News out today. Breakeven quarter on apparent cost cutting.
I've had a small position in this stock for a long time, and am pleased now to realize it is in profit. The stock I held in my taxable account was sold along the way to recognize a tax loss. Now I wonder why I still hold it in my IRA.
SemiBull I know you follow this stock closely. Where do you see it going? Is copper ever going to be big? Do you have a major position in it?
Dow Jones Business News
Semitool Swung to 1st-Quarter Profit
Tuesday January 20, 11:15 am ET
KALISPELL, Mont. (Dow Jones)--Semitool Inc. (NasdaqNM:SMTL - News) swung to a first-quarter profit as cost cutting, increasing orders and an improving semiconductor industry boosted the bottom line.
The maker of equipment used to make semiconductors earned $738,000, or 3 cents a share, topping a Thomson First Call (News - Websites) projected loss of 2 cents a share based on a survey of four analysts.
A year earlier, the company reported a loss of $2.4 million, or 8 cents a share.
Net sales fell 5.5% to $28.6 million from $30.3 million.
In a press release Tuesday, Semitool also said it expects second-quarter earnings of 1 cent to 3 cents a share on revenue of $27 million to $30 million a share. Shipments are expected to range between $41 million and $44 million.
First Call projects second-quarter earnings of 3 cents a share on revenue of $ 32 million. A year earlier, the company posted a loss of $2.52 million, or 9 cents a share.
Shares of Semitool recently traded at $13.30, up 78 cents, or 6.2%.
Semitool Inc. - Kalispell, Mont.
1st Quar Dec. 31:
2003 2002
Sales $28,635,000 $30,291,000
Net income 738,000 (2,400,000)
Avg shrs (diluted) 28,974,000 28,428,000
Shr earns
Net income .03 (.08) |
