Nikon Corp

TSE:7731

Earnings Call Transcript 2020-Q3

[Masashi Oka, executive]

This is Oka, Vice President and CFO, Nikon Corporation. I would like to thank you for your precious time to attend the financial results for the third quarter of the year ending March 31, 2020. Allow me to explain the overview of the third quarter results as well as the full year outlook.

Revenue was JPY 154.3 billion, down JPY 37.1 billion year-on-year. Operating profit was JPY 4 billion, down JPY 17.9 billion. On the cumulative basis from the first to third quarter, revenue was JPY 444.4 billion, down JPY 81.8 billion year-on-year. Operating profit was JPY 21.5 billion, down JPY 31 billion.

Imaging Products, well, mirrorless camera sales increased steadily, but the decreased sales of DSLR pushed down profit substantially. And that said, restructuring efforts explained in the last meeting is well underway as planned. Precision Equipment profit declined as a whole due to the loss of FPD equipment going above the increased profit in semiconductor equipment business. This shows in profit and loss for the third quarter. As I mentioned earlier, both revenue and operating profit went down from the previous year levels. Net profit was JPY 3.9 billion, down JPY 14 billion year-on-year. Free cash flow was JPY 800 million, down JPY 16.1 billion year-on-year.

As for FX, the Japanese yen appreciated JPY 4 to the U.S. dollar. And it also appreciated JPY 9 to the euro year-on-year. The currency had a negative impact of JPY 5 billion on revenue and a negative impact of JPY 1.6 billion on operating profit. This shows the results by segment. I will explain the details later.

Cumulative profit and loss up until the third quarter is shown here. Both revenue and operating profit, as mentioned earlier, went down, and the net profit was JPY 20.2 billion, down JPY 20.5 billion year-on-year. Free cash flow was JPY 4.7 billion, down JPY 43.4 billion year-on-year. Behind this was the loss in profit as well as in the change we had in the payment terms for the domestic partner companies. This shows financial highlights by segments. Details will be explained later. But on a corporate P&L, not attributable to any reportable segments shows less negative amount year-on-year.

The reason for this is, first, we had the FX loss due to the liquidation of the Chinese factory for the imaging business in 2017 as much as JPY 1.7 billion for restructuring related costs.

We also had JPY 3.8 billion booked as sales gain from the idle land. Next, I will explain actual by segments. First, Imaging Products Business. Revenue for the third quarter was JPY 70 billion, down JPY 20.5 billion year-on-year. Operating profit was negative JPY 800 million, down JPY 9.4 billion year-on-year.

As for the cumulative numbers up to the third quarter, revenue was JPY 189 billion, down JPY 52.4 billion. Operating profit was JPY 1.2 billion, down JPY 20.6 billion. In the third quarter, digital camera-interchangeable lens type declined in the unit -- in the units sold and the average price went down due to the product's mix change. Furthermore, we had to build an increased initial cost in developing a new product, so we had a big decline in revenue and profit. But mirrorless camera enjoyed -- increased both in revenue and the sales volume, thanks to the Z50 launched last November. Restructuring has been progressing as scheduled, and we have allocated JPY 800 million as onetime expense for sales and production locations optimization.

Next, Precision Equipment Business. Revenue for the third quarter was JPY 51.5 billion, down JPY 13.2 billion year-on-year. Operating profit was JPY 10.4 billion, down JPY 7 billion year-on-year. As for the cumulative basis up to the third quarter, our revenue was JPY 166.6 billion, down JPY 19.7 billion. Operating profit was JPY 35.8 billion, down JPY 11.4 billion.

In the third quarter, semiconductor lithography sales volume grew, both in new and refurbished systems. However, FPD Lithography Systems suffered a big decline in sales volume since our customers and CapEx for the G6 and G8 panels are peaked out. Precision Equipment Business as a whole, went down both in revenue and profit.

Next, Healthcare Business. Revenue for the third quarter was JPY 16.5 billion, up JPY 200 million year-on-year. Operating loss was JPY 400 million, further deteriorated by JPY 200 million. As for the cumulative basis and up to the third quarter.

