UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

graphic

 Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)
December 5, 2019
 

PHOTRONICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Connecticut
0-15451
06-0854886
(State or Other Jurisdiction of)
Incorporation
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

15 Secor Road, Brookfield, CT
  06804
 (Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code
(203) 775-9000

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
COMMON STOCK, $0.01 par value per share
PLAB
NASDAQ Global Select Market



Item 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On December 11, 2019, Photronics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release reporting fourth quarter fiscal 2019 results.

A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.  The information contained in this Item 2.02 and the attached Exhibits 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, and 99.5, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

On December 11, 2019, the Company will conduct a conference call during which certain unaudited, non-GAAP financial information related to the Company’s operations for the three months ended October 31, 2019 may be disclosed.  This information is set forth in Exhibit 99.5.

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines pursuant to its credit agreement. The Company believes that EBITDA is generally accepted as providing useful information regarding the operational strength and performance of its business, including the ability of the Company to pay interest, service debt and fund capital expenditures. The Company’s method for calculating EBITDA may not be comparable to methods used by other companies but is the same method the Company uses for calculating EBITDA under its credit facility. The Company has included in the press release certain reconciliation information for EBITDA to its most directly comparable financial measure of net income calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP.



Item 5.02.
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Officers; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
 
The Company announced that Eric Rivera, Vice President, Corporate Controller, has been named Principal Accounting Officer effective December 5, 2019.



Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)
Exhibits

 
Press Release dated December 11, 2019.
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
 
Photronics Q4 2019 Financial Results Conference Call December 11, 2019 slides.


SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
PHOTRONICS, INC.
 
(Registrant)
     
 
By: /s/ Richelle E. Burr
 
Name:
Richelle E. Burr
 
Title:
Vice President, General Counsel and
 

Secretary

Date:  December 11, 2019
 



Exhibit 99.1


Press Release

For Further Information:
R. Troy Dewar, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations
(203) 740-5610
tdewar@photronics.com


Photronics Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019 Results
 

Fourth quarter 2019 revenue increased 13% sequentially and 8% year-over-year to $156.3 million, a record overall and for both IC and FPD photomasks
 

Effective cost control and operating leverage at the increased revenue level helped expand operating margin to 13.7%
 

Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $9.7 million, or $0.15 per diluted share
 

Cash provided by operating activities was $48.3 million, resulting in a cash balance of $206.5 million
 

1.0 million shares were repurchased for $11.0 million
 

First quarter 2020 guidance: revenue between $146 and $154 million with diluted EPS between $0.13 and $0.18
 
BROOKFIELD, Conn. December 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Photronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAB), a worldwide leader in photomask technologies and solutions, today reported financial results for its fiscal 2019 fourth quarter ended October 31, 2019.
 
Fourth quarter revenue was $156.3 million, 13% better than the previous quarter and 8% better than the same quarter last year. Integrated circuit (IC) revenue was a record $112.5 million, up 12% sequentially and 1% compared with the fourth quarter of last year. Flat panel display (FPD) revenue of $43.7 million was also a record, up 15% compared with last quarter and 29% compared with the same period last year.
 
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $9.7 million ($0.15 per diluted share), compared with $6.3 million ($0.10 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2019 and $12.5 million ($0.18 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2018.
 
"Fourth quarter revenue was a record for us, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth and propelling us to record annual revenues for the second successive year. Design activity was robust across the majority of our customer base, and we continued to ramp production at two new manufacturing facilities in China,” said Peter Kirlin, chief executive officer. “IC and FPD revenues were both a record. FPD benefited from strong mobile display markets and growing G10.5+ production, and IC saw an acceleration of design activity in China. Gross and operating margins improved sequentially due to high operating leverage and tight cost controls. During the quarter, we resumed our share repurchase activity while also growing our cash balance on strong operating cash generation. 2019 was a great year for Photronics, achieving record revenue, maintaining a strong balance sheet, demonstrating a commitment to return cash to our shareholders, and establishing a solid manufacturing presence in the rapidly growing China market. We are well positioned to build on this strength in 2020 and beyond.”
 

