FME3) (NYSE: FMS, FMS-p), the world's largest provider of Dialysis Products and Services, today announced the date for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of holders of ordinary shares to approve: (1) the proposed transformation of the Company's legal form into a Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (KGaA); and (2) the proposed conversion of the Company's preference shares into ordinary shares. The EGM will be held at the Congress Center Messe Frankfurt (Germany), on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 10.00 a.m. A separate meeting of preference shareholders will be held at the same location immediately following completion of the EGM to approve the preference share conversion proposal.

The Company recognizes that the announcement of the proposed KGaA transformation and preference share conversion offer has increased shareholder value for both the ordinary and preference shareholders. While the Company believes that a vote of preference shareholders is not required to offer to preference shareholders the opportunity to voluntarily convert their preference shares into ordinary shares, the Company has decided, as a matter of appropriate corporate governance, to provide preference shareholders the opportunity to approve the proposed preference share conversion offer. The Company believes that approval and completion of both proposals is in the best interest of all shareholders.

Bad Homburg, Germany – Fresenius Medical Care AG ("the Company") (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: FME, FME3) (NYSE: FMS, FMS-p), the world's largest provider of Dialysis Products and Services, is pleased to announce that Gary Brukardt, Renal Care Group's President and Chief Executive Officer, will join Fresenius Medical Care and will be appointed as a Member of the Management Board of Fresenius Medical Care AG upon closing of the Renal Care Group acquisition. He will become Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) and will serve on the Integration Steering Committee which oversees the integration of Renal Care Group's operations into FMCNA.

Gary Brukardt will be responsible for strategic planning, FMCNA's perfusion business, physician practice management, chronic kidney disease management for FMCNA and disease state management including vascular access. As an FMC AG Management Board Member Gary Brukardt will share responsibility for FMCNA with Mats Wahlstrom and Rice Powell.

After closing, Mats Wahlstrom will continue as Co-CEO for FMCNA and CEO for Fresenius Medical Services (FMS), the dialysis services division of FMCNA. Rice Powell will also continue as Co-CEO for FMCNA and as CEO for the Products and Hospital Group (PHG) of FMCNA. Mats Wahlstrom and Rice Powell will continue to serve on Management Board of Fresenius Medical Care AG.

The Company is also pleased to announce that David Dill, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Renal Care Group and Raymond Hakim, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Executive Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer of Renal Care Group will join Fresenius Medical Care.

David Dill will become Executive Vice President of FMCNA and Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Division of FMS, managing more than 700 dialysis clinics. He will report to Mats Wahlstrom.

Raymond Hakim, M.D., Ph.D. will serve as Senior Executive Vice President of FMCNA. He will have management responsibility for FMS's clinical outcomes, clinical research studies, clinical policies and procedures and clinical direction for product development of PHG. Raymond Hakim will also participate in government and legislative activities. Dr. Hakim will report to Mats Wahlstrom and Rice Powell.

Ben Lipps, the Chief Executive Officer of Fresenius Medical Care AG, commented, "We are very pleased to have Gary Brukardt, David Dill, and Raymond Hakim joining Fresenius Medical Care after closing. These executives will clearly strengthen and broaden our strong North American Management Team and will assure a seamless integration of Renal Care Group into Fresenius Medical Care. We look forward to the contributions they will make to our Company. We also welcome the many additional Renal Care Group executives expected to join FMCNA after closing the acquisition."

Kennzahlen für das zweite Quartal 2005

• Umsatz: 1,674 Milliarden US-Dollar, + 8%
• Operatives Ergebnis (EBIT): 238 Millionen US-Dollar, + 12%
• Quartalsergebnis: 116 Millionen US-Dollar, + 15%
• Gewinn je Stammaktie: 1,20 US-Dollar, + 15%
• Operativer Cash Flow: 130 Millionen US-Dollar, - 28%

 
Die Fresenius Medical Care AG, der weltweit führende Anbieter von Dialyseprodukten und Therapien für Patienten mit chronischem Nierenversagen (Börse Frankfurt: FME, FME3 – Börse New York: FMS, FMS-p), hat ihren Umsatz und Ertrag im zweiten Quartal und im ersten Halbjahr 2005 weiter steigern können.


