Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Certain statements within "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as may, will, should, would, anticipates, expects, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among other things, those set forth under "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below and under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A to our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 , which discussion is incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
Overview
We are primarily a producer of ion implantation equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe and Asia. In addition, we provide extensive worldwide aftermarket service and support, including spare parts, equipment upgrades and maintenance services to the semiconductor industry. Our product development and manufacturing activities currently occur primarily in the United States and South Korea. Our equipment and service products are highly technical and are sold through a direct sales force in the United States, Europe and Asia. Consolidation and partnering within the semiconductor manufacturing industry has resulted in a small number of customers representing a substantial portion of our business. Our ten largest customers accounted for 69.8% of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
For Axcelis and the rest of our industry, the first quarter of 2022 has been a continuation of the unprecedented demand for chips and the capital equipment required to produce them that characterized 2021. At the same time, supply chain challenges also continued during the quarter. Axcelis’ strong results in the first three months of 2022, demonstrate our ability to meet demand and manage supply chain difficulties. The growing mature process technology market continues to be an area of strength for Axcelis, with 81% of first quarter shipments going to mature foundry/logic customers.
In December 2020, the United States Commerce Department placed one of our major Chinese customers, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (“SMIC”), on the U.S. export controls Entity List. As a result of the Entity List classification, we are required to obtain export controls licenses for all U.S. shipments to this customer. Although we have received licenses as needed, export controls remain an evolving topic for the U.S. government and changes in this area could create delays in future shipments.
Despite the many difficult logistical challenges brought on by trade tensions between the United States and China and COVID-19, we are continuing to work closely with our customers across market segments to provide them with the best ion implant solutions for their specific manufacturing challenges.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations included herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
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Management has not identified any need to make any material change in, and has not changed, any of our critical accounting estimates and judgments as described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of total revenue:
Three months ended
March 31,
2022
2021
Revenue:
Product
96.5
%
95.4
%
Services
3.5
4.6
Total revenue
100.0
100.0
Cost of revenue:
Product
52.9
53.0
Services
3.0
4.5
Total cost of revenue
55.9
57.5
Gross profit
44.1
42.5
Operating expenses:
Research and development
8.3
11.8
Sales and marketing
5.5
7.8
General and administrative
6.2
7.5
Total operating expenses
20.0
27.1
Income from operations
24.1
15.4
Other (expense) income:
Interest income
—
—
Interest expense
(0.7)
(0.8)
Other, net
(0.8)
(0.9)
Total other expense
(1.5)
(1.7)
Income before income taxes
22.6
13.7
Income tax provision
2.1
1.3
Net income
20.5
%
12.4
%
Revenue
The following table sets forth our product and services revenue:
Three months ended
Period-to-Period
March 31,
Change
2022
2021
$
%
(dollars in thousands)
Revenue:
Product
$
196,531
$
126,609
$
69,922
55.2
%
Percentage of revenue
96.5
%
95.4
%
Services
7,064
6,167
897
14.5
%
Percentage of revenue
3.5
%
4.6
%
Total revenue
$
203,595
$
132,776
$
70,819
53.3
%
Product
Product revenue, which includes systems sales, sales of spare parts, product upgrades and used systems was $196.5 million, or 96.5% of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with $126.6 million, or
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95.4% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The $69.9 million increase in product revenue for the three-month period ending March 31, 2022, in comparison to the same period in 2021, was primarily driven by an increase in the number of systems sold.
A portion of our revenue from systems sales is deferred until installation and other services related to future performance obligations are performed. The total amount of deferred revenue at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $74.8 million and $68.4 million, respectively. The increase in deferred revenue was primarily due to the number of systems sold.
Services
Services revenue, which includes the labor component of maintenance and service contracts and fees for service hours provided by on-site service personnel, was $7.1 million, or 3.5% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with $6.2 million, or 4.6% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Although services revenue typically increases with the expansion of the installed base of systems, it can fluctuate from period to period based on capacity utilization at customers’ manufacturing facilities, which affects the need for equipment service.
Revenue Categories used by Management
In addition to the line item revenue categories discussed above, management also regularly disaggregates revenue in the following categories, which it finds relevant and useful:
● Systems and Aftermarket revenues, in which “Aftermarket” is:
A. The portion of Product revenue relating to spare parts, product upgrades and used equipment, combined with
B. Services revenue, which is the labor component of Aftermarket revenues
(Aftermarket purchases reflect current fab utilization as opposed to Systems purchases which reflect capital investment decisions by our customers, which have differing economic drivers);
● Revenue by geographic regions, since economic factors impacting customer purchasing decisions may vary by geographic region; and
● Revenue by our customer market segments, since they can be subject to different economic drivers at different periods of time, impacting a customer’s likelihood of purchasing capital equipment during any particular period. Currently, management references three customer market segments: memory, mature technology processes and leading edge foundry and logic.
