SIE Siemens N Ord

 
TIDMSIE 
 
 

Earnings Release Q4 2010July 1 to September 30, 2010

SIEMENS' GROWTH GAINS MOMENTUMOrders and revenue rise again in all Sectors and regions.Strong Q4 completes record year for cash

Peter Löscher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG

We completed fiscal 2010 very successfully. We are coming out of the economic downturn with full momentum. Our growth is gaining speed. Operationally, we achieved record profit twice in a row. We expect to take this positive momentum into the next fiscal year. We have to keep winning, order by order. We expect clear growth in new orders compared to fiscal 2010. Also, revenue should again grow moderately. We expect to continue the positive trend in earnings growth.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

 
 
    -- For the second straight quarter, Siemens delivered order and revenue 

growth both year-over-year and on a sequential basis, in all three

Sectors.

 
    -- Revenue rose 8% and orders climbed 25%, including growth in all 

reporting regions and double-digit increases in emerging economies.

The book-to-bill ratio was 1.11 and the backlog for the Sectors

totaled EUR87 billion.

 
    -- Total Sectors profit of EUR1.064 billion included impairment charges of 

EUR1.204 billion at Diagnostics.

 
    -- Net income (loss) was a negative EUR396 million due primarily to the 

impairment charges at Diagnostics and charges of EUR383 million for

completing previously announced staff reductions at Siemens IT

Solutions and Services. Basic EPS was a negative EUR0.54.

 
    -- Free cash flow from continuing operations was EUR2.990 billion for the 

quarter and EUR7.111 billion for the fiscal year.

 
    -- For fiscal 2010, orders rose 3% to EUR81.163 billion and revenue of 

EUR75.978 billion was nearly level with the prior year. Total Sectors

profit of EUR7.789 billion exceeded the prior-year level even after the

impairment charges mentioned above. Net income climbed 63%, to EUR4.068

billion. Siemens proposes a dividend of EUR2.70 per share compared to

EUR1.60 per share in fiscal 2009.

ORDERS AND REVENUE

Strong order growth in a recovering economy

For the second straight quarter, all three Sectors posted strong sequential order growth. Orders climbed in all Sectors, and revenue growth was supported by Siemens' strong order backlog. Order and revenue growth benefited from overall positive currency translation effects between the periods under review, as well as tailwinds from a recovering global economy. Currency translation effects turned negative within the fourth quarter, taking EUR3.5 billion from the Sectors' combined order backlog. As a result the backlog decreased compared to the end of the third quarter, to EUR87 billion, despite a book-to-bill well above 1.

Revenue up in all Sectors and regions, with lift from currency

Revenue in Industry rose 9% compared to the prior-year period, led by shorter-cycle businesses. Healthcare revenue increased at all Divisions. The Energy Sector returned to organic revenue growth (adjusted for currency translation and portfolio effects), including a strong contribution from Renewable Energy. Revenue increases in all Sectors benefited from currency translation effects.

Revenue rose in all three of Siemens' reporting regions. Revenue from emerging markets rose 21%, to EUR7.055 billion, accounting for most of the increase in the quarter as well as nearly a third of revenue overall.

Higher volume from major orders in Energy drives order growth

Energy led all Sectors with 40% order growth, as global energy markets continued to improve and the volume from major orders increased substantially. Industry orders grew more than 20%, including double-digit increases in all Divisions except Mobility. Healthcare orders rose 14% with contributions from all Divisions.

Orders grew by double digits in all three reporting regions. All regions included a higher volume from major orders compared to the prior-year period. High double-digit growth in India included a large order at Fossil Power Generation.

