3rd Quarter & 9 Mths Results

IQE PLC 14 November 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14 NOVEMBER 2001 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN. IQE plc 3rd Quarter and Nine Months Results, 2001 IQE plc (IQE), the world's leading global outsource supplier of customised epitaxial wafers to the semi-conductor industry, is pleased to announce its 3rd Quarter and Nine Months Results for the period ended 30 September 2001. Highlights - Q3 sales at £8.234m, 28% higher than the third quarter of the prior year (Q3/2000: £6.431m) although 37% less than the previous quarter - Sales for the nine months up by 75% to £34.351m (2000: £19.639m) - Q3 operating loss before goodwill amortisation and operating exceptional items at £2.228m, compared with a small profit in the same period in 2000 (Q3/2000: £0.380m). Significantly increased R&D spend of £1.602m (Q2/ 2001: £0.757m) in support of important new development programs. - Operating profit for the nine months before goodwill and exceptionals at £0.328m (2000: £1.167m) - Operating cash outflow for Q3 held to £1.230m, and capital expenditure reduced to £3.475m compared to £8.844 m in the previous quarter. - Continued good progress at IQE Silicon Compounds including the successful completion of customer qualification programs, receipt of the first pilot production orders and excellent feedback on SiGe products - Significant success in new product developments, particularly with long wavelength VCSELs, Avalanche Photodiodes and InP HBTs - Agreements were reached yesterday with Motorola after the quarter end on the commercial basis for exploitation of their revolutionary GaAs on silicon technology which have resulted in IQE becoming the development partner and first licensee with exclusive supply arrangements for a range of wafer products. In addition, Motorola will make an equity investment in IQE of $10m and will be granted warrants to subscribe for a further $10m of shares. (See separate announcements). - Announcement of a Placing and Open Offer to existing shareholders to support commercialisation of the new technology, plus arrangement of an Equity Draw Down Facility for £14m. (See separate announcements). - Commenting on the results, Dr Drew Nelson, Executive Chairman, said ....... ' As previously indicated, the Group was unable to obtain sufficient new development contracts in the quarter to fully compensate for the loss of production volumes caused by the dramatic downturn in the key opto-electronic markets in which the Group operates. However, sales were still 28% higher than the corresponding period in the previous year. Following the end of the quarter, we concluded our commercial negotiations with Motorola for the revolutionary new GaAs on silicon technology which opens the way for IQE to aggressively market this technology and start to generate development revenues in 2002. The deal with Motorola has exceptional potential, giving IQE a substantial period of exclusivity for certain products and attracting a significant equity investment from Motorola which underpins their belief in the importance of this new technology. ' For further information please contact: Drew Nelson, Executive Chairman, IQE plc (029)20-839405 Richard Clarke, Finance Director, IQE plc (029)20-839407 Tim Thompson/Nicola Cronk, Buchanan Communications (0207)4-665000 There will be an analysts briefing today, 14 November, at 10.00 am at Buchanan Communications, 107 Cheapside, London, EC2 followed by a press briefing at 11.30 am. The Company will represented by Drew Nelson, Chief Executive and Richard Clarke, Finance Director. This press release has been approved as an investment advertisement for the purposes of section 57 of the Financial Services Act 1986 by Beeson Gregory Limited. Beeson Gregory Limited, which is regulated by The Securities and Futures Authority Limited, is acting for IQE plc and no-one else in connection with the matters referred to in this press release and will not be responsible to anyone other than IQE plc for providing the protections afforded to customers of Beeson Gregory Limited or for providing advice in relation to the matters referred to in this press release. 