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22.05.2024 07:45:49 - dpa-AFX: EQS-News: Viscom AG feels the effects of investment restraint in the first quarter and makes a cautious start to the 2024 financial year (english)
Viscom AG feels the effects of investment restraint in the first quarter and
makes a cautious start to the 2024 financial year
EQS-News: Viscom AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results
Viscom AG feels the effects of investment restraint in the first quarter and
makes a cautious start to the 2024 financial year
22.05.2024 / 07:45 CET/CEST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Viscom AG feels the effects of investment restraint in the first quarter and
makes a cautious start to the 2024 financial year
Incoming orders: EUR 18,625 thousand (previous year: EUR 35,157 thousand); -47.0
%
Order backlog: EUR 28,949 thousand (previous year: EUR 46,026 thousand); -37.1 %
Revenue: EUR 18,628 thousand (previous year: EUR 23,615 thousand); -21.1 %
EBIT: EUR -2,382 thousand (previous year: EUR 232 thousand)
Hanover, 22 May 2024 - The business development of Viscom AG (ISIN
DE0007846867) was already noticeably clouded in the second half of 2023 due
to an increasing reluctance to invest on the part of customers. This
weakness continued and intensified in the first quarter of 2024. The current
weak demand in the markets had a negative impact on incoming orders
totalling EUR 18,625 thousand (previous year: EUR 35,157 thousand). Customers
therefore placed with Viscom AG around 47 % fewer orders than in the
previous year. At EUR 18,628 thousand, revenue in the first quarter of 2024
was around 21 % below the comparable figure for the previous year (previous
year: EUR 23,615 thousand). The result from operating activities (EBIT) was
significantly impacted by the low total operating performance and totalled EUR
-2,382 thousand in the first three months of the current financial year
(previous year: EUR 232 thousand).
Demand for inspection systems from the mechanical engineering company based
in Lower Saxony increased again over the course of the first quarter of
2024. There has been a significant increase in customer visits and customer
demonstrations at the Hanover site. Many very specific projects are already
being discussed with Viscom customers in all regions worldwide. Viscom AG is
therefore cautiously optimistic that the current situation will ease in the
second half of 2024 and that customers will resume their projects and place
orders with Viscom AG. In addition, dependence on the automotive sector has
been reduced in recent years. Viscom has managed to position itself also in
other growth markets such as battery production, consumer electronics and
the back-end of semiconductor production. Thanks to this diversification,
Viscom believes it is well positioned in the 2024 financial year to
compensate for fluctuations in demand in individual sectors. Megatrends such
as electrification, automation and digitalisation also offer good
opportunities for growth in new areas for Viscom in the coming years.
Group-wide measures were already introduced at the beginning of 2024 in
order to master the current situation while preserving liquidity.
Investments that were not immediately necessary were halted or require an
individual assessment by the Executive Board of Viscom AG. In addition, all
material costs were reviewed and potential savings realised in the first
quarter of 2024. Expenses for trade fairs and non-revenue-related travel
were reduced. A works agreement was also concluded at the Hanover site in
close consultation with the Works Council, which provides for the
introduction of short-time working from 1 March 2024 and will initially
continue until the end of May 2024. As part of this package of measures, the
dividend is also to be reduced. The Annual General Meeting of Viscom AG on
29 May 2024 will be asked to approve the payment of a dividend of EUR 0.05 per
dividend-bearing share for the 2023 financial year. The proposal to pay a
reduced dividend for the 2023 financial year and to carry forward the
remaining amount in full to new account is intended to ensure that Viscom
AG's financial and liquidity position remains stable. The Group's
fundamental dividend policy of distributing at least 50 % of consolidated
net profit for the period remains unaffected.
Even though the current situation is gloomy, the management of Viscom AG
remains cautiously optimistic about the 2024 financial year and confirms the
annual forecast already set for the 2024 financial year with incoming orders
and target revenue of EUR 100 million to 110 million, with an EBIT-Margin of
between 3 % and 8 %. This corresponds to EBIT of between EUR 3.0 million and EUR
8.8 million.
The Group interim report as at 31 March 2024 is available for download now
in the Investor Relations section of the website at www.viscom.com.
OPERATING FIGURES
SEGMENT INFORMATION
About Viscom
Viscom AG develops, manufactures and sells high-quality inspection systems.
