Regulatory News:

X-FAB (Paris:XFAB)

Highlights Q2 2020:

- Revenue was USD 118.8 million, within the guidance of USD 118-128 million, down 10% year-on-year (YoY) and down 6% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ)

- EBITDA was USD 15.9 million, up 35% YoY and down 9% QoQ

- EBITDA margin of 13.4% was well above the 5-9% guidance

- EBIT was USD -2.8 million, up USD 2.8 million YoY and down USD 1.3 million QoQ

- Net loss was USD -5.9 million, up USD 2.2 million YoY and up USD 0.8 million QoQ

- Bookings were USD 99.5 million, down 23% YoY and 33% QoQ

Outlook:

- Q3 2020 revenue is expected in the range of USD 91-97 million with an EBITDA margin in the range of 0-4%.

- The guidance for Q3 2020 is based on an average exchange rate of 1.18 USD/Euro.

Revenue breakdown per quarter:

in millions of USD

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Q3 2019

Q4 2019

Q1 2020

Q2 2020

Q2 y-o-y growth

Automotive

76.6

59.7

64.1

62.5

60.5

56.7

68.3

61.6

-1%

Industrial

23.8

24.3

24.1

23.3

24.4

20.1

22.1

23.9

2%

Medical

6.3

7.3

6.8

6.3

8.8

6.3

6.5

7.3

15%

Subtotal core business

106.7

91.3

95.0

92.1

93.7

83.2

96.9

92.7

1%

70.5%

66.4%

72.5%

70.0%

71.8%

73.3%

76.4%

78.1%

 

CCC1

44.4

45.9

35.8

39.1

36.7

30.1

29.7

25.9

-34%

Others

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.0

0.1

0.3

0.2

 

Total revenues

151.4

137.4

131.0

131.6

130.5

113.4

126.9

118.8

-10%

  1. Consumer, Communications & Computer

in millions of USD

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Q3 2019

Q4 2019

Q1 2020

Q2 2020

Q2 y-o-y growth

CMOS

138.7

122.0

118.2

114.4

114.4

98.1

112.8

103.4

-10%

MEMS

9.5

10.4

8.1

10.7

9.5

9.9

9.6

10.4

-3%

Silicon carbide

3.3

5.0

4.7

6.4

6.5

5.5

4.5

5.0

-22%

Total revenues

151.4

137.4

131.0

131.6

130.5

113.4

126.9

118.8

-10%

Business development

X-FAB’s second quarter revenues came in at USD 118.8 million, within the guidance range of USD 118-128 million. Compared to the same quarter last year, revenues declined 10%, quarter-on-quarter they went down 6%.

While the year had started positively, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted X-FAB’s business in the second quarter with a decline in revenues of the automotive as well as the consumer, communications & computer (CCC) business, mainly due to customers postponing deliveries.

Quarterly revenues in X-FAB’s core business, namely automotive, industrial and medical, amounted to USD 92.7 million, up 1% year-on-year and down 4% quarter-on-quarter.

In the second quarter, automotive revenues slightly decreased compared to the same quarter last year. Quarter-on-quarter, it was a decline of 10%, mainly related to customers having deferred deliveries due to a weaker demand on their end. Year-on-year, automotive production revenues excluding prototyping were flat, quarterly prototyping revenues went down 29%. The latter is considered to be exceptional and partially due to a strong comparable one year ago.

Second quarter revenues in the industrial market grew by 2% year-on-year and 8% quarter-on-quarter. Compared to the same quarter last year, industrial production revenues excluding prototyping went down 3%, while prototyping revenues increased by 18%.

X-FAB’s medical business of the second quarter recorded a growth of 15% year-on-year and of 12% quarter-on-quarter. This positive performance was driven by strong prototyping revenues, up 92% compared to the same quarter last year. Production revenues decreased by 14%, which was mainly due to the ongoing transition to a next generation product at a major medical customer. The demand for certain medical applications such as cardiovascular devices also suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a temporary effect and demand should soon return to a normal level. Overall, the growth of X-FAB’s medical business continued to be driven by lab-on-a-chip applications due to the growing need for fast and reliable testing capabilities.

