EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE ASM INTERNATIONAL REPORTS 2006 FIRST QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS. Press release ASM International Reports 2006 First Quarter Operating Results.

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ASM International N.V.

 

  Contact:       Naud van der Ven,       + 31 30 229 85 40  
    Mary Jo Dieckhaus,       + 1 212 986 29 00  

ASM INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

2006 FIRST QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS

 

•   First quarter of 2006 net sales of € 206.5 million, up 53% from the first quarter of 2005 and down 12% from the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

•   After charges for impairment and restructuring of € 5.4 million, net earnings of the first quarter of 2006 was € 2.6 million or € 0.05 diluted net earnings per share, as compared to a net loss of € 7.2 million or € 0.14 diluted net loss per share for the first quarter of 2005 and a net loss of € 27.2 million or € 0.52 diluted net loss per share (after charges for impairment and restructuring of € 43.8 million) for the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

•   First quarter of 2006 gross profit margin of 38.1%, up 3.4 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

•   First quarter bookings of € 243.1 million, up 5% from the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

•   Quarter-end backlog of € 258.5 million, up 16% from the fourth quarter of 2005.

BILTHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS, April 26, 2006 - ASM International N.V. (NASDAQ: ASMI and Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) reports today its 2006 first quarter operating results. These operating results have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).

“In line with our earlier guidance, first quarter 2006 total sales came in at a solid level. In addition, we completed the downsizing of our ASM NuTool operation in this quarter. Excluding restructuring charges related to ASM NuTool, net earnings was € 8.0 million, or € 0.15 per share,” commented Arthur del Prado, president and chief executive officer of ASMI. “The fact that bookings in the first quarter of 2006 grew sequentially for both wafer processing and assembly and packaging equipment, following a very strong order intake in the fourth quarter of 2005, supports our optimism that ASMI will continue to benefit from the forecasted healthy rate of customer capital spending in 2006.”

 

1

Impairment and Restructuring

With respect to the restructuring of ASM NuTool, we have recognized in the first quarter of 2006 charges in the amount of € 5.4 million for, amongst others, operational lease obligations and settlement charges with former NuTool shareholders. Approximately € 3.0 million was paid in our common shares, € 0.8 million is non cash and the remainder of approximately € 1.6 million will be paid in cash.

 

2

The following table compares the operating performance for the first quarter of 2006 with the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2005:

 

(euro million)

    Q1 2005     Q4 2005     Q1 2006     % Change
Q4 2005
to
Q1 2006		     % Change
Q1 2005
to
Q1 2006		  

Net sales

    134.7     234.0     206.5     (12 )%   53 %

Gross profit

    45.9     81.2     78.6     (3 )%   71 %

Gross profit margin

    34.1 %   34.7 %   38.1 %   3.4 (1)   4. 0(1)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    (23.8 )   (26.7 )   (35.8 )   34 %   50 %

Research and development expenses

    (20.9 )   (32.2 )   (21.8 )   (32 )%   4 %

Amortization of other intangible assets

    (0.4 )   (0.5 )   (0.2 )   (66 )%   (52 )%

Impairment of goodwill

    —       (31.0 )   —       na     na  
                              

Earnings from operations

    0.8     (9.2 )   20.8     na     2,464 %

Net earnings (loss)

    (7.2 )   (27.2 )   2.6     na     na  

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share

    (0.14 )   (0.52 )   0.05     na     na  

New orders

    150.0     232.3     243.1     5 %   62 %

Backlog at end of period

    202.1     221.9     258.5     16 %   28 %
                              
(1) Percentage points change.

The following table shows the reconciliation between operating performance and operating performance excluding impairment and restructuring charges:

 

(euro million)

    Q4 2005     Impairment
and
restructuring
charges		     Q4 2005
excluding
impairment and
restructuring
charges		     Q1 2006     Impairment
and
restructuring
charges		    Q1 2006
excluding
impairment and
restructuring
charges		  

Net sales

    234.0     —       234.0     206.5     —      206.5  

Gross profit

    81.2     4.5     85.7     78.6     —      78.6  

Gross profit margin %

    34.7 %   2.0 %   36.7 %   38.1 %   —      38.1 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    (26.7 )   0.1     (26.6 )   (35.8 )   5.4    (30.4 )

