AI Terminal

MODULE: AI_ANALYST
Interactive Q&A, Risk Assessment, Summarization
MODULE: DATA_EXTRACT
Excel Export, XBRL Parsing, Table Digitization
MODULE: PEER_COMP
Sector Benchmarking, Sentiment Analysis
SYSTEM ACCESS LOCKED
Authenticate / Register Log In

PIERER Mobility AG

Earnings Release May 12, 2009

801_rns_2009-05-12_61e336d5-23c3-463c-baf6-018f6e6aabf9.pdf

Earnings Release

Open in Viewer

Opens in native device viewer

Report on the 1st Quarter of 2009

BRAIN FORCE Key Data

Earnings Data 1-3/2009 1-3/2008 Chg. in % Ultimo 2008
Revenues in € million 22.29 25.33 -12 106.21
EBITDA in € million 1.05 1.62 -35 7.79
EBIT in € million 0.11 0.61 -82 3.83
Profi t before tax in € million -0.04 0.44 >100 2.38
Profi t after tax in € million -0.33 0.16 >100 -2.10
Earnings per share in € -0.02 0.01 >100 -0.14
Adjusted earnings per share 1) in € -0.01 0.01 >100 0.09
Capital expenditure in € million 0.62 0.66 -7 2.45
Acquisitions in € million 0 0 - 2.22
Employees 2) 1,074 1,107 -3 1,153
Balance Sheet Data 31.3.2009 31.12.2008 Chg. in %
Equity in € million 23.79 24.15 -1
Net debt in € million 6.45 4.89 +32
Capital employed in € million 30.06 28.86 +4
Working capital 3) in € million 7.17 5.62 +28
Balance sheet total in € million 61.22 66.31 -8
Equity ratio % 39 36 -
Gearing % 27 20 -
Stock Exchange Data 4) 1-3/2009 1-12/2008 Chg. in %
Share price high in € 2.19 2.58 -15
Share price low in € 1.02 1.01 +1
Closing rate (ultimo) in € 1.53 1.89 -19
Shares outstanding (weighted) 1,000 15,387 15,387 0
Market capitalization (ultimo) in € million 23.54 29.08 -19
Segments 5)
1-3/2009 in € million
Germany Central East Europe South West Europe North Europe Holding and Other
Revenues 10.55 (-10%) 3.02 (-17%) 6.49 (-7%) 2.23 (-24%) 0 -
EBITDA 0.79 (-22%) -0.13 (>100) 0.66 (-8%) 0.22 (-55%) -0.48 (+43%)
EBIT 0.52 (-14%) -0.40 (>100) 0.46 (-17%) 0.02 (-93%) -0.50 (+42%)
Capital expenditure 0.24 (+25%) 0.05 (+23%) 0.17 (-37%) 0.13 (-3%) 0.02 (-8%)
Employees 2) 452 (+8%) 158 (-12%) 370 (-9%) 84 (-9%) 10 (0%)

1) Adjusted for non-recurring income and expense

2) Average number of employees during the period

3) Current assets excl. cash minus current liabilities excl. financial liabilities and minus current provisions for earn-out payments

4) Vienna Stock Exchange

5) Due to the first-time availment of IFRS 8 the reporting of segment earnings (EBITDA and EBIT) is carried out without taking into account the settlement costs for brand licensing costs and intercompany charges; the 2008 figures were correspondingly adjusted

Revenues by Segments

4 North Europe 10%

Revenues by Business Areas

2 Business Solutions 24%

  • 3 Infrastructure Optimization 45%

Employees by Segments

Chief Executive's Review

Günter Pridt, CEO of BRAIN FORCE HOLDING AG

Dear shareholders,

Following the record results achieved in 2008, BRAIN FORCE was well prepared when it entered the 2009 fi nancial year, which, as expected, has been diffi cult. But we are also not immune to the negative effects of the global fi nancial and economic crisis. Accordingly, we posted a decline in revenues and earnings in the fi rst three months of 2009. Nevertheless, we began to take measures to counteract the signifi cantly deteriorating market environment at an early stage, based on the optimization of our cost structure and the consistent exploitation of cost savings potentials.

