Kulicke & Soffa Reports Fourth Quarter 2021 Results

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Nov 17, 2021, 20:30 ET

SINGAPORE, Nov. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: KLIC) ("Kulicke & Soffa", "K&S" or the "Company"), today announced financial results of its fourth fiscal quarter ended October 2, 2021. The Company reported fourth quarter net revenue of $485.3 million, net income of $133.7 million and non-GAAP net income of $138.3 million.

Kulicke & Soffa is a critical supplier of global semiconductor and LED production equipment and solutions. Recent supply chain mitigation efforts have increased its outlook into the second fiscal half. (PRNewsfoto/Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.)

Quarterly Results - U.S. GAAP

	Fiscal Q4 2021	Change vs. Fiscal Q4 2020	Change vs. Fiscal Q3 2021
Net Revenue	$485.3 million	up 173.1%	up 14.4%
Gross Profit	$231.3 million	up 160.2%	up 18.2%
Gross Margin	47.7%	down 230 bps	up 160 bps
Income from Operations	$154.8 million	up 573%	up 28.5%
Operating Margin	31.9%	up 1900 bps	up 350 bps
Net Income	$133.7 million	up 746.2%	up 17.5%
Net Margin	27.6%	up 1870 bps	up 80 bps
EPS – Diluted	$2.10	up 740%	up 17.3%

Quarterly Results - Non-GAAP

	Fiscal Q4 2021	Change vs. Fiscal Q4 2020	Change vs. Fiscal Q3 2021
Income from Operations	$160.2 million	up 448.7%	up 27.2%
Operating Margin	33.0%	up 1660 bps	up 330 bps
Net Income	$138.3 million	up 535.7%	up 16.4%
Net Margin	28.5%	up 1630 bps	up 50 bps
EPS - Diluted	$2.17	up 520%	up 16%

A reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted results is provided in the financial tables included in this release. See also "Use of non-GAAP Financial Results" section.

During the fiscal fourth quarter the Company was able to exceed revenue expectations by temporarily extending production capacity and also by delivering additional advanced display systems and services.

Fusen Chen, Kulicke & Soffa's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Throughout fiscal 2021 we continued to support an ongoing period of industry expansion, while carefully navigating global supply-chain challenges. Additionally, we continued our aggressive development efforts, released several new market-ready solutions and also received customer acceptance with several others. These efforts expand our access to favorable long-term trends within the automotive, electronics assembly and advanced display end-markets."

Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Highlights

Net revenue of $1,517.7 million.
Gross margin of 45.9%.
Net income of $367.2 million or $5.78 per share; non-GAAP net income of $390.2 million or $6.14 per share.
The Company repurchased a total of approximately 215.0 thousand shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $10.2 million.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Highlights

Net revenue of $485.3 million.
Gross margin of 47.7%.
Net income of $133.7 million or $2.10 per share; non-GAAP net income of $138.3 million or $2.17 per share.
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments were $739.8 million as of October 2, 2021.

First Quarter Fiscal 2022 Outlook
The Company currently expects net revenue in the first fiscal quarter of 2022, ending January 1, 2022, to be approximately $460 million, +/- $20 million, and expects non-GAAP EPS to be approximately $1.88, +/- 10%.

This revenue outlook is very similar to the fourth fiscal quarter expectations provided on August 4, 2021.

Looking forward, Fusen Chen commented, "We continue to efficiently support strong, ongoing and broad demand across our served end-markets. Throughout fiscal 2022, we anticipate ongoing industry expansion and also rapid growth of our emerging portfolio of solutions which directly addresses semiconductor, electric vehicle, and advanced LED assembly challenges."

Earnings Conference Call Details
A conference call to discuss these results will be held tomorrow, November 18, 2021, beginning at 8:00am EST. To access the conference call, interested parties may call +1-877-407-8037 or internationally +1-201-689-8037. A live webcast will also be available at investor.kns.com.

A replay will be available from approximately one hour after the completion of the call through November 25^th by calling toll-free +1-877-660-6853 or internationally +1-201-612-7415 and using the replay ID number of 13723617. A webcast replay will also be available at investor.kns.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Results
In addition to U.S. GAAP results, this press release also contains non-GAAP financial results. The Company's non-GAAP results exclude amortization related to intangible assets acquired through business combinations, costs associated with restructuring, equity-based compensation, acquisition and integration cost, impairment relating to assets acquired through business combinations, income tax expense arising from discrete tax items triggered by significant changes in tax laws, gain/loss on disposal of business, as well as tax benefits or expense associated with the foregoing non-GAAP items. The non-GAAP adjustments may or may not be infrequent or nonrecurring in nature, but are a result of periodic or non-core operating activities. These non-GAAP measures are consistent with the way management analyzes and assesses the Company's operating results. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures enhance investors' understanding of the Company's underlying operational performance, as well as their ability to compare the Company's period-to-period financial results and the Company's overall performance to that of its competitors.

