.
- First-half sales up 9 percent on prior-year period at CHF 86.9 million
- EBIT margin rises from 10 to 15 percent over the same period
- Manufacturing capacity utilization in Freiburg goes up to more than 80 percent
- Micronas continues to strengthen its leading position in automotive Hall sensors
- For 2012 as a whole, Micronas expects net sales of CHF 170 million, and an EBIT margin of 15 percent
"Micronas can look back on a good first half of 2012. The positive trend at the Company continues," says Micronas CEO Matthias Bopp. "Not only did profit and sales rise significantly compared with the first half of 2011, but they also exceeded the expectations we announced at the start of the year."
Consolidated net sales by the Micronas Group in the first half of 2012 came to CHF 86.9 million, which is 9 percent higher than in the first half of 2011. After adjusting for currency movements - in euros - the rise was 15.1 percent. The sharp increase in the value of the Japanese yen against the euro also helped Micronas. The Automotive segment generated CHF 81.0 million, which is 11.6 percent more than the year-back figure. After adjusting for currency fluctuations (in euros), Automotive sales went up by 17.8 percent.
The Micronas Group's operating profit (EBIT) went up 59.6 percent year-on-year to CHF 13.1 million. The EBIT margin rose from 10.3 to 15.1 percent.
After taking account of financial income and expenses, and taxes, Micronas posted a profit of CHF 7.0 million for the first half-year, an increase of CHF 5.7 million on the prior-year period. Earnings per share stood at CHF 0.24. At the end of June 2012, Micronas held cash and cash equivalents of CHF 159.5 million, compared with CHF 156.2 million at end-2011. With equity capital at CHF 136.4 million (CHF 129.2 million at end-2011) the equity ratio came to 48.6 percent.
In the Automotive business, recovery among Japanese carmakers, especially Toyota, had a positive effect on Micronas, which had suffered in the previous year from the effects of the earthquake. In the other major automotive markets, performances were very mixed. During the first six months of 2012, car sales in Western Europe were down on the equivalent prior-year period. USA and China expanded significantly. The fact that German manufacturers continued to export on a stable level, was important for Micronas.
"Thanks to higher sales by our most important Automotive customers, and thanks to our outstanding products, Micronas extended its share of the automotive Hall sensor market and further strengthened its leading worldwide position," says Matthias Bopp.
With the launch of the new HAL 24xy family during the first half of the year, Micronas further consolidated its leading position as a supplier of linear Hall sensors. This new sensor family fulfilled incr eased demands for performance, safety and reliability in automotive applications. The sensors can be used in many applications, including the new generation of throttle valves, accelerators and exhaust gas recirculation systems. Micronas believes there is still great potential for its Hall sensors and its system solutions for brushless DC (BLDC) motors.
Industrial products and the remaining consumer products are reported together under "Others". In the first six months, these products achieved sales of CHF 5.9 million and performed in accordance with our expectations.
One highlight was the announcement of the second generation of Micronas gas sensors based on the mySENS technology. With the GAS 86xyB, Micronas has come up with a smaller, more cost-effective sensor platform with even lower power consumption for reliable measurement of gases in numerous application scenarios.
Thanks to the positive demand trend, utilization of production capacity at the Freiburg wafer fab rose to more than 80 percent in the first half of 2012, up from 70 percent in the prior-year period. The fall in sales of consumer products was more than offset by a continuous rise in sales of products for the automotive and industrial market. Short-time work at the Freiburg plant, which was only needed to a small extent in the first half-year, was stopped altogether at the end of June 2012.
Despite the uncertain economic outlook, the Board of Directors and Management believe that global demand for automotive products will hold firm in the second half of the year. For 2012 as a whole, they expect net sales of about CHF 170 million, and an EBIT margin of around 15 percent.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as projections, forecasts and estimates. Such forward-looking 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.
- First-half sales up 9 percent on prior-year period at CHF 86.9 million
- EBIT margin rises from 10 to 15 percent over the same period
- Manufacturing capacity utilization in Freiburg goes up to more than 80 percent
- Micronas continues to strengthen its leading position in automotive Hall sensors
- For 2012 as a whole, Micronas expects net sales of CHF 170 million, and an EBIT margin of 15 percent
"Micronas can look back on a good first half of 2012. The positive trend at the Company continues," says Micronas CEO Matthias Bopp. "Not only did profit and sales rise significantly compared with the first half of 2011, but they also exceeded the expectations we announced at the start of the year."
Consolidated net sales by the Micronas Group in the first half of 2012 came to CHF 86.9 million, which is 9 percent higher than in the first half of 2011. After adjusting for currency movements - in euros - the rise was 15.1 percent. The sharp increase in the value of the Japanese yen against the euro also helped Micronas. The Automotive segment generated CHF 81.0 million, which is 11.6 percent more than the year-back figure. After adjusting for currency fluctuations (in euros), Automotive sales went up by 17.8 percent.
The Micronas Group's operating profit (EBIT) went up 59.6 percent year-on-year to CHF 13.1 million. The EBIT margin rose from 10.3 to 15.1 percent.
After taking account of financial income and expenses, and taxes, Micronas posted a profit of CHF 7.0 million for the first half-year, an increase of CHF 5.7 million on the prior-year period. Earnings per share stood at CHF 0.24. At the end of June 2012, Micronas held cash and cash equivalents of CHF 159.5 million, compared with CHF 156.2 million at end-2011. With equity capital at CHF 136.4 million (CHF 129.2 million at end-2011) the equity ratio came to 48.6 percent.
In the Automotive business, recovery among Japanese carmakers, especially Toyota, had a positive effect on Micronas, which had suffered in the previous year from the effects of the earthquake. In the other major automotive markets, performances were very mixed. During the first six months of 2012, car sales in Western Europe were down on the equivalent prior-year period. USA and China expanded significantly. The fact that German manufacturers continued to export on a stable level, was important for Micronas.
"Thanks to higher sales by our most important Automotive customers, and thanks to our outstanding products, Micronas extended its share of the automotive Hall sensor market and further strengthened its leading worldwide position," says Matthias Bopp.
With the launch of the new HAL 24xy family during the first half of the year, Micronas further consolidated its leading position as a supplier of linear Hall sensors. This new sensor family fulfilled incr eased demands for performance, safety and reliability in automotive applications. The sensors can be used in many applications, including the new generation of throttle valves, accelerators and exhaust gas recirculation systems. Micronas believes there is still great potential for its Hall sensors and its system solutions for brushless DC (BLDC) motors.
Industrial products and the remaining consumer products are reported together under "Others". In the first six months, these products achieved sales of CHF 5.9 million and performed in accordance with our expectations.
One highlight was the announcement of the second generation of Micronas gas sensors based on the mySENS technology. With the GAS 86xyB, Micronas has come up with a smaller, more cost-effective sensor platform with even lower power consumption for reliable measurement of gases in numerous application scenarios.
Thanks to the positive demand trend, utilization of production capacity at the Freiburg wafer fab rose to more than 80 percent in the first half of 2012, up from 70 percent in the prior-year period. The fall in sales of consumer products was more than offset by a continuous rise in sales of products for the automotive and industrial market. Short-time work at the Freiburg plant, which was only needed to a small extent in the first half-year, was stopped altogether at the end of June 2012.
Despite the uncertain economic outlook, the Board of Directors and Management believe that global demand for automotive products will hold firm in the second half of the year. For 2012 as a whole, they expect net sales of about CHF 170 million, and an EBIT margin of around 15 percent.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as projections, forecasts and estimates. Such forward-looking 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.
