Amkor Technology Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023

Rhea-AI Summary

Amkor Technology, Inc. (AMKR) reported fourth-quarter 2023 net sales of $1.75 billion and full-year 2023 net sales of $6.50 billion, down 8% year-on-year. Despite a cyclical downturn, the company's net income was $360 million, with earnings per diluted share of $1.46. Amkor's president and CEO, Giel Rutten, highlighted the company's strategic focus on Advanced packaging, record revenue in Communications, support for AI deployment, and growth in ADAS and Electrification solutions in the Automotive market. However, the company's first-quarter 2024 guidance indicates a more than seasonal decline in Communications and weakness in the Automotive & Industrial end market.

Positive

• Record revenue in Communications
• Growth in ADAS and Electrification solutions in the Automotive market

Negative

• 8% year-on-year decline in net sales for full-year 2023
• First-quarter 2024 guidance indicates a more than seasonal decline in Communications and weakness in the Automotive & Industrial end market

Insights

Financial Analyst

The financial results released by Amkor Technology, Inc. suggest a contraction in both net sales and net income year-on-year. This decline reflects an 8% drop in net sales and a significant decrease in net income from $766 million in 2022 to $360 million in 2023. The earnings per diluted share also saw a substantial reduction from $3.11 to $1.46. These figures are indicative of the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry, which has been experiencing a cyclical downturn. Despite these headwinds, Amkor's focus on Advanced packaging has enabled them to maintain a competitive edge and gain market share, particularly in Communications, AI deployment and Automotive solutions.

From an investment perspective, the decline in gross margin from 18.8% to 14.5% year-on-year and the reduction in operating income margin from 12.7% to 7.2% could be points of concern for stakeholders. However, the company's ability to generate $1.27 billion in net cash from operations and a free cash flow of $534 million demonstrates financial resilience and operational efficiency. The EBITDA of $1.13 billion, while lower than the previous year, remains a solid indicator of the company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and its ability to generate profits.

Market Research Analyst

Amkor Technology's performance needs to be contextualized within the broader semiconductor industry's cyclical nature. The company's strategic focus on Advanced packaging has been a key driver in offsetting the industry's downturn to some extent. Advanced packaging is a critical area in semiconductor manufacturing, enhancing chip performance and efficiency, which is essential for emerging technologies like AI and ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) in the Automotive sector. Amkor's reported market share gains and record revenue in Communications suggest effective alignment with market demands and successful capitalization on the growth of 5G and other communication technologies.

Looking ahead, Amkor's guidance for the first quarter of 2024 indicates a 'more than seasonal decline' in Communications and weakness in the Automotive & Industrial end market. This forecast could signal a cautious short-term outlook for investors, as the company navigates through inventory adjustments and potential market softness. The planned capital expenditures of approximately $750 million for the full year 2024 reflect ongoing investment in technology and capacity, which could strengthen Amkor's long-term market position but may also impact short-term financials.

Economist

Amkor Technology's financial results can be interpreted within the larger economic context of supply chain dynamics and global semiconductor demand. The decline in net sales and net income is consistent with the cyclical downturn often seen in technology sectors, particularly in semiconductors, which are highly sensitive to economic fluctuations. This downturn can be attributed to various factors, including shifts in consumer demand, global trade tensions and inventory adjustments across the industry.

The company's free cash flow generation is a positive sign of liquidity, which is crucial during periods of economic uncertainty. Amkor's increase in its quarterly cash dividend, despite the downturn, could be viewed as a signal of confidence in its financial stability and commitment to shareholder returns. However, the anticipated decline in the first quarter of 2024 might reflect broader economic headwinds, potentially leading to cautious spending in technology sectors and a recalibration of production in response to demand conditions.

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Amkor Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMKR), a leading provider of semiconductor packaging and test services, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights:

• Fourth quarter net sales $1.75 billion
• Net income $118 million, earnings per diluted share $0.48

Full Year 2023 Highlights:

• Net sales $6.50 billion, down 8% year-on-year
• Gross profit $943 million, operating income $470 million
• Net income $360 million, earnings per diluted share $1.46
• EBITDA $1.13 billion
• Net cash from operations $1.27 billion, free cash flow $534 million

“In 2023, amid a cyclical downturn, Amkor outperformed the semiconductor industry by maintaining our strategic focus on Advanced packaging,” said Giel Rutten, Amkor’s president and chief executive officer. “Amkor gained market share, achieved record revenue in Communications, supported AI deployment with our 2.5D technology, and continued to grow ADAS and Electrification solutions in the Automotive market.”

