The Jenoptik photonics group continued on its course of profitable growth in the past fiscal year. Revenue, based on preliminary figures, increased by around 9% to approximately 1.07 billion euros (prior year: 0.98 billion euros). The main growth driver was the Advanced Photonic Solutions division, particularly due to strong demand from the semiconductor equipment industry.
“Despite an increasingly challenging economic environment, 2023 was a very successful year for Jenoptik. We achieved our revenue goals and earnings targets which we had increased in the course of the year. The expansion of our production capacities is proceeding as planned and we significantly reduced our leverage ratio. Jenoptik has strong growth platforms in its three core markets: Semiconductor & Electronics, Life Science & Medical Technology, and Smart Mobility. Accordingly, we expect to continue growing profitably in the current fiscal year and are on track to achieve our goals for 2025,” says Stefan Traeger, President & CEO of JENOPTIK AG.
The Group’s EBITDA once again grew at a faster rate than revenue, by about 14% to approximately 210 million euros (prior year: 184.1 million euros). The corresponding EBITDA margin increased to around 19.7%, compared to 18.8% in the prior year.
Key balance sheet and financial ratios further improved
Jenoptik’s balance sheet and financial position remain very strong. The equity ratio improved to around 54% (31/12/2022: 50.4 %). The free cash flow before interest and taxes increased from 82.7 million euros to approximately 127 million euros, despite high capital expenditure. In addition to very good operating performance, the free cash flow benefited from the sale of real estate assets within the Non-Photonic Portfolio Companies. The company’s leverage, i.e., net debt in relation to EBITDA, was around 2.0 at the end of fiscal year 2023 compared to 2.6 in the prior year. Jenoptik thus continues to have very solid financial and balance sheet ratios.
Demand remained at good level
As expected, the Group’s order intake of approximately 1.09 billion euros in fiscal year 2023 was around 8 percent below the very high prior-year figure of 1.19 billion euros. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.02 (prior year: 1.21). Accordingly, the overall high order backlog increased slightly to around 745 million euros (31/12/2022: 733.7 million euros).
Further profitable growth expected for 2024
Based on the high order backlog, and good ongoing developments in the core photonics businesses, especially in the semiconductor equipment sector, the Executive Board of JENOPTIK AG is optimistic that it will achieve further profitable organic growth in the fiscal year 2024.
The final audited figures for 2023 and the 2023 Annual Report will be published on March 27, 2024.
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