DGAP-News: SMA Solar Technology AG: SMA Meets Sales and

DGAP-News: SMA Solar Technology AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results SMA Solar Technology AG: SMA Meets Sales and Earnings Forecast in Q1 2014 15.05.2014 / 07:00 --------------------------------------------------------------------- SMA Solar Technology AG - Corporate News SMA Solar Technology AG Meets Sales and Earnings Forecast in Q1 2014 Overview of Q1 2014: - 1.0 gigawatts of inverter output sold (Q1 2013: 1.2 GW) - Sales in line with guidance at EUR176.3 million (Q1 2013: EUR212.3 million) - International share remains at a high level of 68.0% (Q1 2013: 67.5%) - Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR-22.4 million (Q1 2013: EUR-8.4 million) - Positive free cash flow-net liquidity of EUR314.0 million (December 31, 2013: EUR308.1 million) - Managing Board confirms sales and earnings forecast for fiscal year 2014 Niestetal, May 15, 2014-SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA/FWB: S92) had a weak start to the fiscal year 2014. In the first quarter, SMA sold PV inverters with a total output of nearly 1 gigawatt (Q1 2013: 1.2 GW) in a highly competitive environment. Sales of EUR176.3 million (Q1 2013: EUR212.3 million) were in line with the forecast published in March of EUR170 million to EUR200 million. The lower sales in comparison with the same quarter of the previous year are particularly attributable to a decline in project business. The reasons for this included uncertainty in Europe due to the Ukraine crisis, project delays in North America and monetary turmoil in India. The sale of PV systems increased around the world. According to the American market research institute NPD Solarbuzz, 9 GW of photovoltaic power were installed worldwide in the first quarter of 2014. While the negative trend in Europe continued, America and Asia provided growth impetus. SMA kept the international share of its sales stable at a high level of 68.0% (Q1 2013: 67.5%). This underscores SMA's outstanding international position. With gross sales of EUR57.2 million (Q1 2013: EUR71.3 million), Germany was again the market with the strongest sales in the first quarter of 2014, but still saw a steep decline due to the persisting debate about the reform of the Renewable Energy Sources Act. Important foreign markets were North America, Great Britain and Australia. In the first quarter of 2014, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) fell to EUR-22.4 million (Q1 2013: EUR-8.4 million) due to low sales and the change in the product mix. The consolidated earnings amounted to EUR-16.7 million (Q1 2013: EUR-5.8 million). Net cash flow from operating activities improved to EUR15.4 million in the first quarter of 2014 (Q1 2013: EUR-3.3 million) due to a reduction in net working capital and was thus positive again despite the strained sales situation. With net liquidity of EUR314.0 million (December 31, 2013: EUR308.1 million) and an equity ratio of 57.4%, SMA remains financially sound. "Due to the ongoing political discussion in Germany and project delays abroad, SMA recorded a high loss in the first quarter of 2014. We are not satisfied with the sales and earnings. We will continue to focus our strategy on developing new technological approaches, entering new markets and systematically reducing costs. We will present the first products of the next generation at the leading trade fairs in Germany and China in the coming weeks," explained SMA Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Pascal Urbon. The SMA Managing Board confirms the sales and earnings forecast for the entire fiscal year 2014, first published in November 2013. The forecast anticipates sales of EUR1.0 billion to EUR1.3 billion and, in the best-case scenario, an operating result of up to EUR20 million. The forecast is based on the assumption of a stable regulatory environment, particularly in Europe. You can find the quarterly financial report for January to March 2014 at www.SMA.de/IR/FinancialReports. About SMA The SMA Group generated sales of EUR932.5 million in 2013 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants. SMA offers innovative key technologies for future power supply structures. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented in 21 countries. The Group employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. SMA's broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all plant sizes. The product range includes both inverters for grid-connected photovoltaic plants as well as off-grid and hybrid system technology. The product portfolio is supplemented by comprehensive services and operational management of utility-scale pv-plants. Since 2008, the Group's parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. SMA Solar Technology AG Sonnenallee 1 34266 Niestetal Germany Head of Corporate Communications: Anja Jasper Tel.: +49 561 9522-2805 Presse@SMA.de Press contact: Susanne Henkel Manager Corporate Press Tel.: +49 561 9522-1124 Fax +49 561 9522-421400 Presse@SMA.de Investor Relations contact: Julia Damm Investor Relations Tel. +49 561 9522-2222 Fax +49 561 9522-2223 IR@SMA.de Disclaimer: This corporate news serves only as information and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for, acquire, hold or sell any securities of SMA Solar Technology AG (the "Company") or any present or future subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the "SMA Group") nor should it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the Company or any member of the SMA Group or commitment whatsoever. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This corporate news can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments. End of Corporate News --------------------------------------------------------------------- 15.05.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: SMA Solar Technology AG Sonnenallee 1 34266 Niestetal Germany Phone: +49 (0)561 / 9522 - 0 Fax: +49 (0)561 / 9522 - 100 E-mail: info@sma.de Internet: http://www.sma.de ISIN: DE000A0DJ6J9 WKN: A0DJ6J Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 268517 15.05.2014