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Nanometrics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results

ONTO

MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 07, 2017 (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 31, 2016.

2016 Highlights:

  • Record Memory Sales, Driven by 3D-NAND. Strong market positions with key customers ramping production of 3D-NAND devices led to a near-doubling of last year’s 3D-NAND record revenues and an all-time record in product revenues from the overall memory segment.
  • Record Thin-Film Metrology Sales.  Success in expanding our thin-film metrology solutions in both Automated and Integrated systems led to thin-film metrology sales more than doubling year-over-year.
  • Record Integrated Metrology Sales.  Market share gains, particularly in 3D-NAND, led to record sales of Integrated Metrology systems, with revenues up over 34% year-over-year.
  • Revenue Growth and Operational Execution Drove Significant Year-Over-Year Improvements in Financial Results.
      -  Revenue up 18%
      -  Gross Margin improved over 330 basis points; Operating Margin improved over 920 basis points
      -  Incremental Gross Margin and Incremental Operating Margin exceeded 70% and 65%, respectively
      -  Over $40 million in Free Cash Flow generation
     
  GAAP Results  
    Q4 2016 Q3 2016 Q4 2015 FY 2016 FY 2015  
  Revenues (Millions) $ 59.2   $ 58.7   $ 42.7   $ 221.1   $ 187.4    
  Gross Margin   52.1 %   51.8 %   48.7 %   51.6 %   47.9 %  
  Operating Margin   15.2 %   15.4 %   -2.4 %   13.2 %   2.7 %  
  Net Income (loss) (Millions) $ 26.7   $ 7.9   $ (1.8 ) $ 44.0   $ 2.9    
  Earnings per Diluted Share $ 1.04   $ 0.31   $ (0.07 ) $ 1.75   $ 0.12    
               
  Non-GAAP Results  
    Q4 2016 Q3 2016 Q4 2015 FY 2016 FY 2015  
  Gross Margin   52.3 %   52.5 %   49.8 %   52.3 %   48.9 %  
  Operating Margin   15.4 %   16.1 %   1.8 %   13.8 %   4.6 %  
  Net Income (Millions) $ 8.4   $ 8.3   $ 0.0   $ 27.1   $ 6.4    
  Earnings per Diluted Share $ 0.33   $ 0.33   $ 0.00   $ 1.08   $ 0.26    
               

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, restructuring charges and certain non-cash tax items.

“Nanometrics’ results for 2016 reflect the significant market share gains we have achieved over the past few years in combination with a relentless focus on operational efficiencies, and mark a financial performance inflection point for the company,” commented Dr. Timothy J. Stultz, president and chief executive officer. “Our year-on-year revenue growth of 18% significantly outperformed overall industry spending, with a balanced revenue profile and meaningful contributions by every leading semiconductor manufacturer and each device type: 3D-NAND, DRAM and Foundry logic. Over the past three years, we have increased revenues by over 50% while keeping operating expenses relatively flat, resulting in incremental operating margins in the 60% to 65% range, well above our target business model. Improvements in our gross margin profile are enabling us to step up our investments in R&D for the development of entirely new technology platforms and applications that can expand our served markets and contribute to future revenue growth – while still delivering solid bottom line performance.

“As we look to 2017, we expect to continue to benefit from strong spending and our robust market share positions in 3D-NAND, while forecasting increasing revenues for both DRAM and Foundry logic compared to 2016. Our flagship Atlas® III system, launched last year into advanced DRAM, has continued to gain traction with multiple additional key accounts and end markets. The customer response to this system has been the strongest we have ever experienced for a newly-introduced product, and is expected to help drive record shipments for Nanometrics in the current quarter and all-time record revenues in the second quarter. Given the number of first-in-fab shipments in our first-quarter shipping plans and the associated delays in timing of revenue recognition, our first-quarter sales are expected to come in at levels similar to the fourth quarter and, at the midpoint of guidance, 23% higher than the same period last year. Importantly, with the recent upbeat investment announcements by our key customers, the growing tailwinds for our business, and our strong position in the fastest-growing segments of our served markets, we believe we are well-positioned to continue to meaningfully outperform the industry, further improve our financial performance, and achieve double-digit growth and record revenues for the full year 2017.”