Group revenues were down 12% in the fi rst quarter to € 22.29 million. EBITDA amounted to € 1.05 million, a decline of 35% from the previous year, and EBIT fell from € 0.61 to 0.11 million. The operating result of the fi rst three months includes restructuring costs of € 0.15 million. All subsidiaries were subject to the revenue and earnings decrease, which can be attributed to the reluctance on the part of our customers to initiate new IT investments at the current time.

The Professional Services area weakened slightly in Germany, featuring a negative development in demand for IT experts following a good performance in 2008. In addition, Professional Services and the Business Solutions area, intensively involved in further developing FINAS Suite, were faced with a considerable downward pressure on margins. In the Infrastructure Optimization area, the Berlin branch once again posted a negative operating result. In addition, it is important to note the lack of a revenue and earnings contribution from BRAIN FORCE Hamburg GmbH, which was sold to the Talanx Group as of September 30, 2008 following expiration of the Managed Services contract. In contrast, our subsidiary in Frankfurt developed very positively, operating at full capacity and once again achieving a signifi cant growth in revenues and EBIT due to the roll-out project for a globally operating airline. In the light of the particularly diffi cult economic situation in Germany, the 14% EBIT decline in Germany to € 0.52 million stayed in a reasonable range.

In South West Europe, BRAIN FORCE Italy was confronted with a perceptible decline in demand for ERP and CRM licenses as well as lower IT infrastructure investments. Within this context, the operating result was still relatively good, decreasing by 17% to € 0.46 million. However, we had to report a signifi cant drop in revenue and earnings in the Central East Europe and North Europe regions. In the Central East Europe

Consistent use of cost savings potentials

Positive EBIT despite of restructuring costs

Moderate decline of EBIT in Germany

Noticeable downturn in the first quarter

segment, the BRAIN FORCE subsidiary in the Czech Republic and the Professional Services business in Austria developed satisfactorily, whereas the Infrastructure Optimization (SolveDirect) area faced a signifi cant slump in license sales, thus posting a negative operating result. Accordingly, EBIT in Central East Europe was down from € -0.02 to -0.40 million. Following very good results generated in 2008, North Europe was also subject to a signifi cant weakening of demand. Nevertheless, despite a 24% drop in revenues, our subsidiary in the Netherlands still managed to generate a slightly positive EBIT of € 0.02 million, down from an EBIT of € 0.32 million in the fi rst quarter of the preceding year.

Restructuring measures depend on further revenue development

In expectation of a diffi cult market environment, we initiated measures at an early stage to guide the company relatively unscathed through the recessionary year 2009. This includes a series of consistently implemented measures to cut current operating costs, as well as the transfer of the corporate headquarters in Austria to a much cheaper location. Beside that we are able to partially compensate for revenue declines by means of ongoing capacity adjustments with subcontractors. In addition, we created a group-wide cash pooling system for purposes of internal liquidity balancing, and also launched a project designed to optimize working capital within the BRAIN FORCE group. Together with our local managing directors, we developed scenarios featuring short-time work and potentially a downsizing of staff, depending on the further development of revenues in the course of 2009. From today's perspective, total restructuring costs ranging between € 0.7 and 2.5 million will be required in the second and third quarters of the 2009 fi nancial year.

Focus on improving cost structure and optimizing cash flow in 2009

I confi dently look ahead to the future thanks to the restructuring and optimization of the group already implemented in 2007 and 2008, even if we will have to continue adjusting to a diffi cult market environment in the next quarters. BRAIN FORCE boasts a solid balance sheet structure and has no foreseeable fi nancing shortfalls at the present time. For this reason, our target continues to be the achievement of a positive operating result in 2009 (excluding restructuring costs), and to position the Group to generate long-term growth after the end of the economic crisis. In the current year, we will sustainably improve the cost structure of the BRAIN FORCE Group, and focus on optimizing the cash fl ow from operating activities. Based on the development of tailor made solutions, we will assist our customers to optimally take advantage of their IT resources.

Yours

Financial Review

First Quarter Earnings

In the fi rst three months of the fi nancial year 2009, the BRAIN FORCE Group generated revenues of € 22.29 million, down 12% from the previous year. All operating companies posted a decline in revenues, which is related to the restraint shown by companies in respect to new IT investments, a development which has been evident since the beginning of 2009.

