Financial summary

Financial highlights (adjusted)

in CHF million
2022
2021
2020
Revenue
623.9
414.1
333.5
Growth rate over previous year
50.7%
24.2%
-13.4%
Gross Profit adjusted ²⁾
307.2
193.9
150.9
Growth rate over previous year
58.4%
28.5%
-13.8%
in % of revenue
49.2%
46.8%
45.3%
EBITDA ¹⁾ adjusted ²⁾
169.9
72.1
42.2
Growth rate over previous year
135.8%
71.0%
-41.8%
in % of revenue
27.2%
17.4%
12.5%
Operating Profit (EBIT) adjusted ²⁾
131.3
35.1
18.0
Growth rate over previous year
274.1%
95.2%
-58.3%
in % of revenue
21.0%
8.5%
5.4%
Net Profit before minority interest adjusted ²⁾
109.0
22.9
2.9
Growth rate over previous year
376.3%
684.9%
-90.9%
in % of revenue
17.5%
5.5%
0.9%
Cash generated from operating activities
117.3
97.7
39.5
Growth rate over previous year
20.1%
147.2%
-48.9%
in % of revenue
18.8%
23.6%
11.8%
Equity
412.0
302.0
282.5
in % of total assets
61.6%
59.9%
54.6%
Adjusted ²⁾ earnings per share (in CHF)
15.65
3.30
0.42
¹⁾ EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) calculated by adding depreciation and amortization to profit from operations (EBIT), in each case determined in accordance with IFRS.
²⁾ excl. share based payments, impacts based on IAS-19, amortization of intangible assets acquired, impairments and non-recurring expenses.

Financial highlights (IFRS)

in CHF million
2022
2021
2020
Revenue
623.9
414.1
333.5
Growth rate over previous year
50.7%
24.2%
-13.4%
Gross Profit
306.8
193.6
150.9
Growth rate over previous year
58.5%
28.7%
-13.8%
in % of revenue
49.2%
46.7%
45.1%
EBITDA ¹⁾
163.8
65.9
35.4
Growth rate over previous year
148.5%
85.9%
-45.7%
in % of revenue
26.3%
15.9%
10.6%
Operating profit (EBIT)
121.8
25.9
-64.8
Growth rate over previous year
370.5%
139.9%
-393.9%
in % of revenue
19.5%
6.3%
-19.4%
Net Profit before minority interests
101.8
15.4
-64.9
Growth rate over previous year
563.0%
123.7%
-602.3%
in % of revenue
16.3%
3.7%
-19.4%
Cash generated from operating activities
117.3
97.7
39.5
Growth rate over previous year
20.1%
147.2%
-48.9%
in % of revenue
18.8%
23.6%
11.8%
Equity
412.0
302.0
282.5
in % of total assets
61.6%
59.9%
54.6%
Earnings per share (in CHF)
14.60
2.21
-9.32
¹⁾ EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) calculated by adding depreciation and amortization to profit from operations (EBIT), in each case determined in accordance with IFRS.
Revenue breakdown
u-blox operates in two segments:

Positioning and wireless products
u-blox develops and sells chips and modules designed for positioning and wireless connectivity. Its products and solutions are used in automotive, industrial and consumer applications. Segment revenue amounted to CHF 622.9 million in 2022 as compared to CHF 413.5 million in 2021.  

Wireless services
u-blox also offers wireless communication technology services in terms of reference designs and software. In 2022, segment revenue was CHF 34.1 million compared to CHF 35.8 million in 2021 (including intra group revenue).

Consolidated income statement (IFRS and adjusted)

January
- December
2022

January
- December
2022
January
- December
2021

in CHF 1'000

(IFRS)

in %
Adjust-
ments ²⁾

(adjusted)

in %

(adjusted)

in %
Revenue
623’852
100.0
623’852
100.0
414’057
100.0
Cost of sales
-317’088
-50.8
387
-316’701
-50.8
-220’126
-53.2
Gross Profit
306’764
49.2
387
307’151
49.2
193’931
46.8
Distribution and marketing expenses
-44’906
-7.2
1’340
-43’566
-7.0
-38’887
-9.4
Research and development expenses
-111’566
-17.9
5’285
-106’281
-17.0
-102’234
-24.7
General and administrative expenses
-30’490
-4.9
2’487
-28’003
-4.5
-22’854
-5.5
Other income
1’975
0.3

1’975
0.3
5’139
1.2
Operating Profit (EBIT)
121'777
19.5
9’499
131’276
21.0
35’095
8.5
Finance income
561
0.1

