Interim Results

Filtronic PLC 21 January 2002 FILTRONIC PLC INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2001 Increased market share in both core businesses; Strong position in 3G mobile infrastructure systems, shipments begun; Strong cash performance, £20m generated; Newton Aycliffe agreements successfully concluded; Change in accounting treatment of revenue recognition at Newton Aycliffe; Very Positive Outlook Filtronic plc ('Filtronic'), a leading global designer and manufacturer of customised microwave electronic subsystems, announces its Interim Results for the six months ended 30 November 2001. Its technology and engineering can be applied to several business sectors in both the commercial and defence areas. Filtronic has 17 worldwide manufacturing sites, 7 in the UK (North East England, Yorkshire, Midlands, Scotland), 6 in the US, 2 in Finland, 1 in both China and Australia, plus a sales office in Japan. Filtronic is the world's leading independent supplier of transmit/receive modules for mobile communications base stations and supplies several of the world's leading OEM's. It is also the world's leading supplier of cellular handset antennas. Commenting on the Interim Results, Professor David Rhodes, Executive Chairman, said: 'The Board is pleased with the progress made by the company since last year end.' Profit and Loss Highlights * Group sales of £146.0m (2000: £147.6m) * Group operating profit before goodwill amortisation and impairment and share compensation costs £6.1m (2000: £6.3m) * Sales, operating profit figures do not benefit from agreements signed 30 November 2001 with BAE SYSTEMS and M /A-COM for Newton Aycliffe facility * Loss on ordinary activities before tax £4.5m (2000: £2.5m) * Loss per share 8.05p (2000: 4.38p) both on undiluted and diluted basis * Maintained dividend per share of 0.90p (2000: 0.90p) payable 1 April 2002 Balance Sheet Highlights * Cash generation was £20m, after all Newton Aycliffe costs * Cash balance of £11.6m * Short term borrowings eliminated * Gearing reduced Operational Highlights * Increased market share and programme position with major OEM customers for wireless infrastructure products * Margins in largest business, wireless infrastructure, improved * Prospects for further growth enhanced by introduction of base station power amplifier products * Market share increased in handset antennas, unit shipments up by over 20% * Future of Newton Aycliffe now underpinned with agreements successfully completed * Cash fee for grant of sole licence and provision of certain intellectual property to BAE SYSTEMS being paid in its entirety in second half of current financial year * Auditors advise that revenue recognition must be accounted for over extended time frame * Method of accounting for revenue recognition at Newton Aycliffe has no impact on Group cash flow or trading operations * Market expectations for Group operating profit would have been exceeded but for method of accounting for revenue recognition Business segmental analysis Operating profit Sales before goodwill amortisation and impairment and share compensation Six months ended 30 November 2001 2000 2001 2000 £m £m £m £m Wireless infrastructure 99.6 103.9 14.0 13.2 Cellular handset products 23.6 23.2 5.3 3.9 Electronic warfare 13.7 11.4 (2.0) (0.1) Broadband access 8.0 4.1 (1.0) (1.5) Inter segment (2.7) (0.1) - - Central costs - - (2.4) (1.8) Excluding Compound semiconductors 142.2 142.5 13.9 13.7 Compound semiconductors 3.8 5.1 (7.8) (7.4) 146.0 147.6 6.1 6.3 Commenting in his Statement to shareholders, Professor David Rhodes, Executive Chairman, said: 'In summary, the Board is pleased with the progress made by the company since last year end. Filtronic has increased its market share in its two major businesses to become the clear world market leader, secured a strong position at the heart of 3G mobile infrastructure system supplies and successfully concluded the two Newton Aycliffe agreements. Further, the company has eliminated its short term borrowings, reduced its gearing and begun to build cash reserves. The Board remains convinced that the company's strategy of acquiring control over and investing in the key technologies for future communications systems will provide the best opportunity for sustained shareholder value in the medium and longer term.' Enquiries: Professor David