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AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG

Earnings Release Aug 3, 2021

736_rns_2021-08-03_96af71a1-d180-4208-b33d-79cc4460ed84.pdf

Earnings Release

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HIGHLIGHTS Q1 2021/22

AT&S's growth continues unabated

  • Positive performance despite unfavourable currency effects
  • Quarterly revenue increases by 28% to € 317.7 million (PY: € 247.9 million)
  • Adjusted EBITDA at € 50.8 million, up 24% on the previous year
  • Major projects fully on track start of production at the Chongqing plant brought forward
  • Guidance for 2021/22 raised: revenue growth of 17-19%, adjusted EBITDA margin still expected in the range of 21-23%

KEY FIGURES

Unit Q1 2020/21 Q1 2021/22 Change
in %
Revenue € in millions 247.9 317.7 28.2%
EBITDA € in millions 39.5 46.3 17.3%
EBITDA adjusted1) € in millions 40.8 50.8 24.4%
EBITDA margin % 15.9% 14.6%
EBITDA margin adjusted1) % 16.5% 16.0%
EBIT € in millions 0.2 (0.4)
EBIT adjusted1) € in millions 1.6 5.6 >100%
EBIT margin % 0.1% (0.1%)
EBIT margin adjusted1) % 0.7% 1.8%
Loss for the period2) € in millions (7.9) (5.3)
ROCE2) % (0.8%) (0.6%)
Net CAPEX € in millions 81.9 153.4 87.4%
Operating free cash flow € in millions (53.8) (122.9)
Earnings per share2) (0.26) (0.19)
Employees3) 10,587 12,296 16.1%

1) Adjustment start-up costs Chongqing

2) Q1 2020/21: Adjustment Hedge Accounting

3) Incl. contract staff, average

ECONOMIC REPORT

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND SITUATION

AT&S started the new financial year with a very positive revenue development despite negative currency effects. Digitalisation continues to drive the demand for AT&S technologies. Markets that showed temporary weakness are increasingly recovering. Strategically, AT&S is still fully on track. The production of IC substrates in particular is running at full speed. The implementation of the capacity expansion in Chongqing is making excellent progress. The first parts of the production equipment have already been qualified and put into operation.

With revenue amounting to € 317.7 million, the comparative value of the previous year of € 247.9 million was exceeded by 28.2%. Adjusted for currency effects, the increase in consolidated revenue even amounted to 37.2%. The additional capacity and growing demand for ABF substrates made a significant contribution to revenue growth. The development was supported by the broader application portfolio for mobile devices and the demand for module printed circuit boards. In the AIM segment, all three areas contributed to revenue growth. Although the Automotive segment nearly doubled its revenue after a very weak first quarter of the previous year, the shortage of semiconductors will continue.

Exchange rate effects, especially related to the weaker US dollar, had a negative impact of € 22.4 million on the development of revenue.

EBITDA increased from € 39.5 million to € 46.3 million. The improvement in earnings is predominantly attributable to the increase in consolidated revenue. Currency fluctuations of the US dollar and the Chinese renminbi had a negative impact of € 18.1 million on the earnings development. In addition, temporary start-up costs for the IC substrate production in Chongqing were incurred in the first quarter. On the market side, a change in product mix in the Mobile Devices segment had a negative effect on profitability in the first quarter of the financial year.

AT&S continues its efforts to make the company future-proof by intensifying investments in further structural development as well as in research and development. Investments of € 31.3 million were made during the reporting period (previous year: € 22.4 million) to prepare for future technologies and pursue the modularisation strategy, among other things. Adjusted for the start-up effects of the Chongqing project, EBITDA amounted to € 50.8 million.

The EBITDA margin amounted to 14.6% (adjusted EBITDA margin: 16.0%), falling short of the prior-year level of 15.9% (adjusted EBITDA margin: 16.5%). EBIT declined from € 0.2 million to € -0.4 million. The EBIT margin amounted to -0.1% (previous year: 0.1%).

Finance cost – net improved from € -5.9 million to € -3.1 million which is primarily attributable to the positive change in exchange rate differences (change: + € 2.5 million).

Loss for the period improved by € 2.6 million from € -7.9 million to € -5.3 million, primarily due to the improvement in Finance costs – net.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BY SEGMENTS

The AT&S Group breaks its operating activities down into three segments: Mobile Devices & Substrates, Automotive, Industrial, Medical, and Others. For further information on the segments and segment reporting please refer to the Annual Report 2020/21.

