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AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG

Earnings Release Feb 18, 2013

736_rns_2013-02-18_e5aa9c1d-a24f-421d-a33b-5b57e895ffa1.pdf

Earnings Release

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Quarterly Financial Report 03 2012/2013

AT&S - part of your daily life

Key figures

IFRS
(If not otherwise stated, all figures in EUR 1,000) Q1-3 2012/13 Q1-3 2011/12
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
Revenues 405,121 371,754
thereof produced in Asia 75 % 72 %
thereof produced in Europe 25 % 28 %
EBITDA 74,426 75,913
EBITDA margin 18.4 % 20.4 %
EBIT 20,981 31,644
EBIT margin 5.2 % 8.5 %
Net income 5,439 21,864
Net income of owners of the parent company 5,439 21,891
Cash earnings 58,883 66,159
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
Total assets 709,546 722,209
Total equity 289,225 289,293
Total equity of owners of the parent company 289,276 289,338
Net debt 252,143 255,727
Net gearing 87.2 % 88.4 %
Net working capital 120,774 108,184
Net working capital per revenues 22.4 % 21.8 %
Equity ratio 40.8 % 40.1 %
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Net cash generated from operating activities (OCF) 28,260 50,433
CAPEX, net 32,844 91,592
GENERAL INFORMATION
Payroll (incl. leased personnel), ultimo 7,226 7,322
Payroll (incl. leased personnel), average 7,450 7,461
KEY STOCK FIGURES
Earnings per share (EUR) 0.23 0.94
Cash earnings pers share (EUR) 2.52 2.84
Market capitalisation, ultimo 187,980 196,143
Market capitalisation per equity 65.0 % 67.8 %
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 23,322,588 23,322,588
KEY FINANCIAL FIGURES
ROE 1) 2.5 % 11.2 %
ROCE 1) 4.6 % 7.6 %
ROS 1.3 % 5.9 %

1) Calculated on the basis of average values

Highlights

  • Record revenues and improved operating results
  • Positive developments include:
  • stronger demand for high-end printed circuit boards in the premium class automotive segment
  • the launch of new models by leading smartphone manufacturers
  • Expansion of product portfolio to include IC substrates

Statement of the Management Board

Dear shareholders,

the launch of new models by leading smartphone manufacturers, and stronger demand for high-end printed circuit boards in the premium class automotive segment resulted in an improvement in operating results compared with the first half of the financial year 2012/13. In addition, sales reached new record highs for both segments.

This rise in revenues is predominantly attributable to improved capacity utilisation at the Group's HDI plant in Shanghai. Although utilisation was below expectations in the first six months of this year, order intake picked up sharply in the third quarter following the successful launch of several new products in the Mobile Devices market. HDI printed circuit boards are also increasingly being used for high-end, premium class automotive applications. Demand for high-quality printed circuit boards from European industrial customers dropped, in line with the overall economic situation. We could not fully make up for our slow start to the year, but strong sales performance in the Mobile Devices segment in the run-up to Christmas and the continuing steady demand for high-value interconnection solutions in the Automotive segment contributed to an improvement in operating income and record revenues in the third quarter. The Group's strategy of increasing its presence in the medical sector is now bearing fruit, and revenues from this segment are up by 50% in the financial year to date.

In the third quarter AT&S Group achieved record revenues of EUR 150 million (m) and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of around EUR 30.5m. As a result, revenues for the first nine months of the financial year 2012/13 increased to about EUR 405m, while earnings per share rose to EUR 0.23.

Key indicators for the first nine months of the current financial year are as follows:

  • Sales revenues: EUR 405.12m
  • Gross profit: EUR 57.16m for a gross margin of 14.11%
  • EBITDA: EUR 74.43m for an EBIDTA margin of 18.37%

  • Operating profit: EUR 20.98m for an EBIT margin of 5.18%

  • Profit before tax: EUR 8.06m for a margin of 1.99%
  • Consolidated net profit: EUR 5.44m for a margin of 1.34%
  • Earnings per share: EUR 0.23
  • No. of shares outstanding (average)*: 23,323 * Thousands of shares

Financing The maturities of the total financial liabilities of EUR 296.8m were as follows:

Less than 1 year: EUR 124.9m
1–5 years: EUR 143.1m
More than 5 years: EUR 28.8m

NEW BUSINESS SEGMENT AT&S Group has decided to expand its product portfolio to include the manufacture of integrated circuit (IC) substrates. The decision to move into a further high-tech line of business is the logical next step in the Group's development as a technology leader. IC substrates are used to connect semiconductors and printed circuit boards. Conductor widths of as little as 50 micrometres are common in the printed circuit board industry. The conductive structures on semiconductors are measured in nanometres and must be rerouted via the substrate to the printed circuit board structures, which are only a few micrometres across. In other words, substrates connect the nanoworld and the microworld.