Rhodes, Executive Chairman, Filtronic plc Mob: 07850 827280 John Samuel, Finance Director, Filtronic plc Mob: 07860 614145 Christopher Snowden, Director, Filtronic plc Tel: 01274 530622 Peter Binns/Paul Vann/Carole Butcher/Paul McManus, Binns & Co Tel: 020 7786 9600 Executive Chairman's Statement Interim financial results Sales and operating profit Sales for the six months ended 30 November 2001 were £146.0m (2000 £147.6m) and operating profit before goodwill amortisation and impairment and share compensation costs was £6.1m (2000 £6.3m). Change in expected accounting treatment of revenue recognition at Newton Aycliffe The sales and operating profit figures above do not benefit from the agreements signed on 30 November 2001 with BAE SYSTEMS Avionics Limited ('BAE SYSTEMS') and M/A-COM Inc. ('M/A-COM') in respect of Newton Aycliffe. In both the 2001 Annual Report which was issued on 30 July 2001 and the Trading Update which was issued on 3 December 2001, I made the following statement regarding the two agreements with BAE SYSTEMS and M/A-COM: 'The combined effect of these two agreements will be to improve the cash flow and reduce the losses of the Newton Aycliffe operation significantly such that Newton Aycliffe's impact on the financial results of the group as a whole for the year ending 31 May 2002 is likely to be immaterial'. The cash fee, which is in respect of the grant of a sole and irrevocable licence and the provision of certain intellectual property to BAE SYSTEMS, is being paid in its entirety in the second half of this financial year and is such that the statement above with regard to cash flow is unchanged. However, the nature of the BAE SYSTEMS agreement is such that our auditors have advised that the revenue recognition must be accounted for over an extended timeframe rather than wholly in the current financial year. As we are now unable to account for the initial revenue from this agreement in the anticipated manner, the effect is that the costs of running Newton Aycliffe will now have a material effect on the profit and loss account of the group for the year ending 31 May 2002. These running costs remain at approximately £1m per month. In respect of these interim results, market expectations for operating profit before goodwill were approximately £9.6m. This was after accounting for losses of about £2m for Newton Aycliffe, representing two months' running costs. By being unable to recognize any part of the BAE SYSTEMS fee in this accounting period, the effect is to charge an additional four months' running costs (£4m) to the profit and loss account. With this being taken into account, market estimates for operating profit before goodwill would have been of the order of £5.6m. This method of accounting for the revenue recognition at Newton Aycliffe has no impact whatsoever on the cash flow or trading operations of the company. Other profit and loss account items After charging goodwill amortisation of £2.7m, share compensation costs of £1.0m, net interest payable of £6.7m and a net currency exchange loss of £0.2m, the loss before taxation was £4.5m (2000 £2.5m loss). After taxation charges of £1.4m relating to our Finnish operations, the loss was £5.9m (2000 £3.2m loss). The basic loss per share is 8.05p (2000 4.38p loss) and these figures are unchanged on a diluted basis. Dividend The Board is maintaining an interim dividend of 0.9p (2000 0.9p) per share payable on 1 April 2002 to shareholders on the register at 1 March 2002. Finance Cash generation in the six months 30 November 2001 was £20m. This is after all of the Newton Aycliffe running costs. There was no cash received in the first half of the financial year as a result of the two Newton Aycliffe agreements nor were any government grants received in the period. At 30 November 2001, Filtronic had a cash balance of £11.2m and was not using any of its £31m bank overdraft facility. Borrowings totalled £117m at the half year point, comprising £116m ($170m) of 10% Senior Notes due 1 December 2005, net of £3m of deferred debt issue costs, and £1m of other long term debt. Operations The segmental analysis of the business is as follows: Operating profit Sales before goodwill amortisation and impairment and share compensation Six months ended 30 November 2001 2000 2001 2000 £m £m £m £m Wireless infrastructure 99.6 103.9 14.0 13.2 Cellular handset