Veeco Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2018 Financial Results


Fourth Quarter 2018 Highlights:

  • Revenues of $99.0 million, compared with $139.7 million in the same period last year
  • GAAP net loss of $144.7 million, or $3.11 loss per diluted share
  • Non-GAAP net loss of $7.5 million, or $0.16 loss per diluted share

PLAINVIEW, N.Y., Feb. 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Results are reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and are also reported adjusting for certain items (“Non-GAAP”). A reconciliation between GAAP and Non-GAAP operating results is provided at the end of this press release. 

 
U.S. Dollars in millions, except per share data
 
  4th Quarter Full Year
GAAP Results Q4 '18 Q4 '17 2018  2017 
Revenue $99.0  $139.7  $542.1  $475.7 
Net income (loss) $(144.7) $(8.5) $(407.1) $(51.4)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $(3.11) $(0.18) $(8.63) $(1.16)


             
  4th Quarter Full Year
Non-GAAP Results Q4 '18 Q4 '17 2018 2017
Net income (loss) $(7.5) $6.0 $14.2 $16.8
Operating income (loss) $(6.9) $7.3 $23.2 $23.2
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $(0.16) $0.13 $0.30 $0.38
              

Based on a reduction in Veeco’s stock price during the fourth quarter, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $123 million for GAAP results.  This is a non-cash charge and does not affect liquidity, day to day operations or Non-GAAP results of the company. 

"Commoditization of the MOCVD market for LEDs in China has reduced our revenue significantly, and is reflected in our fourth quarter results,” commented William J. Miller, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer.  “However, we are excited about our future as we see order activity in leading edge, Front-End Semiconductor and exciting growth opportunities in Compound Semiconductor and Advanced Packaging.”

Guidance and Outlook

The following guidance is provided for Veeco’s first quarter 2019:

  • Revenue is expected in the range of $85 million to $105 million
  • Non-GAAP operating income (loss) is expected in the range of ($12) million to ($3) million
  • GAAP earnings (loss) per share are expected in the range of ($0.59) to ($0.39)
  • Non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share are expected in the range of ($0.30) to ($0.10)

Please refer to the tables at the end of this press release for further details.

Conference Call Information

A conference call reviewing these results has been scheduled for today, February 11, 2019 starting at 5:00pm ET. To join the call, dial 1-800-239-9838 (toll free) or 1-929-477-0448 and use passcode 8815152. Participants may also access a live webcast of the call by visiting the investor relations section of Veeco's website at ir.veeco.com. A replay of the webcast will be made available on the Veeco website beginning at 8:00pm ET this evening. We will post an accompanying slide presentation to our website prior to the beginning of the call.

New Accounting Standard

The Company adopted the new accounting standard, ASC 606, related to revenue recognition, effective January 1, 2018. The prior periods presented here have been recast to reflect the adoption of this new standard.

About Veeco

Veeco (NASDAQ: VECO) is a leading manufacturer of innovative semiconductor process equipment. Our proven MOCVD, lithography, laser annealing, ion beam and single wafer etch & clean technologies play an integral role in producing LEDs for solid-state lighting and displays, and in the fabrication of advanced semiconductor devices. With equipment designed to maximize performance, yield and cost of ownership, Veeco holds technology leadership positions in all these served markets. To learn more about Veeco's innovative equipment and services, visit www.veeco.com.

Forward-looking Statements

To the extent that this news release discusses expectations or otherwise makes statements about the future, such statements are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include the risks discussed in the Business Description and Management's Discussion and Analysis sections of Veeco's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and press releases. Veeco does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

-financial tables attached-

Veeco Contacts:

