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Source: Nanometrics Incorporated

Nanometrics Reports Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results

MILPITAS, Calif., Oct. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nanometrics Incorporated (NASDAQ:NANO), a leading provider of advanced process control systems, today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 26, 2015.

Q3 2015 Highlights Include:

  • Share Gains Resulted in Significant Sales Growth in Integrated Metrology. Integrated metrology sales grew an additional 80% quarter-on-quarter, after over 30% growth in Q2, reflecting market share gains with multiple key customers.
  • Continued Strength in 3D-NAND and Foundry. Significant recent customer account wins drove continued strong sales in both 3D-NAND and Foundry during the quarter, as well as record-high revenues from a leading Flash memory customer.
  • Continued Gross Margin Improvement. Gross margin improved sequentially for the fourth consecutive quarter.
     
 GAAP Results
  Q3 2015Q2 2015Q3 2014
 Revenues$45,678 $48,629 $27,133 
 Gross Profit$22,219 $23,264 $11,416 
 Income (Loss) from Operations$1,264 $2,509 $(10,609)
 Net Income (Loss)$818 $1,344 $(28,662)
 Earnings per Diluted Share$0.03 $0.06 $(1.19)
     
 Non-GAAP Results
  Q3 2015Q2 2015Q3 2014
 Gross Profit$22,687 $23,721 $12,104 
 Income (Loss) from Operations$1,758 $2,991 $(8,103)
 Net Income (Loss)$1,312 $1,826 $(5,892)
 Earnings per Diluted Share$0.05 $0.08 $(0.24)
     
 Non-GAAP results exclude the impact of the following in the indicated period:
 Amortization of acquired intangibles
 Restructuring charges  
 Non-cash tax items  
     

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.

Commenting on the company’s results, president and chief executive officer Dr. Timothy J. Stultz said, "Third-quarter results came in largely as expected, with 3D-NAND and foundry spending continuing to drive over half of our revenues for the third consecutive quarter. Service revenues included some upside in high-margin software upgrades, which helped to drive gross margins above the high end of our guidance range, and led us to a fourth straight quarter of gross margin improvement. While recent reports include capex reductions and muted expectations for near term semiconductor capital spending, our solutions continue to be in high demand for process control of advanced 3D device architectures, which we expect will result in 2015 being another year of outperformance versus the industry for Nanometrics.”

Third Quarter 2015 Summary
Revenues for the third quarter of 2015 were $45.7 million, down 6% from $48.6 million in the second quarter of 2015 due to lower product and upgrade sales, and up 68% from $27.1 million in the third quarter of 2014.  On a GAAP basis, gross margin was 48.6%, compared to 47.8% in the prior quarter and 42.1% in the year-ago period.  Operating income was $1.3 million, compared to $2.5 million in the prior quarter and an operating loss of $10.6 million in the year-ago period.  Net income was $0.8 million or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $1.3 million or $0.06 per diluted share in the prior quarter, and a net loss of $28.7 million or $1.19 per share in the third quarter of 2014.

On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets, gross margin was 49.7% compared to 48.8% in the prior quarter and 44.6% in the year-ago period.  Non-GAAP operating income was $1.8 million compared to $3.0 million in the prior quarter and an operating loss of $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2014. Non-GAAP net income, which adjusts for amortization of intangible assets, restructuring charges, a valuation allowance related to certain deferred tax assets and the income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments, was $1.3 million or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to $1.8 million or $0.08 per diluted share in the prior quarter and a net loss of $5.9 million or $0.24 per share in the third quarter of 2014.

Business Outlook
Management expects fourth-quarter 2015 revenues in the range of $39 to $43 million, with GAAP gross margin in the range of 45.7% to 48.3% and non-GAAP gross margin in the range of 47% to 49.5%. Management expects fourth-quarter operating expenses to range between $21.3 million and $21.9 million on a GAAP basis, and between $20.0 million and $20.6 million on a non-GAAP basis. Management expects a fourth-quarter loss in the range of ($0.17) to ($0.08) per share on a GAAP basis, and ($0.10) to breakeven per share on a non-GAAP basis.

