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Press Release

Asyst Technologies Reports Improved Results
for Second Quarter of Fiscal 2006


FREMONT, Calif., Nov. 1, 2005 – Asyst Technologies, Inc., (Nasdaq NM: ASYT), a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enhance semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing productivity, today announced consolidated financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended Sept. 30, 2005.

Consolidated net loss for the fiscal second quarter on a GAAP basis was $1.5 million, or $(0.03) per share.  This compares with a GAAP net loss of $3.6 million, or $(0.08) per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. On a non-GAAP basis, the company reported net income for the fiscal second quarter of $0.7 million, or $0.02 per share, compared with a non-GAAP net loss of $0.9 million, or $(0.02) per share, in the prior sequential quarter.  A table reconciling GAAP net loss to non-GAAP net income (loss) is provided as part of this release.

Consolidated net sales for the fiscal second quarter were $124.6 million, up 6% from $117.5 million in the prior sequential quarter.  Net sales for the fiscal second quarter at ATI, the company’s base business, were $39.2 million, which was essentially flat with $40.1 million in the prior sequential quarter.  Net sales for the fiscal second quarter at Asyst Shinko, Inc. (ASI), the company’s 51%-owned joint venture in Japan, were $85.4 million, up 10% from $77.4 million in the prior sequential quarter.  The sales increase at ASI was primarily driven by completion of a number of customer projects ahead of schedule.

In the fiscal second quarter, consolidated gross margin was 35%, up from 29% in the fiscal first quarter.  Gross margin at ATI was 38%, up from 34% in the prior sequential quarter, primarily reflecting improved sales mix and continued cost reductions.  Gross margin at ASI was 33%, up from 26% in the prior sequential quarter.  The increase at ASI primarily reflects the impact of lower than estimated costs on a number of customer projects completed in the quarter as well as improved project management and initial benefits from the company’s ongoing cost reduction programs. 

Total net bookings for the fiscal second quarter were $100 million, which compares with $109 million in the prior sequential quarter.  Bookings at ATI were $38 million, which compares with $32 million in the fiscal first quarter, however the company continues to view the ATI bookings environment as essentially flat.  Bookings at ASI were $62 million, which compares with $77 million in the prior sequential quarter.  ASI reported bookings of $57 million from semiconductor customers, which was flat with the prior sequential quarter.  ASI’s bookings from flat panel display customers were $5 million, compared with $20 million in the prior sequential quarter.  AMHS bookings can be volatile based on the timing of customer investment decisions.

"The fiscal second quarter marked our third consecutive quarter of gross margin improvement and a significant milestone in our transition to profitability," said Steve Schwartz, chairman and CEO.  "For Asyst, achieving non-GAAP profitability at this point in the semiconductor cycle is the result of three years of product development, market positioning, and operational realignment.  We have built what we believe is the industry’s broadest portfolio of 300mm automation solutions and have achieved market share leadership in most of our served market segments.  Although challenges remain, we also can say that today we are better positioned operationally than at any time over this period. We are focused on continuing to drive operational improvements and market share with the objective of sustaining profitability in most market conditions and positioning the company to generate significant profitability when market conditions improve."

Outlook

For the fiscal third quarter ending Dec. 31, 2005, the company provided the following guidance:

  • Consolidated net sales are expected to be in the range of $105 to $115 million.
  • The company expects to be essentially breakeven on a GAAP basis.
  • On a non-GAAP basis, the company expects to report net income of $1.5 to $3.0 million, or $0.03 to $0.06 cents per share.  To reconcile net loss or net income under GAAP to non-GAAP net income, the company expects to exclude:
    • $2.0 million related to the amortization of intangibles, net of taxes and minority interest
    • $0.3 million of stock-based compensation expense, as part of selling, general & administrative expense

This guidance is forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially.  The company has no obligation to update this guidance.

