Nanometrics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results

Outpacing the Industry with 25% Revenue Growth for the Year; Record Free Cash Flow Generation


MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nanometrics Incorporated (NASDAQ: NANO), a leading provider of advanced process control systems, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 29, 2018.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Highlights:

  • Record Revenues for the Year, Outpacing Industry Growth. Record revenues of $324.5 million for the year, an increase of 25% over 2017, well outpaced the growth of the overall wafer fab equipment (WFE) industry, driven by over 60% growth in product sales to the memory market. Along with robust conditions in the memory industry and tool-of-record positions with each of the world’s leading semiconductor companies, the company’s outperformance was bolstered by significant competitive wins and increasing market share. In the fourth quarter, foundry, IDM and other device sales rebounded more than 50% over Q3, setting the stage for a significant increase in sales expected from these markets for the forthcoming year.
  • Growth in Earnings Significantly Greater than Revenue Growth, with Record Free Cash Flow. In fiscal 2018, the company increased both gross and operating margins by approximately four percentage points year-over-year, which along with the strong growth in revenues, drove new annual records in operating income, net income, and free cash flow. The company grew earnings significantly faster than revenues, with earnings per share approximately doubling year-over-year, compared to 25% revenue growth. The company reported $103.3 million in cash flow from operating activities, and after capital expenditures of $7.5 million, generated free cash flow of $95.8 million, or 30% of revenues, for fiscal 2018.
  • Completed Acquisition of 4D Technology. Nanometrics announced the acquisition of 4D Technology on October 29th and closed the transaction on November 15th. 4D expands the company’s served markets into the scientific research, aerospace, industrial, and optics manufacturing markets. For the partial quarter, 4D contributed $2.1 million in revenues and was accretive to earnings per share.
      
GAAP Results
 Q4 2018Q3 2018Q4 2017FY2018FY 2017
 Revenues (Millions)$77.0 $76.6 $78.2 $324.5 $258.6 
 Gross Margin 54.6%  57.0%  56.2%  56.7%  52.9% 
 Operating Margin 14.1%  18.6%  24.5%  20.5%  16.6% 
 Net Income (Millions)$12.0 $11.6 $10.8 $57.6 $30.2 
 Earnings per Diluted Share$0.49 $0.47 $0.42 $2.34 $1.17 
      
Non-GAAP Results
 Q4 2018Q3 2018Q4 2017FY2018FY 2017
 Gross Margin 55.7%  57.0%  56.4%  57.0%  53.1% 
 Operating Margin 16.8%  19.0%  25.3%  21.5%  17.3% 
 Net Income (Millions)$13.0 $11.4 $13.6 $58.3 $31.8 
Earnings per Diluted Share$0.53 $0.47 $0.53 $2.37 $1.23 
      

A reconciliation between GAAP operating results and non-GAAP operating results is provided following the financial statements that are part of this release and on the investor page of Nanometrics' website. Non-GAAP results exclude the impact of amortization of acquired intangibles, severance costs, executive transition and search costs and certain discrete tax items.

“I am pleased to announce strong results for the fourth quarter, which exceeded our prior forecast, even before the inclusion of 4D for a portion of the period,” commented Dr. Pierre-Yves Lesaicherre, president and chief executive officer of Nanometrics. “Our record revenues for the year and 25% growth over 2017 are indicative of the robust memory spending environment early in the year, the strength of our customer positions, and the meaningful new competitive wins announced in both 3D-NAND and DRAM. As expected, the robust conditions in the memory market began to slow down in the second half, and particularly in the fourth quarter.  At the same time, we witnessed a significant increase in activity with our foundry, IDM and other device customers late in the year, with second-half product sales more than doubling over the first half. For the full year, 2018 set new records for the company, and was the fifth straight year of double-digit revenue growth, expanding gross and operating margins, and increasing earnings per share.

“As we look to a slowing memory market entering 2019, we have seen a moderation to our prior sales forecast for the first half of the year. With our current visibility, we expect improvement in memory market conditions to commence in the second half of the year. Our outlook today is for strong growth in sales to the foundry and logic segment in 2019, as well as revenue contribution from 4D in the $15 to $20 million range.  Continued growth in our materials characterization and service businesses will also help to offset the expected declines in memory spending in 2019.”  Dr. Lesaicherre concluded, “While navigating through this period of significantly curtailed plans for memory capital spending, we will continue our R&D investments in support of new products that will drive future growth and outperformance for Nanometrics, while continuing to deliver solid margins, profits and free cash flows.”

