The developments described above resulted in a profit from operating activities (EBIT) of €1,701 million, including the afore-mentioned non-recurring income of €59 million. EBIT was 9.0% up on the prior-year figure (€1,560 million), which among other things included the non-recurring income of €99 million referred to above. On an adjusted basis, earnings rose by 12.4%.

At €498 million, net finance costs were roughly in line with the previous year (€497 million). The prior-year figure contained measurement effects and interest resulting from the exchangeable bond on Postbank stock. In the first half of 2007, the higher level of interest rates led to an increase in interest expenses.

The profit before income taxes improved by €140 million or 13.2% to €1,203 million (previous year: €1,063 million). Following a slight increase in the tax rate from 20.0% in the previous year to 20.2% at present, income tax expense therefore rose from €213 million to €243 million.

Consolidated net profit for the period improved by a pleasing 12.9% to €960 million (previous year: €850 million). Of this amount, €784 million is attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders and €176 million to minorities, which increased in 2006 due to the disposal of the Postbank shares. Basic and diluted earnings per share rose from €0.61 to €0.65.