Regulatory News:

Highlights Q1 2020:

- Revenue was USD 126.9 million, within the guidance of USD 125-132 million, down 3% year-on-year and up 12% quarter-on-quarter

- Bookings were USD 148.2 million, up 27% year-on-year and 16% quarter-on-quarter

- EBITDA was USD 17.3 million, up 166% year-on-year and up 19.9 million quarter-on-quarter EBITDA margin of 13.7% was above the 6-10% guidance

- EBIT was USD -1.5 million, up USD 8.8 million year-on-year and up USD 20.4 million quarter-on-quarter

- Net loss was USD -6.7 million, up USD 3.6 million year-on-year and up USD 15.7 million quarter-on-quarter

Outlook:

- Q2 2020 revenue is expected in the range of USD 118-128 million with an EBITDA margin in the range of 5-9%.

- The guidance for Q2 2020 is based on an average exchange rate of 1.10 USD/Euro.

Revenue breakdown per quarter:

in millions of USD

Q2 2018

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Q3 2019

Q4 2019

Q1 2020

Q1 y-o-y
growth

Automotive

79.3

76.6

59.7

64.1

62.5

60.5

56.7

68.3

7%

Industrial

25.0

23.8

24.3

24.1

23.3

24.4

20.1

22.1

-8%

Medical

5.6

6.3

7.3

6.8

6.3

8.8

6.3

6.5

-4%

Subtotal core business

109.8

106.7

91.3

95.0

92.1

93.7

83.2

96.9

2%

70.6%

70.5%

66.4%

72.5%

70.0%

71.8%

73.3%

76.4%

 

CCC1

45.3

44.4

45.9

35.8

39.1

36.7

30.1

29.7

-17%

Others

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.0

0.1

0.3

18%

Total revenues

155.5

151.4

137.4

131.0

131.6

130.5

113.4

126.9

-3%

1 Consumer, Communications & Computer

in millions of USD

Q2 2018

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Q3 2019

Q4 2019

Q1 2020

Q1 y-o-y
growth

CMOS

140.6

138.7

122.0

118.2

114.4

114.4

98.1

112.8

-5%

MEMS

12.7

9.5

10.4

8.1

10.7

9.5

9.9

9.6

18%

Silicon carbide

2.2

3.3

5.0

4.7

6.4

6.5

5.5

4.5

-4%

Total revenues

155.5

151.4

137.4

131.0

131.6

130.5

113.4

126.9

-3%

Business development
X-FAB’s first quarter revenues came in at USD 126.9 million, within the guidance range of USD 125-132 million. Compared to the same quarter last year, revenues declined 3%, quarter-on-quarter they increased by 12%.

X-FAB’s core business, namely automotive, industrial and medical, recorded quarterly revenues of USD 96.9 million, up 2% year-on-year and 17% quarter-on-quarter.

The automotive revenues of the first quarter recorded a growth of 7% year-on-year and increased by 20% compared to the previous quarter. While automotive production revenues had started to recover going up by 7% year-on-year, prototyping revenues declined 4% compared to the same quarter last year.

First quarter revenues in the industrial market were down 8% year-on-year. Compared to the previous quarter, they grew by 10%. The industrial business of the first quarter was particularly strong in regards to prototyping activities, which increased by 26% year-on-year. Industrial production revenues recorded a decline of 19%, which relates to continued inventory corrections at a major industrial customer.

In the first quarter, X-FAB’s medical revenues declined 4% year-on-year while they increased by 3% compared to the previous quarter. Medical prototyping revenues recorded a year-on-year growth of 12%. Production revenues were down 10%, mainly due to the transition to a next generation product at a major medical customer. This is a temporary effect and medical production revenues are expected to recover in the second quarter.

Consumer, Communications & Computer (CCC) sales were down 17% year-on-year during the first quarter and flat compared to the previous quarter. CCC prototyping revenues recorded a fall of 35% compared to the same quarter last year and production revenues declined 15% year-on-year.

The decline of CCC revenues is in line with the typical first quarter cyclicality in the mobile communications business, namely the RF-SOI applications, and as a result of the planned decrease of the legacy business manufactured at X-FAB France. In the first quarter, the share of the French site’s revenues based on X-FAB technologies increased year-on-year as well as quarter-on-quarter and amounted to 18%.