INCOME AND PROFIT

Total Sectors profit burdened by impairment charges

Total Sectors profit in the fourth quarter declined to EUR1.064 billion, as a negative result at Healthcare due to substantial impairment charges more than offset higher Sector profit at Energy and Industry. Sector profit at Energy climbed both year-over-year and on a consecutive basis throughout the fiscal year, reaching a new high at EUR953 million. Industry's Sector profit of EUR883 million was held back by charges of EUR125 million at Industry Solutions related to current cost estimates for a project engagement with a local partner in the U.S. and charges of EUR122 million for staff reduction measures. Healthcare posted a loss of EUR772 million, after charges of EUR1.204 billion for impairments and EUR96 million associated with particle therapy contracts at Workflow & Solutions.

Impairment and staff reduction charges burden income from continuing operations

Continuing operations showed a loss of EUR339 million in the current period compared to a loss of EUR982 million a year earlier. Corresponding basic EPS in the current period was a negative EUR0.47 compared to a negative EUR1.21 a year earlier. The current period includes the EUR1.204 billion in charges mentioned above for Healthcare and a loss of EUR463 million at Siemens IT Solutions and Services resulting primarily from EUR383 million in charges for completing previously announced staff reductions. The current period also included EUR310 million related to special remuneration for non-management employees worldwide.

Positive factors for continuing operations included a lower loss from Equity Investments compared to the prior-year period and higher income from Siemens Financial Services. For comparison, the fourth quarter a year ago included impairments of EUR1.850 billion related to Siemens' equity stake in Nokia Siemens Networks B.V. (NSN).

Net income (loss) was a negative EUR396 million in the current period compared to a negative EUR1.063 billion in the fourth quarter a year earlier. Basic EPS was a negative EUR0.54 in the current period compared to a negative EUR1.31 in the prior-year period. The primary driver of net income in both periods was continuing operations and the related factors discussed above.

CASH, RETURN ON CAPITAL EMPLOYED (ROCE), PENSION FUNDED STATUS

Sectors deliver another strong year-end cash performance

Free cash flow at the Sector level climbed 7% compared to the prior-year quarter, to EUR 3.881 billion, driven by strong operating performances in the Sectors. The impairment charges of EUR1.204 billion at Diagnostics had no impact on free cash flow.

Free cash flow from continuing operations was EUR2.990 billion compared to EUR3.158 billion in the strong year-end quarter a year earlier. The current period included higher payments related to income taxes and lower cash inflows from Siemens IT Solutions and Services, which continued to face operational challenges in highly competitive markets. Both periods included approximately EUR0.2 billion in outflows related to staff reduction measures.

Burdens on income affect capital efficiency metric in fourth quarter

ROCE in the fourth quarter did not reflect Siemens' overall progress with capital efficiency during fiscal 2010, due to the substantial burdens on income from continuing operations in the quarter. On a continuing basis, ROCE was a negative 4.4%, compared to a negative 10.4% in the fourth quarter a year earlier. Negative income from continuing operations in both periods included substantial impairments, including the EUR1.204 billion (pretax) in impairment charges in Healthcare in the current period and impairments of EUR1.850 billion (pretax) related to NSN in the prior-year period. The current period also includes EUR417 million (pretax) in costs associated with the previously announced strategic reorientation of Siemens IT Solutions and Services.

Pension plan underfunding increases

The underfunding of Siemens' principal pension plans as of September 30, 2010 amounted to EUR6.4 billion, compared to EUR6.1 billion as of June 30, 2010. Siemens' defined benefit obligation (DBO) increased during the quarter due to a further decrease in the discount rate assumption, as well as accrued service and interest costs. These factors were largely offset by a particularly strong return on plan assets. As of September 30, 2009 the underfunding of Siemens' principal pension plans amounted to EUR4.0 billion.

INDUSTRY SECTOR

Broad-based growth, strong profit performance

Industry produced strong increases in profit, revenue and orders compared to the fourth quarter a year ago, on successful implementation of profitability initiatives throughout the fiscal year as well as improved market conditions. Profit climbed to EUR883 million, with all Divisions except Industry Solutions contributing strong increases. Both periods under review included net charges for staff reduction measures, amounting to EUR122 million in the current period and EUR173 million in the prior-year period. In addition, profit in the current period was held back by charges of EUR125 million at Industry Solutions related to current cost estimates for a project engagement with a local partner in the U.S.