Investors:
Anthony Bencivenga 516-677-0200 x1272
abencivenga@veeco.com 

Media:
David Pinto 408-325-6157
dpinto@veeco.com            


Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

              
  Three months ended December 31,  Year ended December 31,  
  2018  2017  2018  2017  
Net sales $98,972  $139,661  $542,082  $475,686  
Cost of sales  63,713   84,309   348,363   299,458  
Gross profit  35,259   55,352   193,719   176,228  
Operating expenses, net:             
Research and development  24,962   24,318   97,755   81,987  
Selling, general, and administrative  21,218   28,675   92,060   100,250  
Amortization of intangible assets  4,249   13,753   32,351   35,475  
Restructuring  887   2,246   8,556   11,851  
Acquisition costs  53   1,510   2,959   17,786  
Asset impairment  122,829      375,172   1,139  
Other, net  42   (165)  368   (392) 
Total operating expenses, net  174,240   70,337   609,221   248,096  
Operating income (loss)  (138,981)  (14,985)  (415,502)  (71,868) 
Interest expense, net  (4,485)  (4,753)  (18,332)  (17,122) 
Income (loss) before income taxes  (143,466)  (19,738)  (433,834)  (88,990) 
Income tax expense (benefit)  1,208   (11,259)  (26,746)  (37,594) 
Net income (loss) $(144,674) $(8,479) $(407,088) $(51,396) 
              
Income (loss) per common share:             
Basic $(3.11) $(0.18) $(8.63) $(1.16) 
Diluted $(3.11) $(0.18) $(8.63) $(1.16) 
              
Weighted average number of shares:             
Basic  46,551   47,037   47,151   44,174  
Diluted  46,551   47,037   47,151   44,174  
                  
                  

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

       
  December 31,  December 31,
  2018 2017
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $212,273 $279,736
Restricted cash  809  847
Short-term investments  48,189  47,780
Accounts receivable, net  66,808  98,866
Contract assets  10,397  160
Inventories  156,311  120,266
Deferred cost of sales  3,072  15,994
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  22,221  33,437
Total current assets  520,080  597,086
Property, plant and equipment, net  80,284  85,058
Intangible assets, net  85,149  369,843
Goodwill  184,302  307,131
Deferred income taxes  1,869  3,047
Other assets  29,132  25,310
Total assets $900,816 $1,387,475
       
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $39,611 $50,318
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  46,450  58,068
Customer deposits and deferred revenue  72,736  112,032
Income taxes payable  1,256  3,846
Total current liabilities  160,053  224,264
Deferred income taxes  5,690  36,845
Long-term debt  287,392  275,630
Other liabilities  9,906  10,643
Total liabilities  463,041  547,382
       
Total stockholders’ equity  437,775  840,093
       
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $900,816 $1,387,475
       
       

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Data

(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

             
     Non-GAAP Adjustments   
             
     Share-Based       
Three months ended December 31, 2018 GAAP Compensation Amortization Other Non-GAAP
Net sales $98,972        $98,972 
Gross profit  35,259  282    134   35,675 
Gross margin  35.6%        36.0%
Research and development  24,962  (883)      24,079 
Selling, general, and administrative and Other, net  21,260  (2,024)   (723)  18,513 
Net income (loss)  (144,674) 3,353  4,249 129,532   (7,540)
             
Income (loss) per common share:            
Basic $(3.11)       $(0.16)
Diluted  (3.11)        (0.16)
Weighted average number of shares:            
Basic  46,551         46,551 
Diluted  46,551         46,551 
               
               

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Other Non-GAAP Adjustments
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

   
Three months ended December 31, 2018  
Restructuring 722
Acquisition related 53
Release of inventory fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting 70
Depreciation of PP&E fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting 190
Accelerated depreciation 597
Asset impairment 122,829
Non-cash interest expense 3,023
Non-GAAP tax adjustment * 2,048
Total Other 129,532
___________________________
*  - The ‘with or without’ method is utilized to determine the income tax effect of all Non-GAAP adjustments.
  
   

These tables include financial measures adjusted for the impact of certain items; these financial measures are therefore not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP financial measures exclude items such as: share-based compensation expense; charges relating to restructuring initiatives; non-cash asset impairments; certain other non-operating gains and losses; and acquisition-related items such as transaction costs, non-cash amortization of acquired intangible assets, incremental transaction-related compensation, and certain integration costs.