In Germany, customer demand for IT experts weakened in comparison to the good situation in the prior year. Moreover, Professional Services and the Business Solutions area, which was intensively involved in further developing FINAS Suite, were impacted by a signifi cant downward pressure on margins. The Berlin branch of the Infrastructure Optimization area once again posted a negative operating result. In addition, there was no contribution from BRAIN FORCE Hamburg GmbH, which was sold to the Talanx Group effective September 30, 2008, following expiration of the Managed Services contract. In contrast, business at the Frankfurt offi ce developed very positively, operating at full capacity and generating a considerable improvement in revenues and EBIT again. On balance, revenues in Germany fell by 10% to € 10.55 million, whereas EBIT was down 14% to € 0.52 million.

In the South West Europe region, revenues declined by 7% to € 6.49 million, and EBIT decreased 17% to € 0.46 million. BRAIN FORCE Italy was confronted with a perceptible downturn in demand for ERP and CRM licenses as well as lower IT infrastructure investments. Revenues and earnings fell even more drastically in the North Europe and Central East Europe regions. In the Central East Europe segment, the BRAIN FORCE subsidiary in the Czech Republic performed well and the Professional Services area in Austria developed satisfactorily. However, the Infrastructure Optimization area (SolveDirect) faced a signifi cant decrease in revenues due to missing license sales, generating a clearly negative operating result. Accordingly, EBIT in Central East Europe declined from € -0.02 to -0.40 million. Following a very good year 2008, North Europe was also subject to a signifi cant weakening of demand. Nevertheless, despite a 24% drop in revenues, the BRAIN FORCE subsidiary in the Netherlands still managed to generate a slightly positive EBIT of € 0.02 million in the fi rst quarter of 2009 (previous year: € 0.32 million).

Group EBITDA fell by 35% during the period under review to € 1.05 million, whereas total Group EBIT was down from € 0.61 to 0.11 million in the fi rst three months of 2009. The primary reason for this development was the lower proceeds from license sales, which usually make an important contribution to earnings. The fi rst quarter operating result also includes restructuring costs of € 0.15 million. Due to the optimization of internal fi nancing processes, the fi nancial result improved slightly from € -0.17 to -0.15 million. As a result, profi t before tax in the fi rst quarter of the fi nancial year 2009 amounted to € -0.04 million, down from € +0.44 million. Profi t after tax totaled € -0.33 million, down from € +0.16 million in the previous year. This corresponds to earnings per share of € -0.02 (previous year: € +0.01). Earnings per share adjusted for restructuring costs amounted to € -0.01 per share, compared to € +0.01 per share in the previous year.

Cash Flow

Despite the revenue decline and the negative profi t after tax, the gross cash fl ow in the fi rst quarter of 2009 remained clearly positive, at € 0.97 million (previous year: € 1.53 million). The cash fl ow from operating activities fell from € -0.16 to -0.98 million. On the one hand, the cash outfl ow relating to trade payables was largely compensated by the cash infl ow from trade receivables. The lower level of trade payables was the consequence of a reduction in the number of subcontractors and the overall decline in trade receivables resulting from lower revenues and efforts made to optimize working capital. On the other hand, other current liabilities decreased signifi cantly, which can be attributed to the lower sales tax payable arising as a result of the revenue decline as well as bonus payments for the record operating result achieved in 2008.

Q1 revenues inmillion

Q1 EBITDA inmillion 2009 1.05 2008 1.62 2007 0.40

Decline of profit after tax in Q1 from+0.16 to -0.33 million

Gross cash flow clearly positive

Reduction of current financial liabilities

The cash fl ow from investing activities amounted to € -1.77 million (previous year: € -1.52 million), of which € -0.62 million relate to capital expenditure and € -1.18 million for investments in available-for-sale securities. The cash fl ow from fi nancing activities totaled € -2.21 million (previous year: € -0.13 million), refl ecting the successful reduction of current fi nancial liabilities through means of cash pooling. Scheduled repayment of fi nancial liabilities was not planned in the fi rst quarter of 2009. Of the non-current fi nancial liabilities amounting to € 10.98 million, a total of € 1.0 million is due for payment between 2010 and 2012, with € 9.9 million fi rst maturing in the year 2014. At the end of the fi rst quarter 2009, cash and cash equivalents were € 3.84 million. Including the current available-for-sale securities, BRAIN FORCE has a total of € 5.03 million in liquid assets at its disposal.

