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Ducati Motor Holding Announces Preliminary Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2004 Financial Results

BOLOGNA, Italy, February 11 --

    
                        2004     2003     Var%     4Q04     4Q03     Var%
    Revenues           382.8    388.2     -1.4%    114.8    103.6    10.8%
    EBITDA              39.1     45.2    -13.5%     13.0     14.3    -9.1%
    Profit/Loss
    (pre-tax)           (1.8)     0.1       na       8.0      7.1    12.7%
    Net Debt          (115.9)  (117.2)     1.1%

    (Million euro)

Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. , a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, today announced preliminary full year and fourth quarter 2004 financial results.

Revenues for 2004 were Euro 382.8 million, up 1.0% excluding forex effects, (or down 1.4% including forex effects) versus last year. Revenues from motorcycles decreased 4.4% to Euro 302.2 million and represented 78.9% of revenues. Motorcycle-related products, including spare parts, technical accessories and apparel, increased 8.2% to Euro 75.0 million against last year.

Gross margin for 2004 was 36.0% versus last year's 34.7%, thanks to product cost reduction, operational efficiencies and related product sales increase, partly offset by a negative forex effect. EBITDA was Euro 39.1 million, or 10.2% of revenues, up 2.3% excluding forex effects (or down 13.5% including forex effects), versus Euro 45.2 million of the previous yea,. mainly due to increased sales costs.

At EBT level, the result was a loss of Euro 1.8 million versus break-even in 2003, due to a lower EBITDA, which was partially offset by lower depreciation and financial charges.

The Company's net debt on December 31, 2004 was Euro 115.9 million, down against Euro 117.2 million on December 31, 2003. The company's gearing ratio was 75% on December 31, 2004 versus 74% on the same date a year earlier.

Unofficial Ducati worldwide registrations for 2004 were down 5.2% versus last year, with France down 1%, Italy down 6%, UK down 13%, Benelux down 17%, Japan down 19%, Germany down 20%, while Spain was up 33%, the US was up 15% and Australia was up 8%.

"2004 was a challenging year for Ducati. The continuing weakness of the dollar and the difficult market conditions in Germany, France, UK and Japan together with the delay in the introduction of the new Monster S2R weighed heavily on both sales and registrations", said Federico Minoli, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. "However, the company concluded 2004 with excellent fourth quarter results and 2 podiums in the MotoGP championship, which are both promising results for the coming year. The success of the presentation of the new Superbike, the arrival of the Monster S2R and the great excitement around the new Multistrada 620 all give us a year to look forward to with confidence".

"We expect to close 2004 with a net loss of approximately 8 million Euro, due to current and deferred income taxes", added Enrico D'Onofrio, Chief Financial Officer of Ducati. "We are finalizing the refinancing of the bond which is expiring by the end of May 2005. The company is evaluating all possible financial instruments including a new bond issue in the range of 100 Million Euros."

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2004 were Euro 114.8 million, up 16.2% excluding forex effects, (or up 10.8% including forex effects) over the same period in 2003, due to higher bike sales.

Gross margin for the fourth quarter was 33.4% of revenues, in line with the previous year. EBITDA was Euro 13.0 million, compared to Euro 14.3 million in 2003, due to a negative forex effect and higher sales costs.

Results before tax for the fourth quarter of 2004 were a profit of Euro 8.0 million versus Euro 7.1 million last year. This increase is mainly due to lower financial charges.

Fourth quarter 2004 financial results were approved by the Board of Director on February 10, 2005.

By the end of the year 2004, the Company had re-purchased 3,769,249 shares, equivalent to Euro 3,283,016 or 2.37% of its stock capital.

A discussion by Ducati management of 2004 results is available under the Company section of our website www.ducati.com in Investor Relations. It can be accessed until mid-March 2005 under "Webcast of Results" at the bottom of the IR Press Release Schedule section.

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won thirteen of the last fifteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in five market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport; Monster, Sport Touring and Multistrada. The Company's motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.ducati.com

    
                     Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
               Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
                      (Euro in thousands)
 
                                        December 31, 2004   December 31, 2003
 
                                          EUR        %        EUR        %
 
    Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents           33,327              23,973
    Trade receivables, net              84,333              80,421
    Inventories                         92,293              104,774
    Other current assets                18,642              18,869
    Current assets - Credit Link        15,000                 -
    Total current assets               243,595    54.4%    228,037    52.4%
 
    Non current assets
    Property, plant and equipment-net   62,961              67,167
    Intangible fixed assets, net       119,532             124,721
    Equity investments                      20                  12
    Non current assets - Credit
    Link / ABS                          10,000              25,000
    Other long-term assets              11,822              12,096
    Total non current assets           204,335    45.6%    228,996    50.1%
 
