UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 *** FORM 10-Q (Mark One) /X/ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998 --------------------------- OR / / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to ----------- ---------- Commission File Number 0-1649 ----------- NEWPORT CORPORATION ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Nevada 94-0849175 --------------------------------- ------------------- (State or other Jurisdiction (IRS Employer of incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 1791 Deere Avenue, Irvine, CA 92606 --------------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (949) 863-3144 --------------------- N/A ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ------ ------ The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of September 30, 1998, was 9,091,482 Page 1 of 13 Exhibit Index on Sequentially Numbered Page 13 NEWPORT CORPORATION INDEX PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Page Number Item 1: Financial Statements: Consolidated Income Statement and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997. 3 Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997. 4 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997. 5 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 6-8 Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 9-13 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. 13 SIGNATURE 13 Page 2 NEWPORT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (In thousands, except Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended per share amounts) September 30, September 30, ------------------ ------------------- 1998 1997 1998 1997 ------- ------- -------- ------- Net sales $33,456 $32,699 $100,952 $95,611 Cost of sales 18,939 18,734 56,792 54,186 ------- ------- -------- ------- Gross profit 14,517 13,965 44,160 41,425 Selling, general and administrative expense 7,931 8,612 24,662 26,204 Research and development expense 3,061 2,492 9,013 6,958 ------- ------- -------- ------- Income from operations 3,525 2,861 10,485 8,263 Interest expense (446) (480) (1,439) (1,484) Other income (expense), net 46 99 248 (170) ------- ------- -------- ------- Income before income taxes 3,125 2,480 9,294 6,609 Income tax provision 907 711 2,881 2,115 ------- ------- -------- ------- Net income $ 2,218 $ 1,769 $ 6,413 $ 4,494 ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- Net income per share: Basic $ 0.25 $ 0.20 $ 0.71 $ 0.51 Diluted $ 0.24 $ 0.19 $ 0.68 $ 0.49 Number of shares used to calculate net income per share: Basic 9,003 8,906 8,986 8,850 Diluted 9,337 9,245 9,408 9,137 Stockholders' equity, beginning of period $65,493 $58,162 $ 60,658 $57,429 Net income 2,218 1,769 6,413 4,494 Dividends - - (183) (179) Unrealized translation gain (loss) 1,313 293 1,186 (1,872) Unamortized deferred compensation 60 51 (88) (22) Repurchase of common stock (1,489) (355) (2,876) (1,698) Issuance of common stock 704 690 3,189 2,458 ------- ------- -------- ------- Stockholders' equity, end of period $68,299 $60,610 $ 68,299 $60,610 ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- See accompanying notes Page 3 NEWPORT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) September 30, December 31, 1998 1997 ---- ---- (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,238 $ 7,456 Customer receivables, net 23,672 23,372 Other receivables 812 979 Inventories 30,544 28,326 Deferred tax assets 3,317 3,256 Other current assets 2,139 2,065 -------- -------- Total current assets 71,722 65,454 Investments and other assets 4,791 5,830 Property, plant and equipment, at cost, net 21,881 22,994 Goodwill, net 9,876 10,133 -------- -------- $108,270 $104,411 -------- -------- -------- -------- LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 5,861 $ 6,082 Accrued payroll and related expenses 5,343 5,855 Taxes based on income 1,528 2,056 Current portion of long-term debt 3,368 2,380 Other current liabilities 3,169 4,766 -------- -------- Total current liabilities 19,269 21,139 Long-term debt 19,118 21,027 Other liabilities 1,584 1,587 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $.35 stated value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; 9,091,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 1998; 8,951,000 shares at December 31, 1997 3,182 3,132 Capital in excess of stated value 8,289 8,026 Unamortized deferred compensation (607) (519) Unrealized translation loss (3,850) (5,036) Retained earnings 61,285 55,055 -------- -------- Total stockholders' equity 68,299 60,658 -------- -------- $108,270 $104,411 -------- -------- -------- -------- See accompanying notes Page 4 NEWPORT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30 ------------------ 1998 1997 ---- ---- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 6,413 $4,494 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 4,646 4,430 Increase in provision for losses on receivables and inventories 790 1,001 Other non-cash items, net (354) (160) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables 349 1,547 Inventories (2,685) (1,951) Other current assets (562) (1,472) Other assets 318 391 Accounts payable and other accrued expenses (2,443) (626) Taxes based on income (534) 341 Other, net (1) 535 ------- ------- Net cash provided by operating activities 5,937 8,530 ------- ------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net (3,906) (4,056) Disposition of property, plant and equipment, net 2,443 273 Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired - (879) Proceeds from sale of investment 720 - Other, net 49 (193) ------- ------- Net cash used in investing activities (694) (4,855) ------- ------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Decrease in long-term borrowings (990) (893) Cash dividends paid (362) (357) Repurchase of common stock (2,876) (1,698) Issuance of common stock under employee agreements, including associated tax benefit 2,927 2,283 ------- ------- Net cash used in financing activities (1,301) (665) ------- ------- Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash (160) 191 ------- ------- NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 3,782 3,201 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 7,456 3,375 ------- ------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $11,238 $ 6,576 ------- ------- ------- ------- CASH PAID IN THE PERIOD FOR: Interest $ 1,092 $ 1,108 Taxes 2,712 1,784 See accompanying notes Page 5 NEWPORT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED) 1. INTERIM REPORTING GENERAL The accompanying unaudited financial statements consolidate the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. The accounts of the Company's subsidiaries in Europe have been consolidated using a one-month lag. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been made and consist of only normal recurring accruals. Operating results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1998. Although the Company believes that the disclosures in these financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnotes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and consequently, these statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. NET INCOME PER SHARE Net income per share for all periods have been presented and, where necessary, restated to conform with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, EARNINGS PER SHARE. Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods, excluding restricted stock, while diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods and the dilutive effects of common stock equivalents (mainly stock options), determined using the treasury stock method, outstanding during the periods. FOREIGN CURRENCY Balance sheet accounts denominated in foreign currencies are translated at exchange rates as of the date of the balance sheet and income statement accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the period. Translation gains and losses are accumulated as a separate component of stockholders' equity. The Company has adopted local currencies as the functional currencies for its subsidiaries because their principal economic activities are most closely tied to the respective local currencies. The Company may enter into foreign exchange contracts as a hedge against foreign currency denominated receivables. It does not engage in currency speculation. Market value gains and losses on contracts are recognized currently, offsetting gains or losses on the associated receivables. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in current earnings. Foreign exchange contracts totaled $4.0 million and $5.6 million at September 30, 1998, and December 31, 1997, respectively. Page 6 NEWPORT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED) ADOPTION OF STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 130 As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, REPORTING COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (SFAS No. 130). SFAS No. 130 establishes new rules for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components; however, the adoption of this Statement had no impact on the Company's net income or stockholders' equity. SFAS No. 130 requires unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency translation adjustments, which prior to adoption were reported separately in shareholders' equity, to be included in other comprehensive income. Prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the requirements of SFAS No. 130. The components of comprehensive income, net of related tax, are as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, -------------- -------------- (In thousands) 1998 1997 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- ---- Net income $2,218 $1,769 $6,413 $4,494 Unrealized translation gain (loss) 1,313 293 1,186 (1,872) ------ ------ ------ ------ Comprehensive income $3,531 $2,062 $7,599 $2,622 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ PENDING ADOPTION OF STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 131 In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, DISCLOSURES ABOUT SEGMENTS OF AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION (SFAS No. 131), which is effective for years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. SFAS No. 131 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997, and therefore the Company will adopt the new requirements effective with the filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. Management has not completed its review of SFAS No. 131, but does expect that, while adoption of SFAS No. 131 may result in more reported segments than are currently reported, it will not have an impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flow. 2. CUSTOMER RECEIVABLES The Company maintains adequate reserves for potential credit losses. Such losses have been minimal and within management's estimates. Receivables from customers are generally unsecured. Customer receivables consist of the following: September 30, December 31, (In thousands) 1998 1997 ------- ------- Customer receivables $24,057 $23,857 Less allowance for doubtful accounts 385 485 ------- ------- $23,672 $23,372 ------- ------- ------- ------- Page 7 NEWPORT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED) 3. INVENTORIES Inventories are stated at cost, determined on either a first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost basis and do not exceed net realizable value. Inventories consist of the following: September 30, December 31, (In thousands) 1998 1997 ---- ---- Raw materials and purchased parts $11,933 $10,161 Work in process 5,671 5,236 Finished goods 12,940 12,929 ------- ------- $30,544 $28,326 ------- ------- ------- ------- 4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property plant and equipment consist of the following: September 30, December 31, (In thousands) 1998 1997 ---- ---- Land $1,287 $1,954 Buildings 7,218 12,069 Leasehold improvements 8,606 8,381 Machinery and equipment 22,364 20,620 Office equipment 11,565 10,074 ------- ------- 51,040 53,098 Less accumulated depreciation 29,159 30,104 ------- ------- $21,881 $22,994 ------- ------- ------- ------- 5. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET Other income (expense), net, consists of the following: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, ---------------- ---------------- (In thousands) 1998 1997 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- ---- Interest and dividend income $141 $ 45 $353 $ 114 Exchange gains (losses), net 36 (63) (95) (419) Gains (losses) on sales of investments, net (3) - 134 14 Other (128) 117 (144) 121 ----- ---- ---- ----- $ 46 $(99) $248 $(170) ----- ---- ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- ----- Page 8 NEWPORT CORPORATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997 INTRODUCTORY NOTE This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. For this purpose, any statements contained in this Form 10-Q except for historical information may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate," or "continue" or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include (i) the existence and development of the Company's technical and manufacturing capabilities and product offerings, (ii) anticipated competition, (iii) potential future growth in revenues and income, (iv) potential future decreases in costs, and (v) the need for, and availability of, additional financing. The forward-looking statements included herein are based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the Company will not lose a significant customer or customers or experience increased fluctuations of demand or rescheduling of purchase orders, that the Company's markets will continue to grow, that the Company's products will remain accepted within their respective markets and will not be replaced by new technology, that competitive conditions within the Company's markets will not change materially or adversely, that the Company will retain key technical and management personnel, that the Company's forecasts will accurately anticipate market demand, that there will be no material adverse change in the Company's operations or business, that fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates do not have a material adverse impact on the Company's competitive position in international markets and that the Company will not experience significant supply shortages with respect to purchased components, sub-systems or raw materials. Additional factors that may affect future operating results are discussed in more detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions, including those in Europe and Asia and those related to its strategic markets, and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although, the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements will be realized. In addition, the business and operations of the Company are subject to substantial risks that increase the uncertainty inherent in the forward-looking statements. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives or plans of the Company will be achieved. Newport undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The following is management's discussion and analysis of certain significant factors that have affected the earnings and financial position of the Company during the period included in the accompanying financial statements. This discussion compares the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998, with the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and associated notes. ACQUISITIONS On September 29, 1998, the Company entered into, subject to certain terms and conditions, a definitive agreement to acquire all the outstanding stock of Environmental Optical Sensors, Inc. (EOSI) in exchange for cash. The transaction was completed on October 13, 1998 and EOSI, a manufacturer of tunable external cavity diode laser systems and other components, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Newport. Page 9 NEWPORT CORPORATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONT'D) THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Period-to-Period Increase (decrease) ------------------- Percentage of Net Sales Three Nine ----------------------- Months Months Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Ended Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 2.3% 5.6% Cost of sales 56.6 57.3 56.3 56.7 1.1 4.8 ---- ---- ---- ---- Gross margin 43.4 42.7 43.7 43.3 4.0 6.6 Selling, general and administrative expense 23.7 26.4 24.4 27.4 (7.9) (5.9) Research and development expense 9.2 7.6 8.9 7.3 22.8 29.5 ---- ---- ---- ---- Income from operations 10.5 8.7 10.4 8.6 23.2 26.9 Interest expense (1.3) (1.4) (1.4) (1.5) (7.1) (3.0) Other income (expense), net 0.1 0.3 0.3 (0.2) (53.5) NM Income taxes (2.7) (2.2) (2.9) (2.2) 27.6 36.2 ---- ---- ---- ---- Net income 6.6% 5.4% 6.4% 4.7% 25.4 42.7 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- NM = not meaningful NET SALES Net sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 were $33.5 million and $101.0 million, respectively, compared with $32.7 million and $95.6 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997, increasing 2.3% and 5.6% over the respective prior year periods. The increase for the three-month period was primarily attributable to sales advances in the fiber optic communications and computer peripherals markets, which grew 77.8% and 39.3% respectively, versus the prior year quarter. Largely offsetting this growth were sales declines to the semiconductor and general metrology markets of 39.3% and 15.7% compared to 1997's third quarter. Third quarter 1998 sales to the research market increased 3.4% over the corresponding prior year period. The sales increase for the nine-month period versus the prior year period resulted principally from 63.5% and 2.2% growth in the fiber optic communications and research markets, respectively, partially offset by a year-to-date decline of 9.2% in sales to the semiconductor market. The Company's domestic sales totaled $22.1 million and $67.9 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998, compared with $22.9 million and $62.8 million for the corresponding periods in 1997, a decrease of 2.8% for the quarter and an increase of 7.9% for the nine-month period versus the respective prior year periods. The decrease in domestic sales for the quarter versus prior year is largely the result of lower sales to the semiconductor and general metrology markets which more than offset growth in sales to the fiber optic communications and computer peripherals markets. As previously mentioned, growth for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 results primarily from increased sales to the fiber optic communications market. The Company's international sales totaled $11.4 million and $33.1 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998, compared with $9.8 million and $32.8 million for the corresponding prior year periods, increases of 1.2% and 14.0% respectively. European sales were up $1.6 million and $1.5 million for the quarter and year to date respectively, representing increases of 28.5% and 7.6% over the respective prior year periods. France, Germany and Sweden accounted for most of the quarterly increase while Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden provided most of the year-to-date growth. Foreign exchange rate effects on European sales were negligible for the quarter and an unfavorable $0.