DGAP-News: Viscom AG: Viscom AG continues on growth path in

DGAP-News: Viscom AG / Key word(s): 9-month figures/Interim Report Viscom AG: Viscom AG continues on growth path in the third quarter - management confirms forecast for the 2015 financial year 10.11.2015 / 07:50 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Viscom AG continues on growth path in the third quarter - management confirms forecast for the 2015 financial year - Incoming orders: EUR 47,804 thousand (previous year: EUR 46,142 thousand, +3.6 %) - Revenue: EUR 47,476 thousand (previous year: EUR 41,767 thousand, +13.7 %) - EBIT: EUR 5,288 thousand (previous year: EUR 5,140 thousand, +2.9 %) - EBIT-Margin: 11.1 % (previous year: 12.3 %) Hanover, 10 November 2015 - Viscom AG (ISIN DE0007846867), the European market leader for automated optical inspection systems for the electronics industry, continued on its growth path in the third quarter of 2015. At EUR 47.8 million, order intake in the first nine months of 2015 was up approximately 4 % on the previous year's record figure. Revenue even increased by around 14 %, from EUR 41.8 million to EUR 47.5 million, setting yet another record for the first nine months of a financial year. In order to strengthen and expand its position with major customers in the face of global competition, Viscom has made investments in personnel over the past few months. The mere slight year-on-year improvement in EBIT for the first nine months of 2015 despite the significant increase in revenue is attributable in part to these investments. By the close of the quarter, the EBIT-Margin amounted to 11.1 %, compared to 12.3 % in the previous year's period. During the first nine months of the current financial year, Viscom Group generated revenue of EUR 47,476 thousand, which is an increase of 13.7 % compared to the previous year's level (previous year: EUR 41,767 thousand). Operating profit (EBIT) amounted to EUR 5,288 thousand (previous year: EUR 5,140 thousand). This corresponds to an EBIT-Margin of 11.1 % (previous year: 12.3 %). Net profit for the period declined from EUR 3,945 thousand in the previous year's period to EUR 3,201 thousand. Taxes on income booked in the first half of the year for previous years had a particularly negative impact on net profit for the period. Accounting for 62.4 % of revenue, Europe continued to be Viscom Group's strongest region by far and generated revenue of EUR 29,647 thousand in the first nine months of the 2015 financial year (previous year: EUR 27,808 thousand). The segment result in Europe amounted to EUR 4,084 thousand (previous year: EUR 3,941 thousand), thereby remaining on par with the high level achieved in the previous year. The EBIT-Margin decreased slightly from 14.2 % in 2014 to 13.8 % as a result of an increase in personnel during the first nine months of 2015 in line with strategic objectives. The positive business performance recorded during the first half of the year in the Americas region continued in the third quarter. Market conditions in this region continued to be characterised by strong demand from the automotive electronics production industry. New production lines and the upgrading of existing systems were responsible for the robust revenue. A number of sales successes were also achieved in the area of industrial and medical electronics with small and medium-sized service providers in the US. Intensified activities in the Computer, Communication and Consumer (3C) sector by globally operating EMS also continue to suggest further growth. At EUR 8,419 thousand, revenue was up by approximately 30 % year on year (previous year: EUR 6,486 thousand). The segment result in this region was below the previous year's period at EUR 761 thousand (previous year: EUR 939 thousand). The EBIT-Margin, which was 14.5 % in the previous year's period, amounted to 9.0 %. This decrease was particularly caused by the increased material costs due to the structure of realised revenue. In Asia, the generally optimistic business environment of the first quarter of 2015 became considerably more reserved during the second quarter. The trend towards caution continued into the third quarter. Despite this general market trend, Viscom was able to increase revenue in this segment by approximately 26 % year on year. Major orders were also gained in the Computers, Communication