ESI Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2018 Results


PORTLAND, Ore., May 08, 2018 (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 2018 fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2018. Financial measures are provided on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis. Non-GAAP results exclude the impact of purchase accounting, equity compensation, restructuring, and other items shown in the non-GAAP reconciliation table.

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2018 Financial and Operational Highlights

  • Fourth quarter orders of $111.8 million, reflecting 36% year over year growth. Fiscal 2018 orders of $451.4 million, up 144% from fiscal 2017.

  • Fourth quarter and fiscal 2018 revenue of $113.4 million and $367.9 million, respectively; each more than doubled the revenue in fiscal 2017

  • Backlog of $148.4 million, primarily expected to ship in the first half of fiscal 2019

  • Fiscal 2018 GAAP operating margin of 20.6%. Non-GAAP operating margin was 27.4%.

  • Fiscal 2018 GAAP EPS of $3.27 and non-GAAP EPS of $2.78. For the fourth quarter GAAP EPS was $2.10 and non-GAAP EPS was $1.02, exceeding one dollar for the first time in recent history.

  • Fiscal 2018 operating cash flow of $67.4 million, leading to total cash and investments balance of $125.0 million

Fourth Quarter Results

Fourth quarter revenue was $113.4 million, compared to $49.9 million in the fourth quarter of last fiscal year and $110.8 million last quarter. GAAP net income was $75.1 million or $2.10 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $17.9 million or $0.54 per share last year, as the Company’s strong financial performance over the last twelve months triggered the reversal of our tax valuation allowance, resulting in a fourth quarter tax credit of approximately $41 million. On a non-GAAP basis net income was $36.5 million or $1.02 per diluted share, compared to $2.9 million or $0.09 per diluted share last year and net income of $35.6 million or $0.99 per diluted share last quarter.

Michael Burger, ESI's president and CEO, stated, “We delivered another quarter of exceptional financial results, which closed out a defining and transformative year for ESI. Our team executed well and capitalized on strong market conditions, positioning us for future success."

Orders in the fourth quarter were $111.8 million, compared to $82.3 million one year ago. Burger continued, “Overall, our markets enabled strong bookings in the fourth quarter, primarily as a result of demand for flex circuit drilling. Demand for our semiconductor and component test products remained strong and total book to bill was 0.99, even as we delivered our highest quarterly revenues in recent history."

GAAP gross margin was 48.3%, compared to 36.5% in the fourth quarter of last year. Operating expense was $20.0 million, down from $36.3 million last year. Operating income was $34.7 million, or 30.6% of sales, compared to a loss of $18.1 million in the year-ago quarter.

Non-GAAP gross margin was 49.2%, up from 45.7% one year ago, on significantly higher revenues. Non-GAAP operating expenses decreased year over year from $20.1 million to $18.8 million as a result of the completion of our restructuring activities, and non-GAAP operating income was $37.0 million, or 32.6% of sales, up from $2.7 million, or 5.4% of sales, in last year's fourth quarter.

First Quarter 2019 Outlook

Based on current market and backlog conditions, revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 are expected to be between $97 and $111 million. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share is expected to be $0.75 to $0.95.

Burger concluded, "We enter our fiscal 2019 with a product portfolio that is retaining or growing market share. In this coming fiscal year we expect to introduce significant new products that will expand our addressable market, extend our competitive advantage, generate incremental revenue, and increase our exposure to secular growth drivers. Our markets will naturally cycle, and our visibility into the timing of those cycles remains limited. That said, the long-term technology trends and drivers indicate solid growth across our markets, and our new products should enable us to retain or grow share. Through the cycles our technology advantages and lower fixed cost base should allow us to generate solid earnings in all market conditions."

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 888-419-5570 (domestic participants) or 617-896-9871 (international participants). The conference ID number is 48069661. 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, reversal of tax valuation allowance, inventory and goodwill write-downs, and other items. We believe that this presentation of non-GAAP financial measures allows investors to 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 micro-machining industry’s highest precision and speed, and target the lowest total cost of ownership. ESI is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with global operations and subsidiaries in Asia, Europe and North America. More information is available at www.esi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding expected shipment of backlog, our positioning for future growth and success, our expected financial results for the fiscal 2019 first quarter, including revenue and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, our expectations regarding market share of our product portfolio, the introduction of new products, and their ability to expand our addressable market, retain or grow share, extend our competitive advantage, generate incremental revenue, reduce cyclicality and increase our exposure to secular growth drivers, our belief that our markets will naturally cycle, and our expectations regarding the effect of long-term technology trends and drivers and our ability to generate solid earnings in all market conditions, and other statements containing the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates,” “continue,” “will,” “may” and similar words, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us on the date of this release and we undertake 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; 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 reduced, canceled or delayed; our ability to respond promptly to customer requirements; the risk that we may not be able to ship products on the schedule required by customers, whether as a result of production delays, supply delays, or otherwise; our ability 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; our need to continue investing in research and development; our ability to hire and retain key employees; our 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 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; risks associated with our restructuring efforts; foreign currency fluctuations; the risk that duties or tariffs could be imposed or increased on goods imported or exported by us; the risk that changes to policies regarding immigration and visits to the United States could negatively impact our ability to hire or retain and train qualified personnel or our ability to operate internationally on an integrated basis; 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.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)
 
