Strong business in Q1 2013

The results ATOSS Software AG posted for the first quarter of 2013 represent a seamless continuation of the past seven record years. The company’s business model continues to prove extremely robust. The 9 percent sales growth in the company's core software business underscores both the competitive strength of ATOSS, as well as the increasing importance of workforce management as a corporate instrument. Analysts at market research company Technavio see high and sustained potential in this field, due essentially to the increasing need to deploy available resources effectively.

Software accounted for sales of EUR 5.3 million (previous year: EUR 4.9 million), equivalent to 61 percent of the company’s overall turnover of EUR 8.7 million. Consulting sales amounted to EUR 2.2 million, on a par with the year before and equating to around 25 percent of the total sales. ATOSS also recorded hardware sales of EUR 0.9 million (previous year: EUR 0.5 million), as well as miscellaneous turnover of EUR 0.4 million (previous year: EUR 0.2 million).

In the first quarter ATOSS generated cash flow of EUR 2.5 million (previous year EUR 3.1 million) and reported liquidity of EUR 24.4 million as of March 31, 2013 (previous year: EUR 28.5 million). This was composed of demand and term deposits at banks amounting to EUR 11.1 million along with a gold position of EUR 13.3 million. As of March 31, 2013 the equity ratio stood at 68 percent, compared with 71 percent on December 31, 2012.

Even after the dividend distribution of EUR 3.62 per share proposed to shareholders at the AGM on April 26, 2013, ATOSS will still hold substantial liquidity at around EUR 10.0 million at Group level as well as a strong equity ratio.

ATOSS once again displays considerable profitability

Despite substantially higher investments relative to the same quarter of the previous year, particularly in sales and marketing, the operating profit at EUR 2.1 million (previous year EUR 2.0 million) as well as earnings before taxes (EBT) at EUR 2.4 million (previous year: EUR 2.3 million) and net earnings of EUR 1.7 million (previous year EUR 1.5 million) were all up on the year before. The return on sales as a proportion of EBIT amounted to 24 percent (previous year: 25 percent). Earnings per share at EUR 0.44 (previous year: EUR 0.39) were also up on the year before.

Outlook for 2013 remains positive

The Management Board expects to see continuing sales growth in financial year 2013. Orders on hand for software licenses on a par with last year at EUR 3.3 million provide a strong starting point. Despite further investments, particularly in developing new markets, and a continuing high level of expenditure on research & development amounting to around one fifth of sales, the EBIT margin is also expected to remain above 20 percent.