Stock Exchange Release
Stonesoft Corporation Interim Report January-June 2008
Stonesoft Corporation Stock Exchange Release, 15 August 2008
StoneGate sales grew by 50%, net sales by 32% during the second quarter
The sales of Stonesoft’s main product portfolio, the StoneGate product line, increased by 50% and the company’s net sales in continuing operations increased by 32% during the second quarter compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Also the cash flow developed very favourably and came to EUR -0.1 million, compared to the corresponding figure EUR -2.0 million in the previous year.
SUMMARY
The comparable figures from the corresponding period in the previous year are in brackets and refer to the figures of continuing operations.April-June 2008
- Stonesoft´s core business, the sales of the StoneGate product family, EUR 4.1 (2.7) million, an increase of 50%.- The net sales for the reporting period totalled EUR 6.4 (4.8) million, growth 32%.
- The operating result was EUR –0.4 (–1.5) million.
- The operating result as percentage of net sales -6% (-32%)
- Earnings per share were EUR –0.01 (–0.03).
- Shareholder’s equity per share was EUR 0.07 (0.15).
- The cash flow was EUR –0.1 (–2.0) million.
- Liquid assets at the end of the reporting period totalled EUR 7.8 (11.0) million.
January-June 2008
- Stonesoft’s core business, the sales of the StoneGate product family, EUR 7.2 (5.0) million, growth 44%- The net sales for the reporting period totalled EUR 11.6 (9.2) million, growth 27%
- The operating result was EUR -1.6 (-3.6) million
- The operating result as percentage of net sales -14% (-40%)
- Earnings per share were EUR -0.03 (-0.06)
- Shareholder’s equity per share was EUR 0.07 (0.15)
- The cash flow was EUR -1.2 (-3.4) million. The total cash flow, including the last payment of the selling price of Embe Systems Oy, EUR 0.8 million, was EUR -0.4 million euros.
CEO Ilkka Hiidenheimo
During the second quarter of 2008, the sales of the StoneGate product family grew by 50% and net sales by 32% compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. The sales of StoneGate products were EUR 4.1 million, which is the highest in the company’s history at all times. The positive development has now continued for three consecutive quarters. Also the cash flow and the operating result improved significantly.Through an order delivered to the Algerian Ministry of Healthcare at the value of more than 700,000 EUR and a co-operation agreement signed with Algeria Telecom, we significantly strengthened our position in the North African market.
We strengthened our product portfolio during the quarter by introducing the new StoneGate Management Center 4.3 management tool and StoneGate IPS 4.3 intrusion prevention system. The StoneGate Management Center allows managing virtual appliances in the same way as physical network security appliances. This means organizations can immediately protect their fast-growing virtual environments.
The StoneGate Virtual Firewall is already available and StoneGate Virtual IPS for protecting internal networks will be launched in the near future.
NET SALES AND PROFIT
April-June 2008 (hereinafter ’reporting period’)The group’s net sales in the reporting period were EUR 6.4 (4.8) million. The increase from the previous year’s corresponding period was EUR 1.5 million, or 32%. The operating result (EBIT) was EUR –0.4 (–1.5) million and the result after taxes was EUR -0.3 (-1.5) million.
The sales of the main product portfolio StoneGate™, comprising of a firewall, VPN, SSL VPN and IPS (Intrusion Prevention System), were EUR 4.1 (2.7) million, an increase of 50% compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
The geographical distribution of net sales was as follows: Europe 61% (55%), Emerging Markets (Russia, North Africa and Middle East) 15% (13%), Americas (North and South America) 22% (26%) and APAC (Asia-Pacific)) 3% (6%).
January-June 2008 (hereinafter ’fiscal period’)
Stonesoft group's net sales in January-June were EUR 11.6 (9.2) million. Compared with the previous year's corresponding period, there was an increase of EUR 2.5 million, or 27%. The operating loss was EUR -1.6 (-3.6) million and the loss after taxes was EUR -1.6 (-3.5) million.
