VTech Announces FY2024 Annual Results
VTech reported its FY2024 results with an 11.7% rise in profit to US$166.6 million despite a 4.3% revenue decline to US$2,145.7 million. The improved gross profit margin from 28.3% to 29.6% and lower operating expenses were key drivers. A final dividend of US48.0 cents per share brings the full-year dividend to US65.0 cents, up 10.2%. The acquisition of Gigaset Communications' assets is expected to strengthen VTech's TEL products segment. The company remains optimistic about FY2025, expecting higher revenue driven by new product launches and the integration of Gigaset's assets.
- Profit increased by 11.7% to US$166.6 million.
- Gross profit margin improved from 28.3% to 29.6%.
- Operating expenses declined, contributing to higher profitability.
- Final dividend increased by 10.2% to US65.0 cents per share.
- Acquisition of Gigaset Communications' assets to enhance TEL products segment.
- Strong financial position maintained.
- Recognition from customers and industry awards for CMS and ELPs.
- Anticipation of higher revenue and stable costs in FY2025.
- Group revenue declined by 4.3% to US$2,145.7 million.
- Revenue in North America decreased by 6.3%.
- TEL products revenue in North America fell by 16.2%.
- Revenue from TEL products in Europe decreased by 19.9%.
- Revenue in Asia Pacific decreased by 11.3% for ELPs.
- Lower sales of ELPs and TEL products in several regions.
- Economic uncertainties and geopolitical risks weigh on outlook.
Higher profit on improved gross margin and lower operating expenses
- Group revenue declined by
4.3% toUS $2,145.7 million - Gross profit margin improved from
28.3% to29.6% - Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company rose by
11.7% toUS $166.6 million - Final dividend of US48.0 cents per ordinary share, resulting in a full-year dividend of US65.0 cents per ordinary share, an increase of
10.2% from the previous financial year - Successful acquisition of assets of Gigaset Communications GmbH
- Financial position remains strong
VTech Holdings Limited (HKSE: 303) today announced its results for the year ended 31 March 2024.
"VTech reported an increase in profit for the financial year 2024 despite a decline in revenue. Tighter economic conditions in
Results and Dividend
Group revenue for the year ended 31 March 2024 declined by
Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company increased by
Basic earnings per share increased by
The Board of Directors has proposed a final dividend of US48.0 cents per ordinary share, providing a full-year dividend of US65.0 cents per ordinary share, an increase of
Costs
The Group's gross profit margin in the financial year 2024 was
Segment Results
Group revenue in
ELPs revenue in
VTech retained its leadership in electronic learning toys from infancy through toddler to preschool in the US and
In the standalone products, at VTech higher sales of the Go! Go! Smart family of products, preschool products, Switch & Go® Dinos and the Kidi line were insufficient to offset lower sales of infant products, KidiZoom® camera, Marble Rush® and eco-friendly toys. LeapFrog managed to achieve higher sales of eco-friendly toys, while the successful roll-out of Magic Adventures™ Telescope contributed additional revenue. However, this was offset by lower sales of infant, toddler and preschool products, LeapLand Adventures™ and Magic Adventures Microscope.
Platform products also saw declines for both brands. The decrease at VTech was attributable to lower sales of KidiZoom Smartwatch, KidiBuzz™ and Touch & Learn Activity Desk™. LeapFrog saw lower sales of educational tablets, interactive reading systems and Magic Adventures Globe, while subscriptions to LeapFrog Academy™ also declined.
The Group's range of innovative ELPs achieved widespread recognition in
TEL products revenue in
A continuing market contraction saw sales of residential phones decline, while less shelf space from a major US retailer led to lower sales of AT&T branded phones. The Group did, however, increase its sales in
Commercial phones registered an overall sales decline. There were higher sales of hotel phones and Snom branded SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) phones, but this was unable to offset declines for headsets and multi-line analogue phones. The Group revitalised its go-to-market strategy for SIP phones, driving the sales increase in this product line. A range of Snom D7 desksets designed for hotel administration led to the growth in hotel phones. New thermostats for the hotel channel also started to make a sales contribution. Headsets, meanwhile, declined as a customer placed fewer orders. Sales of multi-line analogue phones decreased as the products made the transition to a new generation.
