MoreAGC Group recently announced its financial results for the 2010 first quarter, including net sales of 315.1 billion yen (approximately $3.4 billion), a 33.3% increase compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Operating income increased to 53.9 billion yen (~ $581.5 million), while net income reached 39.7 billion yen (~ $428.3 million).
Sales in the flat glass business increased compared to the 2009 first quarter due to a moderate recovery in shipments of glass for construction, as well as a restoration of prices in Europe in the previous fiscal year. In addition, shipments of glass for solar power systems increased steadily after the middle of the previous fiscal year. Glass for construction (both shipments and prices) was weak year-on-year in regions other than Asia because of some seasonal factors.
Sales of automotive glass increased from a year ago, as shipments remained strong partly due to the effects of measures taken by various countries to stimulate car demand. As a result, net sales from the Glass operations for the first quarter were 140.5 billion yen (~ $1.5 billion), a 23.4% increase from last year’s first quarter.
Sales in the display business also posted a year-on-year increase. Demand for glass substrates for flat panel displays (FPDs) continued to be robust, resulting in the AGC Group increasing shipments of such glass. Sales of electronics materials increased compared to the 2009 quarter, as shipments recovered gradually after the middle of the previous fiscal year due to the economic recovery of semiconductor-related markets. As a result, net sales from the Electronics and Display operations for the first quarter was 109.3 billion yen (~ $1.2 billion), a 66.5% increase over the first quarter of 2009.
Sales decreased in the ceramics business as demand was sluggish both in the glass engineering sector and in the environment energy sector. As a result, net sales from the Other operations for the first quarter was 16.4 billion yen (~ $176.9 million), which was a 4.4% increase over the 2009 first quarter.
The global economic environment has shown signs of picking up in various regions in 2010. Emerging countries such as China are expected to see economic growth. Under such economic environments, actual shipments in almost all of the group’s businesses exceeded those of the forecast at the beginning of the current fiscal year. In particular, shipments of FPD glass substrate achieved steady results following the fourth quarter of 2009. In addition, shipments of automotive glass showed a steady recovery trend, thanks to automotive demand stimulus measures taken by the governments in various countries. As a result, prospective results for the second quarter of the consolidated cumulative period are expected to outperform those released on February 10, 2010.
Meanwhile, the outlook for the global economy remains uncertain, and there are concerns about a reactionary downturn of the economy in case economic pump-priming measures in relevant countries are abolished or downsized. Based on the outlook described here, the AGC Group expects 2010 sales of 1,300.0 billion yen (~ $14.0 billion), which would be a 13.2% increase over 2009 levels.
Additional details are available at www.agc.co.jp/english.
Sales in the flat glass business increased compared to the 2009 first quarter due to a moderate recovery in shipments of glass for construction, as well as a restoration of prices in Europe in the previous fiscal year. In addition, shipments of glass for solar power systems increased steadily after the middle of the previous fiscal year. Glass for construction (both shipments and prices) was weak year-on-year in regions other than Asia because of some seasonal factors.
Sales of automotive glass increased from a year ago, as shipments remained strong partly due to the effects of measures taken by various countries to stimulate car demand. As a result, net sales from the Glass operations for the first quarter were 140.5 billion yen (~ $1.5 billion), a 23.4% increase from last year’s first quarter.
Sales in the display business also posted a year-on-year increase. Demand for glass substrates for flat panel displays (FPDs) continued to be robust, resulting in the AGC Group increasing shipments of such glass. Sales of electronics materials increased compared to the 2009 quarter, as shipments recovered gradually after the middle of the previous fiscal year due to the economic recovery of semiconductor-related markets. As a result, net sales from the Electronics and Display operations for the first quarter was 109.3 billion yen (~ $1.2 billion), a 66.5% increase over the first quarter of 2009.
Sales decreased in the ceramics business as demand was sluggish both in the glass engineering sector and in the environment energy sector. As a result, net sales from the Other operations for the first quarter was 16.4 billion yen (~ $176.9 million), which was a 4.4% increase over the 2009 first quarter.
Meanwhile, the outlook for the global economy remains uncertain, and there are concerns about a reactionary downturn of the economy in case economic pump-priming measures in relevant countries are abolished or downsized. Based on the outlook described here, the AGC Group expects 2010 sales of 1,300.0 billion yen (~ $14.0 billion), which would be a 13.2% increase over 2009 levels.
Additional details are available at www.agc.co.jp/english.
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