21/08/2012
Basler reports positive results
Ahrensburg, Germany
The group's key figures for the reporting period were still below the strong figures for the previous year. This is due to the ongoing weak demand for new industrial goods in the LCD industry that is catered to by the smaller solutions business segment. Incoming orders for the group in the first half-year of 2012 decreased slightly compared to the previous year by 5%, reaching € 28.7 million (previous year: € 30.2 million), while orders in the core business with digital cameras reached a new record value. Sales amounted to € 25.2 million in the reporting period which is 10 % below the previous year's figure of € 28.1 million. Sales in the components segment reached a new record value while revenues in the solutions segment declined significantly. Earnings before taxes (EBT) added up to € 2.2 million in the first half-year of 2012 compared to the previous year of € 3.3 million.
The pre-tax margin amounted to 9 % (previous year: 12 %) and was above the company's forecast corridor. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to € 2.6 million (previous year: € 4.0 million). The operating cash flow in the reporting period was € 3.3 million (previous year: € 4.5 million). Cash and cash equivalents summed up to € 3.1 million at the end of the reporting period (previous year: € 6.8 million).
Based on better than planned results for the first half-year and being confident of reaching goals for the second half-year, the company has increased its forecast for sales and profit for 2012. Basler now expects the revenues within a corridor of 52 to 54 million Euros (previously 50 to 54 million Euros) and a pre-tax (EBT) margin of 8 to 9 % (previously 6 to 8%).