PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESIO), an innovator of laser-based manufacturing solutions for the microtechnology industry, today announced results for its fiscal 2017 first quarter ended July 2, 2016. Financial measures are provided on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the impact of purchase accounting, equity compensation, restructuring, inventory impairments, and other items.

First quarter revenue was $47.7 million, compared to $51.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $43.1 million in the first quarter of last fiscal year. GAAP net loss was $0.1 million or $0.00 per share. On a non-GAAP basis net income was $3.0 million or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to $3.4 million or $0.11 per diluted share in the prior quarter.

“Revenues grew 11% year over year,” stated Ed Grady, president and CEO of ESI. “In addition, solid gross margins and diligent expense management led to a quarter of near-breakeven GAAP profitability, adjusted EPS at the high end of expectations, and strong cash generation. Further, we made significant strides in the placement and qualification of our new products with multiple customers, which should generate incremental revenue in the coming quarters.”

Bookings in the first quarter were $30.4 million, compared to $55.6 million in the prior quarter and $41.9 million last year. Grady continued, “As we expected, our flex via drilling business saw a decline in bookings after several quarters of very strong demand activity. The decline turned out to be more than we had anticipated, as slowing projected consumer electronics growth resulted in a pause in buying activity as customers assessed their capacity utilization. However, we expect this market to recover later in our fiscal year, as increased flex content across multiple industries, miniaturization, and new consumer electronics products should continue to drive underlying growth in this market.”

On a GAAP basis gross margin was 43.7%, compared to 41.1% in the prior quarter. Cost of sales included a $1.1 million estimated impairment to inventory and equipment at our manufacturing facility in Wuhan resulting from flooding in central China. Operating expenses were $20.5 million, up slightly from $20.1 million in the prior quarter. Operating income was $0.3 million, compared to $1.1 million last quarter.

Non-GAAP gross margin was 46.7% compared to 42.7% in the prior quarter. Non-GAAP operating expenses increased slightly to $18.9 million from $18.7 million last quarter. Non-GAAP operating income was $3.3 million, flat compared to the fourth quarter.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

At quarter end, cash and investments grew to $69.8 million, from $60.2 million last quarter. The company generated $11.4 million in cash from operations. Inventories decreased by $0.9 million, trade receivables decreased by $8.5 million, and accounts payable increased by $3.0 million.

Acquisition of Visicon Technologies

The company also announced that it has closed on the acquisition of Visicon Technologies, Inc., a leading supplier of high-accuracy and high-throughput measurement and defect detection systems based in Napa, California. “Visicon brings to ESI a strong portfolio of standalone defect detection systems for the medical device and consumer electronics markets. We believe this business provides complementary technology, expands our presence into the medical device market, and is highly leveraged into our consumer electronics customer base.” The company expects that Visicon will add $10-20 million of annual revenue and will be accretive on an adjusted basis by the end of this fiscal year.

Second Quarter 2017 Outlook

Based on current market conditions, revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 are expected to be between $30 million and $35 million. Non-GAAP loss per share is expected to be $0.20 to $0.25.

Grady concluded, “Despite near-term softness in our core markets our growth strategy remains on track. Our core markets have good long-term growth drivers, we have a leading position, and we expect to see business levels return as capacity utilization increases. In addition, we expect to see results from initial placements of our new products over the course of the year with increasing volumes this fiscal year and early next year. As our new products gain traction and our addressable market expands and diversifies, the quarterly swings in bookings and revenue should diminish over time. Our acquisition of Visicon increases our market diversification and should enhance our ability to differentiate in the laser micromachining market. In the meantime, we are focused on managing our cost structure well and investing to execute our growth strategy.”

The company will hold a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET. The session will include a review of the financial results, operational performance and business outlook, and also a question and answer period. The conference call can be accessed by calling 888-339-2688 (domestic participants) or 617-847-3007 (international participants). The conference ID number is 76618135. A live audio webcast can be accessed at www.esi.com. The webcast will be available on ESI’s website for one year.

Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, we have presented financial measures which have not been determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are therefore non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP, or adjusted, financial measures exclude the impact of purchase accounting, equity compensation, restructuring, inventory write-down and other items. We believe that this presentation of non-GAAP financial measures allows investors to better assess the company’s operating performance by comparing it to prior periods on a more consistent basis. We have included a reconciliation of various non-GAAP financial measures to those measures reported in accordance with GAAP. Because our calculation of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies, investors should be careful when comparing our non-GAAP financial measures to those of other companies.

