MKS Instruments Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Financial Results

MKS Instruments Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Financial Results

WILMINGTON, Mass., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MKS Instruments, Inc. (Nasdaq: MKSI), a global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, today reported fourth quarter and full year 2007 financial results.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

Sales were $184.1 million, up 2 percent from $181.0 million in the third quarter of 2007 and down 8 percent from $199.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Net income was $15.2 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to $21.4 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2007 and $26.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Non-GAAP net earnings, which exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets and special items, totaled $18.6 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $22.0 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2007 and $25.9 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Full Year Results

Net sales were $780.5 million compared to $782.8 million in 2006. Net income was $86.4 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, compared to $94.2 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, in 2006. Non-GAAP net earnings totaled $95.6 million, or $1.67 per diluted share, compared to $102.3 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, in 2006.

The financial results that exclude certain charges and special items are not in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). MKS' management believes the presentation of non- GAAP financial measures, which exclude costs associated with acquisitions and special items, is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analyzing ongoing business trends and operating results.

Leo Berlinghieri, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "We exceeded our expectations for the fourth quarter, and achieved better than expected sales to semiconductor OEMs, and higher sequential sales to semiconductor fabs and non-semiconductor markets.

"Our strategy is to leverage our broad portfolio of semiconductor technology in other markets such as solar, flat panel display and greenhouse gas emissions monitoring for higher growth and to reduce the impact of semiconductor cyclicality. Our results for the fourth quarter and the year demonstrate that this strategy is working.

"While we are quite optimistic about our long term growth opportunities, we remain cautious about the near term outlook, with market conditions still unclear. Looking ahead to the first quarter, we expect sales could range from $180 to $190 million. Net income could range from $0.24 to $0.31 per diluted share on 55.1 million shares outstanding, and non-GAAP net earnings could range from $0.28 to $0.35 per diluted share."

Management will discuss fourth quarter and full year financial results on a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). Dial-in numbers are 1-800-257-7087 for domestic callers and 303-262-2137 for international callers. The call will be broadcast live and available for replay at www.mksinstruments.com. To hear a telephone replay through February 14, 2008, dial 303-590-3000, pass code 11107172#.

MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor and analyze critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, materials delivery, gas composition analysis, electrostatic charge management, control and information technology, power and reactive gas generation, and vacuum technology. Our primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor devices, and for other thin film applications including flat panel displays, solar cells, data storage media, and other advanced coatings. We also leverage our technology in other markets with advanced manufacturing applications including medical equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and energy generation and environmental monitoring.

This release contains projections or other forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27 of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act regarding MKS' future growth and the future financial performance of MKS. These projections or statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the projections or other forward-looking statements set forth herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those in the projections or other forward-looking statements are the fluctuations in capital spending in the semiconductor industry, fluctuations in net sales to MKS' major customers, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, the challenges, risks and costs involved with integrating the operations of MKS and any acquired companies, dependence on new product development, rapid technological and market change, acquisition strategy, manufacturing and sourcing risks, volatility of stock price, international operations, financial risk management, and future growth subject to risks. Readers are referred to MKS' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a discussion of these and other important risk factors concerning MKS and its operations. MKS is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


                            MKS Instruments, Inc.
               Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
                    (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                    Three Months Ended
                                             December    December   September
                                                31,         31,         30,
                                               2007        2006        2007

    Net sales                               $184,063    $199,895    $181,014
    Cost of sales                            108,066     112,638     104,416
    Gross profit                              75,997      87,257      76,598

    Research and development                  18,361      18,018      17,159
    Selling, general and administrative       32,251      34,621      32,494
    Amortization of acquired intangible
     assets                                    4,091       4,020       3,877
    Purchase of in-process technology            900         -           -
    Income from operations                    20,394      30,598      23,068

    Impairment of investments                 (1,457)        -           -
    Interest income, net                       3,592       2,797       4,010

    Income before income taxes                22,529      33,395      27,078
    Provision for income taxes                 7,368       6,902       5,696
    Net income                               $15,161     $26,493     $21,382

    Net income per share:
      Basic                                    $0.27       $0.47       $0.38
      Diluted                                  $0.27       $0.47       $0.37

    Weighted average shares outstanding:
      Basic                                   55,415      55,914      56,809
      Diluted                                 55,946      56,561      57,482


    The following supplemental Non-GAAP
     earnings information is presented
     to aid in understanding MKS'
     operating results:

    GAAP net income                          $15,161     $26,493     $21,382

    Adjustments (net of tax, if applicable):
      Amortization of acquired intangible
       assets                                  4,091       4,020       3,877
      Purchase of in-process technology          900         -           -
      Benefit for income taxes (Note 1)          -        (3,129)     (1,847)
      Tax effect of adjustments               (1,507)     (1,481)     (1,427)

    Non-GAAP net earnings (Note 2)           $18,645     $25,903     $21,985

    Non-GAAP net earnings per share (Note 2)   $0.33       $0.46       $0.38
    Weighted average shares outstanding -
     diluted                                  55,946      56,561      57,482


    Note 1:  The three month period ended September 30, 2007 includes a
             benefit of $1,847 attributable to a discrete tax matter related
             to our research and development tax credits.  The three month
             period ended December 31, 2006 includes a net benefit of $3,129
             primarily attributable to the impact on prior quarters of the
             retroactive extension of the R&D tax credit from January 1, 2006
             through December 31, 2006 and to a reduction of the valuation
             allowance on state tax credits.

    Note 2:  The Non-GAAP net earnings and Non-GAAP net earnings per share
             amounts exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets,
             acquisition and disposition related charges and special items,
             net of applicable income taxes.


                            MKS Instruments, Inc.
               Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
                    (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                       Twelve Months Ended
                                                          December 31,
                                                     2007              2006

    Net sales                                     $780,487          $782,801
    Cost of sales                                  449,000           444,679
    Gross profit                                   331,487           338,122

    Research and development                        72,170            69,702
    Selling, general and administrative            135,249           127,703
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets      16,183            17,376
    Purchase of in-process technology                  900               800
    Income from operations                         106,985           122,541

    Impairment of investments                       (1,457)              -
    Interest income, net                            14,488             8,400

    Income before income taxes                     120,016           130,941
    Provision for income taxes                      33,656            36,706
    Net income                                     $86,360           $94,235

    Net income per share:
      Basic                                          $1.53             $1.70
      Diluted                                        $1.51             $1.68

    Weighted average shares outstanding:
      Basic                                         56,349            55,395
      Diluted                                       57,173            55,961


    The following supplemental Non-GAAP
     earnings information is presented
     to aid in understanding MKS'
     operating results:

    GAAP net income                                $86,360           $94,235

    Adjustments (net of tax, if applicable):
      Amortization of acquired intangible assets    16,183            17,376
      Purchase of in-process technology                900               800
      Benefit for income taxes (Note 1)             (1,847)           (3,730)
      Tax effect of adjustments                     (5,962)           (6,370)

    Non-GAAP net earnings (Note 2)                 $95,634          $102,311

    Non-GAAP net earnings per share (Note 2)         $1.67             $1.83
    Weighted average shares outstanding -
     diluted                                        57,173            55,961


    Note 1:  The twelve month period ended December 31, 2007 includes a
             benefit of $1,847 attributable to a discrete tax matter related
             to our research and development tax credits. The twelve month
             period ended December 31, 2006 includes a net tax benefit of
             $3,730 primarily attributable to certain discrete tax matters
             related to our international operations and to a reduction of the
             valuation allowance on state tax credits.

    Note 2:  The Non-GAAP net earnings and Non-GAAP net earnings per share
             amounts exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets,
             acquisition and disposition related charges and special items,
             net of applicable income taxes.


                            MKS Instruments, Inc.
                     Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                (In thousands)

                                               December 31,       December 31,
                                                   2007               2006

    ASSETS

    Cash and short-term investments              $323,765           $289,957
    Trade accounts receivable                     107,504            123,658
    Inventories                                   150,731            149,820
    Other current assets                           27,980             28,003
        Total current assets                      609,980            591,438

    Property, plant and equipment, net             81,365             79,463
    Long-term investments                             -                2,816
    Goodwill                                      337,473            323,973
    Other acquired intangible assets               36,141             43,104
    Other assets                                   11,301              2,926

    Total assets                               $1,076,260         $1,043,720


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Short-term debt                               $20,203            $23,021
    Accounts payable                               28,683             38,541
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities         46,859             68,335
        Total current liabilities                  95,745            129,897

    Long-term debt                                  5,871              6,113
    Other long-term liabilities                    20,635              6,491

    Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock                                      113                113
    Additional paid-in capital                    685,465            680,164
    Retained earnings                             255,244            210,877
    Other stockholders' equity                     13,187             10,065
        Total stockholders' equity                954,009            901,219

    Total liabilities and stockholders'
     equity                                    $1,076,260         $1,043,720

SOURCE MKS Instruments, Inc.

CONTACT: Ronald C. Weigner, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MKS Instruments, Inc., 1-978-284-4000