Hitachi Announces Consolidated Financial Results for Fiscal 2009

10 May 2010

Tokyo, May 11, 2010 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT / TSE:6501) today announced its consolidated financial results for fiscal 2009, ended March 31, 2010.

Note: All figures, except for the outlook for fiscal 2010, were converted at the rate of 93 yen to the U.S. dollar, the approximate exchange rate on the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market as of March 31, 2010.

1. Qualitative Information Concerning Consolidated Business Results

1-1. Summary of Fiscal 2009 Consolidated Business Results

(1) Business Results

The global economy in fiscal 2009, the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, experienced an economic recovery during the second half of the fiscal year following the worst period of the economic recession in the first half. In particular, the Chinese economy achieved a high rate of economic growth, as highlighted by 8.7% year-over-year GDP growth in the 2009 calendar year, largely in part due to significant governmental economic counter measures and other contributing factors. The other Asian economies also experienced modest recovery due to exports to China and government economic stimulus measures.

The U.S. and European economies, although struggling to put the first half of the fiscal year behind them, were improved by bold quantitative easing and government spending programs, enabling them to also see a moderate recovery in the latter half of 2009. Additionally, rebounding exports to emerging nations also aided in this recovery. However, with the continued fragile state of the financial environment, new problems have surfaced such as risks surrounding public finances in some southern European countries.

In Japan, the economy began to experience a gentle recovery during the latter half of 2009 on the back of exports to China and other emerging nations, progress with inventory adjustments of electronic components and devices and semiconductor- and automotive-related products, and the benefits of government programs such as the eco-points program and tax breaks on eco-friendly cars. Still, Japan has yet to achieve a self-sustaining recovery, with capital investment slow to pick up and employment and personal income conditions remaining difficult.

Hitachi’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2009 declined 10% year over year, to 8,968.5 billion yen, despite strong growth from the Power Systems segment. The decline in revenues were led by the Information & Telecommunication Systems, High Functional Materials & Components, and Components and Devices segments, all due to the economic recession.

Overseas revenues decreased 12% year over year, to 3,654.7 billion yen due to a worldwide downturn in demand.

Hitachi posted consolidated operating income of 202.1 billion yen, up 59% year over year. Although earnings were lower in the Information & Telecommunication Systems and Construction Machinery segments, largely due to constraints on capital expenditures, earnings were significantly improved in the Automotive Systems and Digital Media & Consumer Products segments, reflecting the benefits of business structure reforms and other factors. The better operating income result also reflected cuts to fixed costs and procurement costs.

Net other deductions were 138.5 billion yen, an improvement of 278.4 billion yen from the previous fiscal year. This reflects improved net equity in losses due to better performances by semiconductor-related affiliates and other entities, improved exchange gains due to the weaker yen, and decreased expenses related to the completion of business restructuring compared with the previous fiscal year, including impairment losses on fixed assets.

As a result, Hitachi recorded income before income taxes of 63.5 billion yen, 353.4 billion yen better year over year.

Income taxes decreased 357.2 billion yen year over year to 147.9 billion yen due to a decline in write-off of deferred tax assets subject to consolidated taxation.

Consequently, Hitachi posted a net loss of 84.3 billion yen, a year-over-year improvement of 710.7 billion yen. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was 22.5 billion yen and net loss attributable to Hitachi, Ltd. was 106.9 billion yen, representing a 680.3 billion yen improvement over fiscal 2008.

Hitachi resumed posting quarterly net income attributable to Hitachi, Ltd. from the third quarter (October-December 2009) of fiscal 2009.

(2) Revenues and Operating Income (Loss) by Business Segment

Effective from fiscal 2009, Hitachi has adopted FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 280, “Segment Reporting,” and therefore changed its business segmentation. In accordance with this, Hitachi has shown figures for the previous fiscal year under the new segment classifications. Previously, Hitachi prepared segment information based on Japanese accounting standards.

Results by business segment were as follows.

