News Releases
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No.2241
 
 

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS
(APRIL 1, 2001 -- MARCH 31, 2002)


TOKYO, April 26, 2002--Mitsubishi Electric today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002 as follows:

Consolidated:
Net sales 3.6489 trillion yen (12% decrease from last year)
Operating income - 68.0 billion yen
Income before income taxes - 155.1 billion yen
Net income - 77.9 billion yen
   
Non-consolidated:  
Net sales 2.4093 trillion yen (18% decrease from last year)
Operating income - 62.5 billion yen
Ordinary profit - 109.5 billion yen
Net income - 143.6 billion yen


During the period under review, Mitsubishi Electric faced an extremely difficult business environment. In the context of the simultaneous global economic slowdown, Japan saw significant declines in corporate manufacturing and capital investment while consumer spending was weak. In addition, the sharp and significant drop in IT-related demand led to an increase in inventories which was accompanied by major production adjustments, causing prices to fall sharply.

Under these circumstances, Mitsubishi Electric implemented management improvement activities such as "EA21," a plan to efficiently utilize assets and minimize fixed costs, the "Sigma 21 Project," a plan to promote a dramatic reduction in procurement costs, a mid-term plan to strengthen productivity by revising information systems, and "Diamond Quality 2000," a plan that focuses on improving product quality. Via these and other activities, the Company made efforts to improve business results by reducing capital expenditures, implementing emergency expense reductions, efficiently utilizing assets, minimizing fixed costs, enhancing product quality and increasing productivity.

In particular, with its semiconductor business, Mitsubishi Electric suspended and integrated production lines, made significant personnel cuts and reduced capital investment. With its mobile phone business, the Company stepped up procurement cost reductions and other expense reduction measures while restructuring its production scheme.

Meanwhile, in the year under review, Mitsubishi Electric strengthened the profitability of its core business areas: energy and electric systems, industrial automation systems and home appliances.

Cash Flow
In the period under review, cash flow (income) resulting from operating activities amounted to 113.4 billion yen (a 282.5 billion yen decrease compared to the same period last fiscal year) due to a decline in revenues.

As a result free cash flow in the period under review was negative at 70.7 billion yen after deducting cash flow (spending) in investment activities of 184.1 billion yen.

Consolidated Results by Business Segment
In the Energy and Electric Systems segment, compared to the same period in the previous year, sales increased by 1% to 920.6 billion yen and operating income increased 17% to 46.5 billion yen.
Due to a decrease in capital expenditures of power companies in Japan, orders for power equipment were lower than the previous year but thanks to growth in international businesses sales increased. Reflecting the severe demand environment, sales and orders for industrial machinery were lower than the previous year. With transportation equipment, orders were lower year-on-year but owing to business growth outside Japan, sales were higher compared to the same period last year. Orders and sales in the public works sector were higher than last year due to expansion in government-related information communications systems.
In building systems there was a decrease in orders and sales year-on-year, attributable to slackening demand and price deterioration in the Japanese market, reduced demand in the Middle East (one of the main international markets) and a delayed market recovery in the ASEAN region.
As a result, sales revenue in the business segment increased 1% compared to the same period last year.
Even with price deterioration, operating income for the segment increased thanks to improvements in cost cutting measures.

The Industrial Automation Systems segment experienced a 9% decrease in sales to 600.5 billion yen and operating income fell by 39% to 33.1 billion yen compared to the same period last year.
Compared to the previous fiscal year, both orders and sales declined for industrial equipment products as factory automation related products (such as programmable controllers and servo motors) experienced slackening demand in Japan owing to a sharp drop in capital investment for IT-related equipment and reduced demand in international markets (mainly the US and Asia). Furthermore, due to lower Japanese demand for production facility, building and construction related projects, orders and sales for both electric motors and power supply controllers were lower compared to the same period last fiscal year. In industrial mechatronics products, orders and sales were lower than the previous period as demand for machine tools (mainly IT-related) decreased both in Japan and abroad.
Orders and sales for automotive equipment were lower than last year due to decreased production among major automobile production customers and lower prices.
As a result, sales revenues decreased by a total of 9% in the segment compared to the same period last year.
Operating income for the segment decreased year-on-year owing to lower sales, price deterioration and other factors.

