DGAP-News

First Sensor successfully closes the first nine months of 2016 - Seite 2

trajectory, even though the level of sales in the outstanding second
quarter of 2016 could not be reached again. With sales of EUR24.1 million
after nine months, sales were increased by EUR6.8 million (+ 39.3 percent)
year on year.

The Mobility segment generated sales of EUR12.4 million in the third
quarter (previous year: EUR10.6 million), again proving one of First
Sensor's main growth drivers. For the first nine months, this results in
growth of 26 percent or of over EUR7.6 million on the previous year's
figure to EUR36.8 million (previous year: EUR29.2 million).

Incoming orders and order volume
Incoming orders declined to EUR24.0 million in the third quarter. This was
influenced by an order from an OEM in the automotive sector that is known
to be expiring, which would have been booked at EUR5.6 million on this
date. At EUR103.6 million, however, incoming orders after nine months were
not materially below the figure for the previous year (EUR106.8 million).
Incoming orders of course affected the orders on hand, which fell to around
EUR77.3 million. This resulted in a book-to-bill ratio of 0.6; including
the expiring order it would have been 0.8. Development projects that will
offset this effect are already up and running. The book-to-bill ratio has
no impact on short-term sales development.

Balance and cash flow
The small increase in total assets is due largely to the rise in trade
receivables as a result of the sales growth. Net debt fell by EUR3.6
million compared with year-end to total EUR29.4 million. The equity of
EUR76.8 million, which increased as a result of the positive results of the
first nine months of 2016, corresponds to an equity ratio of 49.7%
(previous year: 46.4%). Cash flow from operating activities also developed
markedly positively in the third quarter of 2016 and amounted to EUR5.2
million. The low investment volume of EUR1.7 million remains rather below
average and is due to postponements of investment projects. Cash flow from
financing activities mainly reflects the steady repayment of money market
loans, which accounts for EUR1.5 million of the EUR2.0 million total.
After the first nine months of 2016, free cash flow was almost exactly EUR5
million (previous year: EUR-5.3 million).

Employees
At September 30, 2016, the First Sensor Group employs a total of 796 people
(previous year: 779).
The growing productivity of First Sensor AG and the effect of economies of
scale are also reflected in the sales per employee, which are increasing
steadily. They saw another increase to EUR48.8 thousand in the third
quarter.

Outlook
The Management Board has raised its forecast for the current fiscal year