BESIY - BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. Announces Q1-23 Results

Q1-23 Revenue of € 133.4 Million and Net Income of € 34.5 Million
Down 3.1% and 14.2%, Respectively, vs. Q4-22. Operating Profit Exceeds Midpoint of Guidance
Q2-23 Revenue to Increase 15%-25% Above Q1-23 Levels

DUIVEN, the Netherlands, April 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. (the “Company" or "Besi") (Euronext Amsterdam: BESI; OTC markets: BESIY), a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment for the semiconductor industry, today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Key Highlights

• Revenue of € 133.4 million down 3.1% vs. Q4-22 due primarily to lower shipments for computing and automotive end-user markets from IDMs and Asian subcontractors. Down 34.1% vs. Q1-22 due to industry downcycle with particular weakness in computing end-user markets
• Orders of € 142.0 million down 21.3% vs. Q4-22 principally as a result of lower mobile and, to a lesser extent, computing bookings from IDMs and Asian subcontractors. Vs. Q1-22, orders decreased 30.7% due primarily to broad weakness in computing end-user markets
• Gross margin of 64.2% rose 1.9 points vs. Q4-22 and 4.1 points vs. Q1-22 principally due to a more favorable product mix, positive net forex influences and cost reduction initiatives
• Net income of € 34.5 million down 14.2% vs. Q4-22 primarily due to higher share-based incentive compensation. Down 48.9% vs. Q1-22 reflecting broad based industry weakness and increased R&D spending. Ex share-based incentive compensation, net income reached € 43.0 million vs. € 42.3 million in Q4-22 and € 75.5 million in Q1-22
• Net margin of 25.9% vs. 29.2% in Q4-22 and 33.4% in Q1-22. Ex share-based incentive compensation, net margin realized of 32.2% vs. 30.7% in Q4-22 and 37.3% in Q1-22
• Cash and deposits of € 644.9 million and net cash of € 325.8 million decreased 7.4% and 20.0%, respectively, vs. Q1-22 due to significantly increased capital allocation to shareholders

Outlook

• Q2-23 revenue anticipated to increase 15-25% vs. Q1-23 with gross margins in a range of 62%-64%
  
  

Richard W. Blickman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Besi, commented:

“Besi’s first quarter results were within guidance in an industry downturn with gross margin exceeding guidance. Revenue of € 133.4 million decreased by 3.1% versus Q4-22 primarily reflecting general weakness in high-end and mainstream computing markets from both IDMs and Asian subcontractors and a temporary reduction in shipments for automotive applications. Such adverse influences were partially offset by increased shipments for high-end smartphone applications. On a year over year basis, revenue this quarter declined by 34.1% reflecting the impact of the current downturn on Besi’s business. In addition, demand from Chinese customers remained weak representing approximately 27% of total revenue this quarter.

“Besi’s profitability was solid in Q1-23 with gross margins reaching 64.2% due primarily to the current product mix and cost control efforts. Operating income of € 41.7 million exceeded the midpoint of guidance. Excluding share based compensation expense, Besi’s net income and net margin were € 43.0 million and 32.2% this quarter versus € 42.3 million and 30.7% recorded in Q4-22 despite lower revenue levels. In fact, our financial performance has significantly improved at this point of the industry downcycle as measured by a comparison of Besi’s results for the latest twelve months ending March 31, 2023 versus the comparable period ending March 31, 2019 with revenue, orders and operating profit increasing by 44.7%, 66.5% and 82.7%, respectively.

“Our financial position remained solid at quarter end with cash and deposits and net cash of € 644.9 million and € 325.8 million, respectively. In addition, cash flow from operations increased to € 61.4 million in Q1-23, up 36.4% versus Q1-22. During the quarter, we repurchased € 77.8 million of our shares bringing total purchases to € 174.1 million since the August 2022 initiation of our € 300 million share repurchase program.

“Order trends in Q1-23 reflect both the negative effects of the current industry downturn and the favorable prospects for Besi’s wafer level assembly portfolio. For the quarter, orders of € 142.0 million declined by 21.3% versus Q4-22 primarily due to the pull-forward of some high-end smartphone bookings into Q4-22 and, to a lesser extent, decreased orders for mainstream computing and hybrid bonding applications. Orders for smartphone applications for the most recent two quarters significantly exceeded those for the comparable period of the prior year but were less than previously anticipated. Demand for automotive applications improved in Q1-23 versus both Q4-22 and Q1-22. We received a € 10.5 million order from a Chinese subcontractor subsequent to quarter end for automotive applications indicating ongoing strength in this end-user market.