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998. Combined Canadian and Latin American sales for the three- and nine-month periods totaled $2.0 million and $4.0 million respectively, increases of 148.4% and 70.0% for the respective periods. Sales to the Asian markets declined 47.0% and 28.4% for the quarter and nine-months, respectively, with Korea accounting for 82% of the year-to-date decline. Through nine months, sales into Asia comprised 7% of total sales versus 10% of total sales in Page 10 NEWPORT CORPORATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONT'D) THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997 the comparable 1997 period. Management anticipates that sales to the Asian markets will continue to be down for the remainder of 1998 when compared with 1997 due to continued economic uncertainty and oversupply in the semiconductor and disk drive markets. Order rates for the third quarter were 2.6% below the prior year period as increases of 39.7% in the fiber optic communications market and 24.1% in the computer peripherals market were offset by declines of 48.5% and 10.1% in the semiconductor and research markets, respectively. Overall, management anticipates that net sales in 1998 will increase over 1997; however, such growth may be affected by many factors, including economic uncertainty in Asia which may partially offset anticipated sales growth in other geographic markets, and cannot be assured. GROSS PROFIT Gross profit increased 4.0% and 6.6% on sales increases of 2.3% and 5.6% for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998, compared with the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997. Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of sales) increased to 43.4% and 43.7% of sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998, compared with 42.7% and 43.3% in the comparable 1997 periods. This increase in gross margin percentage reflects a greater proportion of higher margin photonics product sales during both the quarter and year to date. Management anticipates that the Company's overall gross margin will improve in 1998 as a result of this product mix effect, the overall increase in sales volume and continued productivity improvements Company-wide. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998, decreased 7.9% and 5.9% compared with the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997. SG&A expenses when stated as a percentage of sales were 23.7% and 24.4%, compared with 26.4% and 27.4% for the prior year periods. The decrease in SG&A expenses is primarily a result of successful cost containment measures throughout the Company and a favorable exchange rate effect on expenses. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES Research and development (R&D) expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998, increased 22.8% and 29.5% compared with the three-and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997. As a percentage of sales, R&D expenses were 9.2% and 8.9% versus 7.6% and 7.3% for the prior year periods. The increase in expenses is in line with management's commitment to continued product development and enhancement of existing products. INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET Interest expense totaled $0.4 million and $1.4 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 versus $0.5 million and $1.5 million for three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997. Other income, net was $0.05 million versus $0.1 million for the 1998 and 1997 third quarters. Year to date, other income (expense), net was a $0.2 million gain for 1998 versus a $0.2 million loss in 1997. The increase in other income for the nine-month period was primarily attributable to a gain on the sale of an equity investment and lower foreign exchange losses in the current year. PROVISION FOR TAXES The effective annual tax rates for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 were 29.0% and 31.0%, respectively, compared with 28.7% and 32.0% for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997. The lower 1998 third quarter tax rate, compared with the 1998 year to date tax rate, reflects the utilization of foreign valuation allowances, while the 1997 third quarter tax rate, compared with the tax rate for the 1997 nine-month period, reflected the tax benefit associated with higher sales through the Company's Foreign Sales Corporation. Page 11 NEWPORT CORPORATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONT'D) THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Net cash provided by operating activities of $5.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998 was principally attributable to the Company's net income ($6.4 million), non-cash items, principally depreciation and amortization ($4.6 million). Partially offsetting these amounts were increases in certain other operating assets, principally inventories ($2.7 million) and accounts payable ($2.4 million). Customer receivables, net totaled $23.7 million at September 30, 1998 and exceeded current liabilities ($19.3 million) at that date. Net cash used in investing activities of $0.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998, was principally attributable to the Company's sale of an equity investment and other property for net proceeds of $3.2 million offset in part by the Company's purchases of property, plant and equipment. Net cash used in financing activities of $1.