WACKER’s main planning assumptions relate to raw-material costs, energy costs, personnel expenses and exchange rates. For 2017, we anticipate euro exchange rates of US$ 1.10 and ¥ 120. Wacker Chemie AG’s expectations for business performance 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 rise slightly versus the prior year and EBITDA will be at the prior-year level. We expect Wacker Chemie AG to post a positive result for the period that will be below the level of 2016.