Financial Results

($ in millions, except per share data)	Q4 2023	Q3 2023	Q4 2022	2023	2022
Net sales	$1,752	$1,822	$1,906	$6,503	$7,092
Gross margin	15.9%	15.5%	17.5%	14.5%	18.8%
Operating income	$159	$167	$225	$470	$897
Operating income margin	9.1%	9.1%	11.8%	7.2%	12.7%
Net income attributable to Amkor	$118	$133	$164	$360	$766
Earnings per diluted share	$0.48	$0.54	$0.67	$1.46	$3.11
EBITDA (1)	$326	$333	$382	$1,135	$1,529
Net cash provided by operating activities				$1,270	$1,099
Annual free cash flow (1)				$534	$194

(1)

EBITDA and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. The reconciliations to the comparable GAAP measures are included below under “Selected Operating Data.”

At December 31, 2023, total cash and short-term investments was $1.59 billion, and total debt was $1.20 billion.

On November 14, 2023, Amkor’s Board of Directors announced a 5% increase in the company’s quarterly cash dividend, from $0.075 per share to $0.07875 per share, on the company’s common stock. The increase was effective with the dividend paid on December 26, 2023. The declaration and payment of future dividends, as well as any record and payment dates, are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Business Outlook

“First quarter 2024 guidance is being driven by a more than seasonal decline in Communications following a record year and weakness in the Automotive & Industrial end market as customers work through inventory,” said Rutten.

The following information presents Amkor’s guidance for the first quarter 2024 (unless otherwise noted):

• Net sales of $1.30 billion to $1.40 billion
• Gross margin of 11.5% to 14.0%
• Net income of $8 million to $48 million, or $0.03 to $0.19 per diluted share
• Full year 2024 capital expenditures of approximately $750 million

Conference Call Information

Amkor will conduct a conference call on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This call may include material information not included in this press release. To access the live audio webcast and the accompanying slide presentation, visit the Investor Relations section of Amkor’s website, located at ir.amkor.com. The live call can also be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-4019 or 1-201-689-8337.

About Amkor Technology, Inc.

Amkor Technology, Inc. is the world's largest US headquartered OSAT (outsourced semiconductor assembly and test) service provider. Since its founding in 1968, Amkor has pioneered the outsourcing of IC packaging and test services and is a strategic manufacturing partner for the world’s leading semiconductor companies, foundries, and electronics OEMs. Amkor provides turnkey manufacturing services for the communication, automotive and industrial, computing, and consumer industries, including but not limited to smartphones, electric vehicles, data centers, artificial intelligence and wearables. Amkor’s operational base includes production facilities, research and development centers and sales and support offices located in key electronics manufacturing regions in Asia, Europe and the United States. For more information visit amkor.com.

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC. Selected Operating Data
	Q4 2023			Q3 2023			Q4 2022			2023			2022
Net Sales Data:
Net sales (in millions):
Advanced Products (1)	$1,430			$1,452			$1,488			$5,033			$5,368
Mainstream Products (2)	322			370			418			1,470			1,724
Total net sales	$1,752			$1,822			$1,906			$6,503			$7,092
Packaging services	89	%		88	%		88	%		88	%		87	%
Test services	11	%		12	%		12	%		12	%		13	%
Net sales from top ten customers	71	%		72	%		67	%		69	%		65	%
End Market Distribution Data:
Communications (smartphones, tablets)	56	%		55	%		50	%		50	%		44	%
Automotive, industrial and other (ADAS, electrification, infotainment, safety)	19	%		19	%		20	%		21	%		20	%
Computing (data center, infrastructure, PC/laptop, storage)	13	%		14	%		13	%		16	%		16	%
Consumer (AR & gaming, connected home, home electronics, wearables)	12	%		12	%		17	%		13	%		20	%
Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
Gross Margin Data:
Net sales	100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of sales:
Materials	56.5	%		56.8	%		55.1	%		55.1	%		51.4	%
Labor	9.1	%		8.8	%		9.0	%		9.9	%		10.0	%
Other manufacturing	18.5	%		18.9	%		18.4	%		20.5	%		19.8	%
Gross margin	15.9	%		15.5	%		17.5	%		14.5	%		18.8	%

(1)		Advanced products include flip chip, memory and wafer-level processing and related test services.
(2)		Mainstream products include all other wirebond packaging and related test services.

