New openings in the stagnant market situation
- Revenue totalled 9,1 million euros (9,9 million euros), which decreased 7,4
per cent.
- The operating result for the review period was 464 thousand euros (586
thousand euros), which decreased 20,8 per cent.
- The company’s operating margin was 5,1 per cent (5,9 per cent).
- Solteq Group’s equity ratio was 49,1 per cent (42,3 per cent).
- Earnings per share was 0,02 euros (0,03 euros).
Key figures
1-3/15 1-3/14 Change- % 1-12/14
Revenue, TEUR 9 134 9 865 -7,4 % 40 933
Operating profit, TEUR 464 586 -20,8 % 2 490
Profit for the financial period, TEUR 343 411 -16,5 % 1 893
Earnings/share, e 0,02 0,03 0,13
Operating profit - % 5,1 % 5,9 % 6,1 %
Equity ratio, % 49,1 % 42,3 % 48,0 %
Profit guidance
The profit guidance is kept as before. (Group’s operating result is expected to
grow compared to financial year 2014.)
CEO Repe Harmanen:
“During the review period, our net sales and operating result decreased slightly
from the comparison period. This was mainly due to the fairly high level of the
previous review period and the fact that some of our projects were completed
ahead of time by the end of 2014.
In the first quarter, the sales of new solutions mainly proceeded as expected,
and we announced significant new openings. The net sales and result of the
review period were affected by the fact that some projects started later than
planned and some projects took longer to finalise. As demand for the new
solutions is good and the project portfolio at the previous level, the future
prospects in these areas are good.
As the decline in the demand for our traditional solutions continued at the
level of the last few months of 2014, we started internal measures to improve
the situation. The delays in new investment decisions are mainly due to
uncertainty in the investment market caused by the general economic situation.
Therefore, we are looking for new ways to help our clients transfer from one
technology to another in accordance with our strategy.
At the moment, the investment readiness and ability of our clients and in the
market are not divided evenly in all our solution areas. We, however, see the
situation as an opportunity to seek growth in multichannel and e-business
solutions.
We will continue our work to control costs and increase flexibility, as we want
to improve our ability to respond to fluctuations in demand in the various areas
in terms of both growth and adjustment of operations.
The outlook for the new sales projects is comparatively good and gives reason to
optimism. The general uncertainly in the Finnish economy and the development of
the demand for traditional technologies are essential factors for us and we
monitor them closely.
As the success of our strategic programmes is extremely important for us, we
continued developing all of them as planned during the first quarter. We
increased measures to ensure that we reach our most important objectives during
2015.”
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Solteq is a leading retail and service industry software service company. We
offer long-term partnership and the markets’ widest range of retail and service
industry software services, from the optimisation of the entire supply chain to
the management of consumer-customer information. Our technology-independent
solutions help our customers to guide their business operations as efficiently
and profitably as possible.
Solteq Plc’s reported segments are Grocery and special retail, HoReCa;
Wholesale, Logistics and Services and Enterprise Asset & Service Business
Management.
The aim of the segmentation is to respond to customer demand as a field total
supplier and therefore to improve the availability of services and ease for our
customers.
Grocery and special retail, HoReCa
Solteq’s Grocery and Special Retail Segment provides its clients with total
solutions that they can utilise to improve efficiency in terms of logistics,
store operations, customer service, point of sale operations, as well as loyal
customer management.
The grocery and special retail solutions help optimise the management of the
product selection, space, deliveries, logistics and customer satisfaction while
increasing sales and improving the result. The solutions speed up the basic
operations, improve delivery reliability, reduce storage value, increase stock
turnover and enhance predictability. The store always has the right products in
the right place, at the right time, and at the right price.
During the review period the revenue of the Grocery and Special Retail segment
totaled 4,7 million euros (5,1 million euros) and the operating result was 0,2
million euros (0,3 million euros).
The decrease in the net sales was mainly due to postponements in decision-making
schedules in the early part of the review period. Towards the end and after the
end of the review period, a large number of the projects were already underway.