Conference Call Details
A conference call to discuss third quarter 2015 results will be held today at 4:30 p.m. EDT (1:30 p.m. PDT). To participate in the conference call, the dial-in numbers are (877) 374-4041 for domestic callers and (253) 237-1156 for international callers. 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
Financial results such as non-GAAP gross profit, gross margin, operating income, net income, and net income per share, which exclude certain expenses, charges and special items, were not prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Management uses non-GAAP financial results, which exclude acquisition-related expenses such as amortization of acquired intangibles and transaction costs, restructuring charges, and other unusual and infrequent items, to evaluate the company’s ongoing performance and to enable comparison to other periods that did not include these unusual and infrequent 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 systems used primarily in the fabrication of semiconductors and other solid-state devices, including sensors, optoelectronic devices, high-brightness LEDs, discretes and data storage components.  Nanometrics’ automated and integrated metrology systems measure critical dimensions, device structures, topography and various thin film properties, including three-dimensional features and film thickness, as well as optical, electrical and material properties. The company’s process control solutions are deployed throughout the fabrication process, from front-end-of-line substrate manufacturing, to high-volume production of semiconductors and other devices, to advanced three-dimensional wafer-level packaging applications. Nanometrics’ systems 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 device 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 statements under the caption “Business Outlook,” and in Dr. Stultz’s quote regarding the company’s expectations regarding the continued high demand for its products and solutions and, the expectation to outperform the industry are forward-looking statements. 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 outside of Nanometrics’ control, including levels of industry spending, demand for our 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 27, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2015, 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) 
       
    September 26,   December 27,  
    2015   2014  
       
 ASSETS    
Current assets:    
 Cash and cash equivalents $  41,561  $  34,676  
 Marketable securities   43,065     49,286  
 Accounts receivable, net    37,573     26,121  
 Inventories    48,398     35,105  
 Inventories-delivered systems    1,543     1,912  
 Prepaid expenses and other    6,651     9,289  
 Deferred income tax assets    1,438     1,457  
 Total current assets    180,229     157,846  
       
 Property, plant and equipment, net    45,944     49,633  
 Goodwill   9,678     10,494  
 Intangible assets, net    2,403     4,294  
 Deferred income tax assets   385     410  
 Other assets    497     559  
 Total assets $  239,136  $  223,236  
       
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Current liabilities:    
 Accounts payable $  15,882  $  10,199  
 Accrued payroll and related expenses    10,025     8,700  
 Deferred revenue    10,985     10,021  
 Other current liabilities    9,422     8,265  
 Income taxes payable    1,236     1,017  
 Total current liabilities    47,550     38,202  
       
 Deferred revenue   939     2,591  
 Income taxes payable   776     701  
 Deferred tax liabilities   1,054     926  
 Other long-term liabilities    1,018     1,279  
 Total liabilities    51,337     43,699  
       
Stockholders’ equity:    
 Common stock   24     24  
 Additional paid-in capital    256,878     251,396  
 Accumulated deficit    (64,396)    (69,114) 
 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)    (4,707)    (2,769) 
 Total stockholders’ equity    187,799     179,537  
 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $  239,136  $  223,236  
       


 
NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
          
   Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
   September 26, September 27, September 26, September 27,
    2015   2014   2015   2014 
          
Net revenues:       
Products $  36,414  $  19,487  $  113,689  $  101,991 
Service    9,264     7,646     30,993     24,747 
Total net revenues    45,678     27,133     144,682     126,738 
          
Costs of net revenues:       
Cost of products    19,242     10,737     59,106     52,165 
Cost of service    3,749     4,292     15,158     14,061 
Amortization of intangible assets   468     688     1,557     2,039 
Total costs of net revenues    23,459     15,717     75,821     68,265 
Gross profit    22,219     11,416     68,861     58,473 
          
Operating expenses:       
Research and development    8,579     8,037     24,896     25,724 
Selling    6,760     6,389     20,905     20,443 
General and administrative    5,590     5,781     16,901     18,120 
Amortization of intangible assets    26     103     89     318 
Restructuring   -      1,715     56     1,715 
Total operating expenses   20,955     22,025     62,847     66,320 
Income (loss) from operations    1,264     (10,609)    6,014     (7,847)
          