Mobile Devices & Substrates segment

The segment's revenue increased by 23.7% from € 204.5 million to € 252.9 million. The successful start-up of the increased production capacity in Chongqing, which serves the growing demand for ABF substrates, made a significant contribution to revenue growth. The broader application portfolio in the Mobile Devices segment and the demand for module PCBs also had a positive effect.

EBITDA improved from € 37.0 million to € 41.8 million, most notably as a result of higher sales volume. Overall this resulted in an EBITDA margin of which fell short of the prior-year figure of 18.1%. EBIT amounted to € 2.6 million, down € 2.2 million on the prior-year value of € 4.8 million. The EBIT margin was 1.0% (previous year: 2.3%). An increase in start-up costs by € 5.3 million and a negative currency effect arising from the measurement of receivables and liabilities, which was € 2.6 million higher, reduced the otherwise positive earnings development.

Automotive, Industrial, Medical segment

After very weak business in the first quarter in the previous year due to the pandemic, the segment's revenue, at € 109.1 million, exceeded the prior-year figure of € 71.4 million by 52.8%. Revenue growth was recorded in all three areas in the first three months, with the Automotive segment reporting the biggest increase. While sales volume and, consequently, revenue were significantly higher than in the previous year in the Industrial segment, revenue in the Medical & Healthcare segment exceeded the prior-year level primarily due to a more favourable product mix.

The segment's EBITDA, at € 8.7 million, exceeded the prior-year level of € 3.1 million by € 5.6 million. Due to these effects, the EBITDA margin rose by 3.6 percentage points from 4.3% to 7.9%. EBIT improved from € -3.2 million to € 2.1 million.

FINANCIAL POSITION

The financial position as of 30 June 2021 is characterised by an increase in non-current assets. Total assets rose by 5.3% in the first three months from € 2,390.0 million to € 2,515.7 million. Additions to assets and technology upgrades amounting to € 141.0 million were offset by depreciation totalling € 46.7 million. Additions to assets led to cash CAPEX of € 153.4 million. Moreover, exchange rate effects reduced fixed assets by € 3.7 million. Cash and cash equivalents totalled € 560.7 million (31 March 2021: € 552.9 million). In addition to cash and cash equivalents, AT&S had financial assets of € 16.2 million and unused credit lines of € 328.5 million to secure the financing of the future investment programme and short-term repayments.

Equity decreased by -0.4% from € 802.0 million to € 798.6 million. The loss for the period of € -5.3 million was largely offset by positive currency effects of € 3.8 million (from the translation of net asset positions of subsidiaries) and negative measurement effects of hedge instruments of € -1.9 million. The equity ratio declined by 1.8 percentage points to 31.7% and temporarily fell below the medium-term target of 40.0% due to the substantial investment programme. This is attributable in particular to the increase in total assets as a result of investments and securing the financing of the future investment programme. Net debt rose by € 129.8 million or 25.5% from € 508.5 million to € 638.3 million.

Cash flow from operating activities amounted to € 30.5 million in the first three months of the current financial year (previous year: € 28.1 million). These cash inflows were offset by cash outflows for net investments of € 153.4 million (previous year: € 81.9 million), resulting in Operating free cash flow of € -122.9 million (previous year: € -53.8 million).

OUTLOOK

AT&S will concentrate on the start-up of the new production capacities at plant III in Chongqing, continue to push ahead the investment project in Kulim, Malaysia, and implement technology upgrades at other locations in the current year.

The expectations for AT&S's segments are currently as follows: the persisting strong demand for IC substrates also offers significant growth opportunities in the medium term. The 5G mobile communication standard will continue to drive growth in the area of Mobile Devices. An upturn is expected in the Automotive segment despite the semiconductor shortage. Driven by the roll-out of the 5G infrastructure, the Industrial segment will continue to see a positive development in the coming year. In the Medical segment, AT&S expects a positive development for the current financial year.

Investments

AT&S will continue to pursue its investment programme for new capacity and technologies in the current financial year and now plans investments totalling up to € 700 million (previously € 630 million) for the financial year 2021/22. This increase is primarily attributable to activities related to the construction of the new production site for high-end substrates in Kulim, Malaysia. Up to € 100 million is budgeted for basic investments (maintenance and technology upgrades) depending on market development, plus another € 80 million due to shifts in periods between the financial years. As part of the strategic projects, the management is planning investments totalling up to € 450 million for the financial year 2021/22 depending on the progress of the projects. These are predominantly related to investments in IC substrates in Chongqing and, among other things, expansion measures for production capacity of IC cores at the site in Leoben, which are used for manufacturing IC substrates.

