Final Results
ARC International plc
ARC INTERNATIONAL PLC
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2003
ARC International plc (LSE: ARK), a world leader in user-customizable processors
for embedded system design, announces its unaudited financial results for the
fourth quarter and full year ended 31 December 2003.
Highlights:
Fourth Quarter ended 31 December 2003:
-- Turnover £3 million: up 18% sequentially (Q3 2003: £2.5 million); down 8%
over Q4'02 (Q4 2002: £3.2million) due to currency impact. At constant
exchange rates, turnover up 26% sequentially and flat year on year.
-- Operating costs before exceptionals, amortisation and depreciation £6.4
million: reduced by 4% sequentially (Q3 2003: £6.7 million) and 10% over
Q4'02 (Q4 2002: £7.2million)
-- Pre-exceptional net loss £4.9million: improved 16% sequentially (Q3 2003:
£5.8million) and flat over Q4'02 (Q4 2002: £4.9million)
-- Record royalty income, up 39% sequentially to £0.7 million (Q3 2003: £0.5
million) and 300% year on year (Q4 2002: £0.2million)
-- Net cash ouflow £3.2 million: reduced 27% sequentially (Q3 2003: £4.4
million); year end cash at £37 million
-- 11 new design licenses including 10 USB peripheral IP licensees and 1
ARCtangent(TM) processor license booked in Q4
-- Introduced ARC600, the industry's smallest and lowest power 32-bit RISC/DSP
processor
-- New Board launched operational and strategic restructuring review
Twelve months ended 31 December 2003:
-- Turnover £10.7 million (2002: £11.7 million): down 8% due to currency
fluctuations; flat in US Dollars.
-- Operating costs before exceptionals, amortisation and depreciation £27.1
million: reduced 8% sequentially (2002: £29.3 million)
-- Pre-exceptional net loss £20.7 million: 1% up on prior year (2002: £20.5
million)
-- Net cash outflow(excluding buyback) £15.7 million: reduced 25% (2002: £21
million)
-- Won 44 new design, 32 new processor and USB customers
Commenting on the results, Peter van Cuylenburg, Chairman and interim CEO, said:
"We were encouraged by several significant improvements in ARC's business in Q4,
notably in software and peripheral revenues and in royalty income. However, our
processor license revenue continued at a low level, pending the release of new
products. Initial market reaction to the new ARC600 processor, launched in Q4,
gives us confidence that we will see a return to a healthy rate of processor
design wins across 2004.
The structural and strategic changes announced today will decrease ARC's
quarterly cost structure by 40% to the £3.8 million range by the end of 2004.
With 20% overall semiconductor growth forecasted by industry analysts for 2004,
we are confident that ARC will benefit from these improvements."
For further information, please contact:
ARC International plc
Peter van Cuylenburg Chief Executive Officer, +44 (0) 20 8236 2800
Monica Johnson Chief Financial Officer, +44 (0) 20 8236 2800
Tulchan Communications
Julie Foster Consultant, +44 (0) 20 7353 4200
Chairman's Statement
Overview
2003 has been a challenging year for ARC with a mixed performance across the
business. Revenues year on year were flat although the fourth quarter revenue
performance showed a significant improvement of 26% over the third quarter in US
dollars, and 18% in sterling. Royalties and software also showed steady
improvement and we reported record levels for both in the fourth quarter.
Year on year, pre-exceptional net loss was £20.7 million and was unfavourably
impacted by lower interest income. The steps taken to reduce operating expenses
within the business delivered an 8% reduction over the year. In addition, net
cash outflow was down 25% year on year to £15.7 million.
Across our product areas of processors and peripherals, we won 44 new designs
during the year, including 32 new processor and peripheral customers. Given our
focus on new processor products, we have been encouraged by the reaction from
our customers to the launch of the ARC600 processor in October 2003, and by
pre-launch reaction to the ARC700. Through the introduction of new products and
certification of our IP, we have maintained our leadership position in USB. In
the software business, new releases and a further strengthening of our
relationship with Metrowerks, a division of Motorola®, led to record software
revenue in the fourth quarter.
