Uncertainty in the U.S. market affected Swedish PACS developer Sectra's fiscal first-quarter results.
The vendor had net sales of 169.3 million kronor ($26.5 million U.S.) in its 2012 first quarter, down 2% from the 172.8 million kronor ($27.1 million) in sales reported in the first quarter last year. Sectra had an operating profit of 6.5 million kronor ($1 million), compared with 9 million kronor ($1.41 million) a year ago.
In positive results, Sectra noted that profit after net financial items rose from 12.9 million kronor ($2 million) to 16.2 million kronor ($2.5 million). Profit margin also climbed from 7.5% to 9.6%, and order bookings grew 13.8% from 167.7 million kronor ($26.3 million) to 190.8 million kronor ($30 million).
Sectra pointed to market uncertainty in the U.S., where new project orders are being delayed due to a longer sales process.
The quarterly financial results did not include Sectra's digital mammography operations, which were acquired by Philips Healthcare parent Royal Philips Electronics on August 31. Jan-Olof Brüer, Sectra's president and CEO, said that the sale will create greater opportunities and increased resources for Sectra to expand its operations.