In the Information and Communication Systems segment, sales fell 18% to 762.5 billion yen compared to the same period last year and an operating loss of 90.2 billion yen was recorded.
Both orders and sales for the communications business decreased year-on-year amidst the worldwide decline in demand for mobile handsets and communication companies' restricted investment in infrastructure.
For the information and systems and services business, network services (mainly Internet-related) expanded but systems sales geared to small and middle-sized businesses decreased, bringing sales levels lower compared to the same period last year.
Due to an absence of concentrated large-scale projects compared to the same period last year, both orders and sales decreased for the space business. For defense-related equipment, sales remained at the same level as last year but orders were lower owing to a lull between large-scale projects.
As a result, sales revenues decreased by 18% in the segment compared to the same period last year.
Operating income went into the red for the segment mainly due to worsening profitability conditions in the overseas mobile handset business.

The Electronic Devices segment recorded sales of 470.2 billion yen in the period under review, a 34% decrease year-on-year and there was an operating loss of 80.5 billion yen.
For semiconductor operations, both sales and orders were lower than the previous year. This is attributable to reduced demand for major products such as SRAM and flash memory packages for the Japanese mobile handset market, fiber optic network devices geared mainly to the North American market, advanced system LSIs for servers, and optoelectronics.
In the liquid crystal display business, orders and sales fell compared to the previous fiscal year due to the increased production of Taiwanese and Korean makers, which caused excessive supply and market price deterioration.
As a result, compared to the previous period last fiscal year, sales revenues fell by 34% for the business segment.
The segment fell into the red due to the greatly reduced profitability of semiconductor operations.

In the Home Appliances segment, compared to the same period last year, sales decreased by 1% to 726.1 billion yen and operating income was 37.1 billion yen, a 30% increase.
Thanks to growth in television sales and home air conditioners (due to hot weather in Japan), home appliances and audio-visual sales were higher than in the same period last year. Residential equipment sales decreased compared to the previous fiscal year mainly because of sluggish demand in Japan for facility-related equipment (mostly ventilation fans). The cooling and heating equipment business met lower sales than last year due to inactive Japanese market demand and sluggish sales for cooling and heating equipment. The visual information business met lower sales compared to the same period last fiscal year due to a lack of growth in projectors and other visual-related products. Outside Japan, sales were higher year-on-year as air conditioning systems (mainly in Southeast Asia) and large projection TVs in the US enjoyed growth.
As a result, sales revenues for the business segment decreased by 1%.
Owing to strong sales overseas and other factors, operating income for the segment increased compared to the previous fiscal year.

In the Others segment, compared to the same period last year, sales decreased 5% to 569.7 billion yen and operating income decreased 10% to 8.5 billion yen.
Sales for real estate and system maintenance related businesses of affiliates increased year-on-year but subsidiaries involved in distribution, material procurement, information communication services and advertising met a decrease in revenues.
As a result, sales decreased 5% for the segment as a whole.
Operating income fell for the business segment owing mainly to reduced revenue at affiliates.

Dividend Policy
In view of the current loss recorded as shown and the resulting decline in internal reserves, regrettably, Mitsubishi Electric will not pay an annual dividend. Instead, the Company believes that working to preserve the company's soundness and making the utmost efforts to strengthen the financial structure and improve earnings capacity will meet the expectations of shareholders in the long term.

The Mitsubishi Electric Group is united to counter the current bleak economic environment and move toward an early recovery in business results.

Forecast for Next Fiscal Year
In terms of the future business environment, anticipation of an early recovery in the economy has been building with a recovery in exports and the end of inventory adjustments in Japan amidst the appearance of signs that the US economy has bottomed out. However, in the immediate future, factors such as declining capital investment and the deterioration of the employment environment will become more advanced. This means that uncertainty about a recovery in final demand will persist, and the bleak business environment is estimated to continue for the time being.

In these circumstances, the Mitsubishi Electric Group will work towards an early recovery in business results and improvement of its financial structure by carrying out structural reforms, including those for its semiconductor and mobile phone businesses, and further promote business improvement strategies.

Forecast results for the fiscal year ended March 31st 2003, are as follows.

Consolidated:
Net sales 3.7000 trillion yen (1% increase year-on-year)
Operating income 65.0 billion yen
Income before income taxes 45.0 billion yen
Net income 25.0 billion yen
   
Non-consolidated:  
Net sales 2.4500 trillion yen (2% increase year-on-year)
Operating income 50.0 billion yen
Ordinary profit 40.0 billion yen
Net income 20.0 billion yen


Note: The forecast of results above is based on assumptions deemed reasonable by the Company at the present time, and actual results may differ significantly from forecasts

MANAGEMENT POLICY

Management Policy
Last year, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and its subsidiaries adopted a new corporate statement: "Changes for the Better." It signifies the Company's commitment to creating a "better tomorrow" by enhancing the quality of life in all areas.