Management uses both U.S. GAAP metrics as well as non-GAAP metrics to evaluate the Company's operating and financial results. Non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies in the Company's industry, as other companies in the industry may calculate non-GAAP financial results differently. In addition, there are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures because the non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and exclude expenses that may have a material impact on the Company's reported financial results. The presentation of non-GAAP items is meant to supplement, but not substitute for, GAAP financial measures or information. The Company believes the presentation of non-GAAP results in combination with GAAP results provides better transparency to the investment community when analyzing business trends, providing meaningful comparisons with prior period performance and enhancing investors' ability to view the Company's results from management's perspective. A reconciliation of each available GAAP to non-GAAP financial measure discussed in this press release is contained in the financial tables at the end of this press release.

Management has not reconciled its outlook for non-GAAP Diluted EPS to Diluted EPS for Q1F22 as it does not provide guidance on the reconciling items between Diluted EPS and non-GAAP Diluted EPS, as a result of the uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, these items. The actual amount of such reconciling items could have a significant impact on our non-GAAP Diluted EPS and, accordingly, a reconciliation of Diluted EPS to non-GAAP Diluted EPS for Q1F22 is not available without unreasonable effort.

About Kulicke & Soffa
Kulicke & Soffa (NASDAQ: KLIC) is a leading provider of semiconductor, LED and electronic assembly solutions serving the global automotive, consumer, communications, computing and industrial markets. Founded in 1951, K&S prides itself on establishing foundations for technological advancement - creating pioneering interconnect solutions that enable performance improvements, power efficiency, form-factor reductions and assembly excellence of current and next-generation semiconductor devices.

Leveraging decades of development proficiency and extensive process technology expertise, Kulicke & Soffa's expanding portfolio provides equipment solutions, aftermarket products and services supporting a comprehensive set of interconnect technologies including wire bonding, advanced packaging, lithography, and electronics assembly. Dedicated to empowering technological discovery, always, K&S collaborates with customers and technology partners to push the boundaries of possibility, enabling a smarter future (kns.com).

Caution Concerning Results and Forward Looking Statements
In addition to historical statements, this press release contains statements relating to future events and our future results. These statements are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our judgments and future expectations concerning our business, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from our expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, the effects of supply chain constraints on our business, and the other factors listed or discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2020, filed on November 20, 2020, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
Joseph Elgindy
Investor Relations & Strategic Initiatives
P: +1-215-784-7518
F: +1-215-784-6180

KULICKE & SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
*(In thousands, except per share and employee data)*
*(Unaudited)*

	Three months ended				Twelve months ended
	October 2, 2021		October 3, 2020		October 2, 2021		October 3, 2020
Net revenue	$	485,326	$	177,688	$	1,517,664	$	623,176
Cost of sales	254,011		88,803		820,678		325,201
Gross profit	231,315		88,885		696,986		297,975

Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	40,186		28,101		139,224		107,947
Research and development	34,929		35,553		137,478		123,459
Acquisition-related cost	—		—		1,730		—
Amortization of intangible assets	1,322		1,920		5,974		7,371
Restructuring	42		263		133		689
Total operating expenses	76,479		65,837		284,539		239,466
Income from operations	154,836		23,048		412,447		58,509
Other income / (expense):
Interest income	520		653		2,321		7,541
Interest expense	(72)		(26)		(218)		(1,716)
Income before income taxes	155,284		23,675		414,550		64,334
Income tax expense / (benefit)	21,573		8,013		47,295		11,998
Share of results of equity-method investee, net of tax	—		(122)		94		36
Net income	$	133,711	$	15,784	$	367,161	$	52,300

Net income per share:
Basic	$	2.16	$	0.26	$	5.92	$	0.83
Diluted	$	2.10	$	0.25	$	5.78	$	0.83

Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.14	$	0.12	$	0.56	$	0.48

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	61,966		61,791		62,009		62,828
Diluted	63,611		62,411		63,515		63,359
	Three months ended				Twelve months ended
Supplemental financial data:	October 2, 2021		October 3, 2020		October 2, 2021		October 3, 2020
Depreciation and amortization	$	5,258	$	5,142	$	19,810	$	19,739
Capital expenditures	5,792		5,964		22,555		14,514
Equity-based compensation expense:
Cost of sales	202		147		828		744
Selling, general and administrative	2,887		2,965		10,998		11,071
Research and development	909		851		3,676		3,204
Total equity-based compensation expense	$	3,998	$	3,963	$	15,502	$	15,019
					As of
					October 2, 2021		October 3, 2020
Backlog of orders ¹					$	787,241	$	127,924
Number of employees					3,586		2,836

1.	Represents customer purchase commitments. While the Company believes these orders are firm, they are generally cancellable by customers without penalty.

