EB, ELEKTROBIT CORPORATION, FINANCIAL STATEMENT BULLETIN 2009
(Thomson Reuters ONE) - STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASEFree for publication on February 16, 2010 at 8.00 am (CET+1)EB, ELEKTROBIT CORPORATION, FINANCIAL STATEMENT BULLETIN 20092009 OPERATING RESULT WITHOUT NON-RECURRING ITEMS WAS POSITIVESUMMARY 4Q 2009- Net sales amounted to EUR 40.1 million (EUR 49.5 million, 4Q 2008),representing a -19.1 per cent decrease year-on-year.- Operating profit from business operations improved to EUR 0.8 million and thenon-recurring costs totaled to EUR -0.3 million, resulting in a total operatingprofit of EUR 0.5 million (EUR -8.5 million, 4Q 2008).- Operating cash flow amounted to EUR -0.5 million (EUR -0.5 million, 4Q 2008).The net cash flow amounted to EUR -3.1 million (EUR 1.4 million, 4Q 2008).- Earnings per share were EUR 0.00 (EUR -0.11, 4Q 2008)SUMMARY 2009- Net sales amounted to EUR 153.8 million (EUR 172.3 million in 2008),representing a -10.7 per cent decrease year-on-year.- Operating profit from business operations improved to EUR 0.5 million and thenon-recurring costs totaled to EUR -1.9 million, resulting in a total operatingloss of EUR -1.4 million (EUR -42.7 million in 2008).- Operating cash flow from business operations amounted to EUR 0.4 million (EUR-24.7 million in 2008). The net cash flow amounted to EUR -6.5 million (EUR-10.5 million in 2008).- Cash and other liquid assets totaled to EUR 59.1 million (EUR 68.6 million in2008)- Equity ratio remained at a high level of 71.5% (64.9% in 2008)- Earnings per share were EUR -0.03 (EUR -0.38 in 2008)- The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that no dividend shallbe distributed.EB'S CEO JUKKA HARJU:"Despite the challenging market environment EB's operating result withoutnon-recurring items from January - December 2009 was slightly positive: EUR 0.5million (EUR -29.1 million in 2008). The Automotive market showed early signs ofrecovery during the 4Q 2009 by generating positive operating result. In theWireless Segment we succeeded in delivering positive operating result for 2009despite of slightly negative operating result in 4Q 2009. Our primary short termfocus remains to be improving profitability further."FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DURING JANUARY - DECEMBER 2009(Comparisons are given to January-December 2008, unless otherwise indicated)EB's net sales during January - December 2009 decreased -10.7 per cent to EUR153.8 million (EUR 172.3 million). Operating profit from business operationsamounted to EUR 0.5 million and the non-recurring costs totaled to EUR -1.9million, resulting to the operating loss of EUR -1.4 million (EUR -42.7million).The Automotive Business Segment's net sales during January - December 2009amounted to EUR 61.5 million (EUR 63.3 million) representing a modest decreaseof -2.8 per cent. The operating loss reduced to EUR -3.8 million (EUR -12.1million). The significant improvement of operating result with slightly reducedturnover reflects the operative profitability improvement measures taken.The Wireless Business Segment's net sales during January - December 2009amounted to EUR 91.6 million (EUR 108.6 million), representing a decline of-15.6 per cent. Operating result from business operations amounted to EUR 2.6million and the non-recurring costs totaled to EUR -1.6 million, resulting tothe operating profit of EUR 1.0 million (EUR -28.5 million). The significantimprovement of operating result with lower turnover year-on-year was mainly dueto the execution of the earlier announced profitability improvement program.The total R&D investments during the reporting period were EUR 14.7 million (EUR37.9 million), equaling 9.6 per cent of the net sales (22.0 per cent). Thesignificant reduction of the R&D investments was mostly due to the change of thebusiness model (and consequent exit from developing own products) in MobileWiMAX in October 2008 and exit from RFID technology business in February 2009. CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (MEUR) 1-12 2009 1-12 2008 12 months 12 months NET SALES 153.8 172.3 OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS) -1.4 -42.7 Financial income and expenses -0.6 -4.7 RESULT BEFORE TAX -2.0 -47.4 RESULT FOR THE PERIOD FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS -3.3 -49.8 Profit after tax for the year from discontinued operations 1.3 0.3 RESULT FOR THE PERIOD -2.0 -49.5 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD -2.4 -48.9 Result for the period attributable to: Equity holders of the parent -2.2 -49.5 Minority interest 0.2 Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to: Equity holder of the parent -2.5 -48.9 Minority interest 0.2 Earnings per share EUR continuing operations -0.03 -0.38 Earnings per share EUR discontinued operations 0.01 0.00 Earnings per share EUR continuing and discontinued -0.02 operations -0.38- Cash flow from Business Operations amounted to EUR 0.4 million (EUR -24.7million).- Equity ratio was 71.5% (64.9%).