Strategic Redirection
Since the appointment of ARC's Chairman Peter van Cuylenburg as interim Chief
Executive Officer and Mike Morrissey as Chief Operating Officer in December
2003, management has conducted a thorough evaluation of the business to address
how best to build value from the core product areas and align the cost structure
more closely to the requirements of the business.
The new strategic direction announced today recognizes that ARC has two distinct
areas of technology: first, a set of hardware circuit designs and programming
tools for designers of complex System-on-chip integrated circuits (SoC ICs); and
second, embedded system software products used to provide the application
platform in embedded systems.
ARC's overall strategy previously offered a one-stop-shop for technology
required by embedded system designers. In practice, however, embedded system
designers typically choose their hardware and software independently, so few
customers have purchased from more than one area of ARC's products. As a result,
most of ARC's embedded system software has been sold to customers who are not
using ARC's underlying SoC hardware designs.
ARC's new strategy will build on a better understanding of its customers' needs
by establishing two distinct businesses: the SoC solutions business and the
embedded system software business. A new General Manager has been appointed to
run the embedded system software business, while the SoC solutions business will
be managed as a functional organization .
The USB product line has been a growing business for ARC. USB research and
development work is scheduled to be completed at the end of Q2. At that time all
hardware IP research and development will consolidate into our Elstree, UK
location where we will continue our support of that product family.
Once these changes have been implemented, ARC's quarterly cost structure
(excluding depreciation and amortisation) is planned to decrease by 40% to the
£3.8 million range by the end of 2004. At this level of cost, modest revenue
growth should allow the company to reach breakeven and require significantly
less cash usage than previously projected.
As a result, the company has taken an exceptional charge of £4.3 million in the
fourth quarter related to the impairment of assets no longer in use and goodwill
related to the acquisitions made in 2000. Upon implementation of the transition
plan, the company expects to take a further charge in Q1 2004 in the range of
£2.5 million.
SoC Solutions Business
This business will comprise some 75% of ARC's revenues, and will combine its
hardware circuit designs, principally processor cores and peripheral circuits,
with the programming tools required to produce code for those circuits. Tighter
coupling between these related components will ensure that customers see a
better integrated, easier-to-use offering. Furthermore, this business will focus
specifically on market segments where ARC's offering is highly competitive,
already well-established, and where we see the greatest opportunities for
growth: digital media devices, and wireless and networking connectivity.
A significant strategic shift for this business will be its emphasis on
partnering with external companies who provide other components for SoC designs
in those same market segments. We will use our market focus as a means of
combining other companies' offerings with our own, thus further enhancing the
combined solution offering.
Going forward, ARC will offer its customers a more complete solution while
performing a smaller percentage of the underlying development itself, thereby
growing revenues while reducing operating expenses.
Embedded System Software Business
ARC's real-time operating system (RTOS), called MQX, is well-accepted by
embedded system designers using Motorola and other processors, along with its
protocol and security software stacks. As a result, this business has begun to
migrate from its direct-sales model to a more effective channel partnering
model, working with suppliers targeting the same areas. By focusing tightly on
this particular market and continuing the channel transition, we expect to
continue to grow revenues while reducing operating expenses.
Share Buyback
In May 2003, ARC completed a share buyback as a result of a full strategic
review undertaken in association with its financial advisers, West LB Panmure
Ltd. The Company purchased 162,413,705 shares at a strike price of 29 pence,
amounting to a total consideration of £48.3 million (including expenses) that
was returned directly to shareholders. Following the buyback, the company
maintained a healthy cash balance and at the year-end reported £37 million on
the balance sheet.
Product update
ARC(TM) Processors
ARC processors are synthesizable, configurable and extendible,
enabling users to fully optimize the architecture for their specific
applications. The newest processor, the ARC 600, is the industry's
smallest area and lowest power 32-bit RISC/DSP processor in its class
and has been nominated for a 2004 Analyst's Choice Award. ARC has
secured more than 140 design wins since the processor family was
introduced in 1998.