First Quarter 2020 Guidance
 
For the first quarter of 2020, Photronics expects revenue to be between $146 million and $154 million, and net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders to be between $0.13 and $0.18 per diluted share.
 
Conference Call
 
A conference call to discuss these results is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. The call can be accessed by logging onto Photronics' website at www.photronics.com.  The live dial-in number is (877) 377-7095 or (408) 774-4601 outside of the United States and Canada. The call will be archived on Photronics’ website for instant replay access.
 
About Photronics
 
Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of integrated circuit (IC) and flat panel display (FPD) photomasks. High precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits, photomasks are a key element in the IC and FPD manufacturing process. Founded in 1969, Photronics has been a trusted photomask supplier for 50 years. As of October 31, 2019, the company had 1,775 employees. The company has 11 strategically located manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Additional information on the company can be accessed at www.photronics.com.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company and its subsidiaries. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Photronics to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans,” “may increase,” “may fluctuate,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” or similar words or expressions are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Any statements that refer to outlook, expectations or other characterizations of future events, circumstances or results, including all statements related to the operation or effects of the Section 382 Rights Plan and to the use of NOLs to offset future taxable income, are also forward-looking statements. Important risks, assumptions and other important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are specified in Photronics’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2018 and its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 28, 2019 under headings such as “Forward-Looking Statements”, “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in other filings and furnishings made by Photronics with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, legal, governmental, political, and technological factors as well as decisions we may make in the future regarding our business, capital structure and other matters. Photronics undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events. There is no assurance that Photronics’ expectations will be realized.
 



Exhibit 99.2

PHOTRONICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
October 31,
2019
   
July 28,
2019
   
October 31,
2018
   
October 31,
2019
   
October 31,
2018
 
                               
Revenue
 
$
156,257
   
$
138,112
   
$
144,660
   
$
550,660
   
$
535,276
 
                                         
Cost of goods sold
   
118,098
     
107,542
     
109,236
     
429,819
     
403,773
 
                                         
Gross profit
   
38,159
     
30,570
     
35,424
     
120,841
     
131,503
 
                                         
Operating Expenses:
                                       
                                         
Selling, general and administrative
   
12,140
     
13,124
     
13,504
     
52,326
     
51,395
 
                                         
Research and development
   
4,543
     
4,046
     
3,906
     
16,394
     
14,481
 
                                         
Total Operating Expenses
   
16,683
     
17,170
     
17,410
     
68,720
     
65,876
 
                                         
Operating income
   
21,476
     
13,400
     
18,014
     
52,121
     
65,627
 
                                         
Other (expense) income, net
   
(6,111
)
   
(348
)
   
2,307
     
(1,420
)
   
2,944
 
                                         
Income before income taxes
   
15,365
     
13,052
     
20,321
     
50,701
     
68,571
 
                                         
Income tax provision
   
2,327
     
3,218
     
3,552
     
10,210
     
7,335
 
                                         
Net income
   
13,038
     
9,834
     
16,769
     
40,491
     
61,236
 
                                         
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
3,338
     
3,487
     
4,282
     
10,698
     
19,181
 
                                         
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders
 
$
9,700
   
$
6,347
   
$
12,487
   
$
29,793
   
$
42,055
 
                                         
Earnings per share:
                                       
                                         
Basic
 
$
0.15
   
$
0.10
   
$
0.18
   
$
0.45
   
$
0.61
 
                                         
Diluted
 
$
0.15
   
$
0.10
   
$
0.18
   
$
0.44
   
$
0.59
 
                                         
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
                                       
                                         
Basic
   
66,230
     
66,313
     
67,894
     
66,347
     
68,829
 
                                         
Diluted
   
66,862
     
66,570
     
73,921
     
69,155
     
74,821
 




Exhibit 99.3

PHOTRONICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)


 
  
