Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Reports Record Revenue, Record Net Income, and Record EPS for Third Quarter of Fiscal 2018


  • Record Revenue of $150.4 Million, $22.5 Million or 18% Higher Than Last Year
     
  • Gross Margin of 53.6%; Non-GAAP Gross Margin of 54.5%
     
  • Record Net Income of $35.2 Million, $15.2 Million or 76% Higher Than Last Year; Non-GAAP Net Income of $36.0 Million
     
  • Record Earnings Per Share of $1.34, $0.57 or 74% Higher Than Last Year; Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share of $1.37

AURORA, Ill., July 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (Nasdaq:CCMP), the world’s leading supplier of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing slurries and second largest CMP pad supplier to the semiconductor industry, today reported financial results for its third quarter of fiscal 2018, which ended June 30, 2018.

Key Quarter Highlights

During the third fiscal quarter, the company delivered total revenue of $150.4 million, which is $22.5 million, or 18% higher than in the same quarter last year, and is a record level for the company. Third quarter revenue was driven by growth across all product areas, primarily in tungsten slurries, dielectrics slurries, and CMP pads, which are the key focus areas for the company. Net income for the quarter was a record $35.2 million, which is $15.2 million, or 76%, higher than the same quarter last year.  Diluted earnings per share (EPS) was a record $1.34, which is $0.57, or 74%, higher than in the same quarter last year.  Cash flow from operations was $36.9 million. As previously reported in April, the company paid off its remaining outstanding Term Loan and had $310.6 million of cash and short-term investments on hand, with no debt on its balance sheet as of June 30, 2018.

“We are proud of our accomplishments which include our fifth consecutive quarter of record revenue as well as record net income and EPS for our company this quarter,” said David Li, President and CEO of Cabot Microelectronics. “We believe that strong semiconductor industry demand conditions as well as continued strong execution of our strategic initiatives have enabled us to deliver sustained strong results and position us well for continued success in the future.”

Key Financial Information – Third Fiscal Quarter

  • Revenue was $150.4 million, which is $22.5 million, or 18%, higher compared to the same quarter last year. The company achieved record quarterly revenue in tungsten and dielectric slurries, which grew 18% and 21% year-over-year, respectively.  Revenue in pads grew 19% year-over-year.
     
  • Gross margin for the quarter was 53.6%, compared to 48.9% reported in the same quarter a year ago. Gross margin this quarter included $1.3 million of NexPlanar amortization expense. Excluding this, non-GAAP gross margin was 54.5%. Gross margin this quarter benefited from higher sales volume and a higher value product mix, partially offset by higher fixed manufacturing costs, including higher staffing related expense.
     
  • Operating expenses, which include research, development and technical, selling and marketing, and general and administrative expenses, were $38.8 million in the third fiscal quarter. Operating expenses were $3.1 million higher than the same quarter a year ago, primarily due to higher staffing related expenses and professional fees.
     
  • Net income for the quarter was $35.2 million, which is $15.2 million, or 76%, higher than in the same quarter last year. Net income increased primarily due to higher revenue and higher gross margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Non-GAAP net income was $36.0 million, which is $15.0 million, or 71%, higher than the prior year.
     
  • Diluted EPS was $1.34 this quarter, which is $0.57, or 74%, higher than in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. On a non-GAAP basis, diluted EPS was $1.37, which is $0.56, or 69%, higher than last year.

Key Financial Information – Fiscal Year 2018 to Date

  • Revenue was $433.4 million, which is $63.0 million, or 17%, higher than for the same period last year.
     
  • Gross margin was 53.0% of revenue, compared to 49.7% last year. Non-GAAP gross margin for the first three quarters of the fiscal year, excluding the NexPlanar amortization expense, was 53.9%.
     
  • Total operating expenses were $113.6 million, which is $8.5 million higher than for the same period in the prior year. Operating expenses include approximately $1.4 million of the above-referenced amortization expense.
     
  • Net income was $61.8 million, which is $1.4 million, or 2%, higher than for the same period last year.  Net income includes the negative impact of the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“tax act”), and the referenced amortization expense.  Non-GAAP net income was $98.3 million, which is $34.7 million, or 54%, higher than for the same period last year.
     
  • Diluted EPS was $2.35, which is $0.02, or 1%, lower than for the same period last year, and includes the negative impact of the tax act.  Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $3.74, which is $1.25, or 50%, higher than for the same period last year.

