euro adhoc: Basler Vision Technologies AG
Annual Reports
Basler
shows record turnover and excellent profitability in 2004
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
09.03.2005
Basler shows record turnover and excellent profitability in 2004
Forecast for 2005: increased turnover with continuing good profitability
Ahrensburg, 9 March 2005 - Basler AG, the leading company in Vision Technology, the technology on which artificial vision systems are based, has now published the audited figures for the Annual Report 2004 and made a definite forecast for the current financial year. The audited figures now published show that Basler increased turnover in 2004 by 47% to Euro 52.4 million (2003: Euro 35.7 million). Growth in turnover has mainly been driven by product innovation which increased Baslers share in all its target markets.
According to US GAAP, increased turnover and optimized productivity led to pre-tax earnings in 2004 of Euro 5.1 million (2003: Euro 0.7 million). With activation of loss brought-forward, the tax result amounted to + Euro 2.0 million giving net operating earnings of Euro 7.1 million (2003: Euro 3.0 million). Earnings per share improved to Euro 2.04 (2003: Euro 0.85).
For 2005 (and for the first time using International Financial Reporting Standards - IFRS, which became mandatory this year) growth in turnover is expected to continue, though less dynamically, to yield Euro 54 million (+ 3% compared with 2004), giving pre-tax earnings of between Euro 7 - 7.5 million and a pre-tax margin of at least 13%. From a current perspective, the first half-year should be weaker and the second half-year more dynamic than in 2004. The forecast makes provision for high investment in research and development of approx. 17% of overall turnover. This investment will create the groundwork needed for further innovation and high organic growth.
The current market portfolio evidences a pattern of autonomous market cycles and thus a large degree of independence from single markets enabling good long-term growth. The forecast for 2005 predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28% over a three year period.
Details of the Annual Report will be given at todays Conference Call for analysts and investors, and at the press conference for the Annual Financial Statements. The Annual Report for 2004 is available online and as a PDF download at www.baslerweb.com.
end of announcement euro adhoc 09.03.2005 06:46:04
Further inquiry note:
Christian Höck
Tel.: +49 (0)4102 463 175
E-Mail: christian.hoeck@baslerweb.com
Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0005102008
WKN: 510200
Index: Prime Standard, CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / regulated dealing
Berliner Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Bayerische Börse / free trade
Bremer Wertpapierbörse (BWB) / free trade