Contact:

John Swenson
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Asyst Technologies, Inc.
510-661-5000

About Our Non-GAAP Operating Results and Adjustments

To supplement our consolidated financial results prepared under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we use a non-GAAP measure of operating results that is GAAP net income (loss) adjusted to exclude certain costs, expenses and gains. Our non-GAAP net income (loss) gives an indication of our baseline performance before gains, losses or other charges that are considered by management to be outside of our core operating results. In addition, our non-GAAP net income (loss) is among the primary indicators management uses as a basis for planning and forecasting future periods. This measure is not in accordance with, or an alternative for, GAAP and may be materially different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. We compute non-GAAP net income (loss) by adjusting GAAP net income (loss) for the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, restructuring and impairment charges, costs related to events outside the normal course of business, and other non-cash charges and gains. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

About Asyst

Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) manufacturers to increase their manufacturing productivity and protect their investment in materials during the manufacturing process.  Encompassing isolation systems, work-in-process materials management, substrate-handling robotics, automated transport and loading systems, and connectivity automation software, Asyst’s modular, interoperable solutions allow chip and FPD manufacturers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs.  Asyst’s homepage is http://www.asyst.com

Conference Call Details

A live webcast of the conference call to discuss the quarter’s financial results will take place today, Nov. 1, 2005, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  The webcast will be publicly available on Asyst’s website at http://www.asyst.com and accessible by going to the investor relations page and clicking on the "webcast" link.  For more information, including this press release, any non-GAAP financial measures that may be discussed on the webcast as well as the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of the difference between those GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, as well as any other material financial and other statistical information contained in the webcast, please visit Asyst’s website at www.asyst.com.  A replay of the Webcast may be accessed via the same procedure.  In addition, a standard telephone instant replay of the conference call is available by dialing (303) 590-3000, followed by the passcode 11042082#.  The audio instant replay is available from Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time through Nov. 18 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

 

                       ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      (Unaudited; in thousands)



                                           September 30,   March 31,
                                               2005          2005
                                           ------------- -------------

ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
   Cash, cash equivalents and short-term
    investments                                $104,408      $101,180
   Accounts receivable, net                     195,251       189,943
   Inventories                                   32,733        33,515
   Prepaid expenses and other                    20,458        33,971
                                           ------------- -------------

       Total current assets                     352,850       358,609
                                           ------------- -------------

LONG-TERM ASSETS:
   Property and equipment, net                   15,372        15,458
   Goodwill                                      61,086        64,014
   Intangible assets, net                        28,836        40,898
   Other assets                                   4,337         4,795
                                           ------------- -------------

       Total long-term assets                   109,631       125,165
                                           ------------- -------------

Total assets                                   $462,481      $483,774
                                           ============= =============

LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
   Short-term loans and notes payable          $ 39,082      $ 20,563
   Current portion of long-term debt and
    capital leases                                2,198         2,757
   Accounts payable                             100,380       123,155
   Accrued liabilities                           66,597        70,439
   Deferred revenue                               6,826         6,013
                                           ------------- -------------

       Total current liabilities                215,083       222,927
                                           ------------- -------------

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
   Convertible notes                             86,250        86,250
   Long-term debt and capital leases, net
    of current portion                            1,490         2,500
   Deferred tax and other long-term
    liabilities                                  13,146        18,319
                                           ------------- -------------

       Total long-term liabilities              100,886       107,069
                                           ------------- -------------

MINORITY INTEREST                                63,920        63,855
                                           ------------- -------------

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:                            82,592        89,923
                                           ------------- -------------

Total liabilities, minority interest and
 shareholders' equity                          $462,481      $483,774
                                           ============= =============



                       ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
           (Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)


                                     Three Months       Six Months
                                         Ended             Ended
                                   -----------------------------------

                                   Sep 30,  Sep 25,   Sep 30, Sep 25,
                                    2005     2004       2005   2004
                                  ------------------------------------

NET SALES                         $124,595 $168,606 $242,046 $308,031
COST OF SALES                       81,119  137,758  164,836  250,088
                                  ------------------------------------
Gross profit                        43,476   30,848   77,210   57,943
                                  ------------------------------------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Research and development             7,084    9,073   14,151   18,752
Selling, general and
 administrative                     22,196   17,419   41,375   34,269
Amortization of acquired
 intangible assets                   4,714    5,040    9,632   10,092
Restructuring charges                    -      368       93      587
                                  ------------------------------------
Total operating expenses            33,994   31,900   65,251   63,700
                                  ------------------------------------

