ATOSS Software AG
Dynamic start to 2017 - Strong growth in sales and orders booked in the first quarter
Business news for the stock market
München (pta014/25.04.2017/08:00) - Following a record year in 2016, ATOSS Software AG is poised for further growth in 2017. The workforce management specialist saw sales increase in the first quarter by a clear 11 percent over the prior year to EUR 13.0 million. Orders booked for software licenses and the software component of contracted Cloud solutions were significantly up on the previous year (EUR 1.7 million) at EUR 3.5 million. With this excellent start to the new financial year, the Management Board expects continuing growth in 2017 for the twelfth year in succession.
Munich, April 25, 2017
The results posted by ATOSS Software AG for the first quarter of 2017 not only follow on seamlessly from the last 11 record years. They also offer sustained proof of the competitive strength of ATOSS and the continuously increasing importance of workforce management as a corporate tool.
This dynamic growth is reflected above all in the double-digit growth in sales. The core software business accounted for sales of EUR 7.7 million, equivalent to 59 percent of the company's overall turnover of EUR 13.0 million. Turnover in consulting - supported by the excellent order situation - was 10 percent higher year on year at EUR 3.6 million. Hardware sales amounted to EUR 0.9 million (previous year: EUR 1.0 million), with miscellaneous revenues coming in at EUR 0.7 million (previous year: EUR 0.5 million).
Despite the increase in investments - particularly in research & development - relative to the year before, as well as higher personnel costs coupled with the development in sales & marketing, there was a slight increase in operating profits in line with expectations from EUR 3.2 million to EUR 3.3 million. ATOSS recorded earnings per share of EUR 0.57 in the first quarter (previous year: EUR 0.57). Based on EBIT, the return on sales came in at 26 percent, slightly above the Management Board forecast for 2017.
These gratifying business developments also generated an increase in operating cash flow which climbed 16 percent to EUR 4.9 million (previous year: EUR 4.2 million). Consequently, as of March 31, 2017 ATOSS recorded consolidated liquidity including financial assets of EUR 29.6 million (previous year: EUR 28.7 million). Even after the dividend payment of around EUR 4.6 million or EUR 1.16 per share to be proposed to shareholders at the AGM on April 28, 2017, ATOSS will still enjoy a respectable cash position and strong equity which together will safeguard the company's outstanding future prospects.