With this corporate stance, Mitsubishi Electric will respond to the rapidly changing business environment and develop a range of business improvement strategies based on the three perspectives of "Growth," "Profitability & Efficiency" and "Soundness" in order to quickly establish a firm business foundation.

Based on this strategy, Mitsubishi Electric will further improve its corporate value to satisfy the expectations of all stakeholders, including customers and shareholders.

Policy for Profit Sharing
With the ultimate objective of increasing corporate value, Mitsubishi Electric's basic strategy seeks to comprehensively improve shareholders' profits, both in terms of a distribution of profits in accordance with earnings in the relevant fiscal year, and by strengthening the financial structure through increasing internal reserves.

Policy on Reducing Minimum Stock Purchase Requirement
While Mitsubishi Electric recognizes that securing more long-term and stable investors is an important managerial issue to enhance corporate value, the option of reducing the minimum stock purchase requirement will be carefully considered in line with overall judgement based on analysis of effects and expenses.

Structural Reform for Short-term Improvement in Business Results, Promotion of Business Improvement Strategies
The Mitsubishi Electric Group will strengthen its businesses by building on structural reforms made last year, including ones for the semiconductor and mobile phone businesses, and promote business improvement strategies. The goal is a short-term improvement in business results and financial structure and to establish a firm business foundation.

Specifically, in addition to improving businesses by having them go through the "selection and concentration" process and making decisive structural reforms in the Company's semiconductor and the mobile phone businesses, Mitsubishi Electric will further promote active consideration of strategic alliances with other companies.

Mitsubishi Electric will strive to further improve profitability and competitiveness by creating optimum business models and accelerate the global development of business in energy and electric systems, industrial automation systems and home appliances.

Moreover, the Company's goal is to establish a business structure that can withstand the rapidly changing business environment by improving managerial activities. This includes efficiently utilizing assets, minimizing fixed costs and reducing procurement expenses in order to support strategies for improving earnings in all businesses.

Structural Reform of Management Organization
The company set up the Corporate Strategy & Management Office on April 1, 2002 to strengthen the Mitsubishi Electric Group's consolidated business structure and promote overall business structural reform. Another goal is to increase dissemination of Company information to better serve the needs of stakeholders.

CONSOLIDATED AND NON-CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS

1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
(in billions of yen)
 
Fiscal 2002
Fiscal 2001
'02/'01 (%)
Net sales
3,648.9
4,129.4
88
Income before income taxes (loss)
(155.1)
210.4
-
Net income (loss)
(77.9)
124.7
-
Net income (loss) per share (in yen) (36.31) 56.55
-
Fiscal 2002: April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002
Note: 1) Consolidated financial charts made according to U.S. GAAP.
2) Company has 144 consolidated subsidiaries.

2. NON-CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
(in billions of yen)
 
Fiscal 2002
Fiscal 2001
'02/'01 (%)
Net sales
2,409.3
2,932.6
82
Ordinary profit (loss)
(109.5)
137.1
-
Net income (loss)
(143.6)
32.4
-
Dividend per share
Annual dividend - 10
-
  Interim dividend - 4
Term-end
Biannual dividend
- 6
Net income (loss) per share (in yen) (66.92) 15.13
-
Fiscal 2002: April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002

CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT
(in millions of yen)
 
Fiscal
2002 (A)
% of
total
Fiscal
2001 (B)
% of
total
(A) - (B)
(A)/(B)
(%)
Net sales
3,648,986
100.0
4,129,493
100.0
(480,507)
88
Cost of sales
2,842,658
77.9
3,062,392
74.2
(219,734)
93
Selling, general and Administrative expenses
874,355
24.0
871,711
21.1
2,644
100
Operating income (loss)
(68,027)
(1.9)
195,390
4.7
(263,417)
--
Non-operating income
48,645
1.3
121,981
3.0
(73,336)
40
Interest and Dividends
14,246
0.4
19,404
0.5
(5,158)
73
Gains on securities contributions to employee retirement benefit trust
--
--
66,914
1.6
(66,914)
--
Other income
34,399
0.9
35,663
0.9
(1,264)
96
Non-operating expenses
135,760
3.7
106,929
2.6
28,831
127
Interest
28,799
0.8
29,858
0.7
(1,059)
96
Other
106,961
2.9
77,071
1.9
29,890
139
Income (loss) before income taxes
(155,142)
(4.3)
210,442
5.1
(365,584)
--
Income tax
(74,244)
(2.1)
91,990
2.2
(166,234)
--
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies
2,928
0.1
6,334
0.1
(3,406)
46
Net income (loss)
(77,970)
(2.1)
124,786
3.0
(202,756)
--