Fourth-quarter revenue grew 9% year-over-year, with the strongest growth coming from Industry Automation, OSRAM and Drive Technologies. Orders climbed 21% compared to the prior-year period, including double-digit increases in all Divisions except Mobility, where orders came in below the prior-year period. On a geographic basis, revenue rose on double-digit growth in the Americas and Asia, Australia. Orders climbed strongly in all three regions, including 35% growth in emerging markets worldwide. For Industry as a whole, currency translation effects added 7 percentage points to order growth and 6 percentage points to revenue growth. The positive effect on revenue growth was driven primarily by Industry's shorter-cycle businesses. The Sector's book-to-bill ratio was slightly above 1, and its order backlog was EUR28 billion.

Profit climbs on double-digit revenue growth

Fourth-quarter profit at Industry Automation climbed 61% year-over-year, to EUR334 million, driven by increased demand and higher capacity utilization. For comparison, the current period benefited from a EUR19 million gain from the sale of a business while the prior-year period included EUR22 million in net charges for staff reduction measures. Revenue and orders grew 21% and 25%, respectively, on growth in all business units and in all regions. Purchase price accounting (PPA) effects related to the Division's fiscal 2007 acquisition of UGS Corp. were EUR39 million in the current period compared to EUR33 million a year earlier.

Longer-cycle businesses see signs of stabilization

Drive Technologies delivered a strong fourth-quarter performance, driven primarily by its shorter-cycle businesses. Profit of EUR281 million was up sharply from the prior-year period due to higher revenue, increased capacity utilization and an improved business mix. Net charges for staff reduction measures in the current period amounted to EUR28 million, compared to EUR30 million in the prior-year period. Revenue rose in all regions, including increasing signs of stabilization in the Division's longer-cycle businesses. Orders climbed 20%, with all three regions reporting strong increases in demand.

Typically strong year-end quarter

Building Technologies more than doubled its fourth-quarter profit, to EUR148 million, on higher earnings in all businesses. Net charges for staff reduction measures in the current period amounted to EUR20 million, while the prior-year period included net charges for staff reduction measures of EUR29 million as well as losses on divestments. Broad-based topline growth of 7% in revenue and 10% in orders included strong demand for energy efficiency solutions and from emerging markets.

Broad-based profit increase, steady demand growth

OSRAM swung to a profit of EUR137 million in the fourth quarter from a loss in the same period a year earlier. All business units contributed to the profit performance, which was due in large part to higher revenue and associated increases in capacity utilization. For comparison, the Division's turn-around program in the prior-year period included net charges for staff reduction measures of EUR18 million and EUR40 million in charges for major impairments and inventory write downs.

Fourth-quarter revenue climbed 18% year-over-year on strong demand for LEDs and automotive solutions. OSRAM intends to continue investing in market expansion and production capacity in coming quarters.

Profit burdened by project charge

Industry Solutions posted a loss of EUR119 million in the fourth quarter, due primarily to a EUR125 million charge related to current cost estimates for a project engagement with a local partner in the U.S. Net charges for staff reduction measures in the current period amounted to EUR62 million, compared to EUR69 million in the prior-year period. Orders came in sharply higher compared to the prior-year period, when the Division saw a sharp drop in orders in its metals technologies business. In contrast, the current period included two major contract wins for this business in the Americas. As expected, fourth-quarter revenue for the Division came in lower year-over-year due primarily to low levels of order intake in prior periods.

Stable Revenue and Profit

Fourth-quarter profit at Mobility rose to EUR114 million on stable revenue, as the Division continued to benefit from the execution of programs to improve performance in its project business.

ENERGY SECTOR

Strong profit performance, robust order growth

The Energy Sector delivered higher fourth-quarter profit and revenue along with a 40% jump in new orders compared to the prior-year period. Profit rose 9%, to EUR953 million, driven primarily by increased earnings at Fossil Power Generation and Renewable Energy. In strengthening global energy markets, the Sector recorded increased expenses for R&D, marketing and selling associated with growth.