Assets and Financial Position

The balance sheet total of the BRAIN FORCE Group was € 61.22 million as at March 31, 2009, and equity amounted to € 23.79 million. Accordingly, the equity ratio improved to 39% after 36% at the end of 2008, which can be attributed to the further reduction of the balance sheet total. Net debt as at March 31, 2009 was € 6.45 million, up from € 4.89 million as at December 31, 2008. This increase is related to capital expenditures in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets as well as the reduction in other current liabilities, which correspondingly led to a decrease in the cash fl ow from operating activities. Gearing (net debt to equity) in the BRAIN FORCE Group amounted to a solid 27% as at March 31, 2009, and the ratio of net debt to EBITDA was 0.9x calculated over the last 12 months.

Development of Segments

The business activities of BRAIN FORCE are subdivided into the following segments:

  • Germany
  • Central East Europe with Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia
  • South West Europe with Italy and Switzerland
  • North Europe with the Netherlands

4 North Europe 10%

Revenues by Segments Revenues by Business Areas

  • 1 Professional Services 31%
  • 2 Business Solutions 24%
  • 3 Infrastructure Optimization 45%
31.3.2009
23.79
31.12.2008

24.15

Germany

In the fi rst quarter of 2009, sales in Germany declined 10% to € 10.55 million, representing 47% of total Group revenues. EBITDA fell by 22% to € 0.79 million, whereas EBIT declined by 14% to € 0.52 million.

The generation of new business in the Professional Services area was signifi cantly hampered by the decision on the part of customers to postpone their IT investments and reduce outsourcing to external service providers. Moreover, downward pressure on margins has increased. BRAIN FORCE deployed additional IT consultants to a large existing customer in the cell phone industry, and won new service contracts on behalf of a long-term customer in the banking sector. The Infrastructure Optimization area obtained a larger contract from the public sector for the network solution Net Organizer, and also sold upgrade versions of BRAIN FORCE ICT Suite to several customers. However, on balance this business area posted a negative operating result.

The marketing of Packaging Robot developed by our Dutch subsidiary proceeded positively in Germany. Initial customer projects were successively launched, which are designed to lead to follow-up contracts. Thanks to the economic stability in the insurance sector, the Business Solutions area did relatively well under the circumstances. A long-term existing customer placed several new orders. Moreover, the new marketing approach for calculation kernel aroused considerable interest, leading several customers to order licenses designed to manage their consultant applications. However, the further development of FINAS Suite in the fi rst quarter resulted in higher development expenses and pressure on margins.

Central East Europe

In the Central East Europe region, revenues amounted to € 3.02 million in the fi rst quarter of 2009, a decline of 17% from the previous year, and equaling a share of 14% of Group revenues. EBITDA totaled € -0.13 million during the period under review, down from € +0.25 million in the preceding year, whereas EBIT worsened from € -0.02 to -0.40 million.

The Professional Services area in Austria performed quite well. In addition to numerous existing customers, BRAIN FORCE experts worked for a technology company for the fi rst time, implementing an IT infrastructure project. In addition, two new public sector customers decided to reply on BRAIN FORCE's expertise. In contrast, the diffi cult business environment took its toll on SolveDirect. Numerous customers delayed planned license purchases, thus leading to a considerable decline in revenues. However, the subsidiary in the Czech Republic managed to win several new customers, and meet the budgeted earnings targets.

South West Europea

Revenues achieved by the Region South West Europe fell by 7% to € 6.49 million in the fi rst three months of 2009, accounting for 29% of total Group revenues. Within the same period, EBITDA was down 8% to € 0.66 million, and EBIT decreased 17% to € 0.46 million.

