- Company Announces First Half Cash Dividend of $0.10 Per Share -

Deswell Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:DSWL) today announced its unaudited financial results for the first six months of fiscal 2023, ended September 30, 2023.

Net sales for the six months ended September 30, 2023 were $37.7 million, a decrease of 15.1% compared to net sales of $44.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022. Net sales decreased by 24.6% to $6.3 million in the plastic segment and by 12.9% to $31.4 million in the Company's electronic segment.

Total gross margin increased to 19.5% of net sales during the six months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to 16.0% of net sales in the same period last year. Gross profit margin in the plastic segment increased to 19.6% of net sales for the first half of fiscal 2024, compared to 13.2% of net sales for the corresponding period of last fiscal year. The increase in gross margin in the plastic segment was mainly due to decreases in raw materials cost, and in basic pay rate of labor costs due to lower headcount and the depreciation of renminbi in the first six months of fiscal 2024. Gross profit margin in the electronic segment increased to 19.5% of net sales for the first half of fiscal 2024, compared to 16.7% of net sales for the corresponding period of last fiscal year. The increase in gross margin in the electronic segment was mainly the result of the depreciation of renminbi, and decreases in raw materials and labor costs due to continuous cost control measures in the segment for the first six months of fiscal 2024. Operating income in the first half of fiscal 2024 was $2.3 million, compared to operating income of $2.0 million for the same period of fiscal 2023.

The Company reported net income of $3.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to net loss of $0.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022. This was primarily due to non-operating income of $1.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to a non-operating expense of $2.3 million for the same period of fiscal 2023. Deswell reported basic and diluted income per share of $0.22 for the first half of fiscal 2024 (based on 15,935,000 and 15,973,000 weighted average shares outstanding), as compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.04 for the first half of fiscal 2023 (based on 15,935,000 and 15,935,000 weighted average shares outstanding), for the six months ended September 30, 2022.

The Company's financial position remained strong, with $17.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital totaling $63.8 million as of September 30, 2023. Furthermore, the Company has no long-term or short-term borrowings as of September 30, 2023.

Mr. Edward So, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "With global inflation continuing to rise, consumers are spending less on non-essential items such as home audio equipment and entertainment products as they navigate the challenging economy. Despite the sales pressure we encountered in the first half of fiscal 2024, we're pleased to have achieved enhanced margins and significantly improved profitability, with net income of $3.6 million or $0.22 per share, as compared to a net loss of $0.6 million in the first half of fiscal 2023. Margins were favorably impacted by lower raw materials costs related to an improved supply chain environment and by our ongoing expense control initiatives. Additionally, our margin performance benefitted from the depreciation of renmibi in the first half of 2024.

"We continue to work diligently with our customers to develop new products strategically tailored to appeal to our end markets during this challenging economic landscape. Our balance sheet remains strong with a solid cash position and no debt, providing us the financial flexibility to deliver strong operating performance while implementing our long-term growth strategy to capitalize on market demand for our manufacturing capabilities."

First Half Dividend

The Company also announced that its board of directors today declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share for the first half of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. The dividend will be payable on December 21, 2023 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2023.

About Deswell

Deswell manufactures injection-molded plastic parts and components, electronic products and subassemblies, and metallic molds and accessory parts for original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and contract manufacturers at its factories in the People's Republic of China. The Company produces a wide variety of plastic parts and components used in the manufacture of consumer and industrial products; printed circuit board assemblies using surface mount ("SMT") and finished products such as telephones, telephone answering machines, sophisticated studio-quality audio equipment and computer peripherals.

To learn more about Deswell Industries, Inc., please visit the Company's website at www.deswell.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. For example, our statements regarding our expected growth in sales from the electronic division in the coming year and our efforts to reduce overhead costs in our plastic division are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially because of the following factors, among others, which may cause revenues and income to fall short of anticipated levels or our overhead expenses to increase: our dependence on a few major customers; vigorous competition forcing product price reductions or discounts; the timing and amount of significant orders from our relatively few significant customers; continuing increases in resin prices that cannot be passed on to customers; unexpected production delays; obsolete inventory or product returns; losses resulting from fraudulent activity of our customers or employees; labor shortages that increase labor and costs; changes in the mix of product products we manufacture and sell; adverse currency fluctuations in the renminbi and Hong Kong dollar when translated to US dollars; potential new accounting pronouncements; and the effects of travel restrictions and quarantines associated with major health problems, such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, on general economic activity.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, copies of which may be obtained from the Website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.