561
0.1
3’947
1.0
Finance costs
-2'075
-0.3

-2'075
-0.3
-6'936
-1.7
Share of loss of equity-accounted investees, net of taxes
-119
-0.0

-119
-0.0
-1’819
-0.4
Profit before income tax (EBT)
120'144
19.3
9'499
129'643
20.8
30'287
7.3
Income tax expense
-18'372
-2.9

-2'226
-20'598
-3.4
-7'395
-1.8
Net profit
101'772
16.3
7'273
109'045
17.5
22'892
5.5
Minority interests
0
0.0

0
0.0
-21
-0.0
Net profit, attributable
to equity holders of the parent

101'772
16.3
7'273
109'045
17.5
22'871
5.5
Earnings per share in CHF
14.60

15.65
3.30
Diluted earnings per share in CHF
14.34

15.36
3.30
Operating Profit (EBIT)
121'777
19.5

9'499
131'276
21.0
35'095
8.5
Depreciation and amortization
41'990
6.8

-3'336
38'654
6.2
36'976
8.9
EBITDA ¹⁾
163'767
26.3
6'163
169'930
27.2
72'071
17.4
¹⁾ Management calculates EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) by adding back depreciation and amortization to Operating Profit (EBIT), in each case determined in accordance with IFRS.
²⁾ Adjustments are impacts of share-based payments, pension calculation according to IAS-19, non-recurring expenses, impairment and amortization of intangible assets acquired
2022 was a year of record revenues, improved margins and increased cash flows from operating activities. For the full-year 2022, u-blox generated total revenues of CHF 623.9 million, an EBIT (adjusted) of CHF 131.3 million and an EBITDA (adjusted) of CHF 169.9 million. Free cash flow amounted to CHF 66.2 million.    

During the year, demand for u-blox’s products was robust in all regions and across all applications sectors. The demand was fueled by the launch of numerous products, which strongly enhanced solution capabilities across its entire platform.  Favorable product mix changes and price increases expanded the gross margin. The strengthened USD/CHF exchange rate impacted the topline by 4.1%, resulting in a currency adjusted revenue increase of 46.6%.  

In APAC, full year 2022 revenues amounted to CHF 245.0 million, compared to CHF 153.3 million in 2021 (+59.8%). This was driven by strong growth with applications in infotainment, navigation, telematics, and healthcare, mainly in Japan, Australia/New Zealand and rest of APAC. 

Revenues in EMEA increased to CHF 176.0 million in 2022 from CHF 124.4 million in 2021 (+41.5%). This was driven by strong growth with applications in infotainment and navigation, industrial automation, and asset tracking. 

AMEC revenues increased to CHF 202.9 million in 2022 from CHF 136.3 million in 2021 (+48.8%).This was driven by strong growth with applications in infotainment, navigation, telematics and healthcare applications.

In 2022,u-blox continued customer diversification across all markets and products. u-blox’s largest end-customer accounted for 7% of revenue (previous year: 3%), the 10 largest end-customers accounted for about 27% of revenue (previous year:17%). 

Gross profit
Contribution margin improved in 2022 significantly and therefore adjusted gross profit increased by 58.4% to CHF 307.2 million in 2022 from CHF 193.9 million in 2021, resulting in a by 512 bps improved adjusted gross profit margin of 49.2% (2021: 46.8%).  

Distribution and marketing activities
Distribution and marketing expenses (adjusted) increased by 12.0% from CHF 38.9 million in the previous year to CHF 43.6 million in 2022. Distribution and marketing expenses rose in absolute amount as due to the strong growth of business and the increased contribution bonuses. Although due to operating leverage as percentage of revenue, distribution and marketing expenses (adjusted) decreased to 7.0% in 2022 compared to 9.4% in previous year.  

Research and product development
u-blox invested further into future products although R&D increased only slightly due to improved operational effectiveness. The adjusted R&D expenses in 2022 amounted to CHF 106.3 million as compared to CHF 102.2 million in 2021. As percentage of revenue, adjusted R&D expenses in 2022 therefore reduced to 17.0% (2021: 24.7%).  

Share based payment
Share based payment expenses recognized according to IFRS in 2022 were CHF 4.4 million as compared to CHF 3.3 million in 2021.  

Operating Profit (EBIT)
With CHF 131.3 million in 2022 adjusted EBIT, we reached a new record level (2021: CHF 35.1 million). Accordingly, the adjusted EBIT margin increased strongly to 21.0% in 2022 as compared to 8.5% in 2021. Adjusted operating profit before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to CHF 169.9 million (2021: 72.1 million), an increase of 135.8% in 2022. The increase was primarily due to strong topline growth at improved contribution margins and due to effective management of operational expenses.  

