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PRESS
RELEASE
Growth and improved margins for Norman
Press Release
Oslo, 12 October 2005 |
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Norman ASA, the
Norwegian data security company, experienced a
growth in revenue of 12 percent in the third
quarter, compared to the same period last year. This
was the ninth consecutive quarter with double digit
growth. Adjusted for the appreciation of the
Norwegian krone actual growth was 17 percent.
Norman’s margins improved even further. In the third
quarter, the company achieved an EBITDA margin of 22
percent, compared to last year’s 18 percent.
Norman’s revenue for the quarter was NOK 55.8m,
against NOK 49.8m last year. The company’s EBITDA
result was NOK 12.3m, whereas it was NOK 8.8m last
year. Pre tax profits stand at NOK 11.6m, against
NOK 7.9m previous year. Earnings per share were NOK
0,73, up from NOK 0,58.
Accumulated revenue for the first nine months was
NOK 168.7, a growth of 17 percent. EBITDA came in at
NOK 27.7. Adjusted for the appreciation of the
Norwegian krone actual growth was 21 percent. The
EBITDA margin for the first nine months was 16
percent, up from 13 percent.
Commenting on the result, Norman’s CEO, Henning
Hansen, said: “The third quarter was clearly marked
by the summer season in its two first months, while
September came in very strong. I am satisfied with
the fact that we are maintaining a high growth rate
in Europe, which is our key market. I am
particularly pleased to see that we now manage to
improve our margins even further. After the third
quarter, our EBITDA result is higher than for the
entire last year."
69 percent of Norman’s revenue is now in Europe
outside Norway. 24 percent of the revenue is
generated in Norway.
"Even though there were no extraordinary and
dramatic virus attacks in the third quarter, the
virus threat is still increasing. More and more
computers and networks are being attacked and the
virus writers are becoming more sophisticated and
ill intentioned," says Mr Hansen.
There is a very positive interest in Norman’s
security solutions in the market. A number of new
contracts have been secured with new customers in
the third quarter. Several of these contracts have
been signed after client testing of solutions from a
number of security vendors. In the end, Norman’s
unique SandBox technology brought home the
contracts.
Norman’s financial position is strong. The company
has no interest bearing debt and provides a
significant positive cash flow. During the first
three quarters, Norman generated NOK 18m in cash
from operations. In the third quarter, the company
has booked an extraordinary payment of NOK 4m in
taxes related to the company’s stock option plans.
At the end of the third quarter the company had NOK
80m in cash.
The process of recruiting the new CEO as a
replacement for Henning Hansen is progressing well.
The Board of Directors is in the final stage of the
selection process and expects to announce the new
CEO soon.
The company’s unique technology, the strong position
in key markets and the increasing virus threat leads
Norman to have a positive outlook on the future. In
the coming months, Norman will bring a number of new
products and upgrades to the market, in order to
improve the company’s position even further. Norman
expects growth and profitability to continue.
SAV25
Data Systems
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More
Press Release here |
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