Operating income (loss)              9,482   (1,052)  11,959   (5,757)

Other expense, net                    (910)    (805)  (1,470)  (1,361)
                                  ------------------------------------



Income (loss) before benefit from
 (provision for) income
taxes and minority interest          8,572   (1,857)  10,489   (7,118)


BENEFIT FROM (PROVISION FOR)
 INCOME TAXES                       (6,584)     (67)  (9,684)   1,587
MINORITY INTEREST                   (3,533)      93   (5,937)   1,414
                                  ------------------------------------
NET LOSS                           $(1,545) $(1,831) $(5,132) $(4,117)
                                  ====================================

BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER
 SHARE                              $(0.03)  $(0.04)  $(0.11)  $(0.09)
                                  ====================================


WEIGHTED SHARES USED IN THE PER
 SHARE CALCULATION                  47,963   47,428   47,879   47,304
                                  ====================================



                    ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS)
        (Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)



                                              Three Months Ended
                                         ----------------------------
                                         Sept. 30, June 30, Sept. 25,
                                            2005     2005      2004
                                         --------- -------- ---------

GAAP net loss                             $(1,545) $(3,587)  $(1,831)
Adjustments:
Stock based compensation expense              289      534       329
Amortization of intangible assets           4,714    4,918     5,040
Restructuring charges                           -       93       368
Income tax benefit relating to
 amortization of intangible assets (1)     (1,562)  (1,630)   (1,688)
Minority interest relating to the ASI
 adjustments above (2)                     (1,159)  (1,209)   (1,134)
                                         --------- -------- ---------
     Total adjustments                      2,282    2,706     2,915
                                         --------- -------- ---------
Non-GAAP net income (loss)                   $737    $(881)   $1,084
                                         ========= ======== =========

Basic non-GAAP net income (loss) per
 share                                      $0.02   $(0.02)    $0.02
Diluted non-GAAP net income (loss) per
 share                                      $0.02   $(0.02)    $0.02
Weighted shares used in the per share
 calculation - basic                       47,963   47,812    47,428
Weighted shares used in the per share
 calculation - diluted                     48,522   47,812    53,818

(1) Income tax adjustment relating to the amortization of
intangibles attributable to ASI.

(2) Reflects 49% minority interest adjustment relating to
the net adjustments at ASI.



                    ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
               SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
        (Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)


                                             Three Months Ended
                                               Sept. 30, 2005
                                        ----------------------------
                                          ATI      ASI    Consolidated
                                                           Under GAAP
                                        -------- -------- ------------

SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
NET SALES                               $39,174  $85,421   $124,595
COST OF SALES                            24,154   56,965     81,119
                                        -------- -------- ----------
Gross profit                             15,020   28,456     43,476
                                        -------- -------- ----------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Research and development                  5,147    1,937      7,084
Selling, general and administrative      13,268    8,928     22,196
Amortization of acquired intangible
 assets                                     787    3,927      4,714
                                        -------- -------- ----------
  Total operating expenses               19,202   14,792     33,994
                                        -------- -------- ----------
  Operating income (loss)                (4,182)  13,664      9,482

Other expense, net                         (153)    (757)      (910)
                                        -------- -------- ----------
  Income (loss) before provision for
   income taxes
    and minority interest                (4,335)  12,907      8,572
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                 (851)  (5,733)    (6,584)
MINORITY INTEREST                           (27)  (3,506)    (3,533)
                                        -------- -------- ----------
NET INCOME (LOSS)                       $(5,213)  $3,668    $(1,545)
                                        ======== ======== ==========

Basic net income (loss) per share        $(0.11)   $0.08     $(0.03)
Diluted net income (loss) per share      $(0.11)   $0.08     $(0.03)
Weighted shares used in the per share
 calculation - basic                     47,963   47,963     47,963
Weighted shares used in the per share
 calculation - diluted                   47,963   48,522     47,963
 


Copyright © 2005 Asyst Technologies, Inc.  All rights reserved.