3rd QUARTER RESULTS INTRODUCTION The Group's two principal markets both remained depressed throughout the third quarter, which was also impacted by a further downturn in global markets due to world events. In the opto-electronics market, many of the Group's key customers continued to announce worsening sales and profitability as well as further headcount reductions, while the electronics sector had yet to show any real signs of recovery, although that has now begun to happen in Q4. However, despite these being the worst market conditions ever faced by the semiconductor industry, IQE was able to show a year on year increase in sales of 28% and limit losses at the EBITDA level to only £0.547 million, resulting in a small net cash outflow from operations of £1.230 million. The Group has continued to assemble its production capabilities and resource to remain the largest pure play compound semi-conductor wafer manufacturer in the world and to take advantage of the eventual recovery in its key markets. RESULTS As anticipated, the dramatic reduction in production volumes of opto-electronic products in Q3 could not be fully offset by new development programs and accordingly sales at £8.234 million were limited to an increase of 28% year on year (Q3/2000: £6.431 million), although down sequentially from the previous quarter by 37%. Sales for the nine months to September were 75% higher than the previous year at £34.351 million (2000: £19.639 million). The improvement in turnover in the nine months resulted from bringing on line new reactors installed in the second half of the previous year, as well as a full nine months contribution from Wafer Technology and the initial sales from IQE Silicon Compounds. Gross margins in Q3 were much lower than the previous quarter at 15.8% (Q2/2001: 31.0%) mainly due to capacity utilisation issues in the UK and US III-V operations caused by the weak opto-electronic and electronic marketplaces during the quarter. At the same time, Wafer Technology continued to be adversely affected by high gallium prices, although these have now fallen back to historic levels. In-house research and development effort was increased in Q3 to £1.602 million, representing 19.5% of sales (Q2/2001: £0.757 million, 5.8% of sales), to support increased development activity particularly in the areas of new products such as InP HBTs, long wavelength VCSELs, GaInP HBTs, Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) and GaAs on silicon technology, all of which was expensed in the quarter. Total research and development costs for the nine months amounted to £2.898 million (2000: £1.412 million), which was equivalent to 8.4% of sales (2000: 7.2% of sales). Sustained efforts to control costs meant that SG&A expenses continued to reduce to £1.928 million (Q2/2001: £2.027 million), although increasing as a percentage of sales to 23.4% (Q2/2001: 15.4%). As a consequence of the foregoing, the operating loss for the quarter before goodwill amortisation and operating exceptional items was £2.228 million, compared with a small profit in the corresponding period in 2000 (Q3/2000: £ 0.380 million) and a profit in the previous quarter of £1.292 million. Cumulative operating profit for the nine months before goodwill and exceptionals at £0.328 million was 72% lower than the first nine months of the prior year (2000: £1.167 million). This represents an operating margin of 1.0% as against 5.9% for the same period last year. After crediting net interest income of £0.320 million (2000: £0.619 million) and charging operating exceptional items of £0.506 million (2000: £0.180 million) and goodwill amortisation relating to the Wafer Technology acquisition of £1.363 million (2000: Nil), the Group operating result before tax was a loss of £1.221 million (2000: profit of £1.606 million). The after tax loss was £1.173 million (2000: profit of £1.126 million) and basic loss per share was 0.72 pence (2000: earnings per share of 0.79 pence). Excluding goodwill amortisation, earnings per share were 0.12 pence. Excluding capital expenditure, the Group incurred an operating cash outflow for the nine months of £2.550 million (2000: inflow of £5.836 million). A positive cash flow in the first quarter was eroded by working capital increases in the second quarter, in particular a short term increase in raw material stocks caused by the market slowdown, and further exacerbated by the operating losses incurred in Q3. Capital expenditure reduced substantially in Q3 to £3.475 million (Q2/2001: £8.844 million) following the completion of the initial investment programme for IQE Silicon Compounds. A considerable portion of this related to equipment required for the GaAs on silicon development. Total capital expenditure for the year to date amounts to £22.386 million (2000: £19.007 million), bringing the net cash outflow for the nine months before financing to £24.578 million (2000: £12.586 million). Ongoing capital expenditure will decline significantly in Q4 and beyond. OPERATIONS Overall, during