Xilinx Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX), which develops programmable platforms, reported a 16% decline in fourth quarter earnings due to lower revenue from communications and data processing markets and higher operating expenses. However, earnings and revenue exceeded Street's expectations, sending its shares up 7.88% in aftermarket.
Earnings for the fourth quarter were $134.1 million or $0.49 per share, lower than $160.1 million or $0.59 per share last year.
Revenue declined to $559.0 million from $587.9 million. Analysts had expected a profit of $0.41 per share on revenue of $531.59 million.
By Geography, revenue from North America rose by 13%, while revenue from Asia Pacific declined by 14%. Europe revenue fell by 14% while revenue from Japan increased by 12%.
By End of quarter, revenue from communications fell by 16%, while industrial & other revenue increased by 10%. Consumer and automotive revenue rose by 1%, while data processing revenue declined by 12%.
Gross margin increased to 66.4% from 65.3%, due to lower costs.
Operating expenses was $208.48 million, up from $202.93 million last year. Operating income declined to $162.91 million from $181.22 million.
Return on equity declined to 21% from 28%, while revenue turns rose to 57% from 53%.
Looking ahead into the first quarter, the company expects sequential sales growth of 1% to 5% and gross margin of about 65% to 66%. Operating expenses are expected to be about $220 million, including $2 million of amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.
The company anticipates fully diluted share count to be about 277 million and tax rate to be about 16%. Other income and expense is expected to be an expense of about $8 million.
XLNX closed Wednesday's regular session up 2.37% at $34.33. The stock has been trading between $26.55 and $37.74 for the past 52 weeks.