October 31,
2019
     
October 31,
2018
  
Assets
           
             
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
206,530
   
$
329,277
 
Accounts receivable
   
134,454
     
120,515
 
Inventories
   
48,155
     
29,180
 
Other current assets
   
49,634
     
23,759
 
                 
Total current assets
   
438,773
     
502,731
 
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
621,195
     
571,781
 
Intangible assets, net
   
7,870
     
12,368
 
Other assets
   
50,827
     
23,129
 
                 
Total assets
 
$
1,118,665
   
$
1,110,009
 
                 
Liabilities and Equity
               
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Debt
 
$
10,873
   
$
57,453
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
141,081
     
133,623
 
                 
Total current liabilities
   
151,954
     
191,076
 
                 
Long-term debt
   
41,887
     
-
 
Other liabilities
   
13,732
     
14,364
 
                 
Photronics, Inc. shareholders' equity
   
769,892
     
759,671
 
Noncontrolling interests
   
141,200
     
144,898
 
Total equity
   
911,092
     
904,569
 
                 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
1,118,665
   
$
1,110,009
 




Exhibit 99.4

PHOTRONICS,  INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)


 
Year Ended
 
   
October 31,
2019
   
October 31,
2018
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
 
$
40,491
   
$
61,236
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
83,879
     
84,333
 
Share-based compensation
   
3,680
     
3,180
 
Changes in operating assets, liabilities and other
   
(56,210
)
   
(18,182
)
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
71,840
     
130,567
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
   
(177,191
)
   
(92,585
)
Government incentives
   
22,364
     
1,005
 
Other
   
(33
)
   
711
 
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(154,860
)
   
(90,869
)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from debt
   
54,633
     
-
 
Contribution from noncontrolling interest
   
29,394
     
17,996
 
Repayments of debt
   
(61,319
)
   
(4,639
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
   
(45,050
)
   
(8,166
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(21,696
)
   
(23,111
)
Proceeds from share-based arrangements
   
2,071
     
4,634
 
Other
   
(92
)
   
(519
)
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(42,059
)
   
(13,805
)
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
   
2,381
     
(4,840
)
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
   
(122,698
)
   
21,053
 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period
   
331,989
     
310,936
 
                 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period
 
$
209,291
   
$
331,989
 




Exhibit 99.5

 Photronics, Inc.  Q4 2019 Financial Results Conference CallDecember 11, 2019 
 

 Safe Harbor Statement  2  This presentation and some of our comments may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events, our future financial performance, and/or the future performance of the industry. These statements are predictions, and contain risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those presented. These statements include words like “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “may”, “plan”, “project”, “in our view” or the negative thereto. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of any forecasts or estimates, and we are not obligated to update any forward-looking statements if our expectations change. If you would like more information on the risks involved in forward-looking statements, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 
 

 Record revenue, up 13% Q/Q and 8% Y/YRecord FPD revenue driven by mobile displays and Hefei production rampRecord IC revenue as China design activity acceleratesRecord revenue of products shipped to China, representing 33% of total revenueOperating margin expanded to 13.7% on operating leverage and cost controlNet income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders of $9.7M ($0.15/share)Cash balance grew to $207M on strong operating cash flowRepurchased 1.0M shares for $11MChina production contributed $11M to revenue  Q4 2019 Summary  3  Successfully repositioned the business; China investments driving long-term, profitable growth 
 