- Net gearing was -37.6% (-40.2%).QUARTERLY FIGURESThe distribution of the Group's overall net sales and profit, MEUR:+------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+| |4Q 09|3Q 09|2Q 09|1Q 09|4Q 08|+------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Net sales | 40.1| 33.5| 37.4| 42.8| 49.5|+------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Operating profit (loss) | 0.5| -0.8| -1.1| 0.0| -8.5|+------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Operating profit (loss) without non-recurring | 0.8| -0.8| -0.4| 0.9| -2.8||costs | | | | | |+------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Result before taxes | 0.1| -0.6| -0.7| -0.9|-11.8|+------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Result for the period | -0.3| -0.5| -1.6| -1.1|-14.0|+------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+The distribution of the net sales by Business Segments, MEUR:+-----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+| |4Q 09|3Q 09|2Q 09|1Q 09|4Q 08|+-----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Automotive | 16.8| 14.8| 13.5| 16.4| 18.7|+-----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Wireless | 23.0| 18.6| 23.7| 26.3| 30.7|+-----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Corporation total| 40.1| 33.5| 37.4| 42.8| 49.5|+-----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+The distribution of the net sales by market areas, MEUR and %:+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+| |4Q 09|3Q 09|2Q 09|1Q 09|4Q 08|+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Asia | 4.4| 1.8| 2.5| 4.4| 3.1|| | | | | | || |11.0%| 5.5%| 6.8%|10.3%| 6.2%|+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Americas| 13.7| 11.1| 12.5| 11.9| 10.9|| | | | | | || |34.2%|33.1%|33.5%|27.7%|22.0%|+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Europe | 22.0| 20.6| 22.3| 26.6| 35.5|| | | | | | || |54.8%|61.4%|59.7%|62.1%|71.8%|+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+Net sales (external) and operating profit development by Business Segments andOther businesses, MEUR:+-----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+| |4Q 09|3Q 09|2Q 09|1Q 09|4Q 08|+-----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Automotive | | | | | || | | | | | ||Net sales | 16.8| 14.8| 13.5| 16.4| 18.7|| | | | | | ||Operating profit (loss)| 0.3| -0.9| -2.5| -0.7| -2.3|+-----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Wireless | | | | | || | | | | | ||Net sales | 23.0| 18.6| 23.7| 26.3| 30.7|| | | | | | ||Operating profit (loss)| -0.3| -0.1| 0.9| 0.5| -4.9|+-----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Other businesses | | | | | || | | | | | ||Net sales | 0.2| 0.2| 0.2| 0.1| 0.1|| | | | | | ||Operating profit (loss)| 0.5| 0.2| 0.4| 0.2| -1.3|+-----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+|Total | | | | | || | | | | | ||Net sales | 40.1| 33.5| 37.4| 42.8| 49.5|| | | | | | ||Operating profit (loss)| 0.5| -0.8| -1.1| 0.0| -8.5|+-----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+BUSINESS SEGMENTS' MAIN EVENTS DURING 4Q 2009EB's reporting is based on the Automotive and Wireless Business Segments.AUTOMOTIVEThe Automotive Business Segment consists of in-car software products, navigationsoftware for after market devices and development services for the automotiveindustry with leading car manufacturers, car electronics suppliers andautomotive chipset suppliers as customers. By combining its software productsand R&D services EB is creating unique, customized solutions for its automotivecustomers.During the fourth quarter of 2009, the net sales of the Automotive BusinessSegment amounted to EUR 16.8 million (EUR 18.7 million, 4Q 2008), representing ayear-on-year decline of -10.0 per cent. The decline in net sales reflects thechallenging automotive market conditions in which customers constrained theirR&D investments. Despite of the decline in net sales, the operating resultimproved to EUR 0.3 million (EUR -2.3 million, 4Q 2008) due to the takenprofitability improvement measures and strong focus in service projectperformance. Taken profitability measures did not, however, imply any changes tothe strategy or ongoing investments into own software products or development ofthe global solution services to its customers.EB continued executing its strategy in automotive software products. In theelectronic control units domain (ECU) EB launched new releases of EB tresosBusmirror and EB tresos Inspector to support effective emulation of automotivecommunication protocols, such as control area network (CAN) and FlexRay. EB alsoannounced cooperation with Freescale, optimizing EB's automotive softwareproducts for Freescale microcontrollers and enabling efficient development ofapplication software. In the infotainment domain EB added support for userinterfaces developed in Adobe® Flash® as well as Microsoft Expression Blend withits latest release of EB GUIDE StudioAs recognition to EB's creative and versatile automotive software productsportfolio, EB was awarded the "Frost & Sullivan 2009 European AutomotiveTelematics and Infotainment Product Line Strategy Award". As a provider of R&Dservices and innovative customized solutions for automotive customers, EB wasrecognized in Microsoft's Windows Embedded Partner Excellence Awards as the"EMEA Consumer Partner of the Year".WIRELESSThe Wireless Business Segment comprises the following businesses:- Wireless Solutions provides customized solutions and R&D services for wirelessindustry and other industries utilizing wireless technologies.