Siltronic reports very good Q1 and expects positive business development for 2022
Munich, Germany, May 10, 2022 – In Q1 2022, Siltronic AG (MDAX/TecDAX: WAF) recorded sales growth of 10.7 percent compared to Q4 2021. The increase resulted mainly from rising ASP.
"In Q1, our business performance continued to develop very positively. The driving force was higher selling prices. This will continue in the course of the year. However, rising prices are also offset by rising costs, particularly for energy, personnel, raw materials and supplies. This will burden our earnings growth," said Dr. Christoph von Plotho, CEO of Siltronic AG. "We continue to benefit from an environment of sustained high demand and extensive investments in digitalization."
Siltronic generated sales of EUR 417.0 million in Q1 2022, an increase of 10.7 percent versus Q4 2021. The increase was primarily driven by higher average prices in invoice currency. A slight increase in wafer area sold and exchange rate developments supported the sales development.
Cost of sales increased by EUR 33.2 Millionen. In addition to higher wafer area sold, this was driven by cost increases for energy, personnel, raw materials and supplies.
With absolute revenue growth outpacing cost increases, gross profit grew by EUR 7.2 million or 5.6 percent q-o-q to EUR 135.6 million in Q1 2022. Gross margin decreased from 34.1 percent in Q4 to 32.5 percent in Q1 2022, as revenues increased at a higher rate than gross profit (10.7 percent vs. 5.6 percent).
As a result of the unsuccessful tender offer by GlobalWafers, Siltronic received a termination fee of EUR 50.0 million in Q1 2022. This is included in other operating income.
EBITDA in Q1 2022 was EUR 186.0 million, corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 44.6 percent.
Excluding the impact of the termination fee and other special effects from the tender offer, EBITDA would have been EUR 135.9 million in Q1 2022 and EUR 131.3 million in Q4. This corresponds to an increase of 3.5 percent. Also excluding the effects of these one-time items, the EBITDA margin in Q1 was 32.6 percent, compared to 34.9 percent in Q4.
EBIT reached EUR 143.7 millionen in Q1 2022 - including the special income in connection with the tender offer.
The decline in the financial result is due to the declining financial markets in Q1 2022.
Tax expenses increased due to the termination fee.
A net profit of EUR 114.8 million was achieved in Q1, compared to EUR 93.7 million in Q4. Of this amount, EUR 104.2 million is attributable to Siltronic AG shareholders. Earnings per share rose from EUR 2.79 in Q4 2021 to EUR 3.47 in Q1 2022.
Development of equity, net cash flow and net financial assets
With equity of EUR 1,575.3 million at March 31, 2022, Siltronic AG's equity ratio was 55.9 percent compared to 53.7 percent at December 31, 2021. The increase in equity is based on the net income for the quarter of EUR 114.8 million and actuarial gains in the calculation of pension obligations of EUR 122.1 million.
The EUR 116.4 million decrease in pension obligations is due to higher interest rates. The interest rate in Germany rose from 1.23 percent at the end of 2021 to 1.86 percent at the end of Q1 2022. The interest rate in the USA rose from 2.51 percent to 3.22 percent in the same period.
The free cash flow of EUR 137.4 million in Q1 2022 shows that Siltronic was able to finance the entire cashflow for capex including intangible assets from operating activities without any problems.
The net cash flow of EUR 36.9 million shows Siltronic's cash surplus after the elimination of period shifts due to customer prepayments.
The company had net financial assets of EUR 709.0 million at March 31, 2022.
Changes to the risk and opportunity report
The main risks are presented in our risk report in the Annual Report 2021. In Q1 2022 risk changes were identified due to the armed conflict in Ukraine and price increases on important procurement markets.