The impact of the postponements on the operating result was minor, as the cost
structure of the segment had been simplified since the comparison period.
Wholesale, Logistics and Services
Solteq’s Wholesale, Logistics and Services Segment provides its clients with ERP
and financial management systems, as well as optimisation, integration and
reporting solutions that support these systems.
Solteq’s solutions help clients manage their operations and enhance purchases,
sales, stock management and reporting. The systems can be utilised to improve
delivery reliability, reduce storage value, increase stock turnover and enhance
predictability. Materials flow management ensures that the right goods reach the
right customers at the right time, packed in an optimal manner.
Solteq’s wholesale, logistics and services systems improve the effectiveness of
operations and enable more flexible and versatile customer service. At the same
time, automated data management enhances the company’s internal operations.
Solteq’s solutions are used daily by a large number of clients representing
various industries and sectors, such as wholesale, retail and public
administration.
During the review period the revenue of the Wholesale, Logistics and Services
segment totalled 3,3 million euros (3,4 million euros) and the operating result
was 0,3 million euros (0,1 million euros).
The net sales of the review period remained on the previous year’s level. The
improvement in the operating result was mainly due to the development of the
cost structure and improved resource utilisation.
Enterprise Asset & Service Business Management
Solteq’s Enterprise Asset & Service Business Management Segment provides its
clients with ERP and master data management solutions.
The enterprise resource planning solutions developed for the optimisation of
service processes help clients manage their operations in many ways, for
instance enhance production plant reliability, task and resources management,
field work, sales and customer service, partner network management and materials
management. The solutions are utilised by a large number of clients representing
various industries and sectors, such as energy production, maintenance
services, life cycle services, engineering and technical services of cities and
municipalities, property management services, and home and care services.
The Enterprise Asset & Service Business Management Segment also provides client
companies with services and products related to business critical data (master
data) in the form of master data improvement projects, data maintenance services
outsourced to master data service centers, software technologies for master data
management, and consultation services. The aim of these services is to ensure
that the data in the systems that support the clients’ enterprise resource
planning and decision making processes are of high quality, compatible and up-to
-date. Solteq’s master data management solutions are used by clients across
industries and sectors.
During the review period the revenue of the Enterprise Asset & Service Business
Management segment totalled 1,1 million euros (1,3 million euros) and the
operating result was 0,0 million euros (0,2 million euros).
Unlike other segments, the main business of the segment is based on the
development, supply and marketing of the segment’s own software products. Owing
to the nature of its business, the segment is, however, more dependable on the
new investments of the client industries than the other segments.
The development of the segment’s net sales was weaker than in the previous year,
and the operating result decreased.
The growth and profitability of the operations will be improved by developing
products that meet the needs of the client segments better and by looking for
new markets and channels. The incorporation of the business of the segment at
the turn of the year will allow the development of a product area specific,
specialised strategy during 2015.
REVENUE AND RESULT
Turnover by operation:
% 1-3/15 1-3/14 1-12/14
Software services 67 65 62
Licences 27 26 26
Hardware 6 9 12
Revenue decreased by 7,4 % compared to the previous year and totalled 9.134
thousand euros (previous review period 9.865 thousand euros).
Revenue consists of several individual customerships. At the most, one client
corresponds to less than ten percentages of the revenue.
The operating result for the review period decreased 20,8 % and was 464 thousand
euros (586 thousand euros), result before taxes was 435 thousand euros (507
thousand euros) and result for the financial year 343 thousand euros (411
thousand euros).
BALANCE SHEET AND FINANCING
The total assets amounted to 24.231 thousand euros (26.246 thousand euros).
Liquid assets totalled 1.838 thousand euros (1.963 thousand euros). In addition
to liquid assets, the company has unused bank account limits amounting to a
total of 1.500 thousand euros in the end of the review period.
The Group’s interest-bearing liabilities were 3.882 thousand euros (5.101
thousand euros).
Solteq Group’s equity ratio was 49,1 per cent (42,3 per cent).
