GfK Group exceeds target margin with successful fourth quarter of 2009

• Significant rise in sales, adjusted operating income and margin in the fourth quarter of 2009
• Annual sales of EUR 1,164 million approximately at the prior year’s level
• Margin of 12.6% for the full year exceeds expectations
• BISS fitness and efficiency program and cost-cutting measures taken prove successful
• Management and Supervisory Boards propose dividend of EUR 0.30 per share for 2009
• Forecast for 2010: sales increase of approximately 3% and growth in margin of up to 13.0%
• Supervisory Board extends contract of Management Board member Debra A. Pruent by five years

Nuremberg, February 25, 2010 – With a pleasing performance in the fourth quarter of 2009, GfK continued the positive trend of the two preceding quarters. Based on the preliminary figures, GfK achieved sales of EUR 324 million in the fourth quarter, after EUR 282.7 million in the third quarter of 2009. Adjusted operating income amounted to EUR 57 million in the fourth quarter and exceeded income for the third quarter of 2009 (EUR 38.2 million) as well as the figure for the same quarter in the prior year (EUR 54.5 million). The margin, which reflects adjusted operating income in relation to sales, rose markedly to 17.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009. This represents growth in the margin of 4.2 percentage points compared with the third quarter of 2009 (13.5%). In the fourth quarter of 2008, the margin stood at 16.2%. This positive growth at Group level is based on successful cost management coupled with the positive impact of the BISS fitness and efficiency program. In addition, the Retail and Technology sector achieved an outstanding performance in financial year 2009. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the Group recorded a revival in operating business overall.

According to the preliminary figures, GfK recorded sales totaling EUR 1,164 million in financial year 2009 and therefore achieved its outlook. Taking into account acquisitions and currency effects, sales in financial year 2009 were down by a total of 4.6%. Acquisitions boosted sales by 2.0%, while currency effects reduced sales slightly by 0.6%. The downturn in sales in organic terms amounted to 6.0%. Compared with the first nine months of 2009, during which the decline totaled 7.3%, an improvement was achieved. In the period under review, adjusted operating income amounted to EUR 147 million (prior year: EUR 158.7 million). In the fourth quarter in particular, GfK achieved a considerable increase in adjusted operating income. The margin for the full year amounted to a pleasing 12.6%, after 10.7% in the first nine months of 2009. This means that GfK has exceeded its own outlook. The company had assumed a low double-digit margin, but recorded a significantly higher figure for the full year than after the first nine months of the year, and came close to the prior year’s margin (13.0%).

All three GfK sectors substantially increased their sales, adjusted operating income and margin in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of the year. The Custom Research sector, in particular, was able to continue the positive business trend of the prior quarters, despite difficult market conditions. The Retail and Technology sector recorded organic sales growth of 4.3%, up to EUR 326 million, in financial year 2009 and increased its margin from 27.2% to 29.4% compared with the prior year. The Media sector achieved robust sales as well as an increase in adjusted operating income in the fourth quarter of the year.

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