Fourth Quarter 2016 Summary
Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $59.2 million, up 0.8% from $58.7 million in the third quarter of 2016, and up 38.6% from $42.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.  On a GAAP basis, gross margin was 52.1%, compared to 51.8% in the prior quarter and 48.7% in the year-ago period.  Operating income was $9.0 million, compared to $9.1 million in the prior quarter and an operating loss of $1.0 million in the year-ago period.  The net income, which includes the favorable impact of the change of valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets of $18.4 million or $0.72 per diluted share, was $26.7 million or $1.04 per diluted share, compared to $7.9 million or $0.31 per diluted share in the prior quarter, and a net loss of $1.8 million or $0.07 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2015.

On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets, gross margin was 52.3%, compared to 52.5% in the prior quarter and 49.8% in the year-ago period.  Non-GAAP operating income was $9.1 million compared to $9.5 million in the prior quarter and $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP net income, which adjusts for amortization of intangible assets and impact of the change of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $18.4 million, was $8.4 million or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $8.3 million or $0.33 per diluted share in the prior quarter and breakeven in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Full Year 2016 Summary
Revenues were $221.1 million, up 18% from $187.4 million in 2015.  On a GAAP basis, gross margin was 51.6%, compared to 47.9% in 2015, and operating income was $29.1 million, compared to $5.0 million in 2015.  Net income was $44.0 million or $1.75 per diluted share, compared to $2.9 million or $0.12 per diluted share in 2015.

On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets, gross margin was 52.3% compared to 48.9% in 2015.  Non-GAAP operating income, which also excluded restructuring charges in 2015, was $30.6 million, compared to $8.5 million in 2015. Non-GAAP net income, which also adjusts for amortization of intangible assets and the impact of the change of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $18.4 million, was $27.1 million or $1.08 per diluted share, compared to $6.4 million or $0.26 per diluted share in 2015.

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
In accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, the company determined based upon an evaluation of all available objectively verifiable evidence, including but not limited to the company's U.S. operations, current earnings and anticipated future earnings, that a release of the valuation allowance on its U.S., certain state’s, and Israel’s deferred tax assets, which are comprised of accumulated and unused U.S. tax credits, net operating losses, and other temporary book-tax differences, is required.  The release of a non-cash valuation allowance on the majority of the company's deferred tax assets does not have any impact on its cash, nor does such change in the valuation allowance preclude the company from utilizing its tax losses, tax credits or other deferred tax assets in future periods.

Business Outlook
Management expects first-quarter 2017 revenues in the range of $56 to $61 million, with shipments up significantly from the fourth quarter of 2016. Given the expected mix of revenues in the quarter, gross margin is expected to be in the range of 51% to 52% on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. Management expects first-quarter operating expenses to range between $21.6 million and $22.2 million on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, and earnings in the range of $0.19 to $0.26 per diluted share on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. The significant shipment growth in the first quarter and rapid adoption of the Atlas III is expected to lead to revenues exceeding prior record levels in Q2 and for the full year 2017.

Conference Call Details
A conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2016 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 48634472. 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, restructuring charges, and certain non-cash tax items, 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 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 those found in Dr. Stultz’s quote and under the caption “Business Outlook,” 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; Nanometrics’ inability to gain additional market share, increase sales, ship products as scheduled, 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 26, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2016, 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 31,
 2016
  December 26,
 2015
 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 47,062     $ 38,154    
Marketable securities     82,899       44,931    
Accounts receivable, net     39,457       37,832    
Inventories     38,837       47,749    
Inventories-delivered systems     2,457       2,856    
Prepaid expenses and other     5,667       6,592    
Total current assets     216,379       178,114    
           