Zweites Quartal 2005

Umsatz
Den Umsatz steigerte Fresenius Medical Care im zweiten Quartal 2005 um 8% (wechselkursbereinigt um 6%) auf 1,674 Milliarden US-Dollar. Das weltweite organische Umsatzwachstum betrug 6%. Der Umsatz mit Dialysedienstleistungen stieg im Vergleich zum Vorjahresquartal um 6% auf 1,201 Milliarden US-Dollar (6% währungsbereinigt). Der Umsatz mit Dialyseprodukten wuchs im gleichen Zeitraum um 11% auf 473 Millionen US-Dollar (7% währungsbereinigt).

In Nordamerika steigerte Fresenius Medical Care den Umsatz um 6% auf 1,127 Milliarden US-Dollar. Der Umsatz mit Dialysedienstleistungen wuchs um 5% auf 1,000 Milliarden US-Dollar. Die durchschnittliche Vergütung pro Behandlung in den USA erhöhte sich im zweiten Quartal 2005 um 1,7% auf 294 US-Dollar gegenüber 289 US-Dollar im entsprechenden Vorjahres-zeitraum. Die Zahl der Behandlungen in bestehenden Dialysekliniken in den USA wuchs um 3,3%. Der Umsatz mit Dialyseprodukten stieg um 15% auf 127 Millionen US-Dollar, was vor allem auf den starken Absatz der Dialysemaschine vom Typ 2008K zurückzuführen ist.

Außerhalb Nordamerikas (Segment „International") steigerte Fresenius Medical Care den Umsatz im zweiten Quartal 2005 um 11% (währungsbereinigt um 6%) auf 547 Millionen US-Dollar. Der Umsatz mit Dialysedienstleistungen stieg um 13% (7% währungsbereinigt) auf 200 Millionen US-Dollar. Der Umsatz mit Dialyseprodukten erhöhte sich um 10% auf 346 Millionen US-Dollar (5% währungsbereinigt).

Ertrag
Das operative Ergebnis (EBIT) von Fresenius Medical Care wuchs um 12% auf 238 Millionen US-Dollar und erreichte damit einen neuen Bestwert für ein Quartal. Diese positive Entwicklung trug dazu bei, dass die EBIT-Marge von 13,7% im zweiten Quartal 2004 auf 14,2 % im zweiten Quartal 2005 stieg. Das operative Ergebnis des zweiten Quartals 2005 beinhaltet Einmalaufwendungen in Höhe von 1,2 Millionen US-Dollar, die im Zusammenhang mit dem geplanten Rechtsformwechsel der Fresenius Medical Care AG in eine Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (KGaA) angefallen sind. Für das Gesamtjahr rechnet das Unternehmen mit Einmalaufwendungen von etwa 10 Millionen US-Dollar für den Rechtsformwechsel und die Umwandlung von Vorzugsaktien in Stammaktien. Darin enthalten sind die oben aufgeführten Einmalaufwendungen im zweiten Quartal 2005.

Die EBIT-Marge in Nordamerika ist im Vergleich zum zweiten Quartal 2004 um 10 Basispunkte auf 14,0% gestiegen. Außerhalb Nordamerikas (Segment „International") legte die operative Marge um 160 Basispunkte auf 16,8% zu. Gründe für die hervorragende Geschäftsentwicklung außerhalb Nordamerikas waren ein über dem Marktdurchschnitt liegendes Wachstum im Produktgeschäft, eine positive Entwicklung der Kostenerstattung für die Dialysebehandlung in wichtigen Märkten für Dialysedienstleistungen sowie günstige Wechselkurseffekte.

Das Nettozinsergebnis verbesserte sich im zweiten Quartal 2005 um 6% auf 43 Millionen US-Dollar. Das Unternehmen erreichte diese positive Entwicklung durch eine Rückführung von Finanzverbindlichkeiten und durch niedrigere Zinsaufwendungen.

Die Aufwendungen für Ertragssteuern betrugen 79 Millionen US-Dollar gegenüber 67 Millionen US-Dollar im zweiten Quartal 2004. Dies entspricht einer effektiven Steuerquote von 40,4% nach 39,8% im Vorjahresquartal 2004.