Research and development expenses

    (32.2 )   7.6     (24.6 )   (21.8 )   —      (21.8 )

Amortization of other intangible assets

    (0.5 )   —       (0.5 )   (0.2 )   —      (0.2 )

Impairment of goodwill

    (31.0 )   (31.0 )   —       —       —      —    
                                   

Earnings from operations

    (9.2 )   43.2     34.0     20.8     5.4    26.2  

Net earnings (loss)

    (27.2 )   43.8     16.6     2.6     5.4    8.0  

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share

    (0.52 )   0.84     0.32     0.05     0.10    0.15  
                                   

Impairment and restructuring charges were recorded in our Front-end segment.

Operating performance excluding impairment and restructuring charges is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe it is a relevant measure as it provides a clear comparison of our operating performance between periods. Operating performance excluding impairment and restructuring charges, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similar titled measures reported by others. It should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with US GAAP.

 

3

The following table shows the operating performance for the first quarter of 2006 as compared to the operating performance for the fourth quarter of 2005, both excluding impairment and restructuring charges, and the operating performance for the first quarter of 2005:

 

(euro millions)

    Q1 2005     Q4 2005
excluding
impairment
and
restructuring
charges		     Q1 2006
excluding
impairment
and
restructuring
charges		     % Change
Q4 2005
to
Q1 2006		     % Change
Q1 2005
to
Q1 2006		  

Net sales

    134.7     234.0     206.5     (12 )%   53 %

Gross profit

    45.9     85.7     78.6     (8 )%   71 %

Gross profit margin

    34.1 %   36.7 %   38.1 %   1. 4(1)   4. 0(1)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    (23.8 )   (26.6 )   (30.4 )   14 %   28 %

Research and development expenses

    (20.9 )   (24.6 )   (21.8 )   (11 )%   4 %

Amortization of other intangible assets

    (0.4 )   (0.5 )   (0.2 )   (66 )%   (52 )%
                              

Earnings from operations

    0.8     34.0     26.2     (23 )%   3,132 %

Net earnings (loss)

    (7.2 )   16.6     8.0     (52 )%   na  

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share

    (0.14 )   0.32     0.15     (52 )%   na  

New orders

    150.0     232.3     243.1     5 %   62 %

Backlog at end of period

    202.1     221.9     258.5     16 %   28 %
                              
(1) Percentage points change.

The following analysis focuses on operating performance, excluding impairment and restructuring charges, for the first quarter of 2006 and the fourth quarter of 2005.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2006 were lower as compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, in wafer processing equipment (Front-end) and to a lesser extent in assembly and packaging equipment and materials (Back-end). This is in accordance with the outlook of the fourth quarter of 2005.

The strengthening of the US dollar and US dollar related currencies against the euro in the first quarter of 2006 as compared to the first quarter of 2005 impacted sales positively by 8%.

Gross Profit Margin amounted to 38.1% of net sales in the first quarter of 2006, 1.4 percentage points above the gross profit margin of 36.7% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2005. The increase was caused by an increase in the proportion of net sales accounted for by the higher margin Back-end segment, increased margins in the Front-end segment and changes in the Front-end segment product mix. The gross profit margin in the first quarter of 2006 was 4.0 percentage points above the gross profit margin of 34.1% in the first quarter of 2005.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses increased 14% from € 26.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 to € 30.4 million in the first quarter of 2006 and increased 28% from € 23.8 million in the first quarter of 2005. The increase was the result of increased sales and marketing activity, demo activity, and increased expenditures in preparing to meet requirements under section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R “Share-Based Payment,” effective January 1, 2006, required us to recognize costs of employee stock options.

 

4

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 15% in the first quarter of 2006 compared to 11% in the fourth quarter of 2005, and 18% in the first quarter of 2005.

Research and Development Expenses decreased 11% from € 24.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 to € 21.8 million in the first quarter of 2006 as a result of increased focus on research and development expenses and the restructuring of ASM NuTool. Research and development expenses increased 4% from € 20.9 million in the first quarter of 2005.

As a percentage of net sales, research and development expenses were 11% in the first quarter of 2006 and the fourth quarter of 2005, and 16% in the first quarter of 2005.

