Axcelis Announces Financial Results for Third Quarter 2007

November 1, 2007 at 4:21 PM EDT

BEVERLY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2007--Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACLS) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007. The Company reported revenues of $107.6 million, compared to $110.1 million for the second quarter of 2007. Net loss for the third quarter was $8.2 million or $0.08 per share, of which $0.05 is attributable to a charge for impairment of goodwill relating to the discontinuance of future development of rapid thermal processing (RTP) and curing products. This compares to net income for the second quarter of $4.7 million or $0.05 per share. In the corresponding quarter for the previous year, the Company reported revenues of $122.8 million and net income of $12.5 million, or $0.12 per share.

"Increasing weakness in the semiconductor market has caused a more significant softening in our base business than we had anticipated. During the quarter, we experienced a push out of several shipments, driven mainly by changes in the timing of memory projects," commented Chairman and CEO Mary Puma. "As we previously announced, we are streamlining operations to focus on our core implant and dry strip product lines. We have implemented other significant cost-out actions, including a reduction in force and an extended holiday shutdown, that will reduce our operating expenses by approximately 10%."

Puma continued, "Despite the ongoing softness in the industry, our customers continue to validate the production and process advantages of the Optima HD implanter. We received a follow-on order this quarter for an Optima HD for high-volume manufacturing after we demonstrated these advantages in head-to-head competition. Our customers are conveying to us that the Optima HD will capture a measurable split of their future high dose business."

    Third Quarter Detail

    Shipments and Margins

Shipments, including aftermarket business, before provision for deferred revenue for the third quarter, totaled $103.4 million. Geographically, Axcelis' systems shipments for the quarter were to: Asia, 66%; North America, 12%; and Europe, 22%. The ion implantation business accounted for 70% of total shipments in the third quarter. Gross margin for the third quarter was approximately 34%.

Orders and Backlog

Orders (new systems bookings and aftermarket) received for the third quarter totaled $76.2 million. New systems bookings, excluding aftermarket, amounted to $33.0 million. Backlog plus deferred systems revenue at quarter end was $63.5 million. Backlog consists of systems orders (aftermarket orders are excluded) that are generally scheduled to ship within six months.

SEN Corporation, an SHI and Axcelis Company ("SEN")

Axcelis owns 50% of SEN, a Japanese company that is licensed to make and sell certain Axcelis ion implanters in Japan. SEN's revenue for the third quarter totaled $49.7 million.

Business Outlook

Axcelis' financial outlook for the fourth quarter of 2007 includes revenues in the range of $80 million to $95 million. The Company also forecasts a fourth quarter loss per share in the range of $0.07 to $0.13 of which $0.02 is attributed to a restructuring of the business. Axcelis assumes no responsibility to update guidance. Axcelis will only confirm or update guidance via a press release.

Third Quarter 2007 Conference Call

The Company will be hosting a conference call today, Thursday, November 1, 2007, beginning at 5:00 pm ET. The purpose of the call is to discuss third quarter results and to provide guidance for the fourth quarter of 2007.

The call will be available to interested listeners via an audio webcast that can be accessed through Axcelis' home page at www.axcelis.com, or by dialing 1-800-479-1628 (1-719-457-2729 outside North America). Participants calling into the conference call will be requested to provide the company name: Axcelis Technologies, the conference leader: Stephen Bassett, and pass code: #3354400. A webcast replay will be available from 8:00 p.m. ET on November 1, 2007 until 5:00 p.m. ET December 1, 2007.

Safe Harbor Statement

This document contains forward-looking statements under the SEC safe harbor provisions. These statements, which include our guidance for future financial performance, are based on management's current expectations and should be viewed with caution. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the Company, including the timing of orders and shipments, the conversion of orders to revenue in any particular quarter, or at all, our ability to implement successfully our profit plans, the continuing demand for semiconductor equipment, relative market growth, continuity of business relationships with and purchases by major customers, competitive pressure on sales and pricing, increases in material and other production costs that cannot be recouped in product pricing and global economic, political and financial conditions. These risks and other risk factors relating to Axcelis are described more fully in the most recent Form 10-K filed by Axcelis and in other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Axcelis Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, provides innovative, high-productivity solutions for the semiconductor industry. Axcelis is dedicated to developing enabling process applications through the design, manufacture and complete life cycle support of ion implantation and cleaning systems. Axcelis also licenses its 50% owned joint venture, SEN Corporation, an SHI and Axcelis Company, to manufacture and sell certain implant products in Japan. The company's Internet address is: www.axcelis.com.

