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Geneva, January 23rd, 2007 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM)
reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended
December 31, 2006.
Revenues and Gross Profit
Net revenues for the fourth quarter were $2,483 million, representing
an increase of 3.9% over the $2,389 million reported in last year’s
fourth quarter. Year-over-year growth was driven by double-digit increases
in the industrial and consumer market segments. Sequentially, net revenues
decreased 1.2% from the $2,513 million reported in the prior quarter,
largely reflecting lower wireless sales.
President and CEO
Carlo Bozotti commented, “Looking at the
fourth quarter and near-term environment, the current market correction
underway in some of the key applications we serve is more pronounced
than forecasted. Our wireless results, in particular, came in well below
historical seasonal revenue patterns and were also negatively impacted
by product mix shift towards the low end, which put additional pressure
on our margins and operating performance in the quarter.”
Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $9,854 million,
an increase of 11% over the $8,882 million recorded in 2005. Strong
growth in revenues was driven by double-digit increases in wireless
and industrial, with mid-single digit contributions from the automotive,
consumer and computer segments.
Carlo Bozotti continued, “For the full year, ST achieved
double-digit, year-over-year sales growth in a market that appears to
be growing in the high single digits. This is a clear signal that the
evolution of our product portfolio is delivering results – with
higher revenues, improved profitability, better leverage of our R&D
and capital investments, and expansion of our market share.”
Gross profit was $901 million for the 2006 fourth quarter up from the
$872 million in last year’s fourth quarter and a slight decrease
from $904 million in the prior quarter. The gross margin was 36.3% in
the fourth quarter, showing some improvement from the 36.0% reported
in the prior quarter, despite the negative impact of fab closures and
sequentially lower revenue. In the more favorable currency environment
for the year-ago quarter, the gross margin was 36.5%.
For the full year, gross profit increased 16% to $3,523 million, from
$3,037 million in 2005. The gross margin improved by 160 basis points
in 2006 to 35.8% from 34.2% in 2005.
Operating Expenses
Combined selling, general & administrative and research & development
expenses represented 28.6% of net revenues in the fourth quarter, compared
to 27.2% in the third quarter of 2006, with the sequential increase
largely coming from the anticipated additional $12 million in stock-based
compensation expenses. R&D expenses were $430 million in the fourth
quarter versus the $421 million in the prior quarter. SG&A expenses
reached $281 million for the 2006 fourth quarter compared to $264 million
in the third quarter.
For the full year, combined SG&A and R&D expenses improved to
27.7% of net revenues versus 29.9% in 2005. Research and development
expenses were $1,667 million and $1,630 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Selling, general & administrative expenses were $1,067 million and
$1,026 in 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Operating Profit
For the 2006 fourth quarter, the Company reported operating income of
$173 million and an operating margin of 7.0% (7.4% excluding restructuring
and impairment charges). In the prior quarter, the Company reported
operating income of $194 million and an operating margin of 7.7% (8.5%
excluding restructuring and impairment charges). In the year-ago quarter,
the Company reported operating income of $197 million, equal to an operating
margin of 8.2% (8.9% excluding restructuring and impairment charges).
For the full year 2006, operating income increased to $677 million,
compared to $244 million in 2005. The operating margin for 2006 expanded
over 400 basis points to 6.9% from 2.7% in the prior year.
Net Income and Earnings per Share
For the 2006 fourth quarter net income totaled $276 million, or $0.30
per diluted share, compared to the prior quarter net income of $207
million or $0.22 per diluted share and the year-ago quarter where net
income totaled $183 million or $0.20 per share. 2006 fourth quarter
income tax benefited from the favorable resolution of a tax claim by
approximately $90 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, as well as from
the beneficial impact of an adjustment to the full year effective tax
rate.
Net results included $10 million of impairment, restructuring charges,
and other related closure costs during the 2006 fourth quarter, representing
an after-tax impact of approximately $0.01 per share. In the prior quarter,
restructuring-related expenses were $20 million ($0.02 per share impact)
and $16 million ($0.01 per share impact) in the year-ago quarter. Other
income and expenses, net, in the 2006 fourth quarter amounted to a $7
million loss, due to a combination of lower than anticipated grant income
and higher legal costs.
For 2006 net income increased to $782 million, or $0.83 per diluted
share, compared to net income of $266 million, or $0.29 per share in
2005. Net income included impairment, restructuring charges and other
related closure costs of $77 million and $128 million in 2006 and 2005,
respectively, representing after-tax impacts of approximately $0.07
for 2006 and $0.13 per share for 2005.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, the effective average exchange rate for
the Company was approximately $1.28 to €1, compared to $1.255 to
€1 in the third quarter of 2006 and $1.20 to €1 in the year-ago
quarter.