The sales of the main product portfolio StoneGate were EUR 7.2 (5.0) million, an increase of 44% compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
The geographical distribution of net sales was as follows: Europe 60% (60%), Emerging Markets (Russia, North Africa and Middle East) 16% (13%), Americas (North and South America) 20% (21%) and APAC (Asia-Pacific)) 4% (6%).
Finance and investments
At the end of the fiscal period, the group’s total assets were EUR 16.1 (18.5) million. The equity ratio was 48% (68%) and gearing (the ratio of net debt to shareholder’s equity) was -1.87 (-1.28). Consolidated liquid assets of the group at the end of the fiscal period totaled EUR 7.8 (11.0) million. Investments in tangible and intangible assets totaled EUR 0.35 (0.18) million.DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Main business events in the reporting period
- Stonesoft Board of Directors decided on a
new option plan.
- Stonesoft extended its co-operation with Magirus, a leading provider of IT solutions in Europe, into Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
- Stonesoft introduced the new StoneGate Management Center 4.3 for advanced unified management. The product offers enhanced visibility and control over network security in both traditional and virtual network environments.
- Stonesoft’s StoneGate IPS was shortlisted for the 2008 Techworld awards in the category IPS/IDS Product of the Year.
- Stonesoft introduced the new StoneGate IPS 4.3 for protecting internal networks and operating systems from malicious traffic. The solution stands out through its scalability: the revolutionary serial clustering technology of the new StoneGate appliances allows adding IPS throughput up to 60%. The system also supports the new IPv6 protocol.
- Stonesoft received a noticeable order from the Algerian Ministry of Healthcare at the value of more than 700,000 Euros. The delivery took place during the quarter.
MAJOR EVENTS AFTER THE FISCAL PERIOD
- Stonesoft executed a co-operation agreement with the leading Algerian telecommunications company Algeria Telecom on a strategic partnership.- StoneGate Firewall VPN and IPS were certified in the VMware Virtual Appliance Program.
REVIEW OF MAJOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Stonesoft continued its strong investments in R&D. The group’s R&D investments during the fiscal period totaled EUR 2.7 (2.7) million, which represented 23% (23%) of operating expenses.R&D employed 66 (66) persons at the end of the fiscal period.
SHARE CAPITAL AND STOCK OPTION PROGRAMS
At the end of the fiscal period, Stonesoft’s share capital recorded in the Trade Register totaled EUR 1 146 054.64. The number of shares was 57 302 732. The share capital remained unchanged.Stock option programs
The company has two valid stock option programs, the Stock Option Program 2004-2010, subscription price EUR 0.56, and Stock Option Program 2008-2014, subscription price EUR 0.30.During the fiscal period no subscriptions were made on the basis of the stock option programs for key personnel of the company.
DEVELOPMENT OF SHARE PRICES AND TURNOVER
In the beginning of the fiscal period, the price of Stonesoft’s share was EUR 0.29 (0.47). The official closing price was EUR 0.43 (0.48). The highest share price was EUR 0.47 (0.56) and the lowest EUR 0.24 (0.46). The share price divided by earnings per share (P/E) at the end of the fiscal period was -15.6 (-7.8). During the fiscal period the total turnover of Stonesoft shares amounted to EUR 2.8 (4.1) million. Based on the share price on 30 June 2008, Stonesoft’s market value was EUR 24.6 (26.9) million.During January - June 2008 the trading volume of the Stonesoft share on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki was 8 733 556 (7 995 459) shares, corresponding to 15.2 (14.0) percent of the share capital.
CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP
During the fiscal period, the company received no notices of changes in ownership.ACQUISITIONS AND CHANGES IN GROUP STRUCTURE
No acquisitions were made and no other changes in the group structure were implemented during the fiscal period.PERSONNEL
At the end of the fiscal period, Stonesoft’s personnel totalled 180 (180).AUTHORIZATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on 23 April 2008, it was decided to grant the Board of Directors a new authorization and to cancel the authorization granted by the AGM in 2007.According to the new authorization, the Board of Directors is authorized to issue new shares and to grant option and other special rights to the extent that the total number of shares or rights to the shares issued may be 11.450.000 at the maximum.
