MEMC Electronic Materials (ticker: WFR, exchange: New York Stock Exchange (.N))
News Release -
22-Jan-2009
MEMC Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results ST. PETERS, Mo., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MEMC Electronic
Materials, Inc. (NYSE: WFR) today reported financial results for the quarter
and year ended December 31, 2008.
Summary of fourth quarter results:
-- Net sales of $425.7 million
-- Gross profit of $193.0 million (45.3% of net sales)
-- Operating income of $169.3 million (39.8% of net sales)
-- Cash and investment balances of $1.4 billion
The company reported fourth quarter 2008 net sales of $425.7 million,
which represents a decrease of 22.0% from third quarter 2008 net sales of
$546.0 million, and a decrease of 20.6% from fourth quarter 2007 net sales of
$535.9 million. The sequential and year-over-year decrease in sales was
primarily the result of lower wafer volumes for semiconductor applications and
lower prices associated with short-term sales of solar products, partially
offset by higher volumes of wafers for solar applications.
Gross profit in the quarter was $193.0 million, or 45.3% of net sales,
compared to $269.7 million, or 49.4% of net sales, in the 2008 third quarter
and $293.6 million, or 54.8% of net sales, in the 2007 fourth quarter. The
decline in gross profit was primarily the result of the lower prices, reduced
semiconductor product volumes and partial offset from solar product volumes
mentioned above.
The company reported operating income during the quarter of $169.3
million, or 39.8% of net sales. This compares to $227.5 million, or 41.7% of
net sales, for the 2008 third quarter and $254.8 million, or 47.5% of net
sales, for the 2007 fourth quarter. Operating expenses were $23.7 million, or
5.6% of sales, compared to $42.2 million, or 7.7% of sales, in the 2008 third
quarter, and $38.8 million, or 7.2% of sales, in the 2007 fourth quarter. The
sequential decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to the decrease in
stock compensation expense resulting from the resignation of our former CEO.
Using an estimated effective cash tax rate of 15%, non-GAAP net income for
the fourth quarter of 2008, excluding the non-cash effects of the quarterly
valuation of the Suntech warrants, was $145.9 million and non-GAAP diluted
EPS, excluding warrants, was $0.65 per share. See non-GAAP reconciliation
information at the end of this press release following the financial statement
tables. GAAP net income for the fourth quarter, using a GAAP tax rate of
33.9%, was $73.2 million or $0.33 per share, and includes a $61.2 million
charge relating to the decrease in the value of the Suntech warrants. The
decrease in the estimated value of the Suntech warrants had a $0.23 per share
negative impact at the estimated effective cash tax rate of 15%. Both GAAP
and non-GAAP EPS figures include $8.6 million of other than temporary
impairments ($0.04 per share) associated with the decline in fair value of
certain investments driven by the current credit environment.
During the fourth quarter, the company generated operating cash flow of
$123.0 million, or 28.9% of sales, compared to $115.3 million, or 21.1% of
sales, in the 2008 third quarter. Capital expenditures for the fourth quarter
totaled $60.9 million, or 14.3% of sales. Free cash flow (operating cash flow
minus capital expenditures) was $62.1 million or 14.6% of sales. MEMC ended
the fourth quarter with cash and investments of $1.4 billion, consistent with
the third quarter. The company did not maintain any significant debt in either
period.
For the full year ended December 31, 2008, the company's net sales
increased by 4.3% to $2.00 billion, compared to $1.92 billion in 2007. Gross
profit increased by 0.4% to $1.0 billion, or 50.1% of net sales in 2008, and
operating income increased by 0.9% to $857.7 million, or 42.8% of sales.
MEMC generated operating cash flow of $640.5 million in 2008, or 32.0% of
net sales, and free cash flow of $337.3 million, or 16.8% of net sales. This
enabled the company to grow cash and investment balances by $92.3 million to
over $1.4 billion. Capital expenditures in 2008 totaled $303.2 million, or
15.1% of net sales, compared to $276.4 million, or 14.4% of sales in 2007.
"The fourth quarter of 2008 saw deteriorating semiconductor and solar
market conditions, amid the rapidly weakening global macroeconomic
environment," said Marshall Turner, MEMC's Interim Chief Executive Officer.