Fourth Quarter 2018 Summary
Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $77.0 million, up 1% from $76.6 million in the third quarter of 2018, and down 2% from $78.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. On a GAAP basis, gross margin was 54.6%, compared to 57.0% in the prior quarter and 56.2% in the year-ago period. Operating income was $10.9 million, compared to $14.3 million in the prior quarter and $19.2 million in the year-ago period. Net income was $12.0 million or $0.49 per diluted share, compared to $11.6 million or $0.47 per diluted share in the prior quarter and $10.8 million or $0.42 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2017.

On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition-related costs, and severance costs, gross margin was 55.7%, compared to 57.0% in the prior quarter and 56.4% in the year-ago period. Non-GAAP operating income, which also excludes acquisition-related costs included in operating costs, executive search and transition costs, and severance costs, was $13.0 million, compared to $14.5 million in the prior quarter and $19.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP net income, which also adjusts for a gain on disposal of property and certain discrete tax and other items, was $13.0 million or $0.53 per diluted share, compared to $11.4 million or $0.47 per diluted share in the prior quarter and $13.6 million or $0.53 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Full Year 2018 Summary
Revenues were $324.5 million, up 25% from $258.6 million in 2017.  On a GAAP basis, gross margin was 56.7%, compared to 52.9% in 2017, and operating income was $66.5 million, compared to $42.8 million in 2017.  Net income was $57.6 million or $2.34 per diluted share, compared to $30.2 million or $1.17 per diluted share in 2017.

On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition-related costs, and severance costs, gross margin was 57.0% compared to 53.1% in 2017.  Non-GAAP operating income, which also excludes acquisition-related costs included in operating costs, executive search and transition costs, and severance costs, was $69.9 million in 2018, compared to $44.6 million in 2017. Non-GAAP net income, which also adjusts for a gain on disposal of property and certain discrete tax and other items, was $58.3 million or $2.37 per diluted share, compared to $31.8 million or $1.23 per diluted share in 2017.

Business Outlook
Management expects first-quarter 2019 revenues in the range of $62 to $68 million. Gross margin is expected to be approximately 51.0%, plus or minus 1%, on a GAAP basis and 53.5%, plus or minus 1%, on a non-GAAP basis.  Management expects first-quarter operating expenses to range between $28.0 million and $29.0 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, and earnings in the range of $0.09 to $0.20 per diluted share on a GAAP basis and $0.16 to $0.27 on a non-GAAP basis.

Conference Call Details
A conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2018 results will be held today at 4:30 p.m. EST (1:30 p.m. PST). To participate in the conference call, the dial-in numbers are (877) 374-4041 for domestic callers and (253) 237-1156 for international callers. The conference ID is 5877517. A live and recorded webcast and supplemental financial information will be made available on the investor page of the Nanometrics website at www.nanometrics.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
The non-GAAP gross profit, gross margin, operating income, operating income margin, net income, net income per share, which exclude certain expenses, charges and special items, and free cash flow, were not prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Management uses non-GAAP financial results, which exclude amortization of acquired intangibles assets, acquisition-related charges, severance costs, executive transition and search costs, gain on disposal of property, certain discrete tax items and other discrete adjustments, to evaluate the company’s ongoing performance and to enable comparison to other periods that did not include these items. The company believes the presentation of non-GAAP results is useful to investors for analyzing ongoing business trends, comparing performance to prior periods, and enhancing the investor’s ability to view the company’s results from management’s perspective; however, investors are cautioned that other companies may calculate these measures differently than Nanometrics does, which would limit the usefulness of these financial measures. A table presenting a reconciliation of GAAP results to non-GAAP results is included at the end of this press release and is available on the investor page of the Nanometrics website at www.nanometrics.com.

About Nanometrics
Nanometrics is a leading provider of advanced, high-performance process control metrology and inspection solutions used primarily in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, as well as in the fabrication of other solid-state devices and components in the optoelectronic, LED and storage industries, and more recently in the industrial, aerospace and scientific research markets. Nanometrics’ process control solutions include automated and integrated metrology systems as well as software and analytics that measure and monitor key elements of device performance and yield, such as critical dimensions, device structures, surface shape and profile, overall topography and various thin film properties, including three-dimensional features and film thickness, as well as the optical, electrical and material properties of various substrates, devices and components. Nanometrics’ solutions enable advanced process control for device manufacturers, providing improved device yield at reduced manufacturing cycle time, supporting the accelerated product life cycles in the semiconductor and other advanced markets. The company maintains its headquarters in Milpitas, California, with sales and service offices worldwide. Nanometrics is traded on Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol NANO. Nanometrics’ website is http://www.nanometrics.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, including those found in Dr. Lesaicherre’s quote, under the caption “Business Outlook,” and elsewhere regarding expected future financial or operational performance, are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in this release.  Although Nanometrics believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from these expectations due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: decreased levels of industry spending; slowing adoption rates for Nanometrics’ new products; Nanometrics’ inability to gain additional market share, increase sales, ship products as scheduled, achieve customer acceptance of new products or outperform the industry; decreased demand for Nanometrics’ products; shifts in the timing of customer orders and product shipments; technology adoption rates; changes in customer and product mix; changes in market share; changes in operating expenses; and general economic conditions. For additional information and considerations regarding the risks faced by Nanometrics that could cause actual results to differ materially, see its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2018 including under the caption “Risk Factors,” as well as other periodic reports filed with the SEC from time to time. Nanometrics disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.   


NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(In thousands) 
(Unaudited) 
      
  December 29,
2018
 December 30,
2017
 
ASSETS     
Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents  $  110,951  $  34,899  
Marketable securities    40,841     82,130  
Accounts receivable, net     50,854     62,457  
Inventories     61,915     52,860  
Inventories-delivered systems     180     1,534  
Prepaid expenses and other     6,140     6,234  
 Total current assets     270,881     240,114  
      
Property, plant and equipment, net     47,900     44,810  
Goodwill    26,372     10,232  
Intangible assets, net     27,326     2,206  
Deferred income tax assets    2,569     11,924  
Other assets     582     413  
 Total assets  $  375,630  $  309,699  
      
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable  $  16,540  $  13,857  
Accrued payroll and related expenses     21,658     12,901  
Deferred revenue     8,990     7,408  
Other current liabilities     9,421     7,249  
Income taxes payable     3,164     2,680  
 Total current liabilities     59,773     44,095  
      
Deferred revenue    1,753     1,661  
Income taxes payable    871     860  
Deferred tax liabilities    162     179  
Other long-term liabilities     219     521  
 Total liabilities     62,778     47,316  
      
Stockholders’ equity:     
Common stock    24     26  
Additional paid-in capital     247,983     255,368  
Retained earnings    67,402     9,113  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss    (2,557)    (2,124) 
 Total stockholders’ equity     312,852     262,383  
 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $  375,630  $  309,699  
      


NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
(In thousands except per share amounts) 
(Unaudited) 
          
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
  December 29,
2018
 December 30,
2017
 December 29,
2018
 December 30,
2017
 
          
Net revenues:         
Products  $  63,765  $  67,555  $  275,286  $  214,877  
Service     13,251     10,650     49,237     43,744  
Total net revenues     77,016     78,205     324,523     258,621  
          
Costs of net revenues:         
Cost of products     27,417     28,746     112,834     100,910  
Cost of service     7,382     5,436     27,311     20,804  
Amortization of intangible assets    179     50     284     206  
Total costs of net revenues     34,978     34,232     140,429     121,920  
Gross profit     42,038     43,973     184,094     136,701  
          
          
Operating expenses:         
Research and development     12,778     10,058     48,188     36,716  
Selling     9,451     8,109     37,528     30,839  
General and administrative     8,845     6,644     31,795     26,340  
Amortization of intangible assets     96     -      96     -   
Total operating expenses    31,170     24,811     117,607     93,895  
Income from operations     10,868     19,162     66,487     42,806  
          
Other income (expense):         
Interest income     2     3     10     8  
Interest expense     (78)    (9)    (331)    (92) 
Other income, net     850     246     1,358     576  
Total other income, net     774     240     1,037     492  
          
Income before income taxes     11,642     19,402     67,524     43,298  
Provision for income taxes     (382)    8,604     9,876     13,096  
Net income $  12,024  $  10,798  $  57,648  $  30,202  
          
Net income per share:         
Basic  $  0.50  $  0.43  $  2.39  $  1.19  
Diluted  $  0.49  $  0.42  $  2.34  $  1.17  
          
Shares used in per share calculation:         
Basic     24,131     25,378     24,120     25,334  
Diluted     24,481     25,819     24,600     25,919  
          

 

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(In thousands) 
(Unaudited) 
      
      
  Twelve Months Ended 
  December 29,
2018
 December 30,
2017
 
Cash flows from operating activities:     
Net income $  57,648  $  30,202  
Reconciliation of net income to net cash from operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization    6,846     6,920  
Stock-based compensation    11,382     8,819  
Excess tax benefit from equity awards    1     -   
(Gain) Loss on disposal of fixed assets    (759)    631  
Inventory write down    3,012     2,020  
Deferred income taxes    3,732     6,858  
Changes in assets and liabilities:     
 Accounts receivable    15,156     (19,523) 
 Inventories    (8,962)    (18,037) 
 Inventories-delivered systems    1,354     923  
 Prepaid expenses and other    (407)    (230) 
 Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities    11,438     1,049  
 Deferred revenue    2,399     (915) 
 Income taxes payable    496     1,886  
  Net cash provided by operating activities    103,336     20,603  
      
