MKS Instruments Reports Fourth Quarter and Year 2006 Results, Announces Share Repurchase Authorization

MKS Instruments Reports Fourth Quarter and Year 2006 Results, Announces Share Repurchase Authorization

WILMINGTON, Mass., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MKS Instruments, Inc. (Nasdaq: MKSI), a leading worldwide provider of process control technologies for improving productivity in semiconductor and other advanced manufacturing processes, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2006. In addition, the Board of Directors authorized a $300 million share repurchase program at its regularly scheduled meeting.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

In the fourth quarter of 2006, net sales increased by 55 percent to $199.9 million from $129.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, and decreased by 3 percent compared to $205.5 million in the third quarter of 2006.

Net income increased by 119 percent to $26.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, from $12.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2005, and decreased by 5 percent compared to $27.9 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2006.

Non-GAAP net earnings excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets, special items, and stock-based compensation increased by 132 percent to $28.0 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, from $12.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2005, and decreased by 11 percent compared to $31.4 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2006.

Full Year Results

For the year 2006, net sales increased by 54 percent, net income increased by 173 percent, and non-GAAP net earnings increased by 181 percent year over year. Net sales increased to $782.8 million from $509.3 million in 2005. Net income increased to $94.2 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, from $34.6 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in 2005. Non-GAAP net earnings increased to $110.8 million, or $1.98 per diluted share, from $39.5 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, in 2005.

Highlights and Outlook

Leo Berlinghieri, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "MKS achieved record financial performance in 2006, including a record $78 million in cash generated from operations. We delivered on our growth objectives in the semiconductor market and other sectors that are less cyclical. We leveraged our broad technology portfolio, and expanded our presence in key process areas and markets with new products. By continuing to execute our growth strategies, I am confident that we can take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us.

"Our performance in the fourth quarter contributed to an outstanding year. After a record third quarter, fourth quarter sales decreased slightly to $200 million as we expected, although sales to semiconductor end users increased. Our outlook for the first quarter anticipates variations in our major customers' order patterns in semiconductor and non-semiconductor markets. Considering expected fluctuations, we anticipate that first quarter 2007 sales could remain stable and range from $195 to $205 million. Net income could range from $0.37 to $0.43 per diluted share on approximately 57.2 million shares outstanding. Non-GAAP net earnings will include stock-based compensation beginning in 2007. Excluding amortization of acquired intangibles and other items, non-GAAP net earnings could range from $0.41 to $0.47 per diluted share."

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 the costs associated with acquisitions, special items and stock-based compensation, is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analyzing ongoing business trends and operating results.

Share Repurchase Program

MKS also announced that on February 12, 2007 the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $300 million of the company's outstanding stock over the next two years. The repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability, and other market conditions, and the program may be discontinued at any time.

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 1-800-218-0204 for domestic callers and 303-262-2130 for international callers. The call will be broadcast live and available for replay at www.mksinstruments.com. To hear a telephone replay through February 22, 2007, dial 303-590-3000, pass code 11081576#.

MKS Instruments, Inc. is a leading worldwide provider of process control solutions for improving productivity in advanced manufacturing processes such as semiconductor device manufacturing; thin-film manufacturing for flat panel displays, data storage media, architectural glass and electro-optical products; and technology for medical imaging equipment and other markets. Our instruments, components and subsystems incorporate sophisticated technologies to power, measure, control, and monitor increasingly complex gas-related semiconductor manufacturing processes, thereby enhancing our customers' uptime, yield and throughput, and return on invested capital.

This release contains projections or other forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and 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,
                                             2006        2005        2006

    Net sales                               $199,895    $129,174    $205,494
    Cost of sales                            112,638      77,545     114,875
    Gross profit                              87,257      51,629      90,619

    Research and development                  18,018      12,994      17,964
    Selling, general and administrative       34,621      23,791      33,017
    Amortization of acquired intangible
     assets                                    4,020       3,099       4,016
    Income from litigation settlement            -        (3,000)        -
    Restructuring                                -           (91)        -
    Income from operations                    30,598      14,836      35,622

    Interest income, net                       2,797       2,202       2,239

    Income before income taxes                33,395      17,038      37,861
    Provision for income taxes                 6,902       4,933       9,928
    Net income                               $26,493     $12,105     $27,933

