Axcelis Announces Financial Results for First Quarter 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) announced financial results for Q1 2024, reporting revenue of $252.4 million, a gross margin of 46%, and EPS of $1.57. Despite revenue decline from the previous quarter, the company exceeded guidance and highlighted growth in the implant intensive power device segment and shipments to China. The CEO mentioned continued strong execution and product success, while the CFO emphasized robust cash flow and a positive outlook for 2024.

Positive

• Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) reported a strong financial performance in Q1 2024, surpassing revenue, gross margin, and EPS guidance.

• The company experienced growth in the implant intensive power device segment and robust shipments to China, indicating a positive market demand for its products.

• President and CEO Russell Low highlighted the success in winning new customers globally and expanding product offerings, showcasing growth potential and market recognition.

• Executive Vice President and CFO Jamie Coogan mentioned a solid start to 2024, with strong cash flow and a robust balance sheet, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the year.

Negative

• Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) saw a decline in revenue from the previous quarter, with Q1 2024 revenue at $252.4 million compared to $310.3 million in Q4 2023, reflecting a negative trend.

• The company's operating profit decreased to $56.5 million in Q1 2024 from $79.1 million in Q4 2023, indicating a decline in profitability.

• Net income also decreased to $51.6 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, in Q1 2024 from $71.1 million, or $2.15 per diluted share, in Q4 2023, showing a decrease in earnings per share.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported revenue decline from $310.3 million to $252.4 million quarter-over-quarter is noteworthy, suggesting a possible deceleration in Axcelis's business. However, it's important to consider the seasonality or market conditions that may have influenced this change. Moreover, the improvement in gross margin from 44.4% to 46% indicates efficiency gains or a favorable product mix, which could reflect well on Axcelis's cost management strategies.

The earnings per share (EPS) of $1.57, a decrease from the previous quarter's $2.15, might cause concern among investors, signaling a potential contraction in profitability. Yet, the fact that these figures are above Axcelis's guidance could suggest the company's conservative forecasting and its ability to manage expectations effectively.

Investors will likely appreciate the strong balance sheet and cash flow, as these indicate the company's financial resilience. The focus on the silicon carbide power device segment aligns with the growing demand for energy-efficient solutions, which may offer long-term growth prospects.

Market Research Analyst

The emphasis on the implant intensive power device segment and the Purion™ Power Series product line suggests Axcelis is capitalizing on niche markets with specialized demands. Expanding its customer base globally and winning new business could signify a strategic growth trajectory and diversification of revenue streams.

Shipments to China, a significant market for semiconductor equipment, contribute to the company's revenue. The geopolitical landscape and trade relations between the United States and China could be critical factors in assessing the sustainability of these revenues.

Tech Industry Analyst

The technological differentiation of Axcelis's product offerings, particularly in the silicon carbide sector, is a competitive edge that could lead to a stronger market position. As industries increasingly adopt power-efficient technologies, companies like Axcelis that provide enabling equipment could benefit from this trend in the long run.

However, the forecasted reduction in gross margin for the second quarter to 43.5% may raise questions about the profitability of upcoming projects. The anticipated closing of several evaluations with typically lower margins needs to be watched closely for its impact on overall financial health.

Revenue, Gross Margin and EPS Beat Guidance 

BEVERLY, Mass., May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACLS) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

The Company reported first quarter revenue of $252.4 million, compared to $310.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Gross margin for the quarter was 46%, compared to 44.4% in the fourth quarter. Operating profit for the quarter was $56.5 million, compared to $79.1 million for the fourth quarter. Net income for the quarter was $51.6 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, compared to $71.1 million, or $2.15 per diluted share in the fourth quarter.

President and CEO Russell Low commented, "Axcelis is off to a good start in 2024. The Company delivered strong financial results in the first quarter, as a result of continued execution by the Axcelis team combined with strength in the implant intensive power device segment and robust shipments to China. The power device segment, particularly silicon carbide, continues to drive our business. We continue to win business from new customers globally as well as expand our product footprint with existing customers, with our highly differentiated and enabling Purion™ Power Series product line."

