WACKER’s main planning assumptions relate to raw-material and energy costs, personnel expenses and exchange rates. Our planning for 2016 is based on an exchange rate of US$ 1.10 and ¥ 135 to € 1. Wacker Chemie AG’s expectations for 2015 are essentially the same as those for WACKER, which are explained in full in the Group’s Outlook section.

We are assuming that sales will be slightly higher than in the prior year and EBITDA will be considerably lower due to a reduction in special income. We expect Wacker Chemie AG to post a positive result for the period, though substantially below the prior-year figure.