INVESTMENTS, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Gross investment during the review period was 10 thousand euros (150 thousand
euros). The investments of the review period are mainly replacement investments.
The investments in the reference period are also mainly replacement
investments.
Research and development
Solteq’s research and development costs consist mainly of personnel costs. When
developing basic products, it is Solteq’s strategy to cooperate with global
actors such as SAP, Symphony EYC and Microsoft and utilize their resources and
distribution channels. Own development efforts are focused on added value
products and developing tailored service concepts.
During the review period product development costs were not amortized (none in
the reference period, either).
PERSONNEL
The number of permanent employees at the end of the review period was 269 (279).
In the end of the review period the number of personnel could be divided as
follows: Grocery and special retail, HoReCa segment: 101 people; Wholesale,
Logistics and Services: 79 people; Enterprise Asset & Service Business
Management; 39 people and 50 people in shared functions.
The key figures for Group’s personnel:
+---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+
| |1-3/2015|1-3/2014|1-3/2013|
+---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+
|Average number of the | 278| 284| 289|
|personnel during the review| | | |
|period | | | |
+---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+
|Employee benefit expenses | 3 796| 3 948| 4 125|
|(1,000 €) | | | |
+---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Solteq’s related parties include the board of directors, managing director, the
management team and the companies owned by the management.
SHARES, SHAREHOLDERS AND TREASURY SHARES
Solteq Plc’s equity on 31.3.2015 was 1.009.154,17 euros which was represented by
14.998.061 shares. The shares have no nominal value. All shares have an equal
entitlement to dividends and company assets. Shares are governed by a redemption
clause.
At the end of the review period, the amount of treasury shares in Solteq Plc and
the group companies Solteq Management Oy’s and Solteq Management Team Oy’s
possessions were 860.881 shares. The amount of treasury shares represented 5,7 %
of the total amount of shares and votes at the end of the review period. The
equivalent value of acquired shares was 57.925 euros. On 19 March 2015, Solteq
announced that the company’s share-based incentive scheme would be dissolved.
During the review period, one flagging announcement was made on March 19, 2015.
Solteq Plc announced that the company would dissolve the share-based incentive
scheme by purchasing the capital stocks of the Management Team’s holding
companies. The arrangement was implemented on 13 April 2015 and it led to a
change in ownership, in which Solteq Plc and its subsidiaries hold more than 5%
of Solteq Plc shares and votes.
Exchange and rate
During the review period, the exchange of Solteq’s shares in the Helsinki Stock
Exchange was 0,4 million shares (0,3 million shares ) and 0,7 million euros (0,4
million euros). Highest rate during the financial year was 1,94 euros and lowest
rate 1,32 euros. Weighted average rate of the share was 1,59 euros and end rate
1,78 euros. The market value of the company’s shares in the end of the financial
year totalled 26,7 million euros (21,1 million euros).
Ownership
In the end of the financial year, Solteq had a total of 1.683 shareholders
(1.780 shareholders). Solteq’s 10 largest shareholders owned 11.282 thousand
shares i.e. they owned 75,2 per cent of the company’s shares and votes. Solteq
Plc’s members of the board owned a total of 5.609 thousand shares which equals
37,4 per cent of the company’s shares and votes.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
At Solteq Plc’s Annual General Meeting on 16 March 2015 the 2014 financial
statements were adopted and the members of the board and the managing director
were discharged from liability for the 2014 financial period.
In the meeting was accepted the proposal by the board that for the financial
year 2014, there will be paid a dividend of 0.03 euros per each share on the
market. In addition to this, the annual general meeting authorized the board to
decide, in accordance with the Finnish Companies Act 13 chapter 6§ 2 paragraph,
on a distribution of dividend, or other distribution of funds from the equity
trust, for an amount of maximum 0.05 euros. The board is also allowed to decide
on the timing and other details of this. The authorization is valid until the
beginning of the next Annual General Meeting.
