• Record Revenue of $150.4 Million, $22.5 Million or 18% Higher Than Last Year
   
• Gross Margin of 53.6%; Non-GAAP Gross Margin of 54.5%
   
• Record Net Income of $35.2 Million, $15.2 Million or 76% Higher Than Last Year; Non-GAAP Net Income of $36.0 Million
   
• Record Earnings Per Share of $1.34, $0.57 or 74% Higher Than Last Year; Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share of $1.37

AURORA, Ill., July 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (Nasdaq:CCMP), the world’s leading supplier of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing slurries and second largest CMP pad supplier to the semiconductor industry, today reported financial results for its third quarter of fiscal 2018, which ended June 30, 2018.

Key Quarter Highlights

During the third fiscal quarter, the company delivered total revenue of $150.4 million, which is $22.5 million, or 18% higher than in the same quarter last year, and is a record level for the company. Third quarter revenue was driven by growth across all product areas, primarily in tungsten slurries, dielectrics slurries, and CMP pads, which are the key focus areas for the company. Net income for the quarter was a record $35.2 million, which is $15.2 million, or 76%, higher than the same quarter last year.  Diluted earnings per share (EPS) was a record $1.34, which is $0.57, or 74%, higher than in the same quarter last year.  Cash flow from operations was $36.9 million. As previously reported in April, the company paid off its remaining outstanding Term Loan and had $310.6 million of cash and short-term investments on hand, with no debt on its balance sheet as of June 30, 2018.

“We are proud of our accomplishments which include our fifth consecutive quarter of record revenue as well as record net income and EPS for our company this quarter,” said David Li, President and CEO of Cabot Microelectronics. “We believe that strong semiconductor industry demand conditions as well as continued strong execution of our strategic initiatives have enabled us to deliver sustained strong results and position us well for continued success in the future.”

Key Financial Information – Third Fiscal Quarter

• Revenue was $150.4 million, which is $22.5 million, or 18%, higher compared to the same quarter last year. The company achieved record quarterly revenue in tungsten and dielectric slurries, which grew 18% and 21% year-over-year, respectively.  Revenue in pads grew 19% year-over-year.
   
• Gross margin for the quarter was 53.6%, compared to 48.9% reported in the same quarter a year ago. Gross margin this quarter included $1.3 million of NexPlanar amortization expense. Excluding this, non-GAAP gross margin was 54.5%. Gross margin this quarter benefited from higher sales volume and a higher value product mix, partially offset by higher fixed manufacturing costs, including higher staffing related expense.
   
• Operating expenses, which include research, development and technical, selling and marketing, and general and administrative expenses, were $38.8 million in the third fiscal quarter. Operating expenses were $3.1 million higher than the same quarter a year ago, primarily due to higher staffing related expenses and professional fees.
   
• Net income for the quarter was $35.2 million, which is $15.2 million, or 76%, higher than in the same quarter last year. Net income increased primarily due to higher revenue and higher gross margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Non-GAAP net income was $36.0 million, which is $15.0 million, or 71%, higher than the prior year.
   
• Diluted EPS was $1.34 this quarter, which is $0.57, or 74%, higher than in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. On a non-GAAP basis, diluted EPS was $1.37, which is $0.56, or 69%, higher than last year.

Key Financial Information – Fiscal Year 2018 to Date

• Revenue was $433.4 million, which is $63.0 million, or 17%, higher than for the same period last year.
   
• Gross margin was 53.0% of revenue, compared to 49.7% last year. Non-GAAP gross margin for the first three quarters of the fiscal year, excluding the NexPlanar amortization expense, was 53.9%.
   
• Total operating expenses were $113.6 million, which is $8.5 million higher than for the same period in the prior year. Operating expenses include approximately $1.4 million of the above-referenced amortization expense.
   
• Net income was $61.8 million, which is $1.4 million, or 2%, higher than for the same period last year.  Net income includes the negative impact of the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“tax act”), and the referenced amortization expense.  Non-GAAP net income was $98.3 million, which is $34.7 million, or 54%, higher than for the same period last year.
   
• Diluted EPS was $2.35, which is $0.02, or 1%, lower than for the same period last year, and includes the negative impact of the tax act.  Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $3.74, which is $1.25, or 50%, higher than for the same period last year.

