Data^#3 delivers profit and dividends ahead of long term trend

August 24, 2012

BRISBANE, Friday 24 August 2012: Data^#3 Limited [ASX: DTL], a national information and communications technology (ICT) company, today announced its results for the 12 months ended 30 June 2012 (FY12), generating record revenues of $811.4 million, an increase of 16.3% which was well ahead of overall industry growth.

NPAT of $13.7 million, while down on the previous year, was ahead of the long term trend and over the last five years represents a compound annual growth rate of 14%.

Reflecting the company’s continued strong earnings, growing cashflows, strong balance sheet with no material debt, and growth outlook, Data^#3’s directors declared a final fully franked dividend of 3.55 cents per share, bringing the total dividend for FY12 to 7.0 cents per share fully franked. The final dividend will be paid on 28 September 2012, with a record date of 14 September 2012.

FY12 financial performance

Revenue up 16.3% to $811.4 million
EBITDA down 8.3% to $19.4 million
EBIT down 10.8% to $18.3 million
NPAT down 8.8% to $13.7 million
Earnings per share down 8.8% to 8.88 cents
Return on equity eased slightly to 42.1%, but remains sector-leading
Full year dividend of 7.0 cents per share
Strong balance sheet with no material debt.

Data^#3’s Chairman, Richard Anderson, said that while the FY12 results were slightly below the exceptional performance of the previous year, they were very pleasingly ahead of the long term trend.

“In a difficult market, Data^#3’s product and service offerings have continued to generate growth well ahead of the industry average. Our revenues broke through the $800 million mark for the first time, achieving a record top line result for the company.

“Data^#3 has continued to enhance its financial position through diligent management of its balance sheet and strong cash flows. Consequently we are delighted to declare a dividend with a payout level consistent with the previous year,” he said.

Operational performance

In terms of Data^#3’s specialist businesses:

Sales of licensed software grew for the 17th consecutive year with revenue up 35.5% to $483.4 million.
Revenue under contract increased 35% to $363 million, services revenues from asset management and
its new business productivity practice grew strongly, and the Federal Government Microsoft software
contract was renewed during the year.

Sales and implementations of infrastructure related solutions were most affected by the difficult
market conditions with overall revenues declining 5.5% to $284.7 million as major investment projects
were delayed or deferred. The resulting decline in hardware product sales and project services was
offset by 30% growth in managed services revenues to $45.7 million.

Revenues from contracting and permanent recruitment grew steadily in a restrained market finishing
8% up at $41.4 million. A decline in contractor numbers over the previous year was offset by strong
growth in permanent placements.

Commenting on the outlook for Data^#3, Mr Grant said “The market remains volatile and is therefore very difficult to predict. We don’t see this changing until global economic conditions stabilise and local political uncertainty is resolved. We do however see an increasing realisation that in spite of this, there remains an overarching need for business and government to transform their business models and increase productivity.

“Over the next 12 months we will continue to make a number of internal investments in new applications and systems, the returns from which will flow into future years. We are well placed to continue growing revenues and earnings as we extend our offerings for customers into the cloud, build out our consulting and services capabilities, and further automate business processes to increase efficiency and enhance customer service.

“With our national footprint and the broad appeal of our offerings, we are targeting to once again deliver growth ahead of the market in all areas of the business in FY13. Our overall financial objective is to improve on the performance of FY12.”