.
Overview Q1 2017:
In the first quarter of 2017, net income was €6.3 million (Q1 2016: €18.8 million). Earnings per share thus amounted to €0.17 (Q1 2016: €0.54). Despite the decline in sales, SMA generated high operating cash flows of €41.6 million (Q1 2016: €55.5 million) and further increased its high liquidity reserve. Net cash rose to €413.1 million (December 31, 2016: €362.0 million). The equity ratio slightly increased to 49.5% (December 31, 2016: 48.3%). As a result, SMA still has a highly solid balance-sheet structure. A long-term credit line of €100 million from domestic banks underscores SMA’s investment-grade credit rating.
“The first quarter of 2017 was shaped by high price pressure in all markets and segments in addition to poor weather conditions on key sales markets,” explained SMA CEO Pierre-Pascal Urbon. “At the same time, incoming orders developed extremely positively in the first quarter, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4. As of March 31, 2017, SMA had an order backlog of around €626 million, of which roughly €232 million was attributable to the product business. Sales and the order backlog in the first three months correspond to approximately half of the Managing Board’s annual sales forecast. In addition, we will roll out other cost-optimized products and solutions on international photovoltaic markets in the coming months and present innovative solutions, including solutions for comprehensive and fully automatic energy management across various sectors, to our customers at leading trade fairs in the near future. This is why we expect to significantly improve our business performance in the second half of the year despite continued high price pressure.”
In light of the high order backlog, the SMA Managing Board confirms its sales and earnings forecast for the 2017 fiscal year published on January 26, 2017. The forecast anticipates sales of €830 million to €900 million and EBITDA of €70 million to €90 million. Net cash will amount to between €400 million and €450 million due to high operating cash flow.
You can find the quarterly statement for January to March 2017 at www.SMA.de/IR/FinancialReports.
Disclaimer:
This press release serves only as information and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for, acquire, hold or sell any securities of SMA Solar Technology AG (the “Company”) or any present or future subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the “SMA Group”) nor should it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the Company or any member of the SMA Group or commitment whatsoever. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This press release can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments.
Overview Q1 2017:
- 1.7 GW inverter output sold (Q1 2016: 2.1 GW)
- Sales at €173.2 million (Q1 2016: €248.1 million) and EBITDA at €15.9 million (Q1 2016: €41.3 million) in line with the Managing Board’s forecast
- High operating cash flow of €41.6 million (Q1 2016: €55.5 million)
- Financial stability thanks to solid equity ratio of 49.5% (December 31, 2016: 48.3%) and high net cash of €413.1 million (December 31, 2016: €362.0 million)
- High order backlog of €626 million, of which €232 million is attributable to the product business
- Managing Board confirms its sales and earnings forecast for fiscal year 2017
In the first quarter of 2017, net income was €6.3 million (Q1 2016: €18.8 million). Earnings per share thus amounted to €0.17 (Q1 2016: €0.54). Despite the decline in sales, SMA generated high operating cash flows of €41.6 million (Q1 2016: €55.5 million) and further increased its high liquidity reserve. Net cash rose to €413.1 million (December 31, 2016: €362.0 million). The equity ratio slightly increased to 49.5% (December 31, 2016: 48.3%). As a result, SMA still has a highly solid balance-sheet structure. A long-term credit line of €100 million from domestic banks underscores SMA’s investment-grade credit rating.
“The first quarter of 2017 was shaped by high price pressure in all markets and segments in addition to poor weather conditions on key sales markets,” explained SMA CEO Pierre-Pascal Urbon. “At the same time, incoming orders developed extremely positively in the first quarter, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4. As of March 31, 2017, SMA had an order backlog of around €626 million, of which roughly €232 million was attributable to the product business. Sales and the order backlog in the first three months correspond to approximately half of the Managing Board’s annual sales forecast. In addition, we will roll out other cost-optimized products and solutions on international photovoltaic markets in the coming months and present innovative solutions, including solutions for comprehensive and fully automatic energy management across various sectors, to our customers at leading trade fairs in the near future. This is why we expect to significantly improve our business performance in the second half of the year despite continued high price pressure.”
In light of the high order backlog, the SMA Managing Board confirms its sales and earnings forecast for the 2017 fiscal year published on January 26, 2017. The forecast anticipates sales of €830 million to €900 million and EBITDA of €70 million to €90 million. Net cash will amount to between €400 million and €450 million due to high operating cash flow.
You can find the quarterly statement for January to March 2017 at www.SMA.de/IR/FinancialReports.
Disclaimer:
This press release serves only as information and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for, acquire, hold or sell any securities of SMA Solar Technology AG (the “Company”) or any present or future subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the “SMA Group”) nor should it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the Company or any member of the SMA Group or commitment whatsoever. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This press release can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments.