[Information & Telecommunication Systems]

The segment recorded revenues of 1,705.5 billion yen, a decrease of 12% year over year. Software and services posted lower revenues year over year due to the impact of constrained IT investment, which was a byproduct of the sluggish Japanese economy. Hardware revenues also fell year over year, reflecting a decline in storage revenues due to the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and lackluster demand. Furthermore, unit shipments of ATMs fell in Japan.

Segment operating income dropped 43.8 billion yen, to 94.5 billion yen. Software and services overall recorded lower operating income, reflecting lower services earnings due to decreased revenues, although software earnings were steady. Hardware also posted lower operating income in line with lower revenues.

[Power Systems]

Segment revenues were 882.1billion yen, up 2% year over year. One reason was strong sales of coal-fired thermal power generation systems overseas, notably in Europe and South Africa. In addition, sales of nuclear power generation systems were robust due to the construction of new plants and preventative maintenance in Japan. Moreover, higher sales of renewable energy-related systems, such as wind power generation systems, also contributed to the segment revenue growth.

Segment operating income improved 18.5 billion yen to 22.0 billion yen, the result of higher revenues, and better project management.

[Social Infrastructure & Industrial Systems]

The segment recorded revenues of 1,250.2 billion yen, down 6% year over year, reflecting lower sales of elevators and escalators, and industrial equipment for the manufacturing industry, as a consequence of the economic recession.

Segment operating income was 42.0 billion yen, an improvement of 7.6 billion yen year over year. Although earnings were impacted by lower revenues, the segment had fewer unprofitable projects due to better project management and also steps were taken to reduce costs.

[Electronic Systems & Equipment]

Segment revenues were 998.6 billion yen, up 2% year over year, despite a sharp drop in sales of semiconductor- and LCD-related manufacturing equipment due to constrained capital expenditures in the electronics field. The increase related mainly to the consolidation of Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. and Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd. in March 2009.

The segment reported an operating loss of 5.2 billion yen, which was 30.9 billion yen more than in fiscal 2008, as it fell into the red in the first half of fiscal 2009 due to much lower revenues. However, the segment returned to profitability from the third quarter (October-December 2009) due to reductions to fixed costs and materials procurement costs, as well as a partial recovery in capital investment, centered on semiconductors.

[Construction Machinery]

The segment reported a 19% decline in revenues year over year, to 583.6 billion yen due to soft global demand for construction equipment. However, a right spot was sharply higher sales of hydraulic excavators due to infrastructure building in China, which was part of the government’s stimulus package.

Segment operating income fell 33.6 billion yen year over year, to 17.6 billion yen due to the impact of lower revenues, despite the segment implementing cost-reduction measures.

[High Functional Materials & Components]

Segment revenues declined 20% year over year, to 1,249.3 billion yen. Although there were signs of a recovery from the latter half of fiscal 2009 in automotive components and LCD- and semiconductor-related products, revenues declined due to lower sales at Hitachi Metals, Ltd., Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. and Hitachi Cable, Ltd. attributable to declining global demand.

Operating income improved 19.1 billion yen, to 44.4 billion yen, even though revenues declined. This improved performance reflected reductions in fixed costs and materials procurement expenses and improved earnings from products for LCD- and semiconductor-related applications.

[Automotive Systems]

Segment revenues decreased 6% year over year, to 638.8 billion yen, reflecting the negative impact of sluggish demand worldwide through the first half of fiscal 2009. However, the second half of fiscal 2009 saw an improvement in revenues due to recovering demand in North America and market expansion in China. Economic stimulus programs by governments around the world also drove the rebound.

The segment recorded an operating loss of 5.4 billion yen, but this was a 55.0 billion yen improvement year over year. Although revenues declined, the segment realigned and integrated bases, adjusted its workforce and made progress with other business structure reforms as part of product portfolio realignment, helping the segment to become profitable from the third quarter (October-December 2009) of fiscal 2009.

[Components & Devices]

Segment revenues declined 23% year over year, to 754.8 billion yen, the result of lower sales of HDDs due to sluggish demand caused by constrained IT investment, and lower sales of displays for mobile phones and game consoles.