These Non-GAAP financial measures may be different from Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. By excluding these items, Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to facilitate meaningful comparisons to historical operating results, competitors’ operating results, and estimates made by securities analysts. Management is evaluated on key performance metrics including Non-GAAP Operating Income (loss), which is used to determine management incentive compensation as well as to forecast future periods. These Non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency of supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. In addition, similar Non-GAAP financial measures have historically been reported to investors; the inclusion of comparable numbers provides consistency in financial reporting. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measures used in this news release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Data
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

              
     Non-GAAP Adjustments    
              
     Share-based       
Three months ended December 31, 2017  GAAP Compensation Amortization Other Non-GAAP 
Net sales $139,661        $139,661 
Gross profit  55,352  607    537   56,496 
Gross margin  39.6%        40.5%
Research and development  24,318  (971)      23,347 
Selling, general, and administrative and Other, net  28,510  (2,668)   (196)  25,646 
Net income (loss)  (8,479) 4,220  13,753 (3,460)  6,034 
              
Income (loss) per common share:             
Basic $(0.18)       $0.13 
Diluted  (0.18)        0.13 
Weighted average number of shares:             
Basic  47,037         47,109 
Diluted  47,037         47,208 
               

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Other Non-GAAP Adjustments
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

   
Three months ended December 31, 2017  
Restructuring 2,073 
Acquisition related 1,510 
Release of inventory fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting 440 
Depreciation of PP&E fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting 293 
Non-cash interest expense 2,805 
Non-GAAP tax adjustment * (10,581)
Total Other (3,460)
___________________________
*  - The ‘with or without’ method is utilized to determine the income tax effect of all Non-GAAP adjustments, as well as the exclusion of certain tax benefits attributed to the change in U.S. tax laws.
    

These tables include financial measures adjusted for the impact of certain items; these financial measures are therefore not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP financial measures exclude items such as: share-based compensation expense; charges relating to restructuring initiatives; non-cash asset impairments; certain other non-operating gains and losses; and acquisition-related items such as transaction costs, non-cash amortization of acquired intangible assets, incremental transaction-related compensation, and certain integration costs.

These Non-GAAP financial measures may be different from Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. By excluding these items, Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to facilitate meaningful comparisons to historical operating results, competitors’ operating results, and estimates made by securities analysts. Management is evaluated on key performance metrics including Non-GAAP Operating Income (loss), which is used to determine management incentive compensation as well as to forecast future periods. These Non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency of supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. In addition, similar Non-GAAP financial measures have historically been reported to investors; the inclusion of comparable numbers provides consistency in financial reporting. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measures used in this news release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (loss) to Non-GAAP Operating Income (loss)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

       
  Three months ended  Three months ended
  December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
GAAP Net income (loss) $(144,674) $(8,479)
Share-based compensation  3,353   4,220 
Amortization  4,249   13,753 
Restructuring  722   2,073 
Acquisition related  53   1,510 
Release of inventory fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting  70   440 
Depreciation of PP&E fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting  190   293 
Accelerated depreciation  597    
Asset impairment  122,829    
Interest (income) expense  4,485   4,753 
Income tax expense (benefit)  1,208   (11,259)
Non-GAAP Operating income (loss) $(6,918) $7,304 
         

This table includes financial measures adjusted for the impact of certain items; these financial measures are therefore not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP financial measures exclude items such as: share-based compensation expense; charges relating to restructuring initiatives; non-cash asset impairments; certain other non-operating gains and losses; and acquisition-related items such as transaction costs, non-cash amortization of acquired intangible assets, incremental transaction-related compensation, and certain integration costs.

These Non-GAAP financial measures may be different from Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. By excluding these items, Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to facilitate meaningful comparisons to historical operating results, competitors’ operating results, and estimates made by securities analysts. Management is evaluated on key performance metrics including Non-GAAP Operating Income (loss), which is used to determine management incentive compensation as well as to forecast future periods. These Non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency of supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. In addition, similar Non-GAAP financial measures have historically been reported to investors; the inclusion of comparable numbers provides consistency in financial reporting. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measures used in this news release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.


Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Data
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

              
     Non-GAAP Adjustments    
              
     Share-based       
For the year ended December 31, 2018  GAAP Compensation Amortization Other Non-GAAP 
Net sales $542,082        $542,082 
Gross profit  193,719  1,885    2,849   198,453 
Gross margin  35.7%        36.6%
Research and development  97,755  (3,611)      94,144 
Selling, general, and administrative and Other  92,428  (9,417)   (1,863)  81,148 
Net income (loss)  (407,088) 16,074  32,351 372,862   14,199 
              
Income (loss) per common share:             
Basic $(8.63)       $0.30 
Diluted  (8.63)        0.30 
Weighted average number of shares:             
Basic  47,151         47,171 
Diluted  47,151         47,199 
               

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Other Non-GAAP Adjustments
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

   
For the year ended December 31, 2018  
Restructuring 7,395 
Acquisition related 2,959 
Release of inventory fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting 2,516 
Depreciation of PP&E fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting 1,011 
Accelerated depreciation 1,184 
Asset impairment 375,172 
Non-cash interest expense 11,762 
Non-GAAP tax adjustment * (29,137)
Total Other 372,862 
___________________________
*  - The 'with or without' method is utilized to determine the income tax effect of all non-GAAP adjustments.
   
    

These tables include financial measures adjusted for the impact of certain items; these financial measures are therefore not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP financial measures exclude items such as: share-based compensation expense; charges relating to restructuring initiatives; non-cash asset impairments; certain other non-operating gains and losses; and acquisition-related items such as transaction costs, non-cash amortization of acquired intangible assets, and incremental transaction-related compensation.

These Non-GAAP financial measures may be different from Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. By excluding these items, Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to facilitate meaningful comparisons to historical operating results, competitors' operating results, and estimates made by securities analysts. Management is evaluated on key performance metrics including Non-GAAP Operating Income (loss), which is used to determine management incentive compensation as well as to forecast future periods. These Non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency of supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. In addition, similar Non-GAAP financial measures have historically been reported to investors; the inclusion of comparable numbers provides consistency in financial reporting. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measures used in this news release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.


Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Data
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

              
     Non-GAAP Adjustments    
              
     Share-based       
For the year ended December 31, 2017  GAAP Compensation Amortization Other Non-GAAP 
Net sales $475,686        $475,686 
Gross profit  176,228  2,505    10,075   188,808 
Gross margin  37.0%        39.7%
Research and development  81,987  (2,957)      79,030 
Selling, general, and administrative and Other  99,858  (12,851)   (466)  86,541 
Net income (loss)  (51,396) 24,396  35,475 8,368   16,843 
              
Income (loss) per common share:             
Basic $(1.16)       $0.38 
Diluted  (1.16)        0.38 
Weighted average number of shares:             
Basic  44,174         44,247 
Diluted  44,174         44,486 
              

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Other Non-GAAP Adjustments
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

   
For the year ended December 31, 2017  
Restructuring  9,971 
Acquisition related  13,583 
Release of inventory fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting  9,664 
Depreciation of PP&E fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting  695 
Accelerated depreciation  180 
Asset impairment  1,139 
Non-cash interest expense  10,446 
Non-GAAP tax adjustment *  (37,310)
Total Other  8,368 
__________________________
*  The 'with or without' method is utilized to determine the income tax effect of all Non-GAAP adjustments, as well as the exclusion of certain tax benefits attributed to the change in U.S. tax laws and the release of FIN48 reserves.
   
    

These tables include financial measures adjusted for the impact of certain items; these financial measures are therefore not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP financial measures exclude items such as: share-based compensation expense; charges relating to restructuring initiatives; non-cash asset impairments; certain other non-operating gains and losses; and acquisition-related items such as transaction costs, non-cash amortization of acquired intangible assets, and incremental transaction-related compensation.

