Pixelplus Reports Financial Results for Fiscal Second Quarter 2008
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Pixelplus Reports Financial Results for Fiscal Second Quarter 2008

SEOUL, South Korea, July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pixelplus Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PXPL), a fabless semiconductor company in Korea that designs, develops, and markets CMOS image sensors for various consumer electronics applications, today announced unaudited financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2008, which ended on June 30, 2008.

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.

     Contact:
     Shane Y. Hong
     Pixelplus Co., Ltd.
     6th Floor, Gyeonggi R&DB Center
     906-5 Iui-dong, Yeongtong-gu
     Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 443-766
     Republic of Korea
     +82-31-888-5300

     OR

     Taylor Rafferty:
     London - Emilia Whitbread at +44 (0) 20 7614 2900
     New York - Jessica McCormick at +1 212 889 4350
     Tokyo - Jason Wagers at +81 (0) 3 3221 9513
     E-mail pixelplus@taylor-rafferty.com



                             Pixelplus Co., Ltd.
                    Consolidated Statements of Operations
                  (In thousands of USD, except per ADS data)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                THREE MONTHS ENDED         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                               June 30,     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,
                                 2008         2007         2008         2007

    Revenues                    3,627        5,350        6,865        9,281
      Products                  3,432        3,470        6,484        5,651
      Services                    195        1,880          381        3,630

    Cost of revenues            3,450        3,444        6,316        6,352
      Products                  3,413        2,930        6,246        5,452
      Services                     37          514           70          927

    Gross profit                  177        1,906          549        2,929

    Operating expenses          2,756        3,735        5,610        6,311
      Selling, general and
       administrative           1,725        2,707        3,517        3,936
    Research and development,
     net of government grants   1,031        1,028        2,093        2,375

    Income(loss) from
     operations                (2,579)      (1,829)      (5,061)      (3,382)

    Other income(expense)
      Interest income(expense),
       net                        (32)          56          (20)          99
      Foreign exchange gain
       (loss), net                (89)         (22)           5            6
      Reversal of Allowance for
       Doubtful Accounts            -          173            -          621
      Others, net                  47           (5)          81           36

    Income(loss) before income
     taxes, gain from equity
     method investments,
     dilution gain and
     minority interest         (2,653)      (1,627)      (4,995)      (2,620)
    Income tax expenses             -            -            -            -
    Income(loss) before gain
     from equity method
     investments, dilution gain
     and minority interest     (2,653)      (1,627)      (4,995)      (2,620)

    Gain from equity method
     investments, net               -            -            -            -
    Dilution gain from equity
     method investment and
     consolidated subsidiary        -            -            -            -
    Minority interest               -            -            -            -

    Before cumulative effect
     of change in accounting
     principle                 (2,653)      (1,627)      (4,995)      (2,620)
    Cumulative effect of change
     in accounting principle        -            -            -            -
    Net income (loss)          (2,653)      (1,627)      (4,995)      (2,620)
    Accretion of preferred
     shares
                        -            -            -            -
    Net loss attributable to
     common shareholders       (2,653)      (1,627)      (4,995)      (2,620)

    Loss per ADS - basic and
     diluted                    (0.78)       (0.13)       (1.47)       (0.20)

    ADSs used in computing
     loss per ADS - basic
     and diluted            3,400,112   12,944,146    3,400,112   12,944,146



                             Pixelplus Co., Ltd.
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
                  (In thousands of USD, except per ADS data)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                    June 30, 2008  Dec. 31, 2007

    Assets
      Cash and cash equivalents             1,108            600
      Restricted cash                       4,776          5,732
      Accounts receivable, net              4,592          3,023
      Inventories, net                      6,092          1,360
      Other current assets                  3,432          1,842
        Total current assets               20,000         12,557

      Other non current assets              6,943          5,788

        Total assets                       26,943         18,345

    Liabilities, minority interest
     and Shareholders' equity
      Trade accounts payable                6,767            518
      Other accounts payable                1,292            788
      Short-term borrowings                 8,864          5,207
      Other current liabilities             2,973          1,264
        Total current liabilities          19,896          7,777

      Long-term borrowings                  1,085              -
      Other non current liabilities           565            403
        Total liabilities                  21,546          8,180

    Minority interest                           -              -

    Series A convertible redeemable
     preferred stock                            -              -

    Shareholders' equity
      Common stock                          3,251          3,184
      Additional paid-in capital           38,439         38,289
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       loss                                   (84)           (94)
      Accumulated deficit                 (36,209)       (31,214)
      Total Shareholders' equity            5,397         10,165
    Total liabilities, minority interest
     and Shareholders' equity              26,943         18,345

The Company's functional currency on a consolidated basis is the Korean won. The U.S. dollar amounts disclosed in the financial statements are presented solely for the convenience of the reader, and have been 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. Such conversions should not be construed as representations that the Korean won amounts represent, have been, or could be, converted into, U.S. dollars at that or any other rate. Please note that the numbers specified for the fiscal year 2007 in the financial statements provided in the Company's Form 20-F, which were converted at the rate of 935.8 Korean won to one U.S. dollar in effect on December 31, 2007, are different from the numbers specified for the fiscal year 2007 in the above financial statements.