Operating income declined 4.6 billion yen, to 1.1 billion yen due to lower earnings in HDDs in line with decreased sales, despite the segment cost reduction measures within the segment.
 

Note: The HDD operations are conducted by Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST), which has a December 31 fiscal year-end, different from Hitachi’s March 31 year-end. Hitachi’s results for the year ended March 31, 2010 include the operating results of Hitachi GST for the period from January through December 2009.

[Digital Media & Consumer Products]

The segment recorded a 16% decrease in revenues, to 929.2 billion yen. In addition to lower sales of flat-panel TVs due to a large reduction of overseas sales channels, the decline was attributable to lower sales of air conditioners due to constrained capital investment and a cool summer in 2009 in Japan.

The segment reported an operating loss of 7.2 billion yen, but this was a 103.3 billion yen improvement year over year. The segment was profitable as a whole from the second quarter (July-September 2009) due to higher earnings from optical disc drives, in addition to improvement resulting from business structure reforms in flat-panel TVs. The latter included switching to procuring panels from outside the Hitachi Group, reducing overseas sales channels and adjustments to the workforce.
 

Note: The Optical disk drive operations are conducted by Hitachi-LG Data Storage, Inc (HLDS), which has a December 31 fiscal year-end, different from Hitachi’s March 31 year-end. Hitachi’s results for the year ended March 31, 2010 include the operating results of HLDS for the period from January through December 2009.

[Financial Services]

The segment reported a 5% year-over-year increase in revenues, to 419.6 billion yen, largely due to recording large cancellation penalty payment receipts, in addition to strong revenues from agricultural equipment leases and housing loans for consumers at Hitachi Capital Corporation.

Operating income improved 1.8 billion yen year over year, to 8.5 billion yen, as operating costs and financing costs declined and the segment implemented other cost-reduction measures.

[Others]

The segment recorded a 8% fall in revenues year over year, to 763.6 billion yen due to lower revenues at Hitachi Transport System, Ltd. due to soft demand, as well as lower revenues in other services businesses.

Segment operating income dropped 5.0 billion yen year over year, to 19.4 billion yen, due to the lower revenues and other factors.

(3) Revenues by Market

Revenues in Japan were 5,313.7 billion yen, down 9% year over year.

Outside Japan revenues declined 12%, to 3,654.7 billion yen due to falling global demand and other factors. As a result, the ratio of overseas revenues to consolidated revenues was 41%, the same as fiscal 2008.

(4) Capital Investment, Depreciation and R&D Expenditures

Capital investment on a completion basis, excluding leasing assets, decreased 42% year over year, to 247.4 billion yen. Hitachi continued to strictly select investments as a whole, but did increase investments in the Power Systems segment.

Depreciation, excluding leasing assets, decreased 9%, to 356.4 billion yen, mainly due to the strict selection of capital investments and realignment and integration of manufacturing bases.

R&D expenditures declined 11%, to 372.4 billion yen, which corresponded to 4.2% of consolidated revenues. This decline was the result of moving forward with business structure reforms, although Hitachi did increase development focused on the Power Systems segment.

(5) Outlook for Fiscal 2010

In terms of the overall business environment going forward, the Chinese economy is expected to maintain a high growth rate due to robust internal demand and the beneficial effects of government policy, although it faces such problems as dealing with rising real estate and other prices, and revaluation of the yuan. Southeast Asian countries, India, Brazil and certain other nations are also expected to maintain a steady recovery path in general. Emerging economies will thus more clearly become the key drivers of the world economy. Industrialized nations should also see their moderate recoveries continue, with growth rates of approximately 2% to 3% compared with the previous year. However, there are concerns that the pace of economic recovery will slow as the effects of economic stimulus measures wear off and monetary policy is normalized. There are also other causes of instability, including the possibility that sovereign debt　problems will spread in southern Europe and the yen’s appreciation.

