
TRADING UPDATE 1Q21 Regulated information - Inside information Strong orderbook offers encouraging signs of recovery
Kortrijk, Belgium, 21 April 2021, 7:30 am Today Barco (Euronext: BAR; Reuters: BARBt.BR; Bloomberg: BAR BB) announced results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2021.
Financial highlights 1Q211
Orders of 228.9 million, an increase by 21% versus 4Q20 and 10% vs 1Q20
Orderbook at 351.5 million, up 25% (or 70 million) vs 4Q20 and up 3% (or 10 million) vs 1Q20
Sales of 171.7 million, a decline of 12% versus 4Q20 and 27% vs 1Q20
Executive summary 1Q21
Group topline
Compared to 4Q20, orders grew 21% to 228.9 million euro, driven by strong order intake in Healthcare and Entertainment, indicating recovering economic activity, and continuing a trend of quarter-to-quarter improvement from the 2Q20 low.
Orderbook grew solidly with 70 million euro to 351.5 million euro compared to year-end 2020. Sales were down 12% versus 4Q20 reflecting the continued impact from covid-lockdowns on orders to sales conversions in most of the regions.
Compared to the same period last year, before lockdowns took effect in all regions, orders were down 10% and sales declined 27%. Orderbook however grew 10 million euro versus 1Q last year.
Entertainment
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
4Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 4Q20
3Q20
2Q20
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Sales
55.7
77.3
-28%
58.0
56.5
99.7
-44%
While the Entertainment division saw a meaningful uptake in orders in the first quarter, sales for the division were down versus 4Q20.
New build cinema opportunities globally continued to expand resulting in solid order intake growth versus 4Q20.
In China pent-up demand for cinema entertainment drove box-office revenues over the past six months and translated into project orders and sales pick-up in the first quarter. Assuming box office revenues in Western countries start to recover this summer, we expect to see evidence of growth toward the end of the year.
The recently signed long-term frame agreement2 with IMAX offers a strong proof of confidence in industry fundamentals and in the shift to laser projection.
Venues and Hospitalities posted good order intake versus 4Q20 with sizeable uptakes across different regions mainly driven by demand for immersive digital art experiences by museums and fixed AV installations. Sales however were below 4Q20 as a result of seasonality effects.
Enterprise
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
4Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 4Q20
3Q20
2Q20
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Sales
52.5
53.9
-2%
50.0
45.6
67.2
-22%
Enterprise delivered 1Q21 topline results in line with 4Q20.
ClickShare started the year with increases in both orders and sales compared to 4Q20 driven by uptakes in the EMEA region despite lockdowns during the quarter. As lock-down measures ease and offices plan to reopen in hybrid mode, ClickShare demand is expected to continue to improve, while varying by country and region.
ClickShare Conference now constitutes 40% of the ClickShare sales, and Barco continues to sign-up new channel and alliance partners and key corporate customers, testifying to its product-market fit.
Control rooms started the year with better sales compared to the three first quarters of 2020 and an orderbook at pre-covid levels. Sales for 1Q21 were softer than 4Q20 reflecting some seasonality effects and covid-induced deployment shifts.
Healthcare
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
4Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 4Q20
3Q20
2Q20
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Sales
63.5
64.3
-1%
59.3
69.4
68.8
-8%
The Q1 dynamics reflect resilience in end market demand, a gradual resumption of healthcare investments, and intensified demand for digital operating room solutions.
Order intake was strong compared to 4Q20 across all regions, including major contracts with reference customers in both the Surgical and the Diagnostics segments.
Sales were in line with 4Q20, with deployments in Europe and the Americas region still somewhat impacted by the prolonged effects of the pandemic.
Quote of the CEO, Jan De Witte
I'm pleased with the strong first quarter order intake and the solid orderbook as they reflect ongoing recovery, longer term growth potential in our end markets as well as our competitive strength. While over the next few quarters, our order to sales conversion will not be immune to lock-down effects and supply chain disruptions, we are set to manage through these hurdles, and to advance on our strategic objectives.