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jamie Coogan said, "We are pleased with our first quarter results and look forward to a solid 2024. Our revenue, gross margin and earnings per share finished above our guidance for the period, and we ended the quarter with robust cash flow and a strong balance sheet. We are monitoring the recovery in our memory and general mature markets and continue to expect revenue levels in the second half to increase over our anticipated revenues in the first half of the year."

Business Outlook
For the second quarter ending June 30, 2024, Axcelis expects revenues of approximately $245 million. Gross margin in the second quarter is expected to be approximately 43.5%, as we anticipate closing several evaluations in the period, which typically carry lower gross margins. For the full year we expect gross margins to improve year over year. Second quarter operating profit is forecast to be approximately $47 million with earnings per diluted share of around $1.30.

First Quarter 2024 Conference Call
The Company will host a call to discuss the results for the first quarter 2024 on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. 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 registering as a Participant here: 
https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3597bb3b60b345b3a930f23a61948ca3. 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 over 45 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)
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2024			2023
Revenue:
Product		$	243,418		$	246,007
Services			8,954			8,013
Total revenue			252,372			254,020
Cost of revenue:
Product			127,912			142,771
Services			8,409			7,230
Total cost of revenue			136,321			150,001
Gross profit			116,051			104,019
Operating expenses:
Research and development			25,662			23,773
Sales and marketing			17,445			14,144
General and administrative			16,405			14,745
Total operating expenses			59,512			52,662
Income from operations			56,539			51,357
Other income (expense):
Interest income			5,516			3,936
Interest expense			(1,346)			(1,353)
Other, net			(1,710)			(1,038)
Total other income			2,460			1,545
Income before income taxes			58,999			52,902
Income tax provision			7,404			5,205
Net income		$	51,595		$	47,697
Net income per share:
Basic		$	1.58		$	1.46
Diluted		$	1.57		$	1.43
Shares used in computing net income per share:
Basic weighted average shares of common stock			32,638			32,744
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock			32,926			33,293

 

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
		March 31,			December 31,
		2024			2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	133,963		$	167,297
Short-term investments			396,228			338,851
Accounts receivable, net			208,544			217,964
Inventories, net			312,170			306,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			54,544			49,397
Total current assets			1,105,449			1,079,991
Property, plant and equipment, net			53,032			53,971
Operating lease assets			29,557			30,716
Finance lease assets, net			16,310			16,632
Long-term restricted cash			6,652			6,654
Deferred income taxes			54,525			53,428
Other assets			41,094			40,575
Total assets		$	1,306,619		$	1,281,967
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	39,853		$	54,400
Accrued compensation			16,413			31,445
Warranty			14,355			14,098
Income taxes			26,850			6,164
Deferred revenue			164,700			164,677
Current portion of finance lease obligation			1,503			1,511
Other current liabilities			12,894			12,834
Total current liabilities			276,568			285,129
Long-term finance lease obligation			43,328			43,674
Long-term deferred revenue			43,718			46,208
Other long-term liabilities			41,262			42,074
Total liabilities			404,876			417,085
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 75,000 shares authorized; 32,605 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024; 32,685 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023			33			33
Additional paid-in capital			546,979			547,189
Retained earnings			358,303			319,506
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(3,572)			(1,846)
Total stockholders' equity			901,743			864,882
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	1,306,619		$	1,281,967

 

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SOURCE Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

FAQ

<p>What were Axcelis Technologies, Inc.'s (ACLS) revenue, gross margin, and EPS for Q1 2024?</p>

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) reported a revenue of $252.4 million, a gross margin of 46%, and EPS of $1.57 for Q1 2024.

<p>What is Axcelis Technologies, Inc.'s (ACLS) outlook for the second quarter of 2024?</p>

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) expects revenues of approximately $245 million, with a gross margin of around 43.5% and an operating profit of approximately $47 million for Q2 2024.

<p>When will Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) host a conference call to discuss the Q1 2024 results?</p>

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) will host a call on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET. Interested listeners can access the call via an audio webcast on the Investors page of Axcelis' website.