The next generation of ARC's processor family will be announced in Nuremberg,
Germany on February 17th at Embedded World.
USB portfolio
ARC is the recognized leader in the USB IP market. Several new
versions of our USB product line were released in the course of the
year; with further releases scheduled for the first half of 2004 to
complete coverage of the full range of USB standards.
USB is now a popular input/output device used across most classes of
consumer-oriented digital products.
Software
ARC's real-time operating system, MQX, continues to be highly regarded
by embedded systems designers using not only ARC processors but also
several other prominent processor architectures including the Motorola
ColdFire. As a result of the popularity of ARC's software with
Motorola processors, ARC has recently formed a close channel
partnership with the Metrowerks division of Motorola, propelling ARC's
software revenue growth to record levels in recent months. Additional
channel partnerships of this nature are planned and are expected to be
the catalyst for accelerating ARC's software revenue growth.
Customers
ARC won numerous new customers during the course of 2003. The
company's top 20 SoC customers include many of the world's leading
providers of integrated circuits or finished products in its target
markets of digital media devices, and wireless and networking
connectivity. Approximately half of ARC's 2003 System-on-Chip revenue
was achieved through customers in these high growth markets.
Royalties
Consistent with the success of ARC's customers in these fast-growing
markets, and the move into production of many ARC-based designs, the
company has seen its royalty income increase rapidly throughout the
year, culminating in a record 4th quarter.
Management
There were several management changes during the last few months of 2003,
beginning with the appointment of three new members of ARC's Board of Directors
in September, and the concurrent resignation of three former directors.
The newly appointed directors are: Peter van Cuylenburg, who also serves as
Chairman of the Board; Geoff Bristow, who also serves as Chairman of the
Remuneration Committee; and Richard Barfield, who also serves as Chairman of the
Audit Committee.
The three non-executive directors who stepped down are: Mike Risman, Dennis
Millard, and Gregorio Reyes.
In December, ARC's Chief Executive Officer, Mike Gulett resigned, to be replaced
by Peter van Cuylenburg as interim Chief Executive. At the same time, Mike
Morrissey was appointed Chief Operating Officer until the search for a new Chief
Executive is complete.
The search is well underway and the Board has identified and interviewed several
candidates for the position of Chief Executive Officer, and expects to name the
successful candidate before the end of the first quarter of 2004.
Group Headcount
At December 2002, Group headcount totalled 198 employees. During 2003, this was
reduced to 174 as a result of changes to more closely align the cost structure
with ARC's business objectives. Changes announced today to the business model
will result in a further reduction in headcount of approximately 20% by the end
of 2004.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the staff for their continued
loyalty to the company and hard work this past year.
Outlook
ARC has achieved a strong position with customers in its three most important
System-on-chip markets: digital media devices, and wireless and networking
connectivity. These markets are forecasted by industry analysts to grow in
excess of 20% per year from 2002 to 2006, and by 2006 over 80% of the SoC
integrated circuits that use 32-bit processors are expected to be found in these
three segments.
The semiconductor industry is showing signs of recovering from its worst-ever
downturn, and total semiconductor growth is forecasted in the 20% range for
2004.
The structural and strategic changes announced today will decrease ARC's
quarterly cost structure by 40% to the £3.8 million range by the end of 2004. We
are confident that ARC will benefit both from these operational improvements and
from market conditions.
As part of the overall move to reduce costs and focus resources, the company is
moving to half-yearly reporting in 2004, although we will update the market on
our restructuring progress during the second quarter of the year. Following this
change, the company will formally report the next set of results in July 2004.
