KLA Corporation Reports Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Results

  • Total revenues were $2.40 billion, at the upper end of the guidance range of $2.35 billion +/- $125 million;
  • GAAP and non-GAAP diluted EPS attributable to KLA was $5.41 and $5.74, respectively, each finishing at the upper end of the guidance ranges;
  • Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter and last twelve months were $883.7 million and $3.54 billion, respectively, and free cash flow was $815.7 million and $3.22 billion, respectively; 
  • Capital returns for the quarter and last twelve months were $636.9 million and $2.40 billion, respectively; and
  • On Sept. 5, KLA announced an increase in the quarterly dividend level to $1.45 per share from $1.30, the 14th consecutive annual dividend increase since inception in 2006, in addition to an increase of $2 billion to the current share repurchase authorization.

MILPITAS, Calif., Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KLA Corporation (NASDAQ: KLAC) today announced financial and operating results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended on Sept. 30, 2023, and reported GAAP net income of $741.4 million and GAAP earnings per diluted share of $5.41 on revenue of $2.40 billion.

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"KLA's September quarter results were at the high-end or above the midpoint of the guidance ranges for revenue and earnings per share, demonstrating the strength of KLA's market leadership and operational execution, while also delivering solid free cash flow generation," said Rick Wallace, president and CEO, KLA Corporation. "Despite the challenging market conditions, our continued strong performance highlights the relative value of KLA products and services to our customers, the resiliency of the KLA Operating Model and our commitment to delivering long-term value to all stakeholders."

GAAP Results


Q1 FY 2024

Q4 FY 2023

Q1 FY 2023

Total Revenue

$2,397 million

$2,355 million

$2,724 million

Net Income Attributable to KLA

$741 million

$685 million

$1,026 million

Net Income per Diluted Share Attributable to KLA

$5.41

$4.97

$7.20





Non-GAAP Results


Q1 FY 2024

Q4 FY 2023

Q1 FY 2023

Net Income Attributable to KLA

$786 million

$743 million

$1,007 million

Net Income per Diluted Share Attributable to KLA

$5.74

$5.40

$7.06

A reconciliation between GAAP operating results and non-GAAP operating results is provided following the financial statements included in this release. KLA will discuss the results for its fiscal year 2024 first quarter, along with its outlook, on a conference call today beginning at 2 p.m. Pacific Time. A webcast of the call will be available at: www.kla.com.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2024 Guidance

The following details our guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 ending in Dec.:

  • Total revenues is expected to be in a range of $2.45 billion +/- $125 million
  • GAAP gross margin is expected to be in a range of 59.6% +/- 1.0%
  • Non-GAAP gross margin is expected to be in a range of 61.5% +/- 1.0%
  • GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in a range of $5.54 +/- $0.60
  • Non-GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in a range of $5.86 +/- $0.60

For additional details and assumptions underlying our guidance metrics, please see the company's published Letter to Shareholders, Earnings Slide Presentation and Earnings Infographic on the KLA investor relations website. Such Letter to Shareholders, Earnings Slide Presentation and Earnings Infographic are not incorporated by reference into this earnings release.

About KLA:

KLA Corporation ("KLA") develops industry-leading equipment and services that enable innovation throughout the electronics industry. We provide advanced process control and process-enabling solutions for manufacturing wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. In close collaboration with leading customers across the globe, our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers design solutions that move the world forward. Investors and others should note that KLA announces material financial information including SEC filings, press releases, public earnings calls and conference webcasts using an investor relations website (ir.kla.com). Additional information may be found at: www.kla.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements in this press release other than historical facts, such as statements pertaining to total revenues, GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin and GAAP and non-GAAP diluted EPS for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2023, are forward-looking statements and are subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such statements due to various factors, including but not limited to: our vulnerability to a weakening in the condition of the financial markets and the global economy; risks related to our international operations; evolving Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce rules and regulations and their impact on our ability to sell products to and provide services to certain customers in China; costly intellectual property disputes that could result in our inability to sell or use the challenged technology; risks related to the legal, regulatory and tax environments in which we conduct our business; increasing attention to ESG matters and the resulting costs, risks and impact on our business; unexpected delays, difficulties and expenses in executing against our environmental, climate, diversity and inclusion or other ESG target, goals and commitments; our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel; our vulnerability to disruptions and delays at our third party service providers; cybersecurity threats, cyber incidents affecting our and our business partners' systems and networks; our inability to access critical information in a timely manner due to system failures; our ability to identify suitable acquisition targets and successfully integrate and manage acquired businesses; climate change, earthquake, flood or other natural catastrophic events, public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic or terrorism and the adverse impact on our business operations; the war between Israel and Hamas, and the significant military activity in that region; lack of insurance for losses and interruptions caused by terrorists and acts of war, and our self-insurance of certain risks including earthquake risk; risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; risks related to fluctuations in interest rates and the market values of our portfolio investments; risks related to tax and regulatory compliance audits; any change in taxation rules or practices and our effective tax rate; compliance costs with federal securities laws, rules, regulations, NASDAQ requirements, and evolving accounting standards and practices; ongoing changes in the technology industry, and the semiconductor industry in particular, including future growth rates, pricing trends in end-markets, or changes in customer capital spending patterns; our vulnerability to a highly concentrated customer base; the cyclicality of the industries in which we operate; our ability to timely develop new technologies and products that successfully address changes in the industry; our ability to maintain our technology advantage and protect proprietary rights; our ability to compete in the industry; availability and cost of the materials and parts used in the production of our products; our ability to operate our business in accordance with our business plan; risks related to our debt and leveraged capital structure; we may not be able to declare cash dividends at all or in any particular amount; liability to our customers under indemnification provisions if our products fail to operate properly or contain defects or our customers are sued by third parties due to our products; our government funding for R&D is subject to audit, and potential termination or penalties; we may incur significant restructuring charges or other asset impairment charges or inventory write offs; and risks related to receivables factoring arrangements and compliance risk of certain settlement agreements with the government. For other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected and anticipated in forward-looking statements in this press release, please refer to KLA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, and other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including, but not limited to, the risk factors described therein). KLA assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update these forward-looking statements.