In the first quarter, X-FAB’s prototyping revenues came in at USD 14.0 million, up 3% year-on-year, while recording a 19% decline compared to the previous quarter. This decline is due to typical seasonal effects combined with a relatively high comparative base in the fourth quarter last year.

Throughout the first quarter, bookings have trended upwards coming in at a total of USD 148.2 million. This is an increase of 27% year-on-year and 16% compared to the previous quarter.

Operations update
Despite challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, all manufacturing sites remained fully operational and were not affected by any disruptions during the first quarter. With a variety of safety measures implemented at all locations, X-FAB is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of its employees during the pandemic, ultimately contributing positively to the continuity of production. This includes measures to secure the supply of raw materials as well as transport capacities for the delivery of products.

The activities offering in-house silicon carbide (SiC) epitaxy are on track for production. The line has successfully produced the first wafers, and it is planned to gradually ramp the SiC epitaxy production volumes up. Epitaxy refers to the process of depositing a thin epitaxial layer on a SiC raw wafer, which is a significant value-add step in the overall process of manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductors.

Seven of X-FAB’s existing SiC customers are now in volume production after one additional customer completed prototyping and moved to production. The pipeline for new customers and projects remains strong and X-FAB expects to further expand its SiC customer base going forward. In the first quarter, silicon carbide revenues came in at USD 4.5 million, down 4% year-on-year and 19% quarter-on-quarter. Due to ongoing inventory corrections at a major customer, SiC production revenues declined 49% compared to the same quarter last year, while prototyping revenues recorded a growth of 102% year-on-year.

First quarter capital expenditures were USD 9.6 million, down 60% compared to the same quarter last year. Apart from maintenance activities, capex was allocated for the expansion of capacities and/or capabilities, mainly at the sites in Malaysia, France, and Dresden, Germany.

Profitability and FX volatility
In light of the strong bookings in the first quarter, unfinished and finished goods inventory increased by USD 5.3 million, which contributed positively to profitability. This is the main reason for outperforming first quarter EBITDA guidance. Without the inventory increase, the EBITDA margin would have come in at the higher end of the guided 6-10%.

First quarter net financial result was USD -4.9 million, significantly down year-on-year as well as quarter-on-quarter. This is largely due to the non-cash devaluation of the Malaysian ringgit which had a negative impact of USD 4.8 million.

X-FAB continued its efforts to increase its share of Euro-denominated sales in order to limit the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on profitability and to ensure a better natural hedging of the business. In the first quarter, the share of Euro-denominated sales amounted to 28%, on track to reach the 30% target by year-end.

The actual US-Dollar/Euro exchange rate for the first quarter of 2020 was 1.10 leading to an EBITDA margin of 13.7%. At a constant exchange rate of 1.14, as experienced in the first quarter of last year, the EBITDA margin would have been 13.2%.

While first quarter order entries held up well, and despite the low visibility going forward, X-FAB anticipates a drop in demand due to the expected impact which the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the global economy. X-FAB is therefore preparing comprehensive cost-saving initiatives to manage potential disruptions on the demand side. This includes a variety of measures to lower costs related to staff, travel, electricity, and raw materials. Capital expenditures are also being reviewed and can be limited to a minimum. As it becomes necessary, X-FAB will make use of the different schemes offered by governments around the world to support companies impacted by the crisis. One key element is short-time work, which would be an option for X-FAB’s European sites.

Management comments & outlook
“First of all, I would like to thank all X-FAB employees for their strong commitment, the extra efforts and the flexibility to keep all factories operational in this difficult period of lockdowns,” said Rudi De Winter, CEO of X-FAB Group. Commenting on the development of X-FAB’s business, he added: “After strong order entries in the first quarter, the second quarter was also off to a good start, while we only recently began to see a marked softening in bookings. Overall, we are once again facing a situation characterized by a very low visibility going forward and a high level of uncertainty. This is why we are currently putting a special focus on cost-saving initiatives, which puts us in a position to react quickly if demand drops. On the other hand, X-FAB enables many applications that are essential in these times. One example is our medical business where lab-on-a-chip applications provide for fast and reliable testing. This solution will certainly gain importance in the post-COVID-19 era. The growing demand for reliable virtual communication channels is also accelerating the adoption of 5G, which X-FAB supports with its RF-SOI technology offering. We are the sole supplier for more than 90% of the products that we manufacture, and we are strongly committed to ensure reliable supply to all our customers during this difficult period, taking all necessary measures to weather this storm. I am confident that X-FAB is well positioned to do so.”

