EANS-Adhoc: Zapf Creation AG / Development of the Zapf Creation Group's business in 2009 impacted by sluggish demand for play and functional dolls

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ad-hoc disclosure pursuant to section 15 of the WpHG transmitted by euro
adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution. The issuer is solely
responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Preliminary financial figures 2009

19.02.2010

Roedental, February 19, 2010 - The Zapf Creation Group today
announced that it has accelerated its strategic development from a
doll manufacturer to a provider of branded girls' toys in 2009.
However, the development of revenue and earnings was adversely
affected by the declining demand for dolls particularly in the
important fourth quarter. According to preliminary figures,
consolidated revenue in the 2009 financial year was EUR 78.8 million,
down 24.5% from the previous year's figure of EUR 104.4 million.

Total operating expenses fell by 16.3% in 2009 compared to the
previous year while finance costs decreased 26.1% year on year. The
streamlined cost management was unable to fully offset the decline in
revenue. Consolidated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were
EUR -3.4 million in 2009, down from EUR 1.3 million the previous
year. This amount does not yet contain a possible payment obligation
in the amount of EUR 0.9 million under a licensing agreement with MGA
Entertainment, Inc. that has not yet taken effect. The consolidated
net loss after taxes was EUR 9.0 million (2008: EUR 6.3 million).
Adjusted for an extraordinary, non-cash effect from provisions for
taxes related to the Group's Hong Kong subsidiary, the loss for the
period in the financial year just ended was EUR 8.1 million.

The operating cash flow was positive in 2009, climbing significantly
to EUR 8.6 million (2008: EUR 1.1 million).

The Zapf Creation Group will continue optimizing its structures and
streamlining its cost management in 2010. The changes in the
composition of the Management Board that were announced on January
29, 2010, ensure that the Group will be in a position to swiftly
achieve additional efficiency gains. The Group also intends to
further push the development of innovative girls' toys. Based on the
positive response of retailers to the product innovations and the
potential offered by the cooperation with the Disney Group, the
Management Board is confident that the new products will noticeably
stimulate business in 2010.

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: Zapf Creation AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Katrin Kühnel

Telefon: +49 (0)9563-7251-513

E-Mail: katrin.kuehnel@zapf-creation.de

Branche: Consumer Goods
ISIN: DE0007806002
WKN: 780600
Index: MDAX, CDAX, Classic All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
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München / free trade