These Non-GAAP financial measures may be different from Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. By excluding these items, Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to facilitate meaningful comparisons to historical operating results, competitors' operating results, and estimates made by securities analysts. Management is evaluated on key performance metrics including Non-GAAP Operating Income (loss), which is used to determine management incentive compensation as well as to forecast future periods. These Non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency of supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. In addition, similar Non-GAAP financial measures have historically been reported to investors; the inclusion of comparable numbers provides consistency in financial reporting. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measures used in this news release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (loss) to Non-GAAP Operating Income (loss)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

       
  Year ended  Year ended
  December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
GAAP Net income (loss) $(407,088) $(51,396)
Share-based compensation  16,074   24,396 
Amortization  32,351   35,475 
Restructuring  7,395   9,971 
Acquisition related  2,959   13,583 
Release of inventory fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting  2,516   9,664 
Depreciation of PP&E fair value step-up associated with the Ultratech purchase accounting  1,011   695 
Accelerated depreciation  1,184   180 
Asset impairment  375,172   1,139 
Interest (income) expense  18,332   17,122 
Income tax expense (benefit)  (26,746)  (37,594)
Non-GAAP Operating income (loss) $23,160  $23,235 
         

This table includes financial measures adjusted for the impact of certain items; these financial measures are therefore not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP financial measures exclude items such as: share-based compensation expense; charges relating to restructuring initiatives; non-cash asset impairments; certain other non-operating gains and losses; and acquisition-related items such as transaction costs, non-cash amortization of acquired intangible assets, and incremental transaction-related compensation.

These Non-GAAP financial measures may be different from Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. By excluding these items, Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to facilitate meaningful comparisons to historical operating results, competitors' operating results, and estimates made by securities analysts. Management is evaluated on key performance metrics including Non-GAAP Operating Income (loss), which is used to determine management incentive compensation as well as to forecast future periods. These Non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency of supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. In addition, similar Non-GAAP financial measures have historically been reported to investors; the inclusion of comparable numbers provides consistency in financial reporting. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measures used in this news release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.


Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Data
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

                       
          Non-GAAP Adjustments        
                       
          Share-based            
Guidance for the three months ending March 31, 2019 GAAP Compensation Amortization  Other  Non-GAAP
Net sales $85  - $105        $85  - $105 
                       
Gross profit  28  -  37  1    29  -  38 
Gross margin  33% -  35%        34% -  36%
                       
Net income (loss) $(28) - $(19) 4 4 6 $(14) - $(5)
                       
Income (loss) per diluted common share $(0.59) - $(0.39)       $(0.30) - $(0.10)
Weighted average number of shares  47     47         47     47 
                           

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (loss) to Non-GAAP Operating Income (Loss)
(in millions)
(unaudited)

         
Guidance for the three months ending March 31, 2019        
GAAP Net income (loss) $(28) - $(19)
Share-based compensation  4  -  4 
Amortization  4  -  4 
Restructuring  2  -  2 
Interest expense, net  4  -  4 
Income tax expense (benefit)  1  -  1 
Other  1  -  1 
Non-GAAP Operating income (loss) $(12) - $(3)

Note: Amounts may not calculate precisely due to rounding.

These tables include financial measures adjusted for the impact of certain items; these financial measures are therefore not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP financial measures exclude items such as: share-based compensation expense; charges relating to restructuring initiatives; non-cash asset impairments; certain other non-operating gains and losses; and acquisition-related items such as transaction costs, non-cash amortization of acquired intangible assets, incremental transaction-related compensation, and certain integration costs.

These Non-GAAP financial measures may be different from Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. By excluding these items, Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to facilitate meaningful comparisons to historical operating results, competitors’ operating results, and estimates made by securities analysts. Management is evaluated on key performance metrics including Non-GAAP Operating Income (loss), which is used to determine management incentive compensation as well as to forecast future periods. These Non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency of supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. In addition, similar Non-GAAP financial measures have historically been reported to investors; the inclusion of comparable numbers provides consistency in financial reporting. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measures used in this news release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.