Last twelve months
* Net sales for the last twelve months totaled to SEK 389 m (360),
corresponding to a 11 % increase in local currencies
* Operating profit for the last twelve months was SEK 69 m (83), equal to a
17.7 % (23.1) operating margin
* Order intake for the twelve month period was SEK 407 m (361)
* Cash flow from operating activities for the twelve month period amounted to
SEK 55 m (63)
* Profit after tax for last twelve months amounted to SEK 52 m (61) and
earnings per share was SEK 4.66 (5.36)
First quarter
* Net sales for the first quarter totaled to SEK 96 m (92) corresponding to a
5 % increase
* Operating profit amounted to SEK 14 m (18)
* Order intake for the first quarter was SEK 116 m (97)
* During the quarter HMS received the largest order in the company's history,
SEK 16 m
Comments from the CEO
The previously communicated market uncertainty persists. On our major markets we
see continuing positive signs on the American market. The German market is
somewhat reserved and the Japanese market is still uncertain.
We see a continuing inflow of design-wins confirming our strong position on the
market and the attractiveness of our product offering. However, the effect of
these new customers will not materialize (on the income statement) until 2013
and going forward. The demand for customized solutions of the HMS technology is
still high and during the first quarter, we received the biggest order in the
company's history, amounting to SEK 16 m. The conditions for a continuing long-
term growth are unchanged despite the short term uncertainty among our
customers.
We have noticed that our effort to improve our purchase process and relationship
to our suppliers is having effect, resulting in a strong gross margin on product
sales.
We now strive to reach the full effect of our investment in new resources made
during the previous years. Sofar, these investments have resulted in a
continuous inflow of design-wins, a more efficient sale and marketing
organization, a strengthened Development Department and several new partners
adding to the HMS presence on important markets.
Halmstad April 18, 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 he Nasdaq OMX Stocholm Small Cap list, in the
Information Technology sector.
[HUG#1603444]
