GENEVA, July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STMicroelectronics reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended July 1, 2006.
Revenues, Gross Profit, and Margin Review
Net revenues for the second quarter were $2,495 million, 15.4% above the $2,162 million reported in last year's second quarter. This year-over-year growth was driven by double-digit increases in telecom, notably wireless, computer, and the industrial market segments. Sequentially, net revenues grew 5.6% from the $2,364 million reported in the prior quarter. This sequential sales growth performance was broad based, led by the industrial market segment which increased at a double-digit rate.
Gross profit was $882 million for the 2006 second quarter, an increase of $168 million from $714 million in last year's second quarter. Gross margin was 35.4% in the second quarter, an increase of 240 basis points from 33.0% in last year's second quarter. On a sequential basis, gross profit increased from the first quarter level of $837 million with the gross margin unchanged at 35.4%.
Operating Expenses
Combined selling, general, & administrative and research & development expenses represented 27.0% of net revenues in the second quarter, compared to 31.4% in the year-ago quarter and 28.1% in the first quarter of 2006. R&D expenses of $408 million in the second quarter were essentially flat with the $409 million in the prior quarter while SG&A expenses were $266 million for the 2006 second quarter compared to $256 million in the first quarter of 2006.
Operating Income, Net Income, and Earnings per Share
Operating income, net income, and earnings per share all increased significantly in comparison to the year-ago period. For the 2006 second quarter, the Company reported operating income of $169 million and net income of $168 million, or $0.18 per diluted share. In the year-ago quarter, the Company reported operating income of $12 million and net income of $26 million or $0.03 per share. In the prior quarter, the Company reported operating income of $140 million and net income of $132 million or $0.14 per diluted share.
The Company posted $34 million of impairment, restructuring charges, and other related closure costs during the 2006 second quarter mainly related to workforce reduction, representing an after-tax impact of approximately $0.03 per share. In the prior quarter, restructuring-related expenses were $13 million, or $0.01 per share after-tax and $22 million, or $0.02 per share after-tax in the year-ago quarter.
In the second quarter of 2006, the effective average exchange rate for the Company was approximately $1.23 to Euro 1, compared to $1.20 to Euro 1 in the first quarter of 2006 and $1.30 to Euro 1 in the year-ago quarter. The Company's effective exchange rate reflects actual exchange rate levels combined with the impact of hedging programs.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Highlights
Net cash from operating activities in the second quarter of 2006 was $800 million compared to $577 million in the prior quarter. Capital expenditures were $399 million in the 2006 second quarter and $696 million for the first half, compared to $363 million and $927 million in the 2005 similar periods, respectively. Net operating cash flow* was $241 million for the second quarter, compared to $23 million in the year-ago quarter, and $187 million in the prior quarter. In the first half of 2006, ST had $428 million in net operating cash flow compared to $-193 million in the 2005 first half.
At July 1, 2006, ST's cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and short-term deposits grew to $3.9 billion and total debt was $3.4 billion. Net financial position** improved by approximately $139 million sequentially to a net cash position of $539 million after payment of $107 million in dividends. Shareholders' equity was $9.1 billion at July 1, 2006.
(*) Net operating cash flow is defined as net cash from operating activities ($800 million in the second quarter of 2006) minus net cash used in investing activities excluding payments for purchase of and proceeds from the sale of marketable securities and short-term deposits ($559 million in the second quarter of 2006). (**) Net financial position is defined as cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and short-term deposits ($3,895 million) minus total debt (bank overdrafts $0 million + current portion of long-term debt $1,503 million + long-term debt $1,853 million). President and CEO Remarks
Carlo Bozotti, President and CEO, commented, "ST delivered strong revenue and earnings improvements in the second quarter and first half of the year. Revenue in the first half of 2006 rose 14.4% versus the year-ago period, compared to preliminary industry growth estimates of about 9%, demonstrating that ST is gaining market share due to both an expanding customer base and the increasing strength of our product offerings. We will continue improving the competitiveness of our product portfolio throughout the remainder of this year, with important additional design wins in all market segments.
