1. Guidance for full-year 2016 confirmed: operating profit forecast to rise to between EUR 3.4 billion and EUR 3.7 billion
2. CEO Frank Appel: "Having posted the strongest second quarter in our company's history, we are well on track towards achieving our targets."

Deutsche Post DHL Group increased operating profit significantly in the second quarter of 2016. Group EBIT climbed to EUR 752 million, or a 40.0% increase over the prior-year period (2015: EUR 537 million). With this, the company recorded its best ever second quarter, as the strong earnings momentum of the preceding two quarters continued. Group revenue decreased by 3.5% to EUR 14.2 billion between April and June 2016 (2015: EUR 14.7 billion). In addition to negative currency effects and lower fuel surcharges, the decline primarily reflects a change in the recognition of revenue generated from a key customer contract in the Supply Chain division, which started in the fourth quarter of 2015. Adjusted for the above effects, Group revenue rose by 4.1% year on year.

"Our successful business performance and the strong increase in operating profit we achieved in the second quarter demonstrate that we took the right decisions and made the right investments in 2015, a year of transition, to set the stage for improving our profitability this year and in the years to come. Having posted the strongest second quarter in our history, we remain well on track towards achieving our targets. Our Post - eCommerce - Parcel division in particular contributed to the positive trend. PeP management is continuously expanding the division's market-leading position through future-oriented investments and trend-setting innovations," stated Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group.

Outlook: Earnings forecast for 2016 and long-term objectives confirmed

Although global economic growth remains only moderate, the strategic initiatives implemented in all four divisions are expected to significantly increase EBIT performance for full-year 2016. Deutsche Post DHL Group therefore re-confirms its full-year 2016 forecast for Group EBIT to be between EUR 3.4 billion and EUR 3.7 billion. The Group is also maintaining its targets beyond 2016: Deutsche Post DHL Group continues to forecast an average increase in operating profit of more than 8% annually during the period from 2013 to 2020 (CAGR).

Q2 2016: Profitability increases significantly

Although the moderate revenue development continues, both the Post - eCommerce - Parcel (PeP) division and the DHL divisions contributed to the substantial 40.0% increase in second-quarter Group EBIT to EUR 752 million (2015: EUR 537 million). Operating profit at PeP improved to EUR 247 million (2015: EUR 75 million). The DHL divisions reported a combined increase in EBIT of 10.5% to EUR 591 million (2015: EUR 535 million). Express saw another strong EBIT increase of 11.7% to EUR 420 million. Global Forwarding, Freight maintained the positive trend of the preceding quarters with an EBIT increase of nearly 75%, from EUR 40 million to EUR 69 million. Operating profit at Supply Chain declined due to restructuring costs with a decrease from EUR 119 million to EUR 102 million.

Thanks to the increase in operating profit and lower financing costs, consolidated net profit improved by 66.0% to EUR 541 million in the second quarter of 2016 (2015: EUR 326 million). Basic earnings per share saw a similar increase, from EUR 0.27 in the previous year to EUR 0.45 in 2016.

Capital expenditure: Foundation for growth reinforced

Group capital expenditures rose by 8.3% to EUR 456 million in the second quarter of 2016 (2015: EUR 421 million). Investments continued to focus on positioning the Group for future profitable growth in all four divisions. For example, Deutsche Post DHL Group made further progress in extending its national and international parcel infrastructure and invested in the production of its electric vehicles StreetScooter in addition to expanding global and regional hubs in the Express division as well as modernizing and expanding the aircraft fleet.

Cash flow: Strong performance impacted by pension provisions

The change in both operating cash flow and free cash flow in the second quarter reflects the further funding of pension obligations, which led to a cash outflow of EUR 1 billion in April 2016. The cash inflow from the placement of two bonds is recognized under cash flow from financing activities.

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Source: Deutsche Post DHL