Guidance for the financial year 2021/22

Due to the good development in the first three months of the financial year and the continued strong momentum of the IC substrate market, AT&S is slightly raising its for forecast for the development of revenue and now expects revenue growth of 17 to 19% (previously: 13 to 15%), assuming a euro/US dollar exchange rate of 1.21. The adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to range between 21 and 23%, not including approximately € 50 million for the start-up of the new production capacity in Chongqing and in Kulim.

Leoben-Hinterberg, 3 August 2021

The Management Board

Andreas Gerstenmayer m.p. Simone Faath m.p. Peter Schneider m.p. Ingolf Schröder m.p.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

€ in thousands 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2021 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2020
Revenue 317,683 247,862
Cost of sales (284,691) (227,470)
Gross profit 32,992 20,392
Distribution costs (10,194) (8,201)
General and administrative costs (15,741) (10,827)
Other operating income 1,873 1,646
Other operating costs (9,315) (2,767)
Other operating result (7,442) (1,121)
Operating result (385) 243
Finance income 1,661 962
Finance costs (4,809) (6,825)
Finance costs – net1) (3,148) (5,863)
Loss before tax1) (3,533) (5,620)
Income taxes1) (1,749) (2,306)
Loss for the period1) (5,282) (7,926)
Attributable to owners of hybrid capital 2,072 2,072
Attributable to owners of the parent company1) (7,354) (9,998)
Earnings per share attributable
to equity holders of the parent company (in € per share):1)
– basic (0.19) (0.26)
– diluted (0.19) (0.26)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
– basic (in thousands)
38,850 38,850
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
– diluted (in thousands)
38,850 38,850

1) Previous year: Adjustment Hedge Accounting

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

€ in thousands 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2021 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2020
Loss for the period1) (5,282) (7,926)
Items to be reclassified:
Currency translation differences, net of tax 3,756 (25,918)
(Losses) from the fair value measurement of hedging instruments for
cash flow hedges1)
(1,865)
Other comprehensive income for the period1) 1,891 (25,918)
Total comprehensive income for the period1) (3,391) (33,844)
Attributable to owners of hybrid capital 2,072 2,072
Attributable to owners of the parent company1) (5,463) (35,916)

1) Previous year: Adjustment Hedge Accounting

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

€ in thousands 30 Jun 2021 31 Mar 2021
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment
1,399,755 1,301,400
Intangible assets 41,688 42,813
Financial assets 117 117
Deferred tax assets 26,586 25,113
Other non-current assets 7,796 7,948
Non-current assets 1,475,942 1,377,391
Inventories 179,807 152,528
Trade and other receivables and contract assets 281,927 265,293
Financial assets 16,052 39,746
Current income tax receivables 1,309 2,154
Cash and cash equivalents 560,693 552,850
Current assets 1,039,788 1,012,571
Total assets 2,515,730 2,389,962
EQUITY
Share capital 141,846 141,846
Other reserves 28,971 27,079
Hybrid capital 172,887 172,887
Retained earnings 454,918 460,201
Equity attributable to owners of the parent company 798,622 802,013
Total equity 798,622 802,013
LIABILITIES
Financial liabilities 1,180,707 1,017,143
Provisions for employee benefits 53,186 53,331
Deferred tax liabilities 1,932 1,935
Other liabilities 42,142 41,039
Non-current liabilities 1,277,967 1,113,448
Trade and other payables 394,232 382,584
Financial liabilities 34,462 84,101
Current income tax payables 5,706 3,411
Other provisions 4,741 4,405
Current liabilities 439,141 474,501
Total liabilities 1,717,108 1,587,949
Total equity and liabilities 2,515,730 2,389,962

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

€ in thousands 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2021 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2020
Operating result (385) 243
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 46,721 39,250
Gains/losses from the sale of fixed assets 157 (46)
Changes in non-current provisions (88) 462
Non-cash expense/(income), net 5,593 (424)
Interest paid (4,000) (2,534)
Interest received 566 962
Income taxes paid (179) (1,132)
Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital 48,385 36,781
Inventories (27,173) (12,274)
Trade and other receivables and contract assets (16,741) (20,956)
Trade and other payables 25,671 25,043
Other provisions 361 (470)
Cash flow from operating activities 30,503 28,124
Capital expenditure for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (153,429) (82,021)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 8 141
Capital expenditure for financial assets (15,042) (98,619)
Proceeds from the sale of financial assets 38,193 9,285
Cash flow from investing activities (130,270) (171,214)
Proceeds from borrowings 163,564 110,613
Repayments of borrowings (53,490) (4,246)
Proceeds from government grants 335 13,039
Cash flow from financing activities 110,409 119,406
Change in cash and cash equivalents 10,642 (23,684)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 552,850 417,950
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents (2,799) (6,701)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 560,693 387,565