Financial Review
Fourth Quarter ended 31 December 2003
Turnover
Total turnover for the fourth quarter was £3.0 million, up 18% from
the third quarter turnover of £2.5 million and down 8% year over year
(Q4 2002: £3.2 million). Prior to currency translation, with virtually
all sales in US$, underlying turnover was up 26% sequentially and flat
to Q4 2002. License income was 21% higher than the previous quarter at
£1.8 million (Q3 2003: £1.5 million). Maintenance and service income
was 11% lower than the previous quarter at £0.4 million (Q3 2003: £0.5
million). The number of designs being shipped by our customers and
contributing to royalties increased significantly resulting in a 39%
increase in royalties to £0.7 million (Q3 2003: £0.5 million). Within
the turnover base, 20% of sales were in Europe, 74% in North America
and the remaining 6% in Asia. From a product perspective, 34% were
processor shipments, software sales represented 36% of turnover and
the remaining 30% was peripheral products.
Costs
Cost of sales of £0.4 million increased 33% sequentially and increased
19% year over year (Q3 2003: £0.3 million, Q4 2002: £0.3 million)
resulting in a gross margin of 86% (Q3 2003: 88%, Q4 2002: 89%). Total
operating costs (excluding exceptional costs, amortisation of goodwill
and depreciation) decreased by 4% sequentially and 10% year over year
to £6.4 million (Q3 2003: £6.7 million, Q4 2002: £7.2 million).
The Company had 174 employees at 31 December 2003 compared with 201 at 30
September 2003. Research and development costs have decreased 10% sequentially
and decreased 15% year over year at £2.8 million (Q3 2003: £3.1 million, Q4
2002: £3.3 million). Sales and marketing costs decreased 27% sequentially and
37% year over year to £1.6 million (Q3 2003: £2.2 million, Q4 2002: £2.6
million). General and administration costs at £1.6 million were up 45%
sequentially and 60% year over year (Q3 2003: £1.1 million, Q3 2002: £1.0
million) due to currency translation expenses and other one-time charges.
Interest
Interest income decreased 11% sequentially and 68% year over year to
£0.3 million (Q3 2003: £0.4 million, Q4 2002: £1.0 million) due to
lower cash balances resulting from the share buyback.
Net Loss
The net loss prior to exceptional items was £4.9 million representing
a sequential decrease of 16% and flat year over year (Q3 2003: £5.8
million, Q4 2002: £4.9 million). Loss per share prior to exceptional
items increased to (3.54) p (Q3 2003: (4.20) p, Q4 2002: (1.63) p) as
a result of the significant reduction in the number of shares in issue
following the share buyback. Net loss including exceptional items was
£9.0 million (Q3 2003: £5.8 million, Q4 2002: £4.3 million).
Cash flow and balance sheet
The net cash outflow from operations was £3.1 million (Q3 2003: £4.9
million, Q4 2002: £4.3 million). Capital expenditure was £0.5 million.
The movement in net funds during the quarter was an outflow of £3.2
million. Net assets at 31 December 2003 were £40.4 million, including
net cash of £37.2 million.
Twelve months ended 31 December 2003
Turnover
Total turnover at £10.7 million was flat year over year prior to
currency translation and down 8% from the previous year with currency
impact (2002: £11.7 million). License income was £7.0 million (2002:
£9.2 million). Maintenance and service income was £1.9 million (2002:
£2.0 million). Royalties were £1.8 million (2002: £0.5 million).
Within the turnover base, 24% of sales were in Europe, 66% in North
America and 10% in Asia. From a product perspective, 37% were
processor shipments, software sales represented 33% of turnover and
the remaining 30% was peripheral products.
Costs
Cost of sales was £1.5 million (2002: £1.3 million), resulting in a
gross margin of 86% (2002: 89%). Total operating costs (excluding
exceptional costs, amortisation of goodwill and depreciation)
decreased 8% to £27.1 million (2002: £29.3 million).
Total headcount in the business at 31 December 2003 was 174 employees compared
with 198 at 31 December 2002. Research and development costs were down 5% to
£12.4 million (2002: £13.1 million), sales and marketing costs were down 16% to
£8.5 million (2002: £10.1 million) and general and administration costs were
down 4% to £4.7 million (2002: £4.9 million).
