OREANDA-NEWS. October 4, 2012. Mostotrest, Russia’s leading infrastructure construction group delivered a strong financial performance in the first half of 2012, increasing revenue by 25% and net profit by 14%. The Company continued its drive into related business segments in line with its strategy, maintained a stable financial position and increased capital investments.

Key operating and financial results:

· Backlog(b) of RUB 299.7* billion, with RUB 25.7* billion(c) in new project additions

· Revenue grew 25% to RUB 45.7 billion, mainly driven by an increase in construction volumes

· Gross profit rose by 6% to RUB 6.0 billion in the first half of 2012, from RUB 5.7 billion in the first half of 2011, on the back of construction volumes growth coupled with an increase in the share of works performed using services of subcontractors(d)

· EBITDA(e) rose 7% to RUB 4.5 billion

· Net profit grew 14% to RUB 1.8 billion

· Net cash (cash and equivalents less debt) as at June 30, 2012 was RUB 0.3 billion

· 2011 dividend of RUB 2.0 billion or 54% of 2011 IFRS net profit announced in June 2012

· The Group continued implementation of its investment program, increased capital expenditure by 45%.

Mostotrest CEO Vladimir Vlasov comments on the results:

“In first half, actual tendering volumes were disappointingly low, with a number of major tenders previously earmarked for the first half of 2012 being postponed, including in regions where the Group has a strong market footprint.

In the period, the Group took a number of important steps towards implementing its strategy. In particular, we acquired a stake in NITP, a company that specialises in road repair and maintenance services, including road marking and road and bridge overhauls. The road repair and maintenance market is growing rapidly, driven also by introduction of full life-cycle contracts and operating contracts. Having a presence in this sector allows us to control the costs of long-term maintenance contracts and better assess them at the tendering stage. In addition repair and maintenance business provides us with stable, recurring cash flows.

In terms of organic growth we set up a separate project planning department, whose main role will be to manage all aspects of the pre-construction preparation stage, including running the permit approval process and fine tuning project documentation. These tasks are becoming an integral requirement for general contractors implementing large complex projects.

In terms of future development, we continue to look at diversification options both in our core areas of operation and in related segments. We aim at being able to perform highly profitable works with own forces as well as at building up our expertise and experience in related segments with the involvement of public private partnerships that offer stable cash flows and further opportunities for growth”.

a) The press-release has been prepared on the basis of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with the IFRS as at and for the six months ended 30 June 2012 and 2011, as well as on the basis of the management accounts as at and for the same periods, as this set of financial statements in their entirety provide a comprehensive overview of the Group’s performance for the six months ended 30 June 2012 and 2011.

To make the information in the press-release user friendly special notes are used. The information based on management accounts is marked with {*}.

The detailed “basis of presentation” description can be found in the Appendix nr. 2 at the end of the press-release.

b) Backlog is not a measure defined by IFRS or RAS. The company’s backlog represents its management’s estimate of the contract value of its projects that remain to be completed as at a particular date, excluding VAT. Such value is calculated as the total contract value for each project that remains to be completed less the amounts already received under the contracts for such projects. The total contract value of a particular project represents the total amount that the relevant entity expects to receive under the contract for such project, assuming the contract is performed in accordance with its terms. A project is included in the backlog of a relevant entity when either a firm letter of commitment is executed by the customer or a letter is received confirming its bid has been successful. Backlog may not be indicative of the relevant entity’s future operating results.

c) Excluding VAT.

d) Share of works performed using services of subcontractors is calculated as costs of services of subcontractor divided by total revenue less other revenue.

e) EBITDA is defined as net profit from continuing operations net of income tax, net finance costs and depreciation. EBITDA is not defined by, or presented in accordance with, IFRS. EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and one should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of the Group’s operating results as reported under IFRS.