 $M (except EPS)  Q419  Q319  Q/Q  Q418  Y/Y  Revenue  $ 156.3  $ 138.1  13%  $ 144.7  8%  Gross Profit  $ 38.2  $ 30.6  25%  $ 35.4  8%  Gross Margin  24.4%  22.1%  230 bps  24.5%  (10 bps)  Operating Income  $ 21.5  $ 13.4  60%  $ 18.0  19%  Operating Margin  13.7%  9.7%  400 bps  12.5%  120 bps  Other income (expense)  ($ 6.1)  ($ 0.3)  ($ 5.8)  $ 2.3  ($ 8.4)  Income tax provision  $ 2.3  $ 3.2  ($ 0.9)  $ 3.6  ($ 1.2)  Minority interest  $ 3.3  $ 3.5  ($ 0.1)  $ 4.3  ($ 0.9)  Net Income*  $ 9.7  $ 6.3  53%  $ 12.5  (22%)  Diluted EPS*  $ 0.15  $ 0.10  $ 0.05  $ 0.18  ($ 0.03)  Days in quarter  95  91  4  94  1  Gross and operating margin improved Q/Q on revenue growth, operating leverage and cost controlsChina operations were $4.1M negative impact to operating incomeOther income/expense primarily attributable to FX gain/lossMinority interest reflects Taiwan JV gain partially offset by China JV loss  Income Statement Summary  4  *Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders 
 

 Revenue grew with increase in broad-based design activityChina revenue rebounded as firms accelerate product development+72% Q/Q; +32% Y/YRepresents 22% of Q419 IC revenueOutlookExpect stable to improving high-end demandAnticipate production ramping in XiamenPotential impact from US-China trade discussionsSeasonal headwinds  $M  Q419  Q319  Q/Q  Q418  Y/Y  High-End*  $ 45.0  $ 38.5  17%  $ 39.4  14%  Mainstream  $ 67.6  $ 61.7  9%   $ 71.4  (5%)  Total  $ 112.5  $ 100.2  12%  $ 110.9  1%  IC Photomask Revenue  5  *28nm and smaller  Total may differ due to rounding 
 

 Record FPD revenue driven by mobile displays and China production ramp, including G10.5+China revenue +32% Q/Q; +118% Y/YRepresents 61% of Q419 FPD revenueOutlookMobile display demand expected to remain highLCD industry downturn continuesHefei shipments should continue to ramp  $M  Q419  Q319  Q/Q  Q418  Y/Y  High-End*  $ 28.5  $ 25.9  10%  $ 22.0  29%  Mainstream  $ 15.2  $ 12.0  27%  $ 11.8  30%  Total  $ 43.7  $ 37.9  15%  $ 33.8  29%  FPD Photomask Revenue  6  *≥G8 and AMOLED  Total may differ due to rounding 
 

 $M  Q419  Q319  Q418  Cash  $ 207  $ 197  $ 329  Debt  $ 53  $ 49  $ 57  Net Cash*  $ 154  $ 148  $ 272  Operating Cash Flow  $ 48  $ 26  $ 44  Capital Expenditures  $ 17  $ 20  $ 28  Share repurchase  $ 11  -  $ 16  Deploying cash balance to fund China investmentsDebt is local China borrowing to finance fixed assetsFY 2019 capex $177M; anticipate FY 2020 capex ~ $100M (includes 2019 carryover)Repurchased 1.0M shares for $11M (YTD 2.1M shares for $22M)Balance sheet able to fund planned investments, share repurchases, and strategic M&A opportunities  Select Financial Data  7  *Net cash defined as cash and cash equivalents less long-term borrowings (including current portion), as reported in accordance with GAAP 
 

 Revenue ($M)  $146 - $154  Operating Margin  10% - 13%  Taxes ($M)  $3.5 - $4.5  EPS  $0.13 - $0.18  Diluted Shares (M)  ~66  FPD demand growing (AMOLED, G10.5+)High-end IC markets stable to improvingRamping China production (IC & FPD)Potential geopolitical headwindTypical seasonal softness in US and Europe, plus additional impact from Chinese New Year  Q120 Guidance   8 
 

 Thank you for your interest!  For Additional Information:R. Troy Dewar, CFAVice President, Investor Relations203.740.5610tdewar@photronics.com  
 

 Appendix 
 

 Total Revenue  11      IC  FPD 
 

 IC Photomask Revenue  12      Mainstream  High-End  High-End: 28nm and smaller; total may differ due to rounding 
 

 FPD Photomask Revenue  13      Mainstream  High-End  High-End: ≥G8 and AMOLED; total may differ due to rounding