Friday, June 02, 2006

DGAP-News: QSC: Strong growth in all segments

Cologne, May 30, 2006. QSC AG has published its quarterly report for the first quarter of 2006. There were no material deviations from the preliminary results that were published on May 15, 2006.

QSC grew its revenues by 31 percent in the first quarter of 2006 to EUR 54.4 million, as opposed to EUR 41.5 million for the same quarter the year before. All four segments contributed to this revenue growth. Revenues with business customers rose by 43 percent in the first quarter of 2006 to EUR 17.5 million. At EUR 14.4 million, revenues with large accounts were up 14 percent over the first quarter of 2005. Unusually high, non-recurring service revenues in connection with new projects during the first quarter 2005 partially obscured the company's progress in its underlying business during the first quarter of 2006. Revenues with resellers in the Wholesale/Resellers segment rose by 49 percent to EUR 7.6 million in the first quarter of 2006. "QSC continues to grow strongly in all strategic lines of business," notes QSC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bernd Schlobohm.

With revenues rising by 31 percent, QSC succeeded in sustaining its disproportionate growth in profitability during the first quarter of 2006: Gross profit rose by 52 percent to EUR 16.4 million, while EBITDA increased by a strong 85 percent to EUR 2.4 million. During the first quarter of 2006, the company also made progress in its segment results: Its EBITDA margin, the crucial performance indicator in gauging profitability, stood at over 50 percent in the three strategic segments of Large Accounts, Business Customers and Wholesale/Resellers.

As a result of the targeted expansion and upgrade of its network, capital expenditures rose to EUR 7.3 million for the first quarter of 2006, as opposed to EUR 4.7 million in the same quarter the year before. During the coming quarters, as well, QSC will continue the demand-driven connection of further cities to its DSL network and the upgrade of this network with ADSL2+ technology. Overall, the company is planning on capital expenditures totaling between EUR 20 and 25 million for the current fiscal year.

During the first quarter of 2006, the company's workforce rose to 465 people; this increase of around 75 employees over the year before was essentially attributable to the acquisition of Bonn-based DSL service provider celox with a workforce of nearly 60 people.

Given the very good development of its operating business in the first quarter of 2006, QSC is reiterating its forecasts for the full fiscal year: The company anticipates revenues of over EUR 240 million and an EBITDA of between EUR 15 and 20 million. QSC plans to cross the profitability threshold and move from a net loss to a net income position by year-end. "QSC got off to a good start in 2006," says Chief Executive Officer Dr. Schlobohm. "In particular, the strong growth in our strategic lines of business will again lead to corresponding revenue and even stronger profitability growth in the coming quarters."

In millions of euros (EUR) Q1 2006 Q1 2005 Change Revenues 54.4 41.5 +31% Network expenses 38.0 30.7 +24% Gross profit +16.4 +10.8 +52% Other operating expenses 14.0 9.5 +47% EBITDA +2.4 +1.3 +85% Net loss -3.0 -5.1 +41% Capital expenditures 7.3 4.7 +55% Liquid assets as of March 31 43.1 31.3 +38% Workforce as of March 31 465 389 +20%

The complete 3-months report is available at http://www.qsc.de/en/investor_relations/index.html

Queries to: QSC AG Arne Thull Investor Relations T: +49(0)221-6698-724 F: +49(0)221-6698-009 E: invest@qsc.de

Notes: This corporate news contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the US "Private Securities Litigation Act" of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and forecasts of future events by the management of QSC AG. Due to risks or mistaken assumptions, actual results may deviate substantially from those made in such forward-looking statements. The assumptions that may involve material deviations due to unforeseeable developments include, but are not limited to, the demand for our products and services, the competitive situation, the development, dissemination and technical performance of DSL technology

Continued


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