Das Quartalsergebnis von Fresenius Medical Care stieg im zweiten Quartal 2005 um 15% auf 116 Millionen US-Dollar und damit auf einen neuen Quartalsrekord.

Der Gewinn je Aktie (EPS) stieg im zweiten Quartal 2005 um 15% auf 1,20 US-Dollar pro Stammaktie (0,40 US-Dollar je ADS), verglichen mit 1,04 US-Dollar pro Stammaktie (0,35 US-Dollar je ADS) im gleichen Zeitraum des Vorjahres. Die durchschnittlich gewichtete Zahl der Aktien betrug im zweiten Quartal 2005 rund 96,4 Millionen.

Cash Flow
Der Mittelzufluss aus laufender Geschäftstätigkeit betrug 130 Millionen US-Dollar nach 180 Millionen US-Dollar im zweiten Quartal des Vorjahres. Der Rückgang ist vornehmlich auf Schwankungen beim Einzug sonstiger Forderungen und auf höhere Einkommenssteuerzahlungen in Nordamerika zurückzuführen.

Die Netto-Investitionen lagen bei 58 Millionen US-Dollar. Daraus ergab sich ein Free Cash Flow vor Akquisitionen von 72 Millionen US-Dollar im zweiten Quartal 2005. Die Forderungslaufzeiten konnten im Vergleich zum zweiten Quartal des Vorjahres um drei Tage reduziert werden. Dazu hat insbesondere die Optimierung des Forderungsmanagements in Nordamerika beigetragen. Für Akquisitionen wurden insgesamt 30 Millionen US-Dollar aufgewendet.


Erstes Halbjahr 2005

Umsatz und Ertrag
Das Ergebnis des ersten Halbjahres 2005 erhöhte sich gegenüber dem Vorjahreszeitraum um 17% auf 223 Millionen US-Dollar. Der Umsatz wuchs im selben Zeitraum um 9% (währungsbereinigt um 7%) auf 3,283 Milliarden US-Dollar. Das operative Ergebnis (EBIT) stieg um 11% auf 458 Millionen US-Dollar, die operative Marge betrug 14%.

Das Nettozinsergebnis verbesserte sich in den ersten sechs Monaten des Jahres 2005 um 8% auf 85 Millionen US-Dollar. Die Aufwendungen für Ertragssteuern beliefen sich im ersten Halbjahr 2005 auf 149 Millionen US-Dollar gegenüber 126 Millionen US-Dollar im gleichen Zeitraum des Vorjahres. Dies entspricht einer effektiven Steuerquote von 39,8%.

Der Gewinn je Aktie (EPS) betrug 2,31 US-Dollar pro Stammaktie (0,77 US-Dollar je ADS), ein Zuwachs um 17%.

Cash Flow
Innerhalb des ersten Halbjahres 2005 betrug der Mittelzufluss aus laufender Geschäftstätigkeit 268 Millionen US-Dollar gegenüber 351 Millionen US-Dollar im vergleichbaren Vorjahreszeitraum. Diese Entwicklung ist auf höhere Einkommenssteuerzahlungen in Nordamerika zurückzuführen. Außerdem wurden die Forderungslaufzeiten in Nordamerika weniger stark reduziert als im Vorjahreszeitraum. Bei den Forderungslaufzeiten nimmt Fresenius Medical Care in der Dialyse-Dienstleistungsbranche eine führende Position ein. Nach Abzug der Netto-Investitionen in Höhe von 97 Millionen US-Dollar ergab sich für den Berichtszeitraum ein Free Cash Flow vor Akquisitionen von 171 Millionen US-Dollar gegenüber 256 Millionen US-Dollar im ersten Halbjahr 2004. Für Akquisitionen wurden 52 Millionen US-Dollar aufgewendet.

Patienten - Kliniken - Behandlungen
Zum Ende des zweiten Quartals 2005 versorgte Fresenius Medical Care weltweit rund 128.200 Dialysepatienten, 4% mehr als im Vorjahr. In Nordamerika wurden rund 88.600 Patienten (+4%), in den Regionen außerhalb Nordamerikas (Segment „International") rund 39.600 Patienten (+6%) versorgt.