The Annual General Meeting authorized the Board of Directors to decide on the
purchase of the Company’s own shares to improve the capital structure, to be
used as a part of remuneration of personnel, to finance and execute business
acquisitions and other business arrangements or to be further transferred or
cancelled. The proposal includes authorization to take company’s own shares as a
pledge. According to the proposal, the total number of the shares purchased
shall not exceed 10 percent of all shares of the Company and they can be
purchased otherwise than in proportion to the shareholdings of the shareholders.
The shares shall be purchased at a price formed in public trading. The
authorization includes that the Board of Directors may decide the terms and
other matters concerning the purchase of own shares. The authorization is
effective until the next Annual General Meeting.
The Annual General Meeting authorized the Board of Directors to give new shares
or convey company’s own shares. The authorization would be executed by one or
more share issues, maximum total amount being 5.000.000 shares. The
authorization includes a right to deviate from the shareholders’ pre-emptive
right of subscription. The authorization includes that the Board of Directors
may decide the terms and other matters concerning the share issue. The
authorization is effective until the next Annual General Meeting.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND AUDITORS
Seven members were elected to the Board of Directors. Ali Saadetdin, Seppo
Aalto, Markku Pietilä, Sirpa Sara-aho, Jukka Sonninen, Matti Roininen and Olli
Välimäki. The Board elected Ali Saadetdin to act as the Chairman of the Board.
KPMG Oy Ab, Authorized Public Accountants, was re-elected as Solteq’s auditors.
Lotta Nurminen, APA, acted as the chief auditor.
EVENTS AFTER THE REVIEW PERIOD
After the end of the review period, Solteq Plc dissolved the share-based
incentive scheme by purchasing the capital stocks of the holding companies. The
arrangement was announced on 19 March 2015 and the purchase was finalised on 13
April 2015.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The key uncertainties and risks in short term are related to the timing and
pricing of business deals that are the basis for revenue, changes in the level
of costs and the company’s ability to manage extensive contract agreements and
deliveries.
The key business risks and uncertainties of the company are monitored constantly
as a part of the board of directors’ and management team’s duties. The company
has not organized a separate internal audit organization or committee.
Financial reporting
This Interim Report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim
Financial Reporting –standard and using the same accounting policies as the
financial statements 2014.
The financial result is reported through three business areas. Grocery and
special retail, HoReCa segment, Wholesale, Logistics and Services and Enterprise
Asset & Service Business Management. The most essential product and service
types of the Solteq group of companies are software services, licenses and
hardware sales.
All forecasts and estimates presented in the bulletin are based on the current
views of management on the economic environment and outlook. Because of this,
the results can differ as a result of, among other factors, changes in economy,
markets and competitive conditions, changes in the regulatory environment and
other government actions.
The interim report is unaudited.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(TEUR)
1.1.- 1.1.- 1.1.-
31.3.2015 31.3.2014 31.12.2014
Revenue 9 134 9 865 40 933
Other income 0 0 0
Materials and services -2 166 -2 437 -12 508
Employee benefit expences -4 646 -4 861 -18 897
Depreciation and impairments -336 -317 -1 320
Other expenses -1 522 -1 664 -5 718
OPERATING RESULT 464 586 2 490
Financial income and
expenses -29 -79 -177
RESULT BEFORE TAXES 435 507 2 313
Income tax expences -92 -96 -420
343 411 1 893
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME TO BE RECLASSIFIED TO PROFIT OR
