ESI Posts Strong Q1 Fiscal 2019 Results

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Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. released results for its fiscal 2019 first quarter ended June 30, 2018. Financial measures are provided on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis. Non-GAAP results exclude the impact of purchase accounting, equity compensation, restructuring, and other items shown in the non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

First quarter revenue was $110.6 million, compared to $72.7 million in the first quarter of last fiscal year. GAAP net income was $31.1 million or $0.87 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.9 million or $0.08 per diluted share one year ago. On a non-GAAP basis net income was $34.6 million or $0.96 per diluted share, compared to net income of $13.0 million or $0.38 per share in the prior fiscal year's first quarter.

Michael Burger, ESI's president and CEO, stated, "The technology trends toward the need for precision laser processing and component test within the consumer electronics and automotive markets have enabled us to post a strong start to our fiscal year with 52% year on year revenue growth and excellent overall financial performance."

Total orders for the quarter were $82.3 million, compared to $76.6 million one year ago and $111.8 million in the prior quarter. Burger continued, "We have seen a dramatic increase in demand for our MLCC testing tools as many MLCC producers have begun adding manufacturing and testing capacity that partially offset the expected cyclical softness in new demand for flexible circuit laser drills and resulted in an overall 7% year on year order growth."

GAAP gross margin was 48.1%, compared to 36.3% in the first quarter of last fiscal year. Operating expense was $20.2 million, down from $23.0 million last year. Operating income was $33.0 million, or 30% of revenue, compared to income of $3.5 million in last fiscal year's first quarter.

Non-GAAP gross margin was 48.3%, compared to 46.7% one year ago, primarily as a result of significantly higher revenues.  Non-GAAP operating expense decreased year over year from $20.3 million to $18.7 million as a result of the completion of the Company's restructuring activities, and non-GAAP operating income was $34.8 million or 31% of sales.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

At quarter end, total cash, restricted cash and current investments increased to $131.0 million. The company generated $9.8 million of cash from operations during the quarter despite sequential increases in inventory and accounts receivable that resulted from the timing of customer shipments.

Second Quarter 2019 Outlook

Based on current market and backlog conditions, revenues for fiscal 2019 second quarter are expected to be between $80 and $90 million. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share is expected to be $0.52 to $0.62.

Burger concluded, "I’m pleased to see the same technology trends toward connected devices, automotive and 5G that led to strong demand for flex products have now resulted in increased demand for our MLCC test tools, strengthening our belief that overall company demand will remain above historical levels for the foreseeable future."

About ESI

ESI enables our customers to commercialize technology using precision laser processes. ESI's solutions produce the industry's highest quality and throughput, and target the lowest total cost of ownership. ESI is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with global operations and subsidiaries in Asia, Europe and North America. More information is available here.