 

KLA Corporation




Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Balance Sheets








(In thousands)

Sept. 30, 2023


June 30, 2023

ASSETS




Current assets:




Cash and cash equivalents

$             1,711,570


$     1,927,865

Marketable securities

1,637,751


1,315,294

Accounts receivable, net

1,630,746


1,753,361

Inventories

3,007,705


2,876,784

Other current assets

443,019


498,728

Total current assets

8,430,791


8,372,032

Land, property and equipment, net

1,059,925


1,031,841

Goodwill

2,278,805


2,278,820

Deferred income taxes

870,472


816,899

Purchased intangible assets, net

871,999


935,303

Other non-current assets

624,849


637,462

Total assets

$           14,136,841


$    14,072,357

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



Current liabilities:




Accounts payable

$                363,662


$         371,026

Deferred system revenue

665,777


651,720

Deferred service revenue

406,940


416,606

Other current liabilities

2,381,364


2,303,490

Total current liabilities

3,817,743


3,742,842

Long-term debt

5,891,731


5,890,736

Deferred tax liabilities

505,812


529,287

Deferred service revenue

192,236


176,681

Other non-current liabilities

739,102


813,058

Total liabilities

11,146,624


11,152,604

Stockholders' equity:




Common stock and capital in excess of par value

2,073,476


2,107,663

Retained earnings

966,179


848,431

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(49,438)


(36,341)

Total stockholders' equity

2,990,217


2,919,753

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$           14,136,841


$   14,072,357

 

KLA Corporation




Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Statements of Operations




Three Months Ended Sept. 30,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2023


2022

Revenues:




Product

$     1,836,664


$     2,195,609

Service

560,292


528,815

Total revenues

2,396,956


2,724,424

Costs and expenses:




Costs of revenues

946,891


1,041,226

Research and development

311,214


318,515

Selling, general and administrative

239,645


253,980

Interest expense

74,234


74,395

Loss on extinguishment of debt


13,286

Other expense (income), net

(26,739)


(47,006)

Income before income taxes

851,711


1,070,028

Provision for income taxes

110,336


43,963

Net income

741,375


1,026,065

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest


74

Net income attributable to KLA

$         741,375


$      1,025,991

Net income per share attributable to KLA




Basic

$               5.43


$               7.23

Diluted

$               5.41


$               7.20

Weighted-average number of shares:




Basic

136,412


141,829

Diluted

137,104


142,563

 

KLA Corporation




Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Statements of Cash Flows





Three Months Ended Sept. 30,

(In thousands)

2023


2022

Cash flows from operating activities:




Net income

$               741,375


$            1,026,065

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization

102,403


101,938

Unrealized foreign exchange loss and other

9,970


1,783

Asset impairment charges


9,156

Disposal of non-controlling interest


8,270

Stock-based compensation expense

48,772


34,982

Deferred income taxes

(71,322)


(156,226)

Gain on sale of business


(29,687)

Loss on extinguishment of debt


13,286

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business acquisitions:




Accounts receivable

107,018


(55,073)

Inventories

(138,419)


(265,530)

Other assets

(7,520)


45,637

Accounts payable

8,345


36,472

Deferred system revenue

14,057


(60,492)

