Amsterdam (August 1, 2007) - Wolters Kluwer, a leading global information services and publishing company, today announced half-year 2007 results posting organic revenue growth of 3% and an increase in ordinary earnings per share of 18% (28% in constant currencies). Strong performance in organic growth and EBITA from the Corporate & Financial Services and Legal, Tax & Regulatory Europe divisions fueled overall results. Performance of the Health and Tax, Accounting & Legal divisions for the first half of 2007 was in line with expectations. The sale of the Education division was successfully completed in June. The company reiterates its full-year 2007 guidance.

Highlights include[1]:
Six months ended June 30, 2007:
Revenues of €1,677 million, a 2% increase over the first half of 2006 (€1,645 million)
Organic revenue growth of 3%, in line with full-year outlook (half year 2006: 2%)
Continued strong growth of revenues from electronic products (48% of total revenues), double-digit online growth, and strong growth from services (16% of total revenues)
Ordinary EBITA of €304 million, an increase of 21% over the first half of 2006 (€251 million)
Ordinary EBITA margin of 18% (half-year 2006: 15%)
Structural cost savings of €76 million, an increase of 31% over the first half of 2006
Free cash flow of €118 million (half-year 2006: €154 million, impacted by one-time tax refund)
Divestment of Education generated a book profit of €595 million and net proceeds of €665 million
Second-quarter 2007:
Revenues of €830 million, slightly above second-quarter 2006 (€827 million)
Organic revenue growth of 2%
Ordinary EBITA of €146 million, an increase of 17% over second-quarter 2006 (€125 million)
Ordinary EBITA margin of 18% (second-quarter 2006: 15%)
Structural cost savings of €39 million, an increase of 30% over second-quarter 2006
Free cash flow of €16 million (second-quarter 2006: €72 million, impacted by one-time tax refund)

Nancy McKinstry, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, commented on the company's half-year performance:

"Wolters Kluwer's half-year results are in line with expectations as we focus on executing our strategy to accelerate profitable growth by growing our leading positions, capturing key adjacencies, exploiting our global scale and scope, and embedding operational excellence throughout Wolters Kluwer. Our strong performance in key markets, in particular from Corporate & Financial Services in the U.S. and Legal, Tax & Regulatory Europe, combined with good online and software growth, continued strengthening of our margins, and significant cost savings, has put us on track to meet our 2007 outlook.

"Additionally, the successful sale of our Education division enables us to further invest in strategic areas of our portfolio and undertake the share buy-back program we began in June, through which we are committed to return even greater value to our shareholders.

"Operationally, the business continues to gain momentum as we build on the foundation established by our successful three-year plan completed in 2006. With continued investments in product development, sales and marketing, and operational excellence we are confident we will meet our objective to accelerate profitable growth in 2007 and beyond."

[1] Half-year and second-quarter 2007 results reflect the Education division as discontinued operations following the March 26, 2007, announcement of its sale. 2006 results have been restated accordingly.