• Revenue of $119.2 Million, 20.1 Percent Higher Than Last Year
• GAAP Gross Profit Margin of 50.4 Percent of Revenue; Non-GAAP 51.4 Percent; Annual Guidance Raised
• GAAP Earnings Per Share of $0.71, Up 91.9 Percent Compared to Last Year; Non-GAAP $0.76
• As Previously Announced, Quarterly Cash Dividend Increased

AURORA, Ill. , April 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (Nasdaq:CCMP), the world’s leading supplier of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing slurries and second largest CMP pad supplier to the semiconductor industry, today reported financial results for its second quarter of fiscal 2017, which ended March 31, 2017.

During the second fiscal quarter, the company achieved total revenue of $119.2 million, which is 20.1 percent higher than in the same quarter last year. This included significant revenue growth from its tungsten and dielectrics slurries and polishing pads product areas; the company achieved its sixth consecutive quarter of record revenue in CMP pads. Gross profit margin was 50.4 percent of revenue; non-GAAP gross profit margin was 51.4 percent of revenue, excluding amortization expense related to the company’s October 2015 acquisition of NexPlanar Corporation. The company achieved diluted earnings per share of $0.71, 91.9 percent higher than in the same quarter last year; non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.76, excluding the amortization expense. Cash flow from operations was $32.8 million. As of March 31, 2017, the company’s balance sheet reflected a cash balance of $343.7 million, and $150.4 million of debt outstanding.

“Our results represent another quarter of strong financial performance for our company, reflecting continued strong semiconductor industry demand and successful execution of our strategic initiatives,” said David Li, President and CEO of Cabot Microelectronics. “During the quarter, we continued to support our customers’ production ramp of 3D NAND and FinFET technologies, and advanced customer adoption of our high-performing colloidal silica-based dielectrics slurries for advanced memory applications. In CMP pads, we won new business with three of our technology-leading customers, and we added to our rich pipeline of new business opportunities across a wide range of customers and applications. In addition, we earned several awards from customers this quarter in recognition for successfully delivering innovative, high-quality, high-performing, and reliable CMP slurries and polishing pads, including Intel’s prestigious Supplier Continuous Quality Improvement Award for the fifth consecutive year. We also declared an increase to our quarterly cash dividend, which we believe demonstrates both confidence in our ongoing cash generation and our continued commitment to delivering value to our shareholders.”

Mr. Li continued, “Looking ahead, we are seeing indications that semiconductor industry demand is likely to show continued strength in the second half of our fiscal year. With this industry outlook, and our continued focus on executing our strategic initiatives in three key product areas -- slurries for polishing tungsten, dielectrics slurries, and polishing pads -- we are confident that we are well-positioned to deliver continued profitable growth for our company.”

Key Financial Information

The company achieved revenue of $119.2 million in the second fiscal quarter, which represents an increase of 20.1 percent compared to the same quarter last year. The company achieved record quarterly revenue in its polishing pads product area, which grew 43.5 percent year-over-year; revenue from the company’s tungsten and dielectrics slurries grew 18.1 percent and 17.6 percent, respectively. Revenue for the first half of the fiscal year totaled $242.4 million, which is 21.5 percent higher than last year.

Gross profit for the quarter was 50.4 percent of revenue, compared to 47.3 percent reported in the same quarter a year ago. Gross profit this quarter includes $1.2 million of NexPlanar amortization expense; excluding this, non-GAAP gross profit was 51.4 percent of revenue. Factors impacting gross profit this quarter compared to last year include higher sales volume and a higher valued product mix, partially offset by higher fixed manufacturing costs, including higher incentive compensation expense. Year to date, gross profit was 50.1 percent of revenue, compared to 48.6 percent last year. Gross profit this year includes $2.4 million of amortization expense related to NexPlanar. Excluding this, non-GAAP gross profit for the first half of the fiscal year was 51.1 percent of revenue. The company currently expects its GAAP gross profit margin for the full fiscal year to be between 49 and 51 percent of revenue; this is higher than the company’s prior full year guidance range of 48 to 50 percent of revenue. This includes approximately 100 basis points of NexPlanar amortization expense.