LOSS IN SUBSEQUENT PERIODS
Cash flow hedges 9 6 6
Other comprehensive income,
net of tax 7 5 5
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
350 416 1 898
Total profit for the period attributable to
Owners of the parent 343 411 1 893
Total comprehensive income attributable to
Owners of the parent 350 416 1 898
Earnings / share,
e(undiluted) 0,02 0,03 0,13
Earnings / share,
e(diluted) 0,02 0,03 0,13
Taxes corresponding to the result have been presented as taxes for the period.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (TEUR) 31.3.2015 31.3.2014 31.12.2014
ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Tangible assets 1 509 1 380 1 652
Intangible assets
Goodwill 12 730 12 730 12 730
Other intangible assets 2 051 2 702 2 231
Available-for-sale intangible assets 552 548 555
Trade and other receivables 15 32 15
Total
non-current assets 16 857 17 393 17 183
CURRENT ASSETS
Inventories 43 144 35
Trade and other receivables 5 493 6 746 5 290
Cash and cash equivalents 1 838 1 963 2 530
Total
current assets 7 374 8 853 7 855
TOTAL ASSETS 24 231 26 246 25 038
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE PARENT
Share capital 1 009 1 009 1 009
Share premium reserve 75 75 75
Hedging reserve -16 -23 -23
Reserve for own shares -1 109 -958 -1 069
Distributable
equity reserve 6 453 6 392 6 392
Retained earnings 5 225 4 294 5 328
Total equity 11 637 10 789 11 712
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities 494 570 512
Financial liabilities 1 848 3 180 2 591
Current liabilities 10 252 11 707 10 223
Total liabilities 12 594 15 457 13 326
TOTAL EQUITY
AND LIABILITIES 24 231 26 246 25 038
CASH FLOW STATEMENT (MEUR)
1-3/2015 1-3/2014 1-12/2014
Cash flow from business
operations 0,28 0,60 3,27
Cash flow from capital
expenditure -0,01 -0,15 -0,24
Cash flow from financing activities
Own shares -0,04 -0,02 -0,14
Dividend distribution -0,38 -0,38 -0,90
Loan agreements -0,54 -0,45 -1,82
Cash flow from financing
activities -0,96 -0,85 -2,86
Change in cash and cash equivalents -0,69 -0,40 0,16
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN GROUP EQUITY (TEUR)
A=Share capital
B=Reserve for own shares
C=Share premium account
D=Hedging reserve
E=Distributable equity reserve
F=Retained earnings
G=Total
A B C D E F G
EQUITY 1.1.2014 1 009 -933 75 -28 6 392 4 331 10 846
Total comprehensive income 5 411 416
Acquiring of own shares -25 -25
Dividend distribution -449 -449
EQUITY 31.3.2014 1 009 -958 75 -23 6 392 4 294 10 789
EQUITY 1.1.2015 1 009 -1 069 75 -23 6 392 5 328 11 712
Total comprehensive income 7 343 350
Acquiring of own shares -40 -40
The fees for the Board Members 61 61
in the form of treasury shares
Dividend distribution -447 -447
EQUITY 31.3.2015 1 009 -1 109 75 -16 6 453 5 224 11 636
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Turnover by segment:
Me 1-3/15 1-3/14 Change
Grocery and special retail, HoReCa 4,7 5,1 -0,4
Wholesale, Logistics and Services 3,3 3,4 -0,1
Enterprise Asset & Service Business Management 1,1 1,3 -0,2
Total 9,1 9,9 -0,8
Operating result by segment:
Me 1-3/15 1-3/14 Change
Grocery and special retail, HoReCa 0,2 0,3 -0,1
Wholesale, Logistics and Services 0,3 0,1 +0,2
Enterprise Asset & Service Business Management 0,0 0,2 -0,2
Total 0,5 0,6 -0,1
QUARTERLY KEY INDICATORS (MEUR)
2Q/13 3Q/13 4Q/13 1Q/14
Net turnover 9,73 8,59 9,82 9,87
Operating result 0,54 0,63 0,43 0,59
Result before taxes 0,49 0,60 0,36 0,51
2Q/14 3Q/14 4Q/14 1Q/15
Net turnover 10,52 8,33 12,22 9,13
Operating result 0,55 0,44 0,91 0,46
Result before taxes 0,54 0,41 0,86 0,44
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (TEUR)
1-3/2015 1-3/2014 1-12/2014
Continuing operations,
group total 10 150 958
LIABILITIES (MEUR) 31.3.2015 31.3.2014 31.12.2014
Business mortages 10,00 10,00 10,00
Other lease liabilities 0,12 0,17 0,15
Lease liabilities
for premises 4,71 3,15 4,90
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (TEUR) 31.3.2015 31.3.2014 31.12.2014
Renting arrangements 21 21 85
Transactions
with the
insiders
have been
done at
market price
and are part
of the
company’s
normal
software
service
business.
