• AXT, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 27 Oct 2021 16:05:01   America/New_York

    FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AXT, Inc. (NasdaqGS: AXTI), a leading manufacturer of compound semiconductor wafer substrates, today reported financial results for the third quarter, ended September 30, 2021.

    Management Qualitative Comments

    “Our third quarter and year-to-date revenue results continue to underscore the gathering momentum of the technology mega trends that our substrates help to enable – trends such as 5G telecommunications, data center upgrades, health monitoring, the internet of everything, and the proliferation of LED lighting and display,” said Morris Young, chief executive officer. “Year to date, we have increased revenue by 46% over the same period in 2020. With our new, expanded manufacturing facilities, we are able to accommodate increasing demand across these applications and others, while meeting the stringent technical requirements of Tier-1 customers. As such, 2021 is unfolding to be a pivotal year for our business. And as we look ahead, we believe 2022 will be another year of strong growth, with existing applications continuing to mature, and new ones being layered on to the current demand.”

    Third Quarter 2021 Results

    In order to provide better clarity on its operational and financial results, AXT will begin reporting its financial results on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. Non-GAAP results exclude stock-based compensation. Investors can find GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation tables in the financial statements in this press release.

    • Revenue for the third quarter of 2021 was $34.6 million, compared with $33.7 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $25.5 million for the third quarter of 2020. This is approximately 35 percent growth over the third quarter of 2020.

    • GAAP gross margin was 33.3 percent of revenue for the third quarter of 2021, compared with 36.3 percent of revenue in the second quarter of 2021 and 34.6 percent for the third quarter of 2020.

    • Non-GAAP gross margin was 33.8 percent of revenue for the third quarter of 2021, compared with 36.4 percent of revenue in the second quarter of 2021 and 34.8 percent for the third quarter of 2020.

    • GAAP operating expenses were $9.1 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared with $8.3 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $6.6 million for the third quarter of 2020.

    • Non-GAAP operating expenses were $7.7 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared with $7.4 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $6.0 million for the third quarter of 2020.

    • GAAP operating profit for the third quarter of 2021 was $2.4 million, compared with $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $2.2 million for the third quarter of 2020.

    • Non-GAAP operating profit for the third quarter of 2021 was $4.0 million, compared with $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2020.

    • Non-operating income and expense, net for the third quarter of 2021 was a gain of $1.4 million, compared with a gain of $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2021 and a loss of $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2020.

    • GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2021 was $3.8 million, or $0.09 per share, compared with net income of $4.4 million or $0.10 per share in the second quarter of 2021 and net income of $1.0 million or $0.02 per share for the third quarter of 2020.

    • Non-GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2021 was $5.4 million, or $0.13 per share, compared with net income of $5.4 million or $0.12 per share in the second quarter of 2021 and net income of $1.6 million or $0.04 per share for the third quarter of 2020.

    STAR Market Listing Update

    AXT previously announced on November 16, 2020 a strategic plan to access China’s capital markets and progress to an initial public offering by Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tongmei”), its company in China, on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Sci-Tech innovAtion boaRd (the “STAR Market”). The company is currently preparing required documents for submission to the STAR Market authorities.

    The process of going public on the STAR Market includes several periods of review and, therefore, is a lengthy process. Tongmei expects to accomplish this goal in mid-2022. AXT has posted a brief summary of the plan and the process on its website at www.axt.com.

    Conference Call

    The company will host a conference call to discuss these results today at 1:30 p.m. PT. The conference call can be accessed at (844) 892-6598 (passcode 8289338). The call will also be simulcast at www.axt.com. Replays will be available at (855) 859-2056 (passcode 8289338) until November 3, 2021. Financial and statistical information to be discussed in the call will be available on the company’s website immediately prior to commencement of the call. Additional investor information can be accessed at http://www.axt.com or by calling the company’s Investor Relations Department at (510) 438-4700.

    About AXT, Inc.

    AXT is a material science company that develops and manufactures high-performance compound and single element semiconductor substrate wafers comprising indium phosphide (InP), gallium arsenide (GaAs) and germanium (Ge). The company’s substrate wafers are used when a typical silicon substrate wafer cannot meet the performance requirements of a semiconductor or optoelectronic device. End markets include 5G infrastructure, data center connectivity (silicon photonics), passive optical networks, LED lighting, lasers, sensors, power amplifiers for wireless devices and satellite solar cells. AXT’s worldwide headquarters are in Fremont, California and includes sales, administration and customer service functions. AXT has its Asia headquarters in Beijing, China and manufacturing facilities in three separate locations in China. In addition, as part of its supply chain strategy, the Company has partial ownership in ten companies in China producing raw materials for its manufacturing process. For more information, see AXT’s website at http://www.axt.com.

    Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    As discussed above, in addition to the company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, which are presented according to GAAP, the company provides certain non-GAAP financial information that excludes stock-based compensation. We believe that non-GAAP measures provide better comparability with our peer companies, many of which also use similar non-GAAP financial measures. Further, the company believes that these non-GAAP measures offer an important analytical tool to help investors understand the company’s core operating results and trends. These non-GAAP measures have certain limitations and are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial information. Please note that other companies may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently. A reconciliation of our GAAP consolidated financial statements to our non-GAAP consolidated financial statements is provided below.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    The foregoing paragraphs contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws, including, for example, statements regarding completing other preliminary steps in connection with the proposed listing of shares of Tongmei on the STAR Market, being accepted to list shares of Tongmei on the STAR Market and the timing and completion of such listing of shares of Tongmei on the STAR Market. Additional examples of forward-looking statements include statements regarding the market demand for our products, our growth prospects and opportunities for continued business expansion, including technology trends and new applications, our market opportunity, our ability to lead our industry, our relocation and our expectations with respect to our business prospects and financial results. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to the company’s operations and business environment, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in the foregoing discussion. These uncertainties and factors include but are not limited to: the withdrawal, cancellations or requests for redemptions by private equity funds in China of investments in Tongmei, the administrative challenges in satisfying the requirements of various government agencies in China in connection with the investments in Tongmei and the listing of shares of Tongmei on the STAR Market, continued open access to companies to list shares on the STAR Market, investor enthusiasm for new listings of shares on the STAR Market and geopolitical tensions between China and the United States. Additional uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: the timing and receipt of significant orders; the cancellation of orders and return of product; emerging applications using chips or devices fabricated on our substrates; end-user acceptance of products containing chips or devices fabricated on our substrates; our ability to bring new products to market; product announcements by our competitors; the ability to control costs and improve efficiency; the ability to utilize our manufacturing capacity; product yields and their impact on gross margins; the relocation of manufacturing lines and ramping of production; possible factory shutdowns as a result of air pollution in China; COVID-19 or other outbreaks of a contagious disease; tariffs and other trade war issues; the financial performance of our partially owned supply chain companies; policies and regulations in China; and other factors as set forth in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of these factors is difficult to predict and many are beyond the company’s control. The company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


    FINANCIAL TABLES TO FOLLOW

    AXT, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

                  
      Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
      September 30, September 30, 
      2021  2020  2021  2020  
                  
    Revenue $34,576  $25,469  $99,661  $68,326  
    Cost of revenue  23,075   16,646   64,386   47,213  
    Gross profit  11,501   8,823   35,275   21,113  
    Operating expenses:             
    Selling, general and administrative  6,476   4,623   17,841   14,119  
    Research and development  2,629   2,023   7,571   4,973  
    Total operating expenses  9,105   6,646   25,412   19,092  
    Income from operations  2,396   2,177   9,863   2,021  
    Interest expense, net  (44)  (70)  (55)  (138) 
    Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures  1,061   45   3,674   (243) 
    Other income (expense), net  948   (34)  898   2,940  
    Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes  4,361   2,118   14,380   4,580  
    Provision for (benefit from) income taxes  (135)  637   1,504   1,923  
    Net income  4,496   1,481   12,876   2,657  
    Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests  (696)  (490)  (1,266)  (1,483) 
    Net income attributable to AXT, Inc. $3,800  $991  $11,610  $1,174  
    Net income attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:             
    Basic $0.09  $0.02  $0.28  $0.03  
    Diluted $0.09  $0.02  $0.27  $0.03  
    Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:             
    Basic  41,460   40,152   41,237   39,978  
    Diluted  42,678   40,979   42,710   40,688  


    AXT, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited, in thousands)

            
         September 30,    December 31,  
      2021 2020 
            
    ASSETS       
    Current assets:       
    Cash and cash equivalents $43,608  $72,602  
    Short-term investments  5,681   240  
    Accounts receivable, net  36,584   24,558  
    Inventories  60,683   51,515  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets  13,062   15,603  
    Total current assets  159,618   164,518  
    Long-term investments  6,680   5,726  
    Property, plant and equipment, net  131,617   115,825  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets  2,401   2,683  
    Other assets  15,347   10,110  
    Total assets $315,663  $298,862  
    LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY       
    Current liabilities:       
    Accounts payable $11,384  $12,669  
    Accrued liabilities  12,670   15,995  
    Bank loan  13,285   10,411  
    Total current liabilities  37,339   39,075  
    Long-term loan, related party  929     
    Noncurrent operating lease liabilities  2,035   2,374  
    Other long-term liabilities  1,628   1,881  
    Total liabilities  41,931   43,330  
            
    Redeemable noncontrolling interests  50,178   47,563  
            
    Stockholders’ equity:       
    Preferred stock  3,532   3,532  
    Common stock  43   42  
    Additional paid-in capital  230,517   230,381  
    Accumulated deficit  (32,935)  (44,545) 
    Accumulated other comprehensive income  4,583   3,209  
    Total AXT, Inc. stockholders’ equity  205,740   192,619  
    Noncontrolling interests  17,814   15,350  
    Total stockholders’ equity  223,554   207,969  
    Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ equity $315,663  $298,862  


    AXT, INC.
    Reconciliation of Statements of Operations Under GAAP and Non-GAAP
    (Unaudited, in thousands)

                 
         Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
      September 30, September 30,
      2021    2020 2021    2020
    GAAP gross profit $11,501 $8,823 $35,275 $21,113
    Stock compensation expense  188  28  263  83
    Non-GAAP gross profit $11,689 $8,851 $35,538 $21,196
                 
    GAAP operating expenses $9,105 $6,646 $25,412 $19,092
    Stock compensation expense  1,451  619  3,168  1,847
    Non-GAAP operating expenses $7,654 $6,027 $22,244 $17,245
                 
    GAAP income from operations $2,396 $2,177 $9,863 $2,021
    Stock compensation expense  1,639  647  3,431  1,930
    Non-GAAP income from operations $4,035 $2,824 $13,294 $3,951
                 
    GAAP net income $3,800 $991 $11,610 $1,174
    Stock compensation expense  1,639  647  3,431  1,930
    Non-GAAP net income $5,439 $1,638 $15,041 $3,104
                 
    GAAP net income per diluted share $0.09 $0.02 $0.27 $0.03
    Stock compensation expense  0.04  0.02  0.08  0.05
    Non-GAAP net income per diluted share $0.13 $0.04 $0.35 $0.07
                 
    Shares used to compute diluted net income per share  42,678  40,979  42,710  40,688


    Contacts:
                    Gary Fischer
                    Chief Financial Officer
                    (510) 438-4700

                    Leslie Green                
                    Green Communications Consulting, LLC
                    (650) 312-9060


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