There are a few resounding themes coming out of Europe's high-tech bellwethers this week: Tough economic conditions prevail around the eurozone, and the picture for the rest of the year looks fuzzy.
Three of the region's biggest companies -- Royal Philips Electronics, Siemens, and STMicroelectronics -- reported mixed sales and earnings results and provided cautious guidance on what likely lies ahead.
Crediting its ongoing restructure efforts, Dutch-based Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. beat estimates for the June-ending second quarter, reporting a 5 percent year-over-year sales increase to $7.3 billion (€5.9 billion) while net income rose to €167 million. Sales in the healthcare and lighting segments were the main drivers, as was an 11 percent jump in "growth geographies," which accounts for 35 percent of the company's total revenue.
Even though the last quarter was a bright spot, uncertainty is still the talk of the day. During a call with analysts, Philips CEO Frans van Houten said:
There is no denying that the global economy is weaker now than it was just three months ago, especially in Europe which, by the way, accounts for approximately 25 percent of our revenue. We continue to take actions to mitigate the risks from the increased economic headwinds globally, and as we are a case of self-help, we remain confident in our ability to further improve our performance towards our mid-term targets in 2013 and beyond.
Over in Germany, Siemens AG (NYSE: SI; Frankfurt: SIE) had even less rosy news. The company's fiscal third-quarter order intake was sharply below analysts' estimates, as was its net profit of €832 million, which consensus anticipated to come in at about €1.3 billion, according to a Wall Street Journal news report. In a statement, Siemens said orders were about €17.8 billion, 23 percent below the prior-year period. On the plus side, quarterly revenue was up 10 percent year-over-year, to €19.5 billion, but favorable currency translation effects accounted for five percentage points of that growth.
Peter Löscher, Siemens' president and CEO, offered this bleak picture in the statement:
The deceleration of the world economy has increased in the past few months. We see growing reluctance among our customers regarding capital expenditures and stronger economic headwinds, especially in our industrial short-cycle businesses. Therefore our focus above all is on increasing our productivity and efficiency. Given the deteriorating environment it becomes more difficult to achieve our guidance for the fiscal year.
And lastly, STMicroelectronics NV (NYSE: STM) posted second quarter revenue of $2.15 billion, down from $2.57 billion a year ago, but up sequentially 6.5 percent and generally in-line with what most analysts were expecting. The company noted that ST's wholly-owned businesses saw a sequential increase of 4.4 percent while the wireless product segment grew about 19 percent. On the earnings side, the chipmaker posted a net loss of $75 million compared with net income of $420 million last year.
The chipmaker is forecasting only 2.5 percent revenue growth for the current third quarter, blaming weaker demand. In a conference call, CEO Carlo Bozotti noted that the company had weaker bookings in the last part of the second quarters and that the global macroeconomic climate is softening.
ST, which also said it plans to cut capital expenditure by 25 percent this year, has been impacted by Nokia's poor performance. One of ST's biggest customers, Nokia's weakened market position has cut ST's sales by about $1 billion a year, Bozotti said.
None of this was what any of us wanted to hear, but we all knew it was coming. The economic doldrums in Europe are hanging around, we know, but for how much longer?
It is a simple situation: we have all spent forward, and must now spend less. This may mean a period of slow growth, or even declines as things come back into alignment. An example is real estate prices, just about everywhere, that went up in anticipation of high inflation. Historically real estate prices (on average) go up about 0.5-1% inflation adjusted; between about 1985 and 2000 they went up about 9%. We have to payback that aberraant gain. Growth in China has been spurred by building etc essentially funded by the G8 nations via offshoring and related transfers. That too will slow down.
Deflation is indeed a scary situation, but seems to me that we may be in for just such a period. Reserve banks and governemts should focus on managing the imminent deflation, rather than worry about excessive inflation. If they try to 'create' inflation it will only 'kick the can' a few more year out. Shift the pain even more so to the new generation. The baby boomers 'caused' this situation. We must address it.
AzmatMalik, You put it simply but with a touch of reality that seems to be lacking in discussion of economic growth these days. We expect companies to grow at a rate of 20 percent or more per year and if they don't we take them to task over it. We look for stock prices to keep going higher and higher on a daily basis and we expect wages to rise too at a fast clip.
We've spent and borrowed ourselves into a box but we want to complain ourselves out of it rather than accept moderation and slower growth until we clean out the mess.
I really liked your perspective about the slow down. I do agree it's better happen sooner than later. Slowing down is good because it will definitely rise and flourish later on.
Interesting observation which I also happen to agree with. I would add that all of the G8 countries are carrying to much dept. These countries (USA etc..) need to reduce debt to below 10% of GDP. This target is absolutely critical for a stable world economy to emerge. Debt is the big elephant in the room and MUST be eliminated even though the process will be extremely painful.
AzmatMalik - Your observations are spot on, and like Bolaji mentioned these are the kinds of conversations we all should having - how can we add a dose of reality back to expectations.
elctrnx_lyf - Yes, it's all part of a cycle. The unfornatuate part is that we keep creating these more extreme cycles of extended feast and extended famine, coupled with unsustainable spending and then severe belt-tightening. Have to believe there is not a more moderate middle ground that would create greater stability and economic predictability.
Daryl - Good point. Big question is how to eliminate this debt? Countries keep trimming budgets in the name of austerity, but a serious dilemma emerges: When are you trimming fat and when are you trimming bone? Trimming fat is ok, but if you trim too much bone, countries won't be able to stand and hold their weight.
The outlook is not super rosy but neither does it look disastrous. I imaging the big players will be able to manage their way through the abyss and hopefully come out stronger.
I think what matters more is where you cut spending on rather than how much you cut. If you cut down on the investments, you're aiming for a further decline in your economy. So you need to be careful about where the cut is taking place. Often this is the hardest decisions for governments to take.
I just wonder, in electronics, there are many experts more than capable to regulate power source, signal feedback, etc. Why not our economists worldwide could find a way to regulate our economy cycles ? I am very sure it is possible to stabilize our economy cycles, one way or another way.
Natural disasters wreak havoc to the tune of $100 billion in annual damages, says a UN report. To cope, companies need improved risk management strategies.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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