X-FAB Quarterly Conference Call
X-FAB’s first quarter results will be discussed in a live conference call on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 6.30 p.m. CET. The conference call will be in English. Please register in advance of the conference using the following link: http://emea.directeventreg.com/registration/3675506 http://emea.directeventreg.com/registration/1294907

Upon registering, you will be provided with participant dial-in numbers, Direct Event passcode and a unique registrant ID. In the 10 minutes prior to the call, you will need to use the conference access information provided in the email received at the point of registering.

The conference call will be available for replay from April 30, 2020, 11.30 p.m. CET until May 7, 2020, 11.30 p.m. CET. The replay number will be +44 (0) 3333009785, conference ID 3675506.

The second quarter 2020 results will be communicated on July 30, 2020.

About X-FAB
X-FAB is the leading analog/mixed-signal and MEMS foundry group manufacturing silicon wafers for automotive, industrial, consumer, medical and other applications. Its customers worldwide benefit from the highest quality standards, manufacturing excellence and innovative solutions by using X-FAB’s modular CMOS processes in geometries ranging from 1.0 to 0.13 µm, and its special silicon carbide and MEMS long-lifetime processes. X-FAB’s analog-digital integrated circuits (mixed-signal ICs), sensors and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are manufactured at six production facilities in Germany, France, Malaysia and the U.S. X-FAB employs about 3,800 people worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.xfab.com.

Forward-looking information
This press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements regarding or based upon our management’s current intentions, beliefs or expectations relating to, among other things, X-FAB’s future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies or developments in the industry in which we operate. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied thereby. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release regarding trends or current activities should not be taken as a report that such trends or activities will continue in the future. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless legally required. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

The information contained in this press release is subject to change without notice. No re-report or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, reasonableness or completeness of the information contained herein and no reliance should be placed on it.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss

in thousands of USD

Quarter

ended
31 Mar 2020

unaudited

Quarter

ended
31 Mar 2019

unaudited

Quarter

ended
31 Dec 2019

unaudited

Year

ended
31 Dec 2019

audited

Revenue

126,894

131,005

113,390

506,417

Revenues in USD in %

72

76

73

75

Revenues in EUR in %

28

23

26

25

Cost of sales

-112,419

-126,477

-117,702

-479,128

Gross Profit

14,475

4,528

-4,312

27,290

Gross Profit margin in %

11.4

3.5

-3.8

5.4

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

-5,900

-5,407

-6,615

-28,298

Selling expenses

-2,012

-1,992

-2,064

-8,080

General and administrative expenses

-7,656

-7,785

-7,917

-30,728

Rental income and expenses from investment properties

40

174

168

-129

Other income and other expenses

-433

220

-1,145

-3,920

Operating profit

-1,487

-10,262

-21,886

-43,865

Finance income

3,499

3,556

2,943

13,049

Finance costs

-8,435

-2,622

-2,665

-14,102

Net financial result

-4,936

934

278

-1,053

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before tax

-6,423

-9,329

-21,607

-44,918

Income tax

-302

-1,036

-842

-4,165

Profit for the period

-6,724

-10,365

-22,449

-49,083

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit (EBIT)

-1,487

-10,262

-21,886

-43,865

Depreciation

18,831

16,784

19,330

72,286

EBITDA

17,344

6,522

-2,555

28,421

EBITDA margin in %

13.7

5.0

-2.3

5.6

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share at the end of period

-0.05

-0.08

-0.17

-0.38

Weighted average number of shares

130,631,921

130,631,921

130,631,921

130,631,921

 

 

 

 

 

EUR/USD average exchange rate

1.10275

1.13635

1.10710

1.11976

 

Amounts in the financial tables provided in this press release are rounded to the nearest thousand except when otherwise indicated, rounding differences may occur.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

in thousands of USD

Quarter ended
31 Mar 2020

unaudited

Quarter ended
31 Mar 2019

unaudited

Year ended

31 Dec 2019

audited

ASSETS

 

 

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment

359,864

368,974

368,754

Investment properties

8,983

9,266

9,128

Intangible assets

5,558

8,496

8,363

Non-current investments

0

524

736

Other non-current assets

10,943

23,594

27,568

Deferred tax assets

33,881

34,310

33,922

Total non-current assets

419,229

445,164

448,471

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Inventories

160,282

151,280

154,649

Trade and other receivables

63,600

58,054

55,636

Other assets

36,321

29,179

34,429

Cash and cash equivalents

166,587

207,276

173,211

Total current assets

426,791

445,789

417,925

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

846,019

890,953

866,397

 