Operating expenses, which include research, development and technical, selling and marketing, and general and administrative expenses, were $36.1 million in the second fiscal quarter, including $0.5 million of NexPlanar amortization expense. Operating expenses were $1.5 million higher than the $34.6 million reported in the same quarter a year ago, primarily due to higher incentive compensation expense and higher professional fees, partially offset by lower clean room materials expense. Year to date, total operating expenses were $69.5 million, which includes $0.9 million of amortization expense related to NexPlanar. The company continues to expect GAAP operating expenses for the full fiscal year to be between $137 million and $142 million. This includes approximately $2 million of NexPlanar amortization expense.

Net income for the quarter was $18.3 million, or $19.3 million on a non-GAAP basis, excluding the amortization expense related to NexPlanar. Net income was 100.2 percent higher than the $9.1 million reported in the same quarter last year. Net income increased primarily due to higher revenue and a higher gross profit margin. Year to date, net income was $40.5 million, or $42.6 million on a non-GAAP basis, excluding the referenced amortization expense. This is 98.2 percent higher than the $20.4 million reported last year.

Diluted earnings per share were $0.71 this quarter, or $0.76 on a non-GAAP basis, excluding the amortization expense related to NexPlanar, and 91.9 percent higher than the $0.37 reported in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Year to date, diluted earnings per share were $1.60, or $1.68 on a non-GAAP basis, including the amortization expense. This is 92.8 percent higher than the $0.83 reported last year.

As announced on March 7, 2017, the company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share on the company's common stock, an increase of eleven percent over the quarterly cash dividend paid since the initiation of its regular quarterly cash dividend program in January, 2016. The dividend will be payable on or about April 28, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 23, 2017. The $0.20 dividend would represent an annualized rate of $0.80 per share, or approximately $20 million in aggregate, and equivalent to approximately 33 percent and 26 percent of the company’s fiscal year 2016 net income and free cash flow¹, respectively.

CONFERENCE CALL
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation’s quarterly earnings conference call will be held today at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. The conference call will be available via live webcast and replay from the company’s website, www.cabotcmp.com, or by phone at (844) 825-4410. Callers outside the U.S. can dial (973) 638-3236. The conference code for the call is 93266585. A transcript of the formal comments made during the conference call will also be available in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website.

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The company presented the following measures considered as non-GAAP by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: gross profit margin, net income and diluted earnings per share, excluding the effects of amortization expense related to its October 2015 acquisition of NexPlanar Corporation. The non-GAAP financial information provided in this press release is a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the company’s financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the investor's understanding about the company's ongoing operations. Specifically, the company believes the NexPlanar amortization expense is not indicative of its core operating results, and thus presents its gross profit margin, net income and diluted earnings per share excluding this expense. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation table of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures, including gross profit percentage, net income and diluted earnings per share, is contained in this press release.

ABOUT CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is the world's leading supplier of CMP polishing slurries and second largest CMP pad supplier to the semiconductor industry. The company’s products play a critical role in the production of advanced semiconductor devices, helping to enable the manufacture of smaller, faster and more complex devices by its customers. The company's mission is to create value by delivering high-performing and innovative solutions that solve its customers’ challenges. The company has approximately 1,125 employees on a global basis. For more information about Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, visit www.cabotcmp.com or contact Trisha Tuntland, Director of Investor Relations at 630-499-2600.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This news release may include statements that constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities regulations. These forward-looking statements include statements related to: future sales and operating results; growth or contraction, and trends in the industry and markets in which the company participates; the company’s management; various economic or political factors and international or national events; regulatory or legislative activity; product performance; the generation, protection and acquisition of intellectual property, and litigation related to such intellectual property; new product introductions; development of new products, technologies and markets; the company’s supply chain; the financial conditions of the company’s customers; natural disasters; the acquisition of, investment in, or collaboration with other entities; uses and investment of the company’s cash balance, including dividends and share repurchases, which may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason, based on a variety of factors; financing facilities and related debt, payment of principal and interest, and compliance with covenants and other terms; the company’s capital structure; the company’s current or future tax rate; and the operation of facilities by Cabot Microelectronics Corporation. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those described from time to time in Cabot Microelectronics’ filings with the SEC, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described by these forward-looking statements. In particular, see "Risk Factors" in the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 and in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, both filed with the SEC. Cabot Microelectronics assumes no obligation to update this forward-looking information.

¹Free cash flow is cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.