"In combination, our favorable revenue results, enhanced by cost-saving initiatives, enabled ST to deliver in the quarter strong growth in net income of over $140 million year over year and approximately 28% sequentially. Importantly, all product group segments' operating margins improved sequentially and year over year. The sequential increase in operating income before restructuring, along with some expansion in asset turns thanks to disciplined capital spending, resulted in a second quarter RONA approaching 10%.
"Moreover, our second quarter key financial metrics of earnings per share before restructuring increased to $0.21 from $0.05 a year ago, while first half 2006 net operating cash flow reached $428 million. We expect continuing improvements in earnings per share as the phase-out of three fab lines is completed and other remaining cost-action benefits are realized."
Additional Second Quarter 2006 Financial and Operating Data
The following table and commentary provide a breakdown of revenues and operating income by product segment.
Net Revenues and Operating Income by Product Group Segment:
In Million US$ Q2 2006
Net % of Net Operating
Segment Revenues Revenues income (loss)
Application Specific Product Groups* $1,367 54.8% $108
MPA (Micro, Power & Analog)** 560 22.5% 87
MPG (Memory Products Group) 544 21.8% 23
Others (1)(2) 24 0.9% (49)
TOTAL $2,495 100% $169
* Automotive; Computer Peripheral; and Home, Personal, and Communication
products
** Effective January 1, 2006 the Microcontroller, Linear and Discrete
(MLD) Group was renamed as the Micro, Power and Analog (MPA) product
segment to better reflect product portfolio focus and increased
capabilities in advanced Analog. No change occurred in the Group's
perimeter or organization.
(1) Net revenues of "Others" include revenues from sales of Subsystems and
other products not allocated to product segments.
(2) Operating loss of "Others" includes items such as impairment,
restructuring charges, and other related closure costs, start-up
costs, and other unallocated expenses such as strategic or special
research and development programs, certain corporate-level operating
expenses, certain patent claims and litigations, and other costs that
are not allocated to the product segments, as well as operating
earnings or losses of the Subsystems and Other Products segment.
Certain costs, mainly R&D, formerly in the "Others" category, have
been allocated to the segments.
Sequentially, Application Specific Product Groups revenues increased 3.8%, MPA sales increased 14.1%, and MPG sales increased 0.9%. Operating profit increased for all segments with operating income of $108 million, $87 million, and $23 million for Application Specific Product Groups, MPA, and MPG, respectively. In Flash memory, the product mix improved, reflecting double- digit sales growth of NOR products. Overall, Flash memory sales were essentially flat on a sequential basis at $401 million.
Q2 2006 Net Revenues by Market Segment
The following table estimates, within a variance of 5% to 10% in the absolute dollar amount, the relative weighting of each of the Company's target market segments in the second quarter of 2006.
% of Net Revenues
Automotive 15%
Consumer 16%
Computer 17%
Telecom 38%
Industrial & Others 14%
All five market segments experienced sequential sales growth in the second quarter. Industrial and Others increased by almost 10% and Telecom increased nearly 7%. Automotive and Computer increased almost 5% and 4% respectively, and Consumer increased 1% overall, reflecting strength in digital consumer partially offset by soft analog consumer sales.
First Half 2006 Results
Net revenues for the first half were $4,858 million, an increase of 14.4% over the 2005 first half revenues of $4,245 million. Gross profit was $1,719 million, or 35.4% of net revenues, compared to $1,399 million or 32.9% of net revenues for the 2005 first half. Operating income was $309 million, compared to a loss of $55 million in last year's first half. Net income was $299 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $5 million, or $-0.01 per share in last year's first half. Net income included pre-tax impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure costs of $47 million and $100 million for the 2006 and 2005 first half results, respectively.
Research and development expenses were $817 million, compared to $827 million in the 2005 first half. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $522 million compared to $519 million in the 2005 first half.
In the 2006 first half, the effective average exchange rate for the Company was approximately $1.22 to Euro 1, compared to $1.30 to Euro 1 for the 2005 first half.