About ESI

ESI’s integrated solutions allow industrial designers and process engineers to control the power of laser light to transform materials in ways that differentiate their consumer electronics, wearable devices, semiconductor circuits and high-precision components for market advantage. ESI’s laser-based manufacturing solutions feature the industry’s highest precision and speed, and target the lowest total cost of ownership. ESI is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with global operations per 10-K. More information is available at www.esi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements about the markets we serve, growth, products, revenue, and earnings per share. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us on the date of this release and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements for any reason. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may affect the forward-looking statements include: the risk that anticipated growth opportunities may be smaller than anticipated or may not be realized; risks related to the relative strength and volatility of the electronics industry—which is dependent on many factors, including component prices, global and regional economic strength and political stability, timing of consumer product introductions and overall demand for electronic devices (such as semiconductors, printed circuit boards, displays, LEDs, capacitors and other components) used in wireless telecommunications equipment, computers and consumer and automotive electronics; the health of the financial markets and availability of credit for end customers and related effect on the global economy; the volatility associated with the industries we serve which includes the relative level of capacity and demand, and financial strength of the manufacturers; the risk that customer orders may be canceled or delayed; the ability of the company to respond promptly to customer requirements; the risk that the company may not be able to ship products on the schedule required by customers, whether as a result of production delays, supply delays, or otherwise; the ability of the company to develop, manufacture and successfully deliver new products and enhancements; the risk that customer acceptance of new or customized products may be delayed; the risk that large orders and related revenues may not be repeated; the company’s need to continue investing in research and development; the company’s ability to hire and retain key employees; the company’s ability to create and sustain intellectual property protection around its products; the risk that competing or alternative technologies could reduce demand for our products; the risk that we may not be successful in penetrating new or adjacent markets; the risk that we do not successfully integrate Visicon Technologies; the risk that the incorporation of Visicon’s vision technology does not give us a competitive advantage; the risk that our new products may not gain acceptance in the marketplace; the risk that new products may not be introduced to the market in the anticipated time frame or at all; the risk that our cost-reduction program will not result in the anticipated level of savings; foreign currency fluctuations; the risk that efficiencies realized from our site consolidation are not as large as expected; the company’s ability to utilize recorded deferred tax assets; taxes, interest or penalties resulting from tax audits; and changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws.

 
Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
First Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Operating Results:          
  Fiscal quarter ended
  July 2, 2016   April 2, 2016   June 27, 2015
Net sales:          
Systems $ 38,200     $ 44,043     $ 32,062  
Services 9,468     7,443     11,029  
Total net sales 47,668     51,486     43,091  
Cost of sales:          
Systems 22,422     25,247     21,285  
Services 4,438     5,055     6,429  
Total cost of sales 26,860     30,302     27,714  
Gross profit 20,808     21,184     15,377  
  43.7 %   41.1 %   35.7 %
Operating expenses:          
Selling, general and administrative 12,871     12,134     12,617  
Research, development and engineering 7,630     7,694     8,645  
Acquisition and integration costs         154  
Restructuring costs     227     62  
Net operating expenses 20,501     20,055     21,478  
Operating profit (loss) 307     1,129     (6,101 )
Non-operating (expense) income:          
Interest and other (expense) income, net (78 )   127     (5 )
Total non-operating (expense) income (78 )   127     (5 )
Income (loss) before income taxes 229     1,256     (6,106 )
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 347     (697 )   258  
Net (loss) income $ (118 )   $ 1,953     $ (6,364 )
Net (loss) income per share – basic $     $ 0.06     $ (0.20 )
Net (loss) income per share – diluted $     $ 0.06     $ (0.20 )
                       

Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
First Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Financial Position As Of:  
  July 2, 2016   April 2, 2016
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 62,463     $ 42,413  
Short-term investments 4,506     15,252  
Trade receivables, net 34,272     42,770  
Inventories 59,522     60,470  
Shipped systems pending acceptance 2,319     1,181  
Other current assets 5,219     5,340  
Total current assets 168,301     167,426  
Non-current assets:      
Property, plant and equipment, net 24,775     24,543  
Non-current deferred income taxes, net 951     914  
Goodwill 7,445     7,445  
Acquired intangible assets, net 6,866     7,146  
Other assets 14,556     12,626  
Total assets $ 222,894     $ 220,100  
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 19,031     $ 16,061  
Accrued liabilities 15,024     18,334  
Deferred revenue 8,812     6,373  
Total current liabilities 42,867     40,768  
Non-current liabilities      
Income taxes payable 1,343     1,266  
Deferred income tax liability, net 227     234  
Other liabilities 7,676     7,801  
Total liabilities 52,113     50,069  
Shareholders’ equity:      
Preferred and common stock 196,077     195,024  
Accumulated deficit (24,116 )   (23,998 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,180 )   (995 )
Total shareholders’ equity 170,781     170,031  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 222,894     $ 220,100  
End of period shares outstanding 32,175     31,613  
           

Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
Analysis of First Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results 
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
  Fiscal quarter ended
  July 2, 2016   April 2, 2016   June 27, 2015
Sales detail:          
Component Processing          
Interconnect Products (IP) $ 30,918     $ 29,152     $ 20,645  
Component Test Products (CTP) 4,602     5,609     6,498  
Semiconductor Products (SP) 7,609     8,974     11,141  
  43,129     43,735     38,284  
Micromachining          
Micromachining Products (MP) 4,539     7,751     4,807  
Net Sales $ 47,668     $ 51,486     $ 43,091  
           
Gross margin %   43.7 %     41.1 %     35.7 %
Selling, general and administrative expense %   27 %     24 %     29 %
Research, development and engineering expense %   16 %     15 %     20 %
Operating income (loss) %   1 %     2 %     (14 %)
Effective tax rate %   152 %     (55 %)     (4 %)
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic   31,815       31,580       31,177  
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted – GAAP   31,815       32,393       31,177  
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted – Non-GAAP   32,530       32,393       31,177  
End of period employees   657       651       691  
                       

Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
First Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures: 
  Fiscal quarter ended
  July 2, 2016   April 2, 2016   June 27, 2015
           
Gross profit per GAAP $ 20,808     $ 21,184     $ 15,377  
Purchase accounting 229     278     266  
Equity compensation 120     99     129  
Charges for inventory write-off of damaged product 1,116          
Charges for intangibles write-off of discontinued product     435      
Non-GAAP gross profit $ 22,273     $ 21,996     $ 15,772  
Non-GAAP gross margin 46.7 %   42.7 %   36.6 %
                       
Operating expenses per GAAP $ 20,501     $ 20,055     $ 21,478  
Purchase accounting (250 )   (262 )   (455 )
Equity compensation (1,170 )   (882 )   (933 )
Charges for asset write-off of damaged product (100 )        
Acquisition and integration costs         (154 )
Restructuring costs (37 )   (227 )   (62 )
Non-GAAP operating expenses $ 18,944     $ 18,684     $ 19,874  
% of Net sales 40 %   36 %   46 %
                       
Operating income (loss) per GAAP $ 307     $ 1,129     $ (6,101 )
Non-GAAP adjustments to gross profit 1,465     812     395  
Non-GAAP adjustments to operating expenses 1,557     1,371     1,604  
Non-GAAP operating income (loss) $ 3,329     $ 3,312     $ (4,102 )
% of Net sales 7 %   6 %   (10 %)
                       
Non-operating (expense) income, net per GAAP $ (78 )   $ 127     $ (5 )
Non-GAAP non-operating (expense) income $ (78 )   $ 127     $ (5 )
                       
Net (loss) income per GAAP $ (118 )   $ 1,953     $ (6,364 )
Non-GAAP adjustments to gross profit 1,465     812     395  
Non-GAAP adjustments to operating expenses 1,557     1,371     1,604  
Income tax effect of other non-GAAP adjustments 65     (731 )   (99 )
Non-GAAP net income (loss) $ 2,969     $ 3,405     $ (4,464 )
% of Net sales 6 %   7 %   (10 %)
Basic Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share $ 0.09     $ 0.11     $ (0.14 )
Diluted Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share $ 0.09     $ 0.11     $ (0.14 )
                       

Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
First Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows:        
  Fiscal quarter ended
  July 2, 2016   April 2, 2016   June 27, 2015
Net (loss) income $ (118 )   $ 1,953     $ (6,364 )
Non-cash adjustments and changes in operating activities 11,566     (5,249 )   8,691  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 11,448     (3,296 )   2,327  
Net cash provided by investing activities 8,979     3,217     469  
Net cash (used in) financing activities (398 )   313     (130 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 21     108     171  
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 20,050     342     2,837  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 42,413     42,071     50,994  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 62,463     $ 42,413     $ 53,831  
                       

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Projected   Fiscal quarter ending
  October 1, 2016
   
Non-GAAP loss per share (0.20) – (0.25 )
Purchase accounting (0.01 )
Equity compensation (0.04 )
Other items (0.02) – (0.03 )
GAAP loss per share (0.27) – (0.33 )

 

CONTACT: Brian Smith
ESI
503-672-5760
[email protected]