In the second quarter, the CCC business was down 34% year-on-year and 13% compared to the previous quarter. Production revenues excluding prototyping were down 27% compared to the same quarter last year. This was caused by lower shipments after weak order intake for mobile applications in the first quarter and the expected gradual decrease of the legacy business manufactured at X-FAB France. CCC prototyping revenues recorded a year-on-year decline of 64%, which mainly relates to a higher comparative quarter associated with an exceptional IP sale in the second quarter of 2019.

In the second quarter, the share of the French site’s revenues based on X-FAB technologies was 17%.

X-FAB group’s prototyping revenues during the second quarter were USD 15.5 million. This is an 11% increase compared to the previous quarter. Prototyping revenues were flat year-on-year excluding the one-off IP sale of USD 3.0 million one year ago.

Following strong first quarter bookings, the second quarter was impacted by the general economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic as customers returned to a cautious order behavior. In the second quarter, bookings came in at USD 99.5 million, which is a 23% decline year-on-year and a fall of 33% quarter-on-quarter. The drop in bookings was predominantly driven by clients’ inventory corrections in the automotive segment.

Operations update

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it remained a top priority to ensure the health and well-being of X-FAB’s employees with a variety of safety measures implemented at all locations, ultimately contributing positively to the continuity of production. There were no pandemic-related disruptions in the second quarter.

After X-FAB had stopped all IT systems and manufacturing lines in response to a cyber attack on July 5, 2020, all sites have now resumed production. As a result of the early intervention, the good collaboration with external cyber security experts and the outstanding performance of all X-FAB teams involved, it was possible to prevent further damage and to keep the duration of the disruption to a minimum.

In response to the production stop after the attack, X-FAB brought forward the fab shutdowns initially planned to take place later in the third quarter, as part of the ongoing cost-saving initiative. With the utilization of X-FAB’s facilities being at a low level due to the second quarter drop in bookings, X-FAB does not expect third quarter revenues to be negatively impacted by the cyber attack.

The silicon carbide (SiC) activities continue to progress well. In the second quarter, X-FAB added another customer bringing the total to 21. SiC revenues totaled USD 5.0 million, down 22% year-on-year and up 11% quarter-on-quarter. The headwinds created by the COVID-19 pandemic are reflected in the 59% decline of SiC production revenues compared to the same quarter last year whereas prototyping revenues recorded a growth of 30%.

After the internal qualification of the in-house SiC epitaxy line was successfully completed in the first quarter, X-FAB has made good progress in the qualification process with various customers. This will contribute to the planned ramp of the SiC epitaxy production volumes.

Capital expenditures in the second quarter were reduced substantially to USD 7.5 million, down 64% compared to the same quarter last year.

Financial update

While second quarter revenues were at the lower end of the guidance, X-FAB achieved a quarterly EBITDA of USD 15.9 million. This corresponds to an EBITDA margin of 13.4%, well above the guided 5-9%, and shows that X-FAB’s cost-saving initiative started to pay off. In response to the anticipated drop in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, X-FAB put a variety of measures in place to lower costs related to staff, travel, electricity and raw materials. On top of this, inventory of unfinished and finished goods increased by USD 1.0 million in the second quarter and this also contributed positively to profitability.

At the end of the second quarter, cash and cash equivalents totaled USD 191.6 million, recording a growth of 15% versus the end of the previous quarter. This was driven by the positive EBITDA development, low capital expenditures, reduced working capital as well as some one-off effects related to support measures used that are offered by governments in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

X-FAB continued its efforts to increase the share of Euro-denominated sales in order to limit the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on profitability. In the second quarter, the share of Euro-denominated sales amounted to 32%, coming from a low of 11% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and contributing to a more natural hedging of the business.

The actual US-Dollar/Euro exchange rate for the second quarter of 2020 was 1.10 leading to an EBITDA margin of 13.4%. At a constant exchange rate of 1.12, as experienced in the second quarter of last year, the EBITDA margin would have been 13.1%.

Organizational change

Effective July 1, 2020, Jörg Doblaski was appointed Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of X-FAB group, therefore joining the executive management team of the company. The previous CTO, Dr. Jens Kosch, had decided to step down from this role but will continue to serve as a Technology Fellow.