    Total assets                       447,930   100.0%    457,033   100.0%
 
    Current liabilities
    Short-term bank borrowings          93,346              65,587
    Current portion of long-term debt   61,850               3,740
    Accounts payable - trade            77,112              89,503
    Income and other taxes payables      7,406              12,212
    Other current liabilities           16,335              15,930
    Provisions for risks and
    charges - current portion            3,871               4,011
    Total current liabilities          259,920    58.0%    190,983    41.6%
 
    Long-term liabilities
    Long-term debt, net of current
    portion                              7,116              81,882
    Employees' leaving entitlement       9,253               8,277
    Deferred income taxes                   86                  35
    Income an other taxes
    payables - long term portion         1,292                 -
    Other long-term liabilities         11,869              14,939
    Provision for risks and
    charges - long term portion          2,518               2,518
    Total long-term liabilities         32,134     7.2%    107,651    23.6%
 
    Total liabilities                  292,054             298,634
 
    Total Group shareholders' equity   155,860    34.8%    158,399    34.7%
 
    Minority interests                      16                   -
 
    Total shareholders' equity         155,876    34.8%    158,399    34.7%
 
    Total liabilities and
    shareholders' equity               447,930    100%     457,033    100%
    
                                   Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
                            Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
                                        (US$ in thousands)
 
                                        December 31, 2004   December 31, 2003
 
                                          US$        %        US$       %
 
    Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents           45,395              32,654
    Trade receivables, net             114,870             109,541
    Inventories                        125,712             142,713
    Other current assets                25,392              25,701
    Current assets - Credit Link        20,432              -
    Total current assets               331,801     54.4%   310,609     52.4%
 
    Non current assets
    Property, plant and equipment-net   85,759              91,488
    Intangible fixed assets, net       162,815             169,882
    Equity investments                      27                  16
    Non current assets - Credit
    Link / ABS                          13,621              34,053
    Other long-term assets              16,102              16,476
    Total non current assets           278,324     45.6%   311,915     50.1%
 
    Total assets                       610,125    100.0%   622,524    100.0%
 
    Current liabilities
    Short-term bank borrowings         127,146             89,336
    Current portion of long-term debt   84,246              5,094
    Accounts payable - trade           105,034             121,912
    Income and other taxes payables     10,088              16,634
    Other current liabilities           22,250              21,698
    Provisions for risks and
    charges - current portion            5,273               5,463
    Total current liabilities          354,037     58.0%   260,137     41.6%
 
    Long-term liabilities
    Long-term debt, net of current
    portion                              9,693             111,532
    Employees' leaving entitlement      12,604              11,274
    Deferred income taxes                  117                 48
    Income an other taxes
    payables - long term portion         1,760               -
    Other long-term liabilities         16,166              20,348
    Provisionfor risks and
    charges - long term portion          3,429               3,430
    Total long-term liabilities         43,769      7.2%   146,632     23.6%
 
    Total liabilities                  397,806             406,769
 
    Total Group shareholders' equity   212,297     34.8%   215,755     34.7%
 
    Minority interests                      22
 
    Total shareholders' equity         212,319     34.8%   215,755     34.7%
 
    Total liabilities and
    shareholders' equity               610,125     100%    622,524     100%
    
                   Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
                       (Euro in thousands)
 
                                                 Year ended        Year ended
                                                  31/12/04          31/12/03
                                                   EUR 000           EUR 000
 
    Cash flow generated by operating activities
 
    Net profit (loss) for the period               (1,763)               40
    Change in cumulative translation adjustment    (1,012)           (1,381)
    Change in minority interests                      -                 -
    Adjustments to reconcile net profit (loss)
    with the movements
    of funds generated by (used in) operating
    activities:
 
        - Amortisation, depreciation and
          writedowns                               35,519            38,889
        - Deferred income taxes                        51               -
        - Net change in employees'
          leaving entitlements                        976             1,151
 
    Change in operating assets
    and liabilities
        - Trade receivables                        (3,912)            1,621
        - Inventories                              12,481             6,653
        - Other current assets                        365            (1,443)
        - Trade payables                          (12,391)           (5,611)
        - Other current liabilities                   265            (4,781)
        - Due to tax authorities                   (3,514)            6,858
        - Other long-term assets and liabilities      -             (13,026)
 
    Net cash generated
    by operating activities                        27,065            28,970
 
    Cash flow (used in) generated
    by investing activities
    Net change in property, plant and equipment   (10,472)          (15,746)
    Net change in intangible fixed assets         (15,652)          (18,110)
    Decrease (increase) in equity investments         144               -
    Other non-current assets                          -                  66
 
    Net cash used in investing activities         (25,980)          (33,790)
 
    Net cash generated by operating activities
    less cash flow used in investing activities     1,085            (4,820)
 