As a result, we expect to see steady improvements as recoveries in our markets further materialize, said Jan De Witte, CEO.
Outlook
The following statements are forward looking, and actual results may differ materially.
While full year visibility remains limited, based on 1Q21 results, and assuming further unlocking of economies, management is confirming its 1H outlook, with topline expected to move toward the first half of 2020 and EBITDA margin expected to be in the mid-plus single digit range.
Order intake & order book
Order intake year-over-year
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Order Intake
228.9
253.7
-10%
Excluding currency effect
-6%
Order intake quarter-over-quarter
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
4Q20
3Q20
2Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 4Q20
Order Intake
228.9
189.7
157.6
145.0
+21%
Order book
(in millions of euro)
31 Mar 2021
31 Dec
2020
30 Sep
2020
30 Jun
2020
31 Mar
2020
31 Dec
2019
Order book
351.5
281.5
299.1
317.2
341.8
322.3
Sales
Sales year-over-year
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
1Q20
Change 1Q21vs
1Q20
Sales
171.7
235.7
-27%
Excluding currency effect
-24%
Sales by division year-over-year
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Entertainment
55.7
99.7
-44%
Enterprise
52.5
67.2
-22%
Healthcare
63.5
68.8
-8%
Group
171.7
235.7
-27%
Sales by division qu
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
28/10/2026
RT is developing its next Statement of Strategy and wants to hear the views of people across Ireland the audience we serve. RT New Direction remains RT '...
27/10/2026
Popular compressor plug-in upgraded
Soundevice Digital have just released a new plug-in that builds on the success of their much-loved Royal Compressor. Ava...
27/10/2026
First closed-back headphone design unveiled
ADAM Audio's second pair of headphones have just been announced, introducing a flagship open-back design tha...
27/10/2026
Popular soft synth overhauled
Native Instruments have just announced the launch of Massive XL, the latest version of their hugely popular flagship soft synt...
27/10/2026
Rohde & Schwarz at electronica 2026: From everyday bench work to extraordinary t...
27/10/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, is prolongin an existing debt financing...
27/10/2026
Tuesday 27 October 2026
Sky announces new stand-up comedy showcase series John ...
27/10/2026
Toru , Poland
2026 FilmLight Colour Awards Winners Ceremony Sunday 8 November, 4pm
Seminar Room
Join us along with special guests to celebrate the 2026 FilmL...
27/10/2026
When the picture tells you what to doFor Lastiwka, the difference between writing a soundtrack and writing a standalone piece of music is what informs the next ...
27/10/2026
Arvato Systems Joins the Bundesverband Direktvertrieb Deutschland E. v. (BDD) as...
27/10/2026
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today introduced transformative updates to Apple Cre...
27/10/2026
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced the new iMac featuring the superfast M6, delivering even more performance and powerful AI capabilities in its striki...
27/10/2026
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6,...
26/10/2026
Combining four plug-ins aimed at vocal and dialogue work
NoiseWorks Audio have announced the Complete Bundle, a collection which brings together VoiceAssist...
26/10/2026
Boasts improved A-D & D-A specs
RME's flagship converter and headphone amp has just been treated to an upgrade that introduces redesigned converter circ...
26/10/2026
The company has partnered with the telecom provider lcom to launch Play , its n...
26/10/2026
YouView joins ChangeTheFace to help advance inclusion in technologyOct 26, 2026
Building a more inclusive technology industry takes shared action. That's w...
26/10/2026
YouView celebrates double CSI Awards win with EE TVOct 26, 2026
We're delighted to celebrate EE TV's success at the 2026 CSI Awards, picking up two pre...
26/10/2026
The multi-award-winning comedy from acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom retu...
26/10/2026
As the EU-Mercosur agreement moves closer to implementation, creating one of the world's largest trading areas, much of the focus has been on tariffs. But a...
26/10/2026
Toru , Poland
2026 FilmLight Colour Awards Winners Ceremony Sunday 8 November, 4pm
Seminar Room
Join us along with special guests to celebrate the 2026 FilmL...
