51Combined Group Management Report Consolidated Financial Statements Corporate Governance Report Supervisory Board and Board of Management Tables and Explanations The Energy Trading market unit, which began operations at the start of 2008, will enable us to seize opportunities created by the increasing integration of European power and gas markets and by commodity markets, which are already global in scope. In view of market developments in the United King- dom and Continental Europe, trading at European gas hubs can create additional sales and procurement opportunities. In addition, the ongoing optimization of natural gas trans- port and storage rights and of the availability and utilization of our power and gas facilities could yield additional oppor- tunities. Additional opportunities could arise in the future if policymakers decide to extend the operating lives of our nuclear power stations in Germany. Periods of exceptionally cold weather--very low average temperatures or extreme daily lows--in the fall and winter months can create opportunities for us to meet higher demand for electricity and natural gas. The E.ON procurement network enables us to achieve consid- erable synergies by aggregating volume for the procurement of investment goods, materials, and services. The Group-wide transfer of best practices enables us to achieve further cost reductions, primarily through the comparison of material and performance specifications and through uniform procure- ment processes. The centralization of procurement responsi- bility for new-build investments in the New Build unit and the Climate & Renewables market unit played a decisive role in ensuring that the cost increases in the procurement mar- ket for large components only had a limited effect on the costs of the E.ON Group's new-build projects. Our investment policy is aimed at strengthening and enlarging our leading position in our target markets and enabling us to systematically seize opportunities, including opportunities in future markets. General Statement on E.ON's Future Development We had another successful financial year in 2009 despite at times very difficult circumstances. We can therefore say that E.ON's business has a solid foundation. We are well positioned for the challenges ahead. In 2010, our Group-wide Perform- toWin program will now focus on pressing forward with the planned initiatives and on managing and steering our com- pany in its new organizational structures. E.ON will maintain its very solid position in energy supply in 2010. From today's perspective, we are unable to issue a reliable forecast for 2011 due to uncertainty surrounding economic, foreign-currency, regulatory, technological, and competition- related developments. The effects of the financial crisis and their influence on the global economy remain a significant source of uncertainty. This Combined Group Management Report contains certain forward-looking statements based on E.ON management's current assumptions and forecasts and other currently available information. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between E.ON's actual future results, financial situation, development or performance and the estimates given here. E.ON assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.