2025-12-01 08:59Financial Performance - For the first half of the fiscal year 2026, the company's revenue decreased by 9.0% to $999.1 million, down from $1.0897 billion in the same period last year[3]. - The profit attributable to shareholders fell by 14.5% to $74.7 million, primarily due to the decrease in revenue and an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of revenue[3]. - The gross profit margin improved slightly to 31.9%, compared to 31.5% in the same period last year, mainly due to a decrease in material costs[4]. - Operating profit decreased to $92.9 million, down $11.3 million or 10.8%, with the operating margin declining from 9.6% to 9.4%[41]. - Net profit attributable to shareholders was $74.7 million, a decrease of $12.7 million or 14.5%, with a net profit margin dropping from 8.0% to 7.5%[43]. - For the six months ended September 30, 2025, total revenue was $991.1 million, a decrease of 9.0% from $1,089.7 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year[37]. - Gross profit for the same period was $315.8 million, down $27.7 million or 8.1%, with a gross margin increase from 31.5% to 31.9%[40]. - The company reported a total comprehensive income of $83.6 million for the six months, compared to $103.5 million for the same period last year[54]. Revenue Breakdown - In North America, revenue decreased by 12.1% to $398.3 million, with electronic learning products experiencing a significant decline of 25.4% to $167 million[5][6]. - North America revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2025, totaled $398.3 million, with e-learning products contributing 41.9% ($167 million), contract manufacturing services 36.8% ($146.5 million), and telecommunications products 21.3% ($84.8 million)[15]. - In Europe, revenue decreased by 7.2% to $429 million, with e-learning products increasing by 5.5% to $144.6 million, while contract manufacturing services fell by 25.5% to $179.2 million[16][22]. - Telecommunications products in Europe saw a revenue increase of 24.5% to $105.2 million, driven by sales of home phones and smartphones, particularly the Gigaset product line[19][23]. - The Asia-Pacific region experienced a revenue decline of 5.6% to $150.4 million, with all three product categories reporting decreases[24]. - Revenue in other regions, including Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, fell by 11.3% to $13.4 million, with electronic learning products increasing by 5.3% to $8 million, offset by a 28.0% decline in telecommunications products to $5.4 million[28]. Product Development and Launches - The company launched several new products during the first half of the fiscal year, including the VTech Baby® 4-in-1 Steps & Stages Activity Center™ and LeapFrog's Strum & Count Wooden Guitar™[7]. - LeapFrog brand sales in Europe were boosted by new product launches, including LeapMove and LeapStart Reading Buddies, while the VTech brand saw declines in certain categories[17]. - The company is launching new core learning products in the U.S. to capitalize on the upcoming holiday season, supported by strong marketing initiatives[31]. Dividends and Shareholder Returns - The board declared an interim dividend of $0.17 per share, consistent with the dividend paid in the first half of the previous fiscal year[3]. - The company declared an interim dividend of 17.0 cents per share for the six months ending September 30, 2025, to be paid on December 19, 2025[137]. - The company has proposed a final dividend of $0.44 per share for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, down from $0.48 per share in the previous year, with a total estimated payout of $111.4 million[77]. Operational Efficiency - Research and development expenses decreased to $41.4 million, down 9.8% year-over-year, maintaining a ratio of 4.2% of total revenue[42]. - Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2025, were $147.9 million, a decrease of $2.3 million from the previous year[46]. - Inventory increased to $451.0 million, with turnover days rising from 129 to 138 days compared to the same period last year[47]. - The average number of employees decreased to approximately 20,440, with employee-related costs around $198.6 million, down from $204.4 million in the previous year[52]. Future Outlook - The company expects a decline in overall revenue for the fiscal year 2026, but anticipates improved sales in the second half driven by growth in electronic learning and telecommunications products[30]. - Despite an expected annual decline in electronic learning product sales, the second half is projected to show improvement, supported by a rebound in the U.S. and continued growth in Europe[31]. - The telecommunications segment is expected to see revenue growth in fiscal year 2026, driven by new product launches in Europe and the U.S.[32]. Corporate Governance and Compliance - The board of directors has confirmed that they have dedicated sufficient time and attention to the company's affairs during the six months ending September 30, 2025[132]. - The company has adhered to all corporate governance codes as of September 30, 2025, except for a deviation regarding the separation of the roles of Chairman and CEO[130]. - The risk management and internal control mechanisms have been deemed effective and adequate as of September 30, 2025[134]. - The audit committee has reviewed the unaudited interim financial report for the six months ending September 30, 2025[131]. Share-Based Compensation - The company has adopted a new stock option plan to attract and retain employees, replacing the previous plan established in 2021[86]. - The total number of shares available for issuance under the share option and share award plans as of September 30, 2025, is 25,061,579 shares, representing 9.9% of the company's issued shares[89]. - The maximum entitlement for any participant under the share option plan is capped at 1% of the company's issued shares within any twelve-month period[90]. - The fair value of stock options granted is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with significant assumptions affecting the valuation[98]. - The total expense related to share-based compensation for the six months ending September 30, 2025, was $1,900,000[112]. Legal and Regulatory Matters - The company has ongoing litigation related to intellectual property infringement and product liability, but the board believes it will not have a significant adverse impact on the financial position[122]. - The company has received a tax reassessment notice from the Hong Kong tax authority amounting to $8.8 million, of which $4.4 million has been deferred pending further legal review[75].