News

KYOCERA Announces Consolidated Financial Results for Six Months Ended September 30, 2009

KYOTO, Japan — October 30, 2009 — Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) today announced its consolidated financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2010 (the six months ended September 30, 2009).

Overview of Consolidated Financial Results

During the six months ended September 30, 2009 (the "first half"), the global economy showed signs of recovery as industrial output expanded, driven by economic stimulus packages and financial countermeasures in many nations. Demand for components used in digital consumer equipment increased in comparison with the prior six months, but remained below the first half of the previous fiscal year. Amid the continuation of this economic environment, consolidated net sales in the first half amounted to JPY483,903 (USD5,094; Euro3,638) million, a decrease of 26.5% compared with the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Demand for components fell as compared with the previous first half; sales of mobile phone handsets remained low in Japan and the U.S.; and sales of information equipment decreased, due primarily to curtailed information technology investment. In addition, the company’s revenue and profit were reduced by the appreciation of the yen against the Euro and U.S. dollar.

In this harsh business environment characterized by a significant decrease in sales, Kyocera promoted comprehensive cost-cutting measures, and worked to improve productivity throughout the Kyocera Group. Despite these efforts, profit from operations for the first half declined 85.8% compared with the previous first half, to JPY8,858 (USD93; Euro67) million. Income before income taxes for the first half decreased by 76.8% compared with the previous first half, to JPY17,148 (USD181; Euro129) million, and net income attributable to shareholders of Kyocera Corporation for the first half amounted to JPY8,728 (USD92; Euro66) million, a decrease of 80.7% as compared with the previous first half.

Exchange rates averaged JPY95 to the U.S. dollar and JPY133 to the Euro, marking appreciation of JPY11 (approximately 10%) and JPY30 (approximately 18%), respectively. As a result, net sales and income before income taxes (after full translation into yen) were, for calculation purposes, reduced by approximately JPY45.0 billion (USD474; Euro338 million) and JPY13.5 billion (USD142; Euro102 million), respectively.

In the components business, sales decreased by 28.7%, to JPY245,081 (USD2,580; Euro1,843) million; and operating profit decreased by 86.2%, to JPY5,579 (USD59; Euro42) million.

In the equipment business, sales decreased by 26.9%, to JPY190,900 (USD2,009; Euro1,435) million; and operating profit decreased by 91.3%, to JPY857 (USD9; Euro6) million.

The "Others" segment includes various businesses such as information and communications technology services and materials for electronic components. Sales in this reporting segment decreased by 12.8%, to JPY57,825 (USD609; Euro435) million. Operating profit decreased by 87.0%, to JPY1,798 (USD19; Euro14) million, due to a decline in sales and the absence of a gain on the sale of fixed assets recorded in the previous first half in the amount of approximately JPY10.6 billion (USD112; Euro80 million).

The above results reflect a considerable decrease in net sales and profit from operations compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. However, they represent a significant improvement, particularly in profit, compared to the prior year’s second half (the six months ended March 31, 2009). Compared to that period, consolidated net sales increased by 3.0%. Moreover, profit from operations increased by JPY27,668 (USD291; Euro208) million, income before income taxes increased by JPY35,174 (USD370; Euro264) million, and first-half net income attributable to shareholders of Kyocera Corporation increased by JPY24,471 (USD258; Euro184) million.

These improvements were concentrated in the second quarter, in which consolidated net sales increased by 14.7% compared to the first quarter, driven by increased demand for components used in digital consumer equipment, as well as the introduction of new mobile phones, printers and multifunctional document imaging equipment. This increase in net sales, combined with thorough cost-cutting and productivity improvement, succeeded in moving profit from operations back into the black, and significantly improved income before income taxes.

Outlook and Future Prospects

First-half business conditions were mixed. The solar energy business outside of Japan continued to face tougher pricing conditions than expected, while digital consumer equipment production levels recovered beyond initial projections, and demand for components primarily in the Semiconductor Parts Group expanded steadily. However, for the three months ending December 31, 2009 (the "third quarter") and onward, demand for components used in digital consumer equipment remains unclear outside of Japan. Therefore, Kyocera has made no revision to its sales and profit forecast for the year ending March 31, 2010 ("fiscal 2010") that was announced in April 2009.

Though business conditions will remain uncertain during the second half, especially regarding the global economy and exchange rates, Kyocera will vigorously strive to secure orders for products where demand is forecast to grow. Additionally, Kyocera will pursue increased profitability by further cutting costs and improving productivity, as a means to achieve its full-year financial forecasts.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, product demand, competition, regulatory approvals, the effect of economic conditions and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Complete details of Kyocera’s financial results for the six months ended September 30, 2009 are available at: http://global.kyocera.com/ir/financial/f_results.html

About KYOCERA

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, electronic components, laser printers, copiers, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the company’s net sales totaled JPY1.13 trillion (approximately USD11.5 billion). The company, which marks its 50th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of its U.S. operations this year, is ranked #418 on Forbes magazine’s 2009 "Global 2000" listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.

# # #

 

CONTACT: KYOCERA Corporation (Japan)

Corporate Communications
Judah Reynolds, +81-(0)75-604-3416
webmaster.pressgl@kyocera.jp
Fax: +81-(0)75-604-3516