Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. Reports Its Results for the Fourth Quarter and the
Year 2008
SAO PAULO, March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ultrapar Participacoes S.A.
(BOVESPA: UGPA4 / NYSE: UGP), a company engaged in fuel distribution
(Ultragaz/Ipiranga), chemicals (Oxiteno), as well as integrated solutions for
special bulk cargo (Ultracargo), hereby reports its results for the fourth
quarter and the year 2008.
In 4Q08 Ultrapar reports another quarter of earnings growth, in spite of
the more challenging environment now faced in the global economy. Ultrapar's
revenues grew in all business units and consolidated EBITDA in 4Q08 amounted
to R$ 331 million, 50% higher than in 4Q07. For the year, Ultrapar's EBITDA
amounted to R$ 1,064 million, up 37% compared to 2007.
-- ULTRAPAR'S EBITDA SURPASSES R$ 1 BILLION IN 2008, 37% HIGHER THAN IN
2007
-- ULTRAPAR'S NET EARNINGS REACHES R$ 388 MILLION IN 2008, 113% UP ON 2007
-- APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION OF R$ 119 MILLION,
RESULTING IN A TOTAL DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION OF R$ 238 MILLION IN 2008,
WHICH CORRESPONDS TO 61% OF THE NET EARNINGS IN THE PERIOD
-- FOCUSING ON MAINTAINING ULTRAPAR'S SOUND FINANCIAL POSITION, THE
COMPANY HAS APPROVED R$ 1.7 BILLION IN NEW LOANS AND A R$ 528 MILLION
INVESTMENT PLAN FOR 2009.
"2008 was another year of great achievements at Ultrapar. We continued our
strategy of expanding scale and increasing the competitiveness of our
businesses, with the acquisitions of Texaco and Uniao Terminais and the
completion of important expansion projects at Oxiteno. In 2009 we will focus
on obtaining benefits provided by increased financial and operational scale,
which combined with Ultrapar's resilience and soundness, leave us in a
privileged position to continue to move forward on our path of sustainable
growth and value generation, even in a more challenging macroeconomic
environment." Pedro Wongtschowski -
CEO
Results Conference call
National Conference Call
Date: March 13, 2009
11 a.m. (Brazil time)
Telephone for connection: 55 11 2188-0188
Code: Ultrapar
International Conference Call
Date: March 13, 2009
11:30 p.m. (US EDT)
Participants in Brazil: 0800 891 0015
US participants: 1(800) 860-2442
International participants: + 1(412) 858-4600
Code: Ultrapar
SOURCE Ultrapar Participacoes S.A.
Investor Relations Department of Ultrapar Participacoes S.A., +55 11
3177-7014, invest@ultra.com.br