Finance income and costs
Finance income was CHF 0.6 million. Finance costs of CHF 2.1 million consisted primarily of interest payments for the outstanding bond and interest for leasing under IFRS-16. The share of loss of equity-accounted investees net of tax in the financial result was CHF 0.2 million.

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position

in CHF 1'000
December 31, 2022 (audited)
December 31, 2021
(audited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
137'746
83'245
Marketable securities
0
500
Trade accounts receivables
65’370
51’063
Other assets
149’237
66'679
Total current assets
352’353
201’487
Non current assets
Property, plant and equipment
12’627
11’328
Right-of-use assets
34’021
31’962
Goodwill
55’616
58’216
Intangible assets
203’455
190’440
Financial assets (incl. equity accounted investees)
2’240
1’851
Deferred tax assets
8’312
9’188
Total non-current assets
316’271
302'985
Total assets
668’624
504'472
Liabilities
Current liabilities
190’108
79’492
Non-current liabilities
66’518
122’972
Total liabilities
256’626
202’464
Shareholders’equity
Share capital
96’842
105'300
Share premium
23’180
16'600
Retained earnings (incl. treasury shares and CTA)
291’976
180’108
Total equity, attributable to owners of the parent
411’998
302'008
Total liabilities and equity
668’624
504'472
Net cash generated from operating activities
In 2022, u-blox generated a new record level of cash generated from operating activities of CHF 117.3 million. This represents an increase of 20.1% compared to the previous year (2021: CHF 97.7 million), thanks to the higher topline with improved margins. Investments into inventory to cope with supply constraints prevented an even higher cashflow from operating activities.  

Main investing activities
Investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets amounted to CHF 51.0 million in 2022 as compared to CHF 43.1 million in 2021.

As a percentage of revenues, the investment ratio decreased to 8.2% from 10.4% in 2021.  Capitalization of development costs of CHF 41.9 million increased in absolute numbers as compared to the previous year (2021: CHF 36.4 million) but decreased as percentage of total research and development costs. The capitalization rate was lower because of efforts for product re-designs for coping with component supply constraints. As in 2021 also in 2022 no investments in intellectual property rights were made. Investments in software amounted to CHF 1.2 million (2021: CHF 0.6 million), and investments in property, plant and equipment were CHF 7.8 million compared to CHF 6.2 million in 2021.  

In 2022, 82.2% of total investments went into the development of new products compared to 84.4% in 2021. 3.6% of investments were made into production capacity expansion in 2022 (2021: 0.5%).  

Consolidated cash flow statement

in CHF 1'000
2022
2021
Net Profit
101’772
15’350
Depreciation & Amortization
41’990
40’012
Other non-cash transactions
4’291
3’378
Financial income & financial expense
1’633
4’808
Income tax expense
18’372
5’725
Change in net working capital and provision
-55’665
27’710
Income tax received
4’926
707
Net cash generated from operating activities
117’319
97’960
Net investment into property, plant and equipment
-7’771
-6’177
Net investment into intangibles
-43’163
-36’923
Net investments into financial assets
73
288
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired & participations
-289
1’091
Net cash used in investing activities
-51’150
-41’721
Free Cash Flow (before Acquisition & participations in capital increase)
66’458
54'878
Free Cash Flow
66’168
55'969
Proceeds from exercise of options
6’306
0
Par value reduction / Dividends paid to owners of the parent
-9’047
0
Net proceeds from borrowings
-1’009
-59’986
Payment of lease liabilities
-5’497
-5’018
Non-controlling interests
0
-18
Interest paid
-1’427
-2’787
Net cash used infinancing activities
-10’674
-67'809
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
55’495
-11'840
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
83'245
93'874
Exchange (losses)/gains on cash and cash equivalents
-994
1'211
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
137’746
83’245
Solid financial position
u-blox’s balance sheet remains solid with an equity ratio of 61.6% as recorded on 31 December 2022. Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities amounted to CHF 137.7 million on 31 December 2022, compared to CHF 83.7 million on 31 December 2021.  

Goodwill decreased from CHF 58.2 million in 2021 to CHF 55.6 million or 8.3% of total assets in 2022 due to foreign currency effects.  

In 2022, u-blox resumed dividend payments in form of a par value reduction in the amount of CHF 9.0 million.  
Based on the Company’s strong results in 2022 with a high free cashflow and solid outlook, the Board of Directors will again propose at the Annual General Meeting to pay a dividend in form of a par value reduction in the amount of CHF 2.00 per share for 2023.