Axcelis Announces Financial Results for Third Quarter 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ: ACLS) reported Q3 2024 financial results with revenue of $256.6 million, slightly up from $256.5 million in Q2. Operating profit decreased to $46.9 million from $52.8 million, while net income fell to $48.6 million ($1.49 per diluted share) from $50.9 million ($1.55 per share). Gross margin declined to 42.9% from 43.8%. The company expects Q4 2024 revenues of approximately $245 million with EPS of $1.25. Additionally, Axcelis corrected historical backlog figures, with Q2 2024 backlog revised to $879 million from previously reported $994 million. Q3 2024 backlog stands at $758 million.

Positive

• Revenue remained stable at $256.6M quarter-over-quarter
• Maintained strong gross margin of 42.9%
• Healthy operating margin at 18.3%
• Strong cash generation reported by management

Negative

• Operating profit decreased by 11.2% QoQ from $52.8M to $46.9M
• Net income declined from $50.9M to $48.6M QoQ
• Q4 guidance indicates revenue decline to $245M
• Backlog correction revealed lower figures than previously reported
• Management expects slowdown in mature node capacity through H1 2025

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 results show a mixed performance with concerning trends. Revenue was essentially flat quarter-over-quarter at $256.6 million, while operating profit declined by $5.9 million to $46.9 million. The 42.9% gross margin contracted by 90 basis points and EPS fell from $1.55 to $1.49.

The Q4 guidance signals further deterioration, with projected revenue of $245 million (-4.5% QoQ) and EPS of $1.25 (-16.1% QoQ). The significant backlog correction, reducing it by $115 million as of Q2, raises concerns about previous financial reporting accuracy and future growth visibility.

Management's commentary about "near term digestion of mature node capacity" through H1 2025 suggests continued headwinds in the immediate future, though long-term growth drivers in silicon carbide and memory markets remain intact.

• Revenue of $256.6 million
• Operating margin of 18.3%
• Diluted earnings per share of $1.49

BEVERLY, Mass., Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACLS) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. The Company reported third quarter revenue of $256.6 million, compared to $256.5 million for the second quarter of 2024. Gross margin for the quarter was 42.9%, compared to 43.8% in the second quarter. Operating profit for the quarter was $46.9 million, compared to $52.8 million for the second quarter. Net income for the quarter was $48.6 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, compared to $50.9 million, or $1.55 per diluted share in the second quarter.

President and CEO Russell Low commented, "Axcelis executed well in the third quarter with results relatively in-line with our expectations. While we anticipate a near term digestion of mature node capacity through the first half of 2025, customer engagement is strong and our long-term growth opportunity remains squarely intact highlighted by attractive secular growth in silicon carbide, a cyclical recovery in our memory and general mature markets, market share gains in advanced logic and regional penetration of the Japan market."

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jamie Coogan said, "We are pleased with the financial performance delivered by our team thus far in 2024. Our cash generation remains strong, we are engaging with customers across a number of key growth opportunities, and we are investing in our product roadmaps while maintaining discipline in our overall cost structure. All of this, when coupled with our strong balance sheet, put us in position to capture the growth opportunities that lie ahead and drive long-term value creation for shareholders." 

Business Outlook
For the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2024, Axcelis expects revenues of approximately $245 million, and earnings per diluted share of approximately $1.25.

Correction of Historical Backlog
During the preparation of the Company's third quarter financial statements, the Axcelis internal financial team identified an error in the calculation of backlog, beginning in 2019 through the second quarter of 2024.  For example, corrected backlog as of June 30, 2024 was $879 million, compared to previously reported backlog of $994 million. Backlog as of September 30, 2024 was $758 million.   

The corrected historical figures for 2019 through the second quarter of 2024 have been posted to the Investor section of the Axcelis website at investor.axcelis.com.

Third Quarter 2024 Conference Call
The Company will host a call to discuss the results for the third quarter 2024 on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The call will be available via 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/BI64036dd04ee74de4bea3e1ba939fae67

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.