Revenue rose 7% year-over-year, to EUR7.260 billion, on positive currency translation effects as well as particularly strong conversion of orders from the backlog. On a regional basis, revenue grew in the Americas and the region comprising Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa and the Middle East (Europe/CAME). Revenue declined modestly in Asia, Australia. The high double-digit increase in Energy orders for the quarter included demand growth at all Divisions and in all three regions, confirming improved conditions in global energy markets. For comparison, the prior-year quarter included significantly lower volume from larger orders, particularly at Fossil Power Generation. The book-to-bill ratio in the current period was 1.25, and the Sector's order backlog at the end of the quarter was EUR53 billion.

Large projects drive high double-digit order growth

Fossil Power Generation continued its strong profit performance in improving global markets for power generation, increasing fourth-quarter profit to EUR389 million. Revenue came in below the prior-year period. In the current period, the Division improved its business mix with a higher proportion of revenue from its service business and conversion of higher-margin orders in its product business. Orders climbed 59% compared to the prior-year quarter, fueled by a number of large projects in the solutions and service business in Europe/CAME and Asia, Australia.

Strong performance in wind, continuing build-up in solar

Renewable Energy remained on its profitable growth path in the fourth quarter. The Division's strong order backlog lifted revenue to a new high, at EUR977 million. Profit also rose year-over-year, even after significant expenses and investments to expand the Division's wind business and build up its solar business. Large contract wins in Europe/CAME and the Americas took orders up strongly compared to the prior-year period. The Division expects impacts on profitability in the first half of fiscal 2011 related to the build-up of its solar business and seasonal effects in the wind business.

Growth in turbines business, less favorable revenue mix

Revenue and orders at Oil & Gas were up 8% compared to the same period a year earlier, due primarily to growth in the industrial turbines business. A less favorable revenue mix and higher functional costs reduced fourth-quarter profit to EUR126 million.

Strong growth, stable profit contribution

Fourth-quarter profit at Power Transmission rose to EUR226 million on the strength of increased revenue. Profit was held back in part by higher marketing and selling expenses associated with growth and by pricing pressure due mainly to new market entrants. Revenue increased 15% year-over-year, most notably in the transformers business. Orders rose 16%, including a large off-shore grid access project for a wind-farm in Germany.

Distribution orders climb as markets stabilize

Power Distribution posted fourth-quarter profit of EUR123 million, close to the prior-year level despite increased expenses for marketing, selling and new technologies such as smart grids. All business units contributed to a 9% increase in revenue. The Division's markets showed stronger signs of stabilization, particularly compared to the prior-year period which included a sharp drop in orders in the medium-voltage business. As a result, reported fourth-quarter orders came in 44% above the level a year earlier.

HEALTHCARE SECTOR

Goodwill impairment outweighs strong results at Imaging & IT

In the Healthcare Sector, strong year-end results at Imaging & IT were more than offset by charges at other Divisions. Impairment charges at Diagnostics totaled EUR1.204 billion. An additional impact came from EUR96 million in charges associated with current cost estimates for completion of particle therapy contracts at Workflow & Solutions. As a result, Healthcare posted a loss of EUR772 million for the quarter. PPA effects related to past acquisitions at Diagnostics were EUR47 million. In addition, Healthcare recorded EUR36 million of integration costs associated with the next phase of integration activities at Diagnostics. In the fourth quarter a year earlier, PPA effects and integration costs totaled EUR66 million.

Fourth-quarter orders for Healthcare climbed 14% and revenue rose 9%. Order growth came primarily from the Americas, offsetting softness in Europe/CAME, while revenue growth was led by Asia, Australia. In addition to organic growth, volume benefited from currency translation effects amounting to nine percentage points for orders and eight percentage points for revenue. Healthcare's book-to bill ratio was 1.11 for the quarter, and its order backlog was EUR7 billion.

