Unisem lowers 1Q loss to RM9.74m

by **hlk** Thu 25 Apr 2013, 10:24

Business & Markets 2013
Written by Shalini Kumar of theedgemalaysia.com
Thursday, 25 April 2013 10:15
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KUALA LUMPUR: Global semiconductor producer UNISEM (M) BHD []
has seen a lower net loss of RM9.74 million for the first quarter of 2013
financial year (1QFY13) against a loss of RM13.53 million a year ago.
Revenue came in at RM249.72 million, a marginal 2.7% dip from the
RM256.61 million recorded in the same quarter last year.
“The decline in revenue was principally attributable to reduced sales
volume. The rationalisation of certain low margin/unprofitable products
has helped to improve the gross profit margin, thus the lower current
quarter losses compared to the corresponding quarter a year ago,” said
the company in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday.
Unisem said it recorded a loss before taxation of RM10.3 million for
1QFY13 against RM20 million in 4QFY12 as a result of the recognition
of impairment charges and retrenchment costs of about RM22 million.
Looking ahead, Unisem expects the group’s business to remain
challenging for the rest of the financial year. For FY12 ended
December, the company posted a net loss of RM32.31 million from a
profit of RM19.85 million in FY11.
The FY12 losses were principally attributable to impairment losses on
assets, provision for write-off on inventory, retrenchment costs, higher
interest and depreciation charges as well as lower foreign exchange
gains.
The company’s share price recently experienced a rally due to data
released by Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International that said the North American semiconductor industry’s
book-to-bill ratio of 1:14 in March was the highest seen in eight months.
A book-to-bill ratio of 1:14 means that US$114 (RM347.70) worth of orders was received for every US$100 billed for the
month. A book-to-bill ratio of above 1:0 indicates strong demand, while a ratio below 1:0 implies weaker demand.
Unisem closed at 88 sen, up one sen or 1.15%, with 944,200 shares traded yesterday.
This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on April 25, 2013.