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC. Selected Operating Data
In this press release, we refer to EBITDA, which is not defined by U.S. GAAP. We define EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization. We believe EBITDA to be relevant and useful information to our investors because it provides additional information in assessing our financial operating results. Our management uses EBITDA in evaluating our operating performance, and our ability to service debt, and our ability to fund capital expenditures and pay dividends. However, EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not reflect the impact of certain expenses on our consolidated statements of income, including interest expense, which is a necessary element of our costs because we have borrowed money in order to finance our operations, income tax expense, which is a necessary element of our costs because taxes are imposed by law, and depreciation and amortization, which is a necessary element of our costs because we use capital assets to generate income. EBITDA should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, operating income, net income or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Furthermore, our definition of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Below is our reconciliation of EBITDA to U.S. GAAP net income.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation:
(in millions)	Q4 2023				Q3 2023				Q4 2022				2023				2022
EBITDA Data:
Net income	$	119			$	133			$	164			$	362			$	767
Plus: Interest expense		15				13				15				59				59
Plus: Income tax expense		33				29				46				82				90
Plus: Depreciation & amortization		159				158				157				632				613
EBITDA	$	326			$	333			$	382			$	1,135			$	1,529

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC. Selected Operating Data
In this press release, we refer to free cash flow, which is not defined by U.S. GAAP. We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less payments for property, plant and equipment, plus proceeds from the sale of, insurance recovery for and grants for property, plant and equipment, if applicable. We believe free cash flow to be relevant and useful information to our investors because it provides them with additional information in assessing our liquidity, capital resources and financial operating results. Our management uses free cash flow in evaluating our liquidity, and our ability to service debt, and our ability to fund capital expenditures and pay dividends. However, free cash flow has certain limitations, including that it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other, non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service, are not deducted from the measure. The amount of mandatory versus discretionary expenditures can vary significantly between periods. This measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, other measures of liquidity or financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, such as net cash provided by operating activities. Furthermore, our definition of free cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Below is our reconciliation of free cash flow to U.S. GAAP net cash provided by operating activities.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation:
(in millions)	2023				2022
Free Cash Flow Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	1,270			$	1,099
Less: Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(749	)			(908	)
Plus: Proceeds from sale of, insurance recovery for and grants for property, plant and equipment		13				3
Free cash flow	$	534			$	194

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
	For the Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Year Ended December 31,
	2023				2022				2023				2022
Net sales	$	1,751,811			$	1,906,210			$	6,503,065			$	7,091,585
Cost of sales		1,472,702				1,571,936				5,559,912				5,761,598
Gross profit		279,109				334,274				943,153				1,329,987
Selling, general and administrative		78,842				69,598				295,393				283,372
Research and development		41,603				39,594				177,473				149,429
Total operating expenses		120,445				109,192				472,866				432,801
Operating income		158,664				225,082				470,287				897,186
Interest expense		15,478				14,943				59,000				58,563
Other (income) expense, net		(8,342	)			520				(32,554	)			(18,309	)
Total other expense, net		7,136				15,463				26,446				40,254
Income before taxes		151,528				209,619				443,841				856,932
Income tax expense		32,516				45,731				81,710				89,890
Net income		119,012				163,888				362,131				767,042
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1,450	)			413				(2,318	)			(1,219	)
Net income attributable to Amkor	$	117,562			$	164,301			$	359,813			$	765,823
Net income attributable to Amkor per common share:
	$	0.48			$	0.67			$	1.46			$	3.13
Diluted	$	0.48			$	0.67			$	1.46			$	3.11
Shares used in computing per common share amounts:
Basic		245,799				244,957				245,628				244,676
Basic		247,243				246,693				247,176				246,205

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited)
	December 31,
	2023				2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,119,818			$	959,072
Short-term investments		474,869				281,964
Accounts receivable, net of allowances		1,149,493				1,365,504
Inventories		393,128				629,576
Other current assets		58,502				65,123
Total current assets		3,195,810				3,301,239
Property, plant and equipment, net		3,299,445				3,135,614
Operating lease right of use assets		117,006				171,163
Goodwill		20,003				21,517
Restricted cash		799				3,334
Other assets		138,062				188,890
Total assets	$	6,771,125			$	6,821,757
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	$	131,624			$	143,813
Trade accounts payable		754,453				899,164
Capital expenditures payable		106,368				146,602
Short-term operating lease liability		33,616				70,991
Accrued expenses		358,414				401,841
Total current liabilities		1,384,475				1,662,411
Long-term debt		1,071,832				1,088,521
Pension and severance obligations		87,133				93,540
Long-term operating lease liabilities		56,837				75,745
Other non-current liabilities		175,813				201,839
Total liabilities		2,776,090				3,122,056
Amkor stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock		—				—
Common stock		292				291
Additional paid-in capital		2,008,170				1,996,344
Retained earnings		2,159,831				1,874,644
Accumulated other comprehensive income		16,350				16,699
Treasury stock		(222,335	)			(219,226	)
Total Amkor stockholders’ equity		3,962,308				3,668,752
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries		32,727				30,949
Total equity		3,995,035				3,699,701
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,771,125			$	6,821,757