CONTACTS:

Investor Relations Contact:
David Ryzhik
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy
Telephone: (978) 787-2352
Email: David.Ryzhik@axcelis.com

Press/Media Relations Contact: 
Maureen Hart
Senior Director, Corporate & Marketing Communications
Telephone: (978) 787-4266
Email: Maureen.Hart@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,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenue:
Product		$	246,826		$	283,367		$	735,626		$	795,047
Services			9,738			8,959			29,822			25,269
Total revenue			256,564			292,326			765,448			820,316
Cost of revenue:
Product			136,379			154,798			399,049			444,311
Services			10,215			7,844			27,968			22,600
Total cost of revenue			146,594			162,642			427,017			466,911
Gross profit			109,970			129,684			338,431			353,405
Operating expenses:
Research and development			26,395			24,093			77,843			71,996
Sales and marketing			16,808			16,465			51,483			46,146
General and administrative			19,854			17,446			52,842			48,519
Total operating expenses			63,057			58,004			182,168			166,661
Income from operations			46,913			71,680			156,263			186,744
Other income (expense):
Interest income			6,560			4,580			18,126			12,824
Interest expense			(1,333)			(1,325)			(4,017)			(4,027)
Other, net			3,225			(1,260)			1,257			(4,348)
Total other income			8,452			1,995			15,366			4,449
Income before income taxes			55,365			73,675			171,629			191,193
Income tax provision			6,789			7,744			20,593			15,986
Net income		$	48,576		$	65,931		$	151,036		$	175,207
Net income per share:
Basic		$	1.49		$	2.01		$	4.63		$	5.35
Diluted		$	1.49		$	1.99		$	4.61		$	5.28
Shares used in computing net income per share:
Basic weighted average shares of common stock			32,550			32,807			32,595			32,775
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock			32,675			33,159			32,780			33,208

 

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
		September 30,			December 31,
		2024			2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	120,066		$	167,297
Short-term investments			459,341			338,851
Accounts receivable, net			183,543			217,964
Inventories, net			290,954			306,482
Prepaid income taxes			10,748			—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			57,441			49,397
Total current assets			1,122,093			1,079,991
Property, plant and equipment, net			54,454			53,971
Operating lease assets			30,391			30,716
Finance lease assets, net			15,668			16,632
Long-term restricted cash			6,653			6,654
Deferred income taxes			58,938			53,428
Other assets			49,928			40,575
Total assets		$	1,338,125		$	1,281,967
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	54,047		$	54,400
Accrued compensation			23,070			31,445
Warranty			14,547			14,098
Income taxes			—			6,164
Deferred revenue			138,682			164,677
Current portion of finance lease obligation			1,399			1,511
Other current liabilities			20,519			12,834
Total current liabilities			252,264			285,129
Long-term finance lease obligation			42,671			43,674
Long-term deferred revenue			25,344			46,208
Other long-term liabilities			42,252			42,074
Total liabilities			362,531			417,085
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 75,000 shares authorized; 32,504 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024; 32,685 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023			33			33
Additional paid-in capital			545,350			547,189
Retained earnings			432,429			319,506
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(2,218)			(1,846)
Total stockholders' equity			975,594			864,882
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	1,338,125		$	1,281,967

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axcelis-announces-financial-results-for-third-quarter-2024-302297733.html

SOURCE Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

FAQ

What was Axcelis (ACLS) revenue in Q3 2024?

Axcelis reported revenue of $256.6 million in Q3 2024, slightly higher than Q2 2024's $256.5 million.

What is Axcelis (ACLS) Q4 2024 guidance?

Axcelis expects Q4 2024 revenues of approximately $245 million and earnings per diluted share of approximately $1.25.

What was the backlog correction for Axcelis (ACLS) in Q2 2024?

Axcelis corrected its Q2 2024 backlog to $879 million, down from previously reported $994 million, after identifying calculation errors dating back to 2019.

What was Axcelis (ACLS) earnings per share in Q3 2024?

Axcelis reported earnings of $1.49 per diluted share in Q3 2024, compared to $1.55 per diluted share in Q2 2024.