Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was US$3.6 million, compared to US$3.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, and US$5.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007. The Company's revenue in the second quarter of 2008 is consistent with the guidance the Company provided during its fourth quarter 2007 and first quarter 2008 earnings call held on June 16, 2008.
Net loss in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was US$2.7 million, or a net loss of US$0.78 per diluted ADS, compared to a net loss of US$2.3 million, or a net loss of US$0.17 per diluted ADS, in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, and a net loss of US$1.6 million, or a net loss of US$0.13 per diluted ADS, in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.
Revenue for the first six months of fiscal 2008 was US$6.9 million, compared to US$9.3 million for the same period in fiscal 2007. Net loss for the first six months of fiscal 2008 was US$5.0 million, or a net loss of US$1.47 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of US$2.6 million, or a net loss of US$0.20 per diluted share, for the same period in fiscal 2007.
The Company's net loss of US$0.78 per diluted ADS in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and net loss of US$1.47 per diluted share in the first six months of fiscal 2008 were calculated based on Pixelplus' one-for-four reverse stock split of its American Depositary Receipts effective as of the open of business on April 14, 2008. In this regard, had the Company not completed this reverse stock split, it would have sustained a net loss of about US$0.19 per diluted ADS in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and a net loss of roughly US$0.36 per diluted share in the first six months of fiscal 2008.
The Company sold approximately 7.1 million image sensors in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, which represents an increase of about 2.8 million units from its sale of around 4.3 million units in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Separately, the Company provided approximately 1.1 million image sensors arising from its supply of services to a leading Japanese module maker in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, which is almost the same as its supply of around 1.1 million units in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. So, in terms of combined figures, the Company sold and supplied a total of about 8.2 million image sensors in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, which represents an increase of roughly 2.8 million units from its sale and supply of around 5.4 million units in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.
Gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was 4.9%, compared to 11.5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company's lower-than-expected gross margin was due to its greater-than-anticipated decrease in the total number of VGA image sensors sold in the second quarter of 2008, and also was due to its greater-than-expected decrease in the average selling price of its image sensors sold in the second quarter of 2008. To improve gross margin in the second half of 2008, the Company expects to enhance production yields for its PlusPixel2(TM) products with its foundry partner in Taiwan, and also fortify its revenues arising from the steadily increasing supply of its PO4010 CIF 'System-on-a-Chip' ("SoC"), PO6030 VGA SoC, and PC1030 NTSC/PAL image sensors.
The Company's SG&A expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 were about US$1.7 million, compared to roughly US$1.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, and approximately US$2.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Moreover, the Company's operating expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 were around US$2.8 million, compared to about US$2.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, and approximately US$3.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.
The Company notes that all U.S. dollar figures specified above were converted at the rate of 1,046.8 Korean won to one U.S. dollar, which is the noon buying rate of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of New York in effect on June 30, 2008.
The Company expects its revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 to sustain a percentage increase of at least 80% over the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company also expects to engage in its third quarter 2008 earnings announcement and earnings call on or before October 31, 2008.
"The Company is very excited about the second half of 2008, as we expect to significantly improve our growth and return to profitability fueled by the strength of our new third generation product line based on PlusPixel2(TM) technology," said Dr. S.K. Lee, CEO and Founder of Pixelplus. "We have more products in various stages of development and deployment than ever in our history. Strong and steadily growing demand for our PO4010 CIF SoC, PO6030 VGA SoC, and PC1030 NTSC/PAL image sensors, as well as our PM1002, which is our new SoC processor for various image recognition applications, is expected to positively affect the Company's results of operations, with revenues projected to increase considerably starting in the third quarter of 2008, based on the assumption that current order flows continue to meet our business forecasts and projections. We continue to develop our core strategic business with first and second-tier mobile camera phone manufacturers in Korea and China, with automotive, security and surveillance applications manufacturers throughout Asia, and with a leading module marker in Japan through our co-development of image sensors. Separately, to improve profitability, we are committed to enhancing the quality, capacity, and production yields for all of our products and are working vigorously with all parts of our supply chain to maximize yields in order to increase efficiencies, streamline the production process, and drive down costs to ensure that we operate under the most cost-effective model possible. Moreover, we continue to design and introduce new products, technologies, and approaches to image sensor manufacturing and release to the market other innovative technologies currently in research and development later this year, including the PS6200 2.0 megapixel image sensors which feature 0.13 micron CMOS process and integrate an enhanced 1.75 micron pixel array in a 1/5 inch optical format. In addition, we are very encouraged that we continue to effectively manage our operating expenses, and believe this demonstrates that we have significantly lowered our breakeven point over the course of the last few quarters. Lastly, we continue to work closely with our customers on a pro-active basis to provide them with higher resolution, better image quality, and smaller form factor products. By focusing on these important areas, we are confident that we can enhance our operating model, ramp new and existing sources of revenue, and return to profitability in the second half of 2008."
Pixelplus will hold an investor conference call at 5:00 PM Wednesday, July 30 (New York) / 10:00 PM Wednesday, July 30 (London) / 5:00 AM Thursday, July 31 (Hong Kong/Singapore) / 6:00 AM Thursday, July 31 (Seoul/Tokyo). To access the Pixelplus investor call, please dial one of the following numbers: +1 480 629 1990 (North America) / +1 480 629 1990 (Europe) / +81 3 3570 8179 (Asia). To obtain replay details for the call, available for a limited time, please contact Taylor Rafferty at the numbers provided below.
About Pixelplus Co., Ltd.
Pixelplus is a South Korea-based developer of high-performance, high-resolution, and cost-effective CMOS image sensors for use primarily in mobile camera phones. In addition to mobile phones, Pixelplus provides CMOS image sensors and SoC solutions for use in webcams and notebook embedded cameras, toys and games, and security and surveillance system applications.
As a fabless semiconductor company, Pixelplus is focused on creating proprietary design technologies to develop CMOS image sensors with sharp, colorful and enhanced image quality, size efficiency, and low power consumption.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains certain statements that are not historical in nature but are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe- harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward- looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "project," or "continue" or the negative of such words or other similar words. Pixelplus cautions readers that forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates and assumptions about our company and our industry, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. Investors are directed to Pixelplus' reports and documents filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of various factors that should be considered before investing in Pixelplus' securities. These factors may cause Pixelplus' results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made in this release. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and Pixelplus assumes no duty or obligation to update them to reflect new, changing, or unanticipated events or circumstances. The financial results for the second quarter of 2008 contained in this document have not been audited by Pixelplus' independent registered public accountants.
