Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS)

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS), a global supplier of production and automation systems and related supplies for the manufacture of solar cells, semiconductors, and sapphire and silicon wafers, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $5 million of its common stock. As of June 30, 2011, Amtech had outstanding approximately 9.6 million shares of common stock.

J.S. Whang, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, "At current price levels, we believe Amtech's common stock represents an attractive investment opportunity for the Company. We also believe we can continue to invest in the initiatives that are key to our future success as well as enhance the value of our Company by repurchasing common stock under this program."

Under the program, shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated purchases. The timing and actual number of shares purchased will depend on a variety of factors, such as price, corporate and regulatory requirements, alternative investment opportunities, and other market and economic conditions. Repurchases under the program will be funded from available working capital. The program may be commenced, suspended or terminated at any time, or from time-to-time at management's discretion without prior notice.

Removing ASYS from the GeoSpecial List @ $20.45

Added to the GeoSpecial list  @ $11.27 on August 9th, 2010

Catalyst: Strong EPS results starting in mid 2010 combined with a high GeoPowerRanking.

Current road block: Although the Company is handily exceeding estimates, EPS comps will become more challenging in the near future. GeoPowerRanking is now 1.

Current Price: $20.45

Second Quarter Results:

• Record net revenue of $61.3 million, up 14% sequentially from $53.7 million in Q1 2011
• Record solar revenue of $53.2 million, up 16% sequentially from $45.9 million in Q1 2011
• Quarterly bookings of $73 million ($60 million solar); fiscal year-to-date bookings of $210 million ($189 million solar)
• Record quarter-end backlog of $195 million ($180 million solar), up 13% sequentially from $173 million ($162 million solar) at December 31, 2010
• Gross margin improved to 40%, compared to 36% sequentially
• Operating income of $12.5 million, up 50% from $8.4 million sequentially
• Record net income of $7.5 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, sequentially

J.S. Whang, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, "Our record revenue and profit for the second quarter further demonstrate our technology leadership in high efficiency solar diffusion and our operational capability to manage and service this high-end growth market. During the quarter we acquired a controlling interest in a China-based solar ion implant technology company, demonstrating our commitment to technology leadership in meeting the ever increasing demand for higher solar cell efficiency. As a result of the acquisition, we immediately established a technology beachhead in a strategically key region of the world, increased our technology expertise, and laid the foundation for future opportunities for our solar business.

Amtech is increasing its financial guidance for fiscal 2011 full year revenue to surpass $240 million, a 100% increase from fiscal 2010. For its fiscal 2011 third quarter, Amtech expects revenues in the range of $63 to $66 million. Operating margins in the third quarter could be negatively impacted by: (i) higher revenue deferral due to expected continued ramp up of shipments; (ii) expected higher material costs; and (iii) increased research and development costs resulting from the Company’s acquisition of Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited.

TEMPE, Ariz.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Amtech Systems, Inc. today reported preliminary results for its fiscal 2011 second quarter ended March 31, 2011, including record revenue of approximately $60 million ($52 million solar), a 12% increase over the preceding quarter and 273% increase over the second quarter of fiscal 2010, and fiscal second quarter bookings of approximately $70 million ($60 million solar). The Company’s total order backlog at March 31, 2011 was a record $193 million, compared to $173 million at December 31, 2010. The Company expects to report final fiscal 2011 second quarter results on or about May 9, 2011.

J.S. Whang, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, "Our strong preliminary revenue for the second quarter further demonstrates our technology leadership in high efficiency solar diffusion and our operational capability to manage and service this high-end growth market. With our continued success in expanding our solar market share with an increasing number of upper tier solar customers, our marketing pipeline continues to be healthy, and we continue to ramp up operations to support our record-breaking backlog and profitably manage our rapid growth."

The fiscal 2011 second quarter financial information included in this release is preliminary and subject to change based on the Company’s quarterly close procedures.

