Nanometrics Reports Third Quarter Financial Results

Continued Growth and Strong Performance; $54M in Revenues and $0.53 EPS

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nanometrics Incorporated (Nasdaq:NANO), a leading provider of advanced process control metrology systems used primarily in the fabrication of semiconductors, high-brightness LEDs, data storage devices and solar photovoltaics, today announced financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended October 2, 2010.

“Looking forward, we believe our differentiated technology, breadth of products, market leadership and focus on operational excellence will enable Nanometrics to deliver financial performance consistent with being an industry leader.”

Highlights for the third quarter include:

• Record revenues of $53.9 million;
• Record earnings of $12.3 million;
• Continued positive cash flow added $9.1 million in cash to the balance sheet;
• Increased revenue contribution from overlay and integrated metrology products, and from the data storage and foundry markets; and
• Completion of the remainder of our $4 million stock repurchase program.

Commenting on the third quarter results, president and chief executive officer Dr. Timothy J. Stultz said, “Our results demonstrate another strong quarter for Nanometrics, with continued record levels of revenues and operating profitability. Our operations team once again executed superbly in response to strong customer demand, and our financial performance continues to track well with industry leaders and the stated targets we set out for our company.

“In the first three quarters of 2010, our revenues increased 182% from the comparable period last year, outperforming the sector as a whole. We attribute this outperformance to several factors, including: the increasing importance of process control metrology; the accelerating adoption of non-destructive, optical metrology techniques; the expansion of our served markets into high-growth segments that leverage our worldwide presence and greater scale; and the competitiveness of our products evidenced by key customer wins and strong gross margins.

“Looking forward, we believe our differentiated technology, breadth of products, market leadership and focus on operational excellence will enable Nanometrics to deliver financial performance consistent with being an industry leader.”

Third Quarter 2010 Summary

Revenues were $53.9 million, up 6% from $50.8 million in the second quarter of 2010 and up 109% from $25.8 million in the third quarter of 2009. Gross margin was 54.5%, compared to 55.1% in the second quarter and 54.0% in the year-ago period. Our operating margin was 25.6%, compared to 25.4% in the second quarter and 5.8% in the year-ago period.

Net income was $12.3 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared to $11.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2010 and $1.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2009.

At October 2, 2010, Nanometrics had $64.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and $115.7 million in working capital. Stockholders’ equity, excluding intangible assets, was $6.15 per share based on 22.2 million shares outstanding at quarter end.

Conference Call Details

A conference call to discuss second quarter results will be held today at 5:00 p.m. EDT (2:00 p.m. PDT). To participate in the conference call, the dial-in numbers are [phone] for domestic callers and [phone] for international callers. A live and recorded webcast will be made available on the investor page of the Nanometrics website at www.nanometrics.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

Financial results such as non-GAAP operating income, which exclude certain expenses, charges and special items, are not in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Management uses non-GAAP operating income, which excludes non-cash expenses including stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, as well as asset impairments, restructuring charges and other special items, to evaluate the company’s ongoing performance and cash flow from operations. The company believes the presentation of non-GAAP operating income is useful to investors for analyzing ongoing business trends, comparing performance to prior periods, and enhancing the investor’s ability to view the company’s results from management’s perspective. A table presenting a reconciliation of GAAP results to non-GAAP operating income is included at the end of this press release.