    Net income per share:
      Basic                                    $0.47       $0.22       $0.50
      Diluted                                  $0.47       $0.22       $0.50

    Weighted average shares outstanding:
      Basic                                   55,914      54,269      55,668
      Diluted                                 56,561      54,945      56,105



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

    GAAP net income                          $26,493     $12,105     $27,933

    Adjustments (net of tax, if applicable):
      Amortization of acquired intangible
       assets                                  4,020       3,099       4,016
      Stock-compensation charges               3,286         -         3,877
      Income from litigation settlement          -        (3,000)        -
      Restructuring                              -           (91)        -
      Benefit for income taxes (Note 1)       (3,129)        -        (1,565)
      Tax effect of adjustments               (2,635)         (3)     (2,869)

    Non-GAAP net earnings (Note 2)           $28,035     $12,110     $31,392

    Non-GAAP net earnings per share
     (Note 2)                                  $0.50       $0.22       $0.56
    Weighted average shares outstanding -
     diluted                                  56,561      54,945      56,105


    Note 1:  The three month period ended December 31, 2006 includes a net
    tax benefit of $3,129  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.  The three month period ended September 30, 2006 includes a
    net tax benefit of $1,565 primarily attributable to certain discrete tax
    matters related to our international operations.

    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, stock-compensation 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,

                                                 2006                 2005

    Net sales                                  $782,801             $509,294
    Cost of sales                               444,679              308,860
    Gross profit                                338,122              200,434

    Research and development                     69,702               55,916
    Selling, general and administrative         127,703               93,021
    Amortization of acquired intangible
     assets                                      17,376               13,864
    Purchase of in-process technology               800                  -
    Income from litigation settlement               -                 (3,000)
    Restructuring charges                           -                     85

    Income from operations                      122,541               40,548

    Interest income, net                          8,400                6,459

    Income before income taxes                  130,941               47,007
    Provision for income taxes                   36,706               12,442
    Net income                                  $94,235              $34,565

    Net income per share:
      Basic                                       $1.70                $0.64
      Diluted                                     $1.68                $0.63

    Weighted average shares outstanding:
      Basic                                      55,395               54,067
      Diluted                                    55,961               54,633


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


    GAAP Net income                             $94,235              $34,565

    Adjustments (net of tax, if applicable):
      Amortization of acquired intangible
       assets                                    17,376               13,864
      Stock-compensation charges                 13,143                  -
      Purchase of in-process technology             800                  -
      Income from litigation settlement             -                 (3,000)
      Restructuring charges                         -                     85
      Benefit for income taxes (Note 1)          (3,730)              (1,901)
      Tax effect of adjustments                 (11,030)              (4,118)

    Non-GAAP net earnings (Note 2)             $110,794              $39,495

    Non-GAAP net earnings per share
     (Note 2)                                     $1.98                $0.72
    Weighted average shares outstanding          55,961               54,633


    Note 1:  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.  The twelve month period ended
    December 31, 2005 includes a tax benefit of $1,901 in connection with
    closing an IRS audit.

    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, stock-compensation charges and special
    items, net of applicable income taxes.


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

                                                December 31,      December 31,
                                                   2006              2005

    ASSETS

    Cash and short-term investments               $289,957          $292,619
    Trade accounts receivable                      123,658            82,610
    Inventories                                    149,820            98,242
    Other current assets                            28,003            25,676
           Total current assets                    591,438           499,147

    Property, plant and equipment, net              79,463            78,726
    Long-term investments                            2,816               857
    Goodwill                                       323,973           255,243
    Other acquired intangible assets                43,104            27,422
    Other assets                                     2,926             2,345

    Total assets                                $1,043,720          $863,740


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Short-term debt                                $23,021           $18,886
    Accounts payable                                38,541            27,955
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities          68,335            42,246
           Total current liabilities               129,897            89,087

    Long-term debt                                   6,113             6,152
    Other long-term liabilities                      6,491             5,658

    Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock                                       113               113
    Additional paid-in capital                     680,164           639,152
    Retained earnings                              210,877           116,642
    Other stockholders' equity                      10,065             6,936
           Total stockholders' equity              901,219           762,843

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $1,043,720          $863,740

SOURCE MKS Instruments, Inc.
CONTACT: Ronald C. Weigner, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MKS Instruments, Inc., +1-978-284-4446
Web site: http://www.mksinstruments.com