6-Month Press Conference 2012

STUTTGART, Germany — 24 May 2012.
Despite the expected downturn in the semiconductor market, revenue and earnings of the Carl Zeiss Group in the first six months of fiscal year 2011/12 remained at approximately the same level as in the prior year: revenue reached EUR 2.105bn, and earnings (EBIT) EUR 232m. The technology group therefore once again presented pleasing half-yearly figures (for the period from 1 October 2011 to 31 March 2012).

The Industrial Metrology and Medical Technology business groups posted a substantial increase in revenue over fiscal year 2010/11. The revenues of the Microscopy and Vision Care business groups attained the same level as in the previous year. As expected after the record figures achieved in the prior year, the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology group reported a downturn in revenue which is typical of the business cycles in this sector. “We got off to a good start in fiscal year 2011/12.

Revenue and earnings have exceeded our targeted figures,” said Dr. Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss. “The general economic climate proved to be very stable in many areas. Through our broad diversification, we were able to largely compensate for the cyclical downturn in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology group. This underscores the strength of our portfolio.”