Q3, new development contracts at IQE (Europe) were not sufficient to offset the dramatic decline in production orders from opto-electronic manufacturers, who are currently suffering from a significant inventory backlog. However, major progress was made in new product developments for next generation systems, particularly in long wavelength 1.3um VCSELs, where successful devices have now been demonstrated, and in advanced detectors (APDs) where a new product has been launched with world class device results. The HBT product from IQE (Europe) has also met with significant success and is being qualified by a number of manufacturers worldwide. In the wireless marketplace, the Company is now seeing definite signs of improvement to trading conditions, with some significant production orders now being agreed with customers. In addition, new product development continues to be successful, particularly with InP HBTs which are now designed into several new customer products. Strong work continues on supporting the revolutionary new GaAs on silicon technology, as further detailed in today's announcements. Wafer Technology continues to perform well on specialist wafer products, although their more mature business has also suffered as a consequence of the very difficult market conditions. Margins were adversely impacted in Q3 due to high metal prices but these are now well under control. Overall, Wafer Technology is outperforming its competitors in the marketplace and business has held up reasonably well. IQE Silicon Compounds has now signed up a further 5 Non Disclosure Agreements making 32 in total and has run qualification wafers for 16 customers. The initial qualifications are now completing and the company recently received its first production orders from large European IC manufacturers. Progress continues to be very positive with excellent feedback on the new SiGe products and the successful completion of further qualification programs will lead to accelerating production over the next few quarters. Overall, the current trading environment continues to be extremely challenging, particularly in the opto-electronics sector. Continued weakness in this area is being offset to an extent by the improving environment in the wireless sector and the success of IQE Silicon compounds in winning production orders. Consequently, in order to conserve cash, the Group has taken a number of cost control initiatives that are anticipated to help it to re-establish profitability in the coming quarters whilst maintaining critical production capability, resource and infrastructure in place to ensure the business is properly positioned to exploit its medium term potential. Notwithstanding the current difficult marketplace, IQE has clearly established a clear leadership position as the pre-eminent global epiwafer supplier into the semi-conductor industry, as evidenced by Motorola's selection of IQE to further develop and commercialise what is potentially the most exciting discovery within the semi-conductor field for many years. The agreements with Motorola relating to the commercialisation of GaAs on silicon, coupled with the increasing trend toward outsourcing within the semi-conductor industry, offer powerful opportunities for the future. Your Board believes that as the semi-conductor industry recovers, IQE is strongly positioned to build further upon its position as the leading outsource wafer supplier within the compound semi-conductor industry. Dr Drew Nelson Executive Chairman IQE plc ACCOUNTS FOR 9 MONTHS TO SEPTEMBER 2001 3 months 3 months 9 months 9 months 12 to to to months to to PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep note 31 Dec 2001 2000 2001 2000 2000 (All figures GBP000s) unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited audited Turnover 8,234 6,431 34,351 19,639 30,117 Cost of Sales (6,932) (4,130) (24,585) (12,959) (19,785) Gross Profit 1,302 2,300 9,766 6,680 10,332 Gross Profit % 15.8 35.8 28.4 34.0 34.3 S G and A Costs Research/Development (1,602) (289) (2,898) (1,412) (1,870) Selling/General/ (1,928) (1,631) (6,540) (4,101) (6,392) Administration Operating Profit/(Loss) before Goodwill/ Exceptionals (2,228) 380 328 1,167 2,070 Operating Profit/(Loss) % before Goodwill/ Exceptionals (27.1) 5.9 1.0 5.9 6.9 Goodwill Written off (452) 0 (1,363) (0) 2 (209) Exceptional Items (233) (57) (506) (180) 3 (75) Operating Profit/(Loss) after Goodwill/ Exceptionals (2,913) 323 (1,541) 987 1,786 Operating Profit/(Loss) % after Goodwill/ Exceptionals (35.4) 5.0 (4.5) 5.0 5.9 Interest Received/(Paid) (98) 494 320 619 1,208 Net Profit/(Loss) before (3,011) 817 (1,221) 1,606 2,994 Taxes Net Profit/(Loss) % (36.6) 12.7 (3.6) 8.2 9.9 Current Taxes 635 (243) 315 (480) 75 Deferred Taxes 0 0 (267) (0) (1,259) Dividends 0 0 (0) (0) 0 Net Profit/(Loss) after (2,375) 574 (1,173) 1,126 1,810 Taxes Basic Earnings Pence/ (1.45) 0.40 (0.72) 0.79 1.24 Share Basic Earnings Pence/ (1.17) 0.40 0.12 0.79 1.38 Share excl Goodwill Diluted Earnings Pence/ (1.41) 0.38 (0.70) 0.75 1.18 Share Diluted Earnings Pence/ (1.14) 0.38 0.11 0.75 1.32 Share excl Goodwill Net Profit/(Loss) before Interest/ Taxes/ Depreciation and (547) 884 4,791 2,808 4,832 Amortization (EBITDA) As At As At As At BALANCE SHEET 30 Sep 2001 30 Sep 2000 note 31 Dec 2000 (All figures GBP000s) unaudited unaudited audited Fixed Assets Intangible Fixed Assets 35,018 0 4 36,543 Tangible Fixed Assets 72,246 29,408 47,847 Total Fixed Assets 107,264 29,408 84,390 Current Assets Stocks 13,858 4,954 7,885 Debtors 10,554 9,948 9,952 Cash and Bank 13,513 62,502 39,512 Total Current Assets 37,926 77,404 57,349 Creditors Falling Due within One Year (15,274) (12,432) (17,046) Net Current Assets 22,652 64,972 40,303 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 129,916 94,380 124,693 Creditors Falling Due after One Year Deferred Income (51) (75) (69) Deferred Tax Liability (1,857) (331) (1,590) Long Term Borrowings (11,959) (3,626) (5,438) Net Assets 116,048 90,348 117,596 Capital and Reserves Called Up Share Capital 1,644 1,545 1,633 Merger Reserve (605) (605) (605) Share Premium Account 111,882 86,102 111,802 Shares to be Issued 575 0 988 Retained Earnings 1,917 2,407 3,090 Other Reserves 635 900 688 Total Equity Shareholders' Funds 116,048 90,348 117,596 The financial statements were approved by the Directors of IQE plc on 13 November 2001 JL COVENTRY Company Secretary 3 months 3 months 9 months 9 months 12 to to to to months to CASH FLOW STATEMENT 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 31 Dec 2001 2000 2001 2000 2000 (All figures GBP000s) unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited audited Net Inflow/(Outflow) from (1,230) 2,053 (2,550) 5,836 10,949 Operations Returns on Investment and Servicing Finance Interest Received/(Paid) (98) 494 320 619 1,208 Capital Expenditures Purchases of Fixed Assets (3,475) (10,757) (22,386) (19,007) (33,566) less HP Intangible Fixed Assets 0 0 (250) 0 (13,968) Equity Dividends Paid 0 0 0 0 0 Taxes Refunded/(Paid) (102) (6) 289 (34) (144) Net Inflow/(Outflow) before (4,905) (8,215) (24,578) (12,586) (35,521) Financing Financing Issues of Ordinary Share 11 23,615 91 67,379 67,356 Capital Loans Received/(Repaid) (1,299) (257) (1,512) (408) (441) Net Inflow/(Outflow) from (1,288) 23,358 (1,421) 66,971 66,915 Financing Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Bank Overdrafts (6,194) 15,143 (25,999) 54,385 31,394 RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT TO CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATIONS 3 months 3 months 9 months 9 months 12 months to to to to to 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 31 Dec 2001 2000 2001 2000 2000 (All figures GBP000s) unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited audited Operating Profit after Goodwill/Exceptionals (2,913) 323 (1,541) 987 1,786 Depreciation 2,137 561 4,970 1,821 2,839 Goodwill 452 0 1,363 0 209 (Gain)/Loss on Sale of Fixed Assets 0 0 0 0 29 (Increase)/Decrease in Stocks (976) (1,236) (5,973) (2,381) (4,013) (Increase)/Decrease in 3,180 (1,297) (603) (2,206) (1,157) Debtors Increase/(Decrease) in (3,104) 3,708 (748) 7,633 11,280 Creditors Grants Released (6) (6) (18) (18) (24) Grants Received 0 0 0 0 0 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) from Operations (1,230) 2,053 (2,550) 5,836 10,949 RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS 3 months 3 months 9 months 9 months 12 months to to to to to 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 31 Dec 2001 2000 2001 2000 2000 (All figures GBP000s) unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited audited Increase/(Decrease) in Cash (6,193) 15,143 (25,999) 54,385 31,394 Loans (Received)/Repaid 1,299 257 1,512 408 441 Change in Funds Resulting from Cash Flows (4,894) 15,400 (24,487) 54,793 31,835 New Finance Leases (2,850) 0 (6,772) (0) (2,590) Net Movement (7,744) 15,400 (31,259) 54,793 29,245 Net Funds at Start 9,298 42,964 32,813 3,571 3,571 Exchange Differences 0 0 0 0 (3) Net Funds at Close 1,554 58,364 1,554 58,364 32,813 Analysis of Net Funds Cash and Bank 13,513 62,502 13,513 62,502 39,512 Debt Due after One Year (7,126) (3,626) (7,126) (3,626) (3,527) Debt Due within One Year 0 (494) 