- Third quarter net revenues up 0.9% sequentially to $2.17 billion
- Third quarter gross margin up 50 basis points sequentially to 34.8%
- New cost-savings plan at ST level to achieve $150 million of annualized savings by end of 2013
- Non-cash impairment charge of $690 million for Wireless
STMicroelectronics (
On a sequential basis, third quarter net revenues increased 0.9% to $2.17 billion and gross margin improved to 34.8%. Net loss attributable to parent company was $478 million, mainly due to a non-cash charge of $690 million for the impairment of Wireless goodwill.
President and CEO Carlo Bozotti commented, "Our third quarter revenue and gross margin results delivered sequential improvements. Overall, the strength of our product portfolio enabled us to manage the current weak demand environment. As anticipated, we benefited from the revenue growth of our MEMS, microcontrollers, Power MOSFET and IGBT businesses, which continue to expand into new applications, and we continue to strengthen relationships with key market leaders, such as Audi and Samsung. ST's wholly-owned businesses operating margin improved, on a sequential basis, to 5.8%, mainly driven by improvements in our Power Discrete (PDP) segment.
"We have already been taking a number of important steps to advance our key priorities. In December, we will present our new strategic plan which will accelerate the roadmap towards our previously announced financial model and ensure the future success of both our Analog and Digital businesses and, therefore, of our company as a whole.
"Through this process we are progressing in moving our digital businesses towards self-sustainability and we are announcing today a new $150 million annual savings plan at the ST level: a part of the savings coming from the identified initiatives to leverage on the synergies of our Unified Processing Platform approach announced in April, and the remainder of the savings coming from other new initiatives, such as efficiencies in our process technology development model and expenses related to design outsourcing.
"Our Wireless segment delivered strong progress during the third quarter; however, the segment's operating loss and negative cash flows still remain significant. As part of our annual impairment test and based upon our assessment of the Wireless segment plan, updated in Q3 2012, and the evolving dynamics of the smartphone industry, we posted a non-cash charge of $690 million. This charge reflects our current best estimate of the fair market value of our Wireless business."
Summary Financial Highlights
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. GAAP Q3 2012 Q2 2012 Q3 2011 (In Million US$) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Revenues (a) 2,166 2,148 2,442 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross Margin 34.8% 34.3% 35.8% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Loss, as reported (792) (207) (23) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Income (Loss) attributable to parent company (478) (75) 71 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Net revenues include sales recorded by ST-Ericsson as consolidated by ST
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Non-U.S. GAAP* Q3 2012 Q2 2012 Q3 2011
Before impairment, restructuring and one-time
items
(In Million US$)
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Operating Loss (79) (151) (13)
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Operating Margin (3.6%) (7.0%) (0.5%)
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Operating Margin - attributable to ST 0.3% (1.3%) 4.3%
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Third Quarter Review
ST's third quarter net revenues increased 0.9% on a sequential basis, with ST's wholly-owned businesses stable and the Wireless product segment increasing by about 4%, including revenue from IP licensing of $35 million. The EMEA region grew sequentially 5%, while Greater China & South Asia, the Americas, and Japan & Korea were relatively flat.
