029 Group SE

Earnings Release • Aug 6, 2001

News Details

Ad-hoc | 6 August 2001 20:30

SZ Testsysteme AG english

Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– SZ Testsysteme AG, located in Amerang near Wasserburg, is still making profits in a difficult market environment: the company achieved a significant increase in earnings in the first 9 months of the current year (balance sheet date: September 30) compared with the same period in the previous year: after adjusting for costs in connection with the capital increase (DM 3.4m)equivalent to Euro 1.7m), the company achieved a result from ordinary activities amounting to DM 9.9m (Euro 5.1m), i.e. an increase of 60 percent compared with the comparable period in the previous year (DM 6.1m, equivalent to Euro 3.1m). Results from ordinary activities amounted to approximately TDM 700 in the 3rd quarter (Euro 358,000), less than the previous year’s figure of DM 3.2m (Euro 1.6m). This downturn was mainly attributable to previously increased capacities which were not required as planned on account of investment postponements by customers and which did not generate sales therefore. EBIT from October 2000 to June 2001 rose to DM 9.8m (Euro 5m) compared with the previous year’s figure of DM 6.2m (Euro 3.2m) (again after adjusting for expenses in connection with the capital increase). This was equivalent to 10.7 percent of sales. As the EBDIT, the company earned DM 15.4m (Euro 7.9m) in the first 9 months – likewise a significant advance in comparison with the previous year (DM 9.6m or Euro 4.9m). The EBIT in the 3rd quarter amounted to approximately DM 632,000 or Euro 323,000 (compared with DM 3.3m or Euro 1.7m in the previous year); the EBDIT amounted to DM 2.8m (Euro 1.4m) (compared with DM 4.5m or Euro 2.3m in the previous year). In the first 9 months of the current financial year, SZ Testsysteme AG achieved an earnings level per share of approximately DM 1.105 (Euro 0.56) after adjusting for the capital increase – with this being equivalent to an increase of 135 percent in comparison with the previous year (DM 0.47 or Euro 0.24). The results in the 3rd quarter amounted to DM 0.04 per share (Euro 0.02). Despite the present difficult market environment, SZ Testsysteme will again achieve a substantial operational growth in the current year. A sales increase to almost DM 115m (Euro 58.8m) is anticipated in the current financial year, corresponding to an increase of more than 50 percent in comparison with the previous year (DM 75.5m or Euro 38.6m). end of ad hoc announcement (c) DGAP 06.08.2001 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad hoc announcement: The main key figures for the 9-month period are as follows: October to June 00/01 October to June 99/00 Change Sales DM 92.3 million DM 51.8 million + 78 % Earnings from ordinary activities DM 9.9 million DM 6.1 million + 60 % EBIT DM 9.8 million DM 6.2 million + 58 % EBDIT DM 15.4 million DM 9.6 million + 61 % EPS DM 1.105 DM 0.47 + 135 % In comparison with the preceding quarter, the company succeeded in reducing its trade receivables by selective measures from DM 37.2 million (Euro 19.0 million) to DM 29.9 million (Euro 15.3 million), whereas inventories at DM 42.7 million (Euro 21.8 million) were maintained at approximately the same level as in the preceding quarter (DM 39.9 million or Euro 20.4 million). SZ Testsysteme AG is anticipating a noticeable upturn in the semiconductor market in the next year. The present phase is being actively used by the company to optimise processing procedures and the development of applications for new threshold technologies in order to be optimally prepared for the requirements of the forthcoming upturn. ——————————————————————————– WKN: 506730; Index: Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 062030 Aug 01