KULICKE & SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
*(In thousands)*
*(Unaudited)*

	As of
	October 2, 2021		October 3, 2020
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	362,788	$	188,127
Short-term investments	377,000		342,000
Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $687 and $968 respectively	421,193		198,640
Inventories, net	167,323		111,809
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	23,586		19,620
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	1,351,890		860,196

Property, plant and equipment, net	67,982		59,147
Operating right-of-use assets	41,592		22,688
Goodwill	72,949		56,695
Intangible assets, net	42,752		37,972
Deferred tax assets	15,715		8,147
Equity investments	6,388		7,535
Other assets	2,363		2,186
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,601,631	$	1,054,566

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	154,636		57,688
Operating lease liabilities	4,903		5,903
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	161,570		76,762
Income taxes payable	30,766		17,540
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	351,875		157,893

Deferred tax liabilities	32,828		33,005
Income taxes payable	69,422		74,957
Operating lease liabilities	38,084		18,325
Other liabilities	14,185		12,392
TOTAL LIABILITIES	506,394		296,572

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, no par value	550,117		539,213
Treasury stock, at cost	(400,412)		(394,817)
Retained earnings	948,554		616,119
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,022)		(2,521)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	1,095,237	$	757,994

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	1,601,631	$	1,054,566

KULICKE & SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
*(In thousands)*
*(Unaudited)*

	Three months ended				Twelve months ended
	October 2, 2021		October 3, 2020		October 2, 2021		October 3, 2020
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	123,376	$	31,731	$	300,032	$	94,412
Net cash used in investing activities, continuing operations	(135,928)		(151,820)		(81,707)		(125,957)
Net cash used in financing activities, continuing operations	(12,276)		(15,191)		(44,258)		(145,809)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(383)		1,632		594		1,297
Changes in cash and cash equivalents	(25,211)		(133,648)		174,661		(176,057)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	387,999		321,775		188,127		364,184
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	362,788	$	188,127	$	362,788	$	188,127

Short-term investments	377,000		342,000		377,000		342,000
Total cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments	$	739,788	$	530,127	$	739,788	$	530,127

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Income from Operating
to Non-GAAP Income from Operation and Operating Margin
(In thousands, except percentages)
(unaudited)

	Three months ended
	October 2, 2021			October 3, 2020			July 3, 2021
Net revenue	$	485,326		$	177,688		$	424,318
U.S. GAAP income from operations	154,836			23,048			120,455
U.S. GAAP operating margin	31.9		%	13.0		%	28.4		%

Pre-tax non-GAAP items:
Amortization related to intangible assets acquired through business combination- selling, general and administrative	$	1,322		$	1,920		1,340
Equity-based compensation^(a)	3,998			3,963			4,140
Restructuring	42			263			—
Non-GAAP income from operations	$	160,198		$	29,194		$	125,935
Non-GAAP operating margin	33.0		%	16.4		%	29.7		%

(a)	This non-GAAP measure is newly included for the three months ended January 2, 2021. Comparatives have been included.

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income and
U.S. GAAP net income per share to Non-GAAP net income per share
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

	Twelve months ended			Three months ended
	October 2, 2021			October 2, 2021			October 3, 2020			July 3, 2021
Net revenue	$	1,517,664		$	485,326		$	177,688		$	424,318
U.S. GAAP net income	367,161			133,711			15,784			113,766
U.S. GAAP net margin	24.2		%	27.6		%	8.9		%	26.8		%

Non-GAAP adjustments:
Amortization related to intangible assets acquired through business combination- selling, general and administrative	$	5,974		$	1,322		$	1,920		1,340
Restructuring	133			42			263			—
Acquisition-related costs	1,730			—			—			—
Equity-based compensation	15,502			3,998			3,963			4,140
Net income tax (benefit)/expense on non-GAAP items	(311)			(807)			(181)			(460)
Total non-GAAP adjustments	23,028			4,555			5,965			5,020
Non-GAAP net income	390,189			138,266			21,749			118,786
Non-GAAP net margin	25.7		%	28.5		%	12.2		%	28.0		%

U.S. GAAP net income per share:
Basic	5.92			2.16			0.25			1.83
Diluted^(a)	5.78			2.10			0.25			1.79

Non-GAAP adjustments per share:^(b)
Basic	0.37			0.07			0.10			0.08
Diluted	0.36			0.07			0.10			0.08

Non-GAAP net income per share:
Basic	$	6.29		$	2.23		$	0.35		$	1.91
Diluted^(c)	$	6.14		$	2.17		$	0.35		$	1.87

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	62,009			61,966			61,791			62,023
Diluted^(b)	63,515			63,611			62,411			63,485

(a)	GAAP diluted net earnings per share reflects any dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock units and stock options, but that effect is excluded when calculating GAAP diluted net (loss) per share because it would be anti-dilutive.
(b)	Non-GAAP adjustments per share includes amortization related to intangible assets acquired through business combinations, costs associated with restructuring, equity-based compensation expenses, and acquisition-related costs as well as tax benefits or expense associated with the foregoing non-GAAP items.
(c)	Non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share reflects any dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock units and stock options.