Management comments & outlook

Rudi De Winter, CEO of X-FAB Group, said: “As anticipated, X-FAB’s business of the second quarter was impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy. We have seen customers returning to a very cautious order behavior and postponing delivery dates of existing orders. This is reflected in the lower quarterly revenues as well as the drop in bookings. Under these circumstances, I am very happy with the good financial performance in the second quarter with an EBITDA well above the guidance. We managed to drive costs down significantly thanks to the consequent implementation of our cost-saving program throughout the entire company. In the short term, visibility remains low and we will continue with our cost-saving initiatives. On the other hand, I am quite excited about the increasing amount of opportunities for the specialty processes we provide. This includes our silicon carbide and high voltage CMOS offering supporting the electrification of cars and many other things around us, the lab-on-a-chip applications for fast and reliable medical testing as well as X-FAB’s RF SOI technology supporting the transition to 5G.”

Procedures of the independent auditor

The statutory auditor, KPMG Bedrijfsrevisoren – Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA, represented by Herwig Carmans, has confirmed that their review procedures, which have been substantially completed, have not revealed any significant matters requiring adjustment of the condensed consolidated financial information included in this press release as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

X-FAB Quarterly Conference Call

X-FAB’s second quarter results will be discussed in a live conference call on Thursday, August 27, 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/2070378

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 August 27, 2020, 11.30 p.m. CET until September 3, 2020, 11.30 p.m. CET. The replay number will be +44 (0) 3333009785, conference ID 2070378.

The fourth quarter 2020 results will be communicated on October 27, 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
30 Jun 2020

unaudited

Quarter

ended
30 Jun 2019

unaudited

Quarter

ended
31 Mar 2020

unaudited

Half-year

ended
30 Jun 2020

unaudited

Half-year

ended
30 Jun 2019

unaudited

Revenue

118,756

131,560

126,894

245,650

262,565

Revenues in USD in %

67

75

72

69

76

Revenues in EUR in %

32

24

28

30

24

Cost of sales

-107,942

-115,988

-112,419

-220,361

-242,466

Gross Profit

10,814

15,571

14,475

25,289

20,100

Gross Profit margin in %

9.1

11.8

11.4

10.3

7.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

-5,891

-8,221

-5,900

-11,791

-13,628

Selling expenses

-2,118

-2,011

-2,012

-4,130

-4,003

General and administrative expenses

-6,992

-7,778

-7,656

-14,648

-15,563

Rental income and expenses from investment properties

183

-361

40

223

-187

Other income and other expenses

1,210

-2,797

-433

776

-2,577

Operating profit

-2,794

-5,596

-1,487

-4,281

-15,858

Finance income

3,410

3,405

3,499

6,909

6,961

Finance costs

-5,260

-4,964

-8,435

-13,695

-7,586

Net financial result

-1,850

-1,559

-4,936

-6,786

-625

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before tax

-4,644

-7,155

-6,423

-11,067

-16,483

Income tax

-1,243

-926

-302

-1,544

-1,962

Profit for the period

-5,887

-8,081

-6,724

-12,611

-18,445

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit (EBIT)

-2,794

-5,596

-1,487

-4,281

-15,858

Depreciation

18,657

17,365

18,831

37,488

34,149

EBITDA

15,863

11,769

17,344

33,207

18,291

EBITDA margin in %

13.4

8.9

13.7

13.5

7.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share at the end of period

-0.05

-0.06

-0.05

-0.10

-0.14

Weighted average number of shares

130,631,921

130,631,921

130,631,921

130,631,921

130,631,921

 

 

 

 

 

 

EUR/USD average exchange rate

1.10006

1.12324

1.10275

1.10140

1.12979

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
30 Jun 2020

unaudited

Quarter ended
30 Jun 2019

unaudited

Year ended

31 Dec 2019

audited

ASSETS

 

 

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment

350,156

373,832

368,754

Investment properties

8,843

9,362

9,128

Intangible assets

4,988

8,462

8,363

Non-current investments

0

706

736

Other non-current assets

7,729

26,692

27,568

Deferred tax assets

33,248

34,328

33,922

Total non-current assets

404,964

453,381

448,471

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Inventories

165,268

157,959

154,649

Trade and other receivables

48,442

62,870

55,636

Other assets

35,106

31,057

34,429

Cash and cash equivalents

191,636

171,232

173,211

Total current assets

440,451

423,118

417,925

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

845,415

876,499

866,397

 

 

 