    Cash flow (used in) generated by financing
    activities
    Change in short- and long-term debt            29,533            30,169
    Subscription to (buy back of) bonds           (21,500)          (15,336)
    Increase in share capital and reserves            236               -
    Other non-current financial assets                -             (10,000)
 
    Net cash (used in) generated by financing
    activities                                      8,269             4,833
 
    Increase (decrease) in cash on hand, bank
    deposits and securities                         9,354                13
 
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
    the period                                     23,973            23,960
 
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period   33,327            23,973
    
                                       Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
                                   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
                                           (US$ in thousands)
 
                                                      Year ended   Year ended
                                                        31/12/04     31/12/03
                                                         $/000        $/000
 
    Cash flow generated by operating activities
 
    Net profit (loss) for the period                     (2,401)          54
    Change in cumulative translation adjustment          (1,378)      (1,881)
    Change in minority interests                            -            -
    Adjustments to reconcile net profit
    (loss) with the movements
    of funds generated by (used in) operating
    activities:
 
       - Amortisation, depreciation and writedowns       48,378       52,968
       - Deferred income taxes                               69          -
       - Net change in employees' leaving entitlements    1,329        1,568
 
    Change in operating assets
    and liabilities
       - Trade receivables                               (5,328)       2,208
       - Inventories                                     16,999        9,062
       - Other current assets                               497       (1,965)
       - Trade payables                                 (16,877)      (7,642)
       - Other current liabilities                          361       (6,512)
       - Due to tax authorities                          (4,786)       9,341
       - Other long-term assets and liabilities             -        (17,742)
 
    Net cash generated
    by operating activities                              36,863       39,459
 
    Cash flow (used in) generated
    by investing activities
    Net change in property, plant and equipment         (14,263)     (21,446)
    Net change in intangible fixed assets               (21,318)     (24,666)
    Decrease (increase) in equity investments               196           -
    Other non-current assets                                -             90
 
    Net cash used in investing activities               (35,385)     (46,022)
 
    Net cash generated by operating activities
    less cash flow used in investing activities           1,478       (6,563)
 
    Cash flow (used in) generated by financing
    activities
    Change in short- and long-term debt                  40,225       41,091
    Subscription to (buy back of) bonds                 (29,284)     (20,888)
    Increase in share capital and reserves                  321          -
    Other non-current financial assets                      -        (13,620)
 
    Net cash (used in) generated by financing
    activities                                           11,262        6,583
 
    Increase (decrease) in cash on hand, bank
    deposits and securities                              12,740           20
 
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period   23,973       23,960
 
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period         36,713       23,980
    
                  Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. and Subsidiaries
                          Net Sales and Shipment Data
 
                                Three Months Ended      Three Months Ended
                              Dec, 31     Dec, 31       Dec, 31     Dec, 31
                              2004         2003          2004        2003
 
    Net Sales (Euro in
    thousands, US$ in
      thousands)
 
       Motorcycles           EUR 97,936   EUR 86,210   $ 133,399    $ 117,427
       Spare Parts,
       Accessories, Apparel      16,099       15,567      21,928       21,204
       Miscellaneous Other          761        1,864       1,037        2,539
 
    Total net sales          EUR 114,796  EUR 103,641  $ 156,364    $ 141,170
 
    Ducati Units
    Motorcycle shipments:                               % Change
 
       North America               1,974       1,701       16.0%
       Main European market        6,440       5,743       12.1%
       Japan                         816       1,252      (34.8%)
       Rest of World               2,090       1,380       51.4%
 
    Total                         11,320      10,076       12.3%
 
    Motorcycle product mix:                             % Change
 
       Superbike                   3,509       2,660       31.9%
       Supersport                    406         570      (28.8%)
       Sport Naked                 5,069       4,734        7.1%
       Sport Touring                 832         849       (2.0%)
       Multistrada                 1,504       1,263       19.1%
 
    Total                         11,320      10,076       12.3%
 
    Unofficial Motorcycle
    Registrations:                                      % Change
 
       North America                 839         886       (5.3%)
       Main European market        1,902       2,442      (22.1%)
       Japan                         600         795      (24.5%)
       Rest of World               1,153         902       27.8%
 
    Total                          4,494       5,025      (10.6%)
    
                Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. and Subsidiaries
                          Net Sales and Shipment Data
 
                                Twelve Months Ended       Twelve Months Ended
                                Dec, 31      Dec, 31      Dec, 31     Dec, 31
                                2004         2003         2004        2003
 
    Net Sales (Euro in
    thousands, US$ in
    thousands)
 
       Motorcycles           EUR 302,179  EUR 315,959   $ 411,598   $ 430,368
       Spare Parts,
       Accessories, Apparel       74,985       69,298     102,137      94,391
       Miscellaneous Other         5,598        2,984       7,625       4,065
 
    Total net sales          EUR 382,762  EUR 388,241   $ 521,360   $ 528,824
 
    Ducati Units
    Motorcycle shipments:                                % Change
 
       North America               5,298        4,618       14.7%
       Main European market       21,862       23,808       (8.2%)
       Japan                       2,351        3,508      (33.0%)
       Rest of World               7,049        6,483        8.7%
 
    Total                         36,560       38,417       (4.8%)
 
    Motorcycle product mix:                              % Change
 
       Superbike                  10,213        9,308        9.7%
       Supersport                  1,426        2,818      (49.4%)
       Sport Naked                18,027       17,991        0.2%
       Sport Touring               2,996        2,275       31.7%
       Multistrada                 3,898        6,025      (35.3%)
 
    Total                         36,560       38,417       (4.8%)
 
    Unofficial Motorcycle
    Registrations:                                       % Change
 
       North America               5,673        4,927       15.1%
       Main European market       21,806       24,080       (9.4%)
       Japan                       2,914        3,579      (18.6%)
       Rest of World               5,696        5,502        3.5%
 
    Total                         36,089       38,088       (5.2%)
    
                       Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
                 Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
    (Euro in thousands, US$ in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
 
                       Twelve Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended
 
                         Dec, 31   Dec, 31     Dec, 31    Dec, 31   Percent
                         2004      2003        2004       2003      Change
                         EUR       EUR          $          $
    Net Sales            382,762   388,241     521,360    528,823    (1.4%)
    Cost of goods sold  (244,846) (253,406)   (333,505)  (345,164)
    Gross Profit         137,916   134,835     187,855    183,659     2.3%
    Other operating
    revenues              24,718    23,178      33,668     31,571
    SG&A expenses       (123,178) (112,993)   (167,781)  (153,908)
    Other operating
    income                  (371)      187        (505)       255
    Depreciation &
    amortization         (35,520)  (38,889)    (48,383)   (52,971)
 
    Operating
    income/(loss)          3,565     6,318       4,854      8,606   (43.6%)
 
    Financing
    expense, net          (4,764)   (6,756)     (6,488)    (9,202)
    Other non-operating
    income/(expense), net   (564)      558        (768)       760
 
    Profit/(loss)before
    income taxes          (1,763)      120      (2,402)       164 (1568.3%)
 
    Shares
    outstanding       158,826,407 158,500,963  158,826,407  158,500,963
 
                                                                     Percent
    Other Financial
    Data                                                             Change
    Motorcycles
    Produced (Units)      35,538    36,661                           (3.1%)
    Motorcycles Sold
    (Units)               36,560    38,417                           (4.8%)
    Unofficial
    Registrations (Units) 36,089    38,088                           (5.2%)
    EBITDA                39,084    45,207       53,236    61,517   (13.5%)
    EBITDA Margin          10.2%     11.6%
 
    Note : On December 31, 2004 US$1= 0,7342 Euros

                      Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
               Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
    (Euro in thousands, US$ in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
 
                         Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended
 
                         Dec, 31     Dec, 31    Dec, 31    Dec, 31    Percent
                         2004        2003       2004       2003       Change
                         EUR         EUR         $          $
    Net Sales            114,796     103,641    156,364    141,169     10.8%
    Cost of goods sold   (76,457)    (68,977)  (104,142)   (93,954)
    Gross Profit          38,339      34,664     52,222     47,215     10.6%
    Other operating
    revenues               6,460       6,854      8,799      9,336
    SG&A expenses        (32,042)    (27,582)   (43,644)   (37,569)
    Other operating
    income/(expense),
    net                      177         193        241        263
    Depreciation &
    amortization          (7,403)    (10,770)   (10,084)    (14,670)
 
    Operating
    income/(loss)          5,531       3,359      7,534       4,575    64.7%
 
    Financing expense, net 2,649        (971)     3,610      (1,323)
    Other non-operating
    income/(expense), net   (134)      4,736       (183)      6,451
 
    Profit/(loss)before
    income taxes           8,046       7,124     10,961       9,703    13.0%
 
    Shares
    outstanding       158,826,407 158,500,963  158,826,407  158,500,963
 
                                                                      Percent
    Other Financial Data                                              Change
    Motorcycles Produced
    ( Units)               6,509       9,800                          (33.6%)
    Motorcycles Sold
    (Units)               11,320      10,076                           12.3%
    Unofficial
    Registrations (Units)  4,494       5,025                          (10.6%)
    EBITDA                12,933      14,129      17,739     19,505    (9.1%)
    EBITDA Margin          11.3%       13.6%
 
    Note : On December 31, 2004 US$1= 0,7342 Euros