Growth and profit in strong year-end performance

Imaging & IT turned in a strong fourth quarter with EUR392 million in profit, a 10% increase compared to the prior-year period due in part to higher revenue and a favorable product mix. Revenue increased 8% and orders climbed 18% year-over-year. Double-digit order growth in the Americas included strong demand in the U.S. On an organic basis, orders increased 9% and revenue rose 1% compared to the prior-year quarter.

Particle therapy charges burden solutions business

Workflow & Solutions posted a loss of EUR62 million in the fourth quarter after taking EUR96 million of the charges mentioned above associated with particle therapy contracts. The charges stemmed from tests of prototype technology, resulting in a revised assessment of the additional costs required to complete the projects.

Impairment of goodwill at Diagnostics

Diagnostics recorded a loss of EUR1.135 billion in the fourth quarter, primarily including the EUR1.204 billion in impairment charges mentioned earlier. On an operating basis, profit was held back by a less favorable revenue mix and higher functional costs compared to the same quarter a year earlier.

PPA effects and integration costs were also higher year-over-year. In the fourth quarter a year earlier, these impacts were EUR43 million and EUR23 million, respectively. In the current period, PPA effects were EUR47 million, and the Division also recorded EUR36 million in costs for integration activities. Organic revenue and orders were up 4% year-over-year. As reported, revenue and orders rose 13% led by double-digit growth in Asia, Australia and the Americas as well as strong growth in emerging markets across all regions.

During the fourth quarter Siemens completed a strategic review that reassessed the medium-term growth prospects and long-term market development of the laboratory diagnostics business, and subsequently announced a preliminary estimate of goodwill impairment charges. Following completion of the annual impairment test, Diagnostics took impairment charges at the close of the quarter of EUR1.204 billion including EUR1.145 billion for goodwill, below the announced estimate due to positive currency translation effects.

EQUITY INVESTMENTS AND CROSS-SECTOR BUSINESSES

Loss at Equity Investments related to stake in NSN

Equity Investments recorded a loss of EUR181 million in the fourth quarter, due primarily to a loss of EUR241 million related to Siemens' stake in NSN. A year earlier, Equity Investments recorded a loss of EUR1.980 billion due mainly to an impairment of EUR1.634 billion on Siemens' stake in NSN and an equity investment loss of EUR328 million related to NSN, including a charge of EUR216 million related to an impairment of deferred tax assets. The prior-year period also included a loss of EUR52 million related to Enterprise Networks B.V. Siemens' income from Equity Investments is expected to be volatile in coming quarters.

Staff reduction impacts at Siemens IT Solutions and Services

Siemens IT Solutions and Services posted a loss of EUR463 million, due primarily to charges of EUR383 million for completing previously announced staff reductions related to a strategic reorientation of the business aimed at strengthening its competitive position. Charges for staff reduction measures in the same period a year earlier were EUR22 million. Profit in the current period was also burdened by project charges. The business continued to face operational challenges in highly competitive markets.

Exceptional results from Siemens Financial Services

Siemens Financial Services (SFS) delivered EUR137 million in profit (defined as income before income taxes) in the fourth quarter, up from EUR34 million in the same period a year earlier. The increase was due mainly to an improved credit environment, enabling SFS to generate higher interest results and post significantly lower loss reserves in its commercial finance business. Profit benefited also from net gains related to various investments. Total assets rose to EUR12.506 billion, due primarily to currency translation effects.

CENTRALLY MANAGED PORTFOLIO ACTIVITIES, CORPORATE ACTIVITIES AND ELIMINATIONS

Sale announced for electronics assembly systems

Centrally managed portfolio activities posted a loss of EUR83 million in the fourth quarter compared to a loss of EUR138 million in the prior-year period. The current period includes a net loss of EUR92 million related to electronics assembly systems, as operating profit from the business was more than offset by a net loss of EUR106 million related to its announced sale to ASM Pacific Technology. A year earlier, a loss of EUR29 million for the electronics assembly systems business included charges for staff reduction measures. In addition, the fourth quarter a year earlier included net expenses related to divested businesses.

