euro adhoc: Kaba Holding AG
Quarterly or Semiannual Financial
Statements
Kaba posts strong earnings gain
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
06.03.2005
Rümlang, March 7, 2005 - In the first six months of financial 2004/2005, reported by Kaba for the first time pursuant to IFRS, the Groups currency-adjusted sales increased by 4.9% versus the same prior-year period. Mostly due to the weaker US dollar, sales expressed in Swiss francs rose by a nominal 2.2% to CHF 492.5 million. Despite a currency translation loss of CHF 2.3 million, reported EBIT increased by 14.5% to CHF 65.6 million and thus fulfilled the Groups ambitious expectations. The EBIT margin improved from 11.9% to 13.3%. After deduction of non-recurring refinancing charges of CHF 7.9 million, income climbed to CHF 29.7 million, an increase of 35.6% versus the prior-year period (restated to IFRS) The Kaba Groups gross debt declined by CHF 85.6 million to CHF 387.3 million. Kaba expects significant income growth in the 2nd half of financial 2004/2005.
For reasons of transparency, Kaba initiated the transition from Swiss GAAP FER to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) with the semi-annual statement as at 31.12.2004. The comparable figures for the prior six-month period as well as for financial 2003/2004 have also been restated according to IFRS conventions. In the first six months of financial 2004/2005, currency-adjusted sales increased by 4.9% versus the same period a year ago. Mostly due to the further depreciation of the US dollar, however, reported sales increased by a mere 2.2% to CHF 492.5 million.
Reported EBIT rose by 14.5% in the 1st half of 2003/2004, closing at CHF 65.6 million in the period under review. Currency-adjusted EBIT even grew by CHF 10.6 million or 18.5%. The EBIT margin (income from operations in % of operating revenues) improved from 11.9% to 13.3%. Thus, Kaba was able to generate the overproportional earnings increase forecast in September 2004. Despite extraordinary refinancing costs of CHF 7.9 million incurred in October 2004, the Groups income climbed by CHF 7.8 million or 35.6% versus the prior-year period (restated to IFRS) to close at CHF 29.7 million.
The Groups gross debt declined from CHF 472.9 million as at 30.6.2004 to CHF 387.3 million as at 31.12.04. Thus, Kaba cut debt by no less than CHF 85.6 million in the 1st half of financial 2004/2005.
Dynamic business segments
Among the individual business segments, differentiated by products in compliance with IFRS, the increasing growth and earnings momentum of Door Systems as well as the above-average increase of currency-adjusted sales and EBIT of Access Systems in the Americas and Europe are noteworthy developments. In the Asia Pacific region, however, the Access Systems segment (generating about 3.5% of consolidated sales) experience a disappointing decline in sales as a result of the weak market demand. Key + Ident Systems (including Key Systems Americas) reported sales growth with an unchanged EBIT margin. The Data Collection segment grew slightly more than the Group average.
Further income gains expected in 2nd half of the year
For the 2nd half of the year (to close on 30.6.2005), Kaba expects the EBIT trend to remain strong, although not quite as pronounced as in the first six months of financial 2004/2005. One reason is the seasonal weakness of the market for Access Systems in Europe and for Door Systems. Additionally, it will not easily be possible to offset the currency translation losses incurred as a result of the depreciation of the US dollar.
On the other hand, income from operations in the 2nd half of financial 2004/2005 will reflect the elimination of the extraordinary refinancing charge of CHF 7.9 million incurred in the 1st half of the year. The tax rate for the 2nd half of the year (on income before taxes) should amount to about 33%, as was the case for the first six months.
We again expect earnings growth in a double-digit magnitude in comparison with the IFRS figures of the prior year.
Kaba is a globally active, publicly traded security corporation. With its «Total Access» strategy, the Kaba Group is specialized in integrated solutions for security, organization, and convenience at building and information access points. Kaba is also the world markets No. 1 provider of key blanks, key cutting and coding machines, transponder keys, and high security locks. It is a leading provider of electronic access systems, locks, master key systems, hotel locking systems, security doors, and automatic doors. Further information is available at www.kaba.com .
This communication contains certain forward-looking statements including statements using the words "believes", "assumes", "expects" or formulations of a similar kind. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could lead to substantial differences between the actual future results, the financial situation, the development or performance of the Company and those either expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among other things: competition from other companies, the effects and risks of new technologies, the Company's continuing capital requirements, financing costs, delays in the integration of acquisitions, changes in the operating expenses, the Company's ability to recruit and retain qualified employees, unfavorable changes to the applicable tax laws, and other factors identified in this communication. In view of these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company accepts no obligation to continue to report or update such forward-looking statements or adjust them to future events or developments.
end of announcement euro adhoc 06.03.2005 23:00:00
Further inquiry note:
Ulrich Graf, President and CEO; Tel +41 44 818 90 21
Dr. Werner Stadelmann, CFO; Tel +41 44 818 90 61
Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: CH0011795959
WKN: 1179595
Index: SPI
Börsen: SWX Swiss Exchange / official dealing