Outlook, risk report and opportunity report

Outlook

Forward-looking statements

The forward-looking statements and information given below are based on the Company’s current expectations and assessments. Consequently, they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Many factors, several of which are beyond the control of the KION Group, affect the Group’s business activities and profitability. Any unexpected developments in the global economy would result in the KION Group’s performance and profits differing significantly from those presented in the forecast below. The KION Group does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances. Furthermore, the KION Group cannot guarantee that future performance and actual profits generated will be consistent with the stated assumptions and estimates and can accept no liability in this regard.

Actual business performance may deviate from our forecasts due, among other factors, to the opportunities and risks described in the 2016 group management report. Performance particularly depends on macroeconomic and industry-specific conditions and may be negatively affected by increasing uncertainty or a worsening of the economic and political situation.

Expected business performance

Given its good business and earnings performance in the first half of 2017, which was in line with expectations, the KION Group is adhering to the forecast for 2017 as a whole that was published in the 2016 combined management report.

In 2017, the KION Group aims to build on its successful performance in 2016 and, based on the forecasts for market growth, achieve further increases in order intake, revenue and adjusted EBIT.

The order intake of the KION Group is expected to be between €7,800 million and €8,250 million. The target figure for consolidated revenue is in the range of €7,500 million to €7,950 million. The target range for adjusted EBIT is €740 million to €800 million. The adjusted EBIT margin is predicted to increase above the margin of 9.6 per cent that was generated in 2016. Free cash flow is expected to be in a range between €370 million and €430 million. The target figure for ROCE is in the range of 9.5 per cent to 10.5 per cent.

Order intake in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment is expected to be between €5,450 million and €5,600 million. The target figure for revenue is in the range of €5,300 million to €5,450 million. The target range for adjusted EBIT is €605 million to €630 million. The adjusted EBIT margin is predicted to increase slightly above the margin of 11.3 per cent achieved in 2016.

Order intake in the Supply Chain Solutions segment is expected to be between €2,350 million and €2,650 million. The target figure for revenue is in the range of €2,200 million to €2,500 million. The target range for adjusted EBIT is €195 million to €230 million. The adjusted EBIT margin is predicted to increase significantly above the margin of 1.6 per cent that was generated in 2016.

The outlook is based on the assumption that material prices will hold steady and the current exchange rate environment will remain as it is.

Opportunity and risk report

The KION Group’s overall risk and opportunity situation has not changed significantly compared with the description in the 2016 combined management report. As things stand at present, there are no indications of any risks that could jeopardise the Company’s continuation as a going concern.