IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Newport Corporation (NASDAQ: NEWP) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended January 3, 2015, and its outlook for the first quarter and full year of 2015. The company noted the following regarding the results:


    --  Net sales of $158.7 million for the fourth quarter and $605.2 million
        for the full year;
    --  New orders of $192.3 million for the fourth quarter and $636.0 million
        for the full year;
    --  Net income attributable to Newport Corporation of $8.8 million, or $0.22
        per diluted share, for the fourth quarter, and $35.1 million, or $0.87
        per diluted share, for the full year, when measured according to
        generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP);
    --  Non-GAAP net income attributable to Newport Corporation of $15.4
        million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter, and $54.2
        million, or $1.34 per diluted share, for the full year, excluding the
        amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense,
        acquisition-related, restructuring and severance costs, net losses on
        disposals of assets, certain tax benefits and the tax impact of the
        excluded amounts;
    --  Cash generated from operations of $18.8 million for the fourth quarter
        and $57.8 million for the full year; and
    --  Repurchases of approximately 325,000 shares of common stock for $5.8
        million during the fourth quarter, and approximately 567,000 shares for
        $10.3 million during the full year.

Newport's sales and orders by end market were as follows:



                                                        Sales & Orders


    (In thousands, except percentages, unaudited)       Three Months Ended                                      Percentage                Percentage
                                                        ------------------

                                                                                                                                                  Change vs.    Change vs.

                                                              January 3,              September 27,              December 28,                       Prior       Prior Year

                                                                               2015                      2014                      2013            Quarter        Period
                                                                               ----                      ----                      ----            -------        ------


    Sales by End Market
    -------------------


     Scientific research                                                    $34,780                   $32,228                   $33,077                  7.9%          5.1%

     Microelectronics                                                        41,612                    37,113                    39,639                 12.1%          5.0%

     Life and health sciences                                               34,038                    31,126                    32,902                  9.4%          3.5%

     Defense and security                                                    14,310                    13,103                    13,875                  9.2%          3.1%

     Industrial manufacturing and other                                    33,989                    32,729                    34,683                  3.8%         -2.0%

                                                  Total                      $158,729                  $146,299                  $154,176                  8.5%          3.0%
                                                                                                    ========                  ========


    Orders by End Market
    --------------------


     Scientific research                                                    $40,772                   $30,652                   $34,729                 33.0%         17.4%

     Microelectronics                                                        44,782                    33,739                    53,504                 32.7%        -16.3%

     Life and health sciences                                               51,738                    37,859                    29,951                 36.7%         72.7%

     Defense and security                                                    18,821                    12,947                    14,111                 45.4%         33.4%

     Industrial manufacturing and other                                    36,207                    32,140                    34,476                 12.7%          5.0%

                                                  Total                      $192,320                  $147,337                  $166,771                 30.5%         15.3%
                                                                                                    ========                  ========



    Note:                 Newport's fiscal quarter
                          ended January 3, 2015 was
                          comprised of 14 weeks,
                          whereas its fiscal quarters
                          ended September 27, 2014
                          and December 28, 2013 were
                          each comprised of 13 weeks.

Commenting on the results, Robert J. Phillippy, Newport's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The Newport team delivered a strong fourth quarter to complete a record year in 2014. We achieved all-time records for sales and new orders, and our full year non-GAAP earnings increased by 28% year-over-year, to $1.34 per diluted share. We are particularly encouraged by our fourth quarter results. Our sales and orders in the fourth quarter of 2014 increased sequentially in each of the key end markets we serve, and we received a number of significant orders for OEM programs, including a $25.7 million order for lasers used in surgical applications, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.21. We are very pleased with our 2014 performance, and are confident that it has positioned us well for even better results in 2015."

Operating Income and Net Income

Newport reported operating income for the fourth quarter of 2014 of $13.0 million, or 8.2% of net sales, when calculated in accordance with GAAP. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding the amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition-related, restructuring and severance costs and losses on disposals of assets, the company's operating income for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $21.5 million, or 13.6% of net sales.

On a GAAP basis, the company reported net income attributable to Newport Corporation for the fourth quarter of 2014 of $8.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding the items referenced above and the tax impact of such excluded amounts, the company's net income attributable to Newport Corporation for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $15.4 million, or $0.38 per diluted share.

The company has provided a reconciliation of its gross profit, operating income, net income and net income per diluted share calculated in accordance with GAAP and on a non-GAAP basis following the statements of income and comprehensive income included in this release. Management believes that the supplemental presentation of non-GAAP financial information provides insight into the company's core business results, as well as a useful resource for comparison of its financial results between periods.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

For the full year of 2014, Newport generated $57.8 million in cash from operations. As of January 3, 2015, the company had a total of $48.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities, and had total indebtedness of $74.8 million.

