. For the 2002 business year Hugo Boss AG posted sales of EUR 1,093 million. Despite the constraints of an adverse economic climate, this was on a par with the 2001 figure of EUR 1,095 million. Adjusted for currency-related influences, sales rose by 1.3% over the previous year.
With net income reaching EUR 74.7 million, the Group posted the third-best result in its history (2001: EUR 107.7 million). The pre-dividend free cash flow totaled EUR 61 million in 2002, a rise of EUR 108 million (2001: EUR -47 million).
Assuming no major changes in exchange rates, the Management Board is anticipating sales in the current financial year to match the 2002 figure. Earnings are expected to develop positively and rise by a minimum of ten percent.