MKS Instruments Reports Q1 2010 Financial Results

ANDOVER, Mass., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MKS Instruments, Inc. (Nasdaq: MKSI), a global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, today reports first quarter 2010 financial results.

Sales were $198.1 million, an increase of 33 percent from $149.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, and an increase of 158 percent from $76.7 million in the first quarter of 2009.    

First quarter net income was $29.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to net income of $14.9 million, or $0.30 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2009, and a net loss of $16.5 million, or ($0.34) per basic share in the first quarter of 2009.

Non-GAAP net earnings, which exclude special items, were $29.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to $15.5 million, or $0.31 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2009, and a net loss of $11.0 million, or ($0.23) per basic share in the first quarter of 2009.

Leo Berlinghieri, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "As we exited 2009, we reported seeing signs of rapid recovery in our business and these conditions continued to accelerate in the first quarter. Our broad technology portfolio opens opportunities to us in many advanced and growing markets including LEDs, medical, biopharm, environmental, thin films, semiconductor, solar and more, and we saw substantial growth in many of these markets we serve.

"While it is always difficult to project future business with our short lead times, many analysts are projecting improved business conditions in 2010 for the advanced technology markets we serve. We are focused on participating in the growth of these markets, as well as penetrating and increasing share in new and expanding markets, and expect these will fuel additional growth for MKS in 2010.  Based on these factors and current business levels, we estimate that our second quarter sales may range from $205 to $220 million and, at these volumes, our non-GAAP net earnings could range from $0.56 to $0.66 per diluted share on 51 million shares outstanding.  Our GAAP net income could range from $0.55 to $0.65 per diluted share."

Management will discuss first quarter financial results on a conference call tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). Dial-in numbers are 1-800-762-8779 for domestic callers and 480-629-9771 for international callers. The call will be broadcast live and available for replay at www.mksinst.com. To hear a telephone replay through April 29, 2010, dial 303-590-3030, pass code 4265616#.

The financial results that exclude certain charges and special items are not in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). MKS' management believes the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude costs associated with acquisitions and special items, is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analyzing ongoing business trends and operating results.

MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor and analyze critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, materials delivery, gas composition analysis, electrostatic charge management, control and information technology, power and reactive gas generation, and vacuum technology. Our primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor devices, and for other thin film applications including flat panel displays, solar cells, light emitting diodes, data storage media, and other advanced coatings. We also leverage our technology in other markets with advanced manufacturing applications including medical equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, energy generation, and environmental monitoring.

This release contains projections or other forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27 of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act regarding MKS' future growth and the future financial performance of MKS.  These projections or statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the projections or other forward-looking statements set forth herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those in the projections or other forward-looking statements are the fluctuations in capital spending in the semiconductor industry, fluctuations in net sales to MKS' major customers, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, the challenges, risks and costs involved with integrating the operations of MKS and any acquired companies, dependence on new product development, rapid technological and market change, acquisition strategy, manufacturing and sourcing risks, volatility of stock price, international operations, financial risk management, and future growth subject to risks.  Readers are referred to MKS' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a discussion of these and other important risk factors concerning MKS and its operations. MKS 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.

SOURCE MKS Instruments, Inc.