PARIS, France, Feb. 15, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- BVRP Software Group:
The last months of the 2000/2001 fiscal year, exceptionally over 17 months, confirmed the reversal of trends noted since September 2001.
Consolidation basis changes included, turnover stood at E53 million for this period. The last quarter of 2001 coincided with strong growth (+25% on the previous quarter and +39% on the second quarter) finishing at E11.7 M, reflecting a turnover level already in line with the Group Management forecasts for 2002.
The software business is mainly responsible for the recovery noted in Q4, both in OEM and distribution for all products in the range.
Over the last twelve months (January - December 2001), sales recorded an upturn of 8.5% to stand at E39.1 M. On a constant consolidation basis (integration of AB Soft and Guildsoft, shedding of Lab Production), turnover for 2001 is the same as for 2000.
Group turnover by quarter
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
in ME 9.6 8.4 9.4 11.7
Key figures
In millions of Euros Fiscal Year January - January - Change
2000/2001 December December 2001 -
(17 months) 2001 2000 2000
Software 28.1 20.9 16.5 + 26.0%
Services 21.9 15.3 15.8 -3.5%
Miscellaneous 3.0 2.9 3.7 -18.2%
TOTAL 53.0 39.1 36.0 + 8.5%
A wider and more diversified shareholder base
Exceptional volumes of shares were traded in 2001. Indeed, troubled market conditions did not hinder the trading of 5.7 million shares (1.5 times the capital). Moreover, the latest SICOVAM survey, performed in December 2001, reported more than 12,700 shareholders, showing a rise of 27% in the shareholder base, and indicating a tendency towards greater confidence in the company's capacity to create value for its shareholders.
The announcement and details of the final annual results for 2000/2001 and the group's new mid-term development strategy will be given on 9 April 2002.