Zeiss Earnings Up Despite Semiconductor Market Downturn

Increased sales in most segments and favorable currency conversion rates drove profits up about 3 percent at Carl Zeiss AG in fiscal 2015.

For the year ended Sept. 30, Zeiss reported earnings before interest and taxes of €369 million (about $403 million), compared with €360 million in fiscal 2014.

Overall revenue was €4.51 billion, up 5 percent from €4.29 billion in fiscal 2014. Sales were particularly strong in the Asia-Pacific region, where revenue amounted to €390 million in China alone.

"The business trend was marked by two factors in particular – by the additional tailwind provided by positive currency effects in the dynamic fields of business such as industrial metrology, medical technology and microscopy, and by the headwind confronting the semiconductor market," said President and CEO Michael Kaschke.

Sales of semiconductor manufacturing technology were down 15 percent, which Zeiss attributed to a downturn in the semiconductor market and delays in the introduction of extreme-ultraviolet lithography technology.

"Zeiss will feel the direct impact of the slowdown in growth now evident in the emerging economies and a further stagnation in the semiconductor market," Kaschke said.

Nonetheless the company expects slight increases in revenue and earnings in fiscal 2016.

Zeiss develops and distributes lithography optics, measuring technology, microscopes, medical technology, eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses, binoculars, and planetarium technology.

For more information, visit www.zeiss.com.