- Wireless Communications Tools provides test tools for measuring, modeling andemulating radio channel environments.During the fourth quarter of 2009, the net sales of the Wireless BusinessSegment amounted to EUR 23.0 million (EUR 30.7 million, 4Q 2008), representing adecrease of 25.0 per cent. The significant reduction year-on-year in net salesis caused by the exit of RFID technology business in 1Q 2009 and by lower demandfor R&D services in the mobile infrastructure market.Operating profit from business operations amounted to EUR 0.1 million and thenon-recurring costs totaled to EUR -0.4 million, resulting to the operating lossof EUR -0.3 million (EUR -4.9 million, 4Q 2008). The significant improvement ofoperating result with 25,0 per cent lower net sales level year-on-year wasmainly due to the execution of the earlier announced profitability improvementprogram.The demand for satellite-terrestrial network device solutions continued to bestrong during 4Q09.During the fourth quarter the Wireless Communications Tools business focused onsupporting new MIMO (Multiple Input and Multiple Output) OTA (Over-The-Air)solutions in addition to LTE systems and devices.In December EB announced that it will deliver TerreStar satellite-terrestrialsmartphones. Elektrobit Inc., a subsidiary of Elektrobit Corporation, andTerreStar Corporation (TerreStar) signed a frame supply agreement regarding thedelivery of satellite-terrestrial smartphones for TerreStar. According to theagreement EB will be responsible for delivering complete products to TerreStarbased on the EB-designed satellite-terrestrial reference device, which includesmanufacturing, forward and reverse logistics, and after market services support.EB has sub-contracted with leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS)provider Flextronics to help provide these product delivery services.Through the agreement with TerreStar, EB's Wireless Solutions businessintroduced a product delivery business model, where it provides completeproducts to its customers by subcontracting the production of EB-designeddevices from selected Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) companies. Thisbusiness model both strengthens EB's position as turnkey solution provider forits customers and enables EB's Wireless Solutions business to address newbusiness opportunities, according to its strategy.MARKET OUTLOOKAs a consequence of the general economic environment, both automotive andwireless communication market growth is unlikely before the global economicenvironment starts to improve. However, there has been growing signs of recoveryduring the latter part of 2009.The share of electronics and software in cars has grown significantly during thepast years and it is expected that the trend of increased use of software inautomotive continues to prevail in the market. The majority of the innovationand differentiation in the automotive industry is brought about by software andelectronics. In order to enable faster innovation, to improve quality anddevelopment efficiency and to reduce complexity related to software, the use ofstandard software solutions is expected to increase. The estimated automotivesoftware general market growth rate of some 15 per cent (Frost & Sullivan) hasbeen in the short term negatively affected by the current downturn of theautomotive industry. Due to the global recession, the global market forautomotive electronic systems was forecasted to fall in 2009 (StrategyAnalytics). However, the underlying growth of the automotive software market isexpected to continue past the crisis and the cost pressures of the automotiveindustry are expected to accelerate the need of productized, efficient softwaresolutions EB is offering. While customers remain very cost conscious there aresigns that the demand starts to recover. EB's net sales currently cumulatingfrom the automotive industry is primarily driven by the development of new carsand platforms and is not directly dependent on production volumes of the carindustry.The global mobile phone market decreased in volume in 2009, yet the mobile phonemarket volumes are expected to start to increase again in 2010. The value shareis expected to move towards higher-end due to the increased demand for newfeatures and services. New open software architectures and platforms arecreating opportunities for companies such as EB with strong integrationcapabilities. The global mobile infrastructure market is expected to be flatduring 2010 and the consolidation of the industry may continue. LTE standard isgaining strength while the momentum of Mobile WiMAX standard has beendecreasing. Going forward, EB's business driven by LTE is increasing while EB'sfuture sales revenues are not materially dependent on Mobile WiMAX technology.The mobile satellite communication service industry is introducing new data andmobile communication services with new operators being formed and traditionalones upgrading their solutions and offerings. Mastering of multi-radiotechnologies and end-to-end system architectures covering both terminal andnetwork technologies, has gained importance in the complex wireless technologyindustry. The demand for EB's satellite-terrestrial device solutions is expectedto continue. The satellite-terrestrial and Mobile Satellite Services (MSS)market demand is expected to start moving from the current reference designphase towards the launch of commercial products and services. This can