1. Business Results
(1) Analysis of Business Results
Consolidated Financial Results of FY2013 Q3 (April 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013)
| | Nine months ended December 31, 2012 | Nine months ended December 31, 2013 | As compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year increase (decrease) |
| Orders received | 95.9 | 88.3 | (7.8%) |
| Net sales | 97.2 | 79.3 | (18.5%) |
| Operating income (loss) | 0.8 | (34.4) | － |
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company | 0.1 | (34.3) | － |
| Net income (loss) | (1.9) | (34.1) | － |
During the nine-month period ended December 31, 2013, the Japanese economic climate continued to improve, and the US economy likewise continued its gradual recovery supported by solid domestic demand. However, with few exceptions, the countries of Europe remained economically stagnant, and signs of decelerating growth were seen in China and other emerging economies as well, resulting in lower overall global growth than had been anticipated.
The semiconductor industry saw moves towards renewed capital investment in the memory sector, where demand continued to strengthen. Several major chipmakers also moved ahead with plans to manufacture next-generation logic semiconductors, contributing to an overall positive trend in semiconductor production equipment investment, especially in leading-edge technologies. However, the overall environment in end-user product trends reveals a lack of strength in key demand areas, with the PC market estimated to be in its second consecutive year of contraction, and no sign of the vigorous growth previously seen in high-end smartphones. Semiconductor makers, principally in the non-memory sector, have reacted by continuing to limit their investments in new capacity, as they have since last summer.
In this environment, Advantest endeavored to grow profits chiefly in the memory test business, but could not compensate for overall weakness, resulting in orders received of (Y) 88.3 billion (a 7.8% decrease in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year) and net sales of (Y) 79.3 billion (an 18.5% decrease in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year). In addition to decreased sales, changes in the business environment weighed on profits. Inventory valuation losses of (Y) 4.0 billion and impairment losses for long-lived assets of (Y) 13.5 billion recorded in the third quarter were factors that caused an operating loss of (Y) 34.4 billion, net loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated company of (Y) 34.3 billion, and net loss of (Y) 34.1 billion. The percentage of net sales to overseas customers was 90.4% (89.8% in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year).
Conditions of business segments are described below.
Advantest Corporation (FY2013 Q3)
<Semiconductor and Component Test System Segment>
| | Nine months ended December 31, 2012 | Nine months ended December 31, 2013 | As compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year increase (decrease) |
| Orders received | 72.4 | 56.2 | (22.3%) |
| Net sales | 73.8 | 51.5 | (30.3%) |
| Operating income (loss) | 9.0 | (27.0) | － |
The Semiconductor and Component Test System Segment benefited from demand for memory test systems, as customers pursued investments in DRAM and NAND flash production capacity expansion. However, non-memory test systems faced headwinds, as chipmakers adjusted their production and inventories of the advanced semiconductors used in PCs and high-end smartphones, the key demand driver in this sector.
As a result of the above, orders received were (Y) 56.2 billion (a 22.3% decrease in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year) and net sales were (Y) 51.5 billion (a 30.3% decrease in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year). In addition to decreased sales, inventory valuation losses of (Y) 3.7 billion and impairment losses for long-lived assets of (Y) 12.8 billion recorded in the third quarter were factors that caused an operating loss of (Y) 27.0 billion.
< Mechatronics System segment>
| | Nine months ended December 31, 2012 | Nine months ended December 31, 2013 | As compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year increase (decrease) |
| Orders received | 10.1 | 12.8 | 27.3% |
| Net sales | 10.7 | 10.0 | (5.9%) |
| Operating income (loss) | (3.1) | (4.5) | － |
The Mechatronics Segment posted higher orders due to robust customer interest in new nanotechnology products. Sales declined slightly from the previous period due to the timing of customer orders.
As a result of the above, orders received were (Y) 12.8 billion (a 27.3% increase in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year) and net sales were (Y) 10.0 billion (a 5.9% decrease in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year). In addition to decreased sales, inventory valuation losses of (Y) 0.1 billion and impairment losses for long-lived assets of (Y) 0.7 billion recorded in the third quarter were factors that caused an operating loss of (Y) 4.5 billion.
<Services, Support and Others Segment>
| | Nine months ended December 31, 2012 | Nine months ended December 31, 2013 | As compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year increase (decrease) |
| Orders received | 14.0 | 19.5 | 38.6% |
| Net sales | 14.6 | 17.9 | 23.1% |
| Operating income | 0.5 | 2.1 | 329.2% |
The Services, Support and Others Segment posted year-over-year growth in sales and earnings, driven by the solid improvement in service business sales and margins due to the action taken by Advantest since the beginning of FY2013 to improve profits.
