The semiconductor sector has been hot as of late, and these companies are producing more efficient and powerful products. But at many times, these companies outsource some of their parts for production. That is where our Zacks Bull of the Day comes in, Axcelis Technologies (ACLS - Free Report) .
This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company is a leading producer of ion implantation equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductors. The company also produces dry strip, photostabilization and rapid thermal processing equipment, which is used in semiconductor manufacturing primarily before and after the ion implantation process. In addition, the company provides extensive aftermarket service and support, including spare parts, equipment upgrades, maintenance services and customer training.
Recent Earnings Results
On February 1st, management posted Q4 earnings results where they beat the Zacks consensus earnings estimate, and came in just shy of the Zacks consensus revenue estimate. The company saw sequential gains in revenues +5.6%, operating profit +63.9%, net income +81.2%, and cash, and cash equivalents +7.2%.
Further, the company saw gross margins improve by 220 basis points to a near record level of 37.3%. Management is targeting gross margins of 40% by Q4 17, and they are currently ahead of that goal, one year out. The company has been focused on efficiency and product optimization mix to achieve the 40% gross margin target.
Management’s Take
According to Mary Puma, President and CEO, “2016 was a strong year for the Purion platform as our customer base expanded significantly, and we successfully introduced several new product extensions. We expect 2017 to be the start of a solid up cycle for the industry, with robust implant CAPEX spending, providing Axcelis with substantial opportunities for continued growth."
"I am pleased with our financial performance in 2016. We increased gross margins to 37.3%, up from 33.7% in 2015," said Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Kevin Brewer. "We expect to realize further improvements in gross margin in 2017 with continued focus on supply chain optimization, value engineering and lean programs."
Price and Earnings Consensus Graph
As you can see in the graph below, ACLS’s stock price has been soaring since the middle part of 2016, and their 2017 estimates are rising along with the stock price.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
The semiconductor sector has been hot as of late, and these companies are producing more efficient and powerful products. But at many times, these companies outsource some of their parts for production. That is where our Zacks Bull of the Day comes in, Axcelis Technologies (ACLS - Free Report) .
This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company is a leading producer of ion implantation equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductors. The company also produces dry strip, photostabilization and rapid thermal processing equipment, which is used in semiconductor manufacturing primarily before and after the ion implantation process. In addition, the company provides extensive aftermarket service and support, including spare parts, equipment upgrades, maintenance services and customer training.
Recent Earnings Results
On February 1st, management posted Q4 earnings results where they beat the Zacks consensus earnings estimate, and came in just shy of the Zacks consensus revenue estimate. The company saw sequential gains in revenues +5.6%, operating profit +63.9%, net income +81.2%, and cash, and cash equivalents +7.2%.
Further, the company saw gross margins improve by 220 basis points to a near record level of 37.3%. Management is targeting gross margins of 40% by Q4 17, and they are currently ahead of that goal, one year out. The company has been focused on efficiency and product optimization mix to achieve the 40% gross margin target.
Management’s Take
According to Mary Puma, President and CEO, “2016 was a strong year for the Purion platform as our customer base expanded significantly, and we successfully introduced several new product extensions. We expect 2017 to be the start of a solid up cycle for the industry, with robust implant CAPEX spending, providing Axcelis with substantial opportunities for continued growth."
"I am pleased with our financial performance in 2016. We increased gross margins to 37.3%, up from 33.7% in 2015," said Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Kevin Brewer. "We expect to realize further improvements in gross margin in 2017 with continued focus on supply chain optimization, value engineering and lean programs."
Price and Earnings Consensus Graph
As you can see in the graph below, ACLS’s stock price has been soaring since the middle part of 2016, and their 2017 estimates are rising along with the stock price.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
Get the latest research report on ACLS - FREE