“Bookings this quarter also included orders for multiple hybrid bonding systems with follow on orders anticipated in Q2-23 from multiple customers, including two new customers. Progress in hybrid bonding and other wafer level assembly adoption continues apace with increased interest received from the development community and customers primarily for data center, mobile and memory applications. In addition, the first order for a TCB chip to wafer system was received subsequent to quarter end from a US customer.

“The assembly equipment market outlook for 2023 remains negative as we work through the current industry downturn. Analysts have further lowered market estimates for this year but forecast a renewed upturn starting in the second half of 2023. We are prepared for various scenarios with a highly flexible production model and strategic intiatives in place to enhance profitability regardless of the industry direction. In the interim, we continue our investment in R&D programs and service/support in preparation for the next upturn and the significant projected growth of our wafer level assembly portfolio over the next three to five years.

“For Q2-23, we forecast that revenue will increase by 15%-25% versus Q1-23 with gross margins of 62%-64% due to our projected product mix. Operating expenses are forecasted to decrease by 0-5% versus Q1-23.”

First Quarter Results of Operations

Besi’s Q1-23 revenue of € 133.4 million declined 3.1% versus Q4-22 and was at the midpoint of prior guidance. The decrease was primarily due to lower shipments for computing and automotive end-user markets from IDMs and Asian subcontractors partially offset by increased shipments for high-end smartphone applications. Versus Q1-22, revenue decreased by 34.1% reflecting adverse industry conditions generally and particular weakness in computing end-user markets from IDMs and Asian subcontractors partially offset by higher shipments for mobile applications.

Orders of € 142.0 million decreased 21.3% versus Q4-22 primarily due to the pull-forward of some high-end smartphone bookings into Q4-22 and, to a lesser extent, decreased orders for mainstream computing and hybrid bonding applications. Versus Q1-22, orders decreased by 30.7% principally as a result of lower bookings for high-end and mainstream computing applications by IDMs and Asian subcontractors. Per customer type, IDM orders decreased € 24.2 million, or 24.6%, versus Q4-22 and represented 52% of total orders for the period. Subcontractor orders decreased by € 14.3 million, or 17.4%, versus Q4-22 and represented 48% of total orders.

* Excluding share-based compensation expense, operating expenses would have been € 34.7 million, € 35.0 million and € 31.3 million in Q1-23, Q4-22 and Q1-22, respectively.

Besi’s gross margin rose to 64.2%, an increase of 1.9 points and 4.1 points versus Q4-22 and Q1-22, respectively, and exceeded prior guidance. Gross margin development this quarter benefited from (i) a more favorable product mix, (ii) positive net forex influences, particularly versus Q1-22 and (iii) cost reduction initiatives.

Q1-23 operating expenses rose by € 6.9 million, or 18.6%, versus Q4-22 due to a € 7.2 million increase of share-based incentive compensation. Versus Q1-22, operating expenses rose by € 4.1 million, or 10.3%, due primarily to € 2.4 million of increased R&D spending for next generation wafer level assembly systems as well as higher marketing and technical support costs related thereto. Excluding share based compensation expense, operating expenses represented 26.0% of revenue in Q1-23 versus 25.4% in Q4-22 and 15.5% in Q1-22.

Financial expense, net, decreased by € 2.1 million and € 2.2 million versus Q4-22 and Q1-22, respectively, primarily as a result of increased interest income earned on cash balances outstanding.

* Excluding share-based compensation expense, Besi’s adjusted net income (net margin) would have been € 43.0 million (32.2%), € 42.3 million (30.7%) and € 75.5 million (37.3%) in Q1-23, Q4-22 and Q1-22, respectively.

Besi’s Q1-23 net income of € 34.5 million decreased € 5.7 million, or 14.2%, versus Q4-22. The profit reduction was primarily due to a € 7.2 million increase in share-based incentive compensation and a higher effective tax rate partially offset by improved gross margins and lower net financial expense. Versus Q1-22, net income decreased by € 33.0 million, or 48.9%, principally as a result of a 34.1% revenue decrease and increased R&D spending partially offset by increased gross margins and lower net financial expense.

Financial Condition

* Includes dividends and share repurchases.

Total cash and deposits of € 644.9 million at the end of Q1-23 decreased by 4.0% versus Q4-22 and by 7.4% versus Q1-22 due to significantly increased capital allocation to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. During the quarter, Besi generated cash flow from operations of € 61.4 million which was used to fund (i) € 77.8 million of share repurchases, (ii) € 5.4 million of capitalized development spending and (iii) € 1.1 million of capital expenditures.

