Press Release

BROOKFIELD, CT -- (Marketwired) -- 05/18/16 --

• Second quarter sales were $122.9 million, down 3% compared with last year
• Net income of $11.9 million ($0.16 per diluted share) includes net, non-recurring tax benefit of $3.0 million ($0.03 per diluted share)
• FPD sales increased 36% year-over-year, with high-end FPD sales up 66%; investing $40 million through 2017 in additional FPD capacity and capability
• Reduced total debt $60 million and grew net cash $23 million sequentially, providing additional financial strength and flexibility to fund growth
• Third quarter 2016 guidance: sales between $118 and $128 million; diluted EPS between $0.10 and $0.18

Photronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLAB), a worldwide leader in supplying innovative imaging technology solutions for the global electronics industry, today reported financial results for fiscal 2016 second quarter ended May 1, 2016.

Second quarter sales were $122.9 million, down 3% compared with last year and 5% sequentially. Sales of flat panel display (FPD) photomasks were $32.0 million, up 36% compared with last year and 6% sequentially, while sales of integrated circuits (IC) photomasks were $90.9 million, down 12% from the same period last year and 9% from last quarter. Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $11.9 million ($0.16 per diluted share) and included a net, non-recurring tax benefit of $3.0 million ($0.03 per diluted share) primarily related to the recognition of certain tax benefits in Taiwan, compared with $10.1 million ($0.14 per diluted share), for the second quarter of 2015.

"FPD sales remained extremely strong this quarter, as customers continue to release new, innovative products, such as AMOLED displays for mobile applications, and our capacity remains sold out," stated Peter Kirlin, chief executive officer. "Unfortunately, the strong demand for FPD masks was not enough to offset softer IC demand, especially at the high-end, causing overall sales to fall and profit margins to slip. On the positive side, we generated cash from operations and reduced total debt by $60 million, primarily due to the redemption of our convertible debt. Additionally, subsequent to quarter-end, we received the anticipated $93 million payment from Micron for the termination of our JV in early May. With the strong balance sheet and based upon the current and anticipated demand for FPD, we are investing approximately $40 million through 2017 in additional FPD capability and capacity, which should enable sales growth by mid-2017. This is just one example of the type of investments we are planning over the next several years to continue to profitably grow our business."

Year-to-date Results

Year-to-date sales were $252.9 million, up 1% compared with last year. Sales of IC photomasks were down 7%, while sales of FPD photomasks increased 37%. GAAP net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $32.9 million ($0.44 per diluted share), compared with $13.9 million ($0.21 per diluted share) in 2015. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders was $21.1 million ($0.29 per diluted share), compared with $14.8 million ($0.22 per diluted share) in 2015.

Third Quarter 2016 Guidance

Kirlin continued, "Industry data points and customer commentary continue to support increasing IC logic demand for the second half of the year. However, with the termination of our joint venture with Micron earlier this month, we do anticipate lower demand from them. FPD should remain strong as the industry launches new high-end products." For the third quarter of 2016, Photronics expects revenues to be between $118 million and $128 million and net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders to be between $0.10 and $0.18 per diluted share.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders and non-GAAP earnings per share are "non-GAAP financial measures," as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The attached financial supplement reconciles non-GAAP financial information with Photronics, Inc.'s financial results under GAAP. Photronics, Inc. believes that non-GAAP net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders and non-GAAP earnings per share that exclude certain non-cash or non-recurring income or expense items are useful for analysts and investors to evaluate Photronics, Inc.'s future on-going performance because they enable a more meaningful comparison of Photronics, Inc.'s projected earnings and performance with its historical results of prior periods. These non-GAAP metrics, in particular non-GAAP net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders and non-GAAP earnings per share, are not intended to represent funds available for Photronics, Inc.'s discretionary use and are not intended to represent, or be used as a substitute for, operating income, net income or cash flows from operations data as measured under GAAP. The items excluded from these non-GAAP metrics, but included in the calculation of their closest GAAP equivalent, are significant components of the consolidated statements of operations and must be considered in performing a comprehensive assessment of overall financial performance. Non-GAAP financial information is adjusted for the following items:

• Net, non-recurring tax benefit related to the recognition of certain tax benefits in Taiwan
• Non-recurring net gain on sale of investment in fiscal 2016
• Financing expenses in fiscal 2015 related to the exchange of convertible senior notes

The presentation of this financial information should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The attached financial supplement reconciles non-GAAP financial information with Photronics, Inc.'s financial results under GAAP.

Conference Call

A conference call with investors and the media to discuss these results is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The call can be accessed by logging onto Photronics' web site 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' web site for instant replay access.

About Photronics

Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of photomasks. Photomasks are high precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits. A key element in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat panel displays, photomasks are used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel substrates during the fabrication of integrated circuits, a variety of flat panel displays and, to a lesser extent, other types of electrical and optical components. They are produced in accordance with product designs provided by customers at strategically located manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Additional information on the Company can be accessed at www.photronics.com

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Photronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and other parts of Photronics' web site involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, services, prices, and other factors. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, legal, governmental, and technological factors as well as decisions we may make in the future regarding our business, capital structure and other matters. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", and similar expressions. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized. For a fuller discussion of the factors that may affect the Company's operations, see "Forward Looking Statements" in the Company's Quarterly and Annual Reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. The Company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements.