First Half 2006 Net Revenues and Operating Income by Product Group Segment:
In Million US$ First Half 2006
Net % of Net Operating
Segment Revenues Revenues income (loss)
Application Specific Product Groups* $2,684 55.2% $203
MPA (Micro, Power & Analog)** 1,051 21.7% 151
MPG (Memory Products Group) 1,083 22.3% 24
Others (1)(2) 40 0.8% (69)
TOTAL $4,858 100% $309
*, **, (1) and (2) defined in earlier table.
Outlook
Mr. Bozotti stated, "We still anticipate industry growth for 2006 in the high-single digits on a percentage basis, with continuing expansion in 2007. For ST, we expect sequential sales growth in the range between -1% and 5%, consistent with our traditional low single-digit seasonal progression in the third quarter. With the tougher currency environment, we expect gross margin to be about 36%, plus or minus 100 basis points, including the effects of approximately half a point due to a recent power blackout at an Italian plant, still under a final assessment. "
This guidance is based on an assumed currency exchange rate for the Company of approximately $1.255 = Euro 1 for the 2006 third quarter, which reflects current exchange rate levels combined with the impact of existing hedging contracts. This compares to the first quarter average effective rate of $1.20 = Euro 1.
Recent Developments
-- At the Company's Annual General Meeting, which was held in Amsterdam on
April 27, 2006, all of the proposed resolutions were approved. The
Company's 2005 accounts were approved; for the first time, these were
reported in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS). The appointments as members of the Supervisory Board of Messrs.
Doug Dunn and Didier Lamouche were agreed for three-year terms, and
Robert White, for a one-year term. The distribution of a cash dividend
of US$0.12 was also approved.
-- ST announced the appointment of two new Corporate Vice Presidents.
Francois Guibert, Corporate VP, and formerly General Manager of ST's
Emerging Markets Region, was appointed to the position of General
Manager of ST's Asia Pacific region, effective October 1, 2006. Guibert
will replace Jean-Claude Marquet, who will retire from the Company in
October. Succeeding Guibert in his position, Thierry Tingaud, formerly
Vice President Sales and Marketing Europe for Telecommunications, was
promoted to the position of Corporate VP and General Manager of ST's
Emerging Markets Region, effective July 1, 2006.
-- On July 7, 2006, ST announced that holders of its zero coupon senior
convertible bonds due 2013 have the right to surrender their
convertible bonds for purchase by ST in cash on August 4, 2006.
Products, Technology and Design Wins
Application-Specific Product Highlights
-- In wireless communications, a new Nomadik(TM) application processor
based mobile phone was launched by a leading far-east manufacturer. The
handset, which supports 3G HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access)
and T-DMB (Terrestrial - Digital Multimedia Broadcasting), benefits
from Nomadik's multi-processing capabilities by allowing multiple
cellular and multimedia applications to run simultaneously.
-- ST recorded its first design wins for combined Bluetooth and FM radio
receivers from top-tier mobile phone manufacturers. More than 20
cellular phones from top tier OEMs are now on the market using ST's
single-chip Bluetooth technology.
-- ST revealed details of an ultra-low power-consumption highly-integrated
dual-band Wi-Fi solution, the STLC4420, which provides IEEE802.11a/b/g
capability for mobile platforms, including cellular and Wi-Fi phones,
PDAs, laptop computers, and cameras, in a single package. A second
device, the STLC4550, delivers similar 802.11b/g functionality to the
existing STLC4370, which entered volume production early in 2006, but
in a significantly smaller package.
-- ST unveiled its new STW81101/2 integrated RF synthesizers with embedded
voltage-controlled oscillators for the wireless infrastructure market,
featuring the lowest integrated phase noise and the largest band
coverage in the market.
-- In consumer, ST announced that its three-axis acceleration sensors will
be used to provide a motion-activated user interface for Nintendo's new
games console, called Wii. Expected to dramatically change the way
people play games, the Wii controller includes ST's high-performance
acceleration sensors that can detect the motion and tilt of a player's
hand in all three dimensions and convert it into immediate game action.
-- ST demonstrated state-of-the-art solutions that address a variety of
digital-consumer electronics market segments at the Mobile & Embedded
DevCon. Developed in conjunction with Microsoft Corp., the new Windows
CE-based platforms benefit from the high-performance of ST's market-
leading STB7100 family of HDTV decoders.