Revenue was JPY 46.5 billion, up JPY 800 million. Operating loss was JPY 1.6 billion improved by JPY 900 million.

Retinal diagnostic imaging systems by U.K. Optos continued to grow firmly, particularly in the United States. And it had record high sales for cumulative number up to the third quarter. Biological microscope continued to enjoy a growth in revenue. Our decision to make selective investment for our long-term growth areas turned out to be successful in reducing operating loss firmly.

Next, Industrial Metrology Business and Others, including our Custom Products, Glass and Encoders Business. Revenue for the third quarter was JPY 15.5 billion, down JPY 3.5 billion year-on-year. Operating profit was JPY 1.2 billion, down JPY 900 million. As for cumulative basis and up to the third quarter, revenue was JPY 42.2 billion, down JPY 10.5 billion. Operating profit was JPY 3.6 billion, down JPY 1.2 billion. Revenue in the third quarter was depressed due to the constrain in CapEx by our customers. However, the size of the decline turned out to be almost halved as we had planned to do, to control the expense on our side.

Next, I will cover the full year forecast for the year ending March 31, 2020. This time, we do not reflect an impact from the new coronavirus outbreak. We did not change the forecast that we made last time as for revenue and operating profit and the net profit. As for dividend, we have not changed the annual dividend being JPY 60. But as you know, the outbreak of this new coronavirus is causing a rapid concern of a possible economic slowdown of China and the world. On top of the depression of final demand, such as consumption and investment, there is a serious concern about the supply chain. With the infection spreading, the local operation could be suspended much longer than we had expected. If the outbreak, as I mentioned, has serious impact on the overall logistics, then its impact on the global economy may become a lot longer than we are assuming now. Of course, Nikon is making an effort to collect information day in, day out, and trying to fully understand its impact. But if the problem is to continue a lot longer, we particularly have to pay attention to our FPD Systems Business and Imaging Business.

As for FPD System Business, if the installation work is to be now suspended a lot longer, expected revenue and operating profit from several units will be postponed to the next fiscal year from the current fiscal year.

As for Imaging Business, it is rather difficult for us to fully appreciate the depth of the impact as of now. But on top of the consumption line being suppressed, there could be an impact on the parts procurement. So we are now carefully trying to understand the specific impact against us.

At any rate, we intend to keep an eye on if local companies and factories are resuming operations or logistics is coming back. Until we get to see restarting economic activities, Nikon managed to make efforts in gathering information, and we need to fully understand its possible impact on our business performance. Though we do not reflect the impact from the new coronavirus, in case, we started to see a possible major modifications, we will disclose them timely and appropriately.

We announced the share on a buyback on last November. As of the end of last month, we have gained 3.5% of the total stocks issued, about 14 million stocks. The acquiring value is now about JPY 20.3 billion, vis-à-vis then a cap of JPY 30 billion, we have progression up to 68%. We plan to cancel all newly acquired own shares by the end of this fiscal year. This shows the overall forecast for the full year.

Revenue is JPY 620 billion, down JPY 88.6 billion year-on-year. Operating profit is JPY 20 billion, down JPY 62.6 billion. Net income is JPY 17 billion, down JPY 49.5 billion. We have not changed those numbers since the last time. Free cash flow is JPY 15 billion, down JPY 28.5 billion, the same forecast since the last time. The exchange rate assumption JPY 108 to the U.S. dollar and JPY 121 to the euro. Since the last time, the U.S. dollar depreciated by JPY 1, but the euro has not changed. FX impact assumption year-on-year on revenue shows minus JPY 15.8 billion and minus JPY 4.7 billion on operating profit. For your further information, when the currency moves JPY 1, the sensitivity on the revenue in the second half is JPY 600 million with the U.S. dollar and JPY 200 million with the euro, and about JPY 100 million on operating profit for both U.S. dollar and the euro.

Next, I'll go through the numbers by segments. This table consists of new forecast and on a change from the previous year and the previous forecast. I will go into details in the following slides. May I remind you that excluding restructuring-related expenses, consolidated operating profit is JPY 26.7 billion as shown in the bracket in the bottom line, the same from the previous forecast.

