DNX Dynex Power Inc.

Profitable First Quarter

Listing: TSX Venture Exchange
Symbol: DNX

LINCOLN, England, May 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Dynex Power Inc. (TSXV: DNX), a leading, high power semiconductor company, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31st, 2017.

Summary financial information for the three months ended March 31st, 2017 is as follows:

First quarter revenue of $11.6million was 12% higher than the corresponding quarter of last year. This increase was despite a 16% strengthening of the Canadian Dollar exchange rate against Sterling. In Sterling terms, revenue had increased by 34%.

The gross margin of $2.7 million was equivalent to 23.7% of revenue. In the corresponding quarter of last year a gross profit of $1.2 million had been reported equivalent to 11.6% of revenue. The improvement in gross margin is primarily the result of increased revenues in a high fixed cost business. The gross margin reported is within the range targeted by management for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2015.  

The combination of other income, expenses and costs increased by $473,000 to $2.2 million despite the 16% strengthening of the Canadian Dollar against Sterling. The increase was mainly as a result of a provision to cover the costs of a small redundancy exercise that has been carried out. The redundancy exercise was designed to rebalance resources in the business.

As a consequence of these results, the Company recorded a profit before tax of $545,000, compared to a loss before tax of $526,000 in the corresponding quarter of last year. A $139,000 tax expense reduced the net profit for the period to $406,000 or $0.01 per share, compared with a net loss of $461,000, or $0.01 per share, in the corresponding period of last year.

Management is also forecasting a profitable second quarter for Dynex, with revenue guidance in the C$ 10.5 -12.5 million range at current exchange rates.  The outlook for the second half of the year remains somewhat less certain. The industry increasingly works on shorter lead times than in the past, so the majority of revenue for the second half of the year has yet to be backed by firm orders. Management, however, expects that the Group will be able to report a profit for the full year.

Clive Vacher, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "I am pleased to report a strong increase in revenue for the first quarter. Indeed, this was the highest quarterly revenue reported for four years. This positive performance is partly a result of business backlog built-up from 2016 that was scheduled for delivery in 2016 and partly a result of a first quarter emphasis on marketing. I am also pleased to see the Group return to profitability and the Dynex team is determined to maintain this improvement as going forward."

Bob Lockwood, Chief Financial Officer commented, "Given the high fixed cost nature of the business, a strong increase in revenue always has a big impact on the net profit and we have seen that influence once again. We have the order cover for the second quarter to show another profit and we believe the year as a whole will also be profitable."

Liu Ke'an, the Chairman of Dynex said, "We are delighted that Clive agreed to join the business as our new chief executive at the start of the year. I have reviewed the improvement plans that he is implementing with the Dynex leadership team. I believe that these will drive exciting developments for the Group over the coming periods. I am pleased we are off to a good start and Clive has our full support for this change programme."

Forward-looking Statements
In commenting on its expectations, the Company cautioned existing and potential shareholders about relying on the Company's expectations in that the Company's expectations contain forward looking statements and assumptions which are subject to the risks and uncertainties of the markets and the future, which could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, and which are each difficult and subjective to forecast. Certain of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended March 31st , 2016 and include, among other things, risks and uncertainties relating to: the level of worldwide demand for power semiconductors and power semiconductor assemblies; the level of investment in power electronic equipment, electrification of transport systems, alternative power generation and high quality power transmission and distribution; and fluctuations in exchange rates between Canadian Dollars, Sterling, US dollars and Euros. As a consequence of these and other risks and uncertainties, shareholders and potential investors must make their own independent judgments about the accuracy and reliability of the Company's expectations. Dynex disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About the Company
Dynex designs and manufactures high power bipolar semiconductors, high power insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules and die, high power electronic assemblies and radiation hard silicon-on-sapphire integrated circuits (SOS IC's). The company's power products are used worldwide in power electronic applications including electric power transmission and distribution, renewable and distributed energy, marine and rail traction motor drives, aerospace, electric vehicles, industrial automation and controls and power supplies. The Company's IC products are used in demanding applications in the aerospace industry. Dynex Semiconductor Ltd is its only operating business and is based in Lincoln, England in a facility housing the fully integrated silicon fabrication, assembly and test, sales, design and development operations.  In 2008, a majority of the shares of Dynex were acquired by Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric Co., Ltd. In April 2016 this company changed its name to Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd.

Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. is based in Hunan Province in the People's Republic of China. It is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. CRRC Times Electric is mainly engaged in the research, development, manufacture and sales of locomotive train power converters, control systems and other train-borne electrical systems, as well as the development, manufacturing and sales of urban railway train electrical systems. In addition, CRRC Times Electric is also engaged in the design, manufacturing and sales of electric components including power semiconductor devices for the railway industry, urban railway industry and non-railway purposes.

Press announcements and other information about Dynex are available at www.dynexpower.com.

Further information on CRRC Times Electric can be found at www.timeselectric.cn/en

All monetary values expressed in this release are in Canadian Dollars unless stated otherwise.

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information in this press release.

SOURCE Dynex Power Inc.