For the full year 2006, the effective average exchange rate for the
Company was approximately $1.24 to €1, compared to $1.28 to €1
in 2005. The Company’s effective exchange rate reflects actual
exchange rate levels combined with the impact of hedging programs.
Carlo Bozotti, President and CEO, stated, “During 2006
ST made significant headway in delivering on our most important business
and strategic imperatives:
- Our product portfolio continues to strengthen. I believe
we are developing the strongest pipeline of new products in our history,
with important implications for both our market share and margins.
- We are driving a significant reduction in our capital intensity.
This is visible in our 2006 results, with our capex to sales ratio
down to 15.6% from over 20% just a few years ago. Further, we have
initiated a new target of 12% through a combination of a less capital-intensive
product portfolio, increased usage of foundries for non-proprietary
technologies and optimization of our manufacturing facilities.
- As of January 1, 2007, we have organized our NOR and NAND
FLASH business into a stand-alone segment and are moving ahead on
creating a separate legal entity in connection with our strategic
repositioning of this business.
- And, we generated well over $650 million in net operating
cash flow during the year.
“In summary, we achieved our primary objectives for 2006:
gaining market share while simultaneously improving financial performance
in terms of return on assets and cash flow.”
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Highlights
Net cash from operating activities was $559 million in the
fourth quarter and $2,491 million for the full year 2006. Capital expenditures
were $386 million in the 2006 fourth quarter and $1,533 million for
the full year, compared to $230 million and $1,441 million in the 2005
similar periods, respectively. Net operating cash flow* was $157 million
for the fourth quarter, compared to $290 million in the year-ago quarter,
and $81 million in the prior quarter.
For the full year 2006, ST generated $666 million in net operating
cash flow* compared to $270 million in 2005.
At December 31, 2006, ST’s cash and cash equivalents, marketable
securities, short-term deposits and restricted cash equaled $2.9 billion.Total
debt was $2.1 billion. ST’s net financial position** improved
by approximately $536 million in 2006 to $761 million. Shareholders’
equity was $9.7 billion at December 31, 2006.
(*) Net operating cash flow is a non-US GAAP metric, which the Company’s
management utilizes as a measure of cash generation capability. It is
defined as net cash from operating activities ($559 million in the fourth
quarter of 2006) minus net cash used in investing activities (primarily
capital expenditures) excluding restricted cash, payments for purchase
of and proceeds from the sale of marketable securities and investment
in and proceeds from matured short-term deposits ($402 million in the
fourth quarter of 2006).
(**) Net financial position is a non-US GAAP metric used by the Company’s
management to help assess financial flexibility. It is defined as cash
and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and short-term deposits
and restricted cash ($2,891 million) minus total debt (bank overdrafts
$0 million + current portion of long-term debt $136 million + long-term
debt $1,994 million).
Net Revenues by Market Segment for Q4 and Full Year 2006
The following table estimates, within a variance of 5% to 10%
in the absolute dollar amount, the relative weighting of each of the
Company’s target market segments for the fourth quarter and full
year 2006.
Market
Segment |
%
of Net Revenue |
|
Q4 2006 |
FY 2006 |
| Automotive |
15% |
15% |
Consumer
|
17% |
16% |
| Computer |
17% |
17% |
| Telecom |
36% |
38% |
| Industrial & Other |
15% |
14% |
For the fourth quarter, Consumer was the fastest growing segment sequentially,
increasing by about 5%. Industrial and Others and Computer were both
up approximately 2% over the prior quarter. Automotive was essentially
flat while Telecom declined 6.5% from the prior quarter.
For the year, Telecom was the fastest growing segment, increasing nearly
19%, followed by Industrial and Others, which was up 10%. Automotive,
Computer and Consumer all increased approximately 6%.
Financial and Operating Data by Product Segment for Q4 and
Full Year 2006
The following tables and commentary provide a breakdown of revenues
and operating income by product segment.
| In Million
US$ |
Q4
2006 |
| Segment |
Net Revenues |
% of Net
Revenues |
Operating
income (loss) |
| ASG Application Specific Product Groups* |
$1,342 |
54.0% |
$111 |
| MPA (Micro, Power & Analog)** |
597 |
24.1% |
103 |
| MPG (Memory Products Group) |
525 |
21.1% |
0 |
| Others (1)(2) |
19 |
0.8% |
(41) |
| |
|
|
|
| TOTAL |
$2,483 |
100.0% |
$173 |
Sequentially, Application Specific Product Groups’ revenues decreased
2%, MPG sales declined 0.8%, and MPA sales increased 0.3%. Operating
profit declined to $111 million for Application Specific Product Groups
and $103 million for MPA. MPG was breakeven. Flash memory sales declined
1.6% from the prior quarter to $369 million.
