METRO AG adjusts outlook for financial year 2017/18

The Management Board of METRO AG now expects the EBITDA* (exchange-rate adjusted and excluding earnings contributions from real estate transactions) of METRO to increase slightly - instead of by approximately 10% - in the financial year 2017/18 as compared to last year's result of EUR 1,436 million. With regard to overall sales METRO AG now expects a growth rate of minimum 0.5% in the financial year 2017/18 instead of a growth rate of minimum 1.1% (both figures exchange-rate adjusted).

The reduced expectations are mainly based on the fact that the business of METRO AG in Russia is currently developing less favorably than expected. METRO AG had expected a significant improvement of the sales development in Russia for the second half-year. Instead, the Management Board now - also because of the further deteriorating geopolitical situation - expects sales in the second half-year to stay behind expectations. Furthermore the repositioning of the business will incur higher additional cost in the second half-year than previously expected. Overall, this leads to a decrease of the expected earnings contribution of METRO Russia.

In addition to that, the tariff negotiations with the ver.di trade union on a competitive remuneration structure at Real have ended without an agreement. Although a viable alternative solution has been found and is being implemented, this fact will in the short and medium term, and therefore also in the third and fourth quarter, put a strain on earnings.

Based on current assessment, this - certain positive effects in the portfolio notwithstanding - cannot entirely be compensated by the other divisions of METRO AG.

The outlook for like-for-like sales is confirmed. The Management Board of METRO AG expects it to slightly surpass the 0.5% growth delivered in the reporting year 2016/17. METRO Wholesale is expected to make a significant contribution to this growth.

METRO AG will publish its half-year financial report as scheduled on May 15, 2018. On the basis of preliminary data METRO AG expects overall sales of EUR 18,560 million, a like-for-like sales growth of 1.3% and an EBITDA (excluding earnings contributions from real estate transactions) of EUR 760 million for the first half-year.

* A definition of EBITDA and other financial indicators can be found in the Annual Report 2016/17 - Consolidated financial statements of METRO AG from page 265. The Annual Report 2016/17 can be downloaded from reports.metroag.de/annual-report/2016-2017/servicepages/downloads.html

METRO is a leading international specialist in wholesale and food retail. The company operates in 35 countries and employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. In financial year 2016/17, METRO generated sales of approximately €37 billion. The company provides custom solutions to meet the regional and international needs of its wholesale and retail customers. With its sales brands METRO/MAKRO Cash & Carry and Real as well as delivery services and digitisation initiatives, METRO sets the standards for tomorrow: for customer focus, digital solutions and sustainable business models.