Earnings per share according to IFRS are affected by the purchase price allocation for acquisitions and other special factors. To enhance comparability, we determine core net income after eliminating amortization and impairments of intangible assets, impairments of property, plant and equipment, and special items in EBITDA including the related tax effects.
From this core net income we calculate core earnings per share in the same way as earnings per share. Core earnings per share form the basis for our dividend policy. For the third quarter of 2011, core earnings per share amounted to €1.12 (Q3 2010: €0.95).
Core net income, core earnings per share and core EBIT are not defined in IFRS.