products 23.6 23.2 5.3 3.9 Electronic warfare 13.7 11.4 (2.0) (0.1) Broadband access 8.0 4.1 (1.0) (1.5) Inter segment (2.7) (0.1) - - Central costs - - (2.4) (1.8) Excluding Compound semiconductors 142.2 142.5 13.9 13.7 Compound semiconductors 3.8 5.1 (7.8) (7.4) 146.0 147.6 6.1 6.3 Our major business continues to be the supply of transmit/receive modules for mobile communications base stations where we supply several of the world's leading Original Equipment Manufacturers and where we are acknowledged as the world's leading independent supplier of such equipment. Throughout 2001, global demand for 2G and 2.5G equipment was weaker than in 2000. Nevertheless, Filtronic maintained business levels in these difficult trading conditions by increasing market share and programme position with our major customers. In the Cellular Handset Products business, sales levels were maintained even though there was a decline in year on year worldwide manufacture of cellular handsets. In unit terms, Filtronic's sales of handset antennas grew by over 20% as our market share increased and we are acknowledged as the world's leading supplier. Demand for ceramic diplexers for US TDMA mobile handsets continued at higher levels than expected and margins improved as a result. Although sales levels in the Electronic Warfare business improved compared to last year, margins were disappointing. Losses were incurred as technical problems on certain products in our UK business continued for longer than expected. Additionally, our US Electronic Warfare business has had to provide for a £0.5m doubtful debt. The Broadband Access business, which mainly supplies millimetre wave transceivers for point-to-point interconnections between mobile base stations, continued to increase sales and reduce losses. Central costs increased as we applied significantly more resources to the development of power amplifiers for the 3G mobile base station market. All of the sales for the Compound Semiconductor business segment arose from our facility at Santa Clara, California. This low level of activity, which is largely as a result of the depressed optical communications market, resulted in losses of £1.7m there. Outlook Initial shipments of 3G WCDMA equipment, comprising both transmit/receive modules and tower top amplifiers, for a major OEM customer in Europe began in the last quarter of 2001. Requirements for these products are expected to increase throughout 2002 so that operator forecasts for 3G system availability in the last quarter of 2002 can be achieved. In the short term, the Wireless Infrastructure business is expected to continue to outperform the market, independent of 3G deployment. Prospects for further growth in 3G systems with our existing products remain very strong. We expect to enhance these prospects with the introduction of our power amplifier products for 3G systems in due course. As expected, sales of ceramic diplexers for US TDMA handsets have now reduced to minimal levels. As a result short term growth in the Cellular Handset Products business segment will be difficult to achieve, although the strength of our handset antennas business should at least compensate for the reduced level of demand for ceramic diplexers. Shipments of the first products on the European Fighter Aircraft programme began in December and orders totalling more than £15m have now been booked. The related shipments will take place over the next five years. The Electronic Warfare business is expected to return to profitability in the second half of the current financial year. The Broadband Access business segment continues to make progress but profitability is not expected until low cost monolithic microwave integrated circuit design solutions can be brought into production volumes using the Newton Aycliffe facility. This is not expected to occur until next financial year. Having underpinned the future of the Newton Aycliffe site by concluding the agreements with M/A-COM and BAE SYSTEMS, progress can now be made towards achieving the main purpose of Newton Aycliffe, that is the production of high quality compound semiconductor devices for integration into Filtronic's own higher added value end products. Independently, levels of business arising from the M/A-COM agreement are expected to grow steadily throughout 2002 and beyond such that revenues from this