Earnings from Operations amounted to € 26.2 million in the first quarter of 2006 compared to € 34.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 and € 0.8 million in the first quarter of 2005. When compared to the fourth quarter of 2005 earnings from operations decreased in both the Company’s Front-end and Back-end segments.

Net Interest Expense was € 1.8 million in the first quarter of 2006, down € 0.6 million and € 1.0 million as compared to net interest expenses in the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2005 respectively. The decrease is mainly the result of the repayment of US$ 94.3 million in convertible subordinated notes which were due in November 2005. Net interest expense in the first quarter of 2005 also included a € 0.3 million loss related to the early extinguishment of US$ 4.6 million of convertible subordinated notes.

Bookings and backlog

New orders received increased 5% from € 232.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 to € 243.1 million in the first quarter of 2006, extending the quarter over quarter improvement in order intake experienced since the first quarter of 2005. New orders received in the first quarter of 2006 include € 11.7 million of orders scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2007 and beyond. For the first quarter of 2006, the level of new orders divided by the net sales for the quarter (book-to-bill ratio) was 1.18, compared to a book-to-bill ratio of 0.99 in the fourth quarter of 2005. Both Front-end and Back-end segments reported book-to-bill ratios higher than 1.

The backlog at March 31, 2006 amounted to € 258.5 million, an increase of 16% compared to the backlog of € 221.9 million at December 31, 2005. The backlog increased in both the Company’s Front-end and Back-end segments.

Liquidity and capital resources

Net cash provided by operations in the first quarter of 2006 was € 19.3 million as compared to € 22.5 million in the first quarter of 2005. The decrease was primarily caused by increased balances of accounts receivables and inventories in the first quarter of 2006.

Net cash provided by financing activities in the first quarter of 2006 was € 7.3 million as compared to net cash used in financing activities of € 3.6 million in the first quarter of 2005. Proceeds from the issuance of shares increased as a result of increased exercises of employee stock options. The first quarter of 2005 also included an early extinguishment of US$ 4.6 million of convertible subordinated notes.

Net working capital, consisting of accounts receivable, inventories, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, advance payments from customers and deferred revenue, increased from € 234.6 million at December 31, 2005 to € 240.3 million at March 31, 2006. The increase is primarily the result of increased inventory levels. The number of outstanding days of working capital, measured based on annual sales, decreased from 118 days at December 31, 2005 to 110 days at March 31, 2006.

 

5

At March 31, 2006, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity consisted of € 149.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which € 44.0 million was available for Front-end operations and € 105.1 million was restricted for use in Back-end operations. In addition, the Company also had € 113.6 million in undrawn bank facilities, of which € 36.2 million was available for its Back-end operations and € 27.1 million was available for its Front-end operations in Japan.

Outlook

Both our Front-end and Back-end segments experienced increases in their order books in the first quarter of 2006, following strong bookings in the fourth quarter of 2005. Based on that, we expect again solid sales in the second quarter.

For Front-end, we expect the operating result for the second quarter to improve compared to the first quarter (net of restructuring charges). Expected positive influences include a higher level of sales than in the first quarter of 2006, based on a strong order backlog at the beginning of the second quarter; a reduction in operational expenses resulting from the restructuring of ASM NuTool; and, solid progress in the cost-effective manufacturing of selected Front-end parts and subassemblies in Singapore. Based on a continuing positive climate in the assembly and packaging equipment markets, Back-end operations should continue at strong sales and profitability levels. Exchange rates are expected to have a negative effect. Overall, we expect a consolidated operational performance in line with the first quarter of 2006 (net of the restructuring).

 

6

ASM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CALL

ASM International will host an investor conference call and web cast on

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2006 at

 9:00 a.m. US Eastern time

15:00 p.m Continental European time.

The teleconference dial-in numbers are as follows:

United States:                +1 800.299.6183

International:                +1 617.801.9713

Participation pass code is 126 83 320

A simultaneous audio web cast will be accessible at www.asm.com.

