News

STMicroelectronics Reports 2011 First Quarter Financial Results

April 26, 2011 by Jeff Shepard

STMicroelectronics (ST) reported financial results for the first quarter ended April 2, 2011. ST’s net revenues increased 9.0% on a year-over-year basis, with regional growth led by Greater China-South Asia and the Americas with sales up 18% and 13%, respectively. On a sequential basis, ST’s net revenues decreased 10.5%, with declines in all regions. Sequential performances reflected expected seasonal patterns at ACCI, Analog, MEMS and Microcontrollers (AMM) and Power Discrete Products (PDP) as well as a stronger than anticipated decline at ST-Ericsson.

Gross margin increased 140 basis points compared to the year-ago quarter, principally reflecting higher volumes and manufacturing efficiencies that more than offset negative pricing trends. On a sequential basis, gross margin declined by 80 basis points and was penalized by a decrease in volume and prices partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies and product innovation.

Combined SG&A and R&D expenses were $874 million compared to $876 million and $914 million in the year-ago and prior quarter, respectively. Combined operating expenses, as a%age of sales, were 34.5% in the 2011 first quarter compared to 37.7% and 32.3% in the year-ago and prior quarter, respectively.

Impairment and restructuring charges decreased to $24 million compared to $33 million and $32 million in the year-ago and prior quarter, respectively. At the end of the first quarter, ST closed its Phoenix, Arizona fab, thereby substantially completing the company’s restructuring of manufacturing operations.

Operating margin before restructuring attributable to ST more than doubled in the 2011 first quarter compared to the year-ago quarter, principally reflecting higher revenues and product innovation. On a sequential basis, the operating margin before restructuring attributable to ST decreased principally due to lower revenues.

Net income increased significantly on a year-over-year basis to $0.19 per diluted share, compared to $0.06 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter. In the prior quarter earnings per diluted share were $0.24.

For the 2011 first quarter, the effective average exchange rate for the company was approximately $1.33 to euro 1.00 compared to $1.34 to euro 1.00 for the 2010 fourth quarter and $1.39 to euro 1.00 for the 2010 first quarter.

President and CEO Carlo Bozotti commented, "Overall, ST had a solid start in 2011. Year-over-year, our revenues were particularly strong in automotive applications and in our Analog, MEMS, Microcontrollers and Power Discrete offerings. Our gross margin improved 140 basis points and our operating margin before restructuring attributable to ST reached 9.9%.

"Analog, MEMS and Microcontrollers revenues increased 38% year-over-year with broad contribution from its new product families. Power Discrete Products revenues increased 18% and Automotive, Consumer, Computer and Communication Infrastructure, mainly driven by strong demand in automotive, also increased 18%. Wireless revenues decreased 34% as sales of ST-Ericsson’s legacy products declined more than anticipated while the company is progressing in its portfolio transition and the expansion of its customer base.

"It is clear that our new products, well positioned on our targeted applications, are gaining traction and this makes us confident for 2011 as a whole, despite the short-term impact to the semiconductor industry’s supply chain due to the dramatic events in Japan. Our customer base is rapidly expanding as we are helping our customers to grow and take leadership positions in their businesses."