Standing firm in challenging markets (0112)

Report on the first half of 2001

After two years of high growth rates, the Micronas Group was not in a position to prevent a decline in sales and earnings (after adjustments for acquisitions and currency effects) on account of the very subdued mood that af-fected its markets in the first six months of 2001.

Consolidated net sales reached a total of CHF 283.7 million in the first half of 2001. This was roughly a third higher than the equivalent year-back figure of CHF 216.7 million. However, after adjustments to take account of acquisitions and currency translation, this represents a drop in sales of 12 percent.

The Consumer division contributed CHF 246.9 million, or 87 percent, of total sales. The other core business, Automotive, generated sales of CHF 36.8 million.

Operating profit per end of June 2001 was CHF 41.5 million. Compared with operating profit before acquisitions of CHF 49.5 million for the same period of last year, this represented a decline of around 16 percent. After interest and taxes, net profit was CHF 24.5 million. Earnings per share adjusted for goodwill amortization after tax amounted to CHF 1.49.

Spending on research and development in the first half of 2001 totalled CHF 39.7 million. A package of concerted measures to optimize operational costs was introduced. In mid-2001 the Micronas Group had 1502 employees.

In the reporting period, we completed the basic integration of the "Image and Video" business, acquired from Infineon Technologies in the autumn of last year. At the same time, we completed the process of consolidating and harmonizing our"product road map". The complementary investment in key technologies and potential growth markets is already bearing fruit for Micronas.

In the second half of 2001, we expect the difficult market conditions to persist. As far as we can tell today, third quarter-sales are expected on similar level as second quarter and a modest recovery could get underway in the fourth quarter. For the 2001 business year as a whole, we expect sales of the order of CHF 550 million and a modest profit.

The Micronas Group is an internationally active manufacturer of application-specific chip systems in the areas of multimedia, entertainment and automotive electronics. Its shares are listed on SWX Swiss Exchange and the Neuer Markt in Frankfurt.

Zurich, 25 July 2001 Micronas Semiconductor Holding AG