The teleconference will be available for replay, beginning one hour after completion of the live broadcast, through May 11, 2006. The replay dial-in numbers are:

United States:                +1 888.286.8010

International                 +1 617.801.6888

Participation pass code is 360 33 183

About ASM International

ASM International N.V., headquartered in Bilthoven, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International and its subsidiaries provide production solutions for wafer processing (Front-end segment) as well as assembly and packaging (Back-end segment) through facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International’s common stock trades on NASDAQ (symbol ASMI) and the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol ASM). For more information, visit ASMI’s website at http://www.asm.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All matters discussed in this statement, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholder and other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, epidemics and other risks indicated in the Company’s filings from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s reports on Form 20-F and Form 6-K. The Company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

 

7

ASM INTERNATIONAL N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

      in Euro  
      Three months ended
March 31,		  

(thousands except per share data)

    2005     2006  
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Net sales

    134,727     206,488  

Cost of sales

    (88,803 )   (127,901 )
            

Gross profit

    45,924     78,587  

Operating expenses:

     

Selling, general and administrative

    (23,772 )   (35,771 )

Research and development

    (20,960 )   (21,840 )

Amortization of other intangible assets

    (381 )   (184 )
            

Total operating expenses

    (45,113 )   (57,795 )
            

Earnings from operations

    811     20,792  

Net interest expense

    (2,783 )   (1,813 )

Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)

    (176 )   161  
            

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and minority interest

    (2,148 )   19,140  

Income tax expense

    (565 )   (2,434 )
            

Earnings (loss) before minority interest

    (2,713 )   16,706  

Minority interest

    (4,535 )   (14,137 )
            

Net earnings (loss)

    (7,248 )   2,569  
            

Net earnings (loss) per share:

     

Basic

    (0.14 )   0.05  

Diluted (1)

    (0.14 )   0.05  
            

Weighted average number of shares used in computing per share amounts (in thousands):

     

Basic

    52,622     53,073  

Diluted (1)

    52,622     53,197  
            
(1) The calculation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in earnings of the Company. Only instruments that have a dilutive effect on net earnings (loss) are included in the calculation. The assumed conversion results in adjustment in the weighted average number of common shares and net earnings (loss) due to the related impact on interest expense. The calculation is done for each reporting period individually. Due to the loss reported in the three months ended March 31, 2005, the effect of securities and other contracts to issue common stock was anti-dilutive and no adjustments have been reflected in the diluted weighted average number of shares and net loss per share for that period. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the effect of a potential conversion of convertible debt into 11,886,738 common shares was anti-dilutive and no adjustments have been reflected in the diluted weighted average number of shares and net earnings per share for this period.

ASM INTERNATIONAL N.V.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     In Euro  

(thousands except share data)

    December 31,
2005		     March 31,
2006		  

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

    135,000     149,127  

Accounts receivable, net

    209,314     212,678  

Inventories, net

    189,404     199,255  

Income taxes receivable

    22     1,585  

Deferred tax assets

    2,841     2,688  

Other current assets

    24,232     25,908  
            

Total current assets

    560,813     591,241  

Debt issuance costs

    5,430     5,039  

Deferred tax assets

    536     530  

Other intangible assets

    9,177     10,471  

Goodwill, net

    73,009     71,593  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    163,343     157,715  
            

Total Assets

    812,308     836,589  
            

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

     

Notes payable to banks

    21,061     22,075  

Accounts payable

    93,669     100,895  

Accrued expenses

    76,899     73,587  

Advance payments from customers

    7,943     11,105  

Deferred revenue

    9,862     12,001  

Income taxes payable

    7,965     8,202  

Current portion of long-term debt

    7,150     7,132  
            

Total current liabilities

    224,549     234,997  

Deferred tax liabilities

    311     296  

Long-term debt

    25,741     24,187  

Convertible subordinated debt

    203,448     198,288  
            

Total Liabilities

    454,049     457,768  

Minority interest in subsidiary

    119,665     131,157  

Shareholders’ Equity:

     

Common shares

     

Authorized 110,000,000 shares, par value € 0.04, issued and outstanding 52,678,952 and 53,432,267 shares

    2,107     2,137  

Financing preferred shares, issued none

    —       —    

Preferred shares, issued none

    —       —    

Capital in excess of par value

    300,479     310,094  

Accumulated deficit

    (15,586 )   (13,017 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (48,406 )   (51,550 )
            