The escalation of the war in Ukraine is currently fueling political pressure to suspend natural gas supplies from Russia. On March 30, 2022 the German government declared the first of three warning levels of the gas emergency plan. Our experts at the German production sites in Freiberg and Burghausen are in close contact with our local energy suppliers and the relevant authorities. In addition, procurement is working with with our suppliers who could be affected by trade embargoes, directly or indirectly. Our staff constantly assess the dynamic situation and adapt our precautionary measures and contingency plans as needed. The share of natural gas in our total energy consumption is low. In particular, it is needed at the Freiberg site for air conditioning the clean rooms. Furthermore, gas is used by many of our suppliers in their production, and for generation of electricity, which is important for us. Direct or indirect supply disruptions in the event of a trade embargo could potentially also affect these suppliers. An interruption of production in Germany due to a lack of natural gas supply could therefore have a significant negative impact on our sales and earnings.
In addition, we are seeing dynamic price increases that are becoming more permanent for many important operating materials and raw materials, extending beyond fiscal 2022. Unexpected price increases may have a negative impact on earnings, and qualification of new suppliers may take a longer time.
This environment has prompted us to raise our risk assessment for the procurement markets from medium to high.
Forecast update
The course of business in 2022 so far has been in line with expectations. Siltronic AG is therefore maintaining its forecast from March 9, 2022. The company expects sales to grow 15 to 22 percent year-on-year, mainly driven by higher selling prices. EBITDA margin for the full year is expected to be 34 to 37 percent, including the one-off effects of the termination fee.
"We expect a very positive business development in 2022 due to sustained high demand and rising prices," said Dr. Christoph von Plotho. "Siltronic is well positioned with a strong balance sheet and an excellent financial position. Our aim is not only to implement the strategic investment projects but also to maintain our good cost and high quality performance." von Plotho said.
Conference call for analysts and investors
The Executive Board of Siltronic AG will hold a conference call with analysts and investors (in English only) on May 10, 2022 at 10:00 am (CEST). This call will be streamed via the Internet. The audio webcast will be available live as well as on demand on Siltronic’s website.
The Q1 interim statement and the latest investor presentation are also published on the Siltronic website.
Other dates:
July 29, 2022 Interim Report 2022
October 28, 2022 Q3 2022 quarterly statement
Contact:
Dr. Rupert Krautbauer
Head of Investor Relations & Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)89 8564 3133
Email: investor.relations@siltronic.com
Company profile:
Siltronic is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hyperpure silicon wafers and partner to many leading semiconductor companies. The company operates production sites in Asia, Europe and the USA. Siltronic develops and manufactures silicon wafers in diameters of up to 300 mm. Silicon wafers form the basis for modern microelectronics and nanoelectronics and are a key component in semiconductor chips driving computers, smart phones, navigation systems and many other applications. Siltronic AG employs around 4,100 people and has been a stock-listed company in Germany (Prime Standard) since 2015. The Siltronic AG stock is listed on both the MDAX and TecDAX.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates made by the Executive Board of Siltronic AG. These statements can be identified by wording such as "expect", "want", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "strive", "estimate", and "will" or similar terms. Although we assume that the expectations contained in these forward-looking statements are realistic, we cannot guarantee that they will prove to be correct. These assumptions may contain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual figures to differ considerably from the forward-looking statements. Factors that can cause such discrepancies include changes in the macroeconomic and business environment, changes in exchange rates and interest rates, the introduction of products that compete with our own products, a lack of acceptance of new products or services, and changes in corporate strategy. Siltronic does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, nor does it assume any responsibility to do so.
This press release includes supplementary financial indicators that either are or may be so-called alternative performance indicators that are not clearly defined in the relevant financial reporting framework. In assessing the financial position and performance of Siltronic, these supplementary financial indicators should not be used in isolation or as an alternative to those presented in the consolidated financial statements and determined in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework. Other companies that present or report alternative performance indicators with similar names may calculate them differently. Explanations of the key financial figures used are available in the Annual Report of Siltronic AG.
Due to rounding, some of the figures presented in this press release as well as in other reports may not add up exactly to the stated totals and percentages presented may not accurately reflect the absolute values to which they relate.
This press release is a quarterly Group statement in accordance with Section 53 of the Exchange Rules for the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