This strategic extension of the Group's business activities reflects the trend that is increasingly bringing requirements for semiconductors and printed circuit boards closer together and making production technologies converge. It also high-lights the growing importance of substrates. According to Prismark, the global market for IC substrates is worth around USD 8.6 billion (bn), and this is forecast to reach some USD 11.8bn by 2016. Growth is significantly stronger than in the printed circuit board market, and profitability in the high-end IC substrate segment outweighs that of the HDI business. AT&S expects the new business segment to start generating revenues in 2016.

IC substrates will be produced in China. AT&S will work in close partnership with a leading semiconductor manufacturer to build up the required expertise before entering the market together. The plant currently under construction in Chongqing, China, will be geared towards these new operations and will be the first high-end substrate production facility in the country. As its competitors' manufacturing plants are located in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, AT&S has clear cost-based competitive advantage. At present we expect total investment (excluding ramp-up costs) of about EUR 350m.

Entering the substrate business is vital to the Group's sustained growth and represents a step-up to the highest level of technological development. This move also consolidates the company's position as one of the leading providers of high-tech interconnection solutions in the electronics industry.

Andreas Gerstenmayer

Chairman

With best regards

Thomas Obendrauf Chief Financial Officer

Heinz Moitzi Chief Technical Officer

AT&S stock options

In the third quarter of the financial year 2012/13 there were no changes in the shareholdings of senior managers for the purposes of section 48 Austrian Stock Exchange Act (BörseG). Stock options held by members of the Management Board were as follows (Supervisory Board members do not receive stock options):

Stock options
allocated as of
Allocation of Allocation of Allocation of Allocation of Allocation
31 December 2012 1 April 2012 1 April 2011 1 April 2010 1 April 2009 of 1 April 2008
Andreas Gerstenmayer 120,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 0 0
Heinz Moitzi 144,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 24,000 30,000
Thomas Obendrauf 64,500 30,000 30,000 1,500 1,500 1,500
Exercise price (EUR) 9.86 16.60 7.45 3.86 15.67

AT&S stock

SHARE PRICE IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS

OF 2012/13 In November AT&S staged an Austrian Capital Market Day – the first of its kind – in Hong Kong, in collaboration with Wiener Börse, operator of the Vienna Stock Exchange. The event was designed to raise the profile of Austrian businesses operating in Asia among institutional investors. There was strong interest from both investors and the media. The participants also made contacts with local brokers and in future it will be possible to place stock orders directly with the brokers. In December we visited Zurich at the invitation of UBS and gave a presentation on AT&S at the Vienna Stock Exchange for an audience of over 50 financial advisers.

Over the past few months two factors have had a major impact on the performance of AT&S stock:

  • Investor sentiment towards mobile devices manufacturers has been more positive and the AT&S share price has benefited as a result
  • The share price came under pressure following the announcement of the plans for Chongqing

Although AT&S exceeded some analysts' forecasts in the third quarter, others revised their outlook for the Group. One analyst downgraded AT&S and another temporarily suspended the rating. AT&S stock is currently being followed by six analysts.