Aftermarket
Included in total revenue of $203.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 is revenue from our Aftermarket business of $51.8 million, consistent with $51.8 million of aftermarket revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The remaining $151.8 million of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was from system sales. Aftermarket revenue fluctuates from period to period based on capacity utilization at customers’ manufacturing facilities, which affects the sale of spare parts and demand for equipment service. Aftermarket revenue can also fluctuate from period to period based on the demand for system upgrades or used equipment.
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Gross Profit / Gross Margin
The following table sets forth our gross profit / gross margin:
Three months ended
Period-to-Period
March 31,
Change
2022
2021
$
%
(dollars in thousands)
Gross Profit:
Product
$
88,889
$
56,275
$
32,614
58.0
%
Product gross margin
45.2
%
44.4
%
Services
877
160
717
448.1
%
Services gross margin
12.4
%
2.6
%
Total gross profit
$
89,766
$
56,435
$
33,331
59.1
%
Gross margin
44.1
%
42.5
%
Product
Gross margin from product revenue was 45.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to 44.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in gross margin resulted from improved margins on Purion systems.
Services
Gross margin from services revenue was 12.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to 2.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in gross margin is attributable to changes in the mix of service contracts.
Operating Expenses
The following table sets forth our operating expenses:
Three months ended
Period-to-Period
March 31,
Change
2022
2021
$
%
(dollars in thousands)
Research and development
$
16,973
$
15,685
$
1,288
8.2
%
Percentage of revenue
8.3
%
11.8
%
Sales and marketing
11,291
10,387
904
8.7
%
Percentage of revenue
5.5
%
7.8
%
General and administrative
12,579
10,013
2,566
25.6
%
Percentage of revenue
6.2
%
7.5
%
Total operating expenses
$
40,843
$
36,085
$
4,758
13.2
%
Percentage of revenue
20.0
%
27.1
%
Our operating expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, including salaries, commissions, incentive-based compensation, stock-based compensation and related benefits and taxes; project material costs related to the design and development of new products and enhancement of existing products; and professional fees, travel and depreciation expenses.
Personnel costs are our largest expense, representing $24.2 million or 59.2% of our total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $22.0 million or 61.1% of our total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The higher personnel costs for the three months ended March 31, 2022 is primarily due to increases in personnel-related expenses to support growth as well as an increase in incentive-based pay expense due to strong financial performance.
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Research and Development
Three months ended
Period-to-Period
March 31,
Change
2022
2021
$
%
(dollars in thousands)
Research and development
$
16,973
$
15,685
$
1,288
8.2
%
Percentage of revenue
8.3
%
11.8
%
Our ability to remain competitive depends largely on continuously developing innovative technology, with new and enhanced features and systems and introducing them at competitive prices on a timely basis. Accordingly, based on our strategic plan, we establish annual R&D budgets to fund programs that we expect will solve customers’ high value, high impact, ion implantation challenges.
Research and development expense was $17.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $1.3 million, or 8.2%, compared with $15.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase is primarily due to higher personnel expenses including an increase in incentive-based pay expense.
Sales and Marketing
Three months ended
Period-to-Period
March 31,
Change
2022
2021
$
%
(dollars in thousands)
Sales and marketing
$
11,291
$
10,387
$
904
8.7
%
Percentage of revenue
5.5
%
7.8
%
Our sales and marketing expenses result primarily from the sale of our equipment and services through our direct sales force.
Sales and marketing expense was $11.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $0.9 million, or 8.7%, compared with $10.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase is primarily due to higher personnel expenses including an increase in incentive-based pay expense and freight expense.
General and Administrative
Three months ended
Period-to-Period
March 31,
Change
2022
2021
$
%
(dollars in thousands)
General and administrative
$
12,579
$
10,013
$
2,566
25.6
%
Percentage of revenue
6.2
%
7.5
%
Our general and administrative expenses result primarily from the costs associated with our executive, finance, information technology, legal and human resource functions.
General and administrative expense was $12.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $2.6 million, or 25.6%, compared with $10.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase is primarily due to an increase personnel expenses and professional fees.
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Other (Expense) Income
Three months ended
Period-to-period
March 31,
change
2022
2021
$
%
(dollars in thousands)
Other expense
$
(3,040)
$
(2,149)
$
(891)
41.5
%
Percentage of revenue
(1.5)
%
(1.7)
%
Other (expense) income consists primarily of interest expense relating to the finance lease obligation we incurred in connection with the 2015 sale of our headquarters facility and other financing obligations, foreign exchange gains and losses attributable to fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies of certain of the countries in which we operate as well as interest earned on our invested cash balances.
Other expense was $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in other expense was primarily due to an increase in foreign currency exchange losses.