Deferred service revenue

5,901


(12,411)

Other liabilities

63,160


313,375

Net cash provided by operating activities

883,740


1,011,545

Cash flows from investing activities:




Net proceeds from sale of business


75,358

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired


(27,144)

Capital expenditures

(68,045)


(84,352)

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

(530,842)


(256,793)

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities

7,983


26,608

Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities

201,149


211,465

Purchases of trading securities

(49,958)


(19,512)

Proceeds from sale of trading securities

48,042


19,875

Proceeds from other investments


1,020

Net cash used in investing activities

(391,671)


(53,475)

Cash flows from financing activities:




Payment of debt issuance costs


(6,515)

Proceeds from revolving credit facility


300,000

Repayment of debt


(662,250)

Common stock repurchases

(455,412)


(89,846)

Payment of dividends to stockholders

(181,507)


(187,984)

Issuance of common stock


115

Tax withholding payments related to vested and released restricted stock units

(68,237)


(54,952)

Purchase of non-controlling interest


(4,295)

Net cash used in financing activities

(705,156)


(705,727)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(3,208)


(17,971)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(216,295)


234,372

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

1,927,865


1,584,908

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$            1,711,570


$            1,819,280

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:




Income taxes paid, net

$                 99,388


$               101,061

Interest paid

$               113,236


$                 44,216

Non-cash activities:




Contingent consideration payable - financing activities

$                    (920)


$                      145

Dividends payable - financing activities

$                   1,853


$                   1,942

Unsettled common stock repurchase - financing activities

$                 11,000


$                        —

Accrued purchase of land, property and equipment - investing activities

$                 22,729


$                 34,027

 

KLA Corporation
Segment Information (Unaudited)


The following is a summary of results for each of our three reportable segments and reconciliations to total revenues for the
indicated periods:



Three Months Ended Sept. 30,

(In thousands)

2023


2022

Revenues:




Semiconductor Process Control

$     2,135,478


$     2,397,759

Specialty Semiconductor Process

126,719


127,867

PCB, Display and Component Inspection

136,043


200,745

Total revenues for reportable segments

2,398,240


2,726,371

Corporate allocations and effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates

(1,284)


(1,947)

Total revenues

$     2,396,956


$     2,724,424

 

KLA Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Supplemental Information


Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income 





Three Months Ended


(In thousands, except per share amounts)


Sept. 30,
2023


June 30,
2023


Sept. 30,
2022

GAAP net income attributable to KLA


$        741,375


$     684,654


$     1,025,991

Adjustments to reconcile GAAP net income to non-GAAP net income:








Acquisition-related charges

a

63,244


64,564


75,260


Restructuring, severance and other charges

b


8,135


(5,189)


Loss on extinguishment of debt

c



13,286


Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments

d

(20,399)


(20,892)


(27,282)


Discrete tax items

e

2,255


6,203


(75,476)

Non-GAAP net income attributable to KLA


$        786,475


$     742,664


$     1,006,590

GAAP net income per diluted share attributable to KLA


$              5.41


$           4.97


$              7.20

Non-GAAP net income per diluted share attributable to KLA


$              5.74


$           5.40


$              7.06

Shares used in diluted net income per share calculation


137,104


137,654


142,563

 

Pre-tax Impact of GAAP to Non-GAAP Adjustments Included in Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Statements of
Operations
 


(In thousands)

Acquisition -
Related
Charges


Restructuring,
Severance and
Other Charges


Debt
Extinguishment
Loss


Discrete Tax
Item


Total Pre-tax GAAP
to Non-GAAP
Adjustments

Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2023










Costs of revenues

$        46,078


$                —


$                 —


$             —


$                46,078

Selling, general and administrative

17,166





17,166

Total in three months ended Sept. 30, 2023

$        63,244


$                —


$                 —


$             —


$                63,244

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023










Costs of revenues

$        45,437


$           2,570


$                 —


$             —


$                48,007

Research and development


2,727




2,727

Selling, general and administrative

19,127


2,838




21,965

Total in three months ended June 30, 2023

$        64,564


$           8,135


$                 —


$             —


$                72,699

Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2022










Costs of revenues

$        45,056


$                —


$                 —


$             —


$                45,056

Research and development

9,156





9,156

Selling, general and administrative

21,048


16,228




37,276

Loss on extinguishment of debt



13,286




13,286

Other expense (income), net


(21,417)



(3,711)


(25,128)

Total in three months ended Sept. 30, 2022

$        75,260


$         (5,189)


$         13,286


$      (3,711)


$                79,646

 

Free Cash Flow Reconciliation 



Three Months Ended Sept. 30,


Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30,

(In thousands)