Shareholdings AT&S AGAINST THE ATX-PRIME

Key stock figures for the first three months (EUR)

31 December 2012 31 December 2011
Earnings per share 0.23 0.94
High 9.60 15.90
Low 6.25 8.13
Close 8.06 8.41

AT&S share

Vienna Stock Exchange
Security ID number 969985
ISIN code AT0000969985
Symbol ATS
Reuters RIC ATSV.VI
Bloomberg ATS AV
Indexes ATX Prime, WBI SME

Financial calendar

8 May 2013 9.95%
Publication of annual results 2012/13
4 July 2013 Treasury stock
19th Annual General Meeting
17.74%

ContaCt Investor Relations

Martin Theyer

Tel: +43 (0)3842/200-5909 E-mail: [email protected]

Interim Financial Report (IFRS)

Consolidated Income Statement

1 October - 31 December 1 April - 31 December
(in EUR 1,000) 2012 2011 2012 2011
Revenues 150,350 129,870 405,121 371,754
Cost of sales (123,886) (105,768) (347,962) (309,384)
Gross Profit 26,464 24,102 57,159 62,370
Selling costs (7,298) (6,272) (21,283) (18,852)
General and administrative costs (4,830) (5,592) (14,143) (15,794)
Other operating result (1,904) (170) (752) 3,920
Operating result 12,432 12,068 20,981 31,644
Financial income 25 1,374 257 3,670
Financial expense (7,073) (4,059) (13,178) (9,244)
Financial result (7,048) (2,685) (12,921) (5,574)
Profit before tax 5,384 9,383 8,060 26,070
Income tax expense (2,027) (1,487) (2,621) (4,206)
Profit for the period 3,357 7,896 5,439 21,864
thereof owners of the parent company 3,354 7,904 5,439 21,891
thereof non-controlling interests 3 (8) (27)
Earnings per share for profit attributable to equity holders
of the parent company (in EUR per share):
- basic 0.14 0.34 0.23 0.94
- diluted 0.14 0.34 0.23 0.94
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
- basic (in thousands)
23,323 23,323 23,323 23,323
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
- diluted (in thousands)
23,351 23,363 23,351 23,363

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

1 October - 31 December 1 April - 31 December
(in EUR 1,000) 2012 2011 2012 2011
Profit for the period 3,357 7,896 5,439 21,864
Currency translation differences (6,924) 19,612 8,127 46,660
Fair value (losses) of available-for-sale financial assets, net of tax (6) (20) (17)
Fair value gains/(losses) of cash flow hedges, net of tax 28 (5) 32 (160)
Other comprehensive income for the period (6,896) 19,601 8,139 46,483
Total comprehensive income for the period (3,539) 27,497 13,578 68,347
thereof owners of the parent company (3,543) 27,502 13,574 68,371
thereof non-controlling interests 4 (5) 4 (24)

Consolidated Balance Sheet

31 December 31 March
(in EUR 1,000) 2012 2012
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 439,780 454,466
Intangible assets 2,147 2,451
Financial assets 96 96
Overfunded retirement benefits 593 581
Deferred tax assets 19,962 16,819
Other non-current assets 9,372 8,730
471,950 483,143
Current assets
Inventories 70,279 64,909
Trade and other receivables 121,630 115,483
Financial assets 780 768
Current income tax receivables 1,179 617
Cash and cash equivalents 43,728 29,729
237,596 211,506
Total assets 709,546 694,649
EQUITY
Share capital 45,535 45,535
Other reserves 30,690 22,555
Retained earnings 213,051 215,075
Equity attributable to owners of the parent company 289,276 283,165
Non-controlling interests (51) (55)
Total equity 289,225 283,110
LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities 171,871 188,729
Provisions for employee benefits 14,563 13,895
Other provisions 10,732 11,422
Deferred tax liabilities 7,322 5,701
Other liabilities 4,213 3,641
208,701 223,388
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 80,608 98,037
Financial liabilities 124,875 84,399
Current income tax payables 4,528 3,551
Other provisions 1,609 2,164
211,620 188,151
Total liabilities 420,321 411,539
Total equity and liabilities 709,546 694,649

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

1 April - 31 December
(in EUR 1,000) 2012 2011
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the period 5,439 21,864
Adjustments to reconcile profit for the period to cash generated from operations:
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 53,445 44,268
Changes in non-current provisions (100) 352
Income tax expense 2,621 4,206
Financial expense 12,921 5,575
Losses from the sale of fixed assets 548 220
Release from government grants (705) (599)
Other non-cash expense/(income), net (46) 730
Changes in working capital:
- Inventories (5,069) (14,913)
- Trade receivables and others (10,322) 1,450
- Trade and other payables
- Other provisions
(14,080)
(546)
2,204
(736)
Cash generated from operations 44,106 64,621
Interest paid (12,175) (8,430)
Interest and dividends received
Income tax paid
226
(3,897)
170
(5,928)
Net cash generated from operating activities 28,260 50,433
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditure for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (36,196) (91,643)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 3,352 52
Proceeds from sale of available for sale securities 35
Acquisition of non-controlling interest (473)
Purchases of financial assets (292) (1,618)
Proceeds from sale of financial assets 151 1,433
Net cash used in investing activities (32,950) (92,249)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from long-term bonds
Changes in other borrowings

