DGAP-News: Viscom AG / Key word(s): Final Results
Viscom AG reports significant growth in revenue and earnings
24.03.2015 / 07:30
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Viscom AG reports significant growth in revenue and earnings
- Incoming orders: EUR 66,844 thousand (previous year: EUR 50,960
thousand, +31.2 %)
- Revenue: EUR 62,254 thousand (previous year: EUR 49,820 thousand, +25.0
%)
- EBIT: EUR 9,378 thousand (previous year: EUR 6,772 thousand, +38.5 %)
- EBIT-Margin: 15.1 % (previous year: 13.6 %)
- Proposed dividend: EUR 1.00 per share
Hanover, 24 March 2015 â Viscom AG (ISIN DE0007846867), the European market
leader in the field of automated optical inspection systems for use in the
electronics industry, was able to maintain its strong position in the
market in the 2014 financial year and exceeded management's targets.
The figures for the 2014 financial year speak for themselves: They reflect
our dedicated, skilled employees in all business areas and markets.
Incoming orders reached a record level during the first half of the year.
In particular, our strategy of generating market shares outside the
automotive sector has proved that we are on the right track to success. In
the first quarter, we started with a large order from a customer in the
computer, communication and consumer (3C) market for electronics production
at a contract manufacturer (EMS) in China. The order volume totalled
approximately EUR 4 million and was reported as revenue and income in the
first half of 2014. The positive order trend continued in the third
quarter, in particular due to increased demand for our new technologies. At
EUR 66,844 thousand, incoming orders in 2014 were around 31 % higher in a
year-on-year comparison (EUR 50,960 thousand). Order backlog increased to
EUR 14,032 thousand at the end of 2014 (previous year: EUR 9,442 thousand).
Viscom AG generated revenue of EUR 62,254 thousand in the past financial
year, which equated to a 25 % increase year on year (previous year: EUR
49,820 thousand) and even exceeded the last record of EUR 53,499 thousand
in 2011.
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) also developed positively in the
2014 financial year. At EUR 9,378 thousand (previous year: EUR 6,772
thousand), EBIT was up 38.5 % on the corresponding figure in the previous
year. Viscom also generated an EBIT-Margin of 15.1 %, which was more than
it had anticipated in the annual forecast for 2014. Net profit for the
period rose from EUR 4,723 thousand in the previous year to EUR 6,685
thousand in 2014.
Europe was by far the strongest region for the Viscom Group, accounting for
roughly 66 % of revenue. We were particularly pleased with the considerable
investments made by our customers in Germany, where we were able to
generate a 44 % increase in revenue year on year, from EUR 14,390 thousand
to EUR 20,686 thousand. The segment results in the Europe region increased
by around 48 % to EUR 7,245 thousand in 2014 (previous year: EUR 4,907
thousand).
Our subsidiaries in international markets also contributed to the positive
development of the Group. During the second half of the year, customers
from all market segments began to show heightened interest in our new
3D-inspection technologies. The launch of our XM-technology, which is also
3D-ready, in combination with the improved S3088-platform for optical
inspection of electronic components, which now offers enhanced performance
at a lower price, was able to accommodate the customer demand in the third
quarter. Our ability to deliver products fast ensured that the final
quarter was particularly good. At the same time, measures initiated during
the year to improve the sales and support structure were effective. Revenue
in the Asia region amounted to EUR 11,956 thousand (previous year: EUR
12,031 thousand). The segment results increased significantly by
approximately 46 %, from EUR 889 thousand in 2013 to EUR 1,301 thousand in
2014.
The positive trend in the Americas region in 2013 continued in 2014,
boosted by the popularity of the new XM-sensor module and the
3D-AOI-technology. Continued high demand for automotive electronics in
Mexico and for industrial electronics in the United States have also
ensured that the business environment has remained stable in this segment.
At EUR 9,242 thousand, revenue was up by approximately 12 % year-on- year
(previous year: EUR 8,257 thousand). Segment results were marginally lower
than the previous year at EUR 834 thousand (previous year: EUR 894
thousand).
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose to the Annual
General Meeting on 3 June 2015 that a dividend of EUR 1.00 per
dividend-bearing share be paid. In addition to the dividend from the
retained earnings of Viscom AG for the 2014 financial year of EUR 0.72 per
share, a special dividend of EUR 0.28 per share from retained earnings,
which was increased through withdrawals from free capital reserves of EUR
2,500 thousand, will also be paid. Part of the dividend payment in the
amount of approx. EUR 0.67 per share will be made from the tax contribution
account (section 27 KStG). Such partial amount will not be subject to
withholding tax and solidarity surcharge. After paying out the special
dividend, EUR 8,650 thousand or EUR 0.97 per dividend-bearing share will
remain in free capital reserves. This amount remains available for
potential future dividend payments and/or share buy-back programs.
The signals currently coming from the markets and the economic outlook give
us reason to assume that our expectations of a slight improvement in
business in the 2015 financial year are realistic. The management of Viscom
AG expects to generate revenue of between EUR 62 and 67 million and an
EBIT-Margin of between 13 % and 15 % in the 2015 financial year. The Annual
Report 2014 is now available on the website at www.viscom.com/europe under
Investor Relations.
Any forecasts, expectations or forward-looking statements included in this
report may carry risks and uncertainties. We therefore cannot guarantee
that these assumptions will turn out to be correct. Actual results and
developments may vary significantly from the forecasts and assumptions made
in this report. Factors that may lead to such deviations include changes to
the general economic development and competitive position, exchange rate
and interest rate fluctuations as well as amendments to national and
international laws. The Company does not assume any responsibility for
updating the statements contained in this report.
OPERATING FIGURES
<pre>
2014 2013
Revenue KEUR 62,254 49,820
EBIT KEUR 9,378 6,772
EBIT-Margin % 15.1 13.6
Net profit for the period KEUR 6,685 4,723
Total assets KEUR 64,458 71,358
Equity ratio % 83.1 86.3
CF from operating activities KEUR 4,755 7,174
CF from investing activities KEUR -2,233 -2,478
CF from financing activities KEUR -15,126 -5,331
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period KEUR 16,933 29,285
Earnings per share EUR 0.75 0.53
Dividend per share*) EUR 1.00 1.70
Employees at year-end 325 300
</pre>
*Dividend proposal EUR 1.00 per share for the 2014 financial year
SEGMENT INFORMATION
<pre>
2014 2013
EUROPE
Revenue KEUR 41,056 29,532
EBIT KEUR 7,245 4,907
EBIT-Margin % 17.6 16.6
ASIA
Revenue KEUR 11,956 12,031
EBIT KEUR 1,301 889
EBIT-Margin % 10.9 7.4
AMERICAS
Revenue KEUR 9,242 8,257
EBIT KEUR 834 894
EBIT-Margin % 9.0 10.8
</pre>
Contact:
Viscom AG
Investor Relations
Anna Borkowski
Carl-Buderus-Str. 9-15
30455 Hannover
Tel.: +49-511-94996-861
Fax: +49-511-94996-555
investor.relations@viscom.de
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24.03.2015 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
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Language: English
Company: Viscom AG
Carl-Buderus-Strasse 9-15
30455 Hannover
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 511 94 996 861
Fax: +49 (0) 511 94 996 555
E-mail: investor.relations@viscom.de
Internet: www.viscom.de
ISIN: DE0007846867
WKN: 784686
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hanover;
Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich,
Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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336299 24.03.2015
DGAP-News: Viscom AG reports significant growth in revenue and earnings
| Source: EQS Group AG