Applied Materials Announces Results for First Quarter of Fiscal 2007

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) reported results for its first fiscal quarter ended January 28, 2007. Net sales were $2.28 billion, up 23 percent from $1.86 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2006, and down 10 percent from $2.52 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 was 46.7 percent, up from 45.1 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2006, and down from 47.1 percent for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 was $403 million, or $0.29 per share, up from net income of $143 million, or $0.09 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2006, and down from net income of $449 million, or $0.30 per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

“We executed effectively and met our operational objectives for the quarter”

New orders of $2.54 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 increased 24 percent from $2.04 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2006, and decreased 6 percent from $2.69 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. The decline in orders for the first quarter reflected a significant decrease in Display orders as customers delayed their capacity expansion plans. This decline was partially offset by record Fab Solutions orders and increased Silicon orders. Regional distribution of new orders for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 was: Taiwan 24 percent, North America 22 percent, Korea 19 percent, Europe 13 percent, Japan 12 percent, and Southeast Asia and China 10 percent. Backlog at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2007 was $3.55 billion, compared to $3.40 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

“We executed effectively and met our operational objectives for the quarter,” said Mike Splinter, president and CEO. “Rapid customer acceptance of our new leading-edge platforms for chemical vapor deposition and metal etch, as well as strong demand for Applied’s service products, set the stage for future growth.”

Results by reportable segment for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 were:

Non-GAAP net income was $405 million, or $0.29 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Management uses non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS to evaluate the company’s operating and financial performance in light of business objectives and for planning purposes. These measures are not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Applied believes that these measures are useful to investors because they enhance investors’ ability to review the company’s business from the same perspective as the company’s management and facilitate comparisons of this period’s results with prior periods. These non-GAAP measures exclude charges related to (i) equity-based compensation, (ii) inventory fair value adjustments on products sold and amortization of purchased intangible assets associated with acquisitions, (iii) resolution of income tax audits and retroactive reinstatement of tax credits, and (iv) asset impairment and restructuring activities. These financial measures may be different from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered a substitute for net income or EPS prepared in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of reported net income and reported EPS to non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS, respectively, are included at the end of this press release.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the company’s performance, technology leadership, strategic position and future growth. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “continue” or similar expressions, and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the sustainability of demand in the nanomanufacturing technology industry and broadening of demand for emerging applications such as solar, which are subject to many factors, including global economic conditions, business spending, consumer confidence, demand for electronic products and semiconductors, and geopolitical uncertainties; customers’ capacity requirements, including capacity utilizing the latest technology; the timing, rate, amount and sustainability of capital spending for new nanomanufacturing technology products; the company’s ability to successfully develop, deliver and support a broad range of products and to expand its markets and develop new markets; the successful integration and performance of acquired businesses; the effectiveness of joint ventures; retention of key employees; the company’s ability to maintain effective cost controls and to timely align its cost structure with business conditions; the company’s ability to effectively manage its resources and production capability, including its supply chain; and other risks described in Applied Materials’ Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s estimates, projections and assumptions as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Applied Materials will discuss its fiscal 2007 first quarter results, along with its outlook for the second quarter of fiscal 2007, on a conference call today beginning at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. A webcast of the conference call will be available on Applied Materials’ web site.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, services and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panels, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy-efficient glass. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.