Other Q2 2019 Sales in Other rose considerably compared with the prior-year quarter. This was primarily attributable to the remaining activities of the paper and water chemicals business, which have been reported under Other since February 2019 following the divestiture. Lower sales in the raw materials trading business had an offsetting effect. Income from operations before special items was considerably below the figure for the prior-year quarter. This was largely due to foreign currency results and valuation effects for our long-term incentive program. Special items mainly related to one-time costs for the excellence program announced in November 2018. For more information on the excellence program, see the BASF Report 2018, Opportunities and Risks (XLS:) Download Financial data – Other (Million €) Q2 H1 2019 2018 +/– 2019 2018 +/– a Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including impairments and reversals of impairments) b Contains assets of businesses recognized under Other as well as reconciliation to assets of the BASF Group including the disposal group for the oil and gas business. c Additions to intangible assets and property, plant and equipment Sales 744 689 8% 1,444 1,263 14% Income from operations before depreciation and amortization and special items (132) (99) (33%) (368) (143) . Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) (320) (117) . (591) (171) . Depreciation and amortizationa 53 32 66% 100 63 59% Income from operations (EBIT) (373) (149) . (691) (234) . Special items (191) (16) . (227) (25) . EBIT before special items (182) (133) (37%) (464) (209) . of which Costs for cross-divisional corporate research (100) (90) (11%) (198) (170) (16%) Costs of corporate headquarters (66) (66) − (124) (119) (4%) Other businesses 39 17 129% 50 9 456% Foreign currency results, hedging and other measurement effects (13) 32 . (38) 209 . Miscellaneous income and expenses (42) (26) (62%) (154) (138) (12%) Assets (June 30)b 25,349 28,494 (11%) 25,349 28,494 (11%) Investments including acquisitionsc 32 166 (81%) 114 356 (68%) Research and development expenses 103 88 17% 204 170 20% back next