Cash flows from investing activities:     
Payment for acquisition of certain assets    (2,000)    (2,000) 
Payments to acquire 4D Technology net of cash acquired    (37,163)    -   
Sales of marketable securities    56,279     53,030  
Maturities of marketable securities    38,700     77,250  
Purchases of marketable securities    (53,523)    (129,766) 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment    (7,486)    (5,204) 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment    942     -   
 Net cash used in investing activities    (4,251)    (6,690) 
      
Cash flows from financing activities:     
Proceeds from sale of shares under employee stock option and purchase plans   3,826     5,576  
Taxes paid on net issuance of stock awards    (3,609)    (4,135) 
Repurchases of common stock under share repurchase plans    (22,987)    (26,999) 
 Net cash used in financing activities    (22,770)    (25,558) 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents    (263)    (518) 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents    76,052     (12,163) 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period    34,899     47,062  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $  110,951  $  34,899  
      

 

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED 
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP RESULTS  
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 
(Unaudited) 
                      
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
  December 29, 2018 September 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 
Reconciliation of GAAP gross profit and gross margin to non-GAAP
gross profit and gross margin
                     
GAAP gross profit and gross margin, respectively $  42,038  54.6% $  43,634  57.0% $  43,973  56.2% $  184,094  56.7% $  136,701  52.9% 
Non-GAAP adjustments:                     
 Severance included in cost of revenues     -   0.0%    -   0.0%    77  0.1%    21  0.0%    404  0.1% 
 Acquisition-related charges     668  0.9%            668  0.2%     
 Amortization of intangible assets     179  0.2%    35  0.0%    50  0.1%    284  0.1%    206  0.1% 
 Non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, respectively  $  42,885  55.7% $  43,669  57.0% $  44,100  56.4% $  185,067  57.0% $  137,311  53.1% 
                      
Reconciliation of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP operating income                     
GAAP operating income and operating margin, respectively $  10,868  14.1% $  14,271  18.6% $  19,162  24.5% $  66,487  20.5% $  42,806  16.6% 
Non-GAAP adjustments:                     
 Acquisition-related charges included in cost of revenues     668  0.9%    -        -        668  0.2%     
 Amortization of intangible assets included in cost of revenues     179  0.2%    35  0.0%    50  0.1%    284  0.1%    206  0.1% 
 Amortization of intangible assets included in operating expenses     96  0.1%            96  0.0%     
 Acquisition-related charges included in operating expenses     903  1.2%            903  0.3%     
 Severance included in cost of revenues     -   0.0%        77  0.1%    21  0.0%    404  0.2% 
 Severance included in operating expenses     -   0.0%        509  0.6%    339  0.1%    845  0.3% 
 Executive transition costs     240  0.3%    236  0.3%        1,088  0.3%     
 Executive search costs     -   0.0%            46  0.0%    355  0.1% 
  Total non-GAAP adjustments to operating income     2,086  2.7%    271  0.4%    636  0.8%    3,445  1.1%    1,810  0.7% 
   Non-GAAP operating income and operating margin, respectively  $  12,954  16.8% $  14,542  19.0% $  19,798  25.3% $  69,932  21.5% $  44,616  17.3% 
                      
Reconciliation of GAAP net income to non-GAAP net income                     
GAAP net income  $  12,024    $  11,568    $  10,798    $  57,648    $  30,202    
Non-GAAP adjustments:                     
  Total non-GAAP adjustments to non-GAAP operating income     2,086       271       636       3,445       1,810    
 Gain on Disposal of Property     (874)              (874)       
 Other Discrete Items     89               89        
 Discrete tax items and tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments     (279)      (448)      (432)      (1,983)      (2,772)   
 Tax Reform     -        -        2,569       -        2,569    
   Non-GAAP net income  $  13,047    $  11,391    $  13,571    $  58,325    $  31,809    
                      
GAAP net income per diluted share $  0.49    $  0.47    $  0.42    $  2.34    $  1.17    
                      
Non-GAAP net income per diluted share $  0.53    $  0.47    $  0.53    $  2.37    $  1.23    
                      
Shares used in diluted net income per share calculation    24,481       24,466       25,819       24,600       25,919    
                      
Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow                   
GAAP net cash provided by operating activities $  19,928    $  24,437    $  5,219    $  103,336    $  20,603    
 Purchase of property and equipment     (4,544)      (1,181)      (2,862)      (7,486)      (5,204)   
 Free cash flow  $  15,384    $  23,256    $  2,357    $  95,850    $  15,399    
                      

            

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