.
Including the financial result and a tax income of CHF 0.7 million, Micronas Group showed a profit of CHF 1.0 million for the first quarter of 2013, compared with CHF 2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Earnings per share came to CHF 0.04. As at March 29, 2013, Micronas held cash, cash equivalents and short-term financial cash deposits of CHF 166.6 million, compared with CHF 169.9 million at end-2012. Shareholders' equity fell from CHF 152.0 million to CHF 126.7 million. This decline is attributable to the revised IAS 19 standard, which includes major changes to the way pension provisions are recognized, reported and disclosed. These changes are being applied for the first time in the 2013 financial year. As a result, pension liabilities recognized in the balance sheet as at December 31, 2012, were CHF 29.5 million higher, and deferred tax assets were also calculated and recognized. This led to a reduction in shareholders' equity and the equity ratio. Figure from past periods were adjusted accordingly. The equity ratio for the first quarter of 2013 was 42.4 percent, compared with an adjusted figure of 42.2 percent as at December 31, 2012.
The manufacturing areas in Freiburg, which include the front-end wafer fab and the back-end assembly and testing areas, continued to run at 73 percent capacity in the first quarter. Short-time work, which was introduced on February 4, 2013, was continued in some production areas. In addition, the site in Scotland was closed in calendar week 7.
At the ordinary Shareholders' Meeting of March 20, 2013, all of the proposals put forward by the Board of Directors were approved by a large majority. Board Members Heinrich W. Kreutzer, Lucas A. Grolimund, Dieter G. Seipler and Stefan Wolf were each re-elected for a one-year term up to the next ordinary Shareholders' Meeting. Once again CHF 0.05 per registered share was paid out to Micronas shareholders on March 27, 2013, against reserves from capital contributions.
The market environment remains difficult for Micronas in the first half, mainly because of the way the Japanese yen is performing against the euro. Based on a YEN-EUR exchange rate of 125, the Board of Directors and Management now expect to see sales of CHF 74 million for the first half of 2013, and an EBIT margin in the lower single-digit percentage range.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as projections, forecasts and estimates. Such forwardlooking statements are dependent on certain risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on Micronas' views and assumptions as of this date and Micronas does not assume any obligation to update or revise this press release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.
- Incoming orders up 35 percent on previous quarter
- Sales slightly down on previous quarter at CHF 37 million
- EBIT margin hurt by weakness of yen against euro
- Revised sales forecast for first half year of CHF 74 million, EBIT margin in lower single-digit percentage range
Including the financial result and a tax income of CHF 0.7 million, Micronas Group showed a profit of CHF 1.0 million for the first quarter of 2013, compared with CHF 2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Earnings per share came to CHF 0.04. As at March 29, 2013, Micronas held cash, cash equivalents and short-term financial cash deposits of CHF 166.6 million, compared with CHF 169.9 million at end-2012. Shareholders' equity fell from CHF 152.0 million to CHF 126.7 million. This decline is attributable to the revised IAS 19 standard, which includes major changes to the way pension provisions are recognized, reported and disclosed. These changes are being applied for the first time in the 2013 financial year. As a result, pension liabilities recognized in the balance sheet as at December 31, 2012, were CHF 29.5 million higher, and deferred tax assets were also calculated and recognized. This led to a reduction in shareholders' equity and the equity ratio. Figure from past periods were adjusted accordingly. The equity ratio for the first quarter of 2013 was 42.4 percent, compared with an adjusted figure of 42.2 percent as at December 31, 2012.
The manufacturing areas in Freiburg, which include the front-end wafer fab and the back-end assembly and testing areas, continued to run at 73 percent capacity in the first quarter. Short-time work, which was introduced on February 4, 2013, was continued in some production areas. In addition, the site in Scotland was closed in calendar week 7.
At the ordinary Shareholders' Meeting of March 20, 2013, all of the proposals put forward by the Board of Directors were approved by a large majority. Board Members Heinrich W. Kreutzer, Lucas A. Grolimund, Dieter G. Seipler and Stefan Wolf were each re-elected for a one-year term up to the next ordinary Shareholders' Meeting. Once again CHF 0.05 per registered share was paid out to Micronas shareholders on March 27, 2013, against reserves from capital contributions.
The market environment remains difficult for Micronas in the first half, mainly because of the way the Japanese yen is performing against the euro. Based on a YEN-EUR exchange rate of 125, the Board of Directors and Management now expect to see sales of CHF 74 million for the first half of 2013, and an EBIT margin in the lower single-digit percentage range.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as projections, forecasts and estimates. Such forwardlooking statements are dependent on certain risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on Micronas' views and assumptions as of this date and Micronas does not assume any obligation to update or revise this press release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.
