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TAG overview

Results

We are pursuing a conservative financial policy characterized by the following:

Financial flexibility and a conservative funding strategy

We ensure that we meet our obligations at all times and adhere to a conservative and proactive funding strategy that involves the use of various financial instruments. Our diversified and profitable businesses form the basis for our strong and sustainable cash flow generation capacity. Moreover, we have several funding resources in place. A € 2 billion syndicated loan facility, renewed in 2018, is in place until 2025 to cover any unexpected cash needs.

This credit line is a backup facility that should only be used in exceptional situations. In addition, we have a commercial paper program with a volume of € 2 billion at our disposal. Within the scope of this program, we can issue short-term commercial paper with a maturity of up to one year. Furthermore, in 2020, we used bilateral bank loan facilities with first-class banks to optimize our funding structure. For the acquisition of Versum Materials in 2019, our company also agreed on a US$ 2.3 billion term loan, which was partially drawn and further reduced in the course of 2020.

Additionally, as a general rule, the bond market represents a key element. The most recent bond issues took place in January 2020 (€ 1.5 billion euro bonds) and September 2020 (€ 1.0 billion hybrid bond). The use of various instruments provides a broad financing basis and addresses different investor groups.

Maintaining long-term and reliable business relations with a core group of banks

We mainly work with a well-diversified, financially stable and reliable group of banks. Due to our long-term business approach, bank relationships typically last for many years and are characterized by professionalism and trust. The banking group consists of banks with strong capabilities and expertise in various products and geographic regions. We regard these banks as strategic partners. Accordingly, we involve them in important financing transactions.

Strong investment-grade rating

The rating of our creditworthiness by external rating agencies is an important indicator of financial stability. A strong investment-grade rating is an important cornerstone of our financial policy, as it safeguards access to capital markets at attractive financial conditions. Our company currently has a Baa1 rating from Moody’s, an A rating from Standard & Poor’s (S&P), and an A– rating from Scope, each with a stable outlook. Continuing to reduce our debt after the Versum Materials acquisition is of utmost importance to us.

Sustainable dividend policy

We are pursuing a sustainable dividend policy. Provided the economic environment develops in a stable manner, the current dividend represents the minimum level for future dividend proposals. Our dividend policy will follow the business development and earnings increases over the coming years. However, dividend growth could deviate, for example, within the scope of restructuring or in the event of significant global economic developments. We aim for a target corridor of 20% to 25% of earnings per share pre.

* The contents of this chapter or section are voluntary and therefore not audited. However, our auditor has read the text critically.