strategic alliance should be sufficient to meet the running costs of Newton Aycliffe on a month to month basis by the end of next financial year. Trading conditions for the merchant compound semiconductor business at Santa Clara are expected to improve in the second half of the financial year. Together with the impact of recently implemented cost and overhead reductions, this should lead to an improved trading performance from that location. Summary In summary, the Board is pleased with the progress made by the company since last year end. Filtronic has increased its market share in its two major businesses to become the clear world market leader, secured a strong position at the heart of 3G mobile infrastructure system supplies and successfully concluded the two Newton Aycliffe agreements. Further, the company has eliminated its short term borrowings, reduced its gearing and begun to build cash reserves. The Board remains convinced that the company's strategy of acquiring control over and investing in the key technologies for future communications systems will provide the best opportunity for sustained shareholder value in the medium and longer term. Professor J D Rhodes CBE FRS FREng Executive Chairman 21 January 2002 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Unaudited 6 months Ended 30 November 2001 Excluding Compound Compound Semiconductors Semiconductors Total note £000 £000 £000 Sales 1, 2 142,196 3,792 145,988 Operating profit/(loss) before goodwill amortisation and impairment and share compensation 1, 2 13,922 (7,850) 6,072 Goodwill amortisation (1,930) (740) (2,670) Exceptional goodwill impairment - - - Share compensation (1,033) - (1,033) Operating profit/(loss) 1, 2 10,959 (8,590) 2,369 Net interest payable (6,656) Net financing currency exchange loss (236) (6,892) Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (4,523) Taxation (1,414) Loss on ordinary activities after taxation (5,937) Dividends (666) Deficit for the period (6,603) Adjusted loss per share Undiluted 3 (2.71)p Diluted 3 (2.71)p Loss per share Undiluted 3 (8.05)p Diluted 3 (8.05)p Dividend per share 0.90p CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Restated Unaudited 6 months Ended 30 November 2000 Excluding Compound Compound Semiconductors Semiconductors Total note £000 £000 £000 Sales 1, 2 142,484 5,101 14,585 Operating profit/(loss) before goodwill amortisation and impairment and share compensation 1, 2 13,777 (7,438) 6,339 Goodwill amortisation (1,485) (760) (2,245) Exceptional goodwill impairment - - - Share compensation (764) - (764) Operating profit/(loss) 1, 2 11,528 (8,198) 3,330 Net interest payable (5,781) Net financing currency exchange loss (72) (5,853) Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (2,523) Taxation (647) Loss on ordinary activities after taxation (3,170) Dividends (668) Deficit for the period (3,838) Adjusted loss per share Undiluted 3 (0.12)p Diluted 3 (0.12)p Loss per share Undiluted 3 (4.38)p Diluted 3 (4.38)p Dividend per share 0.90p CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Audited Year Ended 31 May 2001 Excluding Compound Compound Semiconductors Semiconductors Total note £000 £000 £000 Sales 1, 2 286,201 11,233 297,434 Operating profit/(loss) before goodwill amortisation and impairment and share compensation 1, 2 27,154 (14,930) 12,224 Goodwill amortisation (3,368) (1,516) (4,884) Exceptional goodwill impairment - (14,078) (14,078) Share compensation (2,293) - (2,293) Operating profit/(loss) 1, 2 21,493 (30,524) (9,031) Net interest payable (12,531) Net financing currency exchange gain 355 (12,196) Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (21,227) Taxation (1,564) Loss on ordinary activities after taxation (22,791) Dividends (1,994) Deficit for the period (24,785) Adjusted loss per share Undiluted 3 (2.56)p Diluted 3 (2.56)p Loss per share Undiluted 3 (31.24)p Diluted 3 (31.24)p Dividend per share 2.70p CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET Restated Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 November 30 November 31 May 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 53,021 72,388 54,673 Tangible assets 121,716 126,178 126,302 174,737 198,566 180,975 Current assets Stocks 42,789 54,284 51,274 Debtors 69,082 60,316 66,771 Cash 11,176 12,623 5,589 123,047 127,223 123,634 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Borrowings 