Sales of other telecommunication products also declined. Baby monitors saw sales decrease due to keen competition. A reduction in orders led to lower sales of CareLine® residential phones and IADs (integrated access devices). VTech launched several important new products during the financial year 2024, including in September 2023 the V-Care VC2105 Smart Baby Monitor, which uses AI (artificial intelligence) to provide sleep analytics and real-time alerts. The popular range of V-Hush™ Sleep Training Soothers was expanded with new models. These are equipped with a touch night light offering over 250 colour choices and up to six ceiling projection frames.
In the financial year 2024, the Group maintained its number one position in the baby monitor market in the US and
CMS sales in
The high level of service and dedication to quality of VTech CMS led to more recognition from customers in the US during the financial year 2024, including "Best Supplier" from a professional audio equipment customer, a "20 Years Partnership Award" from an industrial products customer, "2023 Best Service Supplier" from a solid-state lighting customer and "Preferred Supplier 2023" from an automotive products customer.
Group revenue in
ELPs revenue in
For standalone products, the sales decrease came as growth in LeapFrog products was unable to offset a decline for the VTech brand. At LeapFrog, infant, toddler and preschool products saw higher sales, offsetting a decrease in LeapLand Adventures. Sales of Magic Adventures Microscope and eco-friendly toys were stable. The successful launch of Magic Adventures Telescope in key European markets added incremental revenue. At VTech, preschool products, electronic learning aids and Marble Rush recorded higher sales. These gains, however, were insufficient to offset lower sales of infant products, the Go! Go! Smart family of products, KidiZoom camera, the Kidi line, Switch & Go Dinos and eco-friendly toys.
Platform products saw lower VTech sales as children's educational tablets, KidiZoom Smartwatch, the KidiCom® range of products and Touch & Learn Activity Desk all declined. By contrast, sales of LeapFrog products rose. This came as Magic Adventures Globe achieved growth, while sales of interactive reading systems were stable.
During the financial year 2024, VTech was given the prestigious "Trophée de l'innovation (Innovation Trophy) 2002-2023" by a key customer in
Revenue from TEL products in
Sales of VTech residential phones grew, as the brand expanded into
The decline in commercial phones came as sales of Snom branded SIP phones and hotel phones trended lower. Inflation and high interest rates led to reduced business investment in
In other telecommunication products, growth in baby monitors was insufficient to compensate for a drop in CareLine residential phones, CAT-iq (Cordless Advanced Technology—internet and quality) handsets and IADs as ODM customers reduced orders due to over-inventory. Nonetheless, VTech and LeapFrog baby monitors made good progress in the
CMS revenue in
Medical and health products grew as hearing aids customers launched new products and gained market share, while sales of hair removal products were stable. In communication products, wireless router sales rose as the customer built up inventory to prepare for moving production to a new location and VTech gained market share. Sales of energy storage systems ramped up as the customer captured market share following new product launches. Sales of hearables decreased, however, as the customer's headsets for mobile phones reached the end of their life cycle. Sales of headsets for commercial use returned to normal levels. Professional audio equipment fell as orders for home audio interface products declined, although a new customer was added. Sales of home appliances held steady. IoT products saw lower orders for smart meters as the customer lost market share. Meanwhile, orders for internet-connected thermostats and air-conditioning controls declined as demand returned to normal levels after the energy crisis and a product launch was delayed. Sales of automotive products were lower as the customer lost market share because of keen competition and the delayed launch of its new EV (electric vehicle) charger.
During the financial year, VTech CMS picked up several supplier awards from its European customers. These included "Supplier of the Year 2023" and a "Best Supplier Award 2023" from two IoT product customers, as well as "Supplier of the Year 2023" and an "Outstanding Supplier Award" from two professional audio equipment customers.
Group Group revenue in
Revenue from ELPs in
TEL products revenue in
CMS sales in
Other Regions
Group revenue in Other Regions, comprising
ELPs revenue in Other Regions decreased by
TEL products revenue in Other Regions was down by
CMS revenue in Other Regions was immaterial in the financial year 2024.
Acquisition of the Assets of Gigaset
On 5 April 2024 VTech completed the acquisition of the assets of Gigaset Communications GmbH (Gigaset), a global leader in communication technology. These assets were related to the development, production and sales activities of Gigaset's businesses in DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) phones, business telephony solutions for enterprise customers and android-based smartphones. The preliminary purchase price was
Gigaset is a German brand with a more than 30-year history and the acquisition is highly complementary to the TEL products business. Gigaset is the market leader in DECT phones in
With a proven track record of integrating such acquisitions, VTech is confident of being able to unlock the value of the new assets, generating sustainable and profitable growth over the long term.
