Kulicke & Soffa Reports First Fiscal Quarter Results Thursday January 27, 7:00 am ET 
  WILLOW GROVE, PA--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 27, 2005 -- Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. (NasdaqNM:KLIC - News) today announced financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004.   Net revenue for the first quarter ended December 31, 2004 was $116.3 million compared to $153.9 million in the comparable year-ago quarter. The net loss was $7.2 million or a loss of $0.14 per diluted share versus net income for the year-ago quarter of $0.7 million or $0.01 per diluted share. Included in the results for the December 2004 quarter is a gain on the sale of assets of $1.9 million.
  Scott Kulicke, chairman and chief executive officer, stated, "Current levels of business are consistent with our previously announced view that the industry may be settling into the trough of the cycle. We expect March quarter revenue to be in the $105 to $125 million range."
  First Quarter Review and Highlights
  Technology & Manufacturing
  --  The Advanced Vertical Test R&D group completed its proof of concept     milestones for memory and logic probe components. The group pushed out its     initial shipment dates to customers and is now working to resolve some     production scaling issues. This work consists of optimizing assembly     processes/procedures for the first multi-DUT memory probe cards, as well as     the first area array probe cards for logic devices.
  --  The K&S China facility increased its cantilever production capacity     and shipments again in the first quarter by 16%. This product line     continues to shift manufacturing capacity to China, while the Company     ceases manufacturing operations at some U.S. and European sites.
  --  The K&S wire bonder R&D group completed the milestones that are     required to begin building the new Maxum Ultra machines for testing at     customer sites.  We expect the new machine will be both faster and more     process-capable than the current Maxum Plus model. We expect to deliver the     new Maxum Ultra to customers for evaluation during the June 2005 quarter.
  --  The K&S capillary product group completed its customer field testing     of its Nexxus product. The new model capillary improves machine uptime and     product yield by optimizing critical features for specific customer     applications. Key Product Trends
  --  The blended average selling price for all wire bonder models was     unchanged from the fourth quarter through the first quarter.
  --  K&S significantly increased gold wire shipments to customers in Taiwan     during the past 12 months. Quarterly shipments to three large Taiwan     factories were: 83 million feet in the March 2004 quarter; 164 million feet     in the June 2004 quarter; 203 million feet in the September 2004 quarter;     and 261 million feet in the December 2004 quarter. The large increase in     shipments was a result of K&S providing better levels of performance for     key customer metrics. Financial Review
  --  K&S revenue for the first fiscal quarter of 2005 was $116.3 million,     which produced a net loss from operations of $4.9 million. The closest     comparable quarter for revenue was the quarter ended March 31, 2003 with     $122.3 million in sales and a loss from operations of $8.1 million.
  --  K&S generated $5.9 million in net cash from operations during the     quarter. The closest comparable quarter in revenue was the quarter ended     March 31, 2003 with $122.3 in revenue and net cash used in operations of     $20.5 million.
  --  The financial results included $639 thousand of cost associated with     the severance from several separate actions taken by the Company. Business Summary
  Scott Kulicke concluded, "We are pleased with the progress made in our technology projects and our cost reduction efforts and look forward to the improved financial performance they will drive when the cycle turns."
  A conference call to discuss these results will be held today beginning at 9:00 AM EST. Interested participants may call 877-407-8037 for the teleconference or log on to kns.com for listen-only mode.
  About Kulicke & Soffa
  Kulicke & Soffa (NasdaqNM:KLIC - News) is the world's leading supplier of semiconductor wire bonding assembly equipment. We believe K&S is the only major supplier to the semiconductor assembly industry that provides customers with semiconductor wire bonding equipment along with the complementing packaging materials and test interconnect products that actually contact the surface of the customer's semiconductor devices. The ability to control all of these assembly related products is unique to Kulicke & Soffa, and allows us to develop system solutions to the new technology challenges inherent in assembling and packaging next-generation semiconductor devices. Test interconnect products include a variety of wafer probe cards, ATE interface assemblies, and PC boards for wafer testing, as well as test sockets for all types of packaged semiconductor devices. Kulicke & Soffa's web site address is kns.com.
  Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
  In addition to historical statements, this press release contains statements relating to future events and our future results. These statements are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to our future revenue, operating expenses, profitability, cash flows, introduction of new products, and projected continued demand for our products. While these forward-looking statements represent our judgments and future expectations concerning our business, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from our expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to: the risk of failure to successfully manage our operations; the risk that anticipated orders may not materialize or that orders received may be postponed or canceled, generally without charges; the risk that anticipated cost savings will not be achieved; the volatility in the demand for semiconductors and our products and services; the risk that we may not be able to develop and manufacture new products and product enhancements on a timely and cost effective basis; acts of terrorism and violence; overall global economic conditions; risks, such as changes in trade regulations, currency fluctuations, political instability and war, associated with a substantial foreign customer and supplier base and substantial foreign manufacturing operations; potential instability in foreign capital markets; and the factors listed or discussed in Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 2004 Annual report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Kulicke & Soffa Industries is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
  KULICKE & SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS                 (In thousands, except per share and employee data)                                    (Unaudited)
                                              Three months ended                                                 December 31,                                          2003 (1)          2004                                         ---------        ---------
  Net revenue                             $ 153,869        $ 116,321
  Cost of sales                             106,507           89,943                                         ---------        ---------
  Gross profit                               47,362           26,378                                         ---------        ---------
  Selling, general and administrative        24,716           22,073 Research and development, net               8,176            8,878 Gain on sale of assets (2)                      -           (1,875) Amortization of intangible assets           2,315            2,194                                         ---------        ---------
  Operating expense                          35,207           31,270                                         ---------        ---------
  Income (loss) from operations              12,155           (4,892)
  Interest income                               204              449 Interest expense                           (4,429)            (846) Charge on early extinguishment of debt     (6,152)               -                                         ---------        ---------
  Income (loss) from continuing operations   before income tax                         1,778           (5,289)
  Provision for income taxes                  1,350            1,902                                         ---------        ---------
  Net income (loss) from continuing  operations                                   428           (7,191)                                         ---------        ---------
  Income from discontinued FCT operations       319                -                                         ---------        --------- Net Income (loss)                       $     747        $  (7,191)                                         =========        =========
  Net income (loss) per share from  continued operations:     Basic                               $    0.01        $   (0.14)                                         =========        =========     Diluted                             $    0.01        $   (0.14)                                         =========        =========
  Net loss per share from discontinued  operations:     Basic                               $    0.00        $    0.00                                         =========        =========     Diluted                             $    0.00        $    0.00                                         =========        =========
  Net loss per share:     Basic                               $    0.01        $   (0.14)                                         =========        =========     Diluted                             $    0.01        $   (0.14)                                         =========        =========
  Weighted average shares outstanding:     Basic                                  50,392           51,237     Diluted                                56,932           51,237
                                              Three months ended                                                 December 31, Additional financial data:                 2003            2004                                         ---------        ---------
  Depreciation and amortization           $   8,351        $   7,012
  Capital expenditures                    $   2,928        $   2,978
  Backlog of orders   Core Business                         $ 106,000        $  58,000   Discontinued Operations               $   8,000        $       -
  Number of employees   Core Business                             3,260            3,236   Discontinued Operations                     112                -
  Notes: (1) Prior period income statement has been revised to reflect            accounting for the sale of the Company’s Flip Chip business            as a discontinued operation in accordance with the            requirements of FAS 144.        (2) The Gain on sale of assets is comprised of a gain on the            sale of land and building in Gilbert, Arizona of $1,497            thousand, and recognition of $378 thousand of the $4,536            thousand gain on the sale of the land and building in Willow            Grove, Pennsylvania.