-- ST announced its plans to introduce column-driver ICs for the fast-
growing LCD TV market, following the signing of a licensing agreement
with National Semiconductor Corporation to use its PPDS(R) (point-to-
point differential signaling) display technology.
-- In automotive car communication and multimedia, ST announced that its
complete system solution for Mobile TV would be used in Europe's first
implementation of T-DMB receivers in the car. The pilot project, in
cooperation with Blaupunkt GmbH, was timed for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
with matches broadcast over DMB in 12 German cities. Also, ST
consolidated its leadership in GPS applications with design wins for
several sockets, in particular one with a major American OEM and a
second with a major European player for a single-chip GPS/Navigation
module.
-- In automotive powertrain and safety markets, ST: gained significant
design wins in China for airbag, ABS, and engine-control applications;
won a design for a power steering application with a major Japanese
OEM; collected two significant design wins from major European
customers, one for a custom alternator regulator IC, the second in the
fast growing area of driver information systems; and completed the
definition, with Freescale, of a powertrain IC roadmap that has gained
excellent market acceptance from major European OEMs.
-- In the automotive body market, in which ST is a leader in intelligent
power, the company further strengthened its position by gaining design
wins with major European OEMs for applications including light modules,
seat controls, and automatic windows, and in particular, a significant
one for a door-module single-chip controller IC. ST also gained design
wins in China from car and motorcycle module makers.
-- In computer peripherals, ST introduced VT5363/5/6 single-chip CMOS-
imager optical-mice ICs, offering high levels of integration, excellent
navigation performance, and low-power operation. Available in a 7x7mm
package, they are the industry's smallest optical-mouse sensors.
-- ST unveiled its design and manufacturing capability for hard-disk drive
(HDD) SoC devices in 90nm technology. A new device -- integrating ST's
IP (intellectual property) in the hard-disk controller, the read
channel, serial ATA interface (SATA), and memory -- is the first such
product on the market to be manufactured in 90nm.
-- ST also announced a HDD motor-control chip that integrates the circuits
required to drive both the spindle motor and the voice-coil of drives
used in personal computers. The L7207 suits both the 5V drives for
mobile applications, and 12V desktop-computer drives, reducing drive-
manufacturers' inventory and manufacturing costs.
Multi-Segment Product Highlights
-- ST became the first company to combine Ethernet connectivity, an ARM9E
processor core, and large embedded SRAM and Flash memories in a
general-purpose Flash microcontroller family. The STR910F series sets
new standards for price/performance and connectivity, creating many
possibilities for system designers to transform powerful embedded-
control applications into low-cost LAN or Internet nodes.
-- In NOR Flash, ST introduced to the market a family of Address-Data
Multiplexed I/O ICs, offering 16 to 256 Mbit densities, for the fast-
developing cost-efficient and value-sensitive mobile platform market.
Additionally, ST announced a new generation of serial Flash memory
chips, from 1 to 4 Mbits, which are intended specifically for demanding
automotive applications with high-reliability requirements.
-- ST announced two new 2048-bit 'long-range' RFID memory products that
are fully compliant with RFID standards for tracking applications. The
devices are particularly suited for markets such as access control,
library automation, and supply-chain management, as well as for
anti-counterfeiting of products, such as pharmaceuticals.
-- In power, ST teamed up with Semikron International to develop and
deliver integrated power modules for industrial, consumer, and
automotive markets, embedding ST's power devices in Semikron's
SEMITOP(R) power packages.
-- ST announced details of its first power devices to be assembled in the
metal-topped PolarPAK(R) package from Siliconix, which provides
superior thermal performance and increased power density for components
used in high-current voltage-regulator modules. The STK800 and STK850,
20A and 30A power MOSFETs, along with ST's STD70N03L & STD50N03L, were
qualified in important server and desktop PC motherboard designs with a
major US manufacturer.
-- ST gained significant design wins in markets for power bipolar, ESBTs,
and IGBTs, in the computing and industrial sectors, including device
qualification for a major US desktop PC platform and major orders for
IGBTs in white goods applications.