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Equity
attributable
to owners Non
€ in thousands Share
capital
Other
reserves
Hybrid capital Retained
earnings
of the parent
company
controlling
interests
Total
equity
31 Mar 20201) 141,846 14,723 172,887 430,803 760,259 760,259
Loss for the period (7,926) (7,926) (7,926)
Other comprehensive income for the period (25,918) (25,918) (25,918)
thereof currency translation differences, net of tax (25,918) (25,918) (25,918)
Total comprehensive income for the period (25,918) (7,926) (33,844) (33,844)
30 Jun 20201) 141,846 (11,195) 172,887 422,877 726,415 726,415
31 Mar 2021 141,846 27,079 172,887 460,201 802,013 802,013
Profit for the period (5,282) (5,282) (5,282)
Other comprehensive income for the period 1,891 1,891 1,891
thereof currency translation differences, net of tax 3,756 3,756 3,756
thereof change in hedging instruments for cash flow
hedges
(1,865) (1,865) (1,865)
Total comprehensive income for the period 1,891 (5,282) (3,391) (3,391)
30 Jun 2021 141,846 28,971 172,887 454,918 798,622 798,622

1) Previous year: Adjustment hedge accounting

SEGMENT REPORTING

Mobile Devices & Automotive, Elimination/
Substrates Industrial, Medical Others Consolidation Group
1 Apr - 30 Jun 1 Apr - 30 Jun 1 Apr - 30 Jun 1 Apr - 30 Jun 1 Apr - 30 Jun 1 Apr - 30 Jun 1 Apr - 30 Jun 1 Apr - 30 Jun 1 Apr - 30 Jun 1 Apr - 30 Jun
€ in thousands 2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020
Segment revenue 252,882 204,468 109,107 71,411 (44,306) (28,017) 317,683 247,862
Internal revenue (32,483) (17,314) (11,823) (10,703) 44,306 28,017
External revenue 220,399 187,154 97,284 60,708 317,683 247,862
Operating result before
depreciation/amortisation
41,788 36,972 8,661 3,103 (4,113) (582) 46,336 39,493
Depreciation/amortisation
incl. appreciation
(39,141) (32,133) (6,530) (6,264) (1,050) (853) (46,721) (39,250)
Operating result 2,647 4,839 2,131 (3,161) (5,163) (1,435) (385) 243
Finance costs - net1) (3,148) (5,863)
Loss before tax1) (3,533) (5,620)
Income taxes1) (1,749) (2,306)
Loss for the period1) (5,282) (7,926)
Property, plant and equipment
and intangible assets2)
1,254,561 1,161,891 174,975 170,629 11,907 11,693 1,441,443 1,344,213
Additions to property, plant and
equipment and intangible assets
127,328 92,328 12,565 8,188 1,139 1,413 141,032 101,929

1) Previous year: Adjustment hedge accounting

2) Previous year values as of 31 March 2021

INFORMATION BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION

Revenues broken down by customer region, based on customer's headquarters:

€ in thousands 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2021 1 Apr - 30 Jun 2020
Austria 5,493 3,525
Germany 42,672 28,818
Other European countries 21,106 13,601
China 2,103 16,767
Other Asian countries 20,452 11,879
Americas 225,857 173,272
Revenue 317,683 247,862

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets broken down by domicile:

€ in thousands 30 Jun 2021 31 Mar 2120
Austria 119,023 116,733
China 1,253,715 1,160,930
Others 68,705 66,550
Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 1,441,443 1,344,213

IMPRINT

PUBLISHED BY AND RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTENT

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

CONTACT

Gerda Königstorfer Phone: +43 (0)3842 200-5925 [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

This report contains forward-looking statements which were made on the basis of the information available at the time of publication. These can be identified by the use of such expressions as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "intends", "could", "will", "aim" and "estimation" or other similar words. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions. Such statements are by their very nature subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. As a result, actual developments may vary significantly from the forwardlooking statements made in this report. Recipients of this report are expressly cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Neither AT&S nor any other entity accept any responsibility for the correctness and completeness of the forward-looking statements contained in this report. AT&S undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of changed assumptions or expectations, new information or future events.

Percentages and individual items presented in this report are rounded, which may result in rounding differences.

Formulations attributable to people are to be understood as gender-neutral.

This report in no way represents an invitation or recommenddation to buy or sell shares in AT&S.

The report is published in German and English. In case of doubt, the German version is binding.

No responsibility accepted for errors or omissions.

Published on 3 August 2021

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