Interest
Interest income was £2.4 million (2002: £4.4 million).
Net loss
The net loss prior to exceptional costs was £20.7 million (2002: £20.5
million). Net loss including the exceptional items was £24.6 million
(2002: £22 million). Following a review of assets the company had an
asset write down of £1.3 million and a goodwill impairment of £2.9
million.
Cash flow and balance sheet
The net cash outflow from operations was £17.5 million (2002: £19.6
million). Capital expenditure was £2.7 million (2002: £3.3 million).
The movement in net funds was a £64.0 million outflow of which £48.3
million was related to the share buyback. On 2 April 2003 the court
approved the reduction in share capital resulting in the cancellation
of the share premium account, write-off of the accumulated deficit on
the profit and loss account, creation of a distributable reserve of
£73.5 million and the balance credited to a special reserve.
Shares in ARC International plc held through an ESOP trust are deducted in
arriving at shareholders' funds in accordance with UITF 38, which the company
has adopted early. This is a change in accounting policy in 2003 and as such the
comparatives for 2002 have been restated as if this policy was followed for that
year.
Net assets at 31 December 2003 were £40.4 million (31 December 2002: £113.1
million), including net cash of £37.2 million.
Dividend
No interim dividend payment will be made in respect of the twelve
months ended 31 December 2003.
ARC International plc
Consolidated profit and loss account
for the twelve months ended 31 December 2003
----------------------
3 months 3 months 12 months 12 months
ended ended ended ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 31
December
2003 2002 2003 2002
(unaudited)(unaudited) (unaudited)(audited)
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Turnover 2,954 3,195 10,741 11,702
Operating costs
------------------------------------------------- --------------------
Goodwill amortisation (884) (1,024) (3,788) (4,093)
Exceptional costs (4,185) 600 (3,889) (1,501)
Other operating costs (7,457) (8,051) (31,023) (32,488)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------
(12,526) (8,475) (38,700) (38,082)
Loss before interest and
tax (9,572) (5,280) (27,959) (26,380)
Interest receivable and
similar income 347 1,055 2,414 4,414
Interest payable and
similar charges (7) (7) (10) (11)
---------------------- --------------------
Loss on ordinary
activities before tax (9,232) (4,232) (25,555) (21,977)
Tax on loss on ordinary
activities 156 (36) 979 (69)
---------------------- --------------------
Retained loss for the
period (9,076) (4,268) (24,576) (22,046)
====================== ====================
Basic loss per share (6.57)p (1.43)p (12.16)p (7.54)p
Diluted loss per share (6.57)p (1.43)p (12.16)p (7.54)p
Pre-exceptional loss per
share (3.54)p (1.63)p (10.24)p (7.02)p
----------------------
Summary of operating costs
----------------------
Operating costs
Cost of sales (410) (344) (1,498) (1,323)
Research and
development (2,820) (3,306) (12,439) (13,052)
Sales and marketing (1,604) (2,560) (8,453) (10,053)
General and
administration (1,596) (973) (4,734) (4,913)
Depreciation of fixed
assets (1,027) (868) (3,899) (3,147)
Amortisation of
goodwill (884) (1,024) (3,788) (4,093)
Exceptional costs -
Provision release 84 600 620 899
Exceptional costs -
restructuring - - (240) -
Exceptional costs -
goodwill impairment (2,930) - (2,930) -
Exceptional costs -
asset writedown (1,339) - (1,339) (2,400)
---------------------- --------- ----------
Total operating costs (12,526) (8,475) (38,700) (38,082)
---------------------- --------- ----------
ARC International plc
Consolidated balance sheet
as at 31 December 2003
31 31
December December
2003 2002
(unaudited) (audited-
as
restated)
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 1,048 7,765
Tangible assets 3,697 6,419
----------- ----------
4,745 14,184
----------- ----------
Current assets
Stock 22 88
Debtors 3,174 4,981