 Fiscal quarter ended Fiscal year ended
(In thousands, except per share data)Mar 31, 2018 Dec 30, 2017 Apr 1, 2017 Mar 31, 2018 Apr 1, 2017
Net sales:         
Systems$103,522  $99,418  $40,029  $325,349  $125,098 
Services9,871  11,422  9,889  42,535  35,925 
Total net sales113,393  110,840  49,918  367,884  161,023 
Cost of sales:         
Systems53,247  52,502  27,499  185,354  81,350 
Services5,424  5,182  4,189  21,700  18,207 
Total cost of sales58,671  57,684  31,688  207,054  99,557 
Gross profit54,722  53,156  18,230  160,830  61,466 
Gross margin48.3% 48.0% 36.5% 43.7% 38.2%
Operating expenses:         
Selling, general and administration11,128  11,040  13,781  46,624  52,698 
Research, development and engineering9,038  8,165  8,461  34,411  31,719 
Restructuring costs(144) 706  6,614  3,935  6,935 
Acquisition and integration costs        366 
Impairment of goodwill    7,445    7,445 
Net operating expenses20,022  19,911  36,301  84,970  99,163 
Operating income (loss)34,700  33,245  (18,071) 75,860  (37,697)
Non-operating (expense) income:         
Interest and other (expense) income, net(283) 789  103  93  265 
Total non-operating (expense) income(283) 789  103  93  265 
Income (loss) before income taxes34,417  34,034  (17,968) 75,953  (37,432)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes(40,671) 61  (45) (40,270) (23)
Net income (loss)$75,088  $33,973  $(17,923) $116,223  $(37,409)
Net income (loss) per share—basic$2.19  $0.99  $(0.54) $3.42  $(1.15)
Net income (loss) per share—diluted$2.10  $0.94  $(0.54) $3.27  $(1.15)


 
Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)
      
(In thousands)Mar 31, 2018 Dec 30, 2017 Apr 1, 2017
Assets     
Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents$76,792  $62,251  $56,642 
Short-term investments47,121  36,824  5,743 
Trade receivables, net63,044  75,674  40,494 
Inventories, net87,686  74,502  58,942 
Shipped systems pending acceptance4,734  5,780  5,713 
Other current assets5,493  5,116  6,180 
Total current assets284,870  260,147  173,714 
Non-current assets:     
Property, plant and equipment, net22,025  19,732  21,619 
Deferred income taxes, net43,518    890 
Goodwill2,626  2,626  3,027 
Acquired intangible assets, net5,169  5,525  6,564 
Other assets(1)14,780  18,274  18,931 
Total assets$372,988  $306,304  $224,745 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY     
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable$37,354  $38,577  $21,213 
Accrued liabilities34,533  40,391  22,186 
Deferred revenue9,818  11,982  14,712 
Total current liabilities81,705  90,950  58,111 
Non-current liabilities:     
Long-term debt12,766  12,875  13,489 
Income taxes payable1,901  1,587  1,036 
Other liabilities10,258  10,085  7,578 
Total liabilities106,630  115,497  80,214 
Shareholders’ equity:     
Preferred and common stock210,995  211,330  207,152 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)54,816  (20,273) (61,407)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)547  (250) (1,214)
Total shareholders’ equity266,358  190,807  144,531 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$372,988  $306,304  $224,745 
End of period shares outstanding34,387  34,309  33,260 

(1) Included in Other assets is long-term restricted cash of $1.1 million each on March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017 and April 1, 2017.

 
Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.

Analysis of Key Metrics

(Unaudited)
 
 Fiscal quarter ended Fiscal year ended
(Dollars and shares in thousands)Mar 31, 2018 Dec 30, 2017 Apr 1, 2017 Mar 31, 2018 Apr 1, 2017
Sales detail:         
Printed Circuit Board$76,772  $83,799  $28,339  $256,430  $88,771 
Component Test9,459  7,473  7,382  32,790  22,381 
Semiconductor24,055  12,351  8,036  55,171  29,557 
Industrial Machining3,107  7,217  6,161  23,493  20,314 
Net Sales$113,393  $110,840  $49,918  $367,884  $161,023 
          
As % of net sales         
GAAP         
Gross profit48.3% 48.0% 36.5% 43.7% 38.2%
Selling, service and administration expense10% 10% 28% 13% 33%
Research, development and engineering expense8% 7% 17% 9% 20%
Net operating expenses18% 18% 73% 23% 62%
Operating income (loss)31% 30% (36%) 21% (23%)
Non-GAAP         
Gross profit49.2% 48.9% 45.7% 48.1% 42.3%
Net operating expenses17% 17% 40% 21% 48%
Operating income (loss)33% 32% 5% 27% (6%)
          