"While this led to one of the steepest declines of semiconductor industry unit
sales on record, and a significant reduction in our quarterly sales, MEMC was
able to continue to achieve very strong profitability with gross and operating
margins of approximately 45% and 40%, respectively, and continue its
consistently high levels of free cash flow generation, at approximately 15% of
sales. In addition, the company continued its focus on wafers, with 90% of the
company's fourth quarter revenue coming from wafer sales, and 10% from sales
of polysilicon and other products. MEMC's cost-efficient structure should
continue to differentiate MEMC and our results from that of our competition."
First Quarter 2009 Outlook
"End market weakness and low order visibility across both semiconductor
and solar applications continues in the first quarter, as reduced consumer
spending, limited access to credit and other results of the macroeconomic
environment weigh on both markets," continued Turner. "This environment is
exacerbated by continued inventory reductions at semiconductor customers, the
combination of which is resulting in a significant sequential reduction in
semiconductor wafer demand which is, in turn, leading to the diversion of some
polysilicon output from semiconductor to solar markets. This is having the
effect of reducing pricing for polysilicon and wafers in the solar market. The
unusually low levels of visibility that many of our customers have in the
current environment reduces our ability to provide meaningful quarterly,
annual or long term guidance at this time. Our current view of the markets we
serve indicates that first quarter 2009 revenue could decline by as much as
50% from the fourth quarter of 2008. The reduced pricing and significantly
lower factory utilization assumed in this view, the latter of which would
result in significant underutilization charges, could result in gross margins
declining to the 20 percent range."
Conference Call
MEMC will host a conference call today, January 22, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. ET
to discuss the company's fourth quarter results and related business matters.
A live webcast will be available on the company's web site at www.memc.com.
Please go to the web site at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to
register, download and install any necessary audio software.
A replay of the conference call will be available from 7:00 p.m. ET on
January 22, 2009, until 11:59 p.m. ET on January 29, 2009. To access the
replay, please dial (320) 365-3844 at any time during that period, using
passcode 981111. A replay will also be available until 11:59 p.m. ET on
January 29, 2009 on the company's web site at www.memc.com.
About MEMC
MEMC is a global leader in the manufacture and sale of wafers and related
intermediate products to the semiconductor and solar industries. MEMC has
been a pioneer in the design and development of wafer technologies over the
past fifty years. With R&D and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe
and Asia, MEMC enables the next generation of high performance semiconductor
devices and solar cells. MEMC's common stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol 'WFR' and is included in the S&P 500 Index.
Certain matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking
statements, including that first quarter 2009 revenue could decline by as much
as 50% from the 2008 fourth quarter, with gross margins declining to the 20
percent range. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include market
demand for semiconductors and silicon wafers, as well as polysilicon; changes
in the pricing environment for both silicon wafers and polysilicon; general
economic conditions; inventory levels of our customers; utilization of our
manufacturing capacity and any charges we might incur to reduce manufacturing
capacity or headcount; supply chain difficulties or problems; interruption of
production; good working order of our manufacturing facilities; our ability to
reduce manufacturing and operating costs; delays in capacity expansion;
customer acceptance of our new products; assumptions underlying management's
financial estimates; actions by competitors, customers and suppliers; changes
in product specifications and manufacturing processes; changes in financial
market conditions; changes in the composition of worldwide taxable income; the
impact of competitive products and technologies; changes in interest and
currency exchange rates and other risks described in the company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements
represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release. The company
disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.