Outlook
Inflation and high interest rates continue to weigh on consumer sentiment and business investment in
The stable cost environment is expected to continue in the financial year 2025. Cost of materials is forecast to remain little changed due to weak global demand. Labour costs and manufacturing overheads are holding steady as there is currently no pressure for wage increases in mainland
The ELPs business is expected to see a recovery in revenue, driven by new product launches and enhanced merchandising arrangements. A rebound is expected in both the US and
Sales of TEL products are forecast to rise as Gigaset makes an immediate top-line contribution. Integrating Gigaset's businesses into the Group's global R&D, procurement, manufacturing, sales and marketing and logistics operations will be the key task for the financial year 2025. This will see the TEL products business reorganised into three categories, namely residential phones, commercial phones and smartphones, and other telecommunication products. VTech is targeting to complete the process by the end of the current calendar year.
Sales of residential phones will return to growth following the addition of the Gigaset brand, with its sales network covering all European markets. The Group aims to grow Gigaset's residential phone business and market share by expanding its product lines. In commercial phones, Snom branded commercial phones will see sales increase, driven by new product launches. Gigaset's multi-cell systems will be augmented by Snom SIP phones. Hotel phones will also contribute to growth, as the positive momentum continues and VTech gains further market share. Gigaset's android-based smartphones, meanwhile, add a new domain to VTech's product portfolios. Other telecommunication products will see the Group build on the success of its first baby monitor with AI features to launch a second-generation version with more advanced functionalities.
CMS revenue is expected to be stable. Faced with economic uncertainties, customers have become cautious in placing orders and are managing inventory more tightly. Sales of key product categories are expected to remain largely stable. Growth will be seen in smart energy storage systems, as the customer is launching new products and gaining market share. Sales of hearables will be negatively impacted by lower demand.
To prepare for future growth, the drive to globalise the production base will continue. Given the strong demand for supply from the Malaysian facilities from existing customers, the Group plans to add more manufacturing space within the current facilities. In
"VTech has expanded its global footprint further with the acquisition of the Gigaset assets. We now enjoy greater economies of scale and more direct access to key markets, shortening product lead times and simplifying supply chains. This will enable us to serve our customers better. We can therefore be confident of achieving sustainable growth based on our strategy of product innovation, market share gains, geographic expansion and operational excellence," said Mr Wong.
[1] Circana, Retail Tracking Service. Ranking based on total retail sales of VTech and LeapFrog products in the combined toy categories of Early Electronic Learning, Toddler Figures/Playsets & Accessories, Preschool Electronic Learning, Electronic Entertainment (excluding Tablets) and Walkers for the 12 months ended December 2023 [2] MarketWise Consumer Insights, LLC, April 2023 – March 2024 [3] Circana/Retail Tracking Service, US and [4] Circana, Retail Tracking Service, January – December 2023 [5] GfK Retail and Technology [6] Voted most trusted Baby Monitor brand by [7] Circana, Retail Tracking Service, January – December 2023 |
About VTech
VTech is the global leader in electronic learning products from infancy through toddler and preschool and the world's largest supplier of residential phones. It also provides highly sought-after contract manufacturing services. Its culture of integrity, accountability and innovation guides the company towards a sustainable future.
Established in 1976, VTech has been the pioneer in the electronic learning toy category and its products incorporate advanced educational expertise and cutting-edge innovation. The Group's telecommunication products elevate home and business users' experience through the latest in technology and design. As a leading electronic manufacturing service provider, VTech offers full turnkey services in facilities that are moving towards Industry 4.0 manufacturing.
With a global workforce of over 20,000 employees in 15 countries and regions, VTech maintains R&D centres, manufacturing operations and sales subsidiaries across the
Note: Starting from 22:00, 21 May 2024 (HKT), the webcast of the results announcement can be accessed through VTech website via this link www.vtech.com/en/investors/financial-briefings.
For further information, please contact:
Grace Pang VTech representative in
VTech Holdings Limited Janniefer Chan, Golin
+852 2680-1000 (office) +852 2501-7939 (office)
grace_pang@vtech.com (email) jchan@golin.com (email)
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SOURCE VTech
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