MKS Instruments Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

MKS Instruments Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

  • Achieved new quarterly records for revenue and Non-GAAP net earnings
  • Quarterly revenue up 27% compared to Q1 2017
  • Achieved new quarterly revenue records in both the Vacuum and Analysis and Light and Motion Divisions
  • Completed 4th Term Loan repricing and another $50 million voluntary debt prepayment

ANDOVER, Mass., April 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI), a global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, today reported first quarter 2018 financial results.

 
Quarterly Financial Results
(in millions, except per share data)
 Q1 2018Q4 2017
GAAP Results  
Net revenues$554$512
Gross margin47.4%46.6%
Operating margin23.8%23.4%
Net income$105$77.6
Diluted EPS$1.90$1.41
Non-GAAP Results  
Gross margin47.4%46.6%
Operating margin26.2%25.9%
Net earnings$114.3$94.6
Diluted EPS$2.07$1.71
   

First Quarter 2018 Financial Results  
Revenue was $554 million, an increase of 8% from $512 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and an increase of 27% from $437 million in the first quarter of 2017.

Net income was $105 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, compared to net income of $77.6 million, or $1.41 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2017, and $65.1 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2017.

Non-GAAP net earnings, which exclude special charges and credits, were $114.3 million, or $2.07 per diluted share, compared to $94.6 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2017, and $70.0 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2017.

Sales to semiconductor customers were $313 million, an increase of 26% compared to the first quarter of 2017, and sales to advanced markets were $241 million, an increase of 28% compared to the first quarter of 2017.

Sales in the Vacuum and Analysis Division set another quarterly record of $348 million, an increase of 25% from the first quarter a year ago.  Sales in the Light and Motion Division also set another quarterly record of $206 million, an increase of 29% from the prior year period.

“We are very pleased with our strong start in 2018, which has fueled our ability to achieve our objectives of sustainable and profitable growth,” said Gerald Colella, Chief Executive Officer and President.  Mr. Colella added, “We again set new records for quarterly revenue and Non-GAAP net earnings as well as achieving new revenue records in both the semiconductor market and advanced markets we serve.  Our strong focus on solving complex customer problems is a significant driver in the 28% year over year revenue growth in our advanced markets.   These advanced markets represent almost 45% of our total revenue and provide MKS a unique additive growth opportunity to our strong leading position in the semiconductor market.”

“We also continue to execute on our strategy to delever our balance sheet and significantly reduce our interest cost,” said Seth Bagshaw, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “In March 2018, we voluntarily pre-paid another $50 million of principal on our Term Loan. Furthermore, on April 11, 2018, we completed our fourth successful repricing of our Term Loan. Our debt balance as of March 31, 2018, was $348 million, down from $780 million at loan origination in April 2016; our debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio is well below one times; and we have reduced our non-GAAP interest expense by over 70% since origination on an annualized basis.”

Additional Financial Information
The Company had $542 million in cash and short-term investments as of March 31, 2018 and during the first quarter of 2018, MKS paid a dividend of $9.8 million or $0.18 per diluted share.

Second Quarter 2018 Outlook  
Based on current business levels, the Company expects that revenue in the second quarter of 2018 could range from $550 to $590 million.

At these volumes, GAAP net income could range from $1.91 to $2.18 per diluted share and non-GAAP net earnings could range from $2.09 to $2.36 per diluted share. This financial guidance incorporates assumptions made based upon the Company’s current interpretation of the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, and may change as additional clarification and implementation guidance is issued.

Conference Call Details
A conference call with management will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time).  To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 212-6076 for domestic callers and (707) 287-9331 for international callers, and an operator will connect you.  Participants will need to provide the operator with the Conference ID of 8173829, which has been reserved for this call.  A live and archived webcast of the call will be available on the Company’s website at www.mksinst.com, along with the Company's earnings press release and supplemental financial information.