Bundling costs outweigh real estate disposal gains

Income before income taxes at Siemens Real Estate (SRE) was a negative EUR25 million in the fourth quarter, compared to a positive EUR15 million in the same period a year earlier. The change includes lower net gains related to sales of real estate. In addition, both periods included costs associated with Siemens' program to bundle its real estate assets into SRE, including impairments. During the current quarter, assets with a book value of EUR293 million were transferred to SRE as part of the program. SRE will continue to incur costs associated with the real estate bundling program in coming quarters, and expects to continue with real estate disposals depending on market conditions.

Corporate items include special employee remuneration

Corporate items and pensions totaled a negative EUR769 million in the fourth quarter compared to a negative EUR595 million in the same period a year earlier. The difference was due primarily to Corporate items, which were a negative EUR736 million compared to a negative EUR481 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. The current quarter includes higher personnel-related expenses, including expenses of EUR310 million related to special remuneration for non-management employees. After allocation of the remuneration to the Sectors is determined in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the expenses will be booked at the Sector level. The current period also includes charges related to legal and regulatory matters and costs of EUR34 million related to the strategic reorientation of Siemens IT Solutions and Services, primarily for centrally managed carve-out activities. These factors were partly offset by a gain on the divestment of a business. For comparison, the prior-year period included net charges of EUR169 million related to the global SG&A program and other personnel-related restructuring measures. In addition, both periods included negative results related to an asset retirement obligation. Centrally carried pension expenses totaled EUR33 million in the fourth quarter, down from EUR114 million in the prior-year period, due primarily to lower benefit costs related to Siemens' principal pension plans.

Beginning with fiscal 2011, central infrastructure costs currently included in Corporate items will be allocated primarily to the Sectors. Financial information for prior periods will be reported on a comparable basis. Fiscal 2010 central infrastructure costs to be allocated totaled EUR585 million.

Centrally managed activities related to establishing Siemens IT Solutions and Services as a separate legal entity and wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens are expected to result in substantial charges in coming quarters.

Increased expenses from Corporate Treasury activities

Income before income taxes from Eliminations, Corporate Treasury and other reconciling items was a negative EUR158 million in the fourth quarter compared to a negative EUR100 million in the same period a year earlier. The current period includes changes in fair market values for derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting from Corporate Treasury activities.

OUTLOOK FOR FISCAL 2011

With continuing improvement in Siemens' markets, we expect organic order intake to show a clear increase compared to fiscal 2010. Supported also by our already strong order backlog, we expect revenue to return to moderate organic growth. We further anticipate income from continuing operations to exceed reported fiscal 2010 results by at least 25% to 35%. This outlook excludes effects that may arise from legal and regulatory matters.

NOTE AND DISCLAIMER

All figures are preliminary and unaudited. This Earnings Release should be read in conjunction with information Siemens published today regarding legal proceedings.

FinancialPublications are available for download at:

www.siemens.com/ir - Publications & Events.

New orders and order backlog; adjusted or organic growth rates of Revenue and new orders; book-to-bill ratio; Total Sectors Profit; return on equity, or ROE; return on capital employed, or ROCE; Free cash flow; cash conversion rate, or CCR; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBIT; earnings effect from purchase price allocation (PPA effects) and integration costs; net debt and adjusted industrial net debt are or may be non-GAAP financial measures. These supplemental financial measures should not be viewed in isolation as alternatives to measures of Siemens' financial condition, results of operations or cash flows as presented in accordance with IFRS in its Consolidated Financial Statements. Other companies that report or describe similarly titled financial measures may calculate them differently. Definitions of these supplemental financial measures, a discussion of the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures, information regarding the usefulness of Siemens' supplemental financial measures, the limitations associated with these measures and reconciliations to the most comparable IFRS financial measures are available on Siemens' Investor Relations website at www.siemens.com/nonGAAP. For additional information, see "Supplemental financial measures" and the related discussion in Siemens'

annual report on Form 20-F, which can be found on Siemens' Investor Relations website or via the EDGAR system on the website of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Starting today at 9.00 a.m. CET, we will provide a live video webcast of the annual press conference with CEO Peter Löscher and CFO Joe Kaeser. You can access the webcast at www.siemens.com/pressconference.