createnew service and product related business opportunities for EB.The mobile communication R&D services market continues to be challenging and thecontinuing price pressure drives increasing off-shoring in the industry.However, attractive niches continue to exist (OVUM forecast). Because of theeconomical slowdown, companies are expected to adjust their R&D investments andproject portfolios resulting in reduction of the overall R&D expenditures andactivities during the next couple of years, resulting in less demand forexternal R&D services. However, OEMs are expected to increase their R&Dflexibility that can create new opportunities for partnering for EB.The current economic downturn did not have a significant effect on the overallwireless communications tools market. There is a need for advanced developmenttools 3GPP LTE technology and that need is expected to remain as a driver forthe demand in the medium and long term. EB provides world leading channelemulation tools for the development of MIMO based 3GPP LTE and other advancedradio technologies.RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DURING 4Q 2009EB continued to invest in R&D in the automotive software products and tools andradio channel emulation products.The total R&D investments during the fourth quarter of 2009 were EUR 4.2 million(EUR 7.4 million, 4Q 2008), equaling 10.6 per cent of the net sales (14.9 percent in 2008). EUR 0.7 million of R&D investments were capitalized.The reduction compared to previous year was mostly due to the change of thebusiness model (and consequent exit from developing own products) in MobileWiMAX in October 2008 and exit from RFID technology business in February 2009.OUTLOOK FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2010The more general market outlook by the businesses is presented under the MarketOutlook section.Our main focus for the first half of 2010 is to improve profitability furtherand achieve a positive operating result development.EB expects that:· the turnover of the first half of 2010 is higher than in the secondhalf of 2009 (EUR 73.6 million), and that· the operating profit of the first half of 2010 is higher than theoperating profit of the second half of 2009 (EUR 0.0 million).RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIESEB has identified a number of business, market and finance related factors thatcan affect the level of sales and profits. Those of the greatest significance ona short term are those affecting the utilization and chargeability levels andaverage hourly prices of R&D services. On the ongoing financial period theglobal economic slowdown may affect the demand for the EB's services, solutionsand products and provide pressure on e.g. volumes and pricing. It may alsoincrease the risk for credit losses. As the EB's customer base consists mainlyof companies operating in the fields of automotive and telecommunications, thecompany is exposed to market changes in these industries. EB believes thatexpanding the customer base will reduce dependence on individual companies andthat the company will thereby be mainly affected by the general business climatein automotive and telecommunication industries. However, some parts of EB'sbusiness are more sensitive to customer dependency than others. The more generalmarket outlook by the businesses is presented under the Market Outlook section.EB's operative business risks are mainly related to following items:uncertainties and short visibility on customers' product program decisions,their make or buy decisions and on the other hand, their decisions to continue,downsize or terminate current product programs, ramping up and down projectresources, timing and on the other hand successful utilization of the mostimportant technologies and components, competitive situation and potentialdelays in the markets, timely closing of customer and supplier contracts withreasonable commercial terms, delays in R&D projects, activations based oncustomer contracts, obsolescence of inventories and technology risks in productdevelopment causing higher than planned R&D costs. In addition there aretypical industry warranty and liability risks involved in selling EB's services,solutions and products. Product delivery business model includes such risks ashigh dependency on actual product volumes, development of the cost of materialsand production yields. The abovementioned risks may manifest themselves ashigher cost of product delivery, and ultimately, as lower profit. Revenuesexpected to come from new products for existing and new customers include normaltiming risks.More information on the risks and uncertainties affecting EB can be found on theCompany's website at www.elektrobit.com
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Bereitgestellt von Benutzer: hugin
Datum: 16.02.2010 - 07:04 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 12529
Anzahl Zeichen: 0
contact information:
Town:
Oulu
Kategorie:
Business News
Diese Pressemitteilung wurde bisher 146 mal aufgerufen.
Die Pressemitteilung mit dem Titel:
"EB, ELEKTROBIT CORPORATION, FINANCIAL STATEMENT BULLETIN 2009"
steht unter der journalistisch-redaktionellen Verantwortung von
Elektrobit Oyj (Nachricht senden)
Beachten Sie bitte die weiteren Informationen zum Haftungsauschluß (gemäß TMG - TeleMedianGesetz) und dem Datenschutz (gemäß der DSGVO).