| In Million
US$ |
Full
Year 2006 |
| Segment |
Net Revenues |
% of Net
Revenues |
Operating
income (loss) |
| ASG (Application Specific Product Groups*) |
$5,396 |
54.7% |
$439 |
| MPA (Micro, Power & Analog)** |
2,243 |
22.8% |
362 |
| MPG (Memory Products Group) |
2,137 |
21.7% |
34 |
| Others (1)(2) |
78 |
0.8% |
(158) |
| |
|
|
|
| TOTAL |
$9,854 |
100.0% |
$677 |
* Automotive; Computer Peripheral; and Home, Personal, and Communication
products
** Effective January 1, 2006 the Microcontroller, Linear and Discrete
(MLD) Group was renamed as the Micro, Power and Analog (MPA) product
segment to better reflect product portfolio focus and increased capabilities
in advanced Analog. No change occurred in the Group’s perimeter
or organization.
(1) Net revenues of “Others” include revenues from sales
of Subsystems and other products not allocated to product segments.
(2) Operating loss of “Others” includes items such as impairment,
restructuring charges, and other related closure costs, start-up costs,
and other unallocated expenses such as strategic or special research
and development programs, certain corporate-level operating expenses,
certain patent claims and litigations, and other costs that are not
allocated to the product segments, as well as operating earnings or
losses of the Subsystems and Other Products segment. Certain costs,
mainly R&D, formerly in the “Others” category, have
been allocated to the segments.
For the full year, ASG revenues increased 8%, MPA revenues increased
19%, and MPG revenues increased nearly 10%. Operating profit increased
24% to $439 million in ASG, grew 34% to $362 million in MPA, and went
from a loss of $118 million to a profit of $34 million in MPG.
Outlook
Mr. Bozotti stated, “Notwithstanding the current tougher environment
as the market works through inventory in selected applications in the
first half of 2007, ST is poised to make further important progress
in our ongoing key initiatives for sales expansion, new product introduction
and asset leverage, which will strengthen the Company’s market
opportunities and financial position.
“For the first quarter, we expect sales to sequentially decline
in the range between -3% and
-11%. This sales range, coupled with our intention to control the absolute
level of inventory, will result in adverse fab loading conditions in
the quarter, leading to a first quarter gross margin of about 35% plus
or minus one percentage point.
“In 2007, we are currently budgeting about $1.2 billion for ST’s
capital spending which is expected to further reduce the Company’s
capex to sales ratio from the 2006 level.”
These objectives are based on an assumed currency exchange rate for
the Company of approximately $1.29 = €1 for the 2007 first quarter,
which reflects current exchange rate levels combined with the impact
of existing hedging contracts.
Recent Corporate Developments
On October 10, 2006, ST and Hynix Semiconductor officially
opened their joint front-end memory-manufacturing facility in Wuxi City,
Jiangsu Province, China. The new leading-edge facility manufactures
both NAND Flash and DRAM memories.
On November 27, 2006, the Supervisory Board of STMicroelectronics N.V.
approved entering into an option agreement with an independent foundation,
Stichting Continuïteit ST, to replace a substantially similar option
agreement dated May 31, 1999, as amended, between STMicroelectronics
and one of its shareholders, STH II B.V. The new option agreement is
entered into to reflect changes in Netherlands’ legal requirements.
It is not adopted in response to any hostile takeover attempt.
In an effort to better align the Company to meet the requirements of
the market, together with the pursuit of strategic repositioning in
Flash Memory, on December 13, 2006, the Company announced a reorganization
of its product segments into three main areas: Flash Memory products,
Application Specific products, and Industrial and Multisegment products.
The Flash Memory Group incorporates all Flash Memory operations, including
R&D and product-related activities, front- and back-end manufacturing,
marketing, and sales. The Application Specific product groups include
the existing Automotive Products Group and Computer Peripherals Group
and the newly created Mobile, Multimedia & Communications Group
and Home Entertainment & Displays Group. The Industrial and Multisegment
Sector contains the Microcontrollers, Memories & Smartcards Group
and the Analog, Power & MEMS Group. The new product segments became
effective on January 1, 2007.