24,473
98,999
(9,752)
Proceeds from government grants 1,512 2,664
Dividend paid (7,463) (8,396)
Net cash generated from financing activities 18,522 83,515
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 13,832 41,699
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 29,729 4,227
Exchange gains on cash and cash equivalents 167 1,767
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 43,728 47,693

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(in EUR 1,000) Share
capital
Other
reserves
Retained
earnings
Equity
attributable
to owners
of the parent
company
Non
controlling
interests
Total
equity
31 March 2011 44,475 (12,032) 197,020 229,463 353 229,816
Profit for the period 21,891 21,891 (27) 21,864
Other comprehensive income for the period 46,480 46,480 3 46,483
Total comprehensive income for the period 46,480 21,891 68,371 (24) 68,347
Dividend relating to 2010/11 (8,396) (8,396) (8,396)
Acquisition of non-controlling interests (99) (99) (374) (473)
31 December 2011 44,475 34,448 210,416 289,339 (45) 289,294
31 March 2012 45,535 22,555 215,075 283,165 (55) 283,110
Profit for the period 5,439 5,439 5,439
Other comprehensive income for the period 8,135 8,135 4 8,139
Total comprehensive income for the period 8,135 5,439 13,574 4 13,578
Dividend relating to 2011/12 (7,463) (7,463) (7,463)
31 December 2012 45,535 30,690 213,051 289,276 (51) 289,225

Segment Reporting

1 April - 31 December 2012

Industrial & Elimination/
(in EUR 1,000) Mobile Devices Automotive Others Consolidation Group
Segment sales 256,200 175,438 1,379 (27,896) 405,121
Intersegment sales (27,016) (790) (90) 27,896
Segment revenue, net 229,184 174,648 1,289 405,121
Operating result 16,734 5,787 (1,687) 147 20,981
Financial result (12,921)
Profit before income tax 8,060
Income tax expense (2,621)
Profit for the period 5,439
Intangible and tangible fixed assets 384,642 49,011 8,274 441,927
Investments 27,085 2,983 1,509 31,577
Depreciation/amortisation 45,805 5,979 1,661 53,445

1 April - 31 December 2011

Industrial & Elimination/
(in EUR 1,000) Mobile Devices Automotive Others Consolidation Group
Segment sales 228,083 159,393 1,272 (16,994) 371,754
Intersegment sales (16,904) (90) 16,994
Segment revenue, net 1) 211,179 159,393 1,182 371,754
Operating result 2) 31,644
Financial result (5,574)
Profit before income tax 26,070
Income tax expense (4,206)
Profit for the period 21,864
Intangible and tangible fixed assets 396,090 53,963 10,160 460,213
Investments 63,764 9,456 1,273 74,493
Depreciation/amortisation 37,062 6,011 1,195 44,268

Additional information

Revenue broken down by region is as follows:

1 April - 31 December
(in EUR 1,000) 2012 2011
Austria 14,440 15,965
Germany 92,450 96,817
Hungary 15,624 31,637
Other European countries 35,954 27,505
Asia 202,034 142,239
Canada, USA, Mexico 39,547 53,792
Other 5,072 3,799
405,121 371,754

1) As a result of a change in the method of foreign currency translation, there are minor differences in the disclosure of segment revenues as compared with last year 2) The operating results for the new segments cannot be calculated retrospectively for the comparable period last year, and an alternative presentation of current operating results on

the basis of the old segments is not available. For this reason, no comparative figures are disclosed, and there is no alternative presenta-tion of current operating results on the old basis (IFRS 8.29-30)

Notes to the Interim Financial Report

GENERAL

ACCOUNTING AND VALUATION POLICIES The interim report for the three quarters ended 31 December 2012 has been prepared in accordance with the standards (IFRS and IAS) of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), taking IAS 34 into account, and the interpretations (IFRIC and SIC) as adopted by the European Union.