Total Shareholders’ Equity

    238,594     247,664  
            

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    812,308     836,589  
            

ASM INTERNATIONAL N.V.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     in Euro  
    

Three months ended

March 31,

  

(thousands)

    2005     2006  
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Net earnings (loss)

    (7,248 )   2,569  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:

     

Depreciation property, plant and equipment

    8,108     9,432  

Amortization of other intangible assets

    381     184  

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

    —       285  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

    474     256  

Deferred income taxes

    110     96  

Compensation expense employee stock option plan

    —       312  

Compensation expense employee share incentive scheme ASMPT

    —       1,025  

Non cash settlement charges

    —       3,048  

Minority interest

    4,535     14,137  

Changes in other assets and liabilities:

     

Accounts receivable

    24,176     (7,716 )

Inventories

    (12,879 )   (13,946 )

Other current assets

    2,648     (2,059 )

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    2,795     7,202  

Advance payments from customers

    3,842     3,421  

Deferred revenue

    (400 )   2,245  

Income taxes

    (4,023 )   (1,184 )
            

Net cash provided by operating activities

    22,519     19,307  
            

Cash flows from investing activities:

     

Capital expenditures

    (11,923 )   (7,207 )

Purchase of other intangible assets

    —       (1,627 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

    10     137  
            

Net cash used in investing activities

    (11,913 )   (8,697 )
            

Cash flows from financing activities:

     

Notes payable to banks, net

    (220 )   1,620  

Proceeds from long-term debt and subordinated debt

    589     —    

Repayments of long-term debt and subordinated debt

    (4,126 )   (958 )

Proceeds from issuance of common shares

    110     6,597  
            

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    (3,647 )   7,259  

Exchange rate effects

    7,291     (3,742 )
            

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

    14,250     14,127  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    218,614     135,000  
            

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

    232,864     149,127  
            

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

     

Cash paid (received) during the period for:

     

Interest, net

    (632 )   (395 )

Income taxes, net

    4,478     3,522  
            

ASM INTERNATIONAL N.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Basis of Presentation

ASM International N.V, (“ASMI”) follows accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). Accounting principles applied are unchanged compared to the year 2005.

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of ASMI and its subsidiaries, where ASMI holds a controlling interest. The minority interest in subsidiaries is disclosed separately in the Consolidated Financial Statements. All intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Intercompany profits included in inventory are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations upon the sale of the respective inventory to a third party.

Accounting principles under IFRS

ASMI’s primary consolidated financial statements are and will continue to be prepared in accordance with US GAAP. However, ASMI is required under Dutch law to report its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

The first consolidated financial statements prepared by ASMI in accordance with IFRS will be included in its Dutch Statutory Annual Report for 2005, including the consolidated financial statements of 2004 for comparison purposes. These consolidated financial statements replace the consolidated financial statements ASMI prepared through 2004 in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the Netherlands (“Dutch GAAP”), included in its Dutch Statutory Annual Reports through 2004. As a result of the differences between IFRS and US GAAP that are applicable to ASMI, the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheet reported in accordance with IFRS differs from those reported in accordance with US GAAP. The major differences relate to accounting for goodwill, accounting for minority interest, accounting for convertible subordinated notes, accounting for development expenses and accounting for option plans.

ASMI’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS report net earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 of € (0.12) and € 0.05, respectively. The diluted net earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 are € (0.12) and € 0.05, respectively.

The reconciliation between IFRS and US GAAP is as follows:

 

     Net earnings (loss)    

Equity

March 31,

2006

  
     Three months ended
March 31,		    

(thousands)

    2005     2006    

US GAAP

    (7,248 )   2,569     247,664  

Adjustments for IFRS:

       

Goodwill

    —       —       (11,416 )

Classification of minority interest

    4,535     14,137     131,157  

Convertible subordinated notes

    (1,113 )   (2,524 )   35,705  

Development expenses

    2,184     2,730     11,805  

Option plans

    (254 )   34     —    
                  

Total adjustments

    5,352     14,377     167,251  

IFRS

    (1,896 )   16,946     414,915  
                  

IFRS allocation of net earnings:

       

Shareholders

    (6,431 )   2,809    

Minority interest

    4,535     14,137