Guidance Update and Capital Deployment Details

The company currently expects a low single digit revenue increase for IC CMP consumables in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2018 compared to the prior quarter.

The company now expects its GAAP gross margin for the full fiscal year to be between 52% and 53%. This includes approximately 100 basis points of NexPlanar amortization expense.

Full fiscal year GAAP operating expenses are expected to be between $150 million and $155 million, an increase from the company’s prior full year guidance range of $148 to $153 million. This includes approximately $1.9 million of NexPlanar amortization expense.
Additional current expectations are provided in the appendix section of the company’s related slide presentation referenced below.

As announced on June 12, 2018, the company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share ($1.60 per share on an annualized basis) on the company's common stock. The dividend will be payable on or about July 30, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 25, 2018.

Through June 30, 2018, the company had returned $50.8M to shareholders by way of dividends and share repurchases during fiscal year 2018.

RELATED SLIDE PRESENTATION
A slide presentation related to this press release is available at ir.cabotcmp.com in the Quarterly Results section of the Investor Relations center at approximately the same time that this press release is issued.

CONFERENCE CALL
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation’s quarterly earnings conference call will be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time) on Thursday, July 26. The conference call will be available via live webcast and replay from the company’s website, www.cabotcmp.com, or by phone at (844) 825-4410. Callers outside the U.S. may dial (973) 638-3236. The conference code for the call is 8872768. A transcript of the formal comments made during the conference call will also be available in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website. 

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The company presented the following measures considered as non-GAAP by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: gross profit margin, net income and diluted earnings per share excluding the effect of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 in the United States (“tax act”), and amortization expense related to its October 2015 acquisition of NexPlanar Corporation. The non-GAAP financial information provided in this press release is a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the company’s financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the investor's understanding about the company's ongoing operations. Specifically, the company believes the impact of the tax act and NexPlanar amortization expenses are not indicative of its core operating results, and thus presents these certain metrics excluding these effects. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation table of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is contained in this press release.

ABOUT CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is the world's leading supplier of CMP polishing slurries and second largest CMP pads supplier to the semiconductor industry. The company’s products play a critical role in the production of advanced semiconductor devices, helping to enable the manufacture of smaller, faster and more complex devices by its customers. The company's mission is to create value by delivering high-performing and innovative solutions that solve its customers’ challenges. The company has approximately 1,150 employees on a global basis. For more information about Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, visit www.cabotcmp.com or contact Colleen Mumford, Director of Investor Relations, at 630-499-2600.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This news release may include statements that constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities regulations. These forward-looking statements include statements related to: future sales and operating results; growth or contraction, and trends in the industry and markets in which the company participates; the company’s management; various economic or political factors and international or national events, including related to the enactment of trade sanctions, tariffs, or other similar matters; regulatory or legislative activity, including the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“tax act”) in December 2017 in the United States; product performance; the generation, protection and acquisition of intellectual property, and litigation related to such intellectual property or third party intellectual property; new product introductions; development of new products, technologies and markets; the company’s supply chain; the financial conditions of the company’s customers; natural disasters; the acquisition of, investment in, or collaboration with other entities; uses and investment of the company’s cash balance, including dividends and share repurchases, which may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason by the company, based on a variety of factors; financing facilities and related debt, pay off or payment of principal and interest, and compliance with covenants and other terms; the company’s capital structure; the company’s current or future tax rate, including the effects of tax reform in the U.S.; and the operation of facilities by Cabot Microelectronics Corporation. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those described from time to time in Cabot Microelectronics’ filings with the SEC, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described by these forward-looking statements. In particular, see "Risk Factors" in the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, both filed with the SEC. Cabot Microelectronics assumes no obligation to update this forward-looking information.

Contact:
Colleen Mumford
Director of Investor Relations
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
(630) 499-2600

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  
(Unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)  
      
    
 Quarter EndedNine Months Ended
 June 30, 2018March 31, 2018June 30, 2017June 30, 2018June 30, 2017
 
      
Revenue$  150,437$  142,978$  127,957 $  433,394$  370,395
      
Cost of goods sold    69,737   67,933   65,414    203,635   186,316
      
  Gross profit   80,700   75,045   62,543    229,759   184,079
      
Operating expenses:     
      