Its product range covers the full range of optical inspection and X-ray
inspection. The company is a leading global provider in the field of
assembly inspection for electronics manufacturing. Viscom's systems can be
configured for each individual customer and networked. Its headquarters and
manufacturing site are in Hanover. With a large network of branches,
application centres, service centres and representatives, Viscom is
represented all over the world. Established in 1984, Viscom AG has been
listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2006 (ISIN: DE0007846867).
Further information can be found at www.viscom.com.
Any forecasts, expectations or statements concerning the future included in
this release may be subject to risk or uncertainty. We therefore cannot
guarantee that the expectations will prove correct. Actual results and
developments may differ significantly from the expectations and assumptions
expressed. The factors that could cause such deviations include changes in
the general economic and competitive situation, exchange rate and interest
rate fluctuations and changes in national and international law. The company
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements in this
release.
Contact:
Viscom AG
Investor Relations
Sandra M. Liedtke
Carl-Buderus-Str. 9-15
30455 Hannover
Tel.: +49-511-94996-791
Fax: +49-511-94996-555
investor.relations@viscom.de
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.05.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS
News - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Archive at www.eqs-news.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of News EQS News Service
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1908151 22.05.2024 CET/CEST
makes a cautious start to the 2024 financial year
EQS-News: Viscom AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results
Viscom AG feels the effects of investment restraint in the first quarter and
makes a cautious start to the 2024 financial year
22.05.2024 / 07:45 CET/CEST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Viscom AG feels the effects of investment restraint in the first quarter and
makes a cautious start to the 2024 financial year
Incoming orders: EUR 18,625 thousand (previous year: EUR 35,157 thousand); -47.0
%
Order backlog: EUR 28,949 thousand (previous year: EUR 46,026 thousand); -37.1 %
Revenue: EUR 18,628 thousand (previous year: EUR 23,615 thousand); -21.1 %
EBIT: EUR -2,382 thousand (previous year: EUR 232 thousand)
Hanover, 22 May 2024 - The business development of Viscom AG (ISIN
DE0007846867) was already noticeably clouded in the second half of 2023 due
to an increasing reluctance to invest on the part of customers. This
weakness continued and intensified in the first quarter of 2024. The current
weak demand in the markets had a negative impact on incoming orders
totalling EUR 18,625 thousand (previous year: EUR 35,157 thousand). Customers
therefore placed with Viscom AG around 47 % fewer orders than in the
previous year. At EUR 18,628 thousand, revenue in the first quarter of 2024
was around 21 % below the comparable figure for the previous year (previous
year: EUR 23,615 thousand). The result from operating activities (EBIT) was
significantly impacted by the low total operating performance and totalled EUR
-2,382 thousand in the first three months of the current financial year
(previous year: EUR 232 thousand).
Demand for inspection systems from the mechanical engineering company based
in Lower Saxony increased again over the course of the first quarter of
2024. There has been a significant increase in customer visits and customer
demonstrations at the Hanover site. Many very specific projects are already
being discussed with Viscom customers in all regions worldwide. Viscom AG is
therefore cautiously optimistic that the current situation will ease in the
second half of 2024 and that customers will resume their projects and place
orders with Viscom AG. In addition, dependence on the automotive sector has
been reduced in recent years. Viscom has managed to position itself also in
other growth markets such as battery production, consumer electronics and
the back-end of semiconductor production. Thanks to this diversification,
Viscom believes it is well positioned in the 2024 financial year to
compensate for fluctuations in demand in individual sectors. Megatrends such
as electrification, automation and digitalisation also offer good
opportunities for growth in new areas for Viscom in the coming years.
Group-wide measures were already introduced at the beginning of 2024 in
order to master the current situation while preserving liquidity.
Investments that were not immediately necessary were halted or require an
individual assessment by the Executive Board of Viscom AG. In addition, all
material costs were reviewed and potential savings realised in the first
quarter of 2024. Expenses for trade fairs and non-revenue-related travel
were reduced. A works agreement was also concluded at the Hanover site in
close consultation with the Works Council, which provides for the
introduction of short-time working from 1 March 2024 and will initially
continue until the end of May 2024. As part of this package of measures, the
dividend is also to be reduced. The Annual General Meeting of Viscom AG on
29 May 2024 will be asked to approve the payment of a dividend of EUR 0.05 per
dividend-bearing share for the 2023 financial year. The proposal to pay a
reduced dividend for the 2023 financial year and to carry forward the
remaining amount in full to new account is intended to ensure that Viscom
AG's financial and liquidity position remains stable. The Group's
fundamental dividend policy of distributing at least 50 % of consolidated
net profit for the period remains unaffected.