Advantest Corporation (FY2013 Q3)
As a result of the above, orders received were (Y) 19.5 billion (a 38.6% increase in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year), net sales were (Y) 17.9 billion (a 23.1% increase in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year), and operating income was (Y) 2.1 billion (a 329.2% increase in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year).
(2) Analysis of Financial Condition
Total assets at December 31, 2013 amounted to (Y) 203.3 billion, a decrease of (Y) 22.2 billion compared to March 31, 2013, primarily due to a decrease of (Y) 14.4 billion and (Y) 12.5 billion in trade accounts receivable and intangible assets, respectively. The amount of total liabilities was (Y) 83.1 billion, a decrease of (Y) 1.2 billion compared to March 31, 2013. Stockholders’ equity was (Y) 120.2 billion. Equity to assets ratio was 59.1 %, a decrease of 3.5 percentage points from March 31, 2013.
(Cash Flow Condition)
Cash and cash equivalents held at December 31, 2013 were (Y) 42.1 billion, a decrease of (Y) 3.5 billion from March 31, 2013. Significant cash flows during the nine-month period of this fiscal year and their causes are described below.
Net cash used in operating activities was (Y) 0.2 billion (net cash outflow of (Y) 3.3 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year). This amount was primarily attributable to a decrease of (Y) 15.7 billion in trade accounts receivable and adjustments of non cash items such as depreciation and amortization, despite the net loss being (Y) 34.1 billion.
Net cash used in investing activities was (Y) 4.9 billion (net cash outflow of (Y) 9.6 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year). This amount was primarily attributable to payments for acquisition of tangible fixed assets in the amount of (Y) 5.1 billion, acquisition of a subsidiary of (Y) 1.3 billion and offset by proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities of (Y) 1.4 billion.
Net cash used in financing activities was (Y) 2.9 billion (net cash outflow of (Y) 3.0 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year). This amount was primarily attributable to dividends paid of (Y) 3.4 billion.
(3) Prospects for the Current Fiscal Year
Owing to a larger-than-expected contraction in the semiconductor test equipment market, chiefly in the smartphone semiconductor test space, and related inventory valuation losses and impairment losses for long-lived assets recorded in the third quarter, Advantest has revised its consolidated earnings forecast for FY2013 to net sales of (Y) 110 billion, operating loss of (Y) 36 billion, and net loss of (Y) 35.9 billion.
Addressing the profit/loss record, Advantest has also launched a shift to a business structure capable of reliably generating profits. Specifically, the workforce is being pared through hiring restrictions. Other measures include the global integration of information systems for greater efficiency, consolidation of business premises and improvement of the cost of goods to sales ratio. These cost-cutting steps aim to lower Advantest’s break-even point. In parallel, Advantest is actively shifting resources from underperforming areas to key sectors and growth markets, reinforcing profit base in semiconductor test equipment, semiconductor test peripherals, and new businesses.
The semiconductor test equipment market in 2014 is expected to resume growth after a two-year pause due to an increase in investments as a result of renewed memory production capacity expansion as well as increased production of leading-edge semiconductors expected to commence this spring. Based on these trends and on the progress in cutting costs across the entire group, Advantest expects at the present time to see growth in sales and profits in FY2014.
Advantest Corporation (FY2013 Q3)
2. Others
(1) Use of Simplified Accounting Method and Special Accounting Policy for Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements
Tax expense is measured using an estimated annual effective tax rate. Advantest makes, at the end of the cumulative third quarter, its best estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year and uses that rate to provide for income taxes on a current year-to-date basis. The estimated effective tax rate includes the deferred tax effects of expected year-end temporary differences and carryforwards, and the effects of valuation allowances for deferred tax assets.
(2) Accounting Changes
In July 2012, the FASB amended the accounting guidance to simplify how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment which improve consistency in impairment testing requirements among long-lived asset categories. The guidance permits an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. For assets in which this assessment concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than its carrying value, the guidance eliminates the requirement to perform quantitative impairment testing as outlined in the previously issued standards. The guidance was adopted by Advantest in the first quarter beginning April 1, 2013. The adoption of the guidance did not have a significant impact on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
In February 2013, the FASB finalized the accounting guidance for reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This new guidance requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. The guidance was adopted by Advantest in the first quarter beginning April 1, 2013. The adoption of the guidance did not have a significant impact on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