Zum 30. Juni 2005 betrieb das Unternehmen 1.645 Dialysekliniken weltweit, davon 1.150 in Nordamerika (+1%) und 495 außerhalb Nordamerikas (+8%).

Die Zahl der von Fresenius Medical Care durchgeführten Behandlungen stieg im ersten Halbjahr 2005 um 4% auf 9,6 Millionen. Davon entfielen 6,6 Millionen (+3%) auf Nordamerika und 3,0 Millionen auf die Regionen außerhalb Nordamerikas, das Segment „International" (+5%).

Übernahme der Renal Care Group
Die Aktionäre der Renal Care Group, Inc. (NYSE: RCI) werden in einer außerordentlichen Hauptversammlung am 24. August 2005 über das Übernahmeangebot vom 3. Mai 2005 abstimmen, demzufolge Fresenius Medical Care die Renal Care Group zu einem Preis von 48,00 US-Dollar je Aktie erwerben wird.

Außer von der Zustimmung der Aktionäre der Renal Care Group hängt die Wirksamkeit der Vereinbarungen von den üblichen Bedingungen ab, unter anderem von der kartellrechtlichen Freigabe gemäß dem Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Fresenius Medical Care und die Renal Care Group bearbeiten derzeit eine Anfrage der US-Kartellbehörde (Federal Trade Commission) nach weiteren Informationen über die angestrebte Übernahme. Das Unternehmen geht weiterhin davon aus, die Transaktion während des vierten Quartals 2005 abschließen zu können.

Rechtsformwechsel in eine KGaA und Umwandlung der Vorzugs- in Stammaktien
Fresenius Medical Care hat ihre Aktionäre zur außerordentlichen Hauptversammlung am Dienstag, den 30. August 2005, um 10.00 Uhr im Congress Center Messe in Frankfurt am Main eingeladen. Anlass für die außerordentliche Hauptversammlung ist die Abstimmung der Stammaktionäre (1) über den geplanten Rechtsformwechsel des Unternehmens in eine Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (KGaA) und (2) die angestrebte Umwandlung der Vorzugsaktien in Stammaktien. Unmittelbar im Anschluss an die Hauptversammlung der Stammaktionäre werden die Vorzugsaktionäre in einer gesonderten Versammlung über die beantragte Umwandlung der Vorzugsaktien in Stammaktien entscheiden.

Die Tagesordnungen zu diesen Versammlungen sowie weitere Unterlagen zum geplanten Rechtsformwechsel und zur angestrebten Umwandlung der Vorzugsaktien in Stammaktien sind im Internet unter www.fmc-ag.de veröffentlicht. Das von Fresenius Medical Care bei der US-amerikanischen Wertpapier- und Börsenaufsichtsbehörde (Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC) eingereichte Dokument F-4 kann im Internet unter der Adresse www.sec.gov eingesehen werden.

Ausblick 2005: Fresenius Medical Care hebt
Ergebnisprognose an
Aufgrund des sehr erfolgreichen Geschäftsverlaufs in den ersten sechs Monaten erwartet Fresenius Medical Care beim Jahresüberschuss nun ein Wachstum zwischen 12% und 15%. Bislang war Fresenius Medical Care von einer Steigerung des Ergebnisses im Jahr 2005 von knapp über 10% ausgegangen. In dieser Prognose sind Einflüsse durch die Akquisition der Renal Care Group und Einmalaufwendungen für das Gesamtjahr 2005 nicht berücksichtigt, die in Verbindung mit dem Rechtsformwechsel des Unternehmens und der Umwandlung der Vorzugsaktien in Stammaktien stehen. Bereinigt um Währungseffekte erwartet das Unternehmen auch weiterhin ein Umsatzwachstum zwischen 6% und 9%.