Fiscal 2002: April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions of yen)
 
Fiscal
2002 (A)
Fiscal
2001 (B)
(A) - (B)
(Assets)
Current assets
2,157,889
2,353,374
(195,485)
Cash and cash equivalents
454,890
394,375
60,515
Short-term investments
13,793
18,047
(4,254)
Trade receivables
818,817
976,379
(157,562)
Inventories
643,642
714,529
(70,887)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
226,747
250,044
(23,297)
Long-term receivables
40,150
43,154
(3,004)
Investments
447,283
502,996
(55,713)
Net property, plant and equipment
893,965
934,759
(40,794)
Other assets
518,117
347,346
170,771
Total assets
4,057,404
4,181,629
(124,225)

(Liabilities and shareholders' equity)
Current liabilities

1,960,863
2,179,466
(218,603)
Current portion of short-term debt
Trade payables
Other current liabilities
813,865
667,078
479,920
773,080
894,792
511,594
40,785
(227,714)
(31,674)
Long-term debt
740,180
630,544
109,636
Employee retirement and severance benefits
748,779
633,514
115,265
Other fixed liabilities
10,639
10,706
(67)
Minority interests
55,233
49,226
6,007
Shareholders' equity
541,710
678,173
(136,463)
Capital
175,820
175,820
--
Capital surplus
210,644
210,644
--
Retained earnings
362,676
453,529
(90,853)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(207,420)
(161,820)
(45,600)
Treasury stock at cost
(10)
--
(10)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
4,057,404
4,181,629
(124,225)

Balance of debt

1,554,045
1,403,624
150,421
Other comprehensive income (loss)
   Foreign currency translation adjustments
3,073
(13,338)
16,411
   Minimum pension liability adjustments
(221,543)
(175,662)
(45,881)
   Net unrealized gains on securities
11,050
27,180
(16,130)

Fiscal 2002: April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW
(in millions of yen)
 
Fiscal
2002 (A)
Fiscal
2001 (B)
(A) - (B)
I. Cash flows from operating activities
   1 Net income (loss)
(77,970)
124,786
(202,756)
   2 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
     (1) Depreciation
230,518
235,031
(4,513)
     (2) Deferred income taxes
(115,715)
39,226
(154,941)
     (3) Decrease (increase) in trade receivables
170,543
(40,106)
210,649
     (4) Decrease (increase) in inventories
83,135
(110,456)
193,591
     (5) Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets
18,434
2,400
16,034
     (6) Increase (decrease) in trade payables
(226,930)
109,756
(336,686)
     (7) Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
(3,214)
71,826
(75,040)
     (8) Other, net
34,628
(36,465)
71,093
   Net cash provided by operating activities
113,429
395,998
(282,569)
II. Cash flows from investing activities
     1 Capital expenditure
(221,092)
(296,996)
75,904
     2 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
16,344
16,237
107
     3 Purchase of short-term investments and investment securities
(54,998)
(61,372)
6,374
     4 Proceeds from sale of short-term investments and investment securities
75,760
76,993
(1,233)
     5 Other, net
(169)
5,019
(5,188)
     Net cash used in investing activities
(184,155)
(260,119)
75,964
III. Cash flows from financing activities
     1 Proceeds from long-term debt
439,388
152,939
286,449
     2 Repayment of long-term debt
(320,417)
(247,938)
(72,479)
     3 Increase in bank loans, net
16,955
31,874
(14,919)
     4 Dividends paid
(12,883)
(13,956)
1,073
        Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
123,043
(77,081)
200,124
IV. Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
8,198
9,248
(1,050)
V. Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
60,515
68,046
(7,531)
VI. Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
394,375
326,329
68,046
VII. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year
454,890
394,375
60,515
Free cash flow
(70,726)
135,879
(206,605)

Fiscal 2002: April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002

CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT INFORMATION - 1

1. Sales by Product Segment
(in millions of yen)
 
Fiscal 2002
Fiscal 2001
(A)/(B)

(%)
Product Segment
Sales (A)
% of
total
Opera-
ting
profit (loss)
Sales (B)
% of total
Opera-
ting
profit (loss)
Energy and Electric Systems
920,667
22.8
46,580
910,520
20.0
39,903
101
Industrial Automation Systems
600,589
14.8
33,165
662,963
14.6
54,615
91
Information and
Communication
Systems
762,586
18.8
(90,246)
934,900
20.5
(13,040)
82
Electronic Devices
470,225
11.6
(80,560)
714,391
15.7
95,166
66
Home Appliances
726,151
17.9
37,170
733,039
16.1
28,518
99
Others
569,799
14.1
8,563
599,760
13.1
9,469
95
Sub Total
4,050,017
100.0
(45,328)
4,555,573
100.0
214,631
89
Eliminations
and other
(401,031)
--
(22,699)
(426,080)
--
(19,241)
--
Total
3,648,986
--
(68,027)
4,129,493
--
195,390
88
Fiscal 2002: April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002
*Note: Intersegment sales are included in the above chart.