Acquisitions

As announced on September 29, 2014, Newport completed its acquisition of V-Gen, Ltd., a leading developer and manufacturer of fiber lasers headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. V-Gen contributed approximately $3.0 million of sales to the company in the fourth quarter, and the transaction was accretive to Newport's earnings. Newport expects V-Gen's sales to be in the range of $15 million to $20 million for the full year of 2015, and expects the acquisition to continue to be accretive to the company's earnings. In addition, on February 4, 2015 the company entered into an agreement to acquire FEMTOLASERS, a leading developer and manufacturer of ultrafast laser systems for scientific and biomedical research applications based in Vienna, Austria. In the first 12 months after closing, Newport expects FEMTOLASERS' sales to be in the range of $8 million to $12 million, and expects the transaction to be accretive to its earnings. The transaction is expected to close before the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Share Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter, the company repurchased approximately 325,000 shares of its common stock at an average price of $17.86 per share, for a total of approximately $5.8 million. For the full year, the company repurchased approximately 567,000 shares at an average price of $18.14 per share, for a total of approximately $10.3 million. Newport's board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 3.3 million shares, and the company expects to continue to repurchase shares for the foreseeable future. The amount and timing of such repurchases will be dependent upon factors such as the company's share price level, its other capital requirements and the terms of the company's credit facility.

Financial Outlook

Commenting on Newport's full year outlook, Mr. Phillippy said, "We achieved record sales in 2014, and with our strong backlog, the contributions of our newly-acquired businesses and our new product introductions, we are confident that we will set a new record in 2015. We also expect to deliver another double-digit increase in earnings per share on a year-over-year basis. Furthermore, we will continue to efficiently allocate our strong cash generation to increase our earnings per share through accretive, strategic acquisitions, share buybacks and debt reductions."

Commenting specifically on the first quarter of 2015, Mr. Phillippy said, "Consistent with historical seasonal patterns in our business, we expect our first quarter sales to be in the range of $147 million to $154 million, and we expect our earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $0.15 to $0.22 on a GAAP basis and in the range of $0.27 to $0.34 on a non-GAAP basis." The company has included a reconciliation of its expected first quarter earnings per diluted share calculated in accordance with GAAP and on a non-GAAP basis following the statements of income and comprehensive income included in this release.

ABOUT NEWPORT CORPORATION

Newport Corporation is a leading global supplier of advanced-technology products and systems to customers in the scientific research, microelectronics, life and health sciences, industrial manufacturing and defense/security markets. Newport's innovative solutions leverage its expertise in advanced technologies, including lasers, photonics and precision motion equipment, and optical components and sub-systems, to enhance the capabilities and productivity of its customers' manufacturing, engineering and research applications. Newport is part of the Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Index and the Russell 2000 Index.

Learn more about Newport at www.newport.com and follow the company on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. To download Newport's investor relations app, which offers access to its SEC filings, press releases, videos, audiocasts and more, please visit Apple's App Store for the iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android mobile devices.

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL

Robert J. Phillippy, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Charles F. Cargile, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, will host an investor conference call today, February 9, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time) to review the company's results for the fourth quarter of 2014 and its business outlook for the first quarter and full year of 2015. The call will be open to all interested investors through a live audio web broadcast via the Internet at www.newport.com/investors. The call also will be available to investors and analysts by dialing 877-375-4189 within the U.S. and Canada or 973-935-2046 from abroad.

The webcast will be archived on the Newport website and can be reached through the same link. An archived webcast will also be available on Newport's investor relations app. A telephonic playback of the conference call will be available by calling 855-859-2056 within the U.S. and Canada and 404?537-3406 from abroad. Playback will be available beginning at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, February 9, 2015, and continue through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, February 16, 2015. The replay passcode is 64185048.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding the expected future sales and earnings accretion of V-Gen and FEMTOLASERS; the expected closing date of the FEMTOLASERS acquisition; the company's expectation of continuing to repurchase shares for the foreseeable future; the company's expectation of achieving record sales and double-digit growth in earnings per share in 2015; the company's expectation that it will continue to grow its earnings per diluted share via accretive, strategic acquisitions, share buybacks and debt reductions; and the company's expected sales and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share in the first quarter of 2015. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate" or "continue" or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments and risks with respect to, among other things, the strength of business conditions in the industries Newport serves, particularly the semiconductor and defense and security industries; Newport's ability to achieve the expected benefits from the integration of acquired businesses; Newport's ability to successfully penetrate and increase sales to its targeted end markets; the levels of private and governmental research funding worldwide; potential order cancellations and push-outs; future economic, competitive and market conditions, including those in Europe and Asia and those related to its strategic markets; whether its products will continue to achieve customer acceptance; and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of Newport. Certain of these judgments and risks are discussed in more detail in Newport's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although Newport believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in forward-looking statements will be realized. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Newport or any other person that Newport's objectives or plans will be achieved. Newport undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.