The accompanying slide presentation can also be viewed here, and a recording of the conference will subsequently be made available as well. Also today at 4.00 p.m. CET, you can follow a conference in English with analysts and investors live on the Internet by going to www.siemens.com/analystconference

This document contains forward-looking statements and information - that is, statements related to future, not past, events. These statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "looks forward to," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will," "project" or words of similar meaning. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Siemens' management, and are, therefore, subject to certain risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond Siemens' control, affect Siemens' operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Siemens to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In particular, Siemens is strongly affected by changes in general economic and business conditions as these directly impact its processes, customers and suppliers. This may negatively impact our revenue development and the realization of greater capacity utilization as a result of growth. Yet due to their diversity, not all of Siemens' businesses are equally affected by changes in economic conditions; considerable differences exist in the timing and magnitude of the effects of such changes. This effect is amplified by the fact that, as a global company, Siemens is active in countries with economies that vary widely in terms of growth rate. Uncertainties arise from, among other things, the risk of customers delaying the conversion of recognized orders into revenue or cancellations of recognized orders, of prices declining as a result of continued adverse market conditions by more than is currently anticipated by Siemens' management or of functional costs increasing in anticipation of growth that is not realized as expected. Other factors that may cause Siemens' results to deviate from expectations include developments in the financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and exchange rates (in particular in relation to the U.S. dollar), in commodity and equity prices, in debt prices (credit spreads) and in the value of financial assets generally. Any changes in interest rates or other assumptions used in calculating pension obligations may impact Siemens' defined benefit obligations and the anticipated performance of pension plan assets resulting in unexpected changes in the funded status of Siemens' pension and post-employment benefit plans. Any increase in market volatility, further deterioration in the capital markets, decline in the conditions for the credit business, continued uncertainty related to the subprime, financial market and liquidity crises, or fluctuations in the future financial performance of the major industries served by Siemens may have unexpected effects on Siemens' results. Furthermore, Siemens faces risks and uncertainties in connection with certain strategic reorientation measures; the performance of its equity interests and strategic alliances; the challenge of integrating major acquisitions and implementing joint ventures and other significant portfolio measures; the introduction of competing products or technologies by other companies; changing competitive dynamics (particularly in developing markets); the risk that new products or services will not be accepted by customers targeted by Siemens; changes in business strategy; the outcome of pending investigations, legal proceedings and actions resulting from the findings of, or related to the subject matter of, such investigations; the potential impact of such investigations and proceedings on Siemens' business, including its relationships with governments and other customers; the potential impact of such matters on Siemens' financial statements, and various other factors. More detailed information about certain of the risk factors affecting Siemens is contained throughout this report and in Siemens' other filings with the SEC, which are available on the Siemens website, www.siemens.com, and on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the relevant forward-looking statement as expected, anticipated, intended, planned, believed, sought, estimated or projected. Siemens neither intends to, nor assumes any obligation to, update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those anticipated.

For tables omitted, please go to http://www.siemens.com/press/pool/de/events/corporate/2010-q4/2010-q4-earnings-release-e.pdf

For the full report, please go to http://www.siemens.com/investor/pool/en/investor_relations/siemens_ar_2010.pdf

Media Relations:Alexander BeckerPhone: +49 89 636-36558E-mail: becker.alexander@siemens.com

Dr. Constantin BirnstielPhone: +49 89 636-33032E-mail: constantin.birnstiel@siemens.comSiemens AG,80333 Munich, Germany