About MKS Instruments
MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, 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.  Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation, vacuum technology, lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration control, and optics.  Our primary served markets include semiconductor capital equipment, general industrial, life sciences, and research.  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”). Non-GAAP measures exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets, asset impairments, costs associated with completed and announced acquisitions, acquisition integration costs, an inventory step-up adjustment related to an acquisition, restructuring charges, certain excess and obsolete inventory charges, fees and expenses related to the re-pricings of our term loan, amortization of debt issuance costs, net proceeds from an insurance policy, costs associated with the sale of a business, the tax effect of the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, the tax effect of legal entity restructurings, other discrete tax benefits and charges, and the related tax effect of these adjustments. These non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, MKS’ reported 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. Annualized GAAP interest expense based upon $780 million principal outstanding and using the LIBOR based interest rate spread in effect on April 29, 2016, was $44 million and included $5 million in debt issuance cost. Annualized GAAP interest expense based upon $348 million in principal currently outstanding and LIBOR plus 175 basis points is $14.5 million and includes $3.1 million of debt issuance cost.

SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the future financial performance, business prospects and growth of MKS.  These statements are only predictions based on current assumptions and expectations.  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 net sales to our major customers, the challenges, risks and costs involved with integrating the operations  of the companies we have acquired, including our most recent acquisition of Newport Corporation, the Company’s ability to successfully grow our business, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, the terms of our term loan, 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, 2017 filed with 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:  Seth H. Bagshaw
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Telephone:  978.645.5578

Investor Relations Contacts
Monica Gould
The Blueshirt Group
Telephone:  212.871.3927
Email:  [email protected]

Lindsay Grant Savarese
The Blueshirt Group
Telephone:  212.331.8417
Email:  [email protected]

      
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
      
      
      
 Three Months Ended
 March 31, March 31, December 31,
 2018 2017 (Note 11) 2017 (Note 11)
      
Net revenues:     
Products$496,677  $387,938  $458,155 
Services 57,598   49,215   53,645 
Total net revenues 554,275   437,153   511,800 
Cost of revenues:     
Products 261,321   205,834   243,384 
Services 30,099   25,772   30,090 
Total cost of revenues 291,420   231,606   273,474 
      
Gross profit 262,855   205,547   238,326 
      
Research and development 34,857   33,282   33,045 
Selling, general and administrative 82,949   74,220   72,510 
Acquisition and integration costs -   1,442   634 
Restructuring 1,220   522   1,324 
Environmental costs 1,000   -   - 
Amortization of intangible assets 11,190   12,501   10,797 
Income from operations 131,639   83,580   120,016 
      
Interest income 1,105   516   1,125 
Interest expense 5,430   8,832   7,989 
Other (expense) income, net (572)  2,021   (2,155)
Income from operations before income taxes 126,742   77,285   110,997 
Provision for income taxes 21,621   12,225   33,359 
Net income$105,121  $65,060  $77,638 
      
Net income per share:     
Basic$1.93  $1.21  $1.43 
Diluted$1.90  $1.18  $1.41 
      
Cash dividends per common share$0.18  $0.175  $0.18 
      
Weighted average shares outstanding:     
Basic 54,423   53,769   54,318 
Diluted 55,286   54,958   55,236 
      
The following supplemental Non-GAAP earnings information is presented      
to aid in understanding MKS' operating results:     
      
Net income$105,121  $65,060  $77,638 
      
Adjustments:     
Acquisition and integration costs (Note 1) -   1,442   634 
Expenses related to the sale of a business (Note 2) -   423   - 
Amortization of debt issuance costs (Note 3) 1,831   2,414   3,983 
Restructuring (Note 4) 1,220   522   1,324 
Environmental costs (Note 5) 1,000   -   - 
Amortization of intangible assets 11,190   12,501   10,797 
Windfall tax benefit on stock-based compensation (Note 6) (3,036)  (6,650)  (658)
Deferred tax adjustment (Note 7) 878   -   (24,546)
Transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings (Note 8) (1,668)  -   28,658 
Tax adjustment related to the sale of a business (Note 9) -   -   (12,131)
Accrued tax on MKS subsidiary distribution (Note 10) -   -   14,000 
Pro-forma tax adjustments (2,247)  (5,718)  (5,083)
      
