First nine months
* Net sales for the first nine months increased with 2 % reaching SEK 295 m
(289), corresponding to a 1 % increase in local currencies
* Operating profit reached SEK 57 m (62), equal to a 20 % (22) operating
margin
* Order intake for the first nine months increased with 6 % to SEK 325 m (305)
corresponding to a 6 % increase in local currencies
* Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 63 m (41)
* Profit after taxes totaled SEK 42 m (46) and result per share amounted to
SEK 3.78 (4.13)
* Net sales for the last twelve months amounted to SEK 389 m (80)
corresponding to a 2 % increase in local currencies. Operating result
amounted to SEK 67 m (82) corresponding to a 17% (22) operating margin
Third quarter
* Net sales for the third quarter reached SEK 99 m (101) corresponding to a 2
% decrease and operating result reached SEK 23 m (24)
* Order intake during the third quarter was SEK 95 m (108)
Comments from the CEO
During the period we could see a mixed picture of the HMS markets with a
relatively good North American market continuing its positive development to new
record levels. We noticed a slow down on the European market during the period.
The Japanese market is still irregular. Together the market is still cautious
with uncertain conditions and we expect our customers will remain cautious until
market conditions are more stable. Due to this situation and the strength of the
Swedish currency HMS is now in a period of weaker growth.
HMS shows stability in reported figures and its financial position. With a focus
on cost control we can now report at operating margin at 20 %, which is in line
with our long term goal for profitability. This in combination with a continued
in flow of design-wins means that we will continue with our long term strategic
plan. The development of new technical platforms in the area of Safety and our
new embedded platform continues according to plan.
During the period HMS signed an important blanket agreement within Telecom
applications for our Remote Management solution. This product is now close to a
market break through and we expect to see exciting market opportunities in this
area in the future.
Our market is still difficult to predict in the near future, which means that we
will continue to balance our long term growth strategy with a cautious approach
to our expansion of costs.
Halmstad October 23, 2012
Staffan Dahlström
Chief Executive Officer
Further information can be obtained from: CEO Staffan Dahlström, telephone +46
(0) 35-17 29 01 or CFO Gunnar Högberg, telephone +46 (0) 35-17 29 95. See also:
http://investors.hms.se
HMS Networks (publ) is a world-leading supplier of communication technology for
industrial automation. Sales for 2011 totaled SEK 384 million. Over 90% of these
sales were to customers located outside Sweden. All product development and
parts of the manufacturing are performed at the head office in Halmstad. Sales
offices are located in Tokyo, Beijing, Karlsruhe, Chicago, Milan, Mulhouse,
Pune, Coventry and Copenhagen. HMS has 240 employees and produces network
interface cards and Gateways to interconnect different networks under the
trademark Anybus® and products for remote management under the trademark
Netbiter®. HMS is listed on the Nasdaq OMX Stocholm Small Cap list, in the
Information Technology sector.
[HUG#1651286]
