UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 6, 2019

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (978) 787-4000

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o        Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o        Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o        Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o        Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2). Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On February 6, 2019, Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release regarding its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.  The Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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Exhibit 99.1

News Release

AXCELIS ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2018

Company Reports Growth in Revenues, Gross Margin and Cash

BEVERLY, Mass. — Feb. 6, 2019—Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACLS) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018.

The Company reported fourth quarter revenue of $105.7 million, compared to $95.4 million for the third quarter of 2018. Operating profit for the quarter was $11.5 million, compared to $10.7 million for the third quarter. Net income for the quarter was $8.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to net income for the third quarter of $8.8 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. Gross margin for the quarter was 41.2%, compared to 41.8% in the third quarter. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $184.9 million on December 31, 2018, compared to $155.6 million on September 30, 2018.

For the full year 2018, the Company reported revenue of $442.6 million, compared with $410.6 million for the full year 2017. Systems revenue for the year was $280.4 million, compared to $262.7 million in 2017. Operating profit was $60 million in 2018, compared to $47.8 million in 2017. Net income for the year was $45.9 million with diluted earnings per share of $1.35. This compares to 2017 net income of $127 million and earnings per share of $3.80. 2017 results were impacted by a significant excess inventory reserve adjustment and the reversal of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets.

“2018 was a strong year for Axcelis, with continued growth in revenues, gross margins and cash. Despite a memory market slowdown, Axcelis kept growing by expanding Purion products to a large and diverse group of customers,” commented President and CEO Mary Puma. “We are focused on additional growth by investing in technology for new market segments and extending our global Purion footprint. These actions position us well to achieve our financial and strategic long-term goals.”

Business Outlook

For the first quarter ending March 31, 2019, Axcelis expects revenues in the range of $90-95 million. Gross margin in the first quarter is expected to be around 41%. First quarter operating profit is forecasted to be in the range of $6-7 million. Earnings per diluted share is expected to be in the range of $0.10-0.13.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s results for the fourth quarter and full year 2018 on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 8:30 am ET.  The call will be available to interested listeners via an audio webcast that can be accessed through the Investors page of Axcelis’ website at www.axcelis.com, or by

dialing 866.588.8911 (707.294.1561 outside North America).  Participants calling into the conference call will be requested to provide the company name, Axcelis Technologies, and Conference ID: 6379519. Webcast replays will be available for 30 days following the call.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release and the conference call contain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act safe harbor provisions. These statements, which include our expectations for spending in our industry and 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 that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, many of which are outside the control of the Company, including that customer decisions to place orders or our product shipments may not occur when we expect, that orders may not be converted to revenue in any particular quarter, or at all, whether demand will continue for the semiconductor equipment we produce or, if not, whether we can successfully meet changing market requirements, and whether we will be able to maintain continuity of business relationships with and purchases by major customers. Increased competitive pressure on sales and pricing, increases in material and other production costs that cannot be recouped in product pricing and instability caused by changing global economic, political or financial conditions could also cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. 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:

Axcelis (Nasdaq: ACLS), headquartered in Beverly, Mass., has been providing innovative, high-productivity solutions for the semiconductor industry for 40 years. Axcelis is dedicated to developing enabling process applications through the design, manufacture and complete life cycle support of ion implantation systems, one of the most critical and enabling steps in the IC manufacturing process. Learn more about Axcelis at www.axcelis.com.

Company Contacts

Investor Relations:

Doug Lawson
978.787.9552

Editorial/Media:

Maureen Hart
978.787.4266

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)