                                                                                       Newport Corporation

                                                                    Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

                                                                                           (Unaudited)



                                                                                      Three Months Ended                        Year Ended
                                                                                      ------------------                        ----------

                                                                                          January 3,                           December 28,          January 3,              December 28,

    (In thousands, except per share amounts)                                                                  2015                              2013                    2015                      2013
                                                                                                              ----                              ----                    ----                      ----


    Net sales                                                                                             $158,729                          $154,176                $605,150                  $560,054

    Cost of sales                                                                                           89,285                            88,563                 334,394                   322,341
                                                                                                            ------                            ------                 -------                   -------

    Gross profit                                                                                            69,444                            65,613                 270,756                   237,713


    Selling, general and administrative expenses                                                            38,233                            37,859                 158,646                   149,183

    Research and development expense                                                                        15,894                            12,717                  58,432                    52,524

    Loss on sale or other disposal of assets, net                                                            2,324                               208                   1,913                     4,725
                                                                                                             -----                               ---                   -----                     -----

    Operating income                                                                                        12,993                            14,829                  51,765                    31,281


    Loss on extinguishment of debt                                                                               -                                -                      -                  (3,355)

    Interest and other expense, net                                                                        (1,493)                          (1,018)                (4,085)                  (6,490)
                                                                                                            ------                            ------                  ------                    ------

    Income before income taxes                                                                              11,500                            13,811                  47,680                    21,436


    Income tax provision                                                                                     2,741                             4,001                  12,510                     5,698
                                                                                                             -----                             -----                  ------                     -----

    Net income                                                                                               8,759                             9,810                  35,170                    15,738

    Net income attributable to non-controlling interests                                                         9                                54                     112                       137

    Net income attributable to Newport Corporation                                                          $8,750                            $9,756                 $35,058                   $15,601
                                                                                                            ======                            ======                 =======                   =======



    Net income                                                                                              $8,759                            $9,810                 $35,170                   $15,738

    Other comprehensive income:

    Foreign currency translation gains (losses)                                                            (4,693)                              839                (12,260)                    2,159

    Unrecognized net pension gains (losses)                                                                (2,762)                              688                 (2,456)                      849

    Unrealized gains on marketable securities                                                                  530                               334                     353                       208
                                                                                                               ---                               ---                     ---                       ---

    Comprehensive income                                                                                    $1,834                           $11,671                 $20,807                   $18,954
                                                                                                            ======                           =======                 =======                   =======


    Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests                                              $2                               $15                    $112                       $23

    Comprehensive income attributable to Newport Corporation                                                 1,832                            11,656                  20,695                    18,931

    Comprehensive income                                                                                    $1,834                           $11,671                 $20,807                   $18,954
                                                                                                            ======                           =======                 =======                   =======


    Net income per share attributable to Newport Corporation:

    Basic                                                                                                    $0.22                             $0.25                   $0.88                     $0.40

    Diluted                                                                                                  $0.22                             $0.24                   $0.87                     $0.39


    Shares used in the computation of net income per share:

    Basic                                                                                                   39,679                            39,232                  39,750                    39,010

    Diluted                                                                                                 40,480                            39,934                  40,528                    39,558


    Other operating data:

    New orders received during the period                                                                 $192,320                          $166,771                $635,975                  $592,389

    Backlog at the end of period scheduled to ship within 12 months                                                                                             $169,334                  $189,919



                                                                           Newport Corporation

                                                                      Supplemental Non-GAAP Measures

                                                                               (Unaudited)




                                                                                Three Months Ended             Year Ended
                                                                                ------------------             ----------

    (In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)                        January 3,                December 28,          January 3,           December 28,

                                                                                                         2015                  2013                 2015                     2013
                                                                                                         ----                  ----                 ----                     ----

    Net sales                                                                                        $158,729              $154,176             $605,150                 $560,054


    Cost of sales:

    Cost of sales - GAAP                                                                              $89,285               $88,563             $334,394                 $322,341

    Amortization of intangible assets                                                                     926                   961                3,656                    3,698

    Stock-based compensation expense                                                                      336                   252                1,098                      938

    Acquisition-related, restructuring and severance costs                                                501                   447                  501                    1,371
                                                                                                          ---                   ---                  ---                    -----