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
				Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
				May 1,				May 3,				May 1,				May 3,
				2016				2015				2016				2015
Net sales				$	122,923			$	127,309			$	252,879			$	250,814
Costs and expenses:
	Cost of sales				(91,636	)			(94,214	)			(186,156	)			(189,535	)
	Selling, general and administrative				(11,024	)			(12,421	)			(23,222	)			(24,365	)
	Research and development				(5,447	)			(5,809	)			(11,148	)			(10,490	)
		Operating income			14,816				14,865				32,353				26,424
Gain on sale of investment					-				-				8,785				-
Other expense, net					(2,989	)			(1,457	)			(2,111	)			(2,740	)
		Income before income taxes			11,827				13,408				39,027				23,684
Income tax benefit (provision)					2,326				(1,252	)			(1,374	)			(4,386	)
		Net income			14,153				12,156				37,653				19,298
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests					(2,299	)			(2,096	)			(4,797	)			(5,401	)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders				$	11,854			$	10,060			$	32,856			$	13,897
Earnings per share:
		Basic		$	0.18			$	0.15			$	0.49			$	0.21
		Diluted		$	0.16			$	0.14			$	0.44			$	0.21
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
		Basic			67,372				66,230				67,090				66,148
		Diluted			77,516				78,228				78,326				72,624

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
				May 1,			November 1,
				2016			2015
Assets
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	193,978		$	205,867
	Accounts receivable				104,330			110,056
	Inventories				24,510			24,157
	Other current assets				24,409			24,034
		Total current assets			347,227			364,114
Property, plant and equipment, net					523,669			547,284
Investment in joint venture					92,911			93,021
Intangible assets, net					22,071			24,616
Other assets					16,030			16,520
				$	1,001,908		$	1,045,555
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term borrowings			$	5,806		$	65,495
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities				108,311			127,197
		Total current liabilities			114,117			192,692
Long-term borrowings					64,419			67,120
Other liabilities					20,600			23,677
Photronics, Inc. shareholders' equity					693,284			646,555
Noncontrolling interests					109,488			115,511
		Total equity			802,772			762,066
				$	1,001,908		$	1,045,555

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
				Six Months Ended
				May 1,				May 3,
				2016				2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income			$	37,653			$	19,298
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
	provided by operating activities:
		Depreciation and amortization			40,832				40,318
		Gain on sale of investment			(8,785	)			-
		Changes in assets and liabilities and other			(4,561	)			(1,709	)
Net cash provided by operating activities					65,139				57,907
Cash flows from investing activities:
		Purchases of property, plant and equipment			(34,928	)			(67,935	)
		Proceeds from sale of investments			8,785				-
		Other			193				(218	)
Net cash used in investing activities					(25,950	)			(68,153	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
		Repayments of long-term borrowings			(54,951	)			(4,751	)
		Proceeds from share-based arrangements			3,046				1,195
		Other			(19	)			(76	)
Net cash used in financing activities					(51,924	)			(3,632	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash					846				(3,001	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents					(11,889	)			(16,879	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period					205,867				192,929
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period				$	193,978			$	176,050

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Information
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
				Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
				May 1,				May 3,			May 1,				May 3,
				2016				2015			2016				2015
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Income
Attributable to Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
GAAP net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders				$	11,854			$	10,060		$	32,856			$	13,897
	(a) Income tax benefit				(3,004	)			-			(3,004	)			-
	(b) Gain on sale of investment, net of tax				-				-			(8,753	)			-
	(c) Financing expenses, net of tax				-				-			-				901
Non-GAAP net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders				$	8,850			$	10,060		$	21,099			$	14,798
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Income
Applicable to Common Shareholders
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
		GAAP			77,516				78,228			78,326				72,624
		Non-GAAP			77,516				78,228			78,326				78,166
Net income per diluted share
		GAAP		$	0.16			$	0.14		$	0.44			$	0.21
		Non-GAAP		$	0.13			$	0.14		$	0.29			$	0.22

(a) Represents net, non-recurring tax benefit related to the recognition of certain tax benefits in Taiwan 

(b) Represents gain on sale of investment in a foreign entity 

(c) Represents financing expenses related to the exchange of $57.5 million of 3.25% convertible senior notes

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Financial Measure
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP EBITDA
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		May 1,				May 3,			May 1,			May 3,
		2016				2015			2016			2015
GAAP Net Income (a)		$	14,153			$	12,156		$	37,653		$	19,298
Add: interest expense			964				1,233			2,138			2,603
Add (less): income tax expense (benefit)			(2,326	)			1,252			1,374			4,386
Add: depreciation and amortization			20,073				19,293			40,530			39,900
Add: special items (b)			976				912			1,873			2,738
Non-GAAP EBITDA		$	33,840			$	34,846		$	83,568		$	68,925

(a) Includes net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, and in the six months ended May 1, 2016 includes gain on sale of investment in a foreign entity

(b) Special items consist of stock compensation expense, and in the six months ended May 3, 2015 includes financing expenses in connection with the exchange of $57.5 million of 3.25% convertible senior notes

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

Source: Photronics, Inc.

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