TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 04/18/12 — Aastra Technologies Limited – (TSX: AAH) today reported its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $147.3 million compared to $162.7 million for the same quarter in 2011, a decrease of approximately 9.5%. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, revenue dropped approximately 8.1% from the same period last year. Revenue decreases were experienced across most geographical markets including Western Europe where the majority of the Company-s revenue is generated.
Gross margin increased to 43.4% of revenue in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 42.5% of revenue in the same period in 2011 due to the higher margin earned on software applications and service sales. The Company continues to experience an increase in revenue from software applications and service as a percentage of total revenue and this had a positive impact on gross margins realized during the first quarter of 2012.
Research and development expenses in the first quarter of 2012 were $14.9 million or 10.1% of revenue, compared to $17.4 million or 10.7% of revenue in the same quarter of 2011. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $42.9 million or 29.1% of revenue in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $44.7 million or 27.5% of revenue in the first quarter of 2011. Operating expenses continued to decrease during the first quarter as a result of continued cost control and efficiencies across most markets.
Foreign exchange losses of $0.7 million were recognized in the first quarter of 2012 mainly as a result of a continued weakness in the Euro. Amortization expense recorded in operating expenses decreased to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2011 as certain intangible assets acquired in previous years have become fully amortized.
The Company recorded net finance income of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $0.6 million in the same period in 2011. Income tax expense of $0.4 million or 16.9% of pre-tax profit compared to 19.7% of pre-tax profit in the first quarter last year.
As a result of the above, profit increased in the first quarter this year to $2.0 million or $0.14 diluted earnings per share compared to $0.2 million or $0.01 diluted earnings per share in the same period in 2011.
Cash and short-term investments totaled $158.2 million at the end of March 2012 compared to $134.1 million at December 31, 2011. During the first quarter of 2012, the Company generated $28.7 million of cash flow in operations. Accounts receivables decreased by $18.0 million as a result of the seasonally weaker sales value. In addition, inventory decreased by an additional $3.6 million and finance lease receivables decreased by $2.6 million. The Company also returned $2.8 million in dividends to shareholders during the first quarter.
As previously announced, subsequent to the close of the first quarter, the Company has completed a substantial issuer bid (“SIB”) wherein it repurchased approximately 2.2 million of its own common shares at $23.00 per share for a total cost of $50 million. The SIB was funded from existing cash balances.
Finally, the Company is also pleased to announce that it will pay a dividend to its shareholders of $0.20 per share for this quarter, payable on May 24, 2012 to all shareholders of record on May 3, 2012. The dividend declared today has been designated as an “eligible” dividend for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and similar provincial legislation. Shareholders of Aastra are entitled to receive dividends only if and when such dividends have been declared and there is no entitlement to any dividends prior to any declaration thereof by Aastra-s Board of Directors.
About Aastra Technologies Limited
Aastra Technologies Limited (TSX: AAH) is a global company at the forefront of the Enterprise Communication market. Headquartered in Concord, Ontario, Canada, Aastra develops and delivers innovative and integrated solutions that address the communication needs of businesses small and large around the world. Aastra enables Enterprises to communicate and collaborate more efficiently and effectively by offering customers a full range of open standard IP-based and traditional communications solutions, including terminals, systems, and applications. For additional information on Aastra, visit our website at .
Certain statements made herein may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to our Board of Directors declaring any future quarterly dividends and, if so declared, the amount of such dividends. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous factors and assumptions, and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that such forward-looking statements will not be achieved.
Shareholders are entitled to receive dividends only if and when such dividends have been declared and there is no entitlement to any dividends prior to any declaration thereof by our Board of Directors. The material factors that will be considered by our Board of Directors in determining whether it is appropriate to declare any future dividends, and the amount of any such dividends, include: our earnings, cash flow, quarterly fluctuations in financial results and financing requirements to fund acquisitions or other business opportunities. Please refer to our filings on the website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at , including our Annual Information Form and our annual and quarterly Management Discussion and Analyses for other material factors that may be considered by our Board of Directors in determining whether to declare any future dividends and the amount of any such dividends.
We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as our actual results may differ materially from our expectations if known and unknown risks or uncertainties affect our business, or if our estimates or assumptions prove inaccurate. Therefore, we cannot provide any assurance that forward-looking statements will materialize. Unless otherwise required pursuant to applicable Canadian securities legislation, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.
The interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 have not been reviewed by an auditor.
The interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 have not been reviewed by an auditor.
The interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 have not been reviewed by an auditor.
Contacts:
Aastra Technologies Limited
Investor Relations
(905) 760-4200
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