ZEISS Presents Half-year Financial Figures / Despite weak trend in Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, investment programs continue at fast pace

Oberkochen (ots) - The ZEISS Group concluded the first half of the
year (ended 31 March) with revenue totaling EUR 1.978 billion (first
six months of 2011/12: EUR 2.040 billion). Earnings (EBIT) reached a
level of EUR 109 million (first six months of 2011/12: EUR 236
million). "As expected, the first half of fiscal year 2012/13 was
more difficult than the equivalent period last year," said Dr.
Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG. "Revenue and
earnings are characterized by the partly very different and
challenging developments in our markets and by the recessionary
trends in the global economy. However, our half-year figures are
solid and at the level that we planned." Once again, the strong
growth of Industrial Metrology and Medical Technology was able to
cushion the downturn in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology
business.

In the first six months of fiscal year 2012/13 ZEISS hired around
470 new recruits, predominantly in Asia and Germany. In addition,
ZEISS increased its expenditure on its research and development
activities by 6 percent to EUR 191 million (first six months of
2011/12: EUR 180 million). With investments in property, plant and
equipment totaling EUR 107 million (first six months of 2011/12: EUR
108 million), ZEISS is continuing to drive the expansion and
modernization of the Group.

The previous year's figures are calculated on a like-for-like
basis.

More information at www.zeiss.com/press

Carl Zeiss

The Carl Zeiss Group is an international leader in the fields of
optics and optoelectronics. In fiscal year 2011/12 the company's
approx. 24,000 employees generated revenue of about 4.163 billion
euros. In the markets for Industrial Solutions, Research Solutions,
Medical Technology and Consumer Optics, Carl Zeiss has contributed to
technological progress all over the world for more than 160 years.

The Carl Zeiss Group develops and produces planetariums, eyeglass
lenses, camera and cine lenses and binoculars as well as solutions
for biomedical research, medical technology and the semiconductor,
automotive and mechanical engineering industries. Carl Zeiss is
present in over 40 countries around the globe with about 40
production sites, over 50 sales and service locations and
approximately 20 research and development centers. Carl Zeiss AG is
fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).
Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen,
Germany.

Press contact:
Jörg Nitschke,
Carl Zeiss, Corporate Communications
Phone 07364 20-3242,
Email: joerg.nitschke@zeiss.com