Solid Q4 results for Applied Materials

SANTA CLARA, USA: Applied Materials, Inc. reported fiscal 2009 fourth quarter net sales of $1.53 billion and GAAP net income of $138 million or $0.10 per share. For its fiscal year ended Oct. 25, 2009, the company reported net sales of $5.01 billion and a GAAP net loss of $305 million or $0.23 per share.

The company also reported non-GAAP results, with fourth quarter net income of $177 million or $0.13 per share and fiscal year net income of $37 million or $0.03 per share.

“Applied delivered a solid fourth quarter led by increased net sales and profitability in our semiconductor equipment business, with improved demand and financial performance in all of our segments,” said Mike Splinter, chairman and CEO.

“For the year, we invested in growth across all of our businesses, introducing new products and expanding into new markets while reducing our cost structure.”

Applied Materials was named the number one equipment supplier to the solar PV industry during 2009 and recently opened the world’s largest non-governmental solar energy research facility in Xi’an, China. Applied’s Energy and Environmental Solutions business has grown to over a billion dollars in annual net sales in less than three years and is expected to achieve breakeven or better results in fiscal 2010 on a non-GAAP basis.

“Since 2006, Applied has successfully extended our nanomanufacturing leadership from semiconductor and display to the solar industry, and during that time we have seen changes in customer and geographic concentration in all of these markets,” Splinter added. “We are adapting our operating structure to align with these changes and enhance the value we provide to our customers and stockholders.”

In fiscal 2010, Applied Materials expects to be taking the following actions to strengthen its leadership in its global markets and deliver higher operating efficiencies:

* Embedding its sales force into its business groups to increase visibility into customer and market opportunities.
* Consolidating its manufacturing and supply chain closer to more of its customers and suppliers.
* Implementing various cost reduction initiatives and a restructuring plan expected to achieve total annualized cost savings of approximately $450 million when completed.

Under the restructuring plan, Applied Materials expects to reduce its global workforce by approximately 1,300 to 1,500 positions, or 10 to 12 percent, over a period of 18 months. The company anticipates the pre-tax cost of the plan to be between $100 million and $125 million, most of which is expected to be recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

The anticipated savings of $450 million are in addition to the structural cost reductions of $460 million achieved in fiscal 2009.