  Research, development & technical    13,059   13,368   14,333    38,578   41,819
      
  Selling & marketing    6,207   6,790   7,346    18,833   22,166
      
  General & administrative    19,504   17,799   13,953    56,218   41,148
      
      
  Total operating expenses   38,770   37,957   35,632    113,629   105,133
      
Operating income   41,930   37,088   26,911    116,130   78,946
      
Interest expense   513   1,158   1,117    2,803   3,402
      
Other income, net   1,627   1,062   (115)   3,361   1,115
      
Income before income taxes   43,044   36,992   25,679    116,688   76,659
      
Provision for income taxes    7,873   7,255   5,740    54,863   16,209
      
  Net income$  35,171$  29,737$  19,939 $  61,825$  60,450
      
      
      
Income available to common shareholders$  35,137$  29,707$   19,887 $  61,752$  60,259
      
      
Basic earnings per share $       1.37$       1.16$       0.79 $2.42$       2.42
      
Weighted average basic shares outstanding  25,612 25,593 25,228  25,479 24,941
      
Diluted earnings per share $       1.34$       1.14$       0.77 $2.35$       2.37
      
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding  26,319 26,161 25,721  26,222 25,450
      

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION  
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS  
(Unaudited and amounts in thousands)  
      
    June 30, 2018September 30, 2017
    
   ASSETS:  
      
Current assets:  
  Cash and cash equivalents$  186,124$  397,890
  Short-term available-for-sale securities   124,455   -
  Accounts receivable, net    74,017   64,793
  Inventories, net   77,302   71,873
  Other current assets   29,008   16,426
       Total current assets 490,906 550,982
      
Property, plant and equipment, net   108,569   106,361
Other long-term assets   160,007   176,757
       Total assets$  759,482$  834,100
      
      
   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:  
      
Current liabilities:  
  Accounts payable$   18,290$  17,624
  Current portion of long-term debt   -   10,938
  Accrued expenses, income taxes payable and other current liabilities   72,009   62,651
       Total current liabilities 90,299 91,213
      
Long-term debt, net of current portion   -   132,997
Other long-term liabilities   35,002   14,853
       Total liabilities   125,301   239,063
      
Stockholders' equity   634,181   595,037
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$  759,482$  834,100
      

 

        
U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
(Unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share and percentage amounts) 
        
The following presents reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measures included in the Cabot Microelectronics Corporation press release dated July 25, 2018.
        
        
  Three Months Ended June 30, 2018Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018
        
  U.S. GAAPAdjustmentsNon-GAAPU.S. GAAPAdjustmentsNon-GAAP
Gross profit (1)$   80,700 $    1,310$   82,010 $  229,759 $    3,855$  233,614 
Gross margin* 53.6%  54.5% 53.0%  53.9%
        
Operating income (2)  41,930   1,777  43,707   116,130   5,257  121,387 
Operating margin ** 27.9%  29.1% 26.8%  28.0%
        
Net income (3)$   35,171 $      806$   35,977 $   61,825 $   36,478$   98,303 
        
        
Diluted earnings per share (4)$       1.34 $     0.03$       1.37 $       2.35 $      1.39$       3.74 
        
(1) Non-GAAP gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2018 excludes $1,310 of NexPlanar amortization expense.
 Non-GAAP gross profit for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 excludes $3,855 of NexPlanar amortization expense.
        
(2) Non-GAAP operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 excludes the item mentioned above in (1) plus $467 of NexPlanar amortization expense recorded in operating expenses.
 Non-GAAP operating income for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 excludes the item mentioned above in (1) plus $1,402 of NexPlanar amortization expense recorded in operating expenses.
        
(3) Non-GAAP net income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 excludes the items mentioned above in (1) and (2). These adjustments are partially offset by a $511 change in estimated withholding taxes and re-measurement of U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded in the first half of fiscal 2018 related to U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act) enacted on December 22, 2017, and a $460 increase in the provision for income taxes related to excluding NexPlanar amortization.
 Non-GAAP net income for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 excludes the items mentioned above in (1) and (2) plus $32,581 of tax expense due to Tax Act. These adjustments are partially offset by a $1,360 increase in the provision for income taxes related to excluding NexPlanar amortization.
        
(4) Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share is calculated based upon Non-GAAP net income. The impact of the Tax Act increased diluted earnings per share by $0.02 for the three months ended June 30, 2018, and reduced diluted earnings per share by $1.24 for the nine months ended June 30, 2018.
   
             *Gross margin represents gross profit as a percentage of revenue. 
             **Operating margin represents operating income as a percentage of revenue.