Hsinchu, Taiwan,

 

AUO Corporation ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced unaudited results for 4Q2009 and Fiscal 2009. For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, AUO posted consolidated revenue of NT$114.9 billion (US$3.6 billion, up 3.3% from the previous quarter), operating income of NT$1.9 billion (US$59 million), net loss of NT$7.9 billion (US$246 million), attributable to equity holders of the parent company NT$6.9 billion (US$217 million), and basic EPS of -NT$0.78 per common share (-US$0.25 per ADR) in the fourth quarter.

 

4Q2009 Result Highlights
AUO reported the following unaudited consolidated results for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2009:

 

  • Revenue of NT$114.9 billion, up 3.3% quarter-over-quarter
  • Net loss of NT$7.9 billion
  • Basic EPS of -NT$0.78 per common share
  • Gross margin of 7.6%
  • Operating margin of 1.7%
  • EBITDA (*) margin of 22.0%

 

 

Fiscal 2009 Result Highlights
AUO reported the following unaudited consolidated results for the full year 2009:

 

  • Revenue of NT$359.3 billion, down 15.2% year-over-year
  • Net loss of NT$27.2 billion
  • Basic EPS of -NT$3.04 per common share

 

For the year of 2009, AUO's large-sized panels totaled to 89.6 million units, up 12.5% year-over-year. In terms of small- and medium-sized panels, the shipment was over 228.6 million units, an increase of 21.6% from the previous year.

 

“We are pleased that AUO's 4Q2009 shipments of large-sized panels achieved a historical high and beat our previous guidance in 3Q2009 investor conference, “ said Mr. Andy Yang, Chief Financial Officer of AUO. “Despite of the unfavorable panel pricing trends, AUO still delivered positive operating margins, thanks to management team's swift response to customers' needs and timely adjustment of the product mix. With continuing product innovation and strong R&D capability, our company was able to report the EBITDA margin of 22%, leading the industry peers. To further strengthen our balance sheet, the company continues to spend great efforts in managing free cash flows, which successfully reduced our gearing rates and maintained a healthy inventory level.”

 

Looking into 2010, AUO believes there will be full of prosperity and business opportunities. In order to fulfill customers' demands and to capture the robust growths in Mainland China market, the Company aims to do a “smart expansion” and properly add its capacity investment at the right moment. In addition to its core TFT business, AUO plans to accelerate its developments in leading-edge technologies and new businesses, to further seize the growing opportunities in innovative applications in the coming decade.

 

* EBITDA=Operating Income +D&A
* Amounts converted by an exchange rate of NTD31.95:USD1 as of December 31, 2009.
* All financial information was unaudited and was prepared by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Taiwan (“ROC GAAP”)

 

 

Yawen Hsiao
Corporate Communications Division
AUO Corporation

 

No.1, Li-Hsin RD 2, Science-Based Industrial Park,
Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tel：+886-3-500-8899 ext：3211
Fax：+886-3-5772730
Email：Yawen.Hsiao@sztuolian.com