The consolidated interim financial statements do not include all the information contained in the consolidated annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012.

There are no differences in accounting and valuation policies compared with those applied in the financial year ended 31 March 2012, except in respect of the segment reporting.

In the financial year 2011/12 the Management Board – with the Supervisory Board's approval – decided to improve the Group's organisational structure with the aim of adapting its operational processes even more effectively to its customers' needs. Three business units were created: Mobile Devices, Industrial & Automotive and Advanced Packaging.

Mobile Devices is responsible for the production of printed circuit boards for mobile end-user devices such as smartphones, tablets, digital cameras and portable media players. The printed circuit boards for these applications are largely produced in our Shanghai facility.

The Industrial & Automotive business unit supplies automotive component suppliers and customers in the industrial, medical technology, aerospace and other sectors. Production for this business segment takes place at our plants in India and Korea and in all of our Austrian facilities.

Advanced Packaging specialises in new, technologically highly advanced applications. A variety of components are integrated directly into printed circuit boards in order to enable further reductions in the size of end-user devices while also enhancing the functionality. The new technology is useful in a wide range of applications. Advanced Packaging is still under development as a business unit, and is therefore not yet shown separately, but is included under "Others".

Since internal reporting was also adapted to reflect the new structure, segment reporting has been changed accordingly. Since no comparable information is available for the financial year 2011/12, no comparative segment operating results for that year are shown.

The consolidated interim statements for the nine months ended 31 December 2012 are unaudited and have not been the subject of external audit review.

NOTES TO THE INCOME STATEMENT

REVENUES Sales in the first three quarters of the current financial year amounted to EUR 405 million (m), 9% more than in the same period last year.

Thanks to continuing strong demand for smartphones, sales in Mobile Devices were up 9%.

Industrial & Automotive sales were also up, by 10%, on the same period last year. Automotive and Medical & Healthcare in particular generated growth, while Industrial showed a slight decline in revenues because of the overall economic situation.

The geographical distribution of production volumes – 75% in Asia and 25% in Europe – shows a slight shift towards Asia compared with the same period last year, when the split was 72% to 28%.

With 50% of sales in Asia, 39% in Europe and 11% in the USA, sales revenues showed a similar redistribution, largely away from Europe to the advantage of Asia.

GROSS PROFIT In spite of the increase in sales, the gross profit margin of 14% fell short of the 17% achieved in the same period last year, principally because of capacity underutilisation in our Shanghai plant. From the segment perspective, Industrial & Automotive improved its gross margin year on year from 13% to 14%, while Mobile Devices saw a decline in gross margin from 19% to 14%.

OPERATING RESULTS As a result of the lower gross profit, operating results were also down. Sales and administrative costs remained stable. Reductions in grant income and unrealised negative exchange rate differences also contributed to the lower other operating results, so that overall operating profits in relation to sales fell from 8.5% in the first three quarters of last financial year to 5.2% in the same period this year.

On a quarterly basis, the current financial year shows a positive trend, with the ratio improving from 2.9% in the first quarter to 3.8% in the second quarter and 8.3% in the third.

FINANCIAL RESULTS Financial income consisted of interest income on short-term investments.

Financial expenses consisted of interest expense of EUR 10.5m, compared with EUR 8.7m in the same period last year, and of unrealised exchange losses on intra-group financing arising from changes in exchange rates. The increase in realised interest expense reflects the accrual for interest on the EUR 100m bond issued in November 2011.

TAXES ON INCOME The change – as compared with the same period last year – in the effective rate of tax on a consolidated basis is principally a consequence of the varying proportions of Group earnings contributed by individual companies with different tax rates and subject to different tax regulations.

Taxes on income are also significantly affected by the measurement of deferred taxation: for a large part of the tax loss carryforwards arising, no deferred tax assets have been recognised, since the likelihood of their being realisable in the foreseeable future is low.

NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF COM-PREHENSIVE INCOME

CURRENCY TRANSLATION DIFFERENCES The favourable movement of EUR 8.1m on the foreign currency translation reserve in the current financial year consisted almost exclusively of changes in the exchange rates of the Group's functional currencies, the renminbi yuan (CNY) and Hong Kong dollar (HKD), against the Group reporting currency, the euro.

NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINAN-CIAL POSITION

ASSETS AND FINANCES Net debt of EUR 252.1m at 31 December 2012 was slightly higher than at 31 March 2012 (EUR 242.5m), but lower than at 30 September 2012 (EUR 255.2m). Net current assets rose from EUR 92.3m at 31 March 2012 to EUR 120.8m. The net gearing ratio of 87% was unchanged from that date.

Mainly as a result of healthy earnings and foreign currency translation gains, the Group's consolidated equity rose from EUR 283.1m at the end of the last financial year to EUR 289.2m at 31 December 2012. Consolidated net income for the period totalled EUR 13.6m.

TREASURY SHARES In the 16th Annual General Meeting of 7 July 2010 the Management Board was again authorised for a period of 30 months from the date of the resolution to acquire and retire the Company's own shares up to a maximum amount of 10% of the share capital. The Management Board was also again authorised – for a period of five years (i.e., until 6 July 2015) and subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board – to dispose of treasury shares otherwise than through the stock exchange or by means of a public offering, and in particular for the purpose of enabling the exercise of employee stock options or the conversion of convertible bonds, or as consideration for the acquisition of businesses or other assets.

No further treasury shares were acquired under the share repurchase scheme in the first three quarters of this financial year. At 31 December 2012 and taking into account the stock options exercised, the Group held the same number of treasury shares – 2,577,412 shares, or 9.95% of the issued share capital – as at 31 March 2012, with a total acquisition cost of EUR 46.6m.

NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Net cash generated by operating activities in the first three quarters of the financial year amounted to EUR 28.3m, compared with EUR 50.4m in the same period last year. The main reasons for the difference were that, compared with the first three quarters of last financial year, consolidated net income was lower by EUR 16.4m, the charge for depreciation and amortisation – a non-cash item – was higher by EUR 9.1m, and working capital was up by EUR 18.0m.

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to EUR 32.9m, which is significantly lower than the net outflow of EUR 92.2m in the same period last year. The investments in the current financial year are the final payments for the last phase of expansion in Shanghai (EUR 16.7m) together with investments of EUR 14.5m in the new production facility in Chongqing.

Cash inflows from financing activities came to EUR 18.5m, reflecting the receipt of a EUR 69m financing loan provided by Österreichische Kontrollbank (OeKB). At the same time, Management stepped up repayment of short-term financial liabilities.

OTHER INFORMATION

DIVIDENDS During the first three quarters of the current financial year, the Annual General Meeting of 5 July 2012 resolved on payment of a dividend of EUR 0.32 per share out of retained earnings as at 31 March 2012. The dividend distribution of EUR 7,463,000 took place on 26 July 2012.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS In the first three quarters of the current financial year, consultancy fees of EUR 274,000 payable to AIC Androsch International Management Consulting GmbH and EUR 6,000 payable to Dörflinger Management und Beteiligungs GmbH were incurred in connection with various projects.

Leoben-Hinterberg, 22 January 2013

Management Board

Andreas Gerstenmayer m.p. Thomas Obendrauf m.p. Heinz Moitzi m.p.

Group Interim Management Report

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS AND PER-

FORMANCE The seasonal fluctuation in the sales of printed circuit boards was evident once again in sales revenues in the first three quarters of this financial year: the Group's sales rose from EUR 126m in the first quarter to EUR 129m in the second quarter. In the third quarter sales climbed to EUR 150m, the highest level in the Group's history.

In terms of business segments, Mobile Devices achieved a marked increase in sales (after adjusting for inter-segment sales) as compared with the first three quarters of last financial year, and sales revenues were up by 9%, to EUR 229.2m. Industrial & Automotive increased its revenues by 10%, from EUR 159.4m to EUR 174.6m. The results from Medical & Healthcare and Automotive in particular were very positive.

At our Leoben facility both capacity utilisation and the development of the product mix have been very satisfactory. Development projects in cooperation with our customers, and small series production were largely responsible for this good performance.

