INTERIM REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY-MARCH 2007 HiQ INTERNATIONAL AB (publ), company registration number 556529-3205
HiQ – strong development for Sweden’s best IT services company
• Net sales increases by SEK 27.5 million to SEK 235.6 (208.1) million, an increase of 13 percent
• Operating profit (EBIT) increases to SEK 50.6 (46.2) million, an operating margin of 21.5 percent
• Pre-tax profit increases to SEK 50.9 (46.5) million
• Profit after tax increases to SEK 36.5 (33.7) million
• Earnings per share increase to SEK 0.73 (0.69)
• Cash flow from operations amounted to SEK 17.3 (6.4) million
• HiQ named Sweden’s best IT consulting firm in a survey carried out by Veckans Affärer
• HiQ has received a new order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the development of simulators for training fighter pilots for the JAS 39A Gripen. The order amounts to SEK 22.0 million
• HiQ has signed an agreement worth around SEK 30 million over 5 years with the printing group Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
• On 27 March the Annual General Meeting approved a dividend of SEK 2.10 per share, totalling around SEK 105 million, which was paid out on the 4th of April
• Gunnel Duveblad has been elected to the Board of Directors of HiQ International AB
2007 in brief
2007 has started very well for HiQ. Net sales are increasing by 13 percent and the operating margin is 21.5 percent.
HiQ holds a clear position in the Nordic region as a supplier of services within communications, software development and simulation. With close to 850 employees, HiQ is today one of the most significant players in the Nordic market within these areas. The growth in recent years is injecting new energy into the organisation and creates a driving force for new initiatives both geographically and in terms of our areas of expertise.
The market for IT services in the Nordic region is currently characterised by strong demand. HiQ works in long-term customer relationships with industry-leading clients such as Ericsson, FMV, GTECH, Nokia, Tele2, Saab, SEB,SonyEricsson and Volvo.
HiQ has a strong brand in the labour market and attracts highly capable employees even in a very competitive market. During the period there has been a dcreasing trend in staff turnover. HiQ has been ranked one of Sweden’s top-10 most attractive employer in Seden and one of top-10 most appreciated employers in Finland*.
HiQ has a very strong position in the telcoms sector and the demand for new products and systems is strong. Today HiQ has a strong offering in the area of multimedia solutions and works with suppliers, operators, content providers and users within this area. Among other things, HiQ develops platforms that allow leading providers to offer IPTV and project manages requirements setting and the implementation of new IPTV platforms for operators.
Today HiQ has a very strong offering to the finance sector and during the first quarter a very good growth in this segment. hiQ is specialised in development, test and support of transaction intensive systems for securities trading for clients such as Handelsbanken, Nordea, OMX, SEB and Swedbank.