Corporate | 14 March 2007 10:41
ATOSS Software AG / Final Results Release of a Corporate-announcement, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Munich, March 14, 2007 – ATOSS Software AG, the specialist in software solutions covering all aspects of intelligent personnel resource planning, took the opportunity of today’s press conference to confirm its expected record results for 2006. Even after upgrading its forecast for a third time, the company still managed to exceed even these targets for the year 2006. Looking ahead to 2007, the positive trend has continued through the first two months of the new financial year and the Management Board is optimistic. Various new orders have already been placed by clients including another regional member of the EDEKA Group and mister + lady jeans. The strong demand for ATOSS solutions from the retail sector continues undiminished. Income from ordinary activities has more than quadrupled In financial year 2006 ATOSS Software AG recorded record sales and earnings. Sales rose by 8 % - or even 10 % after adjustment for revenues associated with the software product AENEIS – to € 22.0 million, accompanied by a substantial increase in profits. ATOSS more than quadrupled its income from ordinary activities (EBIT), which rose from € 0.6 million to € 2.8 million, while the margin on sales was 13 % (previous year 3 %). The company also set new records for every other key indicator including cash flow, operating margin and bottom line results. For example, ATOSS boosted operating cash flow from € 1.4 million in the preceding year to € 4.3 million. The hefty € 3.9 million invested in research and development was thus financed entirely out of incoming revenues. While the return on equity at 22 % (previous year: 2 %) was at its highest since the company was floated. Proposed dividend of € 0.24 per share represents a distribution rate of 50% Earnings per share rose significantly from € 0.12 to € 0.48. As a result ATOSS will propose to its shareholders at the AGM that the company should pay a dividend of € 0.24 per share. In line with the ATOSS dividend policy, this is at the top end of the 30 to 50 % distribution scale. The main factor behind this positive development in business was the exceptionally strong response from customers. ATOSS has upgraded its already highly successful software solutions in line with the latest J2EE standard of Java technology and focused its software portfolio squarely on the core areas of working hours management and personnel resource planning. Order book provides a sound foundation for 2007 The positive demand for ATOSS solutions was evident in particular in the software licensing business. However there were notable increases in other sales categories as well. Software licensing in 2006 rose by 15 % to € 4.6 million. After adjustment for the previous year’s income from AENEIS which was sold effective January 1, 2006, growth actually reached 21 %. The extent of customer interest was even more clearly reflected in the order intake for software licenses which soared by 24 % to € 5.4 million. ATOSS also increased its turnover from services by 12 % to € 5.6 million and hiked hardware by 21 % to € 2.8 million. This satisfying development in business in 2006 means that ATOSS can plan ahead with confidence for the current year 2007. What’s more, in recent weeks the company has booked more orders, particularly from the retail sector. For example EDEKA Handelsgesellschaft Rhein-Rhur mbH, Moers, is now the fifth regional member of the EDEKA Group to join the ATOSS client list. The Management Board is also delighted with the order received from Western store beran mister + lady jeans GmbH. This client has already begun a nationwide rollout of ATOSS personal resource planning software and will expand further. Against the background of these and other orders and the continuing positive trend in business, the Management Board is optimistic. Nevertheless the Board stands by its conservative planning and forecasting policy. The outlook for 2007 includes a slight increase in software licensing and a generally moderate increase in sales. A further improvement in results is also expected after adjustment for extraordinary income. In this respect it should be borne in mind that revenues booked by ATOSS in 2006 also included extraordinary earnings of € 0.4 million form the sale of its product AENEIS. If the welcome order situation continues, then as in the previous year, further improvements are possible. The clear objective of the ATOSS Management Board remains to accelerate the acquisition of premium customers. In recent years the company has already laid the necessary foundation through its extensive investments in up-to-date technology and clear positioning. The Management Board also attaches great significance to the company’s sound financial strength which offers customers the investment security they require. Despite the substantial distributions to shareholders in recent years, as of December 31, 2006, ATOSS reported liquidity of around € 10.8 million, equal to € 2.75 per share, with an equity ratio of 55%. Upcoming dates: April 24, 2007 Press release – statements for Q1 2007 April 26, 2007 Annual General Meeting, MunichFurther information: http://www.atoss.com Contact: ATOSS Software AG Christof Leiber / Member of the Management Board Am Moosfeld 3, D-81829 Munich Tel.: +49 (0) 89 4 27 71 – 265 Fax: +49 (0) 89 4 27 71 – 100 investor.relations@atoss.comDGAP 14.03.2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: ATOSS Software AG Am Moosfeld 3 81829 München Deutschland Phone: +49 (0)89 4 27 71-0 Fax: +49 (0)89 4 27 71-100 E-mail: revolution-in-time@atoss.com www: www.atoss.com ISIN: DE0005104400 WKN: 510440 Indices: Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-Bremen, Stuttgart, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf End of News DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------