Guidance Update and Capital Deployment Details

The company currently expects a low single digit revenue increase for IC CMP consumables in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2018 compared to the prior quarter.

The company now expects its GAAP gross margin for the full fiscal year to be between 52% and 53%. This includes approximately 100 basis points of NexPlanar amortization expense.

Full fiscal year GAAP operating expenses are expected to be between $150 million and $155 million, an increase from the company’s prior full year guidance range of $148 to $153 million. This includes approximately $1.9 million of NexPlanar amortization expense.
Additional current expectations are provided in the appendix section of the company’s related slide presentation referenced below.

As announced on June 12, 2018, the company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share ($1.60 per share on an annualized basis) on the company's common stock. The dividend will be payable on or about July 30, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 25, 2018.

Through June 30, 2018, the company had returned $50.8M to shareholders by way of dividends and share repurchases during fiscal year 2018.

RELATED SLIDE PRESENTATION
A slide presentation related to this press release is available at ir.cabotcmp.com in the Quarterly Results section of the Investor Relations center at approximately the same time that this press release is issued.

CONFERENCE CALL
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation’s quarterly earnings conference call will be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time) on Thursday, July 26. The conference call will be available via live webcast and replay from the company’s website, www.cabotcmp.com, or by phone at (844) 825-4410. Callers outside the U.S. may dial (973) 638-3236. The conference code for the call is 8872768. A transcript of the formal comments made during the conference call will also be available in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website. 

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The company presented the following measures considered as non-GAAP by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: gross profit margin, net income and diluted earnings per share excluding the effect of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 in the United States (“tax act”), and amortization expense related to its October 2015 acquisition of NexPlanar Corporation. The non-GAAP financial information provided in this press release is a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the company’s financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the investor's understanding about the company's ongoing operations. Specifically, the company believes the impact of the tax act and NexPlanar amortization expenses are not indicative of its core operating results, and thus presents these certain metrics excluding these effects. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation table of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is contained in this press release.

ABOUT CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is the world's leading supplier of CMP polishing slurries and second largest CMP pads supplier to the semiconductor industry. The company’s products play a critical role in the production of advanced semiconductor devices, helping to enable the manufacture of smaller, faster and more complex devices by its customers. The company's mission is to create value by delivering high-performing and innovative solutions that solve its customers’ challenges. The company has approximately 1,150 employees on a global basis. For more information about Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, visit www.cabotcmp.com or contact Colleen Mumford, Director of Investor Relations, at 630-499-2600.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This news release may include statements that constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities regulations. These forward-looking statements include statements related to: future sales and operating results; growth or contraction, and trends in the industry and markets in which the company participates; the company’s management; various economic or political factors and international or national events, including related to the enactment of trade sanctions, tariffs, or other similar matters; regulatory or legislative activity, including the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“tax act”) in December 2017 in the United States; product performance; the generation, protection and acquisition of intellectual property, and litigation related to such intellectual property or third party intellectual property; new product introductions; development of new products, technologies and markets; the company’s supply chain; the financial conditions of the company’s customers; natural disasters; the acquisition of, investment in, or collaboration with other entities; uses and investment of the company’s cash balance, including dividends and share repurchases, which may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason by the company, based on a variety of factors; financing facilities and related debt, pay off or payment of principal and interest, and compliance with covenants and other terms; the company’s capital structure; the company’s current or future tax rate, including the effects of tax reform in the U.S.; and the operation of facilities by Cabot Microelectronics Corporation. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those described from time to time in Cabot Microelectronics’ filings with the SEC, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described by these forward-looking statements. In particular, see "Risk Factors" in the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, both filed with the SEC. Cabot Microelectronics assumes no obligation to update this forward-looking information.