26/10/2026
Comscore to Announce Third Quarter 2026 Financial ResultsRESTON, VA, Oct 26, 2026 Comscore, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR), a trusted partner for planning, transacting a...
26/10/2026
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today unveiled the all-new iPad mini, featuring a st...
25/10/2026
New 76-key model joins the CK61 and CK88
Yamaha have added a third model to their CK range of portable stage keyboards with the CK76. This brings a 76-key o...
24/10/2026
Creative morphing multi-effects with X-Y control
Sample Logic have launched Quadra, a multi-effects plug-in built around an X-Y pad that blends between four...
23/10/2026
Creative and versatile echo effect
fedDSP have released ECO, a delay plug-in designed to cover everything from straightforward repeats to more experimental ...
23/10/2026
A FREE hypersaw synth in time for Halloween
UJAM have announced Detunicorn, a free collectable synthesizer plug-in designed to produce the thick, detuned hy...
23/10/2026
(4:10 PM) Wiesbaden, October 23, 2026. As part of the restructuring of the forme...
23/10/2026
Supercast Launches Email Newsletter Feature, Allowing Top Creators to Reach Fans...
23/10/2026
Can Danny and Dani's grand plans save Christmas, or are they heading for a festive fiasco?Friday 23 October 2026
The Dyers' Caravan Park: A Merry Elfin...
23/10/2026
Friday 23 October 2026
Matchday Ready: Ella Toone & Keely Hodgkinson Star in New WSL Series
Sky Sports has launched Minus 1, a new social series that pairs th...
23/10/2026
On Friday, October 23, the highly anticipated iPhone Duo made its debut at Apple...
22/10/2026
The JUPITER-08 polysynth and n/vision wavetable
Roland have announced two new additions to the Roland Boutique range: the JUPITER-08, marking 45 years since...
22/10/2026
New creative tools and colour display
Akai Professional have announced the MPK Mini Plus II, a new version of their compact 37-key MIDI controller with an u...
22/10/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, temporarily took its corporate website offline as a precautionary measure in response to a newly discovered critical se...
22/10/2026
Focusrite and Klevgrand launch Altitude Harmony
Today, Focusrite and Klevgrand announce Altitude Harmony the first plugin in our partnership. Altitude Har...
22/10/2026
Starting this Friday, iPhone Duo users can discover amazing apps and games optim...
22/10/2026
Former State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy brings a scientific perspective to Ireland's last witch trial in a new one-hour documentary airing Thursday 29 Oct...
21/10/2026
Three investigative journalists have been chosen as the finalists for the 2026 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award. The successful candidates from Nigeria...
21/10/2026
M-Tron Select & Axxess free until 1 December 2026
Soft synth gurus GForce Software have just announced that they are relaunching with updated branding, a fr...
21/10/2026
A simplified approach to multiband compression
DDMF's latest plug-in has been designed to simplify the process of applying multiband compression, and in...
21/10/2026
Full-size keys, more controls and XYZ touch matrix.
Arturia have announced the release of the MiniFreak 49, a larger version of their six-voice hybrid synth...
21/10/2026
Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over returns for a seventh series in 2027, with Stacey Dooley MBE getting exclusive access to the homes and lives of Kerry Katona, Lauryn G...
21/10/2026
Expansion builds on broadcasters successful FAST launch and grows portfolio to 12 channels
New channels dedicated to iconic brands including Top Gear, EastEnde...
21/10/2026
Comscore Launches New Monthly Report Highlighting Ad Exposure Figures Across Tel...
21/10/2026
Since 2012, Saorsat has provided coverage in areas where Saorview reception may be challenged. Services from RT , TG4 and Oireachtas TV are currently available ...
20/10/2026
Inspired by late-90s & early-2000s R&B, hip-hop & club music
UJAM have just introduced two new virtual instruments that bring together a versatile selection...
20/10/2026
Synth gains free editor & librarian application
Back at Superbooth 2026, Groove Synthesis gave us a sneak preview of a desktop software application that off...
20/10/2026
With more than 30 years in the Italian broadcast market, Video Progetti will offer the complete Calrec range, giving broadcasters the freedom to choose and scal...