Dr. Ben Lipps, Vorsitzender des Vorstands der Fresenius Medical Care AG: „Unsere Geschäftsentwicklung war im zweiten Quartal wie im gesamten ersten Halbjahr hervorragend und übertraf unsere Erwartungen. Angeführt wurde diese Entwicklung durch Europa und Nordamerika. Aufgrund dieses sehr erfolgreichen Starts in das Jahr 2005 haben wir unsere Prognose für das Gesamtjahresergebnis erhöht. Wir sind über diese Entwicklung besonders erfreut. Dabei haben wir unser operatives Geschäft konsequent weiterverfolgt, während wir auch unsere drei größten Projekte vorangetrieben haben: die Übernahme der Renal Care Group, den Rechtsformwechsel unseres Unternehmens und die Schaffung einer einheitlichen Aktiengattung durch die Umwandlung der Vorzugsaktien in Stammaktien."

Video-Übertragung
Anlässlich der Veröffentlichung der Ergebnisse des zweiten Quartals und des ersten Halbjahrs 2005 findet in der Konzernzentrale von Fresenius Medical Care in Bad Homburg am 4. August 2005 um 15.15 Uhr MESZ eine Analystenkonferenz statt. Die Konferenz wird live im Internet unter der Adresse www.fmc-ag.com (Rubrik „Investor Relations") übertragen. Nach der Veranstaltung steht die Aufzeichnung dort als Video-on-demand zur Verfügung.

• Sales: € 3.70 billion, + 6 % in constant currency, + 4 % at actual rates
• EBIT: € 453 million, + 12 % in constant currency, + 10 % at actual rates
• Net incombe: € 101 million, + 28 % in constant currency, + 26 % at actual rates
• Strong sales and earnings growth at Fresenius Medical Care; driven by continued gains in North America and Europe
• Fresenius Kabi achieves new record in EBIT margin; very good sales development in all regions
• Fresenius ProServe improves earnings and achieves good order intake

2005 Group outlook raised
Based on these excellent results Fresenius raises its full-year outlook (before the acquisition of Renal Care Group by Fresenius Medical Care) and now expects net income growth of 20 to 25 % in constant currency. Previously, the Company expected 15 to 20 % net income growth. The projection for sales growth in constant currency remains at 6 to 9 %. All business segments are expected to achieve sales and earnings growth.

Sustained sales growth
In the first half of 2005, Group sales increased 6 % in constant currency. Organic growth contributed 5 % and acquisitions 2 % to this increase. Currency translation had a -2 % and divestments a -1 % effect on sales. Sales were € 3,702 million, an increase of 4 % at actual rates (H1 2004: € 3,553 million).

Strong constant-currency sales growth was achieved in North America (+7 %), in Latin America (+19 %) and in Africa (+44 %). In Asia-Pacific, Fresenius Kabi achieved an excellent sales growth. The lower project volume at Fresenius ProServe primarily impacted the sales development in this region.



Sales contribution of the three business segments:



Strong earnings growth
EBITDA increased 9 % in constant currency and 7 % at actual rates to € 604 million (H1 2004: € 564 million). Group EBIT rose 12 % in constant currency and 10 % at actual rates to € 453 million (H1 2004: € 412 million). The Group EBIT margin further improved to 12.2 % in the first half of 2005 (H1 2004: 11.6 %).

Group net interest expense was € -97 million in the first half of 2005 (H1 2004: € -104 million). This improvement was mainly the result of a lower debt level compared to the first half of 2004 in combination with lower interest rates and currency translation effects. The tax rate for the first half of 2005 was 39.3 % (H1 2004: 40.6 %), in line with the full-year expectation of 39 to 40 %.

Minority interest increased to € 115 million (H1 2004: € 103 million) mainly due to the strong earnings development of Fresenius Medical Care, which accounts for 96 % of minority interest.

Group net income grew strongly by 28 % in constant currency and 26 % at actual rates to € 101 million (H1 2004: € 80 million). Excellent operating results of Fresenius Medical Care and Fresenius Kabi, lower interest expenses and a slightly lower tax rate contributed to this increase.

Earnings per ordinary share were € 2.46 (H1 2004: € 1.95). Earnings per preference share were € 2.48 (H1 2004: € 1.97). EPS increased 26 % for both share classes.

Investments considerably increased
In the first half of 2005, Group investments doubled to € 342 million (H1 2004: €172 million). This significant increase was mainly driven by acquisitions at Fresenius Kabi. € 115 million was spent for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (H1 2004: € 111 million) and € 227 million for acquisitions (H1 2004: € 61 million).