Contact:
Colleen Mumford
Director of Investor Relations
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
(630) 499-2600

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Quarter Ended							Nine Months Ended
	June 30, 2018		March 31, 2018		June 30, 2017			June 30, 2018		June 30, 2017
Revenue	$  150,437		$  142,978		$  127,957			$  433,394		$  370,395
Cost of goods sold		69,737		67,933		65,414			203,635		186,316
Gross profit		80,700		75,045		62,543			229,759		184,079
Operating expenses:
Research, development & technical		13,059		13,368		14,333			38,578		41,819
Selling & marketing		6,207		6,790		7,346			18,833		22,166
General & administrative		19,504		17,799		13,953			56,218		41,148
Total operating expenses		38,770		37,957		35,632			113,629		105,133
Operating income		41,930		37,088		26,911			116,130		78,946
Interest expense		513		1,158		1,117			2,803		3,402
Other income, net		1,627		1,062		(115	)		3,361		1,115
Income before income taxes		43,044		36,992		25,679			116,688		76,659
Provision for income taxes		7,873		7,255		5,740			54,863		16,209
Net income	$  35,171		$  29,737		$  19,939			$  61,825		$  60,450
Income available to common shareholders	$  35,137		$  29,707		$   19,887			$  61,752		$  60,259
Basic earnings per share	$       1.37		$       1.16		$       0.79			$2.42		$       2.42
Weighted average basic shares outstanding		25,612		25,593		25,228			25,479		24,941
Diluted earnings per share	$       1.34		$       1.14		$       0.77			$2.35		$       2.37
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding		26,319		26,161		25,721			26,222		25,450

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited and amounts in thousands)
				June 30, 2018		September 30, 2017
			ASSETS:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents				$  186,124		$  397,890
Short-term available-for-sale securities					124,455		-
Accounts receivable, net					74,017		64,793
Inventories, net					77,302		71,873
Other current assets					29,008		16,426
Total current assets					490,906		550,982
Property, plant and equipment, net					108,569		106,361
Other long-term assets					160,007		176,757
Total assets				$  759,482		$  834,100
			LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable				$   18,290		$  17,624
Current portion of long-term debt					-		10,938
Accrued expenses, income taxes payable and other current liabilities					72,009		62,651
Total current liabilities					90,299		91,213
Long-term debt, net of current portion					-		132,997
Other long-term liabilities					35,002		14,853
Total liabilities					125,301		239,063
Stockholders' equity					634,181		595,037
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity				$  759,482		$  834,100

 

U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
(Unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share and percentage amounts)
The following presents reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measures included in the Cabot Microelectronics Corporation press release dated July 25, 2018.
			Three Months Ended June 30, 2018								Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018
			U.S. GAAP			Adjustments		Non-GAAP			U.S. GAAP			Adjustments		Non-GAAP
Gross profit (1)			$   80,700			$    1,310		$   82,010			$  229,759			$    3,855		$  233,614
Gross margin*			53.6%					54.5%			53.0%					53.9%
Operating income (2)			41,930			1,777		43,707			116,130			5,257		121,387
Operating margin **			27.9%					29.1%			26.8%					28.0%
Net income (3)			$   35,171			$      806		$   35,977			$   61,825			$   36,478		$   98,303
Diluted earnings per share (4)			$       1.34			$     0.03		$       1.37			$       2.35			$      1.39		$       3.74
(1)		Non-GAAP gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2018 excludes $1,310 of NexPlanar amortization expense.
		Non-GAAP gross profit for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 excludes $3,855 of NexPlanar amortization expense.
(2)		Non-GAAP operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 excludes the item mentioned above in (1) plus $467 of NexPlanar amortization expense recorded in operating expenses.
		Non-GAAP operating income for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 excludes the item mentioned above in (1) plus $1,402 of NexPlanar amortization expense recorded in operating expenses.
(3)		Non-GAAP net income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 excludes the items mentioned above in (1) and (2). These adjustments are partially offset by a $511 change in estimated withholding taxes and re-measurement of U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded in the first half of fiscal 2018 related to U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act) enacted on December 22, 2017, and a $460 increase in the provision for income taxes related to excluding NexPlanar amortization.
		Non-GAAP net income for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 excludes the items mentioned above in (1) and (2) plus $32,581 of tax expense due to Tax Act. These adjustments are partially offset by a $1,360 increase in the provision for income taxes related to excluding NexPlanar amortization.
(4)		Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share is calculated based upon Non-GAAP net income. The impact of the Tax Act increased diluted earnings per share by $0.02 for the three months ended June 30, 2018, and reduced diluted earnings per share by $1.24 for the nine months ended June 30, 2018.
*		Gross margin represents gross profit as a percentage of revenue.
**		Operating margin represents operating income as a percentage of revenue.