First Quarter Financial Highlights:

• Record net revenue of $53.7 million, up 18% sequentially from $45.4 million in Q4 2010
• Gross margin of 36%, compared to 39% sequentially
• Operating income of $8.4 million, compared to operating income of $8.9 million sequentially
• Net income of $5.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.4 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, sequentially
• Ending unrestricted cash of $53.2 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $56.8 million at September 30, 2010

J.S. Whang, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented: "We are pleased to report another very strong quarter including record revenue and bookings. The strong order momentum we continue to generate for our solar diffusion systems reflects our continued success in expanding with existing customers and attracting new top-tier customers. We continue to see a healthy business pipeline, ending the quarter with record orders and backlog.

"Our recently announced agreement to acquire a China-based ion implant technology company demonstrates our commitment to technology leadership in meeting the increasing demand for higher cell efficiency. As a result of the acquisition, we will immediately establish a technology beachhead in a strategically key region of the world, will increase our technology expertise, and lay the foundation for future opportunities for our solar business. We believe this acquisition will complement and protect our core solar diffusion expertise and leadership. We remain on track to continue to produce and ship at a high volume in the March quarter, and we remain focused on successful execution of our solar growth strategy."

Amtech expects fiscal 2011 full year revenues to surpass $230 million, a greater than 92% increase from fiscal 2010, with fiscal 2011 second quarter revenues in the range of $55 to $60 million. Operating margins in the second quarter could be negatively impacted by: (i) higher revenue deferral due to expected continued ramp up of shipments; (ii) expected higher material costs; and (iii) continued acquisition costs and increased research and development costs resulting from the expected acquisition of Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited.

TEMPE, Ariz.--(Business Wire)--Amtech Systems, Inc., a global supplier of production and automation systems and related supplies for the manufacture of solar cells, today reported preliminary results for its fiscal 2011 first quarter ended December 31, 2010, including record revenue of approximately $52 million ($45 million solar), a 14% increase over the preceding quarter and 235% increase over the first quarter of fiscal 2010, and record fiscal first quarter bookings of approximately $134 million ($126 million solar). The Company’s total order backlog at December 31, 2010 was a record $172 million, compared to $94 million at September 30, 2010. The Company expects to report final fiscal 2011 first quarter results in early February.

Amtech Systems, Inc. today announced that its solar subsidiary, Tempress Systems, Inc., has received approximately $68 million in new solar orders for its diffusion processing systems from existing customers in China and one new customer in Taiwan. Amtech’s fiscal 2011 began October 1, 2010.

J.S. Whang, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, “These latest orders further demonstrate our ability to provide excellent product and service to the industry and the quality and depth of our expanding solar customer base. We believe the intense effort by our customers and the solar industry to increase cell efficiency will continue to drive demand for our superior diffusion technology. We continue to see excellent quotation activity and remain focused on continued successful execution of our solar growth strategy.”

Excerpt from article on August 16, 2010.

ASYS is engaged in the manufacture of several items of capital equipment used by customers in the manufacture of semiconductors.

ASYS handily exceeded fiscal 2010 3rd EPS qtr estimates $0.28 when it reported EPS of $0.42, reversing a prior year loss and easily surpassing its three year high of $0.17 reported in the 4th quarter of 2007!

Revenues increased 243.8% to $43.0 million, almost eclipsing the entire fiscal 2009 number of $52.9 million. Pre-tax margins were 14.4%. On it’s conference call, the company stated that is experiencing strong order trends from solar and semiconductor customers and confirmed the improving trend in the technology sector, a sentiment that other companies have shared. Furthermore, visibility has improved, leading the company to assert that demand is promising well into 2011. The company also gave us a peak into the health of the Chinese economy as over 90% of its revenues are derived from China.

The 2011 challenge: While fiscal year ending September 2011 estimates have EPS pegged to grow 62.2% to $1.33, the back half of 2011 is expected to show weak growth. Although, EPS for each of the next three quarters are expected to grow significantly.

Important observation: We don't believe that analysts have factored in new product contributions that could impact the second half of Amtech's 2011 fiscal year.