First, Imaging Products Business, revenue was JPY 235 billion, down JPY 61.1 billion year-on-year. No change from the last forecast. We have not changed the base assumption for the market outlook. And we have not changed our forecast for our products, as you'll see on this slide. We haven't changed them from the last time.

As I mentioned this point earlier that this time, we did not take in account possible impact coming from the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

Operating profit being the same as the last time is JPY 10 billion, down JPY 32 billion year-on-year. We are assuming for the current fiscal year JPY 5 billion for restructuring-related cost. So if we exclude this expense, our forecast this year is going to be a loss of JPY 5 billion. We continue to make further efforts in reducing SG&A and R&D cost, but an impact coming from the revenue decline and the rather large initial costs incurred due to the extended lineup of mirrorless camera, we are assuming that we will be faced with rather tough situations for 2 years, this current year and the next fiscal year.

Next Precision Equipment Business. Revenue has not changed. JPY 255 billion, down JPY 19.5 billion year-on-year. FPD sales unit forecast is still 32 units, unchanged from the last time. Nikon is the only supplier with our G10.5 with premium price. And this product will grow from the previous year, but G6 and G8 decline in sales will have a great impact.

As I mentioned earlier, please be reminded that this time, we do not take into the account any possible impact from the new coronavirus outbreak.

Semiconductor lithography systems, 30 new units and 11 refurbished units, no change from the last forecast. With FPD Lithography System's loss and revenue exceeding growth and profit with the semiconductor equipment business, our forecast for operating profit is JPY 51 billion, down JPY 30.7 billion year-on-year basis. No change here since the last time. In the previous year, we had onetime profit of JPY 15 billion last year from the settlement for the patent litigation. Excluding this, our forecast here is going to be down JPY 15.7 billion year-on-year.

Next, our Healthcare Business. Revenue in our forecast is JPY 65 billion, down JPY 400 million, unchanged from the previous forecast. We do expect both biological microscope and retinal diagnostic imaging system continue to grow firmly, mainly overseas. Yet with the negative impact from the FX, we expect the revenue to be flat year-on-year.

Operating profit forecast has not changed. However, the loss will be halved, and there is no change as to our plan to be profitable next fiscal year.

Lastly, Industrial Metrology Business and Others. Revenue in the forecast is JPY 65 billion, down JPY 7.5 billion year-on-year. No change from the last forecast. With the economic slowdown, Chinese and other Asian customers may reduce planned CapEx. So we are forecasting a decline in revenue. Yet in Industrial Metrology Business, we expect the market share of non-contact 3D metrology systems will steadily grow because our customers are giving us really good feedback.

Operating profit is JPY 4 billion, down JPY 2.9 billion year-on-year. No change from the last forecast. In order to minimize the revenue drop, we will further improve cost and reduce expenses. We will continue our investment in future growth such as Components Business.

That's all for our full year forecast. Though we are still faced with a tough environment, as Mr. Umatate, our President and the CEO, stated back in the November financial results meeting, we will share -- executing our restructuring plan for Imaging Products Business. And we are now making our best effort for our growth strategy for the midterm management plan centering around Materials Processing Business and others with a sense of speed.

As for a comprehensive business alliance with DMG MORI, we are making steady progress in going over details. Our midterm management plan aims at acquiring new engine quickly through an active investment into new areas, the top priority. We are now accelerating our specific activities to work on our growth strategy which should be feasible enough based upon our strength and assets. Here, we have to be thorough and quick, while always having a sense of time line. In order to fully support such a strategy, our capital allocation policy should be to give the top priority to our growth investment. This portion has not changed a bit even now.

We're not going to have a bold capital injections through M&A and alliance, so we could be quick in driving our growth opportunities. And there is no change at all in this fashion. This is still the most important challenge for us, and we will definitely work out on this so that we can get back to you and share the specific outcome at an early stage.

With this, I'd like to close off my remarks. I'd like to thank you for your kind attention.

[Statements in English on this transcript were spoken by an interpreter present on the live call.]