During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we had no significant off-balance-sheet risk such as exchange contracts, option contracts or other hedging arrangements.
Income Tax Provision
Three months ended
Period-to-period
March 31,
change
2022
2021
$
%
(dollars in thousands)
Income tax provision
$
4,269
$
1,721
$
2,548
148.1
%
Percentage of revenue
2.1
%
1.3
%
Income tax expense was $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The $2.6 million increase was primarily due to a $27.7 million increase in pretax income. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, an international tax audit commenced, and we have determined that it is not more likely than not that certain tax positions being examined by the tax authorities will be sustained. Therefore, we have recorded a liability of $0.7 million related to our estimated exposure as of March 31, 2022. We will assess this tax reserve in subsequent quarters until final settlement.
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was less than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% due to forecasted Foreign Derived Intangible Income (FDII), Federal research and development tax credits and a favorable discrete item related to equity compensation that reduces the annual tax rate. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was less than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% due to favorable discrete items related to equity compensation in the period and Federal research and development tax credits that reduce the annual tax rate.
The Deferred income taxes of $36.2 million and $35.5 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, as well as the tax effect of carryforwards. We have recorded a $8.6 million valuation allowance in the U.S. against certain tax credits and state net operating losses due to the uncertainty of their realization. Realization of our net deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income. We believe it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized; however, ultimate realization could be impacted by market conditions and other variables not known or anticipated at this time.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We had $297.1 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2022, in addition to $0.8 million in restricted cash. Management believes that maintaining a strong cash balance is necessary to provide funding for ramps in our business which can require significant cash investment to meet sudden demand. Additionally, we are using cash in our stock repurchase program and are considering both organic and inorganic opportunities to drive future growth, for which cash resources will be necessary.
Our liquidity is affected by many factors. Some of these relate specifically to the operations of our business, for example, the rate of sale of our products, and others relate to the uncertainties of global economic conditions, including the availability of credit and the condition of the overall semiconductor equipment industry. Our established cost structure, other than cost of goods sold, does not vary significantly with changes in volume. We experience fluctuations in operating results and cash flows depending on these factors. Stock repurchases, as discussed below, also reduce our cash balances.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we generated $25.8 million and $15.1 million, respectively, of cash related to operating activities.
Investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 resulted in cash outflows of $1.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, used for capital expenditures.
Financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 resulted in a cash usage of $23.1 million. During the first three months of 2022, $20.0 million in cash was used to repurchase our common stock and $3.3 million was used for payments to government tax authorities for income tax withholding on employee compensation arising from the vesting of RSUs, where units are withheld by the Company for taxes, as well as $0.2 million relating to the reduction of the liability under the finance lease of our corporate headquarters. These amounts were partially offset by $0.5 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options during the first three months of 2022. In comparison, financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 resulted in cash usage of $11.7 million, $11.6 million of which related to the repurchase of our common stock and $2.4 million related to payments made to government tax authorities for income tax withholding on employee compensation arising from the vesting of RSUs, as well as $0.2 million relating to the reduction of our financing lease liability. These amounts were partially offset by $2.5 million of proceeds related to the exercise of stock options during the first three months of 2021.
Under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we qualify as a “well-known seasoned issuer,” which allows us to file shelf registration statements to register an unspecified amount of securities that are effective upon filing. On May 29, 2020, we filed such a shelf registration statement with the SEC for the issuance of an unspecified amount of common stock, preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of any such offering. This registration statement was effective upon filing and will remain in effect for up to three years from filing, prior to which time we may file another shelf registration statement to maintain the availability of this financing option.
On July 31, 2020, we entered into a Senior Secured Credit Facilities Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Silicon Valley Bank. The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $40.0 million. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a security interest, senior to any current and future debts and to any security interest, in all of our rights, title, and interest in, to and under substantially all of our assets, subject to limited exceptions, including permitted liens. The revolving credit facility terminates on July 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all covenant requirements of the Credit Agreement. As of such date, no borrowings had been made under the Credit Agreement, although a letter of credit for $5.9 million reduces the funds available for borrowing under the credit line. We have no immediate plans to borrow under the Credit Agreement, but we will use the facility for letters of credit, for ongoing working capital needs and to fund general corporate purposes, as desired. We entered into a First Amendment to the Credit Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank in March 2021 to (i) align the covenants with our stock repurchase program, and (ii) establish terms to transition from a Eurodollar based interest rate option to an interest rate benchmark using a secured overnight financing rate (known as “SOFR”) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
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We believe that based on our current market, revenue, expense and cash flow forecasts, our existing cash, cash equivalents and equity and debt financing capacity will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated cash requirements for the short and long-term.
Commitments and Contingencies
Significant commitments and contingencies at March 31, 2022 are consistent with those discussed in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
As of March 31, 2022, there have been no material changes to the quantitative information about market risk disclosed in Item 7A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
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