Seth Bagshaw
Analyst · Banc of America. Your line is now open
Thank you, John. I'll cover our third quarter financial results and discuss our Q4, 2017 guidance. Business levels remained very strong in the quarter and revenue grew to $486 million in increase of 1% compared to record Q2, 2017 revenue of $481 million an increase of 21% compared to revenue of $381 million in Q3, 2016. Revenue for the quarter at the high end of guidance range, due to continued strength to from our semiconductor customers as well as growth in other advance markets we serve which grew 5% sequentially. Non-GAAP gross margin was 46.9% and non-GAAP operating expenses were $104 million both within our expectations at this revenue level. Non-GAAP operating margin was 25.5% reflecting the strong operating leverage at these revenue levels. GAAP expenses included $11 million in amortization of intangible assets, $2.5 million in integration cost and $500,000 in cost related to the most recent term loan repricing. GAAP interest expense was $7.2 million which includes $2.3 million of amortization of deferred financing cost and non-GAAP interest expense was $4.9 million. The non-GAAP and GAAP tax rates were 27% and 25% respectively also both within our expectations for the quarter. GAAP net income was $76 million or $1.38 per share. And non-GAAP net earnings were $85.9 million or $1.56 per share which also represents a new quarterly record. On September 30, we had cash and short-term investments of $535 million of which approximately 40% was in the US and remainder in our international operations and the balance of our term loan was $448 million. We continue to execute on our financial strategy to delever our balance sheet and reduce our interest costs. In the third quarter, we completed the third quarter successful repricing of our term loan and completed two voluntary principal prepayment totaling $125 million. Furthermore, we also are projecting an additional 25 basis point reduction in interest rate spread in the fourth quarter as we achieve a targeted leverage ratio in accordance with the most recent amendment to the term loan. The net impact of these recent actions results an additional $0.07 per share of non-GAAP net earnings an annualized basis is now being reflected in our updated 2017 target operating model, which is posted to our website. Also since loan origination on April 29, 2016 as result of voluntary principal prepayments and reductions in our interest rate spread, we reduced our annual non-GAAP interest expense by approximately $23 million or 60%. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $136 million and our trailing 12-month basis, our gross net adjusted EBITDA ratio was under one times. During the quarter, we also received upgrades of both S&P and Moody's investor services which both noted a strong financial performance and continued delevering as the basis for these upgrades. We continue to provide a balanced approach to capital deployment and during the quarter we paid a cash dividend of $9.5 million with $0.175 per share. Capital additions for the quarter were $8 million, depreciation and amortization expenses were $20 million and stock compensation was $4.8 million. We also generated strong free cash flow which for the quarter was $91 million or 19% of sales. In terms of working capital, day sales outstanding with 52 days compared to 51 days in the second quarter of 2017 and inventory turns were 3.2 times compared to 3.4 times in the second quarter of 2017. Furthermore we are very pleased with the strong and financial results the light motion division generated this quarter. as Jerry mentioned the light motion division achieved another new quarterly record revenue in the third quarter and non-GAAP operating income more than doubled from a year ago reflecting the strong revenue growth and significant improvements in the light and motion divisions cost structure. Existing the third quarter, we completed $38 million of the $40 million of annualized cost synergies and are projecting to complete the remainder of these synergies in the next several quarters. Finally turning to Q4, 2017 guidance. Based upon current business levels we estimate that our sales in the fourth quarter could range from $80 million to $520 million, our Q4 GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin could range from 46% to 47% reflecting these volumes and expected product mix and our Q4, non-GAAP operating expenses could range from $103 million to $108 million. Non-GAAP interest expense is estimated to be approximately $4.1 million and a non-GAAP tax rate could be approximately 27%. Given these assumptions, our fourth quarter non-GAAP net earnings could range from $83.7 million to $97.2 million or $1.52 to $1.76 per share. In the fourth quarter, amortization intangible assets expected to be approximately $10.9 million. Integration related costs expected to be approximately $400,000. Restructuring charges are expected to be approximately $800,000. GAAP interest expense estimated to be approximately $5.1 million. And interest income estimated to be approximately $900,000. Our GAAP net income expected to range $74.1 million, $87.7 million or $1.34 to $1.59 per share are approximately 55 million shares outstanding. This concludes the prepared remarks and we now open the call for questions.