Gemplus Q1 2003
>> France's Gemplus Posts Narrower Quarterly Loss
Reuters
04.30.03
Smart-card maker Gemplus <GEPL.PA> on Wednesday reported a smaller first-quarter net loss, partly on lower restructuring charges.
Gemplus, which vies for leadership among smart-card makers with Schlumberger (nyse: SLB), posted a net loss of 37.9 million euros versus a loss of 62.5 million euros in the year-ago first quarter. Analysts had been expecting a net loss between 38 and 52 million euros.
Gemplus, like other smart-card makers, has been hit by pricing pressure in the telecoms sector, sluggish demand from banks and a sliding dollar.
It has also been restructuring and involved in management squabbles, which have undermined investor confidence.
Shares in Gemplus, which fell 65 percent in 2002, have fallen a further six percent this year to just under one euro. <<
>> Stronger Results From Gemplus
30/04/2003
Mobile Commerce
mobilecommerceworld.com
Smart-card maker Gemplus has reproted a smaller first-quarter loss, lifting the group's stock by more than 6 percent.
Gemplus posted a loss of 37.9 million euros ($41.62 million) after restructuring charges versus a loss of 62.5 million euros in the year-ago quarter.
Gemplus has been hit by pricing pressure in the telecoms sector, sluggish demand from banks and a sliding dollar. It has also been restructuring and involved in management squabbles, which have undermined investor confidence.
Gemplus executives declined to give a forecast for 2003 but Gemplus Chief Executive Alex Mandl told a news conference he remained cautiously optimistic about the future. Gemplus executives also said the company had cut about 1,350 jobs since February last year, bringing its headcount to around 5,500. <<
- Eric - |
