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Van der Moolen Holding N.V. (AMS:MOO) Amsterdam, the Netherlands, August 12, 2008 - Van der Moolen Holding NV (trading and brokerage in equities, bonds and related instruments) today reported its results for the second quarter of 2008.
Operational highlights:
* Ongoing increase of revenues and profitability; * Strong performance in proprietary arbitrage trading in Europe; * Downward trend brokerage in Europe; * Sustainable contribution US brokerage; * Good performance US trading; * Start operations in Hong Kong; * Start VDM Global Markets (retail segment) in Q3; * Termination Online Trader (semi professional segment) in Q3.
Financial highlights
* Operating profit (continuing operations): € 14.9 million in Q2 2008 versus € 6.1 million in Q1 2008 and a loss of € 2.8 million Q2 2007; * Net profit of € 10.5 million (before preferred financing dividend) in the second quarter of 2008 compared with a net loss of € 8.7 million in the second quarter of 2007 and a net profit of € 4 million in the first quarter of 2008. * Net profit (attributable to common shareholders) of € 9.6 million in Q2 2008, versus € 3.1 million in Q1 2008 and a loss of € 9.6 million in Q2 2007; * Net result included goodwill impairment with a net impact of € 2 million on European brokerage activities due to challenging market circumstances; * Net result impacted by a tax charge of € 0.5 million for the second quarter and € 1.7 million for the first half year of 2008 on unrealized results on NYSE Euronext shares in 2008 and the absence of a deferred tax asset position related to our US activities.
Outlook second half 2008
* Stable growth brokerage Europe and US; * More challenging market conditions in trading Europe compared to Q2; * Limited costs start VDM Global Markets and operations Asia; * Costs termination Online Trader estimated at approximately € 4.5 million. Closing period Online Trader activities expected to last until ultimo 2008.
Outlook 2009
* Cost savings approximately € 4.5 million due to termination Online Trader; * Further growth of trading and brokerage activities; * Further increase of profitability; * We expect a positive contribution of VDM Global Markets
Richard den Drijver, Chief Executive Officer of Van der Moolen Holding NV commented: "The first half year reflects the continued change of our business model. VDM will continue to focus on profitable activities in promising markets. The launch of VDM Global Markets in the retail segment is an example of this. Further growth of our trading and brokerage business spread over sectors and markets will increase the underlying strength of our performance. We therefore expect a further increase of profitability in 2009".
For more information about Van der Moolen, please visit www.vandermoolen.com or contact Investor Relations/Corporate Communications, telephone +31 (0)20 535 6789.
Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and which have been made pursuant to, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding our future financial condition, results of operations and business strategy, plans and objectives are forward-looking. Statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "hope," and words of similar meaning are forward-looking. In particular, the following are forward-looking in nature: statements with regard to strategy and management objectives; pending or potential acquisitions; pending or potential litigation and government investigations, including litigation and investigations concerning specialist trading in the U.S.; future revenue sources; the effects of changes or prospective changes in the regulation or structure of the securities exchanges on which our subsidiaries operate; and trends in results, performance, achievements or conditions in the markets in which we operate. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which may cause our results, performance, achievements or conditions in the markets in which we operate to differ, possibly materially, from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. We describe certain important factors to consider in connection with these forward-looking statements under "Key Information - Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our annual filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our management's view only as of the date of this Report. We have no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