The Japanese economy is expected to continue recovering, too. However, the ability of the economy to sustain a recovery under its own steam will be called into question even more as economic counter measures run their course.

Due to these economic conditions, at present Hitachi is forecasting the results shown above for fiscal 2010, the year ending March 31, 2011.
 

Making full use of the business base the Hitachi Group has built over the years, Hitachi will concentrate even more on the Social Innovation Businesses from three perspectives to create a more stable profit base: transforming into a truly global company, fusing information and telecommunication systems and power and industrial systems, and expanding environmental businesses.

Projections for fiscal 2010 assume an exchange rate of 85 yen to the U.S. dollar and 120 yen to the euro.

1-2. Financial Position

(1) Financial Position  

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Total assets as of March 31, 2010 decreased 451.9 billion yen from March 31, 2009, to 8,951.7 billion yen. This was the result of reducing operating assets, centered mainly on inventories, and implementing business structure reforms to improve cash flows. Interest-bearing liabilities declined 452.9 billion yen, to 2,367.1 billion yen, as Hitachi returned working capital to normal operating levels. Stockholders’ equity increased 234.7 billion yen, to 1,284.6 billion yen, due to capital raising and an improvement in pension liability adjustments. As a result, the total Hitachi, Ltd. stockholders’ equity ratio improved 3.2 points from March 31, 2009, to 14.4%. The debt-to-equity ratio, including noncontrolling interests, improved 0.25 points, to 1.04.

(2) Cash Flows

Operating activities provided net cash of 798.2 billion yen, a 239.3 billion yen increase from the previous fiscal year. In addition to a major improvement in net loss, this was due to the reduction of inventories and other factors.

Investing activities used net cash of 530.5 billion yen, 19.4 billion yen less year over year. The decrease was mainly due to the stricter selection of investments in property, plant and equipment.

Free cash flows, the sum of cash flows from operating and investing activities, was 267.7 billion yen.

Financing activities used net cash of 502.3 billion yen, a 786.7 billion yen change from the net cash provided in fiscal 2008. Although Hitachi procured funds through a capital raising, this decrease reflected tender offers for five publicly listed companies and the repayment of short-term debt due to the normalization of working capital.

The net result of the above items was a decrease of 230.3 billion yen in cash and cash equivalents, to 577.5 billion yen.

(3) Trends in Cash Flow Indexes

1. Hitachi, Ltd. stockholder’s equity ratio: Total Hitachi, Ltd. shareholders’ equity / Total assets
2. Equity ratio based on market value: Market capitalization / Total assets
3. Cash flow to interest-bearing debt ratio: Interest-bearing debt / Cash flows from operating activities
4. Interest coverage ratio: Cash flows from operating activities / Interest charges

Note: Market capitalization is computed based on the number of issued shares, excluding treasury stock.

1-3.Basic Policy on the Distribution of Earnings and Fiscal 2009 and 2010 Dividends

Hitachi views enhancement of the long-term and overall interests of shareholders as an important management objective. The industrial sector encompassing energy, information systems, social infrastructure and other primary businesses of Hitachi is undergoing rapid technological innovation and changes in market structure. This makes vigorous upfront investment in R&D and plant and equipment essential for securing and maintaining market competitiveness and improving profitability. Dividends are therefore decided based on medium-to-long term business plans with an eye on ensuring the availability of internal funds for reinvestment and the stable growth of dividends, with appropriate consideration of a range of factors, including Hitachi’s financial condition, results of operations and dividend payout ratio.

Hitachi believes that the repurchase of its shares should be undertaken, when necessary, as part of its policy on distribution to shareholders to complement the dividend payout. In addition, Hitachi will repurchase its own shares on an ongoing basis in order to implement a flexible capital strategy, including business restructuring, to maximize shareholder value so far as consistent with the dividend policy. Such action will be taken by Hitachi after considering its future capital requirement under its business plans, market conditions and other relevant factors.

