MKSI - MKS Instruments Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

• Quarterly revenue of $536 million, up 7% sequentially and up 16% year-over-year
  
• Quarterly Non-GAAP net earnings of $85 million, or $1.54 per diluted share
• Quarterly GAAP net income of $69 million, or $1.25 per diluted share

ANDOVER, Ma., April 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, today reported first quarter 2020 financial results.

“I could not be more proud of the dedication, resilience and hard work of the MKS team during such a challenging time,” said John TC Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer. “From the onset of the global COVID-19 crisis, our team took swift action to ensure the safety and well-being of our global workforce – which remains our top priority. We also remained steadfast in delivering on our customer commitments and overcoming the disruptions across our factories and global supply chain.”

Mr. Lee added, “Our first quarter outlook did not factor in any disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, and yet we were still able to deliver quarterly revenue at the high-end of our guidance range. This is a testament to our broad and differentiated portfolio, the diverse and essential markets we serve, and our world-class operational execution. Order rates remain strong in the second quarter; however, the impact of shelter-in-place directives at our facilities and those of our suppliers around the world are expected to impact our second quarter revenue. We remain excited about the long-term opportunity in the markets we serve, and our role as a critical technology enabler.”

“Our top-line growth exceeded our expectations, driven by strong sequential revenue growth of 15% in our Semiconductor Market, while revenue in our Advanced Markets declined a modest 2%. Excluding our Research market, which was negatively impacted by university and research lab closures caused by COVID-19, our Advanced Markets revenue would have grown sequentially,” said Seth H. Bagshaw, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Bagshaw added, “Our balance sheet and liquidity position remain strong. We ended the quarter with cash and short-term investments of $503 million, which reflects the previously announced $50 million voluntary debt prepayment on January 24th, and our net leverage ratio exiting the quarter reduced further to 0.8 times. Moreover, we have an additional $100 million available to us under an asset backed line of credit, subject to certain borrowing base requirements.”

Second Quarter 2020 Outlook 

Based on current business levels, the Company expects that revenue in the second quarter of 2020 could range from $450 million to $520 million. At these volumes, GAAP net income could range from $0.62 to $1.10 per diluted share and non-GAAP net earnings could range from $0.90 to $1.38 per diluted share.

Conference Call Details

A conference call with management will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). To access a live webcast of the conference call and related presentation materials management will refer to during the call, visit MKS’ website at www.mksinst.com and click on the Company – Investor Relations – Investor Overview. The webcast and related presentation materials will be listed in the calendar of events. To participate by telephone, please dial (877) 212-6076 for domestic callers and (707) 287-9331 for international callers, and provide the operator with Conference ID (6892300), and access the presentation materials on MKS’ website. Participants are asked to access the live webcast or dial in at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure a timely connection. An archive of the webcast and related presentation materials will be available on MKS’ website.

About MKS Instruments

MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, systems, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity for our customers. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, electronic control technology, reactive gas generation and delivery, power generation and delivery, vacuum technology, lasers, photonics, optics, precision motion control, vibration control and laser-based manufacturing systems solutions. We also provide services relating to the maintenance and repair of our products, installation services and training. Our primary served markets include semiconductor, industrial technologies, life and health sciences, research and defense. Additional information can be found at www.mksinst.com. 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Results

This release includes measures that are not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“Non-GAAP measures”). These Non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, MKS’ reported GAAP results, and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these Non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. MKS management believes the presentation of these Non-GAAP measures is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analyzing ongoing business trends and operating results. For further information regarding these Non-GAAP measures, please refer to the tables presenting reconciliations of our Non-GAAP results to our U.S. GAAP results and the “Notes on our Non-GAAP Financial Information” at the end of this press release.

Selected GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In millions, except per share data)

First Quarter 2020 Financial Results  

Net revenues in the first quarter of 2020 were $536 million, an increase of 7% from $500 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, and an increase of 16% from $464 million in the first quarter of 2019. The increase in net revenues was driven largely by increased demand from customers in the Semiconductor Market. Net revenues in the Semiconductor Market were $313 million in the first quarter of 2020, a sequential increase of 15%. Net revenues in Advanced Markets were $223 million in the first quarter of 2020, a sequential decrease of 2%, and were adversely affected by university and research lab closures caused by COVID-19.

Net income in the first quarter of 2020 was $69 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, compared to net income of $43 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2019, and $13 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2019.

Net income in the first quarter of 2020 included acquisition and integration costs of $2 million associated with the acquisition of Electro Scientific Industries, Inc., (“ESI”), $0.4 million of restructuring and other costs and $1.2 million of an asset impairment charge.

Non-GAAP net earnings, which exclude special charges and credits, were $85 million, or $1.54 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $66 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2019, and $61 million or $1.12 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2019.