Even though the current situation is gloomy, the management of Viscom AG
remains cautiously optimistic about the 2024 financial year and confirms the
annual forecast already set for the 2024 financial year with incoming orders
and target revenue of EUR 100 million to 110 million, with an EBIT-Margin of
between 3 % and 8 %. This corresponds to EBIT of between EUR 3.0 million and EUR
8.8 million.
The Group interim report as at 31 March 2024 is available for download now
in the Investor Relations section of the website at www.viscom.com.
OPERATING FIGURES
Consolidated statement of 1 Jan. to 31 1 Jan. to 31
comprehensive income Mar. 2024 Mar. 2023
Revenue K- 18,628 23,615
EUR
EBIT K- -2,382 232
EUR
EBIT-Margin % -12.8 1.0
Net profit for the period K- -1,947 -111
EUR
Earnings per share EUR -0.22 0.00
Employees at end of quarter 597 578
Consolidated statement of 31 Mar. 2024 31 Dec. 2023
financial position
Assets
Current assets K- 80,716 94,276
EUR
Non-current assets K- 31,720 31,736
EUR
Total assets K- 112,436 126,012
EUR
Equity and liabilities
Current liabilities K- 41,243 51,454
EUR
Non-current liabilities K- 12,748 14,305
EUR
Equity K- 58,445 60,253
EUR
Total equity and liabilities K- 112,436 126,012
EUR
Equity ratio % 52.0 47.8
Consolidated statement of cash 1 Jan. to 31 1 Jan. to 31
flows Mar. 2024 Mar. 2023
Cash flow from operating K- 9,111 4,637
activities EUR
Cash flow from investing K- -1,303 -1,031
activities EUR
Cash flow from financing K- -1,415 -1,191
activities EUR
Cash and cash equivalents K- -18,708 -15,518
EUR
SEGMENT INFORMATION
1 Jan. to 31 Mar. 1 Jan. to 31 Mar.
2024 2023
EUROPE
Revenue K- 11,523 12,947
EUR
EBIT K- -2,370 429
EUR
EBIT-Margin % -20.6 3.3
AMERICAS
Revenue K- 3,309 2,737
EUR
EBIT K- 169 -144
EUR
EBIT-Margin % 5.1 -5.3
ASIA
Revenue K- 3,796 7,931
EUR
EBIT K- -409 393
EUR
EBIT-Margin % -10.8 5.0
EBIT consolidation K- 228 -446
differences EUR
About Viscom
Viscom AG develops, manufactures and sells high-quality inspection systems.
Its product range covers the full range of optical inspection and X-ray
inspection. The company is a leading global provider in the field of
assembly inspection for electronics manufacturing. Viscom's systems can be
configured for each individual customer and networked. Its headquarters and
manufacturing site are in Hanover. With a large network of branches,
application centres, service centres and representatives, Viscom is
represented all over the world. Established in 1984, Viscom AG has been
listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2006 (ISIN: DE0007846867).
Further information can be found at www.viscom.com.
Any forecasts, expectations or statements concerning the future included in
this release may be subject to risk or uncertainty. We therefore cannot
guarantee that the expectations will prove correct. Actual results and
developments may differ significantly from the expectations and assumptions
expressed. The factors that could cause such deviations include changes in
the general economic and competitive situation, exchange rate and interest
rate fluctuations and changes in national and international law. The company
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements in this
release.
Contact:
Viscom AG
Investor Relations
Sandra M. Liedtke
Carl-Buderus-Str. 9-15
30455 Hannover
Tel.: +49-511-94996-791
Fax: +49-511-94996-555
investor.relations@viscom.de
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.05.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS
News - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Archive at www.eqs-news.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Language: English
Company: Viscom AG
Carl-Buderus-Str. 9-15
30455 Hannover
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 511 94 996 791
Fax: +49 (0) 511 94 996 555
E-mail: investor.relations@viscom.de
Internet: www.viscom.com
ISIN: DE0007846867
WKN: 784686
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard),
Hanover; Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin,
Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange
EQS News ID: 1908151
End of News EQS News Service
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1908151 22.05.2024 CET/CEST
| Name | WKN | Börse | Kurs | Datum/Zeit | Diff. | Diff. % | Geld | Brief | Erster | Schluss | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
VISCOM AG O.N. | 784686 | Frankfurt | 4,610 | 03.06.24 08:24:54 | -0,120 | -2,54% | 4,720 | 5,300 | 4,610 | 4,730 |