In such a tense economic environment prevailing in Italy, sales of ERP and CRM licenses have become more diffi cult, and customers are displaying greater reluctance to initiate new IT infrastructure investments. Nevertheless, BRAIN FORCE Italy managed to expand its good position in the fi nancial services sector. An important bank will rely on ERP solutions provided by BRAIN FORCE in the future. In the Infrastructure Optimization area, BRAIN FORCE attracted a Milan-based transport company as a new customer, and also won a new contract from the Italian branch offi ce of a large Swiss bank.

North Europe

The North Europe region generated revenues of € 2.23 million in the reporting period, down 24% from the previous year, and accounts for 10% of Group revenues. Within the same period, EBITDA amounted to € 0.22 million (previous year: € 0.48 million), and EBIT was at € 0.2 million (previous year: € 0.32 million).

The business model of BRAIN FORCE Netherlands strongly focuses on attracting new customers, who are very restrained in respect to investments at the current time. Nevertheless, several new customers could be acquired, who will make use of the Packaging Robot, Workspace Manager and ID-Suite solutions in the Difficult business for new customers, but existing customers are loyal

Marketing of Packaging Robot in Germany had a promising start

Earnings decline in Central East Europe based on downturn of SolveDirect license sales

Large Italian bank to rely on ERP solutions supplied by BRAIN FORCE in the future

Expansion of market position in the public sector

future. Our subsidiary in the Netherlands once again demonstrated its strong position in the public sector, adding four new companies to its customer base. Software licenses were sold, amongst others, to an international manufacturer of baby carriages as well as an IT services provider.

Holding and Other

Cost optimization leads to earnings improvement

The EBITDA relating to the Holding and Other segment improved signifi cantly, rising from € -0.83 to -0.48 million, and the EBIT from € -0.85 to -0.50 million. This positive development is based on strict cost savings measures carried out in the holding company, and the relocation of corporate headquarters to a new offi ce building with considerably lower rental costs.

Order Intake

Expected decline of order intake

As of March 31, 2009, the order volume at the Group level amounted to € 30.05 million, up 3% over the prior year's level of € 29.10 million. However, in comparison to the situation at December 31, 2008, the order volume fell by 8%, as expected.

As of March 31, 2009, the order volumes are attributable to the segments as follows:

  • Germany region accounts for € 17.71 million (March 31, 2008: € 15.18 million) of order volumes
  • Central East Europe accounts for orders of € 6.68 million (March 31, 2008: € 9.21 million)
  • South West Europe accounts for € 3.99 million (March 31, 2008: € 3.36 million) of order volumes
  • North Europe has orders on hand totaling € 1.67 million (March 31, 2008: € 1.35 million)

4 North Europe 6%

  • 3 South West Europe 11%
  • 4 North Europe 5%

Research and Development

In the fi rst quarter of 2009, BRAIN FORCE Germany further developed the modules Finanzanalyse Center (Financial Analysis Center), Risikoabsicherung (Risk Management) and Gesundheitsvorsorge (Health Care) for an HTML link, thus establishing the basis for the online capability of the system. Accordingly, fi nancial service consultants now have the opportunity to access all relevant customer data online and on location, which in turn improves the quality of consultations and increases customer satisfaction.

In the Netherlands, our subsidiary continued the ongoing further development of Packaging Robot, Workspace Manager, Infrastructure Framework and BRAIN FORCE ID-Suite. Moreover, the expanded demands on MSI packet assembling were put into practice, leading to a corresponding tailoring of the application interfaces to the new conditions. In Austria, SolveDirect started with the development of SD Release 2.5 in the fi rst quarter, which is scheduled to be marketed in May.

Human Resources

The total number of people working for the BRAIN FORCE Group as at March 31, 2009 amounted to 798 salaried employees, a decline of about 5% compared to the previous year. In addition, BRAIN FORCE employed 271 people on a freelance basis for various customer projects, a fi gure which is 3% lower than in 2008. Initial personnel adjustments had to be implemented due to the economic crisis and the accompanying drop in revenues, in particular in the South West Europe and North Europe regions. In Germany, the contracts with several free lance employees were not extended. All in all, the BRAIN FORCE Group employed 1,069 people as of March 31, 2009, a drop of 4%, or 46 people, from the comparable level of 2008.

