Last twelve months
Net sales for the last twelve months totaled to SEK 393 m (389), corresponding to a 4 % increase in local currencies
Operating profit for the last twelve months was SEK 63 m (69), equal to a 16.1% (17.7) operating margin
Order intake for the twelve month period was SEK 427 m (407)
Cash flow from operating activities for the twelve month period amounted to SEK 124 m (55)
Profit after tax for last twelve months amounted to SEK 51 m (52) and earnings per share was SEK 4.52 (4.66)
First quarter
Net sales for the first quarter totaled to SEK 107 m (96) corresponding to a 17.4 % increase in local currencies and operating profit amounted to SEK 14m (14)
Order intake for the first quarter was SEK 119 m (116) IXXAT Automation was acquired during the quarter and has affected the company's result for two months.
Comments from the CEO
During the first quarter, HMS acquired the German company IXXAT Automation. IXXAT develops and sells industrial communication products to companies within, for example, machine building, the automotive industry, and medical technology. We have started to co-ordinate IXXAT's sales and marketing resources with HMS's organization in order to create a common global sales organization for our brands Anybus®, IXXAT® and Netbiter®. In the long term, we also see opportunities to co-ordinate technology and development projects from the acquired business which will affect forthcoming product generations from HMS.
During the first quarter of the year, we saw a continually cautious market without underlying growth, but as we now, as of February, include IXXAT in our results, we reach a new turnover record of 107 MSEK. Our goal is now to take full advantage of the newly acquired business as well as the resource investments made during the past few years.
The previously communicated market uncertainty persists. On our major markets we see continuing positive signs on the American market. The German market is stable, but somewhat reserved and the Japanese market is still uncertain. We see a inflow of design-wins confirming our strong position on the market. The conditions for a continued long-term growth are unchanged despite the short-term uncertainty among our customers. We will continue to drive growth through our three product brands Anybus, Netbiter and IXXAT. Our market is continually uncertain in the short term, which means that we continue to balance our long- term growth strategy with a restrictive view on costs. In the long term, we see the markets for industrial communication and remote management to be growth sectors.
HMS Q1 Report 2013 (English)