International medical imaging IT and cybersecurity company Sectra reported increased order bookings and net sales compared with the year-earlier period. The earnings trend for the Group as a whole was stable. Sectra's financial focus is to increase its operating profit per share while maintaining its operating margin, and Sectra's financial performance measures continue to exceed the Group's target levels.
Nine-month period in figures
- Order bookings increased 19.8% to SEK 992.3 million (828.1).
- Net sales rose 9.8% to SEK 878.6 million (800.1). Adjusted for currency fluctuations, sales increased 11.9%.
- Operating profit rose 23.7% to SEK 155.4 million (125.6), corresponding to an operating margin of 17.7% (15.7). Adjusted for currency fluctuations, operating profit increased 27.3%.
- Cash flow after changes in working capital amounted to SEK 120.8 million (174.9).
Third quarter in figures
- Order bookings increased 11.6% to SEK 337.9 million (302.9).
- Net sales rose 2.0% to SEK 300.1 million (294.2). Adjusted for currency fluctuations, sales increased 4.7%.
- Operating profit rose 8.9% to SEK 51.3 million (47.1), corresponding to an operating margin of 17.1% (16.0). Adjusted for currency fluctuations, operating profit increased 13.5%.
- Cash flow after changes in working capital amounted to SEK 46.1 million (104.7).
Torbjörn Kronander, President and CEO of Sectra AB, comments
"For a company such as Sectra, which competes with some of the largest companies in the world, it is extremely important to have satisfied, long-standing customers. Our success in this area is confirmed by the recognition of Sectra's medical IT system (PACS) for having the highest customer satisfaction in the US for the fifth consecutive year, and globally for the fourth year straight. This is mainly the result of our corporate culture, where the needs and problems of our customers always come first. I am proud of the positive feedback we continue to receive from users across the globe and of our employees, who truly care about and assume responsibility for our customers.
"Sectra continued to deliver positive trends
in terms of sales, order bookings, and profitability. The most
significant sales growth during the period was reported in Sweden,
primarily as a result of increased sales in the Secure Communications
operating area. Within Imaging IT Solutions, we are growing in the Netherlands, the UK and the US.
"The increase in order bookings is
attributable to several comprehensive, long-term customer contracts in
both Secure Communications and Imaging IT Solutions. A significant
portion of our expenditures arise in the early stages of the multiyear
projects, while revenue and profit recognition are distributed over the
entire duration of the customer contract. Accordingly, several of the
new orders will tie up considerable capital during the installation
phase, which will place a greater burden on cash flow.
"With all of our financial goals achieved, we
aim to continue growing in the long term. Our focus will be on growth
initiatives that can contribute to a long-term and stable earnings
trend, including cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and solutions
for integrated cancer diagnostics. We are also investing in new
geographic markets—including Canada and France,
where we opened offices over the past year—and in increasing our market
shares in countries where we are already established but are not yet
the market leader."
Learn more about Sectra.