Semiconductor equipment manufacturer Applied Materials (Nasdaq: AMAT) will likely see upside reward following the upbeat outlook and the company's CEO terming the year 2012 as Foundry year. The company is also expected to benefit from the growth of smartphone sales.
The demand for foundry has enabled Applied Materials to not only post more than expected results for the first quarter, but has also provided positive outlook for the second quarter ahead of street consensus.
This is somewhat a turnaround for the industry, which is reeling under demand pressure from various sectors in view of the uncertain economic conditions hanging over the globe. But it cannot be regarded as a full-fledged recovery though the scenario looks positive.
The company reported net income of $117 million or 9 cents a share, down 77 percent from $506 million or 38 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. On an adjusted basis, net income would have been $240 million or 18 cents a share, still 50 percent down from $484 million or 36 cents a share in the year earlier quarter.
Revenues slipped 19 percent to $2.19 billion from $2.69 billion in the previous year quarter. Street analysts were expecting the company to report earnings of 12 cents a share on revenues of $1.97 billion.
Moving ahead, Applied Materials sees adjusted earnings of 20 – 28 cents a share on sales growth of 5-15 percent that indicates $2.30 - $2.52 billion for the second quarter. The company's projection is way ahead of street analysts' prediction of 16 cents a share on revenues of $2.08 billion.
The stock reacted favorably to the results and positive outlook for the second quarter in the extended hours of trading on February 16. The stock ranged between $9.70 and $16.93 during the 52-week period. Shares of the company closed February 16 regular market trading at $13.21, up 31 cents or 2.4 percent. When the market opens on February 17, the stock could see further upside.
Just before the announcement of the results, UBS maintained Neutral on Applied Materials on the expectation of company's outlook for 16 cents a share on revenues of $2.2 billion. But the company has given much more estimation, which should be viewed positively for upside reward.