The breakdown of staff (salaried and free-lance) by region as at March 31, 2009 is as follows:

  • Germany: 448 (previous year: 421 / Change: +6%)
  • Central East Europe: 157 (previous year: 176 / Change: -11%)
  • South West Europe: 373 (previous year: 413 / Change: -10%)
  • North Europe: 81 (previous year: 96 / Change: -16%)
  • Holding and Other: 10 (previous year: 9 / Change: +11%))

On average, the staff of BRAIN FORCE was comprised of 806 salaried employees in the fi rst quarter of 2009 (previous year: 835) and 268 people on a free lance basis (previous year: 272). On balance, the average number of employees in the BRAIN FORCE Group declined by 3% to 1,074 people in the fi rst three months of 2009. This compares to the total headcount of 1,107 people in the preceding year.

Online link of BRAIN FORCE Financial Analysis Center

Ongoing adjustments of our solutions to market requirements

Restructuring measures of personnel resources

Average number of employees is 1,074 people

Quarterly report (IFRS) of the BRAIN FORCE Group

Income Statement in EUR 1-3/2009 1-3/2008
Revenues 22,289,705 25,334,305
Cost of sales -17,427,924 -18,861,789
Gross profit 4,861,781 6,472,516
Selling expenses -2,513,562 -2,821,206
Administrative expenses -2,415,177 -2,845,495
Other operating expenses -159,155 -286,935
Other operating income 334,399 90,215
Operating profit (EBIT) 108,286 609,095
Financial income 57,365 147,713
Financial costs -206,322 -319,476
Financial result -148,957 -171,763
Profit before tax -40,671 437,332
Income taxes -287,964 -278,203
Profit after tax -328,635 159,129
Result for the period attributable to Equity holders of the parent company -328,635 159,129
Earnings per share -0.02 0.01
Segment Reporting 1-3/2009
in EUR
Germany Central
East Europe
South
West Europe
North Europe Holding
and Other
BRAIN FORCE
Group
Revenues (consolidated) 10,547,263 3,022,106 6,494,943 2,225,393 0 22,289,705
EBITDA 790,181 -134,637 655,236 215,321 -477,562 1,048,539
Depreciation and amortization -270,618 -261,255 -194,227 -194,308 -19,845 -940,253
EBIT 519,563 -395,891 461,009 21,013 -497,408 108,286
Capital expenditure 242,320 49,365 171,223 134,941 17,704 615,553
Segment assets 17,980,863 16,299,625 18,113,727 8,449,847 380,886 61,224,948
Segment liabilities 6,944,874 3,687,647 10,109,298 1,559,566 15,134,165 37,435,550
Segment Reporting 1-3/2008
in EUR
Germany Central
East Europe
South West
Europe
North Europe Holding and
Other
BRAIN FORCE
Group
Revenues (consolidated) 11,765,258 3,662,875 6,990,313 2,915,859 0 25,334,305
EBITDA 1,010,456 249,952 713,256 483,015 -832,124 1,624,555
Depreciation and amortization -407,361 -268,175 -154,653 -165,234 -20,037 -1,015,460
EBIT 603,095 -18,223 558,603 317,781 -852,161 609,095
Capital expenditure 193,644 40,097 272,446 139,537 19,198 664,922
Segment assets 21,143,699 18,845,381 19,043,731 9,099,596 6,083,807 74,216,214
Segment liabilities 7,836,810 4,123,746 13,510,880 1,782,268 20,529,876 47,783,580
Balance Sheet in EUR 31.3.2009 31.12.2008
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment 2,420,290 2,493,383
Goodwill 14,516,571 14,516,571
Other intangible assets 11,053,525 11,328,281
Investments in associates 11,466 11,466
Financial assets 184,619 183,128
Other receivables and assets 107,499 101,712
Deferred tax assets 12,179 50,723
Non-current assets 28,306,149 28,685,264
Inventories 259,802 185,787
Trade receivables 25,662,128 26,898,432
Other receivables and assets 1,966,704 1,741,880
Financial assets 1,192,573 0
Cash and cash equivalents 3,837,592 8,799,244
Current assets 32,918,799 37,625,343
Total assets 61,224,948 66,310,607
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity attributable to Equity holders of the parent company
Share capital 15,386,742 15,386,742
Reserves 15,214,013 15,245,099
Retained earnings -6,811,358 -6,482,723
Equity 23,789,397 24,149,118
Financial liabilities 10,978,227 10,975,548
Other liabilities 141,374 144,891
Provisions for post-employment benefits 2,211,927 2,271,221
Deferred tax liabilities 2,645,038 2,613,772
Non-current liabilities 15,976,566 16,005,432
Financial liabilities 498,659 2,713,156
Trade payables 6,943,829 8,340,473
Other liabilities 12,208,649 13,105,463
Income tax provisions 1,078,512 824,561
Other provisions 729,336 1,172,404
Current liabilities 21,458,985 26,156,057
Total equity and liabilities 61,224,948 66,310,607
Changes in Equity in EUR Share capital Share premium Other reserves Retained earnings Total equity
Balance on 1.1.2009 15,386,742 15,536,020 -290,921 -6,482,723 24,149,118
Fair value adjustments of securities 0 0 1,491 0 1,491
Currency translation differences 0 0 -32,577 0 -32,577
Profit after tax 0 0 0 -328,635 -328,635
Balance on 31.3.2009 15,386,742 15,536,020 -322,007 -6,811,358 23,789,397
Cash Flow Statement in EUR 1-3/2009 1-3/2008
Profit before tax -40,671 437,332
Depreciation / amortization 940,253 1,015,461
Financial result 148,957 171,763
Gains/losses from the disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets -633 4,799
Changes in non-current provisions and liabilities -62,811 54,307
Net interest paid -52,188 -131,409
Income taxes paid 34,485 -19,153
Gross cash flow 967,392 1,533,100
Changes in inventories -74,015 107,332
Changes in trade receivables 1,236,304 -1,118,685
Changes in trade payables -1,396,644 -565,441
Changes in other current assets and liabilities -1,665,950 -112,303
Currency translation differences -42,684 -4,518
Cash flow from operating activities -975,597 -160,515
Acquisition of subsidiaries 0 0
Investments in property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets -615,553 -664,922
Investments in financial assets -1,182,459 -862,556
Sale of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets 23,775 9,698
Cash flow from investing activities -1,774,237 -1,517,780
Increase in financial liabilities 169,168 2,103,339
Repayment of financial liabilities -2,380,986 -2,230,833
Dividends paid 0 0
Capital increase 0 0
Purchase of treasury stock 0 0
Cash flow from financing activities -2,211,818 -127,494
Change in cash and cash equivalents -4,961,652 -1,805,789
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 8,799,244 9,440,943
Change in cash and cash equivalents -4,961,652 -1,805,789
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 3,837,592 7,635,154

