- Markedly improved order intake in the 2nd quarter 2005
- Lower revenues and earnings as expected
- First orders received for HD DVD and Blu-ray systems
- Delivery of second OPTICUS system in August
- Asian market shows first signs of recovery
Kahl am Main, August 2, 2005 - The SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG (SINGULUS) recorded a significantly higher order intake in the 2nd quarter 2005 compared with the two preceding quarters. At 78.7 million €, this important indicator clearly exceeded 1st quarter figures of 34.3 million, but - as expected - remained below previous year’s level of 146.4 million €. As of June 30, 2005, the order backlog of 70.7 million € (previous year 215.9 million €) also recorded a considerable rise compared with the 1st quarter (40.6 million €) once again.
Revenues in the 2nd quarter 2005 totaled 48.7 million € and could not keep up with comparable prior-year figures (91.0 million €). Revenues for the 1st half of 2005 amounted to 99.1 million €, below the 160.4 million € achieved in the same period one year ago. The redundancy measures initiated in January reduced the number of employees within the Group during the first half of the year from 736 as of December 31, 2004 to 638 as of June 30, 2005 (previous year 709).
The decline in revenues and earnings compared with the same period one year ago results from the weak order intake in the two preceding quarters. Despite the still tense situation on both the American as well as the Asian markets, SINGULUS has overcome the previous weak quarters. Its technologic leadership enabled SINGULUS to return to the positive order trends of the past in the two markets again. Following three quarters of decline the order intake increased for the first time again in Asia in the second quarter of 2005.
As communicated since the beginning of the year, 2005 will be a year of transition for the SINGULUS Group with a significant decline in revenues and earnings compared with 2004. Based on today’s knowledge, we expect to achieve total revenues of 240-250 million €. Depending on the product mix a high single-digit EBIT is projected for the fiscal year.
We see considerable growth potential in our core business in 2006, amongst others due to the introduction of the third generation of optical disc machines as well as the new dual layer DVD R system. In addition, our new product OPTICUS will be able to contribute to revenues and earnings for the first time in 2006. After a year of strong consolidation comparable to the transition from 2000 to 2001, the entire sector and therefore also SINGULUS will regain growth momentum in 2006.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES – Consolidated key figures 1st half-year | |||||
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| 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
Gross revenues | in million Euro | 110.3 | 139.2 | 160.4 | 99.1 |
Order intake | in million Euro | 169.6 | 225.6 | 297.6 | 113.0 |
Order backlog as of | in million Euro | 115.0 | 144.9 | 215.9 | 70.7 |
EBIT | in million Euro | 19.1 | 21.4 | 17.9 | 1.2 |
EBT | in million Euro | 19.9 | 22.0 | 18.7 | 1.9 |
Consolidated net | in million Euro | 12.6 | 14.0 | 11.6 | 1.3 |
Earnings per share | in Euro | 0.34 | 0.38 | 0.31 | 0.04 |
Number of |
| 456 | 527 | 709 | 638 |
For the first time SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES also reports the quarterly results for the fiscal year 2005 according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Previous year’s figures were adjusted to IFRS accordingly.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, Hanauer Landstrasse 103, D-63796 Kahl/Main
ISIN: DE0007238909 / WKN: 723890