The following table provides the 2006 quarterly revenue performance
for this new organizational footprint. Operating profit data will be
provided commencing with the first quarter 2007 financial results release.
| In
Million US$ |
Segment
Revenues |
Q1 2006 |
Q2 2006 |
Q3 2006 |
Q4 2006 |
FY06 |
| ASG (Application Specific Product Groups) |
$1,317 |
$1,367 |
$1,370 |
$1,342 |
$5,396 |
| IMS (Industrial and Multisegment Sector) |
621 |
707 |
754 |
760 |
2,842 |
| FMG (Flash Memory Group) |
412 |
407 |
379 |
372 |
1,570 |
| Other |
14 |
14 |
10 |
8 |
46 |
| TOTAL |
$2,364 |
$2,495 |
$2,513 |
$2,483 |
$9,854 |
Totals are correct, rounding accounts for any inconsistencies
Products, Technology and Design Wins
Application-Specific Product Highlights
All of STMicroelectronics’ press releases (including all releases
in Q4) are available at www.st.com/stonline/press/news/latest.htm
Nomadik is a trademark of STMicroelectronics; HD Radio is a trademark
of iBiquity Digital Corporation; Wii is a trademark of Nintendo; ARM
and Cortex are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other mentioned trademarks
or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Some of the statements contained in this release that are not historical
facts are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking
statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933 or Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each
as amended) based on management’s current views and assumptions
and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those
in such statements due to, among other factors:
- future developments of the world semiconductor market, in particular
the future demand for semiconductor products in the key application
markets and from key customers served by our products;
- pricing pressures, losses or curtailments of purchases from
key customers all of which are highly variable and difficult to predict;
- the financial impact of obsolete or excess inventories if actual
demand differs from our anticipations;
- changes in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the
Euro, compared to our effective exchange rate of 1.29 = €1.00
(as assumed on January 23, 2007, the date we issued our fourth quarter/full
year results) and between the U.S. dollar and the currencies of the
other major countries in which we have our operating infrastructure;
- our ability to manage in an intensely competitive and cyclical
industry where a high percentage of our costs are fixed and difficult
to reduce in the short term, including our ability to adequately utilize
and operate our manufacturing facilities at sufficient levels to cover
fixed operating costs;
- our ability to perform the announced strategic repositioning
of our Flash memory business in line with the requirements of our
customers and without adverse effect on existing alliances or other
agreements relating to this business;
- our ability in an intensive competitive environment, to secure
customer acceptance and to achieve our pricing expectations for high
volume supplies of new products in whose development we have or are
currently investing;
- the anticipated benefits of research and development alliances
and cooperative activities, as well as the uncertainties concerning
the modalities, conditions and financial impact beyond 2007 of the
R&D cooperative alliance in Crolles 2;
- the ability of our suppliers to meet our demands for supplies
and materials and to offer competitive pricing;
- our gross margin could vary significantly from expectations
based on changes in revenue levels, product mix and pricing, capacity
utilization, variations in inventory valuation, excess or obsolete
inventory, manufacturing yields, changes in unit costs, impairments
of long-lived assets, including manufacturing, assembly/test and intangible
assets, and the timing and execution of the manufacturing ramp and
associated costs, including start-up costs;
- changes in the economic, social or political environment, including
military conflict and/or terrorist activities, as well as natural
events such as severe weather, health risks, epidemics or earthquakes
in the countries in which we, our key customers and our suppliers
operate;
- changes in our overall tax position as a result of changes
in tax laws or the outcome of tax audits, and our ability to accurately
estimate tax credits, benefits, deductions and provisions and to realize
deferred tax assets;
- our ability to obtain required licenses on third-party intellectual
property on reasonable terms and conditions, the impact of potential
claims by third parties involving intellectual property rights relating
to our business, and the outcome of litigation;
- the results of actions by our competitors, including new product
offerings and our ability to react thereto.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and
uncertainties, which may cause actual results and performance of our
business to differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking
statements. Certain such forward-looking statements can be identified
by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”,
“may”, “will”, “should”, “would
be” or “anticipates” or similar expressions or the
negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology,
or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Some of these risk
factors are set forth and are discussed in more detail in “Item
3. Key Information—Risk Factors” included in our Annual
Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with
the SEC on March 3, 2006.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially
from those described in this release as anticipated, believed or expected.
We do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update any industry
information or forward-looking statements set forth in this release
to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Unfavorable changes in the above or other factors listed under “Risk
Factors” from time to time in our SEC filings, including our Form
20-F, could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial
condition.
Conference Call Information
The management of STMicroelectronics will conduct a conference
call on January 24, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time / 3:00 p.m.
CET, to discuss performance for the fourth quarter and full year of
2006.
The conference call will be available via the Internet by accessing
the following Web address: http://investors.st.com.
Those viewing the webcast should go to the Web site at least 15 minutes
prior to the call, in order to register, download, and install any necessary
audio software. The webcast will be available until February 2, 2007.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor
solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled
combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength,
Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions
the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and
its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets.
The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange,
on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. Further information
on ST can be found at www.st.com.
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