Other income (expense):       
Interest income    7     13     63     37 
Interest expense    (86)    (90)    (252)    (286)
Other income, net    346     (57)    740     111 
 Total other income (expense), net    267     (134)    551     (138)
          
Income (loss) before income taxes      1,531     (10,743)    6,565     (7,985)
Provision for income taxes    713     17,919     1,847     18,494 
Net income (loss) $  818  $  (28,662) $  4,718  $  (26,479)
          
Net income (loss) per share:       
Basic $  0.03  $  (1.19) $  0.20  $  (1.11)
Diluted $  0.03  $  (1.19) $  0.19  $  (1.11)
          
Shares used in per share calculation:       
Basic    24,145     24,132     24,010     23,928 
Diluted    24,352     24,132     24,347     23,928 
          


   
 NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED 
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
 (In thousands) 
 (Unaudited) 
         
         
     Nine Months Ended 
 September 26, September 27, 
  2015   2014  
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net income (loss)$  4,718  $  (26,479) 
 Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:    
  Depreciation and amortization   6,826     8,660  
  Stock-based compensation   4,664     5,115  
  Loss on disposal of fixed assets   578     80  
  Inventory write down   1,971     1,109  
  Deferred income taxes   173     20,776  
  Changes in fair value of contingent consideration   137     118  
  Changes in assets and liabilities:    
   Accounts receivable   (14,873)    4,882  
   Inventories   (15,893)    (7,998) 
   Inventories-delivered systems   370     6,400  
   Prepaid expenses and other   4,436     1,751  
   Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities   9,634     (4,535) 
   Deferred revenue   (688)    (16,270) 
   Income taxes payable   295     (3,158) 
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   2,348     (9,549) 
         
Cash flows from investing activities:    
 Sales of marketable securities   2,884     -   
 Maturities of marketable securities   30,279     25,570  
 Purchases of marketable securities   (27,298)    (26,810) 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment   (1,365)    (2,800) 
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   4,500     (4,040) 
         
Cash flows from financing activities:    
 Payments to Zygo Corporation related to acquisition   (614)    (470) 
 Proceeds from sale of shares under employee stock option and purchase plans   3,642     5,852  
 Taxes paid on net issuance of stock awards   (1,104)    (664) 
 Repurchases of common stock   (1,721)    -   
    Net cash provided by financing activities   203     4,718  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (166)    (269) 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   6,885     (9,140) 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   34,676     44,765  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$  41,561  $  35,625  
         


 
NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP RESULTS 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
             
   Three Months Ended  
   September 26, June 27, September 27, 
    2015   2015   2014   
Reconciliation of GAAP gross profit and gross margin to non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin           
GAAP gross profit and gross margin, respectively $22,219  48.6% $23,264  47.8% $11,416  42.1%  
Non-GAAP adjustments:           
Amortization of intangible assets     468  1.1%    457  1.0%    688  2.5%  
Non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, respectively  $22,687  49.7% $23,721  48.8% $12,104  44.6%  
             
Reconciliation of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP operating income           
GAAP operating income (loss) $1,264   $2,509   $(10,609)   
Non-GAAP adjustments:           
Amortization of intangible assets included in cost of revenues     468      457      688    
Amortization of intangible assets included in operating expenses     26      25      103    
Restructuring included in operating expenses     -       -       1,715    
Total non-GAAP adjustments to operating income (loss)     494      482      2,506    
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)  $1,758   $2,991   $(8,103)   
             
Reconciliation of GAAP net income to non-GAAP net income           
GAAP net income (loss) $818   $1,344   $(28,662)   
Non-GAAP adjustments:           
Total non-GAAP adjustments to non-GAAP operating income (loss)     494      482      2,506    
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and other non-cash adjustments to tax assets           21,141    
Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments     -       -       (877)   
Non-GAAP net income (loss)  $1,312   $1,826   $(5,892)   
             
GAAP net income (loss) per diluted share $  0.03   $  0.06   $  (1.19)   
             
Non-GAAP net income (loss) per diluted share $  0.05   $  0.08   $  (0.24)   
             
Shares used in diluted net income per share calculation  24,352    24,285    24,132