 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Share capital

432,745

432,745

432,745

Share premium

348,709

348,709

348,709

Retained earnings

-146,823

-103,979

-133,835

Cumulative translation adjustment

-582

-483

-445

Treasury shares

-770

-770

-770

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

633,279

676,222

646,403

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

365

363

377

 

 

 

 

Total equity

633,644

676,585

646,781

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

Non-current loans and borrowings

82,753

76,417

92,389

Other non-current liabilities and provisions

7,407

7,441

7,407

Total non-current liabilities

90,159

83,858

99,795

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Trade payables

27,778

28,778

38,327

Current loans and borrowings

30,875

32,456

26,658

Other current liabilities and provisions

62,958

54,822

54,835

Total current liabilities

121,611

116,056

119,821

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

845,415

876,499

866,397

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

in thousands of USD

Quarter

ended
30 Jun 2020

unaudited

Quarter

ended
30 Jun 2019

unaudited

Quarter

ended
31 Mar 2020

unaudited

Half-year

ended
30 Jun 2020

unaudited

Half-year

ended
30 Jun 2019

unaudited

Income before taxes

-4,644

-7,155

-6,423

-11,067

-16,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

18,427

19,807

26,222

44,649

33,639

Depreciation and amortization, before effect of grants and subsidies

18,657

17,365

18,831

37,488

34,149

Recognized investment grants and subsidies netted with depreciation and amortization

-851

-742

-901

-1,752

-1,487

Interest income and expenses (net)

1,114

424

518

1,632

842

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

-34

6

-281

-315

6

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

0

-182

-420

-420

-325

Other non-cash transactions (net)

-458

2,936

8,474

8,016

454

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in working capital:

16,687

-16,965

-5,655

11,032

-24,908

Decrease/(increase) of trade receivables

15,547

-4,666

-8,930

6,617

8,740

Decrease/(increase) of other receivables & prepaid expenses

3,107

-5,010

12,170

15,276

-11,093

Decrease/(increase) of inventories

-4,984

-6,679

-5,635

-10,620

-10,808

(Decrease)/increase of trade payables

-4,950

-3,387

-3,549

-8,499

-10,863

(Decrease)/increase of other liabilities

7,967

2,777

290

8,257

-885

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes (paid)/received

-92

-417

-628

-720

-510

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow from operating activities

30,379

-4,730

13,516

43,895

-8,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for property, plant, equipment & intangible assets

-7,492

-20,942

-9,601

-17,094

-44,756

Payments for investments

0

-175

0

0

-350

Proceeds from sale of financial assets

0

0

1,156

1,156

0

Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired

0

0

0

0

0

Payments for loan investments to related parties

-42

-60

-96

-138

-161

Proceeds from loan investments related parties

51

40

62

113

133

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment

40

40

278

318

40

Interest received

475

624

494

970

1,287

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow used in investing activities

-6,967

-20,473

-7,708

-14,674

-43,807

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow – con’t

in thousands of USD

Quarter

ended
30 Jun 2020

unaudited

Quarter

ended
30 Jun 2019

unaudited

Quarter

ended
31 Mar 2020

unaudited

Half-year

ended
30 Jun 2020

unaudited

Half-year

ended
30 Jun 2019

unaudited

Cash Flow from (used in) financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from loans and borrowings

8,813

0

0

8,813

0

Repayment of loans and borrowings

-6,547

-7,083

-6,391

-12,938

-14,583

Receipts from sale & leaseback arrangements

0

0

0

0

0

Payments of lease installments

-1,453

-2,156

-1,358

-2,811

-2,774

Receipt of government grants and subsidies

0

0

696

696

0

Interest paid

-260

-401

-182

-442

-810

Gross proceeds from capital increase

0

0

0

0

0

Direct cost related to capital increase

0

0

0

0

0

Payment of preference dividend

0

0

0

0

0

Distribution to non-controlling interests

0

0

-12

-12

-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow from (used in) financing activities

553

-9,641

-7,246

-6,693

-18,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash

1,084

-1,200

-5,186

-4,102

-1,288

Increase/(decrease) of cash and cash equivalents

23,965

-34,844

-1,438

22,527

-70,248

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

166,587

207,276

173,211

173,211

242,768

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of

the period

191,636

171,232

166,587

191,636

171,232

###