DEVOTEAM: Results for the First Half of 2012 and Changes in operational governance
Devoteam announced the financial results for the second half of 2012 and presented the reorganized operational structure, defined within the Eagle transformation plan. For H2 2012, the Group financial situation is stable and in line with the objectives and the ambition for 2015.
- (1888PressRelease) August 31, 2012 - Paris - Devoteam (NYSE Euronext Paris: DVT) today announced financial results for H1 2012 and provided details of its new operational governance, aiming at reinforcing the execution of its transformation.
Results for the First Half of 2012
- €262 million revenues and €7 million operating margin
- Steady progress of the transformation plan - full year 2012 guidance confirmed
- Sound financial position: €22.6 million of cash available as of June 30th, 2012 to secure financing during the transformation period
Total revenue for the first half of 2012 was €262.3 million, slightly down (-2.3% and -2.9% like-for-like), compared to the first half of 2011.
The operating margin amounted €7.2 million, or 2.7% of the revenue. Reflecting the uncertain economic environment, the utilization rate declined 1.8 point compared to the first half of 2011 (82% versus 83.8%). The pressure on contract margins started to ease by the end of the first half of the year following a strong focus on the profitability of projects and subcontractors as part of the transformation program. This should allow some margin improvement in the second half of the year along with the progress of the implementation of the transformation.
The operating result stood at €-2 million, representing -0.8% of the revenue, as opposed to €11.7 million over the same period last year. An increase in non-current expenses compared to the first half year of 2011 came as a result of a one-off transformation cost (€4.4 million) and a €4.3 million restructuring expense. Downsizing helped the Group adapt to the current market situation, notably in Belgium where R&D activities for Nokia Siemens Networks are being progressively discontinued.
As of June 30th, 2012, the Group headcount stood at 4,782 employees. Over the past six-month period, the total number of employees reduced by 75 (of which, 40 billable and 35 non-billable), reflecting, apart from Belgium, the continued effect of the turn-around in Poland. The billable headcount to total headcount ratio continued to increase and represented 85.8% against 84.8% in June 2011, and 85.3% last December.
The financial result improved to €-0.5 million (compared to €-1 million in the first half of 2011) as a positive consequence of a lower level of financial debt.
Income tax amounted €0.6 million. The increase in effective tax rate resulted from operational losses in some entities - mainly in Poland - which could not lead to recognition of tax assets and from the effect of French local taxes.
Reflecting the significant cost of the transformation, net earnings available to the shareholders of the parent company were €-2.4 million, compared to €7 million one year earlier.
The cash flow from operations improved significantly to €-8.4 million, from €-19.2 million in the first half of 2011. It was helped by a better control of the seasonal increase in working capital during the first half of 2012 (€7.8 million), compared to the same period last year (€26.1 million).
The investments over the first half of 2012 totaled €1.8 million, of which one million was spent to acquire minority stakes in Axance and Inflexys, two companies focused on Mobility.
As of end of June 2012, the Group financial position was solid. The available cash (net of bank overdrafts) was €22.6 million compared to €40.7 million as of end of 2011. The change in cash position during the period included €4.8 million spent on the payment of dividends and €2.7 million allocated to the buyback of Devoteam's own shares. The Group net debt amounted to €4 million on June 30th, 2012. Plus, a 3-year credit facility amounting to €25 million has been agreed.
Analysis of the Second Quarter of 2012
Total revenue for the second quarter of 2012 was €130 million, a decrease of 3.7% compared to the same period in 2011. It included a 0.9% positive effect from foreign currencies exchange rates. The change is mainly due to a lower utilization rate combined with an unfavorable seasonal effect in the number of billable days. Excluding seasonal effects, the yearly growth rate in the second quarter of 2012 stood close to that of the first quarter, around -2%.
Revenue from Business Consulting activities decreased 11.7% compared to the second quarter of 2011. Changes in foreign currencies exchange rates stood at 2.8%. The signature of a major deal in the Middle East back in 2011 unbalanced the comparison with the first half of 2012. Excluding this one-off contract, the growth rate for the second quarter of 2012 would have stood around -3%.
Revenue from the Technology Consulting business slowed down slightly (-1.9%) in the second quarter 2012, compared to the same period in 2011. Changes in currencies contributed to growth for 0.4%.
Business in France had a virtually flat growth rate (-1.2%) compared to the second quarter of 2011. The market conditions in the banking sector were challenging, but partly offset by activities with clients coming from industry and non-financial services. Keeping the same trend as the previous quarters, Business Consulting in France further increased its performance and improved its position on the value chain.
Activities outside France represented 54% of the Group total revenue for the period, and decreased 5.8% compared to the same period last year (including a 1.6 point positive effect from changes in currencies). As mentioned previously, the Middle East challenging comparison base in 2011 influenced this trend.
Strategic plan and prospects for 2012
Devoteam confirmed the guidance provided on July 3rd, 2012. Total revenue should decrease slightly and stand between €515 million and €520 million in 2012. Operating Margin is expected to represent around 4% of total revenue.
The first moves towards the transformation of our operating model are encouraging. Similarly, some of the recent customer contracts signed in the Group confirm the choices made in terms of portfolio repositioning, especially in the Cloud, IT Service Management and Telecom Network Optimization offers. As an example, after having extended their partnership to Denmark, Devoteam and ServiceNow recently won their first shared client in Scandinavia. The Group was also chosen by Nokia Siemens Networks in Germany to provide them with a network optimization service center.
As previously announced, the Eagle transformation plan aims at bringing, by 2015, Devoteam's growth rate and operating margin to 10% each, a level close to the best performing of its comparable competitors.
In this context, Devoteam has announced changes of its operational governance and created, five major regions with the entities where the transformation is being deployed, aiming at allowing a closer monitoring of operations. These regions were defined based on criteria of balanced revenues, offer portfolio synergies, as well as geographical position and similarities in language. Each region will be led by an Executive Vice-President, who will join the Executive Committee from September, 2012, together with the co-CEOs - Stanislas and Godefroy de Bentzmann, the CFO, and the Executive Vice President in charge of Corporate Finance and Ventures.
Next release
Revenue of the Third Quarter of 2012: November 7th, 2012 after closing of the stock exchange.
###
space
space
Satisfied Users & 
Approved Press Releases
Print
Email
Report Spam