    Non-GAAP cost of sales                                                                             87,522                86,903              329,139                  316,334

    Non-GAAP gross profit                                                                             $71,207               $67,273             $276,011                 $243,720
                                                                                                      =======               =======             ========                 ========


    Non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of net sales                                                  44.9%                43.6%               45.6%                   43.5%


    Operating income:

    Operating income - GAAP                                                                           $12,993               $14,829              $51,765                  $31,281

    Amortization of intangible assets                                                                   2,075                 2,653                8,917                   10,404

    Stock-based compensation expense                                                                    3,463                 2,583               12,051                    9,173

    Acquisition-related, restructuring and severance costs                                                685                 2,780                4,368                    9,712

    Loss on sale or other disposal of assets, net                                                       2,324                   208                1,913                    4,725

    Non-GAAP operating income                                                                         $21,540               $23,053              $79,014                  $65,295
                                                                                                      =======               =======              =======                  =======


    Non-GAAP operating income as a percentage of net sales                                              13.6%                15.0%               13.1%                   11.7%


    Net income attributable to Newport Corporation:

    Net income - GAAP                                                                                  $8,750                $9,756              $35,058                  $15,601

    Amortization of intangible assets                                                                   2,075                 2,653                8,917                   10,404

    Stock-based compensation expense                                                                    3,463                 2,583               12,051                    9,173

    Acquisition-related, restructuring and severance costs                                                685                 2,780                4,368                    9,712

    Loss on sale or other disposal of assets, net                                                       2,324                   208                1,913                    4,725

    Loss on extinguishment of debt                                                                          -                    -                   -                   3,355

    Tax benefit from extraterritorial income exclusion                                                      -                    -             (1,463)                       -

    Income tax provision on non-GAAP adjustments                                                      (1,852)              (2,640)             (6,641)                (11,264)

    Non-GAAP net income                                                                               $15,445               $15,340              $54,203                  $41,706
                                                                                                      =======               =======              =======                  =======



    Net income per diluted share attributable to Newport Corporation:

    Net income - GAAP                                                                                   $0.22                 $0.24                $0.87                    $0.39

    Total non-GAAP adjustments                                                                           0.16                  0.14                 0.47                     0.66

    Non-GAAP net income per diluted share                                                               $0.38                 $0.38                $1.34                    $1.05
                                                                                                        =====                 =====                =====                    =====





                                                                                          Three Months Ending

    Financial outlook - earnings per diluted share                                April 4, 2015
                                                                                  -------------


    Earnings per diluted share - GAAP                                                           $0.15 - $0.22

    Stock-based compensation expense                                                                     0.07

    Amortization of intangible assets                                                                    0.04

    Acquisition related, restructuring and severance, and

         all other excluded costs                                                                        0.01

    Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share                                                         $0.27 - $0.34
                                                                                                =============


                                             Newport Corporation

                                         Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                 (Unaudited)



                                                     January 3,        December 28,

    (In thousands)                                                2015                  2013
                                                                  ----                  ----


    ASSETS

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash
     equivalents                                               $46,883               $53,710

    Restricted cash                                              1,704                 2,305

    Marketable
     securities                                                     57                 8,219

    Accounts
     receivable, net                                            96,512                96,388

    Inventories, net                                           112,440               103,383

    Deferred income
     taxes                                                      20,734                22,437

    Prepaid expenses
     and other current
     assets                                                     14,948                14,769
                                                                ------                ------

    Total current
     assets                                                    293,278               301,211


    Property and
     equipment, net                                             82,793                80,516

    Goodwill                                                    97,524                78,801

    Deferred income
     taxes                                                       5,005                 4,474

    Intangible assets,
     net                                                        70,811                67,342

    Investments and
     other assets                                               30,516                32,885

                                                              $579,927              $565,229
                                                              ========              ========


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities:

    Short-term
     borrowings                                                 $3,772                $4,861

    Accounts payable                                            31,448                31,714

    Accrued payroll and
     related expenses                                           34,607                31,015

    Accrued expenses
     and other current
     liabilities                                                31,797                35,341
                                                                ------                ------

    Total current
     liabilities                                               101,624               102,931


    Long-term debt                                              71,000                83,646

    Pension liabilities                                         28,554                27,093

    Deferred income
     taxes and other
     liabilities                                                22,045                23,182


    Total stockholders'
     equity of Newport                                         356,704               326,968

    Non-controlling
     interests                                                       -                1,409
                                                                   ---                -----

    Total stockholders'
     equity                                                    356,704               328,377

                                                              $579,927              $565,229
                                                              ========              ========

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SOURCE Newport Corporation