Non-GAAP net earnings$114,289  $69,994  $94,616 
      
Non-GAAP net earnings per share$2.07  $1.27  $1.71 
      
Weighted average shares outstanding 55,286   54,958   55,236 
      
Income from operations$131,639  $83,580  $120,016 
      
Adjustments:     
Acquisition and integration costs (Note 1) -   1,442   634 
Expenses related to the sale of a business (Note 2) -   423   - 
Restructuring (Note 4) 1,220   522   1,324 
Environmental costs (Note 5) 1,000   -   - 
Amortization of intangible assets 11,190   12,501   10,797 
      
Non-GAAP income from operations$145,049  $98,468  $132,771 
      
Non-GAAP operating margin percentage 26.2%  22.5%  25.9%
      
Interest expense$5,430  $8,832  $7,989 
Amortization of debt issuance costs (Note 3) 1,831   2,414   3,983 
      
Non-GAAP interest expense$3,599  $6,418  $4,006 
      
Net income$105,121  $65,060  $77,638 
Interest expense, net 4,325   8,316   6,864 
Provision for income taxes 21,621   12,225   33,359 
Depreciation 9,302   9,332   9,208 
Amortization 11,190   12,501   10,797 
EBITDA$151,559  $107,434  $137,866 
Stock-based compensation 10,426   8,782   4,544 
Acquisition and integration costs (Note 1) -   1,442   634 
Expenses related to the sale of a business (Note 2) -   423   - 
Restructuring (Note 4) 1,220   522   1,324 
Environmental costs (Note 5) 1,000   -   - 
Other adjustments 772   747   839 
Adjusted EBITDA$164,977  $119,350  $145,207 
      
Note 1: We recorded acquisition and integration costs related to the Newport Corporation acquisition, which closed during the second quarter of 2016, during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017.
      
Note 2: We recorded legal and consulting expense during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to the sale of a business, which was completed in April 2017.
      
Note 3: We recorded additional interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs affiliated with our Term Loan Credit Agreement and ABL Facility.
      
Note 4: We recorded restructuring costs, primarily comprised of severance costs related to transferring a portion of our shared service functions to a third party as well as the consolidation of certain shared service functions in Asia during the three months ended March 31, 2018. We recorded restructuring costs during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, primarily related to the restructuring of one of our international sales facilities and the consolidation of certain sales offices and manufacturing plants.
      
Note 5: We recorded additional environmental costs during the three months ended March 31, 2018, related to an EPA-designated Superfund site, which was acquired as part of our Newport acquisition.
      
Note 6: Windfall tax benefits on the vesting of stock-based compensation relate to an accounting standard issued by the Financial Statement Accounting Standards Board (Accounting Standards Update 2016-09).
      
Note 7: We recorded a provisional deferred tax adjustment, which also includes the reversal of a tax accrual on a French dividend, related to U.S. tax reform legislation during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and updated the provisional deferred tax adjustment in the three months ended March 31, 2018.
      
Note 8*: We recorded a provisional transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings related to the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and updated the provisional transition tax in the three months ended March 31, 2018.
      
Note 9*: We recorded a tax adjustment resulting from the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, related to the sale of our Data Analytics Solutions business during the three months ended December 31, 2017.
      
Note 10*: We recorded an accrual for tax expense on a potential distribution to a subsidiary, related to the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act during the three months ended December 31, 2017.
      
*The computation of the one-time tax on our offshore earnings pursuant to the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") as well as our net deferred tax liability is based on our current understanding and assumptions regarding the impact of the Tax Act, and may change as additional clarification and implementation guidance is issued and as the interpretation of the Tax Act evolves over time.
    
Note 11: We historically recorded the revenue and related cost of revenue for our spare parts within Products in our Statement of Operations for the Vacuum and Analysis Division. We have now determined that these items are better reflected within Services in our Statement of Operations and have revised the presentation of our previously issued financial statements as shown below:
      
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 As previously
reported
 Adjustment As revised
Net revenues:     
Products$392,922  $(4,984) $387,938 
Services 44,231   4,984   49,215 
Total net revenues 437,153   -   437,153 
Cost of revenues:     
Cost of products 205,060   774   205,834 
Cost of services 26,546   (774)  25,772 
Total cost of revenues$231,606  $-  $231,606 
      
