ce CONSUMER ELECTRONIC AG
ce Consumer Electronic AG english
ce CONSUMER ELECTRONIC detaches itself clearly from semiconductor crisis
Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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ce CONSUMER ELECTRONIC detaches itself clearly from semiconductor crisis
Third quarter EBITDA positive, despite worldwide economic slump
– Increase in sales in the first 9 months 106 percent at 613.8 Mio. DEM
– Revenue forecast for 2001 to continue by at least 700 Mio. DEM
– EBITDA after 9 months clearly positive at 13.73 Mio. DEM
– EBIT (after goodwill) after 9 months still positive at 2.69 Mio. DEM despite
one-off profit slump in the third quarter
– Increased incoming orders in October indicate possible change in market trend
Munich, November 13, 2001. Despite the expected profit slump in the third
quarter due to the terrorist attacks and the recessive economic situation
worldwide, particularly in the USA, the second largest chip brokerage company in
the world can detach itself to a large extent from the largest worldwide
crisis in the chip industry.
During the first nine months of the current fiscal year 2001, ce CONSUMER
ELECTRONIC group revenues more than doubled, from 298.1 Mio. DEM to 613.8 Mio.
DEM compared to last year. Fortunately, the company is one of very few in the
semiconductor industry which continues to remain in the black and achieved a
positive EBIT of 2.69 Mio. DEM (previous year 18.80 Mio. DEM). The result
before taxes, interest and depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to 13.73 Mio. DEM
(previous year 21.66 Mio. DEM).
During the third quarter 2001, ce group registered a positive EBITDA of 0.28
Mio. DEM despite the weakness of the worldwide economic situation and
particularly the American Market. EBIT was negative at 4,36 Mio. DEM.
The outlook for the chip market currently shows a first positive trend. In
October, the company recorded a very satisfying order development. In addition
to the world-wide increase of investments in safety technology, the
semiconductor-dependent industries i.e. automotive and wireless
telecommunications shaped up better than expected. Additional demand is also to
be seen in the armaments industry.
end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 13.11.2001
Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement:
ce CONSUMER ELECTRONIC is cautious optimistic about the entire year 2001. If
there are to be no further disturbances in the world-political climate, and no
lasting deterioration of the economic situation worldwide, the slight upward
tendency of the chip industry, which is a traditional early indicator for the
future economic development, could increase to a market upswing.
The company is sticking to its revenue forecast of at least 700 Mio. DEM and a
positive EBITDA-result with positive cash flow. In the case of an attractive
year-end business,
-especially in the United States- the company does not rule out a stable
operational group result.
The company expects a distinct increase in demand on the semiconductor markets
for the year 2002 and as a result a positive development in revenue and earnings
for the group.
In addition, the chairman of the board, Erich J. Lejeune stated: ‘If the
Christmas business should take off in the U.S., we will see a stable fourth
quarter. The coming year 2002 will be the starting signal for a worldwide
recovery in the semiconductor industry.’
ce CONSUMER ELECTRONIC will release a detailed report via Internet
(http://www.consumer.de) covering the first nine months of fiscal 2001 on
November 13, 2001. This will be accompanied by a conference call at 02.00 pm CET
which will also be transmitted live on the Internet. For details see
www.consumer.de Additionally we will provide the chance to everybody interested
to chat with board members on the Internet at 06.00 pm CET. To participate
please visit www.consumer.de
End of press release
After the successful closing of the acquisition of chip broker and IT-
distributor SND Electronics Inc., USA, effective August 29, 2001 ce CONSUMER
ELECTRONIC (http://www.consumer.de) advanced to second largest chip broker
world-wide. In fiscal 2000 revenues were DEM 556 million. For the first half of
fiscal 2001, which ended June 30, the company showed revenues of DEM 433
million. The group has subsidiaries in Europe as well as in the US, Latin
America, Japan, Hong Kong and Australia. As of September 30, 2001 ce-group
counted 407 employees.
Contact at ce CONSUMER ELECTRONIC AG:
Maximilian Fischer
Head of Investor Relations
& Financial Communications
Tel.: +49 (89) 9971 1900
Fax: +49 (89) 9971 1010
maximilian.fischer@consumer.de
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WKN: 508220; Index: NEMAX 50
Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf,
Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart
130715 Nov 01