2023


2022


2023


2022

Net cash provided by operating activities

$           883,740


$     1,011,545


$      3,542,000


$      3,460,450

Capital expenditures

(68,045)


(84,352)


(325,284)


(322,717)

Free cash flow

$           815,695


$        927,193


$      3,216,716


$      3,137,733

 

Capital Returns Calculation



Three Months Ended Sept. 30,


Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30,

(In thousands)

2023


2022


2023


2022

Payments of dividends to stockholders

$         181,507


$         187,984


$         726,079


$          663,691

Common stock repurchases

455,412


89,846


1,677,430


3,657,975

Forward contract for accelerated share repurchases




900,000

Capital returns

$         636,919


$         277,830


$     2,403,509


$       5,221,666

 

Second Quarter Fiscal 2024 Guidance


Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted EPS to Non-GAAP Diluted EPS




Three Months Ending Dec. 31, 2023

(In millions, except per share amounts)


Low


High

GAAP net income per diluted share


$4.94


$6.14

Acquisition-related charges

a

0.44


0.44

Restructuring, severance and other charges

b

0.03


0.03

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments

d

(0.15)


(0.15)

Non-GAAP net income per diluted share


$5.26


$6.46

Shares used in net income per diluted share calculation


136.1


136.1

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross Margin to Non-GAAP Gross Margin




Three Months Ending Dec. 31, 2023



Low


High

GAAP gross margin


58.6 %


60.6 %

Acquisition-related charges

a

1.8 %


1.8 %

Restructuring, severance and other charges

b

0.1 %


0.1 %

Non-GAAP gross margin


60.5 %


62.5 %

The non-GAAP and supplemental information provided in this press release is a supplement to, and not a substitute for, KLA's financial results presented in accordance with United States GAAP.

To supplement our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements presented in accordance with GAAP, we provide certain non-GAAP financial information, which is adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude certain gains, costs and expenses, as well as other supplemental information. The non-GAAP and supplemental information is provided to enhance the user's overall understanding of our operating performance and our prospects in the future. Specifically, we believe that the non-GAAP information, including non-GAAP net income attributable to KLA, non-GAAP net income per diluted share attributable to KLA, non-GAAP gross margin and free cash flow, provides useful measures to both management and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to our financial performance by excluding certain costs and expenses that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results to help investors compare our operating performances with our results in prior periods as well as with the performance of other companies. The non-GAAP information is among the budgeting and planning tools that management uses for future forecasting. However, because there are no standardized or generally accepted definitions for most non-GAAP financial metrics, definitions of non-GAAP financial metrics are inherently subject to significant discretion (for example, determining which costs and expenses to exclude when calculating such a metric). As a result, non-GAAP financial metrics may be defined very differently from company to company, or even from period to period within the same company, which can potentially limit the usefulness of such information to an investor. The presentation of non-GAAP and supplemental information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared and presented in accordance with United States GAAP. The following are descriptions of the adjustments made to reconcile GAAP net income attributable to KLA to non-GAAP net income attributable to KLA:

a.

Acquisition-related charges primarily include amortization of intangible assets, transaction costs associated with our acquisitions and dispositions, as well as intangible asset impairment charges. Although we exclude the effect of amortization of all acquired intangible assets from these non-GAAP financial measures, management believes that it is important for investors to understand that such intangible assets were recorded as part of purchase price accounting arising from acquisitions, and such amortization of intangible assets related to past acquisitions will recur in future periods until such intangible assets have been fully amortized. Investors should note that the use of these intangible assets contributed to our revenues earned during the periods presented and are expected to contribute to our future period revenues as well.

b.

Restructuring, severance and other charges primarily include costs associated with employee severance, gains and losses from exiting non-core businesses and adjustments related to non-controlling interest. Restructuring, severance and other charges in the three months ended Sept. 30, 2022 include a gain on the sale of Orbograph, Ltd. ("Orbograph"), partially offset by certain transaction bonuses triggered by the sale of Orbograph.

c.

Loss on extinguishment of debt includes a pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of the $500 million 4.650% Senior Notes due in Nov. 2024.

d.

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments includes the income tax effects of the excluded items noted above.

e.

Discrete tax items in all periods presented include a tax impact relating to the amortization of certain intellectual property as a result of an internal restructuring of ownership rights to align with how our business operates. Discrete items in the three months ended Sept. 30, 2022 also include an adjustment of the net benefit of the Orbotech Ltd. 2012 to 2018 Israel tax audit settlement, for which the net benefit includes the liability on the audit settlement less reductions in unrecognized tax positions and deferred tax assets and liabilities. Discrete items in the three months ended Sept. 30, 2022 also include a tax impact from the sale of Orbograph.

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SOURCE KLA Corporation