DGAP-News: ATOSS Software AG: reports fourth record result in succession, outlook
(firmenpresse) - ATOSS Software AG / Final Results/Forecast
12.03.2010 09:29
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ATOSS Software AG reports fourth record result in succession, outlook
positive
Munich, March 12, 2010 - At today's press conference ATOSS Software AG will
present the best sales and profit figures in the company's history. Since
it was first established in 1987 the Munich software company has
selectively established itself as a specialist in workforce management. The
business was floated on the stock exchange almost exactly 10 years ago on
March 21, 2000. In fiscal 2009, sales climbed 8 % to EUR 29.1 million with
the operating result up 9 % at EUR 5.5 million. Shareholders are due to
participate in the company's success with a dividend up 14% at EUR 0.50. In
view of the strong order book and the number of new customers showing no
sign of abating, the Management Board remains optimistic for the current
year.
ATOSS recently announced that after an intensive two-year selection
process, European perfumery market leader Douglas has opted for the ATOSS
Retail Solution. Two further prominent clients in the retail sector have
also been acquired in the current first quarter of 2010. ATOSS is enjoying
highly successful business in the retail sector in particular, but demand
also remains strong in services and health care.
Continuing growth in the midst of a recession
In its 2009 financial year, in the midst of a deep recession, ATOSS
nevertheless succeeded in surpassing its very strong performance in 2008.
With a further increase in sales that greatly outstripped the rise in
costs, all of the key operating parameters again showed an improvement. For
the first time the company booked sales of more than EUR 7 million in each
of the four quarters. The overall margin on sales based on EBIT came in at
19%. Earnings per share amounted to EUR 1.00, up from EUR 0.88 in the year
before.
The positive trend in business was also reflected in liquidity, which rose
38% to EUR 19.3 million, while cash flow trebled to reach EUR 7.6 million.
ATOSS scores highly with figures such as these which represent decisive
criteria in the eyes of major customers - not to mention the continuing
strong equity ratio of 57% (previous year 64%) despite the increasing size
of the company's balance sheet.
ATOSS is attractive to clients as well as shareholders
The low level of outstanding accounts, short times to payment and
negligible revaluation allowances are proof of the close relationship of
trust between ATOSS and its customers. The allowances remained for the
reporting period with EUR 16,000 on the extremely low level of last year
(EUR 11,000) and are minimal in relation to a balance sheet total of EUR
25.7 million and sales of EUR 29.1 million.
The company's extremely sound capital base not only affords ATOSS effective
protection against economic and other risks. Customers too can be assured
that ongoing technological development will continue at a level well above
the norm. While the level of investment in general declined in 2009, ATOSS
increased its research and development spending to a new record of EUR 5.6
million.
ATOSS sees strong share price performance, dividend continuity
The company's business success has been rewarded by the capital markets as
the price of ATOSS stock rose 68% in the course of the year, far outpacing
the comparative indices. The price peaked at the end of October at EUR
13.80, holding at EUR 12.15 at the year-end. There was also a highly
positive development in the liquidity of the stock. Sales via the Xetra
electronic trading platform alone increased by almost 70%. The Management
Board sees the current trend in the stock price as a cause for
satisfaction. ATOSS stock continues to climb while the benchmarks have
latterly trended sidewards. The company's high level of liquidity and the
dividend yield are regarded as providing strong support for the stock
price, along with the continuing positive assessment of important
parameters such as the price/earnings (P/E) ratio and the ratio of
operating profit to enterprise value.
Another distinguishing feature of ATOSS is the continuity of its dividend
policy. As in preceding years, the Management and Supervisory Boards will
propose to the AGM at the end of April that half the earnings per share
should be distributed as a dividend. This represents a payout of EUR 0.50
per share (previous year EUR 0.44), equal to a dividend yield of currently
around 4%. With the inclusion of this amount, since first formulating its
dividend strategy in 2003, ATOSS will have distributed EUR 10.10 per share
to its shareholders.
ATOSS plans to continue at the record level of 2009
ATOSS began the new 2010 financial years with orders worth EUR 3.3 million
(previous year: EUR 2.5 million) on hand for software licenses and some
positive news on the sale front. Despite the general economic uncertainty
the Management Board is therefore optimistic and expects to see a
continuation of last year's record results. Clearly distinguished as it is
at the level of products and technology, financial stability and
sustainability and with first-class references in all relevant markets, the
company enjoys an ideal position. Intelligent personnel deployment is a
decisive competitive factor and therefore central to the ability of today's
businesses to face the future both in Germany and abroad. ATOSS solutions
are already in use in 23 countries. Successful cooperation with
international clients will in future be of increasing significance.
Upcoming dates:
26.04.2010 Press release announcing the 3-monthly statements
30.04.2010 Annual general meeting in Munich
Further information available from: http://www.atoss.com
Contact: ATOSS Software AG
Christof Leiber / Member of the Management Board
Am Moosfeld 3, D-81829 Munich
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 4 27 71 - 265
Fax: +49 (0) 89 4 27 71 - 100
investor.relations(at)atoss.com
12.03.2010 09:29 Ad hoc announcement, Financial News and Media Release distributed by DGAP. Medienarchiv atwww.dgap-medientreff.deandwww.dgap.de---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Language: English
Company: ATOSS Software AG
Am Moosfeld 3
81829 München
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)89 4 27 71-0
Fax: +49 (0)89 4 27 71-100
E-mail: investor.relations(at)atoss.com
Internet: www.atoss.com
ISIN: DE0005104400
WKN: 510440
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehrin Berlin, München, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Hamburg
End of News DGAP News-Service
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