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited)
	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	362,131			$	767,042
Depreciation and amortization		631,508				612,702
Other operating activities and non-cash items		39,654				422
Changes in assets and liabilities		236,727				(281,410	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,270,020				1,098,756
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment		(749,467	)			(908,294	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		8,444				3,148
Payments for short-term investments		(657,583	)			(438,803	)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments		94,242				33,972
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments		379,344				370,924
Other investing activities		(26,890	)			(68,116	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(951,910	)			(1,007,169	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities		370,000				80,000
Payments of revolving credit facilities		(370,000	)			(80,000	)
Proceeds from short-term debt		20,712				29,711
Payments of short-term debt		(19,448	)			(27,187	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		168,335				366,386
Payments of long-term debt		(175,427	)			(214,290	)
Payments of finance lease obligations		(66,398	)			(40,673	)
Payments of dividends		(74,686	)			(55,116	)
Other financing activities		(2,295	)			(3,234	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(149,207	)			55,597
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(10,692	)			(16,299	)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		158,211				130,885
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		962,406				831,521
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	1,120,617			$	962,406

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are often characterized by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or “intend,” by the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on our current expectations, forecasts, estimates and assumptions. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

• dependence on the cyclical and volatile semiconductor industry and vulnerability to industry downturns and declines in global economic and financial conditions;
• dependence on key customers or concentration of customers in certain end markets, such as mobile communications and automotive;
• changes in costs, quality, availability and delivery times of raw materials, components and equipment;
• health conditions or pandemics, such as COVID-19, impacting labor availability and operating capacity, capital availability, the supply chain and consumer demand for our customers’ products and services;
• fluctuations in operating results and cash flows;
• our substantial indebtedness;
• dependence on international factories and operations and risks relating to trade restrictions and regional conflict;
• the effects of business, economic, political, legal and regulatory impacts or conflicts upon our global operations;
• fluctuations in interest rates and changes in credit risk;
• competition with established competitors in the packaging and test business, the internal capabilities of integrated device manufacturers and new competitors, including foundries;
• difficulty funding our liquidity needs, including as a result of disruptions to the banking system and capital markets;
• our substantial investments in equipment and facilities to support the demand of our customers;
• difficulty attracting, retaining or replacing qualified personnel;
• difficulty achieving the relatively high-capacity utilization rates necessary to realize satisfactory gross margins given our high percentage of fixed costs;
• maintaining an effective system of internal controls;
• the absence of backlog and the short-term nature of our customers’ commitments;
• our continuing development and implementation of changes to, and maintenance and security of, our information technology systems;
• the historical downward pressure on the prices of our packaging and test services;
• challenges with integrating diverse operations;
• fluctuations in our manufacturing yields;
• any changes in tax laws, taxing authorities not agreeing with our interpretation of applicable tax laws, including whether we continue to qualify for conditional reduced tax rates, or any requirements to establish or adjust valuation allowances on deferred tax assets;
• our ability to develop new proprietary technology, protect our proprietary technology, operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others and implement new technologies;
• environmental, health and safety liabilities and expenditures;
• warranty claims, product return and liability risks, and the risk of negative publicity if our products fail, as well as the risk of litigation incident to our business;
• natural disasters and other calamities, political instability, hostilities or other disruptions;
• restrictive covenants in the indentures and agreements governing our current and future indebtedness;
• the possibility that we may decrease or suspend our quarterly dividend;
• significant severance plan obligations associated with our manufacturing operations in Korea; and
• the ability of certain of our stockholders to effectively determine or substantially influence the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval.

Other important risk factors that could affect the outcome of the events set forth in these statements and that could affect our operating results and financial condition are discussed in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “Form 10-K”) and from time to time in our other reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You should carefully consider the trends, risks and uncertainties described in this press release, the Form 10-K and other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC before making any investment decision with respect to our securities. If any of these trends, risks or uncertainties continues or occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially and adversely affected, the trading prices of our securities could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We assume no obligation to review or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release except as may be required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240205075238/en/

Jennifer Jue

Vice President, Investor Relations and Finance

480-786-7594

jennifer.jue@amkor.com

Source: Amkor Technology, Inc.

FAQ

What were Amkor Technology, Inc.'s (AMKR) net sales for the fourth quarter of 2023?

Amkor Technology, Inc. (AMKR) reported net sales of $1.75 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023.

What was Amkor Technology, Inc.'s (AMKR) net income for the full year of 2023?

Amkor Technology, Inc. (AMKR) reported a net income of $360 million for the full year of 2023.

What is Amkor Technology, Inc.'s (AMKR) first-quarter 2024 guidance for net sales?

Amkor Technology, Inc.'s (AMKR) first-quarter 2024 guidance is net sales of $1.30 billion to $1.40 billion.

What is the first-quarter 2024 guidance for Amkor Technology, Inc.'s (AMKR) net income?

Amkor Technology, Inc.'s (AMKR) first-quarter 2024 guidance for net income is $8 million to $48 million, or $0.03 to $0.19 per diluted share.