-tables to follow-
MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited; In millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
------------------ -------------------
Dec. 31, Sept. 30, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
2008 2008 2007 2008 2007
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Net sales $425.7 $546.0 $535.9 $2,004.5 $1,921.8
Cost of goods sold 232.7 276.3 242.3 999.7 921.3
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Gross profit 193.0 269.7 293.6 1,004.8 1,000.5
Operating
expenses:
Marketing and
administration 13.5 31.9 28.3 106.3 111.3
Research and
development 10.2 10.3 10.5 40.8 39.3
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Operating
income 169.3 227.5 254.8 857.7 849.9
Nonoperating
(income) expense:
Interest expense 0.4 0.8 0.3 1.8 1.4
Interest income (11.1) (11.2) (14.0) (46.4) (45.0)
Loss (gain) on
fair
value of warrant 61.2 9.6 (204.7) 292.5 (220.8)
Other, net 9.7 6.6 1.0 20.3 2.5
--- --- --- ---- ---
Total
nonoperating
(income)
expense 60.2 5.8 (217.4) 268.2 (261.9)
---- --- ------ ----- ------
Income before
income tax
expense
and minority
interests 109.1 221.7 472.2 589.5 1,111.8
Income tax
expense 37.0 38.1 94.8 197.0 282.2
---- ---- ---- ----- -----
Income before
minority
interests 72.1 183.6 377.4 392.5 829.6
Minority interests 1.1 (0.8) (1.0) (2.2) (3.4)
--- ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income $73.2 $182.8 $376.4 $390.3 $826.2
----- ------ ------ ------ ------
Basic income per
share $0.33 $0.81 $1.65 $1.72 $3.66
Diluted income per
share $0.33 $0.80 $1.62 $1.71 $3.56
Weighted-average
shares used in
computing basic
income per share 224.5 226.3 228.2 226.9 225.6
Weighted-average
shares used in
computing diluted
income per share 225.1 227.6 232.5 228.6 232.3
MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited; In millions)
Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
2008 2007
---- ----
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $988.3 $859.3
Short-term investments 148.4 457.1
Accounts receivable, net 201.8 197.9
Inventories 81.3 36.4
Prepaid and other current
assets 38.9 38.8
---- ----
Total current assets 1,458.7 1,589.5
Investments 284.7 12.7
Property, plant and
equipment, net 1,041.2 834.0
Deferred tax assets, net 68.1 89.3
Other assets 86.9 361.7
---- -----
Total assets $2,939.6 $2,887.2
-------- --------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-
term debt $6.1 $5.3
Accounts payable 162.4 168.3
Accrued liabilities 67.5 40.8
Accrued wages and salaries 31.7 31.9
Customer deposits 187.0 122.0
Income taxes payable 17.9 75.9
---- ----
Total current liabilities 472.6 444.2
Long-term debt, less current
portion 26.1 25.6
Pension and post-employment
liabilities 46.3 60.6
Deferred revenue 88.8 81.4
Other liabilities 186.1 204.6
----- -----
Total liabilities 819.9 816.4
----- -----
Minority interests 34.8 35.8
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock - -
Common stock 2.3 2.3
Additional paid-in capital 425.6 358.0
Retained earnings 2,150.0 1,760.5
Accumulated other
comprehensive (loss)
income (55.6) 29.8
Treasury stock (437.4) (115.6)
------ ------
Total stockholders'
equity 2,084.9 2,035.0
------- -------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $2,939.6 $2,887.2
-------- --------
MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited; In millions)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
------------------ -------------------
Dec. 31, Sept. 30, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
2008 2008 2007 2008 2007
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Cash flows
from operating
activities:
Net income $73.2 $182.8 $376.4 $390.3 $826.2
Adjustments to
reconcile net
income to net cash
provided by
operating
activities:
Depreciation and
amortization 28.4 27.3 20.8 104.0 80.7
Stock-based
compensation (5.6) 11.9 7.4 28.5 31.1
Loss
(gain)
on fair
value of
warrant 61.2 9.6 (204.7) 292.5 (220.8)
Pension and post-
employment
liabilities (4.3) (64.2) (0.2) (72.4) (9.9)
Working
capital and
other (29.9) (52.1) 38.8 (102.4) 209.9
----- ----- ---- ------ -----
Net cash
provided by