GAAP - Effective tax rate %(118.2%) 0.2% 0.3% (53.0%) 0.1%
Weighted average shares outstanding         
Basic34,350  34,224  33,065  33,967  32,551 
Diluted GAAP35,830  36,010  33,065  35,571  32,551 
Diluted Non-GAAP35,830  36,010  33,822  35,571  32,551 
End of period employees615  595  683  615  683 
          
Reconciliation of Cash and Investments         
     Mar 31, 2018 Dec 30, 2017 Apr 1, 2017
Cash    27,043  33,565  29,302 
Cash equivalents    49,749  28,686  27,340 
Restricted cash    1,093  1,087  1,090 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period   77,885  63,338  57,732 
Short-term investments    47,121  36,824  5,743 
Cash, restricted cash and current investments   125,006  100,162  63,475 


 
Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)
 
 Fiscal quarter ended Fiscal year ended
(In thousands, except per share data)Mar 31, 2018 Dec 30, 2017 Apr 1, 2017 Mar 31, 2018 Apr 1, 2017
Gross profit per GAAP$54,722  $53,156  $18,230  $160,830  $61,466 
Purchase accounting242  242  447  977  1,133 
Equity compensation69  64  105  277  503 
Charges for other asset and inventory impairment277    1,696  13,554  2,642 
Charges from VAT audit521  777    1,298   
Charges for impairment of intangibles    2,349    2,349 
Non-GAAP gross profit$55,831  $54,239  $22,827  $176,936  $68,093 
          
Operating expenses per GAAP$20,022  $19,911  $36,301  $84,970  $99,163 
Purchase accounting(114) (116) (414) (566) (1,077)
Equity compensation(1,223) (649) (1,707) (4,336) (5,934)
Impairment of assets        (46)
Acquisition and integration costs        (366)
Restructuring costs144  (706) (6,614) (3,935) (6,986)
Impairment of goodwill    (7,445)   (7,445)
Non-GAAP operating expenses$18,829  $18,440  $20,121  $76,133  $77,309 
          
Operating income (loss) per GAAP$34,700  $33,245  $(18,071) $75,860  $(37,697)
Non-GAAP adjustments to gross profit1,109  1,083  4,597  16,106  6,627 
Non-GAAP adjustments to operating expenses1,193  1,471  16,180  8,837  21,854 
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)$37,002  $35,799  $2,706  $100,803  $(9,216)
          
Non-operating (expense) income, net per GAAP$(283) $789  $103  $93  $265 
Expense (income), on charges from VAT audit, Gain on asset sale, net of other non-operating expense (income)336  (687)   (351)  
Acquisition-related adjustments        (190)
Non-GAAP non-operating income (expense)$53  $102  $103  $(258) $75 
Non-GAAP income (expense) before income taxes$37,055  $35,901  $2,809  $100,545  $(9,141)
          
Net income (loss) per GAAP$75,088  $33,973  $(17,923) $116,223  $(37,409)
Non-GAAP adjustments to gross profit1,109  1,083  4,597  16,106  6,627 
Non-GAAP adjustments to operating expenses1,193  1,471  16,180  8,837  21,854 
Non-GAAP adjustments to non-operating income (expense)336  (687)   (351) (190)
Income tax effect of other non-GAAP adjustments (a)(41,225) (235) 32  (41,967) (252)
Non-GAAP net income (loss)$36,501  $35,605  $2,886  $98,848  $(9,370)
Basic Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share$1.06  $1.04  $0.09  $2.91  $(0.29)
Diluted Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share$1.02  $0.99  $0.09  $2.78  $(0.29)

(a) The income tax effect of other non-GAAP adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2018 and fiscal 2018 was primarily due to  release of tax valuation allowance/

 
Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)
 
 Fiscal quarter ended Fiscal year ended
(In thousands)Mar 31, 2018 Dec 30, 2017 Apr 1, 2017 Mar 31, 2018 Apr 1, 2017
Net income (loss)$75,088  $33,973  $(17,923) $116,223  $(37,409)
Non-cash adjustments and changes in operating activities(48,457) (18,872) 16,789  (48,795) 36,576 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities26,631  15,101  (1,134) 67,428  (833)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(10,993) (2,974) (203) (47,353) 2,614 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(1,739) 1,838  13,923  (1,132) 14,165 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash648  302  255  1,210  (627)
NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH14,547  14,267  12,841  20,153  15,319 
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD63,338  49,071  44,891  57,732  42,413 
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD$77,885  $63,338  $57,732  $77,885  $57,732 


 
Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Projected

(Unaudited)
 
 Fiscal quarter ending
Jun 30, 2018
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share$0.75 - $0.95
Purchase accounting(0.01)
Equity compensation(0.04)
Income tax(0.09) - (0.12)
GAAP diluted EPS$0.61 - $0.78

Brian Smith                                                                                                                              
ESI
503-672-5760
smithb@esi.com