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SnowWorld N.V. — Earnings Release 2010
Nov 4, 2010
3886_iss_2010-11-04_3002447a-6bf8-4afb-9db5-13e8209f39c5.pdf
Earnings Release
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P R E S S R E L E A S E
Lelystad, the Netherlands, 4 November 2010
Fornix publishes trading update for first nine months of 2010
- Company restructured following sale of Allergy Division effective 1 July 2010
- Significantly higher net profit due to book profit from sale of Allergy Division
- Turnover down substantially from 2009, likewise as a result of Allergy Division sale
- Turnover and result of Medical Aids division down from 2009 due to loss of two key distribution contracts
- Significant pressure on turnover and result of German operations, resulting in new losses
- Major shift in shareholder structure: Aviva (Delta Lloyd) and Kempen Oranje Participaties are no longer shareholders; Value8 joined as a shareholder
- Investigation into Fornix' strategy and future still in progress – set to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011
- Expected net profit from continuing operations for the second half of 2010 will range from €0.3 million to €0.4 million due to developments in Germany
- Profit forecast for full year 2010: net profit of approximately €20 million (up from €11 million in 2009), due mainly to book profit from sale of Allergy Division
Although Fornix BioSciences N.V. (NYSE Euronext: AFORBI) reported a significantly higher net profit for the first nine months of 2010 than for the same period in 2009, this was mainly due to the book profit from the sale of the Allergy Division effective 1 July. The Medical Aids division saw a decline – although smaller than expected – in both its turnover and its result due to the loss of two key distribution contracts. Disappointing developments in Germany once again resulted in losses. The extensive strategic investigation into Fornix' future, launched after the sale of the Allergy Division, requires more time than initially estimated. The investigation is now expected to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011, after which the findings will be presented to shareholders.
On account of the loss of two major distribution contracts at the end of 2009 (which accounted for one third of the company's annual turnover for 2009), the Medical Aids division was faced with a lower turnover and result during the first nine months of 2010 than in the same period last year. However, this decline was smaller than expected due to sales from alternative (i.e. private-brand) stoma care products and initial, encouraging results from a new distribution contract for wound treatment products effective 1 September 2010. Developments at Artu Biologicals Deutschland were disappointing, resulting once again in a loss for the first three quarters of this year, due primarily to lower turnover. The allergy products, which until recently accounted for a substantial portion of turnover, are gradually being phased out, and the focus for the German operations will increasingly shift towards the sale of medical aids.
Sale of Allergy Division and liquidity
The sale of the Allergy Division to ALK-Abelló, effective 1 July 2010, was finally completed on 5 July. The final purchase price was fixed at €21.8 million, which is €2.2 million higher than the previously reported price of €19.6 million, as a result of the higher working capital. Net proceeds from the sale of the Allergy Division (i.e. the price paid by ALK-Abelló less the €1.3 million
transaction fee) were €2.65 before tax per ordinary share. This is €0.35 (the equivalent of 15%) higher than the previous estimate of €2.30 before tax per ordinary share.
After payment of the interim dividend, including the proceeds from the sale of the Allergy Division, for a total of €3.30 per ordinary share in September of the current financial year, the virtually debtfree Fornix still had cash reserves of more than €10 million as of 30 September 2010.
Shareholder structure
At the end of September, a number of significant changes occurred in Fornix BioSciences' shareholder structure, with insurance company Aviva (Delta Lloyd) and Kempen Oranje Participaties selling their stakes after many years. At the same time, financial services provider Value8 acquired a 16.3% interest in Fornix.
Fornix' future
Fornix is currently still reflecting on its future and exploring opportunities to either continue and expand its remaining Medical Aids division or to opt for other strategic alternatives. The extensive strategic investigation into Fornix' future, launched after the sale of the Allergy Division, requires more time than initially estimated. The findings of the investigation are now expected to be communicated to shareholders at the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011.
Outlook for the full year 2010
Owing to the disappointing developments at Artu Biologicals Deutschland, net profit from continuing operations for the second half of 2010 is expected to range from €0.3 million to €0.4 million, slightly below the €0.5 million projected in the half-yearly report. For the full financial year 2010, Fornix is expecting total net profit of approximately €20 million, mainly as a result of the approximately €14.5 million book profit from the sale of the Allergy Division. This represents nearly double the profit for 2009.
E N D O F P R E S S R E L E A S E
For additional information, please contact: Fornix BioSciences N.V.
C.L. Bergman CEO Tel. +31 (0) 320) 26 77 99 www.fornix.nl
Profile of Fornix BioSciences N.V.
Fornix BioSciences N.V. is a listed company (Euronext Amsterdam: AFORBI) engaged in the distribution of medical aids and medical and nursing consumables. The company, which operates sites in Lelystad, Beuningen and Hamburg, currently employs approximately 40 people. Fornix BioSciences N.V. operates mainly in the Netherlands and Germany. Its activities are conducted by two divisions that are both engaged primarily in the sale and distribution of medical aids.
The Medical Aids Division consists of Laprolan, which is located in Beuningen, and specialises in the sale, marketing and distribution in the Netherlands of a wide range of medical aids and medical and nursing consumables.
Artu Biologicals Deutschland is engaged in the marketing, sale and distribution of a growing range of medical aids and a range (to be phased out) of immunotherapeutic allergen products in Germany.