2. Sales by location segment
(in millions of yen)
Fiscal 2002
Fiscal 2001
(A)/(B)

(%)
Sales (A)
Operating
profit (loss)
Sales (B)
Operating
profit (loss)
Japan
3,232,688
(36,980)
3,750,545
212,465
86
North America
327,648
(18,086)
397,151
(3,310)
82
Asia (except Japan)
305,957
17,544
345,352
17,262
89
Europe
232,260
(46,852)
284,783
(20,507)
82
Others
13,625
364
13,415
44
102
Total
4,112,178
(84,010)
4,791,246
205,954
86
Eliminations
(463,192)
15,983
(661,753)
(10,564)
--
Total
3,648,986
(68,027)
4,129,493
195,390
88
Fiscal 2002: April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002
*Note: Intersegment sales are included in the above chart.

CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT INFORMATION - 2

3. Overseas Sales
(in millions of yen)
  Fiscal 2002 Fiscal 2001
A/B (%)
Sales (A) % of total
net sales
Sales (B)
% of total
net sales
North America
324,259
8.9
397,525
9.6
82
Asia (except Japan)
342,313
9.4
353,052
8.6
97
Europe
218,996
6.0
268,634
6.5
82
Others
73,063
2.0
71,682
1.7
102
Total overseas sales
958,631
26.3
1,090,893
26.4
88
Fiscal 2002: April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002

About Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
With over 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (FTSE: 6503q.l) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. With operations in 35 countries, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation recorded consolidated group sales of 3,649 billion yen (US$27 billion*) in the year ended March 31, 2002. Additional information on Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is available at global.mitsubishielectric.com.
*At an exchange rate of 133 yen to the US dollar, the rate given by the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 29, 2002.

Cautionary Statement
The expectation of operating results herein and any associated statement to be made with respect to Company's current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "believes", "scheduled", "estimated", "targeted" along with any variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements which include but are not limited to projections of revenues, earnings, performance and production. While the statements herein are based on certain assumptions and premises that trusts and considers to be reasonable under the circumstances to the date of announcement, you are requested to kindly take note that actual operating results are subject to change due to any of the factors as contemplated hereunder and/or any additional factor unforeseeable as of the date of this announcement.
Such factors materially affecting the expectations expressed herein shall include but are not limited to the following: (1) Any change in operating circumstances in any of the markets, in which the Company conducts its business operation inter alia Japan, the USA and Europe: such change shall include but not limited to changes in economic situation, political regime, legal system and legislation, relevant laws and regulations, administrative policies and practices by any competent authorities, taxation in any of such markets. (2) Foreign exchange fluctuations, in particular, the rate of Japanese yen against US Dollar. (3) Relative disproportion between demand and supply of any products that may affect price and volume, which could be highly intrusive in such fields like information, telecommunication, electronic devices and home appliances, without limitation thereto. (4) Shortage of any devices, components and/or parts necessary for manufacturing operation and difficulties in material procurement arising out of such shortage, which could even lead to substantial disconformity with the operating results as expected herein. Also this factor could be highly intrusive in such fields as information, telecommunication, electronic devices and home appliances, without limitation thereto. (5) Any change in technical and technological trends that may be relevant to businesses of the Company, including but not limited to IT-based or IT-related fields. (6) Any patent and its licensing that may be granted from time to time and may affect businesses of the Company. (7) Any development of products incorporating new technological innovation and the time of their introduction in the marketplace. (8) Any business alliances of any nature whatsoever, including but not limited to joint ventures, business transfers, mergers, acquisitions, capital contributions, technical licensing or co-development. (9) Any change in fund raising or procurement, inter alia in the Japanese financial market. (10) Any fluctuation in stock quotations at any relevant markets including securities exchanges and over-the counter stock markets, inter alia in Japan.

# # #

Media Contacts: Investor Relations Inquiries:
Matthew Nicholson
Public Relations Dept.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Tel: +81-3-3218-2346
Matthew.Nicholson@hq.melco.co.jp
Yasumitsu Kugenuma
Finance Dept.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Tel: +81-3218-2391
Yasumitsu.Kugenuma@hq.melco.co.jp
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