MKS Instruments Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Financial Results

MKS Instruments Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Financial Results

ANDOVER, Mass., Feb 03, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- MKS Instruments, Inc. (Nasdaq: MKSI), a global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, reports fourth quarter and full year 2009 financial results.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

Sales were $149.3 million, up 41 percent from $106.3 million in the third quarter of 2009 and up 19 percent from $125.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Fourth quarter net income was $14.9 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to net losses of $4.0 million, or ($0.08) per basic share, in the third quarter of 2009 and $6.3 million, or ($0.13) per basic share, in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Non-GAAP net earnings, which exclude special charges, were $15.5 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $1.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2009 and $0.1 million, or breakeven in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Full Year Results

Net sales were $411.4 million, down 36 percent compared to $647.0 million in 2008. The net loss was $212.7 million, or ($4.31) per basic share, compared to net income of $30.1 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, in 2008. Non-GAAP net loss was $2.6 million, or ($0.05) per basic share, compared to net earnings of $41.4 million, or $0.82 per diluted share in 2008.

Leo Berlinghieri, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "In the fourth quarter we saw further acceleration in our core semiconductor business and we are seeing signs of improvement in the general market as well. Forecasters are predicting that the global economy is recovering and they are optimistic about a strong 2010.

"After enjoying avery positive uptick in sales in the past two quarters, we expect to see continued growth in the semiconductor market in 2010. We also expect that the improvement in the global economy, combined with our market diversification, will result in increased sales to our non semiconductor markets, fueling additional growth in 2010. Based on these factors and current customer activity, we anticipate that business in the first quarter of 2010 will continue to improve. We estimate that our first quarter sales may range from $170 to $190 million and at these volumes, our non-GAAP net earnings could range from $0.36 to $0.49 per share, and our GAAP net income could range from $0.35 to $0.48 per share."

Management will discuss fourth quarter and full year financial results on a conference call tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). Dial-in numbers are 1-877-941-9205 for domestic callers and 1-480-629-9835 for international callers. The call will be broadcast live and available for replay at http://www.mksinstruments.com/. To hear a telephone replay through February 11, 2010, dial 1-303-590-3030, access code 4203019#.

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.

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, 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 31,  December 31,  September 30,
                                         2009          2008           2009
                                         ----          ----           ----

    Net sales                           $149,270      $125,180       $106,262
    Cost of sales                         86,536        80,571         66,783
                                          ------        ------         ------
    Gross profit                          62,734        44,609         39,479

    Research and development              13,681        19,277         12,114
    Selling, general and
     administrative                       27,814        30,518         24,385
    Amortization of acquired
     intangible assets                       872         1,949            871
    Impairment of intangible assets            -         6,069              -
    Restructuring                            (44)            -            168
                                             ---           ---            ---
    Income (loss) from operations         20,411       (13,204)         1,941

    Interest income, net                     156         1,287            263
                                             ---         -----            ---

    Income (loss) before income
     taxes                                20,567       (11,917)         2,204
    Provision (benefit) for income
     taxes                                 5,620        (5,627)         6,177
                                           -----        ------          -----
    Net income (loss)                    $14,947       $(6,290)       $(3,973)
                                         =======       =======        =======

    Net income (loss) per share:
      Basic                                $0.30        $(0.13)        $(0.08)
      Diluted                              $0.30        $(0.13)        $(0.08)

    Weighted average shares
     outstanding:
      Basic                               49,509        48,712         49,461
      Diluted                             50,459        48,712         49,461



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

    GAAP net income (loss)               $14,947       $(6,290)       $(3,973)

    Adjustments (net of tax, if
     applicable):
      Amortization of acquired
       intangible assets                     872         1,949            871
      Excess & obsolete inventory
       adjustment (Note 1)                     -         5,000              -
      Restructuring and related
       items (Note 2)                        (44)            -            168
      Impairment of intangible
       assets (Note 3)                         -         6,069              -
      Expense for income taxes (Note 4)        -        (1,823)             -
      Proforma tax adjustments              (279)       (4,855)         4,497
                                            ----        ------          -----

    Non-GAAP net earnings (Note 5)       $15,496           $50         $1,563
                                         =======           ===         ======

    Non-GAAP net earnings per share
     (Note 5)                              $0.31         $0.00          $0.03
                                           =====         =====          =====
    Weighted average shares
     outstanding - diluted                50,459        49,680         50,298


    Note 1: Cost of Sales for the three month period ended December 31, 2008
    includes $5,000 of excessive E&O inventory charges.

    Note 2: The three month periods ended December 31, 2009 and September 30,
    2009 includes $(44) and $168, respectively, of restructuring charges
    (adjustments) primarily for severance related costs.

    Note 3: The three month period ended December 31, 2008 includes a $6,069
    write-down for the impairment of intangible assets resulting from a lower
    forecast for a product for the semiconductor industry.

