Osram business units exhibit strong development in the first quarter

  • Strong trend in earnings across all businesses
  • Semiconductor business achieves record adjusted EBITDA margin
  • Planned sale of business in electronics and ballasts 

At the end of January, Osram significantly raised its outlook for the fiscal year thanks to extremely positive business developments and the rapid recovery of the automotive market in the first quarter. This success is due not only to the effective measures that the company took at an early stage to counter the corona crisis but also and above all to the positive earnings trends in all reporting segments. Semiconductor business in particular delivered excellent performance in the first quarter. Opto Semiconductors set a record in the past quarter with its highest adjusted EBITDA margin to date. “Our strategy is working. In recent years, Osram has taken steps to make itself crisis-proof. That’s why even during this corona pandemic our products are very successful,” said Olaf Berlien, CEO of OSRAM Licht AG. “This is true for our automotive products, and especially for our semiconductors. Without the capacity of our plant in Kulim, we would not be able to meet demand at the moment. Within three years, Kulim has become an important pillar for Opto Semiconductors.”

All three business units performed well in their markets in the first quarter of the new fiscal year. Even during the corona crisis, Automotive (AM) has been strengthening its leading position in retrofit and replacement lamps. AM achieved sales of 474 million euros, a slight increase on a comparable basis; adjusted EBITDA increased considerably compared to the previous year at 65 million euros.

Opto Semiconductors (OS) in particular delivered glowing results in the first quarter of the year. With an adjusted EBITDA margin of over 31 percent, it posted an all-time record. This record margin clearly shows that the focus on high-tech in the automotive and general lighting sectors and the expansion of production capacity in Kulim and Regensburg were important decisions for the future. In the first quarter, OS also reported a comparable increase in sales of nearly five percent to 356 million euros.

The successful turnaround measures taken in the Digital (DI) business unit have further progressed. Despite the corona-related decline in sales in the past quarter, adjusted EBITDA was again more or less balanced and free cash flow was slightly positive. Compared to the previous quarter (Q4), adjusted EBITDA improved by six million euros. In recent months, various options for developing the business areas within DI have been closely examined. As Osram continues to focus on high-tech and photonics, the company has decided to seek a new best owner for the segment which handles electronics and electronic power supplies within the business unit DI. This segment, as one of the leading technological suppliers in the market, can then develop more purposefully outside Osram and improve its position even further.

Osram will hold a conference call for journalists on Tuesday, February 9, starting at 08:30 CET with the Management Board of OSRAM Licht AG. The call will also be broadcast on the internet at https://87399.choruscall.eu/links/osram210209pr.html. You can also use this address to view a recording of the conference.

From 14:00 CET on February 9 you can also follow the analyst conference with the Management Board using this link: https://87399.choruscall.eu/links/osram210209ir.html

 

Selected first quarter figures for OSRAM Licht AG

1st quarter 2021 1st quarter 2020 Change nominal
Revenue 840
873
(3.8%)
Comp. revenue growth1 (0.1%)
   
EBITDA adjusted2 162
114
42.1%
…margin 19.3%
13.0%
620bps
Earnings after taxes 6
1
369.6%
Free cash flow 50
7
636.1%
Employees in thousands 21 23 (7.3%)

(Unaudited figures. Figures in millions of euros, margin in percent, employees as on December 31. Negative values in parentheses.)

( 1Adjustet for currency and portfolio effects.)

( 2Adjusted for special items, including transformation cost, significant legal and regulatory issues, as well as M&A-related costs.)


Development of the reporting segments in the first quarter

1st quarter 2021 1st quarter 2020 Change nominal
Opto Semiconductors
…Total revenue 356
359
(0.7%)
...Comp. revenue growth1
4.7%     
…EBITDA adjusted2 113
88

28.4%

...Free cash flow  44 36
22.7% 
Automotive
…Total revenue 474
480
(1.1%)
...Comp. revenue growth1

1.4%



…EBITDA adjusted2 65
47
38.0%
...Free cash flow  8 (17)
n.a.
Digital
…Total revenue 178 217
(17.9%)
...Comp. revenue growth1 (12.6%)


…EBITDA adjusted2 (1) (1)
n.a.
...Free cash flow  1 (7)
n.a. 

(Unaudited figures in millions of euros. Negative values in parentheses.)

(1Adjustet for currency and portfolio effects.) 

(2Adjusted for special items, including transformation cost, significant legal and regulatory issues, as well as M&A-related costs.)


ABOUT OSRAM

OSRAM, based in Munich, is a leading global high-tech company with a history dating back more than 110 years. Primarily focused on semiconductor-based technologies, our products are used in highly diverse applications ranging from virtual reality to autonomous driving and from smartphones to smart and connected lighting solutions in buildings and cities. OSRAM uses the endless possibilities of light to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. OSRAM’s innovations enable people all over the world not only to see better, but also to communicate, travel, work and live better. OSRAM had approximately 21,000 employees worldwide as of end of fiscal 2020 (September 30) and generated revenue of around three billion euros from continuing activities. The company is listed on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt and Munich (ISIN: DE000LED4000; WKN: LED 400; trading symbol: OSR). Additional information can be found at www.osram.com.

Disclaimer

This document contains statements and information pertaining to our future business and financial performance and future developments that may constitute forward-looking statements – i.e. statements about processes that take place in the future, not in the past. These statements pertaining to the future can be identified by expressions such as "anticipate", "expect", "want", "intend", "plan", "believe", "aspire", "estimate", "will”, "predict" or words of similar meaning. Such statements are based on current expectations and certain assumptions of OSRAM‟s management. They are, therefore, subject to certain risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond OSRAM’s control, affect OSRAM’s operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of OSRAM to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or anticipated on the basis of historic trends. These factors include in particular, but are not limited to, the matters described in the chapter “Report on Risks and Opportunities” in the Annual Report of OSRAM Licht Group. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements of OSRAM may vary materially from those described in the relevant forward-looking statement as being expected, anticipated, intended, planned, believed, sought, estimated or projected. OSRAM neither intends, nor assumes any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this and other documents may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures they reference.