FormFactor Inc. (NASDAQ:FORM) reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of 22 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. The figure increased 4.8% sequentially but decreased 15.4% year over year.
Moreover, revenues increased 4.2% from the year-ago quarter and 1.9% sequentially to $140.6 million. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $142 million. The figure was within the company’s guided range of $137-$145 million.
The sequential increase was driven by strong demand in both DRAM and Flash applications, partially offset by a moderate reduction in Foundry & Logic. However, memory spending remained weak in the reported quarter.
Quarter Details
Probe card segment revenues were $116.4 million in the third quarter, up 2.5% from the second quarter.
Within the probe card segment, Foundry & Logic sales (accounting for 49% of its total revenues) decreased 6% on a sequential basis to $68.4 million.
Revenues for DRAM products (28% of revenues) were $39.4 million, up $3.4 million from the second quarter.
Flash revenues were $8.3 million, up on a sequential basis. Almost $5.6 million of the flash revenues were from NAND flash applications.
Systems revenues in the third quarter were $24.2 million, flat sequentially.
FormFactor, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Operating Details
On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin contracted 30 basis points (bps) year over year and 80 bps sequentially to 43.5%. The sequential decrease was due to a less favorable product mix, partially offset by better factory utilization.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were $39 million in the third quarter, up $1.4 million from the second quarter. The increase was due to higher R&D investments.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
At the end of the third quarter, cash and cash equivalents, as well as marketable securities were $199.97 million compared with $176.9 million in the second quarter.
Cash flow from operations was $28 million in the third quarter. Free cash flow was $25.6 million, down from $29.9 million in the second quarter.
Guidance
FormFactor expects fourth-quarter 2019 revenues between $145 million and $155 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is currently pegged at $138.03 million.
On a non-GAAP basis, the company projects gross margin within 42-46% and earnings in the band of 22-30 cents per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share is pegged at 21 cents.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Currently, FormFactor carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector include Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI) , Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) . While Itron sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Booking Holdings and Advanced Micro carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Long-term earnings growth for Itron, Booking Holdings and Advanced Microis currently projected at 25%, 13.08% and 23.61%, respectively.
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FormFactor, Inc. (FORM): Free Stock Analysis Report
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD): Free Stock Analysis Report
Itron, Inc. (ITRI): Free Stock Analysis Report
Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG): Free Stock Analysis Report
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