Solid cash flow performance
Operating cash flow was slightly lower than in the previous year at € 329 million (H1 2004: € 340 million) despite the excellent earnings development. This was mainly due to higher income tax payments of Fresenius Medical Care in North America. Free cash flow before acquisitions and dividends was € 224 million (H1 2004: € 239 million). Free cash flow after acquisitions (€ 182 million) and dividends (€ 127 million) was € -85 million (H1 2004: € 67 million).

Solid balance sheet structure
Total assets increased 10 % to € 9,045 million (December 31, 2004: € 8,188 million). In constant currency, total assets grew 3 %. Current assets increased 12 % to € 3,090 million (December 31, 2004: € 2,755 million). In constant currency, current assets grew 6 %. This increase was driven by acquisitions and growth of operations.

Group debt rose 9 % to € 2,993 million as of June 30, 2005 (December 31, 2004: € 2,735 million). In constant currency, debt grew 5 % and was driven by acquisitions.

The net debt/EBITDA ratio was 2.4 as of June 30, 2005 (December 31, 2004: 2.2). The positive EBITDA increase partially offset the higher debt level.

Shareholders' equity including minority interest rose 11 % to € 3,721 million compared to € 3,347 million on December 31, 2004. The equity ratio including minority interest improved to 41.1 % (December 31, 2004: 40.9 %).

Employee numbers continue to grow
As of June 30, 2005, the Group had 71,109 employees worldwide, an increase of 4 % (December 31, 2004: 68,494).

Fresenius Biotech
Fresenius Biotech develops innovative therapies with trifunctional antibodies for the treatment of cancer as well as cell therapies for the treatment of the immune system. In the field of polyclonal antibodies, Fresenius Biotech has successfully marketed ATG-Fresenius S for many years. ATG-Fresenius S is an immunosuppressive agent used to prevent and treat graft rejection following organ transplantation.

In the field of antibody therapies, two phase II studies are in preparation to investigate the treatment of gastric cancer and breast cancer following positive results from two phase I studies for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis and breast cancer. Current studies for malignant ascites, malignant pleural effusion and ovarian cancer are continuing according to plan.

For 2005, Fresenius Biotech continues to expect an EBIT in the range of € -35 to € -40 million, largely due to the expanded clinical study program.

The Business Segments

Fresenius Medical Care
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's leading provider of products and services for patients with chronic kidney failure. As of June 30 2005, Fresenius Medical Care was serving approximately 128,200 patients (+4 %) in 1,645 dialysis clinics (+3 %).

• Strong sales and earnings growth continued
• North America and Europe once again key sales and earnings drivers
• 2005 net income outlook raised

In the first half of 2005, Fresenius Medical Care achieved sales growth of 9 % to US$ 3,283 million (H1 2004: US$ 3,011 million). In constant currency, sales rose 7 %. Organic growth was 6 %.

In North America Fresenius Medical Care achieved a strong sales increase of 7 % to US$ 2,215 million (H1 2004: US$ 2,063 million). Sales outside North America ("International") rose 13 % to US$ 1,068 million (H1 2004: US$ 948 million) mainly because of the very good development of the European business.

Sales in dialysis care increased 8 % to US$ 2,363 million (H1 2004: US$ 2,185 million). In the first half of 2005, Fresenius Medical Care delivered approximately 9.6 million dialysis treatments, an increase of 4 % over the same period in the previous year. North America accounted for 6.6 million treatments (+3 %) and the International segment for 3.0 million treatments (+5 %). Fresenius Medical Care achieved sales growth in dialysis products of 11 % to US$ 920 million (H1 2004: US$ 826 million).

EBIT rose 11 % to US$ 458 million (H1 2004: US$ 411 million) and the EBIT margin was 14.0 % (H1 2004: 13.6 %). Net income at Fresenius Medical Care grew to US$ 223 million in the first half of 2005, an increase of 17 %.