About Nanometrics

Nanometrics is a leading provider of advanced, high-performance process control metrology systems used primarily in the fabrication of semiconductors, high-brightness LEDs, data storage devices and solar photovoltaics. Nanometrics’ automated and integrated metrology systems measure critical dimensions, device structures, overlay registration, topography and various thin film properties, including film thickness as well as optical, electrical and material properties. The company’s process control solutions are deployed throughout the fabrication process, from front-end-of-line substrate manufacturing, to high-volume production of semiconductors and other devices, to advanced wafer-scale packaging applications. Nanometrics’ systems enable device manufacturers to improve yields, increase productivity and lower their manufacturing costs. The company maintains its headquarters in Milpitas, California, with sales and service offices worldwide. Nanometrics is traded on NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol NANO. Nanometrics’ website is http://www.nanometrics.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements regarding Nanometrics’ expected results for its most recently completed fiscal quarter, which remain subject to adjustment in connection with the preparation of Nanometrics’ financial statements and periodic report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 2, 2010, the continued adoption and competitiveness of its products, the expansion of the company’s served markets and future revenue growth, profitability, cash flow and whether Nanometrics will outperform the overall sector. Although Nanometrics believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from the expectations due to a variety of factors including slower-than-anticipated market adoption, changes in product mix, a contraction in current levels of industry spending and increased operating expenses. For additional information and considerations regarding the risks faced by Nanometrics, see its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other periodic reports filed with the SEC from time to time. Nanometrics disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
	As of October 2,			As of January 2,
	2010			2010
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	63,996		$	43,526
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $59 and $241, respectively		41,692			23,047
Inventories		38,116			31,472
Inventories- delivered systems		421			1,175
Assets held for sale		-			220
Prepaid expenses and other		2,704			2,182
Deferred income tax assets		245			245
Total current assets		147,174			101,867
Property, plant and equipment, net		34,477			36,365
Intangible assets, net		5,899			7,067
Deferred income tax asset - long term					612
Other assets		2,324			1,559
Total assets	$	189,874		$	147,470
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	11,865		$	5,762
Accrued payroll and related expenses		8,715			4,012
Deferred revenue		2,284			5,162
Other current liabilities		7,551			9,125
Income taxes payable		489			-
Current portion of debt obligations		561			343
Total current liabilities		31,465			24,404
Deferred revenue		3,036			646
Other long-term liabilities		3,482			2,927
Debt obligations		9,612			12,739
Total liabilities		47,595			40,716
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 47,000,000 shares authorized; 22,170,083 and 21,506,791, respectively, issued and outstanding		21			21
Additional paid-in capital		223,437			218,308
Accumulated deficit		(83,128	)		(112,948	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		1,949			1,373
Total stockholders’ equity		142,279			106,754
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	189,874		$	147,470

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	October 2,			September 26,			October 2,			September 26,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Net revenues:
Products	$	44,403		$	16,303		$	116,355		$	29,140
Service		9,532			9,511			25,580			21,248
Total net revenues		53,935			25,814			141,935			50,388
Costs of net revenues:
Cost of products		19,159			8,348			50,043			17,249
Cost of service		5,379			3,533			13,941			10,353
Total costs of net revenues		24,538			11,881			63,984			27,602
Gross profit		29,397			13,933			77,951			22,786
Operating expenses:
Research and development		4,601			4,100			14,101			10,394
Selling		5,734			3,959			15,822			10,832
General and administrative		4,801			3,967			13,740			11,427
Amortization of intangible assets		368			418			1,168			1,124
Asset impairment		75			-			463			1,899
Restructuring charge		-			-			-			1,134
Total operating expenses		15,579			12,444			45,294			36,810
Income (loss) from operations		13,818			1,489			32,657			(14,024	)
Other income (expense):
Interest income		31			12			78			39
Interest expense		(355	)		(559	)		(1,192	)		(1,106	)
Other, net		(53	)		546			705			(1,395	)
Total other income (expense), net		(377	)		(1	)		(409	)		(2,462	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		13,441			1,488			32,248			(16,486	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		1,114			(83	)		2,428			(463	)
Net income (loss)	$	12,327		$	1,571		$	29,820		$	(16,023	)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.56		$	0.08		$	1.37		$	(0.87	)
Diluted	$	0.53		$	0.08		$	1.30		$	(0.87	)
Shares used in per share calculation:
Basic		21,978			18,598			21,729			18,513
Diluted		23,168			19,398			22,890			18,513

NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP RESULTS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	October 2,		September 26,		October 2,		September 26,
	2010		2009		2010		2009
Income (loss) from operations	$	13,818	$	1,489	$	32,657	$	(14,024	)
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets		368		418		1,168		1,124
Depreciation		623		862		2,211		2,287
Amortization of demonstration systems		464		369		1,083		1,073
Asset impairment		75		-		463		1,899
Stock-based compensation		610		852		2,741		1,573
Restructuring charge		-		-		-		1,134
					`
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)	$	15,958	$	3,990	$	40,323	$	(4,934	)