Based on the above policies, regrettably, Hitachi determined to forgo the payment of the dividend for fiscal 2009. For fiscal 2010, Hitachi plans to pay the interim dividend of 5 yen per share, which consists of ordinary dividend of 3 yen per share and commemorative dividend of 2 yen per share for Hitachi's centennial anniversary. Year-end dividend has not been determined.

1-4. Business Risk and Other Risks

The Hitachi Group is engaged in a broad range of business activities on a global scale. Furthermore, the group utilizes highly sophisticated and specialized technologies and information to conduct these businesses. As a result, business activities are vulnerable to a diverse array of risk factors.

Major risk factors include, but are not limited to, economic trends in major markets; changes in foreign exchange rates; the fundraising environment; falls in prices of shareholdings; losses related to investments in affiliated companies; intensifying competition; rapid technological innovations; changes in estimates and costs related to long-term contracts, the procurement of raw materials and components; supply and demand balance; the ability to develop an effective strategy for strengthening the Social Innovation Business; progress in business restructuring; overseas business activities; the ability to implement mergers and acquisitions and to form strategic alliances; protection, maintenance and acquisition of intellectual property; litigation and other legal proceedings; product and service quality and liability; natural disasters and similar events; reliance on information systems; the management of confidential information; retirement benefit liabilities; and recruiting activities.

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements found in this document may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such “forward-looking statements” reflect management’s current views with respect to certain future events and financial performance and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and similar expressions which indicate future events and trends may identify “forward-looking statements.” Such statements are based on currently available information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the “forward-looking statements” and from historical trends. Certain “forward-looking statements” are based upon current assumptions of future events which may not prove to be accurate. Undue reliance should not be placed on “forward-looking statements,” as such statements speak only as of the date of this document.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any “forward-looking statement” and from historical trends include, but are not limited to:

• economic conditions, including consumer spending and plant and equipment investments in Hitachi’s major markets, particularly Japan, Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as levels of demand in the major industrial sectors which Hitachi serves, including, without limitation, the information, electronics, automotive, construction and financial sectors;
• exchange rate fluctuations for the yen and other currencies in which Hitachi makes significant sales or in which Hitachi’s assets and liabilities are denominated, particularly against the U.S. dollar and the euro;
• uncertainty as to Hitachi’s ability to access, or access on favorable terms, liquidity or long-term financing;
• uncertainty as to general market price levels for equity securities in Japan, declines in which may require Hitachi to write down equity securities that it holds;
• the potential for significant losses on Hitachi’s investments in equity method affiliates;
• increased commoditization of information technology products and digital media-related products and intensifying price competition for such products, particularly in the Components & Devices and the Digital Media & Consumer Products segments;
• uncertainty as to Hitachi’s ability to continue to develop and market products that incorporate new technology on a timely and cost-effective basis and to achieve market acceptance for such products;
• rapid technological innovation;
• the possibility of cost fluctuations during the lifetime of or cancellation of long-term contracts, for which Hitachi uses the percentage-of-completion method to recognize revenue from sales;
• fluctuations in the price of raw materials including, without limitation, petroleum and other materials, such as copper, steel, aluminum and synthetic resins;
• uncertainty as to Hitachi’s ability to implement measures to reduce the potential negative impact of fluctuations in product demand, exchange rates and/or price of raw materials;
• uncertainty as to Hitachi’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of its strategy to strengthen its Social Innovation Business;
• uncertainty as to the success of restructuring efforts to improve management efficiency by divesting or otherwise exiting underperforming businesses and to strengthen competitiveness and other cost reduction measures;
• general socio-economic and political conditions and the regulatory and trade environment of Hitachi’s major markets, particularly Japan, Asia, the United States and Europe, including, without limitation, direct or indirect restrictions by other nations on imports, or differences in commercial and business customs including, without limitation, contract terms and conditions and labor relations;
• uncertainty as to the success of alliances upon which Hitachi depends, some of which Hitachi may not control, with other corporations in the design and development of certain key products;
• uncertainty as to Hitachi’s access to, or ability to protect, certain intellectual property rights, particularly those related to electronics and data processing technologies;
• uncertainty as to the outcome of litigation, regulatory investigations and other legal proceedings of which the Company, its subsidiaries or its equity method affiliates have become or may become parties;
• the possibility of incurring expenses resulting from any defects in products or services of Hitachi;
• the possibility of disruption of Hitachi’s operations in Japan by earthquakes or other natural disasters;
• uncertainty as to Hitachi’s ability to maintain the integrity of its information systems, as well as Hitachi’s ability to protect its confidential information and that of its customers;
• uncertainty as to the accuracy of key assumptions Hitachi uses to valuate its significant employee benefit related costs; and
• uncertainty as to Hitachi’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel.