Based on its strong performance in the first half of 2005, Fresenius Medical Care now expects net income growth to be between 12 and 15 %. Previously, the company anticipated net income growth for 2005 to be in the low double-digit range. This guidance does not take into effect the impact of the Renal Care Group acquisition or the expected one-time costs of around US$ 10 million for the full year 2005 in connection with the transformation of Fresenius Medical Care's legal form, or the conversion of the preference shares into ordinary shares. Top-line revenue growth at constant currency should remain between 6 and 9%.

For further information, please see Fresenius Medical Care's Press release.

Fresenius Kabi
Fresenius Kabi offers infusion therapies and clinical nutrition for seriously and chronically ill patients in the hospital and out-patient environments. The company is also a leading provider of transfusion technology products.

• Earnings target exceeded: new record EBIT margin of 13.8 % in the second quarter of 2005
• Excellent organic growth of 6 % in the first half of 2005
• 2005 earnings outlook raised

In the first half of 2005, sales at Fresenius Kabi rose 11 % to € 818 million (H1 2004: € 738 million). The company achieved an excellent organic growth of 6 %. Acquisitions, primarily the Portuguese company Labesfal, contributed 5 % to sales. Currency translation added 1 % to sales growth. Divestments had a -1 % effect on sales.

Sales in Germany rose 2 %. Sales in Europe (excluding Germany) increased 13 %. Acquisitions contributed significantly to this growth. Fresenius Kabi continued to grow at double-digit rates outside of Europe: The Asia-Pacific region showed strong organic growth with an increase of 16 % and Latin America posted organic sales growth of 13 %.

Fresenius Kabi significantly increased earnings. EBIT rose 29 % in the first half of 2005 to € 110 million (H1 2004: € 85 million). The EBIT margin was 13.4 %, an increase of 190 basis points compared to the first half of 2004 (11.5 %). Compared to the first quarter of 2005, the Q2-EBIT margin improved by 70 basis points to 13.8 %.

Fresenius Kabi clearly exceeded the projected full-year EBIT margin target of >13.0 % in the first half of 2005. Therefore, the company raises its full-year EBIT margin outlook to >13.5 %. Constant-currency sales growth should remain at about 10 %.

Fresenius ProServe
Fresenius ProServe offers services for the international health care sector including hospital management and hospital planning and construction as well as planning and construction of pharmaceutical and medical-technical production sites.

• Further improvement in earnings
• Good order intake
• Sales below previous year due to project delays

In the first half of 2005, Fresenius ProServe achieved sales of € 350 million (H1 2004: € 383 million). On a comparable basis (excluding the nursing home business sold in 2004 and the discontinued international hospital management business), the sales decrease would have been 4 %. This decrease resulted from delayed closing of projects in the hospital engineering and services business (VAMED). In addition, the ongoing investment caution in the pharmaceutical industry led to lower sales in pharmaceutical engineering and services (Pharmaplan). An increase in sales of 3 % was achieved in the hospital management business (Wittgensteiner Kliniken).

EBIT increased to € 7 million in the first half of 2005 despite lower sales (H1 2004: € 0 million; before one-time charges: € 6 million). On a comparable basis, this is an increase of 17 %.

Order intake developed very positively in the second quarter and reached € 109 million. Order intake in the first half of 2005 increased 15 % to € 156 million (H1 2004: € 136 million). Order backlog in the first half of 2005 increased 14 % to € 382 million (December 31, 2004: € 335 million). Based on this development and additional contracts expected to be signed in the third and fourth quarters of 2005, Fresenius ProServe expects improved sales in the second half of 2005.

Fresenius ProServe confirms its full-year outlook for 2005 and expects an EBIT of € 20 to € 25 million and an organic sales growth of 5 to 8 %.


Live video webcast
As part of the earnings announcement for the first half of 2005, an analyst conference will be held at the Fresenius headquarters in Bad Homburg on August 4, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. CEDT (7.30 a.m. EDT). The analyst conference will be broadcast live over the Internet at www.fresenius-ag.com / Investor Relations / Presentations. Following the meeting, a recording of the conference will be available as video-on-demand.

Quarterly report
The full first-half and second-quarter report will be available on the Internet by August 15, 2005 at www.fresenius-ag.com / Investor Relations / Publications.