139 9,812 14,430 Other creditors 41,652 45,306 41,094 41,791 55,118 55,524 Net current assets 81,256 72,105 68,110 Total assets less current liabilities 255,993 270,671 249,085 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year Borrowings 116,994 117,013 117,083 Deferred income 11,480 1,629 1,515 Net assets 127,519 152,029 130,487 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 7,388 7,340 7,365 Share premium account 135,444 132,829 132,932 Shares to be issued 6,145 6,087 7,616 Revaluation reserve 106 106 106 Profit and loss account (21,564) 5,667 (17,532) Equity shareholders' funds 127,519 152,029 130,487 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES Restated Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months Year Ended Ended Ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Loss on ordinary activities after taxation (5,937) (3,170) (22,791) Currency exchange movement arising on consolidation 2,224 5,553 3,047 Currency exchange movement on loan 347 (6,186) (5,932) Total recognised gains and losses (3,366) (3,803) (25,676) RECONCILIATION OF SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Restated Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months Year Ended Ended Ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Loss on ordinary activities after taxation (5,937) (3,170) (22,791) Dividends (666) (668) (1,994) Deficit for the period (6,603) (3,838) (24,785) Currency exchange movement arising on consolidation 2,224 5,553 3,047 Currency exchange movement on loan 347 (6,186) (5,932) Issue of shares 2,535 4,864 4,992 Shares to be issued - shares issued (2,504) - - - acquisition contingent consideration - 5,323 5,323 - share compensation 1,033 764 2,293 Movement in shareholders' funds (2,968) 6,480 (15,062) Opening shareholders' funds 130,487 145,549 145,549 Closing shareholders' funds 127,519 152,029 130,487 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months Year Ended Ended Ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2001 2000 2001 note £000 £000 £000 Net cash flow from operating activities A 33,744 2,509 7,522 Returns on investment and servicing of finance Net interest and finance costs paid (6,235) (5,360) (11,689) Tax paid (961) (3,190) (3,091) Capital expenditure Purchase of tangible fixed assets (5,550) (31,026) (40,982) Sale of tangible fixed assets 486 106 171 Government grants received - 480 480 Net cash flow from capital expenditure 5,064 (30,440) (40,331) Acquisitions Acquisition costs - (32) (118) Net cash acquired with subsidiary - 14 14 Net cash flow from acquisitions - (18) (104) Equity dividends paid (1,326) (1,303) (1,964) Net cash flow before financing 20,158 (37,802) (49,657) Financing Issue of shares 31 1,717 1,844 Capital element of finance lease payments - (111) (147) Loans repaid (132) (439) (567) Net cash flow from financing (101) 1,167 1,130 Increase/(decrease) in cash B 20,057 (36,635) (48,527) NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT A Reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) to net cash flow from operating activities Restated Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 Months 6 Months Year Ended Ended Ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Operating profit/(loss) 2,369 3,330 (9,031) Goodwill amortisation 2,670 2,245 4,884 Exceptional goodwill impairment - - 14,078 Share compensation 1,033 764 2,293 Depreciation 10,493 7,711 16,759 Loss/(profit) on sale of tangible fixed assets 167 (45) (70) Government grants released (35) (53) (167) Movement in stocks 8,743 (13,484) (10,642) Movement in debtors 8,203 2,582 (4,307) Movement in creditors 110 (541) (6,275) Net cash flow from operating activities 33,744 2,509 7,522 B Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 Months 6 Months Year Ended Ended Ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Increase/(decrease) in cash 20,057 (36,635) (48,527) Cash flow from debt 132 439 567 Cash flow from finance leases - 111 147 Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 20,189 (36,085) (47,813) Loan acquired with subsidiary - (300) (300) Debt issue costs amortisation (421) (421) (842) Currency exchange movement 199 (6,089) (5,662) Movement in net debt in the period 19,967 (42,895) (54,617) Opening net debt (125,924) (71,307) (71,307) Closing net debt (105,957) (114,202) (125,924) NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1 Geographical segment analysis Restated Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 Months 6 Months Year Ended Ended Ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Sales United Kingdom 59,576 57,046 114,030 Finland 32,433 30,159 54,223 United States of America 50,201 61,129 118,946 Australia 7,221 4,237 17,774 China 6,264 5,559 12,448 Inter segment (9,707) (10,545) (19,987) 145,988 147,585 297,434 Operating profit/(loss) before goodwill amortisation and impairment and share compensation United Kingdom 730 1,297 1,961 Finland 4,891 3,290 3,915 United States of America 244 3,524 6,209 Australia 588 (540) 2,315 China 2,015 590 1,649 Central costs (2,396) (1,822) (3,825) 6,072 6,339 12,224 Operating profit/(loss) United Kingdom 730 1,297 1,961 Finland 3,961 2,380 2,147 United States of America (2,529) 1,425 (13,278) Australia 588 (540) 2,315 China 2,015 590 1,649 Central Costs (2,396) (1,822) (3,825) 2,369 3,330 (9,031) NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION 2 Business segment analysis Restated Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 Months 6 Months Year Ended Ended Ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Sales Wireless infrastructure 99,541 103,895 207,777 Cellular handset products 23,632 23,156 42,174 Electronic warfare 13,745 11,424 25,728 Broadband access 7,997 4,146 11,273 Inter segment (2,719) (137) (751) Excluding compound semiconductors 142,196 142,484 286,201 Compound semiconductors 3,792 5,101 11,233 145,988 147,585 297,434 Operating profit/(loss) before goodwill amortisation and impairment and share compensation Wireless infrastructure 14,003 13,280 27,212 Cellular handset products 5,303 3,927 6,979 Electronic warfare (1,998) (125) (443) Broadband access (990) (1,483) (2,769) Central costs (2,396) (1,822) (3,825) Excluding compound semiconductors 13,922 13,777 27,154 Compound semiconductors (7,850) (7,438) (14,930) 6,072 6,339 12,224 Operating profit/(loss) Wireless infrastructure 14,003 13,280 27,212 Cellular handset products 4,373 3,017 5,211 Electronic warfare (2,123) (252) (698) Broadband access (2,898) (2,695) (6,407) Central costs (2,396) (1,822) (3,825) Excluding compound semiconductors 10,959 11,528 21,493 Compound semiconductors (8,590) (8,198) (30,524) 2,369 3,330 (9,031) NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION 3 Loss per share Restated Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 Months 6 Months Year Ended Ended Ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2001 2000 2001 Adjusted loss per share (2.71)p (0.12)p (2.56)p Effect of adjusted items net of taxation (5.34)p (4.26)p (28.68)p Basic loss per share (8.05)p (4.38)p (31.24)p Adjusted diluted loss per share (2.71)p (0.12)p (2.56)p Effect of adjusted items net of taxation (5.34)p (4.26)p (28.68)p Diluted loss per share (8.05)p (4.38)p (31.24)p £000 £000 £000 Adjusted loss (1,998) (89) (1,871) Goodwill amortisation (2,670) (2,245) (4,884) Exceptional goodwill impairment - - (14,078) Share compensation (1,033) (764) (2,293) Net financing currency exchange (loss)/gain (236) (72) 335 Loss on ordinary activities after taxation (5,937) (3,170) (22,791) Weighted average number of shares 73,760,593 72,411,415 72,962,735 Dilution effect of share options - - - Dilution effect of contingently issuable shares - - - Diluted weighted average number of shares 73,760,593 72,411,415 72,962,735 4 Restatement of comparative period ended 30 November 2000 The interim financial information for the comparative period ended 30 November 2000 has been restated. The impact is to increase the loss on ordinary activities before and after taxation for the period ended 30 November 2000 by £1,035,000. At 30 November 2000, the intangible assets balance is reduced by £5,481,000, and the shares to be issued reserve is reduced by £4,194,000. The accounting treatment adopted in the restatement is consistent with that adopted in the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2001, whereby an element of the previously reported purchase consideration in respect of the acquisition of Sigtek, Inc. has now been treated as share compensation expense. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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Filtronic (FTC)
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