Axcelis Announces Results for the First Quarter 2002; Company Exceeds Revenue and Earnings Consensus Estimates

April 24, 2002 at 4:32 PM EDT
BEVERLY, Mass., Apr 24, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACLS) today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2002. Worldwide sales for the quarter, including SEN, Axcelis' unconsolidated joint venture in Japan, were $74.9 million, up 19% sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2001, and down 67% from the first quarter of 2001. Net sales (excluding SEN) for the quarter were $62.1 million, up 26% sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2001 and down 59% from the first quarter of 2001. Net loss for the first quarter of 2002 was $17.8 million, compared to net income of $16.2 million in the first quarter of 2001. Net loss per share for the first quarter of 2002 was $0.18 compared to earnings per share of $0.17 in the first quarter of 2001.

Cash and cash equivalents were $229.6 million at the end of the first quarter. The company raised $121.6 million in net cash proceeds through the sale of $125 million in convertible subordinated notes in January 2002.

Mary Puma, President and CEO said, "We are pleased with our increase in sequential quarterly net revenues, particularly given that 2001 was such a difficult year for the semiconductor capital equipment industry. Our business is definitely improving, with net bookings and quotation activity up significantly over the fourth quarter of 2001. While we are encouraged by these improvements, the trajectory of the upturn is still uncertain."

"Axcelis continues to build a strong platform for long term growth by developing and delivering innovative new products. We have just launched our next generation high current low energy ion implanters, the Ultra line, for both 200 mm and 300 mm to take advantage of increased demand as customers migrate to advanced 0.10 micron technologies. The Ultra line delivers higher productivity for low energy implantation for critical ultra shallow junction applications. We believe this will strengthen our competitive positioning in the high current market."

Neil Moses, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer said, "For the second quarter of 2002 we expect worldwide revenues (including SEN) to be $110 to $120 million and net revenues (excluding SEN) to be $70 to $80 million. Our outlook reflects a continued improvement in our business, although SEN's sequential quarterly revenue improvement may not be indicative of a sustained improvement in their business. Corresponding net losses are expected to be in the range of $0.09 - $0.12 per share, a significant improvement over the first quarter due to higher worldwide revenues and margins as well as the continuing impact of cost reduction initiatives."

Safe Harbor Statement

This document contains forward-looking statements under the SEC safe harbor provisions. These statements 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 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, rapid thermal processing, and cleaning and curing systems. Axcelis Technologies has key technology centers in Beverly, Massachusetts, and Rockville, Maryland as well as in Toyo, Japan through its joint venture, SEN. The company's Internet address is: www.axcelis.com.

First Quarter Earnings Conference Call

Please join us for our first quarter conference call on April 24th at 5:00 pm ET. A webcast of the call can be accessed via our website: www.axcelis.com. The dial in numbers for the teleconference are as follows: Domestic: 1-800-360-9865; outside North America: 1-973-694-6836. You will be asked to provide the company name, Axcelis Technologies; the conference leader, Mark Namaroff; and the pass code, Axcelis 1Q. A telephone replay will also be available from 8:00 pm ET on April 24, 2002 until 5:00 pm ET on May 1st, 2002. Dial 1-800-428-6051 (1-973-709-2089 outside North America). Please enter conference ID code # 236117. A webcast replay will also be available from 8:00 pm ET on April 24, 2002 until 5:00 pm ET May 21, 2002.


Consolidated Statements of Operations
In thousands, except per share amounts
                                                     Quarter ended
                                                        March 31,
                                                   2002         2001
Net sales                                       $ 62,085      $152,149
Cost of products sold                             46,688        88,801
Gross profit                                      15,397        63,348
Operating expenses:
  Research & development                          17,712        19,262
  Selling                                         11,238        13,380
  General & administrative                        11,947        17,711
  Amortization of goodwill &
    intangible assets                                365         2,320
Income (loss) from operations                    (25,865)       10,675
Other income (expense):
Royalty income                                       567         2,800
Equity income of Sumitomo
  Eaton Nova Corporation                          (1,962)        6,632
Interest income                                      957         2,377
Interest expense                                  (1,198)         --
Other income (expense) - net                        (361)            5
Total other income (expense)                      (1,997)       11,814
Income  before income taxes                      (27,862)       22,489
Income taxes                                     (10,031)        6,298
Net income (loss)                               $(17,831)     $ 16,191
Basic net income (loss) per share               $  (0.18)     $   0.17
Diluted net income (loss) per share             $  (0.18)     $   0.17
Shares used in computing:
  Basic net income (loss) per share               97,816        97,059
  Diluted net income (loss) per share             97,816        97,599

Consolidated Balance Sheets
In thousands
                                               March 31,  December 31,
                                                 2002         2001
Assets
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                   $ 229,578     $ 124,177
  Accounts receivable                            51,687        63,057
  Inventories                                   104,338       105,339
  Deferred income taxes &
   other current assets                          30,638        18,622
Total current assets                            416,241       311,195
Property, plant & equipment, net                 94,195        92,618
Investment in Sumitomo
 Eaton Nova Corporation                          45,802        48,183
Goodwill                                         39,282        39,282
Intangible assets                                14,236        14,601
Other assets                                     48,365        45,517
Total assets                                  $ 658,121     $ 551,396
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                            $  30,150     $  32,602
  Accrued compensation                            9,716         6,966
  Warranty reserve                               23,579        24,218
  Income taxes payable                             --            --
  Other current liabilities                      18,759        20,997
Total current liabilities                        82,204        84,783
Convertible debt                                125,000          --
Deferred income taxes                              --            --
Other long-term liabilities                       3,726         3,752
Stockholders' equity
  Common stock                                       98            97
  Additional paid-in capital                    444,939       440,638
  Deferred compensation                          (1,273)         --
  Treasury stock - at cost                       (1,218)       (1,218)
  Retained earnings                              20,688        38,519
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   income (loss)                                (16,043)      (15,175)
Total stockholders' equity                    $ 447,191     $ 462,861
Total liabilities and
 stockholders' equity                         $ 658,121     $ 551,396

CONTACT:
Company Contact:
Maureen Hart
Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
(978) 787-4266
maureen.hart@axcelis.com
or
Investor Contact:
Mark Namaroff
Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
(978) 787-4000
investor.relations@axcelis.com
or
Agency Contact:
Dave Snyder
The Loomis Group Inc.
(617) 638-0022
snyderd@loomisgroup.com