-- ST introduced the L6599, an advanced double-ended controller for the
series-resonant half-bridge topology, suited for highly reliable power
supplies in LCD and plasma display (PDP) TVs and high-end AC-DC
adapters for laptops and game consoles. ST also announced new
protection ICs including: the LNBTVS series, the world's first family
specifically optimized to protect the Low Noise Block (LNB) voltage
regulator in satellite set-top-box applications against lightning and
electrical overstress surges; and the SMP80MC surge arrestors, designed
to protect ADSL/VDSL modems.
-- In analog, ST strengthened its position with two major design wins,
from two of the world's largest mobile phone manufacturers, for its
high-performance NEATSwitch family for mobile phone audio switching
applications. Also, ST gained a design win at a major 3G mobile phone
manufacturer in Asia with the first of a new family of ultra-low power
small-packaged analog temperature sensors.
-- ST announced the first video de-serializer interface for MIPI (Mobile
Industry Processor Interface) and SMIA (Standard Mobile Imaging
Architecture) serial interfaces. The STCCP27A connects a mobile phone's
camera module with its multimedia processor, and allows processors that
have a legacy parallel interface to take advantage of the new range of
SMIA-compliant camera modules. Also in analog, the Company released the
TSH300 ultra-low-noise wide-bandwidth operational amplifier for high-
end industrial, medical, and instrumentation applications.
All of STMicroelectronics' press releases (including all Q2 releases) are available at http://www.st.com/stonline/press/news/latest.htm
Some of the statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended) based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those in such statements due to, among other factors:
-- future developments of the world semiconductor market, in particular
the future demand for semiconductor products in the key application
markets and from key customers served by our products;
pricing pressures, losses, or curtailments of purchases from key
customers;
-- the financial impact of obsolete or excess inventories if actual demand
differs from our anticipations;
-- changes in the exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro,
compared to the effective exchange rate of $1.255= Euro 1, and between
the U.S. Dollar and the currencies of the other major countries in
which we have our operating infrastructure;
-- our ability to manage our fixed costs structure, including our ability
to adequately utilize and operate our manufacturing facilities at
sufficient levels to cover fixed operating costs in an intensively
competitive and cyclical industry;
-- our ability in an intensive competitive environment, to secure customer
acceptance and to achieve our pricing expectations for high volume
supplies of new products in whose development we have been or are
currently investing;
-- the anticipated benefits of research & development alliances and
cooperative activities, as well as the continued pursuit as currently
structured of our various alliances, in the field of development of new
advanced technologies or products;
-- the ability of our suppliers to meet our demands for supplies and
materials and to offer competitive pricing;
-- changes in the economic, social, or political environment, as well as
natural events such as severe weather, health risks, epidemics or
earthquakes in the countries in which we and our key customers operate;
-- changes in our overall tax position as a result of changes in tax laws
or the outcome of tax audits;
-- our ability to obtain required licenses on third-party intellectual
property, the outcome of litigations and the results of actions by our
competitors.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results and performance of our business to differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements. Certain such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "may," "will," "should," "would be," "anticipates," or similar expressions, or the negative thereof, or other variations thereof, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, or intentions. Some of these risk factors are set forth and are discussed in more detail in "Item 3. Key Information-Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on March 3, 2006. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this release as anticipated, believed, or expected. We do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update any industry information or forward-looking statements set forth in this release to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Unfavorable changes in the above or other factors listed under "Risk Factors" from time to time in our SEC filings, including in our Form 20-F, could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Conference Call Information
The management of STMicroelectronics will conduct a conference call on July 26, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time / 3:00 p.m. CET, to discuss performance for the second quarter of 2006.
The conference call will be available via the Internet by accessing the following Web address: http://www.vcall.com/. Those viewing the webcast should go to the Web site at least 15 minutes prior to the call, in order to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. The webcast will be available until August 4, 2006.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2005, the Company's net revenues were $8.88 billion and net earnings were $266 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com/.
(tables attached)
For further information, please contact:
INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Stanley March
Vice President, Investor Relations
Tel: +1.212.821.89.39
Fax: +1.212.821.89.23
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