Annual Report 2006
GfK Group: www.gfk.com
Economic and financial development
Introduction
The GfK Group published its consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2005 in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the first time. The financial data for the divisions and regions originate from the Management Information System.
In the figures for income set out below, adjusted operating income is discussed as the key performance indicator. The management uses it to steer GfK’s operational business Groupwide. Adjusted operating income is based on operating income and the calculation dispenses with the following income and expenses items (highlighted items):
GfK is confident that the explanations on business performance using the adjusted operating income facilitate interpretation of the GfK Group’s business development and enhance the informative value, in comparison with other major companies operating in the market research sector. Where income is mentioned below, this income is the adjusted operating income. The margin is the ratio of adjusted operating income to sales.
Where statements refer in the following to the number of employees, in principle, this represents the total number of full-time posts, irrespective of whether the individual posts are part-time or full-time. The figures reported and any changes expressed as percentages in the details relating to the GfK Group’s business performance are based on figures in 1,000 euros. Accordingly, rounding differences may occur.
The companies mentioned in the management report are referred to by their abbreviated names. The "Additional information” section of the Annual Report includes a list of all companies indicated in the management report and their full names.
GfK Annual Report 2006