The new shares to be issued in a new issue and/or the option or special rights may be offered for subscription either according to the shareholders´ pre-emptive subscription rights or in deviation from the shareholders´ pre-emptive subscription right, in case the deviation is justified by a weighty financial reason for the company, such as financing of an acquisition, enabling of a joint venture transaction, providing of additional financial alternatives, and/or an arrangement for incentive program directed to the company's personnel.
The issue may be directed partly or in full to the main shareholders, Ilkka Hiidenheimo and Hannu Turunen, who have reconfirmed to be ready to invest at least three (3) million Euros in the company in form of convertible bond in order to strengthen the company’s capital structure with an additional cash reserve and to ensure the continuance of the positive development in the future in line with the company’s strategy and growth plan. The commitment given by the main shareholders is in force until the end of the AGM in 2009.
The Board of Directors was authorized to decide on other terms and conditions related to the share issues and to the issuance of option or other special rights. The authorization is in force until the end of the 2009 AGM.
Based on the authorization given, the Board of Directors of Stonesoft Corporation decided in its meeting on 6 May 2008 to approve the Stock Option Plan 2008, according to which new option rights can be granted to the members of the Board of Directors, other management and key persons in the personnel of Stonesoft Corporation. The total amount of option rights that can be granted was 3.000.000 and they entitle to subscribe, in total, 3.000.000 shares in Stonesoft Corporation. The option rights of the Option Plan 2008 are divided into four series, each having an own subscription period as follows:
Series A on March 1, 2010 - December 31, 2014,
Series B on March 1, 2011 - December 31, 2014,
Series C on March 1, 2012 - December 31, 2014, and
Series D on March 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014
The subscription prices of the shares correspond to the volume-weighted average share price of the Company during the last 90 trading days on the OMX Nordic Stock Exchange Helsinki before the Board Meeting deciding on this plan. The subscription price of a share with stock options is EUR 0.30.
In its meeting on 17 June 2008, the Board of Directors of Stonesoft Corporation decided to supplement the terms in paragraph II6 and II7 of the Stock Option Plan 2008 approved in its meeting held on May 6, 2008 to grant to a stock option holder the same or equal rights as a shareholder has in case of issuance of new shares, options or other specific rights prior to share subscriptions as well as in certain other special cases.
The full terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan 2008 are available on the company website at http://www.stonesoft.com.
The company does not own its shares and the Board of Directors does not have an authorization to acquire its own shares.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Stonesoft complies with the Corporate Governance Recommendation for listed companies issued by the OMX Nordic Stock Exchange Helsinki, as described on the web pages of the company.RISKS AND BUSINESS UNCERTAINTIES
In the current fiscal period, Stonesoft’s main risks and business uncertainties relate to the realization timetable of the sales projects and possible production disruption of our subcontractors and suppliers as well as to the fact that the general economic uncertainty has increased. There have been no significant changes in these risks and business uncertainties in comparison to what has been announced earlier.FUTURE OUTLOOK
According to the Research Institute Infonetics, the Firewall/VPN and IPS Intrusion detection and prevention market will grow globally roughly by 8% in 2008. The market will continue to be dynamic.Companies will continue to network with their partners and subcontractors, and this development will create even higher requirements for network security and availability. At the same time, the demand for outsourcing solutions and services will grow. Managed service providers (MSPs) have a growing need to provide their customers with the possibility to track the status of their network security while maintaining an overview of their own data network. According to the company’s view combining security and high availability, which is the cornerstone of StoneGate product design, will prove its strength even better in this development.
