Results Summary
Latest Update : Dec.2, 2014
Back to Financial Results (FY3/2015)
Overview for the 1H of FY 3/2015 (From April 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014)
The Japanese economy remained on a gradual recovery track during the first half of the fiscal year (April 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014) as government initiatives coupled with the weak yen boosted corporate earnings, capital expenditures, and employment although the consumption tax hike put a damper on consumer spending. Fueled by increased capital expenditures and improved employment that went hand in hand with higher corporate earnings, the U.S. economy continued to gradually pick up steam. The European economy remained at a standstill due to the lagging sovereign debt crisis as well as the Ukrainian political crisis that led to a decline in exports. The Asian economy continued to lose steam as a sluggish housing market in China weighed down on the country's slowing economic growth rate. All ASEAN countries enjoyed moderate economic recoveries with the exception of Thailand whose economy was hurt by political upheaval there.
Working against this backdrop, the Minebea Group has been focusing on cutting costs, creating high-value-added products, developing new technologies, and enhancing its marketing approach to boost profitability further.
As a result, net sales increased by 35,758 million yen (19.8%) year on year to reach 216,557 million yen. Operating income rose 11,758 million yen (90.4%) year on year to total 24,761 million yen, and ordinary income was up 12,884 million yen (109.6%) year on year at 24,635 million yen. Net income for the quarter also increased by 9,045 million yen (103.1%) year on year to reach 17,817 million yen.
Performance by Segment for the 1H of FY 3/2015 (From April 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014)
Machined Components Business Segment
Products in our Machined components business segment include our mainstay, ball bearings, in addition to mechanical components such as rod-end bearings used primarily in aircraft and hard disk drive (HDD) pivot assemblies, etc., as well as fasteners for automobiles and aircraft. Ball bearings saw increases in both sales and profits as demand grew in major markets. Sales to the automobile industry were particularly robust, with the sales volume hitting a record high in September. Sales of rod-end bearings used in aircraft were also upbeat, especially in the civil aviation market. Sales of pivot assemblies were up in the HDD market, mainly for game console applications, as were sales of products used for PCs due to software updates. Sales were also healthy for high-end products used in data centers, etc. due partly to the completion of inventory adjustments in the HDD market. These factors combined brought overall sales and profits of pivot assemblies up.
In the end, net sales for the first six-month period increased by 4,997 million yen (7.3%) year on year to total 73,687 million yen. Operating income was also up 3,903 million yen (25.3%) year on year, totaling out at 19,330 million yen.
Electronic Devices and Components Business
The core products of our Electronic devices and components business include electronic devices (liquid crystal display backlights and measuring components, etc.), HDD spindle motors, information motors (stepping motors, DC brushless motors, DC brush motors, and fan motors), precision motors, and special devices. Sales and profits of liquid crystal display (LCD) backlights soared. This increase resulted from surging sales of Minebea products boasting both a technological and supply edge in the growing market for high-end smartphones. Sales of rotary components like HDD spindle motors, information motors, etc. also rose. The information motor business, in particular, saw increases in both sales and profits thanks to growing sales to the office automation, automobile, and other markets. Reduced costs resulting from the transfer of manufacturing operations to our Cambodian plant as well as improved quality and production efficiency also contributed to the better performance.
All these factors combined brought net sales for the first fiscal half up 30,732 million yen (27.5%) year on year to total 142,360 million yen. Operating income soared by 6,793 million yen (219.6%) year on year to reach 9,886 million yen.
Other Business Segment
Net sales for the first fiscal half in our Other business segment, which includes dies and parts produced in-house, were up 28 million yen (5.9%) year on year to total 508 million yen. Operating income also increased by 241 million yen (59.8%) year on year to total 643 million yen.
In addition to the figures noted above, 5,098 million yen in corporate expenses, etc. not belonging to any particular segment has been recorded as adjustments. Adjustments for the first half of last fiscal year amounted to 5,919 million yen.
Analysis of Financial Position for the 1H of FY 3/2015 (From April 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014)
Assets, Liabilities, and Net Assets
The Minebea Group sees "strengthening its financial standing" as a top priority and is taking various steps toward that end, including reducing total assets and interest-bearing debts as well as cutting back capital investments. Over the past few years, however, we have been making aggressive capital investments to enhance our business performance.
Total assets at the end of the current second quarter amounted to 435,529 million yen, up 54,251 million yen compared to the end of the previous fiscal year. The main reasons for this uptick include increases in notes and accounts receivable, inventories, as well as tangible fixed assets. Total liabilities amounted to 241,178 million yen, up 23,364 million yen over what it was at the end of the previous fiscal year. This jump was primarily due to increases in notes and accounts payable. Net assets totaled 194,350 million yen, up 30,887 million yen over what it was at the end of the previous fiscal year. Equity ratio rose 1.8 percentage points above what it was at the end of the last fiscal year to reach 43.2%.
Condition of Cash Flows
The balance of cash and cash equivalents at the end of the second quarter of the current fiscal year totaled 29,183 million yen, up 151 million yen compared with the end of the previous fiscal year and up 2,438 million yen on a year-on-year basis.
Cash flows from various business activities during the first fiscal half and relevant factors are as follows:
Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to 19,127 million yen, down 3,840 million yen year on year due to increases in income before income taxes and minority interests, notes and accounts receivable, notes and accounts payable, as well as inventories along with depreciation and amortization, etc. Net cash used for investment activities declined 4,098 million yen year on year, to total 9,861 million yen due to the acquisition of tangible and intangible fixed assets as well as the sales of shares of subsidiaries and affiliates, etc. Net cash used for financing activities fell off by 1,626 million yen year on year due to a cash outflow of 9,819 million yen for the repayment of short-term loans as well as a dividend payment, etc.
The content of this page is based on information included in the "Brief Report for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year Ending March 2015 (From April 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014)" announced on November 5, 2014.
