DGAP-News

SMA Solar Technology AG: 2014 Result: SMA Solar Technology AG Reports Considerable Loss Due to Market Downturn in Europe, Weak Business in China and One-Time Items

DGAP-News: SMA Solar Technology AG / Key word(s): Final Results
SMA Solar Technology AG: 2014 Result: SMA Solar Technology AG Reports
Considerable Loss Due to Market Downturn in Europe, Weak Business in
China and One-Time Items

26.03.2015 / 09:11

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SMA Solar Technology AG - Press Release

2014 Result: SMA Solar Technology AG Reports Considerable Loss Due to
Market Downturn in Europe, Weak Business in China and One-Time Items

Overview:
- Sales decline to EUR805.4 million due to weak business in Europe and
heavy price pressure (2013: EUR932.5 million)

- Operating earnings (EBIT) of EUR-164.9 million (2013: EUR-89.1 million)
impacted by high fixed costs, business in China and one-time items

- Financial stability thanks to high amount of net cash of EUR225.4
million (Dec. 31, 2013: EUR329.7 million) and a high equity ratio of
46.8% (Dec. 31, 2013: 57.5%)

- Implementation of transformation on schedule - planned staff reduction
is expected to be realized without involuntary layoffs

- Managing Board confirms sales and earnings forecast for fiscal year
2015

Niestetal, March 26, 2015-In the fiscal year 2014 , SMA Solar Technology AG
(SMA/FWB: S92) recorded a sales decline of 13.6% to EUR805.4 million (2013:
EUR932.5 million) primarily as a result of the market development. In
Europe and China, demand for PV inverters fell last year due to a change in
political conditions. The decline was not offset by the growth in North
America. In 2014, the heavy price pressure continued in all markets and
market segments. As measured by the volume of investment, global demand
fell by 10% year on year to EUR3.9 billion (approximately 40 GW of newly
installed power). With a share of approximately 20%, SMA defended its
position as a global market leader in a dynamic and highly competitive
market environment.

In 2014, the international share of sales increased to 76.0% (2013: 71.0%).
The most important foreign markets were North America, Australia, Japan and
Great Britain. Operating earnings (EBIT) were EUR-164.9 million (2013:
EUR-89.1 million). The EBIT margin was -20.5% (2013: -9.6%). The operating
result includes provisions for the planned staff reduction, further
one-time items, for example such as impairment, and the losses of Chinese