0 (494) (508) HP Creditors/Finance (4,833) (18) (4,833) (18) (2,664) Leases Total 1,554 58,364 1,554 58,364 32,813 RECONCILIATION OF UKGAAP 3 months to 3 months 9 months 9 months 12 months TO IAS to to to to 30 Sep 2001 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 31 Dec 2000 2001 2000 2000 (All figures GBP000s) unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited audited (1) Statement of Cash Flows The following shows the statement of cash flows as if they had been presented under IAS Cash Inflow/(Outflow) from Operations (1,332) 2,047 (2,261) 5,802 10,805 Cash Inflow/(Outflow) from Investing (3,572) (10,262) (22,316) (18,388) (46,326) Cash Inflow/(Outflow) from Financing (1,288) 23,358 (1,421) 66,971 66,915 Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents (6,193) 15,143 (25,998) 54,385 31,394 Opening Cash and Cash Equivalents per IAS 19,706 47,359 39,512 8,117 8,117 Exchange Difference 0 0 0 0 0 Closing Cash and Cash Equivalents per IAS 13,513 62,502 13,514 62,502 39,511 (2) Goodwill Goodwill of £284,000 arose on acquisition of IQE (Europe) by EPIH on 27 March 1996. Under UK GAAP, this has been written off directly to reserves. Under IAS, however, goodwill arising on acquisition should be recognized as an asset and amortized over its useful life. The following shows the retained profit and total net assets as if they had been prepared under IAS with goodwill amortized over 5 years. Profit/(Loss) after Taxes and Exceptionals 255 574 574 1,126 1,810 Dividends 0 0 0 0 0 Retained Profit/(Loss) per 255 574 574 1,126 1,810 UK GAAP Goodwill Amortization (14) (14) (43) (43) (57) Retained Profit/(Loss) per 240 560 532 1,084 1,753 IAS Equity Shareholders' Funds per UK GAAP 116,048 90,348 116,048 90,348 117,596 Goodwill Capitalization at 284 284 284 284 284 Cost Accumulated Goodwill (256) (199) (256) (199) (213) Amortization Equity Shareholders' Funds 116,076 90,433 116,076 90,433 117,667 per IAS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 1 BASIS OF PREPARATION The financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards under UK GAAP. The particular accounting policies adopted are described below : * The financial information is prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards, which have been applied on a consistent basis during the period under review. * Turnover represents amounts invoiced exclusive of value added taxation. * Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost comprises all costs that are directly attributable to bringing the asset into working condition for its intended use, as defined by Financial Reporting Standard Number 15. Depreciation has been calculated so as to write down the cost of assets to their residual values over the following estimated useful economic lives. No depreciation is provided on land or assets in the course of construction. Freehold buildingss 25 year Short leasehold improvements 5/27 years Plant and machinery 5/7 years Fixtures and fittings 4/5 years Motor vehicles 4 years * The financial information consolidates the financial statements of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. The acquisition of IQE (Europe) Limited (formerly known as Epitaxial Products International Limited) and its subsidiary Epitaxial Products Inc on 27 March 1996 by EPI Holdings Limited, a new company established for that purpose, has been accounted for under acquisition accounting, whereby these Companies became part of the Group on the date of acquisition. The acquisition of EPI Holdings Limited and IQE Inc (formerly Quantum Epitaxial Designs Inc) on 16 May 1999 by IQE plc, a new holding company established for that purpose, has been accounted for under merger accounting, whereby the financial information is disclosed as if the companies had always been part of the same Group. The acquisition of Wafer Technology International Limited and its subsidiary Wafer Technology Limited on 22 November 2000 by IQE plc has been accounted for under acquisition accounting, whereby these companies became part of the Group on the date of acquisition. * Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. * Research and development expenditure is fully written off when incurred except as noted in 4 (below) * Transactions in foreign currencies during the period are recorded in sterling at the rates ruling at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates ruling at the balance sheet date. All exchange differences are taken to the profit and loss account. The balance sheets of IQE Inc (formerly Quantum Epitaxial Designs Inc) are translated into sterling at the closing rates