(AOF) – In the first half, HF Company recorded a net loss, group share, of 523,000 euros compared to a profit of 519,000 euros a year earlier. Operating income also deteriorated, going from -485,000 euros to -854,000 euros in one year. The gross operating surplus (EBE) for the period is negative at -505,000, compared to -57,000 euros in the first half of 2022, but the EBITDA of the Broadband division remains positive at 255,000 euros. The group highlighted the difficult economic context.
The turnover of the integrator of technological solutions and services in the digital and network universe fell by 8.3% to 2.891 million euros.
As of June 30, 2023, the balance sheet of the HF Company Group shows net cash of 21.6 million euros, or 72% of the balance sheet total. Equity amounts to 26.4 million euros.
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Downgraded outlook for smartphones
Faced with a decline in consumer purchasing power, participants in the global smartphone market had to face sales falling by 14% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
According to IDC, global sales will be lower than expected in the second half, showing a decline of 3.2% compared to 2022. A drop of 1.1% was previously estimated. The Gartner firm predicted from the start a decline of 4% in the market. Chinese brands are particularly impacted. Very exposed to their domestic market, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have already lost market share in 2022 and the situation is expected to continue this year.
Apple and Samsung are doing better because, even if sales volumes drop, these players can play on prices and maintain their business more thanks to high-end positioning.
The market situation is expected to improve in 2024: growth is expected to become weak but continuous.