The convergence of voice, video and data on IP-based networks will create more demand for capacity and drive the adoption of 10 Gbps networks. The growing demand for added bandwidth together with new protocols in the IP networks is expected to increase the general demand for better reporting, monitoring and analysis tools. This development will support Stonesoft in achieving its year 2008 growth plan, since these are the cornerstones in StoneGate Management Center’s functionality.
The strong growth of virtualization has created a demand for ensuring network security and business continuity also in virtual environments. StoneGate products are better suited for virtual environments than the competitors’ products because they are based on software solutions.
As security threats in the public sector are increasing, more and more governments have started improving their protection against network attacks and cyber espionage. StoneGate products offer comprehensive, centrally managed protection and suit well to the needs of the public sector.
Stonesoft will continue its decisive and persistent efforts to increase its net sales and to improve the profitability of the company. The company’s main target in 2008 is to have a strong growth of net sales generating improved profitability. By extension of the product portfolio and improved competitiveness, we aim to win even larger individual deals.
Based on the extension of the product portfolio, intensification of sales efforts and the present sales pipeline, the company expects to have an annual overall net sales of roughly EUR 24 million (+/- 10%) while the comparable net sales figure during the previous financial year was EUR 19.0 million. Through increased sales and cost control, the annual operating result (EBIT) is expected to improve by EUR 2.5 - 4.5 million compared to the previous year. Also the cash flow is expected to develop favourably.
With regard to the development of the turnover and the operating result, we expect a significant variation between the quarters in comparison to the corresponding quarter during the previous year as well as to the previous quarter as a consequence of, among others, long sales cycles, a relatively big impact of individual deals, and the variation between the quarters in the previous year.
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
This Interim Report is prepared in accordance with IAS 34 standard.Stonesoft Group has changed its bookkeeping practice regarding consulting fees for consults working full-time for Stonesoft sales and presales functions starting from January 1, 2008. According to the new practice these fees are included in the personnel expenses. In the financial year 2007 these consulting fees were included in the other operating expenses. The figures of the previous year have been adjusted to be comparable with the new bookkeeping practice. In all other aspects the Group has adapted the same accounting principles and reporting standards as in the Financial Statements for 2007.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains statements concerning, among other things, Stonesoft’s financial condition and the results of operations that are forward-looking in nature. Such statements are not historical facts, but rather represent Stonesoft’s future expectations. The company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, these forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those anticipated in the statements. These risks and uncertainties may include, among other things, (1) changes in our market position or in the Firewall/VPN and Intrusion detection and protection market in general; (2) the effects of competition; (3) the success, financial condition, and performance of our collaboration partners, suppliers and customers;(4) our ability to source quality components without interruption and at acceptable prices;(5) our ability to recruit, retain and develop appropriately skilled employees;(6) exchange rate fluctuations, including, in particular, fluctuations between the Euro, which is our reporting currency, and the US dollar;(7) other factors related to sale of products, economic situation, business, competition or legislation affecting the business of Stonesoft or the industry in general and (8) our ability to control the variety of factors affecting our ability to reach our targets and give accurate forecasts.The presented figures are unaudited.
PRESS CONFERENCE
A press conference for analysts and investors will be held today, 15 August 2008 at 10:30 AM at the Stonesoft headquarters, street address Itälahdenkatu 22 A, 00210 Helsinki.
This release and the presentation material related to this report are also available on Stonesoft’s web site at http://www.stonesoft.com
Download the full Interim Report as a PDF file:
Stonesoft Interim Report Q2 2008 (PDF)
For additional information, please contact:
Ilkka Hiidenheimo, CEO, Stonesoft Corporation
Tel. +358 9 476 711
E-mail: ilkka.hiidenheimo@stonesoft.com
Mikael Nyberg, CFO, Stonesoft Corporation
Tel. +358 9 476 711
E-mail: mikael.nyberg@stonesoft.com
Stonesoft Corporation
Ilkka Hiidenheimo
CEO
Distribution:
OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinkiwww.stonesoft.com
Friday, August 15, 2008