Our plant in Shanghai, which is geared towards large batches using HDI technology, suffered from capacity underutilisation in the first quarter as a result of model changes, delayed rampups and the sales problems experienced by some customers. Since the middle of the second quarter, capacity utilisation at the facility has improved continuously. Capacity utilisation in the third quarter was good, but we expect the coming months to be marked by the seasonality typical in our business.

Performance is positive at the plants in India and Korea.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD In January 2013 the Management Board decided to extend the product portfolio by embarking on the manufacture of integrated circuit (IC) substrates, thereby entering another high-tech market. The substrates are to be produced in China. The necessary knowhow will be acquired with the support of a leading semiconductor manufacturer. The new plant currently under construction in Chongqing will focus on this new business. The total investment budgeted for this venture is EUR 350m, and the first revenues from the business are expected in 2016.

SIGNIFICANT RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OPPORTUNITIES There were no material differences in the categories of risk exposure in the course of the first three quarters of the financial year 2012/13, compared with those described in detail in the notes to the 2011/12 consolidated financial statements under II. Risk Report.

AT&S's liquidity is excellent. The issue of a five-year EUR 100m bond in November 2011 and the provision of a longterm loan by Österreichische Kontrollbank in April 2012 mean that sufficient long-term funds are available. Sufficient shortterm credit facilities are also available to cover the increased working capital requirements resulting from higher volumes of business. In addition to this, on the basis of the authorisation conferred in the Annual General Meeting of 7 July 2010, the Management Board also has the option of issuing up to 12,950,000 new shares out of authorised capital and convertible bonds up to a nominal value of EUR 100,000,000 and may dispose of treasury shares.

In the first three quarters of the financial year 2012/13 there was a significant positive cash flow from operating activities. On the basis of expected continuing net cash inflows from operating activities and the extensive financing options, enough liquidity is available to cover all currently planned and potential future investments.

For more information on the use of financial instruments, please refer to the detailed Risk Report in the notes to the consolidated annual financial statements. Group exposure to currency risk and its effects on operating profit is further reduced by the fact that the Group's sales in US dollars are largely originated in production facilities in the extended dollar area. With respect to the remaining effects, changes in the exchange rates of functional currencies against the reporting currency, the euro, are mainly recognised directly in equity without affecting profit and loss.

At 31 December 2012, net gearing was 87% – the same level as at 31 March 2012. Foreign currency translation gains from the appreciation of the CNY and HKD against the EUR helped to strengthen the Group's equity base, so that we were nearly able to reach the target ratio of 80%.

In the first three quarters of the current financial year, the Group was slightly below its expected levels of internal and external growth. With respect to the opportunities and risks related to developments in the external environment for the financial year 2012/13 as a whole, the assumption is still that total sales of the printed circuit board industry worldwide will increase.

OUTLOOK The increasing use of electronic devices in a wide range of day-to-day applications continues to justify the assumption that the demand for printed circuit boards will carry on growing, especially at the high-value end of the spectrum. Given AT&S's focus on the high-tech segment, the Management continues to see above-average growth opportunities.

Provided the macroeconomic environment remains stable, we are expecting further sales growth. However, the volatility of the global economy continues to make it very difficult to reliably quantify future requirements, which in turn makes forecasting future performance more uncertain.

Leoben-Hinterberg, 22 January 2013

Management Board

Andreas Gerstenmayer m.p. Thomas Obendrauf m.p. Heinz Moitzi m.p.

Contact details and credits

CONTACT

AT & S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft Fabriksgasse 13 A-8700 Leoben Austria Tel: +43 (0)3842 200-0 Fax: +43 (0)3842 200-216 www.ats.net

DESIGN

Werbeagentur DMP Digital Motion Picture Datenverarbeitungs GmbH www.agentur-dmp.at

PICTURE ARCHIV

www.shutterstock.com

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INVESTOR RELATIONS

Martin Theyer Tel.: +43 (0)3842/200-5909 E-mail: [email protected]

EDITORIAL TEAM

Michael Dunst Christina Schuller Monika Stoisser-Göhring Martin Theyer

PUBLISHED BY AND RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTENT

AT & S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft Fabriksgasse 13 A-8700 Leoben Austria www.ats.net

AT & S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft Fabriksgasse 13 8700 Leoben Austria www.ats.net

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