The factors listed above are not all-inclusive and are in addition to other factors contained in Hitachi’s periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and in other materials published by Hitachi.

2. Management Policy

(1) Basic Management Policy

Amid intensifying competition in world markets, the Hitachi Group has been expanding its business through development of Hitachi and its related companies (subsidiaries and affiliated companies). Hitachi aims to improve its development by delivering competitive products and services imbuing higher value for customers. By taking full advantage of the diverse resources of the Hitachi Group while at the same time reviewing and restructuring businesses, Hitachi will bolster its competitiveness. This process will be consistent with Hitachi’s basic management policy, which is to increase shareholder value by meeting the expectations of customers, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders.

(2) Medium- and -Long-term Management Strategy

Hitachi will focus more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, environmental, industrial and transportation systems, and social and urban systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them, in order to build a more stable earnings base. The Company will concentrate on three key areas— transforming into a truly global company; fusing information and telecommunication systems and power and industrial systems; and expanding environmental businesses—capitalizing fully on the Hitachi Group’s business base built up over the years.

(3) Issues Facing Hitachi Group

The Hitachi Group aims to achieve strong growth by implementing the following measures to improve its earnings and drive growth going forward. Hitachi sees increasing demand for addressing global environmental problems, particularly in industrialized nations, and the building of social infrastructure in emerging nations as perfect business opportunities in this context.

• Hitachi will channel business resources to the Social Innovation Business. It intends to leverage the collective strengths of the Hitachi Group to bring about social innovation through the fusion of information and telecommunication systems and social infrastructure businesses.
• Hitachi will draw upon the Hitachi Group’s outstanding environmental technologies to provide products and services with a lower environmental impact and thereby help protect the natural environment.
• Hitachi plans to develop the Social Innovation Business globally. In order to address customer needs, Hitachi will team up with local partners and develop more locally based operations. Furthermore, Hitachi will recruit and develop diverse human resources from various regions.
• The year 2010 marks the centenary of Hitachi’s foundation. In order to engineer the revival of a strong Hitachi for the next 100 years, the Company will implement the following measures.
• Adhering to its corporate credo of contributing to society through technology, Hitachi will engage in advanced R&D activities and fully utilize intellectual property.
• Hitachi will continuously seek to optimize its business portfolio, restructuring businesses as necessary, including withdrawal and divestment, based on business profitability and on synergies with the Social Innovation Business.
• Hitachi will work to improve its operations by continuously implementing cost-reduction programs to decrease fixed, procurement and other costs. Additionally, Hitachi will work to improve cash flows by reducing inventories, quickly collecting accounts receivables and taking other actions.
• Hitachi will rigorously strengthen MONOZUKURI (manufacturing) capabilities to achieve high quality so that it can provide safe and reliable products to customers.

Recognizing the importance of living up to the trust placed within society, Hitachi will ensure that it remains steadfast and compliant, so as not to infringe upon any laws or regulations in order to raise the value of the Hitachi brand.

Contacts

Japan
Masanao Sato
Hitachi, Ltd.
+81-3-5208-9324
masanao.sato.sz@hitachi.com

U.S.
Mickey Takeuchi
Hitachi America, Ltd.
+1-914-333-2987
masayuki.takeuchi@hal.hitachi.com