Notes to the Quarterly Report

Accounting and Measurement Principles

This interim report of BRAIN FORCE HOLDING AG as at March 31, 2009 has been prepared in accordance with the principles contained in the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as stipulated in IAS 34, "Interim Financial Reporting".

The accounting and measurement principles applied in preparing the consolidated fi nancial statements as at December 31, 2008 remain unchanged. The structuring of the balance sheet, income statement and cash fl ow statement correspond to that in the consolidated fi nancial statements for the 2008 fi nancial year. The presentation of the statement of changes in equity applies to the period January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009. IFRS 8 "Operating Segments" was applied for the fi rst time as of the beginning of the 2009 fi nancial year.

For more information on accounting and measurement principles, we refer to the annual report and the consolidated fi nancial statements as at December 31, 2008.

Consolidation Range

All subsidiaries, including those companies in which BRAIN FORCE HOLDING AG directly or indirectly holds more than half of the voting rights or over which BRAIN FORCE exerts a controlling infl uence are included in the consolidated fi nancial statements.

The consolidated group remains unchanged since the balance sheet date as at December 31, 2008. BRAIN FORCE Hamburg GmbH, Munich, Germany was still included in consolidation in the comparable period of January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008. The contribution of BRAIN FORCE Hamburg to Group revenues amounted to € 0.76 million, generating an EBITDA of € 0.25 million. The shares in BRAIN FORCE Hamburg GmbH were sold at the closing date of the transaction effective September 30, 2008.

