PRESS RELEASE

 

                           Contact:

                          Trisha Tuntland

                                                                                                                                          Director of Investor Relations

                          Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

                            (630) 499-2600

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION REPORTS STRONG

RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER OF FISCAL 2017

·	Record Revenue of $128.0 Million, 18.3 Percent Higher Than Last Year

·	GAAP Gross Profit Margin of 48.9 Percent of Revenue; Non-GAAP 49.8 Percent

·	GAAP Earnings Per Share of $0.77; Non-GAAP $0.81

·	Cash Flow From Operations of $32.1 Million

AURORA, IL, July 27, 2017 – Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (Nasdaq: CCMP), the world's leading supplier of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing slurries and second largest CMP pads supplier to the semiconductor industry, today reported financial results for its third quarter of fiscal 2017, which ended June 30, 2017.

Total revenue during the third fiscal quarter was $128.0 million, 18.3 percent higher than in the same quarter last year, and a record level for the company. This reflects significant revenue growth from its tungsten and dielectrics slurries, and polishing pads product areas; the company achieved its seventh consecutive quarter of record revenue in CMP pads. Gross profit margin was 48.9 percent of revenue; non-GAAP gross profit margin was 49.8 percent, excluding amortization expense related to the company's October 2015 acquisition of NexPlanar Corporation. The company achieved diluted earnings per share of $0.77; non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.81, excluding the amortization expense. Cash flow from operations was $32.1 million.

"We are pleased with our strong results this quarter, reflecting significant revenue growth compared to last year and a record level of revenue for our company, as well as continued strong profitability and cash flow," said David Li, President and CEO of Cabot Microelectronics. "During the quarter, we experienced sustained robust demand for our tungsten, dielectrics and pad CMP solutions across a wide range of memory and logic applications, including 3D NAND and FinFET technologies. We believe our performance is evidence of our technology leadership, operational excellence, and close collaboration with our customers. Based on our results through nine months, we believe we are well-positioned to achieve record revenue and profit for full fiscal year 2017, driven by continued successful execution of our strategic initiatives, as well as expectations for continued strong semiconductor demand, based on general commentary from industry participants."

The company achieved record revenue of $128.0 million in the third fiscal quarter, which represents an increase of 18.3 percent compared to the same quarter last year. The company achieved record quarterly revenue in its polishing pads product area, which grew 25.1 percent year-over-year; revenue from the company's tungsten and dielectrics slurries grew 17.5 percent and 19.4 percent, respectively. Year to date revenue of $370.4 million is 20.3 percent higher than last year.

Gross profit for the quarter was 48.9 percent of revenue, compared to 48.1 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 49.8 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 49.7 percent of revenue, compared to 48.5 percent last year. Gross profit this year includes $3.6 million of amortization expense related to NexPlanar. Excluding this, non-GAAP gross profit for the first nine months of the fiscal year was 50.7 percent of revenue. The company currently expects its GAAP gross profit margin for the full fiscal year to be between 49 and 50 percent of revenue; its prior full year guidance range was 49 to 51 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 $35.6 million in the third fiscal quarter, including $0.5 million of NexPlanar amortization expense. Operating expenses were $5.7 million higher than the $29.9 million reported in the same quarter a year ago, mainly due to higher staffing related expenses, primarily incentive compensation expense. Year to date, total operating expenses were $105.1 million, including $1.4 million of amortization expense related to NexPlanar. The company currently expects its GAAP operating expenses for the full fiscal year to be between $140 million and $142 million; the company's prior guidance range was $137 million to $142 million. This includes approximately $2 million of NexPlanar amortization expense.

The company's effective tax rate for the third fiscal quarter was 22.4 percent, compared to 9.6 percent in the same quarter last year. The increase is primarily related to changes in the jurisdictional mix of the company's earnings, and a tax benefit recognized in the same quarter last year. Year to date, the effective tax rate was 21.1 percent. The company currently expects its effective tax rate for the full fiscal year to be within the range of 21 to 22 percent. Previously, the company had estimated 19 to 22 percent for the full fiscal year.

Net income for the quarter was $19.9 million, or $21.0 million on a non-GAAP basis, excluding amortization expense related to NexPlanar. Net income was 6.6 percent higher than the $18.7 million reported in the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily due to higher revenue and a higher gross profit margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses and a higher tax rate. Year to date, net income was $60.4 million, or $63.7 million on a non-GAAP basis, excluding the referenced amortization expense. This is 54.4 percent higher than the $39.1 million reported last year.

Diluted earnings per share were $0.77 this quarter, or $0.81 on a non-GAAP basis, excluding the amortization expense related to NexPlanar, compared to $0.76 reported in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Year to date, diluted earnings per share were $2.37, or $2.49 on a non-GAAP basis, excluding the amortization expense. This is 49.1 percent higher than the $1.59 reported last year.

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 44617329. 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 pads 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 1,150 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 March 31, 2017 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.

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