      
 Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
 As previously
reported
 Adjustment As revised
Net revenues:     
Products$463,851  $(5,696) $458,155 
Services 47,949   5,696   53,645 
Total net revenues 511,800   -   511,800 
Cost of revenues:     
Cost of products 242,008   1,376   243,384 
Cost of services 31,466   (1,376)  30,090 
Total cost of revenues$273,474  $-  $273,474 
      

 

      
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands, except per share data)
      
 Three Months Ended
 March 31, March 31, December 31,
 2018 2017 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:     
Net income$105,121  $65,060  $77,638 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization 20,492   21,833   20,006 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount 2,019   2,715   4,314 
Stock-based compensation 10,426   8,782   4,544 
Provision for excess and obsolete inventory 5,333   5,031   4,864 
Provision for doubtful accounts 335   316   175 
Deferred income taxes (705)  (1,809)  (16,528)
Other 34   85   (7)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (70,299)  (35,956)  (14,220)
      
Net cash provided by operating activities 72,756   66,057   80,786 
      
Cash flows from investing activities:     
Purchases of investments (49,753)  (42,292)  (30,545)
Sales of investments 8,930   21,179   9,993 
Maturities of investments 49,596   55,672   40,563 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (9,390)  (4,099)  (13,431)
Other -   -   66 
      
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (617)  30,460   6,646 
      
Cash flows from financing activities:     
Payments of short-term borrowings (10,274)  (1,398)  (16,435)
Proceeds from short and long-term borrowings 11,907   736   15,394 
Payments of long-term borrowings (50,000)  (51,570)  (50,000)
Dividend payments (9,808)  (9,419)  (9,775)
Net (payments) proceeds related to employee stock awards (8,921)  (2,894)  2,504 
      
Net cash used in financing activities (67,096)  (64,545)  (58,312)
      
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 1,958   (4,696)  (1,327)
      
Increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 7,001   27,276   27,793 
      
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash at beginning of period 333,887   233,910   306,094 
      
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash at end of period$340,888  $261,186  $333,887 
      

 

             
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Income Tax Rate to Non-GAAP Income Tax Rate
(In thousands)
            
  Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
 Income Before Provision (benefit) Effective Income Before Provision (benefit) Effective
 Income Taxes for Income Taxes Tax Rate Income Taxes for Income Taxes Tax Rate
     
GAAP $126,742  $21,621   17.1% $110,997  $33,359  30.1%
             
Adjustments:            
Acquisition and integration costs (Note 1)  -   -     634   -   
Amortization of debt issuance costs (Note 3)  1,831   -     3,983   -   
Restructuring (Note 4)  1,220   -     1,324   -   
Environmental costs (Note 5)  1,000   -     -   -   
Amortization of intangible assets  11,190   -     10,797   -   
Windfall tax benefit on stock-based compensation (Note 6)  -   3,036     -   658   
Deferred tax adjustment (Note 7)  -   (878)    -   24,546   
Transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings (Note 8)  -   1,668     -   (28,658)  
Tax adjustment related to the sale of a business (Note 9)  -   -     -   (14,000)  
Accrued tax on MKS subsidiary distribution (Note 10)  -   -     -   12,131   
Tax effect of pro-forma adjustments  -   2,247     -   5,083   
             
Non-GAAP $141,983  $27,694   19.5% $127,735  $33,119  25.9%
             
             
  Three Months Ended March 31, 2017      
  Income Before Provision (benefit) Effective      
  Income Taxes for Income Taxes Tax Rate      
             
GAAP $77,285  $12,225   15.8%      
             
Adjustments:            
Acquisition and integration costs (Note 1)  1,442   -         
Expenses related to the sale of a business (Note 2)  423   -         
Amortization of debt issuance costs (Note 3)  2,414   -         
Restructuring (Note 4)  522   -         
Amortization of intangible assets  12,501   -         
Windfall tax benefit on stock-based compensation (Note 6)  -   6,650         
Tax effect of pro-forma adjustments  -   5,443  
Adjustment to pro-forma tax rate  -   275         
Non-GAAP $94,587  $24,593   26.0%      
             
             
Note 1: We recorded acquisition and integration costs related to the Newport Corporation acquisition, which closed during the second quarter of 2016, during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017.
             
