• Full year sales at 262.9 million Euros
• H2 current operating loss reduced to 52.8 million Euros
• Cash resources at 130.1 million Euros end of March 2013
• Future growth driven by a more balanced contribution from activities

Bernin, France, May 23, 2013 - Soitec (Euronext), world leader in generating and manufacturing high performance semiconductor materials for electronics and energy, announced today its audited consolidated results for the 2012-2013 financial year.   

For fiscal year 2012-2013, the Group posted consolidated sales of 262.9 million Euros, down 18.7% compared to last year driven by faster than expected industry wide declines of PC and related sales. This significant decrease in demand for 300 mm wafers, low asset utilization and continued investments in the Research and Development coupled with Solar division performance resulted in current operating loss of 123.0 million Euros compared to an operating loss of 45.9 million Euros for the previous fiscal year. After net financial expenses and non cash impairment charges, the net result (Group share) is a loss of 209.5 million Euros, compared to a loss of 56.3 million Euros in 2011-2012.

Operating cash flow approached breakeven with negative 1.3 million Euros in the second half of fiscal year 2012-2013, compared to negative 37.4 million Euros for the first half of fiscal year 2012-2013. The improvement was primarily attributable to the strong performance cost and working capital management strategies put in place 6 months ago for the electronic business. Operating cash flow for the full year was negative 38.7 million Euros.

 The Group's cash resources amounted to 130.1 million Euros at the end of March 2013. Previously announced strategic investments, particularly the creation of manufacturing facilities and other operating functions for the Solar division have now been completed, and we do not expect to make further significant investments in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

Financial highlights

*of which (59.7) million Euros for Electronic Segment and (14.2)

 million Euros for Solar Energy Segment

Segment Analysis

Operating segments have been revised in line with Soitec's resource allocation and performance assessment methodology. The Group now operates under three segments: Electronic, Solar Energy and Lighting. It has also elected to report corporate headquarters support functions within "Other segment". 

Electronic Segment

Over the full year, Electronic sales declined by 18.8% to 257.1 million Euros. Total wafer sales for the full year were 30.1% lower. For the full year, 300 mm wafer sales linked to digital applications decreased by 40.0% in Euros as PC markets saw faster than expected declines. Other diameters wafer sales dedicated mainly to mobile applications increased by 13.4% in Euros and Other Electronic sales were up by 75.8% at 59.5 million Euros demonstrating the benefits of the Group's strategic investments in products related to smart phones, tablets and other mobile applications. 

A decline in 300 mm wafer sales in volumes related to the PC market, a lower of asset utilization, as well as, to a lesser extent, a deterioration of selling prices were the drivers behind a decrease in the reported gross margin. The gross profit for fiscal year 2012-2013 was 27.3 million Euros (10.6% of sales), down from 67.0 million Euros (21.1% of sales) in 2011-2012.

Net Research and Development spending has decreased to 16.6 million Euros in fiscal year 2012-2013, or 6.5% of sales, compared to 22.9 million Euros last year or 7.2% of sales. The decrease is due to both the ability to achieve higher funding including prototyping sales to customers and a reduction in Gross Research and Development spending.  Gross Research and Development spending was 33.5 million Euros in fiscal year 2012-2013 compared to 36.8 million Euros the prior year.

Compared to last year, the increase in SG&A costs was mainly due to a change in perimeter with the acquisition of Altatech and its integration in the electronic segment. SG&A spending was 24.2 million Euros in fiscal year 2012-2013 compared to 20.9 million Euros the prior year.

Current operating profit was negative at 13.5 million Euros compared to a positive operating profit of 23.1 million Euros last year. Stronger demand for wafer sales and the 20 million Euros cost containment program announced in October 2012 led to a positive current operating profit of 3.5 million Euros in H2, compared to 17.0 current operating loss in H1. 