Property, plant and equipment, net     44,226       44,493    
Goodwill     8,940       9,415    
Intangible assets, net     412       1,867    
Deferred income tax assets     17,399       1,118    
Other assets     474       533    
Total assets   $ 287,830     $ 235,540    
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable   $ 11,342     $ 11,675    
Accrued payroll and related expenses     12,656       10,097    
Deferred revenue     9,168       12,790    
Other current liabilities     8,047       8,878    
Income taxes payable     813       1,771    
Total current liabilities     42,026       45,211    
           
Deferred revenue     816       827    
Income taxes payable     841       775    
Deferred tax liabilities     20       521    
Other long-term liabilities     353       878    
Total liabilities     44,056       48,212    
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock     25       24    
Additional paid-in capital     271,969       258,715    
Accumulated deficit     (22,174 )     (66,209 )  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     (6,046 )     (5,202 )  
Total stockholders’ equity     243,774       187,328    
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 287,830     $ 235,540    
           


NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                   
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended  
    December 31,
 2016
  December 26,
 2015
  December 31,
 2016
  December 26,
 2015
 
                   
Net revenues:                  
Products   $ 48,776     $ 33,255     $ 185,066     $ 146,945    
Service     10,383       9,428       36,063       40,422    
Total net revenues     59,159       42,683       221,129       187,367    
                   
Costs of net revenues:                  
Cost of products     22,766       17,118       85,391       76,224    
Cost of service     5,446       4,292       20,160       19,450    
Amortization of intangible assets     143       469       1,454       2,026    
Total costs of net revenues     28,355       21,879       107,005       97,700    
Gross profit     30,804       20,804       114,124       89,667    
                   
                   
Operating expenses:                  
Research and development     7,996       7,806       31,443       32,701    
Selling     7,614       7,150       30,181       28,055    
General and administrative     6,231       5,543       23,381       22,444    
Amortization of intangible assets     -       25       24       114    
Restructuring     -       1,322       -       1,380    
Total operating expenses     21,841       21,846       85,029       84,694    
Income (loss) from operations     8,963       (1,042 )     29,095       4,973    
                   
Other income (expense):                  
Interest income     2       9       35       71    
Interest expense     (9 )     (38 )     (285 )     (289 )  
Other income, net     230       73       290       813    
Total other income, net     223       44       40       595    
                   
Income before income taxes     9,186       (998 )     29,135       5,568    
Provision for income taxes     (17,468 )     816       (14,900 )     2,663    
Net income (loss)   $ 26,654     $ (1,814 )   $ 44,035     $ 2,905    
                   
Net income per share:                  
Basic   $ 1.07     $ (0.07 )   $ 1.79     $ 0.12    
Diluted   $ 1.04     $ (0.07 )   $ 1.75     $ 0.12    
                   
Shares used in per share calculation:                  
Basic     24,949       24,203       24,655       24,059    
Diluted     25,514       24,203       25,153       24,375    
                   


NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
(In thousands)  
(Unaudited)  
           
           
    Twelve Months Ended  
    December 31,
2016
  December 26,
2015
 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income   $ 44,035     $ 2,905    
Reconciliation of net income to net cash from operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization     8,295       9,075    
Stock-based compensation     7,666       6,248    
Excess tax benefit from equity awards     1,036        
Loss on disposal of fixed assets     478       1,121    
Inventory write down     2,110       2,645    
Deferred income taxes     (16,783 )     345    
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration     (1,175 )     (56 )  
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable     (2,707 )     (12,610 )  
Inventories     4,526       (16,431 )  
Inventories-delivered systems     399       (943 )  
Prepaid expenses and other     905       3,271    
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities     2,462       4,167    
Deferred revenue     (3,634 )     1,006    
Income taxes payable     (1,928 )     828    
Net cash provided by operating activities     45,685       1,571    
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Sales of marketable securities     5,955       3,383    
Maturities of marketable securities     38,775       41,863    
Purchases of marketable securities     (82,864 )     (41,449 )  
Purchase of property, plant and equipment     (3,999 )     (1,846 )  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     (42,133 )     1,951    
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payments to Zygo Corporation related to acquisition     (315 )     (851 )  
Proceeds from sale of shares under employee stock option and purchase plans   9,047       3,974    
Excess tax benefit from equty awards     (1,036 )     -    
Taxes paid on net issuance of stock awards     (1,822 )     (1,182 )  
Repurchases of common stock under share repurchase plans     -       (1,721 )  
Repurchases of common stock - other     (600 )     -    
Net cash provided by financing activities     5,274       220    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     82       (264 )  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     8,908       3,478    
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     38,154       34,676    
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 47,062     $ 38,154    
           


NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP RESULTS 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                                         
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
2016
  September 24,
2016
  December 26,
2015
  December 31,
2016
  December 26,
2015
Reconciliation of GAAP gross profit and gross margin to non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin                                        
GAAP gross profit and gross margin, respectively   $ 30,804     52.1 %   $ 30,404     51.8 %   $ 20,804     48.7 %   $ 114,124     51.6 %   $ 89,667     47.9 %
Non-GAAP adjustments:                                        
Amortization of intangible assets     143     0.2 %     434     0.7 %     469     1.1 %     1,454     0.7 %     2,026     1.1 %
Non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, respectively   $ 30,947     52.3 %   $ 30,838     52.5 %   $ 21,273     49.8 %   $ 115,578     52.3 %   $ 91,693     48.9 %
                                         
Reconciliation of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP operating income                                        
GAAP operating income and operating margin, respectively   $ 8,963     15.2 %   $ 9,066     15.4 %   $ (1,042 )   -2.4 %   $ 29,095     13.2 %   $ 4,973     2.7 %
Non-GAAP adjustments:                                        
Amortization of intangible assets included in cost of revenues     143     0.2 %     434     0.7 %     469     1.1 %     1,454     0.7 %     2,026     1.1 %
Amortization of intangible assets included in operating expenses     -     -       -     -       25     0.0 %     24     0.0 %     114     0.1 %
Restructuring included in operating expenses     -           -     0.0 %     1,322     3.1 %             1,380     0.7 %
Total non-GAAP adjustments to operating income     143     0.2 %     434     0.7 %     1,816     4.2 %     1,478     0.7 %     3,520     1.9 %
Non-GAAP operating income and operating margin, respectively   $ 9,106     15.4 %   $ 9,500     16.1 %   $ 774     1.8 %   $ 30,573     13.8 %   $ 8,493     4.6 %
                                         
Reconciliation of GAAP net income to non-GAAP net income                                        
GAAP net income   $ 26,654         $ 7,883         $ (1,814 )       $ 44,035         $ 2,905      
Non-GAAP adjustments:                                        
Total non-GAAP adjustments to non-GAAP operating income     143           434           1,816           1,478           3,520      
                                                             
Income tax impact of change of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets     (18,443 )         -           -           (18,443 )         -      
Non-GAAP net income   $ 8,354         $ 8,317         $ 2         $ 27,070         $ 6,425      
                                         
GAAP net income (loss) per diluted share   $ 1.04         $ 0.31         $ (0.07 )       $ 1.75         $ 0.12      
                                         
Non-GAAP net income per diluted share   $ 0.33         $ 0.33         $ 0.00         $ 1.08         $ 0.26      
                                         
Shares used in diluted net income per share calculation     25,514           25,282           24,446           25,153           24,375      
                                         
Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow                                     
GAAP net cash provided (used in) by operating activities   $ 11,584         $ 20,881         $ (777 )       $ 45,685         $ 1,571      
Purchase of property and equipment     (650 )         (821 )         (481 )         (3,999 )         (1,846 )    
Free cash flow   $ 10,934         $ 20,060         $ (1,258 )       $ 41,686         $ (275 )    
                                         
Investor Relations Contact: Claire McAdams Headgate Partners LLC 530.265.9899 claire@headgatepartners.com Company Contact: Jeffrey Andreson, CFO Nanometrics Incorporated 408.545.6143 jandreson@nanometrics.com

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