                         KULICKE & SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.                             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET                                 (In thousands)
                                                          (Unaudited)                                       September 30,     December 31,                                            2004            2004                                         ---------        --------- ASSETS
  CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents               $  60,333        $  82,431 Restricted cash                             3,257            3,497 Short-term investments                     32,176           24,989 Accounts and notes receivable  (less allowance for doubtful  accounts: 9/30/04 - $3,646;  12/31/04 - $3,346)                       110,718           91,454 Inventories, net                           58,017           57,856 Assets held for sale                        6,072                - Prepaid expenses and other current  assets                                    10,310           14,137 Deferred income taxes                      12,417           12,250                                         ---------        ---------
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                    293,300          286,614
  Property, plant and equipment, net         51,434           44,674 Intangible assets, (net of accumulated  amortization: 9/30/04 - $35,209;  12/31/04 - $37,403)                       54,045           52,789 Goodwill                                   81,440           81,440 Other assets                                7,463            7,222                                         ---------        ---------
    TOTAL ASSETS                          $ 487,682        $ 472,739                                         =========        =========
  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  CURRENT LIABILITIES Current portion of long term debt       $     202        $      42 Accounts payable                           50,002           43,400 Accrued expenses                           37,660           34,944 Income taxes payable                       11,986           13,051                                         ---------        ---------
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                99,850           91,437
  Long term debt                            275,725          270,602 Other liabilities                           8,112            9,333 Deferred taxes                             36,975           37,567                                         ---------        ---------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES                       420,662          408,939                                         ---------        ---------
  Commitments and contingencies                   -                -
  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock, without par value           213,847          214,960 Retained deficit                         (139,912)        (147,103) Accumulated other comprehensive loss       (6,915)          (4,057)                                         ---------        ---------
    TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY               67,020           63,800                                         ---------        ---------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                 $ 487,682        $ 472,739                                         =========        =========
                      KULICKE & SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.                  OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT                            (In thousands)                              (Unaudited)
  Fiscal 2005:                               Packaging                    Equipment  Materials  Test     Corporate                     Segment    Segment  Segment   and Other  Consolidated                     -------    -------  -------    -------     -------- Quarter ended December 31, 2004: Net revenue         $29,349    $64,018  $22,954    $     -     $116,321 Cost of sales        17,326     51,252   21,365          -       89,943                     -------    -------  -------    -------     -------- Gross profit         12,023     12,766    1,589          -       26,378 Operating costs      12,077      6,293   10,946      3,829       33,145 Gain on sale  of assets(2)             -          -   (1,497)      (378)      (1,875)                     -------    -------  -------    -------     -------- Income (loss)  from operations    $   (54)   $ 6,473  $(7,860)   $(3,451)    $ (4,892)                     =======    =======  =======    =======     ========
  Fiscal 2004:                               Packaging                    Equipment  Materials  Test     Corporate                     Segment    Segment  Segment   and Other  Consolidated                     -------    -------  -------    -------     -------- Quarter ended December 31, 2003:
  Net revenue         $81,080    $49,508  $23,281    $     -     $153,869 Cost of sales        49,124     38,090   19,293          -      106,507                     -------    -------  -------    -------     -------- Gross profit         31,956     11,418    3,988          -       47,362 Operating costs      14,668      5,224   10,783      4,532       35,207                     -------    -------  -------    -------     -------- Income (loss)  from operations    $17,288    $6,194   $(6,795)   $(4,532)    $ 12,155                     =======    =======  =======    =======     ========
  Note: (1) Prior period income statement has been revised to reflect           accounting for the sale of the Company’s Flip Chip business           as a discontinued operation in accordance with the           requirements of FAS 144.
        (2) The Gain on sale of assets is comprised of a gain on the sale           of land and building in Gilbert, Arizona of $1,497 thousand, and           recognition of $378 thousand of the $4,536 thousand gain on the           sale of the land and building in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
     
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