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998, was primarily due to the repurchase of common stock under the Company's share repurchase program and payments on borrowings, partially offset by issuance of common stock under employee agreements. Although the Company has no present agreements or commitments with respect to any material acquisitions of other businesses, products, product rights or technologies, the Company continues to evaluate acquisitions of products, technologies or companies that complement the Company's business and may make such acquisitions in the future, and there can be no assurance that the Company will not need to obtain additional sources of capital to finance any such acquisitions. The Company believes its current working capital position together with estimated cash flows from operations and its existing credit availability are adequate to fund operations in the ordinary course of business, anticipated capital expenditures and debt repayment requirements over at least the next year and for the foreseeable future. ADDITIONAL FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS IMPACT OF YEAR 2000 Certain of the Company's business operations software programs were written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. As a result, those software programs are time-sensitive and recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could cause a system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations, including but not limited to, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage in similar normal business activities. The Company initiated a review of its business operations software requirements in early 1996 as part of the normal course of upgrading its systems to support current and anticipated growth. Among the criteria for acquiring new or upgraded software was that it be Year 2000 compliant. In 1997 the Company acquired new operating software that is Year 2000 compliant and is currently in the test and conversion phase, with implementation expected to be substantially complete by December 31, 1998. Based upon the results of the work done to date, the Company believes that the remaining work will be completed in a timely manner and that the overall cost of such work will not be material. The cost of acquiring the upgraded computer hardware and software was approximately $1.2 million and has been capitalized. In the event that unanticipated difficulty is encountered in converting to the new operating software, the Company's software supplier has, as a contingency, provided a "patch" which would render the current operating software Year 2000 compliant. Newport sells certain products that include various software applications. The Company has determined that, since January 1, 1996, its product software has been Year 2000 compliant. The Company has also requested assurance from its goods and services providers that they are, or have programs in place to be, Year 2000 compliant. The Company established an Information Technology Steering Committee, which reports directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer. The committee members include executive management and employees with expertise from various disciplines including, but not limited to, information technology, engineering, finance, customer Page 12 NEWPORT CORPORATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONT'D) THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997 service, communications, facilities, procurement and human resources. The committee is responsible for addressing Year 2000 issues associated with the Company's (1) business application systems including, but not limited to, the Company's customer service, operations and financial systems and end-user applications; (2) embedded systems, including equipment that operates such items as the Company's telecommunications and facilities, (3) software applications embedded in certain of the Company's products, (4) vendor and supplier relationships; and (5) contingency planning. While the Company currently believes that neither the software developed by it as part of its products nor the software licensed by it for its internal use will be materially affected by Year 2000 problems, there can be no assurance that the Company's product software, its internal computer systems and networks or those of its key vendors, developers and distributors will not be affected by such Year 2000 issues, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION (EMU) - NEW EUROPEAN CURRENCY On January 1, 1999, eleven of the fifteen member countries of the European Economic and Monetary Union are scheduled to establish fixed conversion rates between their existing national currencies and one common currency - the euro. The euro will then trade on currency exchanges and, during a three-year dual-currency transition period, either the euro or the national currencies may be used in business transactions. Beginning in January 2002, new euro-denominated bills and coins will be issued, and the national currencies will be withdrawn from circulation. The Company's operating subsidiaries affected by the euro conversion have established plans to address the systems and business issues raised by the euro currency conversion. These issues include, among others, (1) the need to adapt computer and other business systems and equipment to accommodate euro-denominated transactions; and (2) the competitive impact of cross-border price transparency, which may make it more difficult for businesses to charge different prices for the same products on a country-by-country basis, particularly once the euro currency is issued in 2002. The Company anticipates that intercompany transactions for the operating subsidiaries affected by the euro conversion will be denominated in euro currency effective January 1, 1999. While the Company anticipates that the euro conversion will not have a material adverse impact on its financial condition or results of operations, there can be no assurance that the Company's key vendors, customers and distributors will not be affected by such euro currency issues, which could have an adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. Further, there can be no assurance that the currency market volatility will not increase, which could have an adverse effect on the Company's hedging strategies. NEWPORT CORPORATION PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 6. Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K. (a) Exhibits Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K None SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. NEWPORT CORPORATION (Registrant) Dated: November 6, 1998 By: /S/ ROBERT C. HEWITT ------------------------------------------- Robert C. Hewitt, Principal Financial Officer, duly authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant Page 13