Note 2: We recorded legal and consulting expense during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to the sale of a business, which was completed in April 2017.
             
Note 3: We recorded additional interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs affiliated with our Term Loan Credit Agreement and ABL Facility.
             
Note 4: We recorded restructuring costs, primarily comprised of severance costs related to transferring a portion of our shared service functions to a third party as well as the consolidation of certain shared service functions in Asia during the three months ended March 31, 2018. We recorded restructuring costs during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, primarily related to the restructuring of one of our international sales facilities and the consolidation of certain sales offices and manufacturing plants.
             
Note 5: We recorded additional environmental costs during the three months ended March 31, 2018, related to an EPA-designated Superfund site, which was acquired as part of our Newport acquisition.
             
Note 6: Windfall tax benefits on the vesting of stock-based compensation relate to an accounting standard issued by the Financial Statement Accounting Standards Board (Accounting Standards Update 2016-09).
             
Note 7: We recorded a provisional deferred tax adjustment, which also includes the reversal of a tax accrual on a French dividend, related to U.S. tax reform legislation during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and updated the provisional deferred tax adjustment in the three months ended March 31, 2018.
             
Note 8*: We recorded a provisional transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings related to the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and updated the provisional transition tax in the three months ended March 31, 2018.
             
Note 9*: We recorded a tax adjustment resulting from the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, related to the sale of our Data Analytics Solutions business during the three months ended December 31, 2017.
             
Note 10*: We recorded an accrual for tax expense on a potential distribution to a subsidiary, related to the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act during the three months ended December 31, 2017.
             
*The computation of the one-time tax on our offshore earnings pursuant to the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") as well as our net deferred tax liability is based on our current understanding and assumptions regarding the impact of the Tax Act, and may change as additional clarification and implementation guidance is issued and as the interpretation of the Tax Act evolves over time.
             
             
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Reconciliation of Q2-18 Guidance - GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Earnings 
(In thousands, except per share data)
             
  Three Months Ended June 30, 2018    
  Low Guidance High Guidance    
  $ Amount $ Per Share $ Amount $ Per Share    
             
GAAP net income $105,900  $1.91  $120,900  $2.18     
             
Amortization  11,000   0.20   11,000   0.20     
             
Deferred financing costs  600   0.01   600   0.01     
             
Restructuring  700   0.01   700   0.01     
             
Tax effect of adjustments (Note 1)  (2,400)  (0.04)  (2,400)  (0.04)    
             
Non-GAAP net earnings $115,800  $2.09  $130,800  $2.36     
             
Q2 -18 forecasted shares    55,400     55,400     
             
Note 1: The Non-GAAP adjustments are tax effected at the applicable statutory rates and the difference between the GAAP and Non-GAAP tax rates.
             

 

     
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet
(In thousands)
     
     
     
     
  March 31, December 31,
  2018 2017
     
ASSETS   
     
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash$340,888 $333,887
Short-term investments 200,614  209,434
Trade accounts receivable, net 341,718  300,308
Inventories 365,709  339,081
Other current assets 59,093  53,543
     
 Total current assets 1,308,022  1,236,253
     
Property, plant and equipment, net 172,802  171,782
Goodwill 593,494  591,047
Intangible assets, net 356,345  366,398
Long-term investments 10,841  10,655
Other assets 39,952  37,883
     
Total assets$2,481,456 $2,414,018
     
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   
     
Short-term debt$5,456 $2,972
Accounts payable 92,364  82,518
Accrued compensation 62,505  96,147
Income taxes payable 31,096  21,398
Deferred revenue 14,003  12,842
Other current liabilities 85,601  73,945
 Total current liabilities 291,025  289,822
     
Long-term debt, net 341,290  389,993
Non-current deferred taxes 61,769  61,571
Non-current accrued compensation 53,848  51,700
Other liabilities 35,184  32,025
 Total liabilities 783,116  825,111
     
Stockholders' equity:   
Common stock 113  113
Additional paid-in capital 791,150  789,644
Retained earnings 892,820  795,698
Accumulated other comprehensive income 14,257  3,452
 Total stockholders' equity 1,698,340  1,588,907
     
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$2,481,456 $2,414,018