Besi’s net cash of € 325.8 million at the end of Q1-23 decreased by € 20.7 million (-6.0%) versus year end and by € 81.2 million (-20.0%) versus Q1-22. Net cash development was positively influenced by the conversion of € 7.9 million of Besi’s 2024 Convertible Notes during the quarter. An additional € 13.0 million of 2023 Convertible Notes and 2024 Convertible Notes were converted in April 2023, resulting in a reduction of their principal balances to € 0.6 million and € 13.4 million, respectively.

Share Repurchase Activity
During the quarter, Besi repurchased approximately 1.1 million of its ordinary shares at an average price of € 69.37 per share for a total of € 77.8 million. Cumulatively, as of March 31, 2023, a total of 2.9 million shares have been purchased under the current € 300 million share repurchase plan at an average price of € 59.33 per share for a total of € 174.1 million. As of March 31, 2023, Besi held approximately 3.6 million shares in treasury equal to 4.4% of its shares outstanding.

Outlook

Based on its March 31, 2023 backlog and feedback from customers, Besi forecasts for Q2-23 that:

• Revenue will increase by 15-25% versus the € 133.4 million reported in Q1-23
• Gross margin will range between 62%-64% versus the 64.2% realized in Q1-23
• Operating expenses will decrease by 0-5% versus the € 44.0 million in Q1-23
  
  

* Subject to approval at Besi’s AGM on April 26, 2023

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union. Reference is made to the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as included in our 2022 Annual Report, which is available on www.besi.com .

About Besi

Besi is a leading supplier of semiconductor assembly equipment for the global semiconductor and electronics industries offering high levels of accuracy, productivity and reliability at a low cost of ownership. The Company develops leading edge assembly processes and equipment for leadframe, substrate and wafer level packaging applications in a wide range of end-user markets including electronics, mobile internet, cloud server, computing, automotive, industrial, LED and solar energy. Customers are primarily leading semiconductor manufacturers, assembly subcontractors and electronics and industrial companies. Besi’s ordinary shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (symbol: BESI). Its Level 1 ADRs are listed on the OTC markets (symbol: BESIY) and its headquarters are located in Duiven, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit our website at www.besi.com .

Contacts:
Richard W. Blickman, President & CEO
Leon Verweijen, SVP Finance
Claudia Vissers, Executive Secretary/IR coordinator
Edmond Franco, VP Corporate Development/US IR coordinator
Tel. (31) 26 319 4500
investor.relations@besi.com

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements about management's future expectations, plans and prospects of our business that constitute forward-looking statements, which are found in various places throughout the press release, including, but not limited to, statements relating to expectations of orders, net sales, product shipments, expenses, timing of purchases of assembly equipment by customers, gross margins, operating results and capital expenditures. The use of words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “can”, “intend”, “believes”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “forecast”, “will”, “would”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements, although not all forward looking statements contain these identifying words. The financial guidance set forth under the heading “Outlook” contains such forward looking statements. While these forward looking statements represent our judgments and expectations concerning the development of our business, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from those contained in forward looking statements, including any inability to maintain continued demand for our products; failure of anticipated orders to materialize or postponement or cancellation of orders, generally without charges; the volatility in the demand for semiconductors and our products and services; the extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken to contain the outbreak, and the associated adverse impacts on the global economy, financial markets, global supply chains and our operations as well as those of our customers and suppliers; failure to develop new and enhanced products and introduce them at competitive price levels; failure to adequately decrease costs and expenses as revenues decline; loss of significant customers, including through industry consolidation or the emergence of industry alliances; lengthening of the sales cycle; acts of terrorism and violence; disruption or failure of our information technology systems; consolidation activity and industry alliances in the semiconductor industry that may result in further increased customer concentration, inability to forecast demand and inventory levels for our products; the integrity of product pricing and protection of our intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions; risks, such as changes in trade regulations, conflict minerals regulations, currency fluctuations, political instability and war, associated with substantial foreign customers, suppliers and foreign manufacturing operations, particularly to the extent occurring in the Asia Pacific region where we have a substantial portion of our production facilities; potential instability in foreign capital markets; the risk of failure to successfully manage our diverse operations; any inability to attract and retain skilled personnel, including as a result of restrictions on immigration, travel or the availability of visas for skilled technology workers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; those additional risk factors set forth in Besi's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other key factors that could adversely affect our businesses and financial performance contained in our filings and reports, including our statutory consolidated statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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^{1 )} The calculation of diluted income per share assumes the exercise of equity settled share based payments and the conversion of all Convertible Notes outstanding