Nanometrics just reported revenue for the fourth qtr. increased 66% to
$6.9 million vs. $4.2 same qtr. last year. Earnings continued their
acceleration. Net income was $2.5 million, or 0.30/sh on 8.6 million
shares of which $1.3 million was for a favorable income tax adjustment.
Excluding the adjustment, net income was 0.14/sh. vs. (-.03) last year
on 7.4 million shares last year same qtr. For the year ended Dec. 31,
revenue increased 68%. Earnings excluding the favorable tax adjustment
were .37 vs. a loss of .28 last year. The sequential qtr. earnings have
been (-.02), .04, .07, .10, .14 (.30 w fav. tax adj). Good sales &
earnings momentum, relative strength 99. Nanometrics is a leading supplier
of film thickness measurement systems to the global semi industry.
One of their hottest new products is the NanoSpec 8000 system. I like this stock
and I think the earnings momentum will continue because of the strong
acceptance of the 8000 system and the opening of new sales offices in Korea,
Austin, TX, Portland & technical liason in Taiwan. Also, NANO was selected
by Sematech in 1995 to design and build 300 mm wafer diameter metrology
tools and it introduced its first 300 mm system in July 1995, the
NanoSpec 8300. Gross margins also improved to 51% from 42% in the
same qtr. last year. I have been trading NANO and it may be getting
ready to take off again. What do you think about NANO? |
