CyberOptics Reports Strong First Quarter Results

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

CyberOptics Corporation reported sales of $16.4 million for the first quarter of 2020 ended March 31, an increase of 10% from $15.0 million in the first quarter of 2019. Net income for the first quarter of 2020 was $844,000 or $0.11 per diluted share, up significantly from $495,000 or $0.07 per diluted share in the year-earlier quarter.

Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, president and chief executive officer, commented, “CyberOptics’ first quarter results were at the high end of our previously-issued guidance for this period. Our performance was generated by robust sales of 3D Multi-Reflection Suppression™ (MRS™) enabled SQ3000™ Multi-Function systems and 3D MRS sensors. We also recognized revenue from sales of both 2D and 3D MX memory module inspection systems. Having ended the first quarter with a record backlog, we believe the second quarter of 2020 should be another strong period for CyberOptics.”

He continued, “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a minimal impact on our business thus far, despite the resulting difficulties with global travel and shipping. We are closely monitoring this health crisis and its impact on our business in coming months.”

Kulkarni added, “We are encouraged to report that we currently have six customers for our MRS-based sensors, including our 3D NanoResolution sensor, for advanced packaging inspection applications. These customers are at various stages of integrating our sensors into their inspection systems. Some have started demonstrating their systems to end-customers, and we believe these relationships will start contributing to revenue in a more significant way in 2021. Interest among additional potential customers also remains strong. We believe our 3D NanoResolution MRS sensor has positioned CyberOptics to capitalize upon numerous, extremely promising growth opportunities.”

Sales of sensors and inspection and metrology systems based on 3D MRS technology increased 66% year-over-year to $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2020. As of March 31, 2020, 150 customers have purchased our 3D MRS sensor and system products since their introduction. These MRS-based products, combined with semiconductor sensors, accounted for 68% of total revenue in the first quarter of 2020, compared to 57% of total revenue in the year-earlier period.

Sales of inspection and metrology systems totaled $8.4 million in the first quarter of 2020, up 18% year-over-year from the first quarter of 2019. Driving this increase was sales of SQ3000 Multi-Function systems, which rose 34% year-over-year to $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, CyberOptics recognized revenue of $1.4 million from the sale of memory module inspection systems, including the first sale of its 3D MX3000™ system to a new customer. Consistent with its belief that the market for memory module inspection systems represents an attractive, long-term opportunity, CyberOptics received orders valued at $4.4 million for 2D MX600™ systems in this year’s first quarter. These orders are scheduled to ship in the second half of 2020.

Also during the first quarter, CyberOptics received an order valued at approximately $1.2 million for its SQ3000 Multi-Function systems that will be used to scale-up production of micro LED-based technology, a market CyberOptics views as a significant growth opportunity. The systems are expected to result in revenue in this year’s second quarter. The Company anticipates additional orders related to the micro LED market as 2020 progresses. Demand for the Company’s SQ3000 Multi-Function systems is forecasted to continue at a robust level in this year’s second quarter.

Sales of 3D and 2D sensors increased 10% year-over-year to $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2020. Within this category, sales of 3D MRS-enabled sensors totaled $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2020, up 76% year-over-year from the year-earlier quarter. Demand for the Company’s 3D sensors is expected to remain strong in the second quarter of 2020.

Sales of semiconductor sensors in the first quarter of 2020 came to $3.9 million, down modestly on a year-over-year basis. The order backlog of semiconductor sensors remains strong, although a sequential sales decline is forecasted for the second quarter.

CyberOptics ended the first quarter of 2020 with an order backlog of $24.8 million, up significantly from $17.7 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company is forecasting sales of $15.5 to $17.5 million for the second quarter of 2020 ending June 30.