With utilization of both the Singapore and Bernin facilities lower, capacity planning is a key focus for the Electronics division. A one-time charge has been recorded for an amount of 59.7 million Euros for impairment charges out of which 8.4 million Euros have been recognized in H2.

Solar Energy Segment

The development and investment phase for the Solar Energy ended in March 2013.As of March 2013, the division has an installed capacity of 210 MWp and a pipeline of solar power plant projects of over 400 MWp of which a large part to be delivered and installed over the next 36 months.

We continue to install small scale solar power plants and now have demo plants operating in over 18 high irradiation countries worldwide. On April 30, we announced the issuance by our South African SPV of 1B South African Rands (~100M$) bonds to finance our first utility-scale solar power plant of 44 MWp in South Africa. Construction of this project has commenced and is expected to be completed in fiscal year 2014-2015.

Sales were 5.8 million Euros and related to small scale installations. We expect the contribution of the Solar Energy division to total sales to increase proportionately in fiscal year 2013-2014 as current projects are implemented. R&D spending in the Solar Energy division was primarily dedicated to the development of a record efficiency solar cell.   Subject to EU approval, we also expect to receive significant research development grants in 2013-2014 financial year that will allow us to accelerate this promising development.

The SG&A spending increased at 15.5 million Euros compared to 13.6 million Euros in fiscal year 2011-2012 and was dedicated to the development of projects and pipeline in high irradiance regions such as Southern California, South Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The Solar Energy division has now established sales representations and created partnerships in most attractive markets.

The operating loss of the Solar Energy division increased from 44.9 million Euros to 82.3 million Euros in fiscal year 2012-2013. A non-cash charge of 14.2 million Euros has been recorded to reflect certain impairment charges.

Lighting Segment

The Lighting segment develops advanced substrates to address the future growth market of solid state lighting. In fiscal year 2012-2013, we announced licensing agreements with Sumitomo and GT technologies, and expect the receipt of certain R&D grants in the coming year. We also announced a first reference contract with RATP this year.

Current operating loss increased from 8.6 million Euros to 12.0 million Euros primarily due to continued strategic R&D investments in the segment. We do not expect to have significant capital expenditures in this segment in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

Other segment

The Other segment is made up of corporate headquarters support functions. Total spending in Other increased nominally by 0.9 million Euros as the Group evolves from a one segment company into a company with three segments and related operating, control and management functions.

Strategic investments dedicated to the building of industrial capacities for solar activities completed

Cash flow used in operating activities was negative 38.7 million Euros for fiscal year 2012-2013. However, the full year result remained close to cash flow from operations of negative 37.4 million Euros reported for H1 as demand improved and cash and cost containment measures took effect.

The net cash flow devoted to industrial investment totaled 118.2 million Euros for fiscal year 2012-2013, compared to 100.2 million Euros for the prior year. Strategic investments in the Solar Energy segment have now been completed.

As of March 31, 2013, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were 130.1 million Euros. Net debt position was (66.5) million Euros.

Future growth driven by a more balanced contribution from activities

Group should deliver strong double digit growth in 2013-2014. The Group anticipates a more balanced revenue contribution from the Electronics and Solar segments. For the Electronics segment, we expect that demand for mobility products (slates, mobile phones) will partially offset the expected declines for PC and gaming related sales. We expect the Solar segment to contribute a significant amount to Group sales.

The Group expects to finalize arrangements for the sale and lease back of certain assets before the end of the 2013-2014 financial year. In parallel, in order to better serve our customers and shareholders Soitec will continue to optimize it's cost structure versus different market trends under a strategic program called "Soitec 2015".  Soitec 2015 will drive profitability back in the period and will focus cost, speed and manufacturing excellence.

Agenda

The sales for the first quarter of the 2013-2014 fiscal year will be published on July 15, 2013, after the closing of the Paris stock exchange.

               Consolidated financial statements as at March 31, 2013

Consolidated income statement

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated Balance sheet

Statement of changes in equity