Eckert & Ziegler: Successful performance in first nine months of 2015. Moderate third quarter.
Berlin, November 5, 2015. Berlin-based Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG (ISIN DE0005659700), a specialist for isotope technology applications in medicine, science and industry, achieved sales of € 102.7 million in the nine months from January to September 2015.
Compared to the same period in the prior year, sales were up by € 10.2 million or 11%. A majority of this amount, € 8.3 million, is due to the more favorable US dollar / euro exchange rate. The acquisition of the Isotope Products segment in Brazil saw sales climb by € 2.3 million. Organic sales declined slightly by € 0.4 million. Thanks to the special income reported in the second quarter of 2015 from the disposal of the OctreoPharm Sciences GmbH investment, EBIT improved to € 13.8 million for the first nine months. Profit for the period after taxes and minority interests also increased sharply to € 9.0 million or € 1.70 per share. In the third quarter of 2015, however, business was moderate at the Eckert & Ziegler Group. With sales of € 33.7 million and net income of € 1.5 million, the Group generated an average result. For the nine-month period the results are as follows:
The Isotope Products segment benefited the most from the weak euro, while also recording a positive acquisition effect. Organic sales declined by € 2.8 million due to weak sales in the energy sector and radiocarbon dating. Two loss-making areas have been identified in the highly successful segment: the Brazilian business acquired in 2014 and radiocarbon dating. As a result, EBIT for the entire segment fell by € 2.8 million to € 9.6 million.
Sales in the Radiation Therapy segment increased by € 2.0 million to € 21.5 million. Organic sales growth in Afterloaders were strong following the launch of the new SagiNova®. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) fell by € 0.5 million to € -2.9 million. This already includes provisions of € 1.3 million for restructuring measures and the consolidation of sites.
The sales of the Radiopharma segment rose by not only the currency effect but also organically, especially in the equipment division and with the gallium generators. The segment includes most of the proceeds arising from the sale of the OctreoPharm investment. As a result, EBIT increased many times over to € 8.7 million.
Price increases meant that the Others segment registered an increase in sales of € 0.6 million to € 5.4 million. EBIT increased significantly by € 1.0 million to € -1.6 million.
The reduction in net working capital led to a positive cash flow of € 2.2 million and the decline in receivables from customers in the Radiation Therapy segment was the main effect. The disposal of the OctreoPharm investment led to cash inflow of € 5.4 million.
Sales are expected to rise to over € 133 million in 2015, while an improvement in earnings to over € 2.00 per share is also targeted. Sales are expected to increase slightly to between € 137 and € 140 million in 2016, assuming exchange rates remain stable. Earnings per share are likely to decline to approximately € 1.80 per share in 2016 due to the absence of positive one-off effects.
The complete quarterly financial statements can be viewed here.
About Eckert & Ziegler.
Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG (ISIN DE0005659700), with approximately 700 employees, is one the world’s largest providers of isotope technology for radiation therapy and nuclear medicine.
Contributing to saving lives.
For further information or questions, please contact:
Eckert & Ziegler AG
Karolin Riehle, Investor Relations & PR, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 30 / 941084-138, Fax-112, E-Mail: karolin.riehle@ezag.de, www.ezag.de