Investments - bank deposits 34,579 98,064
Cash at bank and in hand 2,579 2,921
----------- ----------
40,354 106,054
Creditors - amounts fully due within one
year (3,792) (4,578)
----------- ----------
Net current assets 36,562 101,476
Total assets less current liabilities 41,307 115,660
Provisions for liabilities and charges (918) (2,566)
----------- ----------
Net assets 40,389 113,094
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 144 300
Share premium account 1,450 152,661
Exchangeable shares 673 4,040
Capital Redemption Reserve 162 -
Merger reserve 107 107
Other reserves 59,230 23,065
Profit and loss account Note 1 (21,377) (67,079)
----------- ----------
Total shareholders' funds 40,389 113,094
ARC International plc
Consolidated cash flow statement
for the twelve months ended 31 December 2003
----------- -----------
3 months 3 months 12 months 12 months
ended ended ended ended
31 December 31 December 30 December 30
December
2003 2002 2003 2002
(unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Net cash outflow from
operating activities (3,145) (4,306) (17,525) (19,627)
Returns on investments
and servicing of
finance
Taxes paid - (81) (45) (81)
Tax refund 161 - 1,094 -
Interest received 282 555 3,301 3,732
Bank interest paid (6) (11) (8) (11)
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
437 463 4,342 3,640
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Capital expenditure and
financial investment
Purchase of tangible
fixed assets (484) (1,563) (2,686) (3,295)
Purchase of intangible
fixed assets - (64) - (64)
Disposal of tangible
fixed assets - - 168 -
Share Buyback - - (48,329) -
Investment in own shares - (1,660) - (1,660)
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
(484) (3,287) (50,847) (5,019)
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Net cash outflow before
management of liquid
resources and financing (3,192) (7,130) (64,030) (21,006)
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Management of liquid
resources
Movement on term
deposits 4,988 7,201 63,485 21,337
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Financing
Issue of ordinary share
capital to satisfy
share option exercises (5) 215 325 1,399
Capital element of
finance lease rentals (1) - (2) (5)
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Net cash (outflow)/
inflow from financing (6) 215 323 1,394
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Increase/(Decrease) in
cash during the period 1,790 286 (222) 1,725
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Notes
1.Accounting Policies
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the preliminary
announcement are consistent with those used in the financial statements for the
year ended 31 December 2002 except for a change in the accounting policy in
respect of the treatment of shares held within an ESOP.
The company has adopted the provisions of UITF 38 early which require the
deduction of shares held through an ESOP trust in arriving at shareholders'
funds. This change in accounting policy in 2003 has been applied as a prior year
adjustment and has resulted in a deduction of £1,660k from the profit and loss
reserve.
The preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2003 are unaudited. The
financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the
Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2003 or 31 December
2002. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2002 is derived
from the statutory accounts for that year, which have been delivered to the
Registrar of the Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts: their
report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either section 237
(2) or section 237 (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for the
year ended 31 December 2003 will be finalized on the basis of the financial
information presented by the directors in this preliminary announcement and will
be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual
General Meeting.