                      Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
                Consolidated Statements of Operations
                In thousands, except per share amounts
                             (Unaudited)

                               Three months ended   Nine months ended
                                  September 30,       September 30,
                               ------------------- -------------------
                                 2007      2006      2007      2006
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

Revenue                        $107,553  $122,817  $315,152  $338,378

Cost of Revenue                  71,284    69,551   194,043   198,128

Gross profit                     36,269    53,266   121,109   140,250

Operating expenses
   Research and development      18,288    17,597    54,114    54,000
   Sales and marketing           12,411    11,743    38,495    33,919
   General and administrative    10,367    11,986    31,037    34,258
   Impairment of goodwill         4,658         0     4,658         0
   Amortization of intangible
    assets                          656       656     1,968     1,895
   Restructuring charges              -        53         -       147
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
                                 46,380    42,035   130,272   124,219
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

Income (loss) from operations   (10,111)   11,231    (9,163)   16,031

Other income (expense)
   Equity income of SEN           1,767     2,372     8,340    10,734
   Interest income                1,224     2,250     3,824     5,816
   Interest expense              (1,587)   (2,570)   (4,822)   (6,657)
   Other-net                        254       153       505       837
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
                                  1,658     2,205     7,847    10,730
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

Income (loss) before income
 taxes                           (8,453)   13,436    (1,316)   26,761

Income taxes (credits)             (256)      916      (536)    1,552
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

Net income (loss)              $ (8,197) $ 12,520  $   (780) $ 25,209
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

Net income (loss) per share
 Basic                         $  (0.08) $   0.12  $  (0.01) $   0.25
 Diluted                       $  (0.08) $   0.12  $  (0.01) $   0.25

Shares used in computing net
 income (loss) per share
   Basic                       $102,206  $101,165  $101,772  $101,003
   Diluted                     $102,206  $101,612  $101,772  $101,205
                      Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
                     Consolidated Balance Sheets
                             In thousands
                             (Unaudited)

                                            September 30, December 31,
                                                2007          2006
                                            ------------- ------------

Assets

Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                 $     83,152  $   140,451
  Marketable securities                                -       63,200
  Restricted cash                                 16,656       11,019
  Accounts receivable, net                        76,191       73,635
  Inventories, net                               175,547      160,107
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets       30,361       26,639
                                            ------------- ------------
Total current assets                             381,907      475,051

Property, plant and equipment, net                68,492       66,678
Investment in SEN                                126,971      126,688
Goodwill                                          42,115       46,773
Intangible assets                                 11,581       13,549
Restricted cash, long-term portion                     -        1,137
Other assets                                      34,327       24,117
                                            ------------- ------------
                                            $    665,393  $   753,993
                                            ============= ============

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

Current liabilities
  Accounts payable                          $     21,891  $    37,312
  Accrued compensation                            14,285       26,996
  Warranty                                         4,989        5,229
  Income taxes                                       672        3,906
  Deferred revenue                                35,228       28,811
  Current portion of convertible
   subordinated debt                                   -       74,217
  Other current liabilities                        7,727       13,670
                                            ------------- ------------
Total current liabilities                         84,792      190,141

Convertible subordinated debt                     79,142       76,887
Long-term deferred revenue                         5,082        5,054
Other long-term liabilities                        6,667        4,349

Stockholders' equity
  Preferred Stock                                      -            -
  Common stock                                       102          101
  Additional paid-in capital                     476,549      469,967
  Treasury stock                                  (1,218)      (1,218)
  Retained earnings                                8,803        9,583
  Accumulated other comprehensive income
   (loss)                                          5,474         (871)
                                            ------------- ------------
                                                 489,710      477,562
                                            ------------- ------------
                                            $    665,393  $   753,993
                                            ============= ============

    CONTACT: Company Contact:
             Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
             David Snyder, +1 978-787-4273
             Fax: +1 978-787-4275
             david.snyder@axcelis.com
             or
             Investor Contact:
             Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
             Stephen Bassett, +1 978-787-4000
             Fax: +1 978-787-9133
             investor.relations@axcelis.com
             or
             Agency Contact:
             Loomis Group
             Heather Smith, +1 617-309-8005
             Fax: +1 617-638-0033
             smithh@loomisgroup.com

    SOURCE: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.