operating
activities 123.0 115.3 238.5 640.5 917.2
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Cash flows
from investing
activities:
Proceeds
from sales and
maturities of
investments 107.9 64.7 46.8 485.5 93.2
Purchases of
investments (68.4) (208.7) (348.8) (517.3) (506.4)
Capital
expenditures (60.9) (73.1) (103.3) (303.2) (276.4)
Other - - 0.2 - 0.7
- - --- - ---
Net cash used
in investing
activities (21.4) (217.1) (405.1) (335.0) (688.9)
----- ------ ------ ------ ------
Cash flows
from financing
activities:
Net proceeds
from customer
deposits
related to
long-term
supply agreements - 89.5 3.5 138.0 115.3
Principal
payments on
long-term debt (3.1) - (2.7) (6.0) (5.2)
Dividend to
minority
interest - - - (3.2) (6.2)
Excess tax
benefits from
stock-based
payment
arrangements - 0.4 7.5 19.0 40.0
Common stock
repurchased (35.5) (130.6) (62.9) (321.0) (111.2)
Proceeds
from
issuance
of common
stock 0.1 1.2 17.4 19.9 44.2
--- --- ---- ---- ----
Net cash
(used in)
provided by
financing
activities (38.5) (39.5) (37.2) (153.3) 76.9
----- ----- ----- ------ ----
Effect of
exchange rate
changes on
cash and cash
equivalents (7.1) (37.3) 10.8 (23.2) 26.6
---- ------ ------ ----- -----
Net increase
(decrease)
in cash and
cash
equivalents 56.0 (178.6) (193.0) 129.0 331.8
Cash and
cash
equivalents
at
beginning
of period 932.3 1,110.9 1,052.3 859.3 527.5
----- ------- ------- ----- -----
Cash and cash
equivalents
at end of
period $988.3 $932.3 $859.3 $988.3 $859.3
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Diluted EPS
to non-GAAP Net Income and Diluted EPS
(Unaudited; In millions, except per share data)
Twelve Months Ended Three Months Ended
Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
2008 2007 2008
Net Net Net
Income EPS Income EPS Income EPS
------- --- ------- --- ------- ---
GAAP Net Income $390.3 $1.71 $826.2 $3.56 $73.2 $0.33
Cash Tax Difference* 108.6 0.47 115.4 0.49 20.6 0.09
----- ---- ----- ---- ---- ----
Non-GAAP 498.9 2.18 941.6 4.05 93.8 0.42
Loss (Gain) on
Warrants at Cash
Tax Rate** 248.6 1.09 (187.7) (0.80) 52.1 0.23
----- ---- ------ ----- ---- ----
Non-GAAP
Income Excluding
Warrants $747.5 $3.27 $753.9 $3.25 $145.9 $0.65
====== ===== ====== ===== ====== =====
Estimated annual
book tax rate 33% 25% 34%
Estimated cash tax rate 15% 15% 15%
Three Months Ended
------------------
Sept. 30, Dec. 31,
2008 2007
Net Net
Income EPS Income EPS
------- --- ------- ---
GAAP Net Income $182.8 $0.80 $376.4 $1.62
Cash Tax Difference* 4.8 0.02 24.0 0.10
--- ---- ---- ----
Non-GAAP 187.6 0.82 400.4 1.72
Loss (Gain) on Warrants at Cash
Tax Rate** 8.2 0.04 (174.0) (0.75)
--- ---- ------ -----
Non-GAAP Income Excluding
Warrants $195.8 $0.86 $226.4 $0.97
====== ===== ====== =====
Estimated annual book tax rate 23% 20%
Estimated cash tax rate 15% 15%
*Our estimated cash tax rate is the estimated tax payable on our tax
returns as a percentage of estimated annual pre-tax book income. The annual
cash tax rate is estimated quarterly by reference to book taxable income and
then taking into account temporary book/tax differences and any tax basis
items reflected on our annual tax returns. The company uses an estimated cash
tax rate to adjust for the historical variation in the effective book tax rate
associated with the reversal of valuation allowances, foreign tax credits and
loss carry-forwards that are not tied to actual operating results, because the
company believes that the cash tax rate provides a more transparent view of
the company's operating results. Please note that the actual book rate used
for the purposes of calculating actual book net income for the 2008 fourth
quarter was 33.9%.
**Because the value of the Suntech warrant may vary significantly from
quarter to quarter, the company believes excluding its effect for non-GAAP EPS
comparisons provides a more transparent view of the company's operating
results.
SOURCE MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
CONTACT: Bill Michalek, Director, Investor & Media Relations, MEMC
Electronic Materials, Inc., +1-636-474-5443
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MEMC Electronic Materials