2. Reconciliation of operating loss to net cash flow from operating activities
3 months 3 months Year Year
ended ended ended ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 31 December
2003 2002 2003 2002
(unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Operating loss (9,572) (5,280) (27,959) (26,380)
Depreciation 2,366 868 5,238 3,147
Amortisation of goodwill 3,814 1,024 6,718 4,093
Loss on disposal of
fixed assets 0 112 - 159
Share option grant
credit (11) (183) (11) (159)
(Increase)/decrease in
stocks 74 81 66 77
(Increase)/decrease in
debtors 387 953 854 (458)
Increase/(decrease) in
creditors (72) (354) (784) (239)
Increase/(decrease) in
provisions (131) (1,527) (1,647) 133
Net cash flow from
operating activities (3,145) (4,306) (17,525) (19,627)
3. Movement on reserves and share capital
Share Capital
Share premium Exchangeable Merger Redemption Other Profit
capital account shares reserves reserve reserves and Total
loss
account
Group £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
£'000
----------------------------------------- ------- --------- ------------ -------- ----------- -------- -------- --------
At 1 January 2003 (as previously
reported) 300 152,661 4,040 107 23,065 (65,419) 114,754
----------------------------------------- ------- --------- ------------ -------- ----------- -------- -------- --------
Reclassification of
ESOP (note 1) (1,660) (1,660)
----------------------------------------- ------- --------- ------------ -------- ----------- -------- -------- --------
At 1 January 2003 (as restated) 300 152,661 4,040 107 23,065 (67,079) 113,094
Shares issued 2 323 325
Exchangeable shares exercised 4 3,363 (3,367) -
Reduction of share premium account (154,897) 85,739 69,158 -
Share Buyback (162) 162 (48,329) (48,329)
Exchange gain 51 51
Share Option Grant (11) (11)
Adjustment to other reserves (165) (165)
Realised loss on amortization
acquired goodwill (1,069) 1,069 -
Retained loss for 12 months
ended 31 December 2003 (24,576) (24,576)
----------------------------------------- ------- --------- ------------ -------- ----------- -------- -------- --------
At 31 December 2003 144 1,450 673 107 162 59,230 (21,377) 40,389
----------------------------------------- ------- --------- ------------ -------- ----------- -------- -------- --------
About ARC
ARC International is a provider of uniquely optimized SoC solutions
for exceptionally competitive markets. ARC's IP solutions consist of
user-customizable 32-bit RISC/DSP processor cores with integrated
development tools, peripherals and software. ARC solutions help
companies develop application-specific SoCs that are differentiated
and highly competitive for the wireless, multimedia and
networking/storage markets.
ARC introduced the industry's first user-customizable 32-bit RISC/DSP processor
core and the industry's first USB Hi-Speed On-The-Go IP. ARC's turnkey embedded
solutions, combining the processor core with a real-time operating system,
development tools and peripheral hardware and software IP, enable developers to
optimise the design and performance of their applications. ARC also supplies
embedded system software, consisting of MQX RTOS and various protocol stacks for
a variety of embedded processors. By providing designers with a single source
for all major embedded silicon and software IP building blocks, ARC dramatically
reduces their number of suppliers, thereby reducing cost, reducing risk and
reducing time-to-market.
ARC International employs approximately 174 people in research and development,
sales and marketing offices across North America, Europe and Asia. Full details
of the company's locations and other information are available on the company's
website, http://www.arc.com. ARC International is listed on the London Stock
Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE: ARK).
Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts include
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements include, among others, market acceptance of the ARC
technology; fluctuations in and unpredictability of the Company's quarterly
results; general economic and business conditions; regulatory policies adopted
by governmental authorities; assumptions regarding the Company's future business
strategy; changes in technology; competition; ability to attract and retain
qualified personnel; risks associated with the Company's international
operations; and other uncertainties that are discussed in the "Investment
Considerations" section of the Company's listing particulars dated 28 September
2000 filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of
Companies in England and Wales. The Company disclaims any intention or
obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments
occurring after the date such statement was first made. In view of the many
applications in which its Licensees may use the ARC products, ARC cannot warrant
that those applications do not infringe the patents of others. ARC strongly
encourages its Licensees to become familiar with the policies governing the use
and licensing of intellectual property established by any organization whose
standards the Licensee wishes to follow, and to review the list most
standards-promulgating organizations publish, of entities that claim to have
patents relating to the relevant standards or underlying technology.
ARC, the ARC logo, ARCtangent, ARCangel, ARCompact, ARChitect, ARCform, CASSEIA,
High C, High C/C++, SeeCode, MetaDeveloper, MetaWare, Precise Solution,
Precise/BlazeNet, Precise/EDS, Precise/MFS, Precise/MQX, Precise/MQXsim,
Precise/RTCS, Precise/RTCSsim are trademarks of ARC International. All other
brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.