SGS 2008 Year End Results

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With constant currency revenue growth of 17.7% (10.2% reported basis)
to CHF 4.8 billion, the SGS Group achieved a seventh consecutive year
of improved performance delivering a 13.9% increase in operating
income (pre-exceptional items) to CHF 810 million at an operating
margin of 16.8%.

In an increasingly volatile trading environment, the Group increased
net profit to CHF 579 million (pre-exceptionals), an increase of
12.4% from the prior year. In addition, the Group recorded an
exceptional after tax gain in the Governments & Institutions Services
business of CHF 113 million which has brought net income to CHF 692
million, 38.4% higher than 2007. The Board of Directors has
authorized another share buy-back program of up to CHF 250 million.

Confident about the Group's prospects, having CHF 574 million of cash
on hand at the end of 2008 and having recorded a CHF 15 per share
exceptional gain, the Board of Directors proposes a dividend of CHF
50 per share.


 
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SGS
1 place des Alpes<br>P.O. Box 2152 Geneva 1 Switzerland

WKN: 
870264; ISIN: CH0002497458; Index: SMCI, SMI, SMIEXP, SPI;
Listed: Main Market in SWX Swiss Exchange;