Comments on the Income Statement

Group revenues fell to € 22.29 million, a decline of 12% from the comparable period of the previous year. EBITDA (operating result before depreciation) in the fi rst quarter of 2009 was down from € 1.62 to 1.05 million, whereas EBIT (operating result) totaled € 0.11 million (previous year: € 0.61 million). First quarter earnings were burdened by restructuring costs of € 0.15 million.

Segment Information

In accordance with the management approach contained in the stipulations of IFRS 8, "Operating Segments", BRAIN FORCE HOLDING AG reports according to geographic segments. The reporting of segment earnings (EBITDA and EBIT) is carried out for the fi rst time without taking into account the settlement costs for brand licensing costs and intercompany charges. These costs were still included in the previous year's segment reporting. The 2008 fi gures were correspondingly adjusted in the current reporting. Segment reporting can be found on page 4.

Comments on the Cash Flow Statement

In the fi rst quarter of 2009, gross cash fl ow amounted to € 0.97 million, which represents a decrease of € 0.56 in a year-on-year comparison. The cash fl ow from operating activities was down from € -0.16 to -0.98 million, which is primarily related to the reduction of other liabilities. The cash fl ow from investing activities totaled € -1.77 million, of which € -0.62 million was related to capital expenditure for property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets, and € -1.18 million for investments in available-for-sale securities. The cash fl ow from fi nancing activities totaled € -2.21 million (previous year: € -0.13 million), refl ecting the reduction of current fi nancial liabilities.

Comments on the Balance Sheet

Non-current assets made up 46% of total assets, amounting to € 28.31 million as of March 31, 2009. Investments in property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets totaled € 0.62 million in the reporting period, of which € 0.43 million comprised product development costs.

Current assets comprised 54% of total assets on the reporting date of March 31, 2009. Trade receivables amounted to € 25.66 million and comprised 42% of total assets. Working capital was € 7.17 million on the reporting date, a rise of € 1.55 million compared to the last balance sheet date of December 31, 2008. In contrast to the reporting for the consolidated fi nancial statements as of December 31, 2008, working capital as of 2009 does not include current provisions for earn-out payments.

On the reporting date of March 31, 2009, cash and cash equivalents totaled € 3.84 million. Including fi nancial assets, the currently available liquid assets reached a level of € 5.03 million. Net debt increased by € 1.56 million from December 31, 2008 to € 6.45 million. IFRS-based equity in the BRAIN FORCE Group was € 23.79 million, corresponding to an equity ratio of 39%.

As of March 31, 2009, the number of outstanding shares was 15,386,742. Authorized capital amounted to € 7,693,371.

Other Information

No signifi cant business transactions were concluded with related companies or individuals during the period under review.

Statement of the Management Board

The Management Board of BRAIN FORCE HOLDING AG certifi es, to the best of its knowledge, that the unaudited consolidated interim fi nancial statements as at March 31, 2009, have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, fi nancial position and profi t or loss of the BRAIN FORCE Group as at March 31, 2009.

Vienna, May 12, 2009

The Management Board

Günter Pridt Thomas Melzer

Financial Calender

Date Event
May 12, 2009 Report on the first quarter of 2009
May 14, 2009 11th Annual General Meeting
May 18, 2009 Ex-dividend day 2008
May 19, 2009 1st dividend payment day for 2008
August 21, 2009 Six months 2009 report
November 10, 2009 Report on the first three quarters of 2009

Information on the Company and the BRAIN FORCE Share

Investor Relations: Thomas Melzer
Telephone: +43 1 263 09 09 12
E-Mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.brainforce.com
Vienna Stock Exchange: BFC
Reuters: BFC.VI
Bloomberg: BFC AV
Datastream: O:BFS
ISIN: AT0000820659

BRAIN FORCE HOLDING AG Karl-Farkas-Gasse 22 1030 Vienna Austria

Telephone: +43 1 263 09 09 0 Fax: +43 1 263 09 09 40

[email protected] www.brainforce.com

Talk to a Data Expert

Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.