and Consumer (3C) sector, although affected by tough competition. The fourth quarter will be defined by a few larger projects. Order issue is, however, dependent on further economic development. Group revenue in Asia amounted to EUR 9,410 thousand, up 26 % year on year (previous year: EUR 7,473 thousand). The segment result in Asia was a satisfying EUR 873 thousand (previous year: EUR 337 thousand). Accordingly, the EBIT-Margin amounted to 9.3 % (previous year: 4.5 %). The strong demand for services during the first nine months of the current financial year was particularly encouraging. The Service business area made a major contribution to total order intake for the Group, accounting for approximately 21 %. Renovation and modernisation, in particular in the form of computer and sensor technology updates, accounted for the largest share of business in this area. Viscom was also able to optimise in-house training for service technicians this year and qualify two employees as "Certified Trainers" in order to ensure uniform and structured training expertise. The Group stands out against the competition with its extensive range of services offered as individual support packages that provide targeted worldwide support seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Overall, Viscom Group was able to continue on its growth path during the first nine months of the current financial year. The management of Viscom AG therefore affirms its forecast for the 2015 financial year of revenue of between EUR 62 and EUR 67 million with an EBIT-Margin of 13 % to 15 %. The Interim Report as of 30 September 2015 is now available on the company website www.viscom.com/europe under Investor Relations. OPERATING FIGURES <pre> Consolidated income statement 01.01.-30.09.2015 01.01.-30.09.2014 Revenue KEUR 47,476 41,767 EBIT KEUR 5,288 5,140 EBIT-Margin % 11.1 12.3 Net profit for the period KEUR 3,201 3,945 Earnings per share EUR 0.36 0.44 Employees at the end of the 365 320 quarter </pre> <pre> Consolidated balance sheet 30.09.2015 31.12.2014 Assets Current assets KEUR 47,898 55,365 Non-current assets KEUR 9,869 9,093 Total assets KEUR 57,767 64,458 Liabilities Current liabilities KEUR 7,999 9,264 Non-current liabilities KEUR 1,547 1,610 Shareholders' equity KEUR 48,221 53,584 Total shareholders' equity and liabilities KEUR 57,767 64,458 Equity ratio % 83.5 83.1 </pre> <pre> Consolidated cash flow statement 01.01.- 01.01.- 30.09.2015 30.09.2014 Cash flow from operating KEUR 1,228 -1,124 activities Cash flow from investing KEUR -1,760 -1,546 activities Cash flow from financing KEUR -8,944 -15,104 activities Cash and cash equivalents at end KEUR 7,638 11,685 of period </pre> SEGMENT INFORMATION <pre> 01.01.-30.09.2015 01.01.-30.09.2014 EUROPE Revenue KEUR 29,647 27,808 EBIT KEUR 4,084 3,941 EBIT-Margin % 13.8 14.2 AMERICAS Revenue KEUR 8,419 6,486 EBIT KEUR 761 939 EBIT-Margin % 9.0 14.5 ASIA Revenue KEUR 9,410 7,473 EBIT KEUR 873 337 EBIT-Margin % 9.3 4.5 Consolidation differences EBIT KEUR -430 -77 </pre> Any forecasts, expectations or forward-looking statements included in this report may carry risks and uncertainties. We therefore cannot guarantee that these assumptions will turn out to be correct. Actual results and developments may vary significantly from the forecasts and assumptions made in this report. Factors that may lead to such deviations include changes to the general economic development and competitive position, exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations as well as amendments to national and international laws. The Company does not assume any responsibility for updating the statements contained in this report. Contact: Viscom AG Investor Relations Anna Borkowski Carl-Buderus-Str. 9-15 30455 Hannover Tel.: +49-511-94996-861 Fax: +49-511-94996-555 investor.relations@viscom.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- 10.11.2015 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP 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: Viscom AG Carl-Buderus-Strasse 9-15 30455 Hannover Germany Phone: +49 (0) 511 94 996 861 Fax: +49 (0) 511 94 996 555 E-mail: investor.relations@viscom.de Internet: www.viscom.de ISIN: DE0007846867 WKN: 784686 Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hanover; Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 410395 10.11.2015