FAIR VALUES
OF FINANCIAL
ASSETS AND
FINANCIAL
LIABILITIES
The fair
values of
the
financial
assets and
liabilities
are mainly
the same as
the book
values on
both
31.3.2015
and
31.3.2014.
Hence they
are not
presented in
table form
in the
bulletin.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS MARCH 31, 2015
Shares and votes
Number %
1. Saadetdin Ali 3 481 383 23,2 %
2. Keskinäinen Työeläkevakuutusyhtiö Elo 2 000 000 13,3 %
3. Profiz Business Solution Oyj 1 756 180 11,7 %
4. Aalto Seppo 1 667 206 11,1 %
5. Keskinäinen Työeläkevakuutusyhtiö Varma 644 917 4,3 %
6. Roininen Matti 415 000 2,8 %
7. Pirhonen Jalo 405 780 2,7 %
8. Solteq Management Oy 400 000 2,7 %
9. Solteq Management Team Oy 350 000 2,3 %
10. Saadetdin Katiye 156 600 1,0 %
10 largest shareholders total 11 282 066 75,2 %
Total of nominee-registered 249 751 1,7%
Others 3 466 244 23,1 %
Total 14 998 061 100,0 %
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS (IFRS) 1-3/2015 1-3/2014 1-12/2014
Net turnover MEUR 9,1 9,9 40,9
Change in net turnover -7,4 % -1,2 % 7,4 %
Operating result MEUR 0,5 0,6 2,5
% of turnover 5,1 % 5,9 % 6,1 %
Result before taxes MEUR 0,4 0,5 2,3
% of turnover 4,8 % 5,1 % 5,7 %
Equity ratio, % 49,1 42,3 48,0
Gearing, % 17,6 % 29,1 % 16,3 %
Gross investments in
non-current assets MEUR 0,0 0,2 1,0
Return on equity, % 12,4 % 16,2 % 16,8 %
Return on investment, % 12,3 % 15,0 % 15,5 %
Personnel at end of
period 269 279 279
Personnel average
for period 278 284 281
KEY INDICATORS PER SHARE
Earnings / share, e 0,02 0,03 0,13
Earnings / share,
e(diluted) 0,02 0,03 0,13
Equity / share, e 0,78 0,72 0,79
CALCULATION OF FINANCIAL RATIOS
Solvency ratio, in percentage
equity x 100
----------------------------------
balance sheet total - advances received
Gearing
interest bearing liabilities - cash,
bank balances and securities X 100
-------------------------------------------
equity
Return on Equity (ROE) in percentage
profit or loss before taxation - taxes x 100
----------------------------------------
equity
Profit from invested equity in percentage
profit or loss before taxation +
interest expenses and other financing expenses x 100
----------------------------------------
balance sheet total - non-interest bearing
liabilities
Earnings per share
pre-tax result - taxes
+/- minority interest
------------------------------------
diluted average share issue
corrected number of shares
Diluted earnings per share
diluted profit before taxation -
taxes +/- minority interest
-----------------------------------------------
diluted average share issue
corrected number of shares
Equity per share
equity
-----------------------
number of shares
Financial reporting
Solteq Plc’s financial information bulletins in 2015 have been scheduled as
follows:
- Interim Report 1-6/2015 on Friday July 17, 2015 at 9 am
- Interim Report 1-9/2015 on Friday October 16, 2015 at 9 am
More investor information is available from Solteq’s website at www.solteq.com
Additional information:
CEO Repe Harmanen
Tel +358 400 467 717
E-mail repe.harmanen@solteq.com
CFO Antti Kärkkäinen
Tel +358 40 8444 393
E-mail antti.karkkainen@solteq.com
Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Key media
www.solteq.com
