euro adhoc: Basler Vision Technologies AG
Quarterly or Semiannual
Financial Statements
Basler confirms growth path for 2005 after
cautious start in the first quarter
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
27.04.2005
Basler confirms growth path for 2005 after cautious start in first quarter
- At Euro 10.5 million first quarter 2005 turnover 28% down on same period last year
- Pre-tax margin at 10%, pre-tax earnings in first quarter 2005: Euro 1.1 million (Q1/2004: Euro 4.1 million)
- Forecasts for overall year 2005 confirmed with Euro 54 million turnover (2004: Euro 52.4 million) and pre-tax earnings of between Euro 7 - 7.5 million (2004: Euro 8.2 million)
Ahrensburg, 28 April 2005 - Basler AG, a leading company in Vision Technology, the technology on which artificial vision systems are based, has started as slowly as expected in 2005. Turnover, new orders and earnings are below the exceptionally good first quarter 2004 which benefited from a sharp rise in turnover on a low costs basis. To prepare for future growth, cost structures were adjusted during the past financial year.
First quarter 2005 turnover came to Euro 10.5 million (Q1/2004: Euro 14.4 million, -28%) while new orders amounted to Euro 10.1 million (Q1/2004: Euro 13.4 million, -24%). In terms of company business units the following picture emerges: Vision Systems (camera-based surface inspection for industrial mass production) reported a turnover of Euro 7.0 million (Q1/2004: Euro 10.2 million, -31%) and new orders amounting to Euro 6.7 million (Q1/2004: Euro 9.1 million, -26%). The comparably weak turnover and new orders are mainly due to continuing weak investments in the production of optical storage media. A market recovery is expected in the second half-year. On the other hand, the inspection systems business units for the flat screen sector and for the rubber and elastomer industries have continued with their positive development.
The Vision Components Business Unit (industrial-purpose high-speed digital cameras) made a turnover of Euro 3.5 million (Q1/2004: Euro 4.3 million, -19%) with new orders of Euro 3.4 million (Q1/2004: Euro 4.3 million, -20%). Investments in semiconductor and electronics markets were considerably low in Q1. We expect a firm recovery in Vision Components in Q2 due to new products and better market conditions.
Pre-tax earnings of Euro 1.1 million result in a pre-tax margin of 10% (Q1/2004: Euro 4.1 million, pre-tax margin of 28%, -74%). Net earnings of Euro 0.7 million lead to earnings per share of Euro 0.19 (Q1/2004: Euro 2.5 million, -73%, Euro 0.71 per share).
We maintain our forecast for 2005 of Euro 54 million in turnover and pre-tax earnings of between Euro 7.0 - 7.5 million. This mirrors our strategy of profitability-based and higher-than-market long-term growth.
The full Quarterly Report can be downloaded from www.baslerweb.com.
end of announcement euro adhoc 28.04.2005 06:56:26
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
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