of exchange for the period, while the profit and loss accounts are translated into sterling at the average rates of exchange for the period. The resulting translation differences are taken direct to reserves. * The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the profit and loss account as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme. * Deferred taxation is provided on timing differences, arising from the different treatment of items for accounting and taxation purposes, which are expected to reverse in the future without replacement, calculated at the rates at which it is expected that tax will arise. * Government grants receivable in connection with expenditure on tangible fixed assets are accounted for as deferred income, which is credited to the profit and loss account by instalments over the expected useful economic life of the related assets on a basis consistent with the depreciation policy. Revenue grants for the reimbursement of costs incurred are deducted from the costs to which they related, in the period in which the costs are incurred. * Assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts are capitalized at their fair value on inception of the leases and depreciated over the shorter of the period of the lease and the estimated useful economic lives of the assets. The finance charges are allocated over the period of the lease in proportion to the capital amount outstanding and are charged to the profit and loss account. Operating lease rentals are charged to the profit and loss account in equal amounts over the lease term. * The only derivative instruments utilized by the Group are forward exchange contracts. The Group does not enter into speculative derivative contracts. Forward exchange contracts are used for hedging purposes to alter the risk profile of an existing underlying exposure of the Group in line with the Group's risk management policies. 2 GOODWILL On the acquisition of a business, fair values are attributed to the Group's share of the net tangible assets acquired. Where the cost of the acquisition exceeds the values attributable to such net assets, the difference is treated as purchased goodwill. The goodwill arising on the acquisition of IQE (Europe) Limited (formerly Epitaxial Products International Limited) and its subsidiary Epitaxial Products Inc by EPI Holdings Limited was written off directly to reserves in the year of acquisition. Goodwill of £284,000 remains eliminated in the profit and loss reserve and will be charged to the profit and loss account on the subsequent disposal of IQE (Europe) Limited and Epitaxial Products Inc. Following the issue of Financial Reporting Standard 10, goodwill arising in accounting periods ending on or after 23 December 1998 must be classified as an asset on the balance sheet and amortized over its useful life The goodwill arising on the acquisition of Wafer Technology International Limited and its subsidiary Wafer Technology Limited has been capitalized and is being amortized over its useful life, which is considered by the Directors to be 20 years. 3 EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS 2,001 2,000 Exceptional items comprise: Provision for national insurance contributions on share (£51K) £180K options Legal fees £557K £0K Legal fees relate to a complaint lodged by IQE (Europe) against Rockwell regarding a declaratory judgment that IQE Europe's processes did not infringe a Rockwell-owned MOCVD patent which expired on 11 January 2000 plus claims for damages related to this matter. There is a counter claim by Rockwell alleging breaches of a licence agreement by IQE (Europe). Two legal opinions obtained by IQE (Europe) in the US clearly support IQE's view that its processes were not covered by Rockwell's patent, the validity of which is separately being disputed by other companies in the US. It is uncertain whether the matter will ultimately go to trial or what the outcome will be. 4 INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Development costs in respect of new products have been carried forward where contracts of sufficient value exist or are likely to exist in the foreseeable future, and will be written off over a two year period commencing with the start of the contracts to which the costs relate. 5 CONTINGENT LIABILITY There is a contingent liability covering further legal costs in respect of the actions between IQE (Europe) and Rockwell (see note 3 above). The Directors estimate that legal fees of up to an additional £300K may be incurred in the fourth quarter of the year.

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