Advanced Energy Announces 2008 Third Quarter Financial Results Driven By Record Solar Revenues
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008. Sales for the third quarter of 2008 were $84.5 million, which represented a 6.6% decline from $90.5 million in the same quarter a year ago and a 4.0% decline from $88.0 million in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease was attributed mainly to weakening global economic conditions and continued challenges in the semiconductor capital equipment market. The book to bill ratio for the quarter was 0.92:1, with an ending backlog of $48.9 million.
Despite the overall decline in revenue, sales to non-semiconductor markets grew 11% sequentially to 48% of total sales for the quarter. Non-semiconductor performance was driven by sales to the solar market, which represented 23% of total revenue, and sales to the flat panel display market, which were also strong at 11% of total sales. Service sales grew to 18% of total revenue.
Gross margin for the third quarter was 41.7%, up from 40.6% in the third quarter of 2007, and 40.1% in the second quarter of 2008, due principally to a more favorable product mix.
Net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $5.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to $5.9 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2007. Net income also decreased sequentially from $5.9 million or $0.14 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2008.
"Sales to the solar market reached their highest levels yet, and were once again key to the success of our quarterly results, aided by strength in sales to the flat panel display market and our service business. We continued to build out our non-semiconductor businesses with new products such as our recently announced 500KW Solaron inverter. The expansion of this product portfolio will allow us to penetrate larger inverter installations, including utilities and solar farms. Overall, we were pleased with our performance in the third quarter, especially in light of the particularly challenging economic environment," said Dr. Hans Betz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Energy. "Unfortunately, the distressed economic conditions are impacting all markets and have led us to guide lower revenues and earnings for the fourth quarter. We will, however, take important steps to manage costs in order to maintain a healthy business, while investing in key products and markets to position the company for future opportunities."