All information in this release is made as of the date of this press release. Deswell undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in Deswell's expectations.

DESWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (U.S. dollars in thousands)

		September 30,			March 31,
		2023			2023
ASSETS		(Unaudited)			(Audited)

Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	17,381		$	22,160
	Fixed deposits maturing over three months		6,424			3,053
	Time deposits maturing over twelve months - current portion		279			1,047
	Marketable securities (note 2)		21,394			20,722
	Held-to-maturity Investment		5,092			-
	Accounts receivable, net		16,799			15,704
	Inventories (note 3)		14,774			17,325
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,179			1,149
	Total current assets		83,322			81,160
Property, plant and equipment - net			25,307			26,051
Deferred income tax assets			247			262
Time deposits maturing over twelve months			2,740			2,906
	Total assets	$	111,616		$	110,379

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities
	Accounts payable	$	7,625		$	6,949
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits		7,005			7,943
	Customer deposits		2,054			2,216
	Other accrued liabilities		1,770			1,989
	Income taxes payable		1,103			1,149
	Total current liabilities		19,557			20,246
	Deferred income tax liabilities		447			484
	Total liabilities		20,004			20,730


Shareholders' equity
	Common shares nil par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; 17,081,810 shares issued;
	15,935,239 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023		53,202			53,202
	Treasury stock at cost; 1,146,571 shares as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023		(2,821	)		(2,821	)
	Additional paid-in capital		7,973			7,973
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		5,316			5,316
	Retained earnings		27,942			25,979
	Total shareholders' equity		91,612			89,649
	Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	111,616		$	110,379

DESWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS & COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) (U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)

		Six months ended
		September 30,
		2023		2022

Net sales		$	37,730	$	44,438
Cost of sales			30,368		37,324
Gross profit			7,362		7,114
Selling, general and administrative expenses			5,260		5,751
Other income, net			200		677
Operating income			2,302		2,040
Non-operating income (expense), net			1,424		(2,310	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			3,726		(270	)
Income taxes			169		290
Net income (loss) attributable to Deswell Industries, Inc.		$	3,557	$	(560	)


	Other comprehensive income	$	-	$	-
Comprehensive income (loss)attributable to Deswell Industries, Inc.		$	3,557	$	(560	)


Net income (loss) per share attributable to
	Deswell Industries, Inc. (note 4)
Basic:
	Net income (loss) per share	$	0.22	$	(0.035	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding
	shares (in thousands)		15,935		15,935

Diluted:
	Net income (loss) per share	$	0.22	$	(0.035	)
	Weighted average number of shares
	outstanding (in thousands)		15,973		15,935

DESWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (U.S. dollars in thousands)

		Six months ended			Six months ended
		September 30,			September 30,
		2023			2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net (loss) income	$	3,557		$	(560	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
	provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization		771			858
	Reversal of provision for doubtful accounts		-			(46	)
	Reversal of obsolete allowance of inventories, net		-			(125	)
	Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment		(11	)		(22	)
	Unrealized holding (gain) loss on marketable securities		(68	)		4,354
	Realized gain on disposal of marketable securities		-			(120	)
	Deferred tax credit		(22	)		(105	)
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
	Accounts receivable		(1,095	)		(3,836	)
	Inventories		2,551			3,248
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(30	)		(106	)
	Accounts payable		676			295
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits		(938	)		165
	Customer deposits		(162	)		303
	Other accrued liabilities		(219	)		(390	)
	Income taxes payable		(46	)		60
Net cash provided by operating activities			4,964			3,973

Cash flows from investing activities
	Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(141	)		(318	)
	Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment		126			52
	Purchase of marketable securities		(604	)		(1,123	)
	Proceeds from disposal of marketable securities		-			1,927
	(Increase in) release of fixed deposits maturing over three months		(3,372	)		388
	Release of fixed deposits maturing over twelve months - current		768			-
	Release of (increase in) fixed deposits maturing over twelve months		166			(1,193	)
	Held-to-maturity Investment		(5,092	)		-
Net cash used in investing activities			(8,149	)		(267	)

Cash flows from financing activities
	Dividends paid		(1,594	)		(1,594	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(1,594	)		(1,594	)
Cash effect of exchange rate changes
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(4,779	)		2,112
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period			22,160			13,465
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period			17,381			15,577

Supplementary disclosures of cashflow information:
	Cash paid during the period for:
	Interest		-			-
	Income taxes		267			231

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