    Note 4: The three month period ended December 31, 2008 includes a benefit
    of $1,823 attributable to a discrete tax matter related to the
    reinstatement of the U.S. research and development tax credits and other
    adjustments.

    Note 5: The Non-GAAP net earnings (loss) and Non-GAAP net earnings (loss)
    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,
                                                         ------------

                                                        2009      2008
                                                        ----      ----

    Net sales                                         $411,406  $646,994
    Cost of sales                                      273,316   387,051
                                                       -------   -------
    Gross profit                                       138,090   259,943

    Research and development                            53,543    78,540
    Selling, general and administrative                106,330   130,800
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets           4,407     9,001
    Goodwill and asset impairment charges              208,497     6,069
    Restructuring                                        5,812         -
                                                         -----    ------
    Income (loss) from operations                     (240,499)   35,533

    Impairment of investments                                -      (906)
    Interest income, net                                 1,641     6,425
                                                         -----     -----

    Income (loss) before income taxes                 (238,858)   41,052
    Provision (benefit) for income taxes               (26,199)   10,935
                                                       -------    ------
    Net income (loss)                                $(212,659)  $30,117
                                                     =========   =======

    Net income (loss) per share:
      Basic                                             $(4.31)    $0.61
      Diluted                                           $(4.31)    $0.59

    Weighted average shares outstanding:
      Basic                                             49,318    49,717
      Diluted                                           49,318    50,754


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

    GAAP net income (loss)                           $(212,659)  $30,117

    Adjustments (net of tax, if applicable):
      Amortization of acquired intangible assets         4,407     9,001
      Excess & obsolete inventory adjustment (Note 1)   12,900     5,000
      Restructuring and related items (Note 2)           4,514         -
      Goodwill and asset impairment charges (Note 3)   208,497     6,069
      Foreign exchange gain from legal entity
       restructuring (Note 4)                                -    (2,669)
      Expense (benefit) for income taxes (Note 5)       (6,370)      400
      Proforma tax adjustments                         (13,897)   (6,485)
                                                       -------    ------

    Non-GAAP net earnings (loss) (Note 6)              $(2,608)  $41,433
                                                       =======   =======

    Non-GAAP net earnings (loss) per share (Note 6)     $(0.05)    $0.82
    Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted       49,318    50,754


    Note 1:  Cost of Sales for the twelve month periods ended December 31,
    2009 and December 31, 2008 includes $12,900 and $5,000, respectively, of
    special charges for excess, obsolete and committed inventory purchases.

    Note 2: The twelve month period ended December 31, 2009 includes $5,812 of
    restructuring charges primarily for severance related costs offset by a
    credit of $1,298 for the reversal of previously expensed equity
    compensation charges of terminated employees.

    Note 3: The twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009 and December 31,
    2008 includes $208,497 and $6,069, respectively, of charges related to
    the impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets.

    Note 4: Selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve month
    period ended December 31, 2008 includes a foreign exchange gain of $2,669
    related to the Company's legal entity restructuring of certain foreign
    operations.

    Note 5: The twelve month period ended December 31, 2009 includes a benefit
    of $6,370 attributable to the reversal of FIN 48 reserve items as a result
    of a Federal audit close. The twelve month period ended December 31, 2008
    includes a net tax expense for discrete items of $400 attributable to the
    booking of a valuation allowance on tax attributes of $3,467 partially
    offset by a benefit of $3,067 for discrete items mainly related to the
    reversal of FIN 48 reserve items as a result of a statute of limitations
    expiration.

    Note 6 : The Non-GAAP net earnings (loss) and Non-GAAP net earnings (loss)
    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,
                                           2009         2008
                                           ----         ----

    ASSETS

    Cash and short-term investments      $271,795     $278,869
    Trade accounts receivable              94,215       85,350
    Inventories                           118,004      131,519
    Other current assets                   48,867       32,990
                                           ------       ------
      Total current assets                532,881      528,728

    Property, plant and equipment, net     67,196       82,017
    Goodwill                              144,511      337,765
    Other acquired intangible assets        4,963       21,069
    Other assets                           24,518       15,360
                                           ------       ------

    Total assets                         $774,069     $984,939
                                         ========     ========


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Short-term debt                       $12,991      $18,678
    Accounts payable                       26,292       19,320
    Accrued expenses and other
     liabilities                           32,017       37,937
                                           ------       ------
      Total current liabilities            71,300       75,935

    Long-term debt                             18          396
    Other long-term liabilities            17,818       21,910

    Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock                              113          113
    Additional paid-in capital            645,411      637,938
    Retained earnings                      28,769      241,428
    Other stockholders' equity             10,640        7,219
                                           ------        -----
      Total stockholders' equity          684,933      886,698
                                          -------      -------

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                $774,069     $984,939
                                         ========     ========

SOURCE MKS Instruments, Inc.