Additional Financial Information

At March 31, 2020, the Company had $503 million in cash and short-term investments, $840 million of secured term loan principal outstanding and $100 million of incremental borrowing capacity under an asset-based line of credit, subject to certain borrowing base requirements. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company paid a cash dividend of $11 million or $0.20 per diluted share.

SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding the future financial performance, business prospects and growth of MKS. These statements are only predictions based on current assumptions and expectations. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “will,” “projects,” “intends,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “continues” and similar expressions) should be considered to be forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements set forth herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are  the conditions affecting the markets in which MKS operates, including the fluctuations in capital spending in the semiconductor industry and other advanced manufacturing markets, fluctuations in sales to our major customers, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and financial markets, including any restrictions on MKS’ operations and the operations of MKS’ customers and suppliers resulting from public health requirements and government mandates, the terms of our term loan, competition from larger or more established companies in MKS’ markets; MKS’ ability to successfully grow ESI’s business; the challenges, risks and costs involved with integrating the operations of the companies we have acquired, the Company’s ability to successfully grow our business, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, 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 the other factors described in MKS’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC. MKS is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release.

Company Contact: 
David Ryzhik
Vice President, Investor Relations
Telephone: (978) 557-5180
Email: david.ryzhik@mksinst.com

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

MKS Instruments, Inc.
Notes on Our Non-GAAP Financial Information

Non-GAAP financial measures adjust GAAP financial measures for the items listed below. These Non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, MKS' reported GAAP results, and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these Non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. MKS management believes the presentation of these Non-GAAP measures is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analyzing ongoing business trends and operating results.

Note 1: Acquisition and integration costs during the three months ended March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2019 related to our acquisition of Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. (“ESI”) which closed on February 1, 2019.

Note 2: Cost of revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2019 includes the amortization of the step-up of inventory to fair value as a result of the ESI acquisition.

Note 3: We recorded fees and expenses during the three months ended December 31, 2019 related to Amendment No. 6 to our Term Loan Credit Agreement. We also recorded fees and expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2019 related to Amendment No. 5 to our Term Loan Credit Agreement.  

Note 4: We recorded additional interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2019 as a result of amortization of debt issuance costs related to our Term Loan Credit Agreement and our ABL Credit Agreement.

Note 5: Restructuring and other costs during the three months ended March 31, 2020 resulted primarily from duplicate facility costs attributed to entering into new facility leases offset by an insurance reimbursement for costs recorded on a legal settlement. Restructuring costs recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2019 resulted primarily from the pending closure of a facility in Europe. Restructuring costs recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2019 consisted primarily of severance costs related to an organization-wide reduction in workforce.  In the three months ended March 31, 2019, we also recorded a legal settlement.  

Note 6: During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded an asset impairment charge as a result of the write-down of long-lived assets related to the pending closure of a facility.  During the three months ended December 31, 2019, we recorded an impairment charge related to a minority interest investment in a private company.

Note 7: We recorded windfall tax expenses (benefits) during the three months ended March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019, and March 31, 2019, on the vesting of stock-based compensation.

Note 8: We recorded tax adjustments resulting from additional guidance provided by tax authorities with respect to the 2017 U.S. tax reforms.

Note 9: We recorded taxes on the inter-company sales of assets during the three months ended December 31, 2019.
                                                                                                                                                                 
Note 10: Non-GAAP net earnings and Non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share amounts exclude acquisition and integration costs, amortization of the step-up of inventory to fair value, fees and expenses related to repricings and amendments of our secured term loan, amortization of debt issuance costs, restructuring and other costs, amortization of intangible assets, asset impairments, windfall tax adjustments related to stock compensation expense, tax reform adjustments, tax costs on the inter-company sale of an asset and the related tax effect of these adjustments to reflect the expected full year effective tax rate in the related period.

Note 11: The Non-GAAP gross profit amount and Non-GAAP gross margin exclude amortization of the step-up of inventory to fair value.

Note 12: Non-GAAP operating expenses exclude acquisition and integration costs, fees and expenses related to repricings of our secured term loan, restructuring and other costs, amortization of intangible assets and asset impairments.

Note 13: Non-GAAP income from operations and Non-GAAP operating margin percentages exclude acquisition and integration costs, amortization of the step-up of inventory to fair value, fees and expenses related to repricings and amendments of our secured term loan, restructuring and other costs, amortization of intangible assets and asset impairments.
                                                                                                                                                                 
Note 14: EBITDA excludes net interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets.

Note 15: Adjusted EBITDA excludes from EBITDA, stock-based compensation, acquisition and integration costs, amortization of the step-up of inventory to fair value, fees and expenses related to repricings and amendments of our secured term loan, restructuring and other costs, asset impairment and other adjustments as defined in our Term Loan Credit Agreement.

Note 16: Non-GAAP adjustments are tax effected at applicable statutory rates resulting in a difference between the GAAP and Non-GAAP tax rates.