 

 

 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Share capital

432,745

432,745

432,745

Share premium

348,709

348,709

348,709

Retained earnings

-140,565

-95,159

-133,835

Cumulative translation adjustment

-685

-473

-445

Treasury shares

-770

-770

-770

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

639,434

685,052

646,403

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

371

364

377

 

 

 

 

Total equity

639,805

685,417

646,781

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

Non-current loans and borrowings

80,658

88,078

92,389

Other non-current liabilities and provisions

7,404

7,441

7,407

Total non-current liabilities

88,062

95,519

99,795

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Trade payables

32,881

31,259

38,327

Current loans and borrowings

30,537

27,785

26,658

Other current liabilities and provisions

54,735

50,974

54,835

Total current liabilities

118,152

110,017

119,821

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

846,019

890,953

866,397

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

in thousands of USD

Quarter

ended
31 Mar 2020

unaudited

Quarter

ended
31 Mar 2019

unaudited

Quarter

ended
31 Dec 2019

unaudited

Full year

ended
31 Dec 2019

audited

Income before taxes

-6,423

-9,329

-21,607

-44,918

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net income to cash flow arising from operating activities:

26,222

13,833

21,283

74,076

Depreciation and amortization, before effect of grants and subsidies

18,831

16,784

19,330

72,286

Recognized investment grants and subsidies netted with depreciation and amortization

-901

-745

-1,551

-3,750

Interest income and expenses (net)

518

419

358

1,582

Loss/(gain) on the sale of plant, property, and equipment (net)

-281

0

2,195

2,202

Loss/(gain) on the change in fair value of derivatives (net) and financial assets (net)

-420

-143

5

-355

Other non-cash transactions (net)

8,474

-2,482

944

2,111

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in working capital:

-5,655

-7,943

9,306

-12,093

Decrease/(increase) of trade receivables

-8,930

13,406

8,191

16,169

Decrease/(increase) of other receivables & prepaid expenses

12,170

-6,082

-3,402

-16,342

Decrease/(increase) of inventories

-5,635

-4,129

-1,623

-7,498

(Decrease)/increase of trade payables

-3,549

-7,476

8,350

-33

(Decrease)/increase of other liabilities

290

-3,662

-2,211

-4,389

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes (paid)/received

-628

-92

-1,394

-2,061

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow from operating activities

13,516

-3,532

7,587

15,004

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Payments for property, plant, equipment & intangible assets

-9,601

-23,815

-15,602

-78,958

Payments for investments

0

-175

0

-350

Proceeds from sale of financial assets

1,156

0

0

0

Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired

0

0

0

0

Payments for loan investments to related parties

-96

-101

-8

-231

Proceeds from loan investments related parties

62

94

40

217

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment

278

0

415

454

Interest received

494

663

689

2,648

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow used in investing activities

-7,708

-23,334

-14,466

-76,220

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow – con’t

in thousands of USD

Quarter

ended
31 Mar 2020

unaudited

Quarter

ended
31 Mar 2019

unaudited

Quarter

ended
31 Dec 2019

unaudited

Full year

ended
31 Dec 2019

audited

Cash Flow from (used in) financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from loans and borrowings

0

0

0

24,706

Repayment of loans and borrowings

-6,391

-7,500

-12,754

-34,667

Receipts from sale & leaseback arrangements

0

0

7

1,187

Payments of lease installments

-1,358

-618

-1,399

-5,485

Receipt of government grants and subsidies

696

0

3,309

9,609

Interest paid

-182

-409

-358

-1,551

Gross proceeds from capital increase

0

0

0

0

Direct cost related to capital increase

0

0

0

0

Payment of preference dividend

0

0

-1,000

-1,000

Distribution to non-controlling interests

-12

-11

0

-11

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow from (used in) financing activities

-7,246

-8,539

-12,195

-7,213

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash

-5,186

-88

3,036

-1,129

Increase/(decrease) of cash and cash equivalents

-1,438

-35,405

-19,075

-68,428

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

173,211

242,768

189,250

242,768

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of

the period

166,587

207,276

173,211

173,211

###