euro adhoc: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Quarterly or Semiannual
Financial Statements
LPKF generates a clear profit in the first
nine months
Cost-cutting measures having their full effect (E)
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
The company generated the following result in the first 9 months:
~
2003 (9 months) 2002 (9 months) Change
Consolidated turnover KEUR 16,200 KEUR 18,266 -11.3%
Consolidated result KEUR 730 KEUR 822 -11.2%
EBIT KEUR 1,132 KEUR 1,623 -30.3%
EBIT margin 7.0% 8.9%
EPS (diluted) EUR 0.07 EUR 0.08
Cash and cash equivalents KEUR 5,627 KEUR 4,768 +18.0%
Capital ratio 72% 68%
~
LPKFs current orders in hand total EUR 3.16 million (EUR 5.48
million).Notes on the quarterly results The positive 9-month performance is also attributable to the sale of MicroLine Lasers in North America and Germany. In addition, the cost-cutting measures launched at the beginning of the financial year made a contribution to the very satisfactory results in the third quarter. The Q3 result of KEUR 829 (KEUR -231) highlights LPKFs potential for producing excellent returns on sales against the background of increasing turnover and stable fixed costs. However, the 11.3% decline in turnover to KEUR 16,200 (KEUR 18,266) compared to the same period last year indicates that investment in the global electronics market is still depressed. The Laser Systems segment is the most strongly affected by this trend although it still managed to generate a turnover of KEUR 9,068 (KEUR 9,986). Despite a slight improvement in business, the Rapid PCB Prototyping segment was still not able to match last years figures and generated a turnover of KEUR 6,047 (KEUR 6,638). The sale of the stencils production in Germany resulted in a turnover of KEUR 804 (KEUR 1,388) in the Services segment. A general upswing in orders received and the number of product inquiries was first clearly felt at the end of the third quarter. However, it is still too early to tell if this represents a fundamental new trend. LPKFs figures were also depressed in the third quarter by the weakness of the dollar.
Outlook for 2003 The last months of each year always had an important influence on the years result. Therefore LPKF is not predicting a major reduction in turnover compared to the previous years level. Measures have been introduced throughout the Group to reduce fixed costs. These have already taken hold and will continue to show considerable effect during the further course of the second half. A highlight for LPKF was the Productronica, one of the most important international electronics fairs in Munich. A good follow-up business with positive effects on the 2004 sales figures is expected.
Events after 30 September 2003 Following the licence agreements with Degussa AG, Bayer AG and Ticona GmbH, LPKF has now signed a cooperation agreement with the Harting Technology Group during the Productronica which will be followed by the installation of a 3D-MID laser system. LPKFs strategy behind this agreement is to qualify the LPKF-LDS process especially for micro-packaging and to consequently continue the 3D-MID marketing strategy.
end of announcement euro adhoc 20.11.2003
Further inquiry note:
Ulrike Thoms-von Meding
LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Tel.: +49(0)5131 7095 382
u.thomsvonmeding@lpkf.de
Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0006450000
WKN: 645000
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Prime Standard, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / regulated dealing
Niedersächsische Börse zu Hannover / free trade
Berliner Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Bayerische Börse / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Bremer Wertpapierbörse (BWB) / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade