Exhibit 99.1
AEHR TEST SYSTEMS REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS FOR FISCAL 2006
FREMONT, Calif., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aehr Test Systems
(Nasdaq: AEHR), a leading supplier of semiconductor test and burn-in equipment,
today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 ended
August 31, 2005.
Net sales were $4.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2006, compared
with $5.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, and up approximately 42%
from $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. The Company's net loss
improved to $244,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal
2006, compared with a net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in
the same period of the prior year, and $1.7 million, or $0.23 per diluted share,
in the fourth quarter of 2005.
"We're very pleased to have started the fiscal year on a strong note," said
Rhea Posedel, chairman and chief executive officer of Aehr Test Systems. "As
anticipated, net sales grew significantly on a sequential basis and we
substantially narrowed our losses. Bookings during the quarter were the highest
we've seen in several years, and ongoing quote activity remains strong from both
new and existing customers. While it's too early to signal a long-term trend in
our business, we are very encouraged by this recent activity.
"During the first quarter, we announced that a leading memory manufacturer
placed $3 million in follow-on orders for our MTX-Fp+ parallel test systems.
After quarter-end, we announced follow-on orders for our MAX logic burn-in
systems from a major, U.S.-based IC manufacturer totaling approximately $5
million. Another significant highlight is that we received an order from a
leading DRAM manufacturer to demonstrate full wafer-level burn-in and test of
300 mm DRAM wafers," said Mr. Posedel. "We remain upbeat for the current fiscal
year, and believe that Aehr Test has built a broad and innovative line of
burn-in and testing products that is successfully addressing new market
opportunities."
At August 31, 2005, cash, short-term investments and long-term investments
were $6.3 million, compared to $9.2 million at the end of fiscal 2005. Aehr Test
ended the first quarter of fiscal 2006 with no outstanding debt and
shareholders' equity of $17.2 million, or $2.30 per diluted share.
"Based on recent strong bookings and continuing interest in Aehr Test's
products, we expect second quarter fiscal 2006 net sales to be significantly
higher than those in the quarter just reported, and we expect to be profitable
in the second quarter," said Gary Larson, vice president and chief financial
officer of Aehr Test Systems. "We also remain on track for a considerable
increase in net sales for fiscal 2006, versus fiscal 2005."
Management Conference Call
Management of Aehr Test will host a conference call and webcast today,
Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (2:00 p.m. Pacific) to discuss
the Company's first quarter fiscal 2006 operating results. The conference call
will be accessible live via the Internet at www.aehr.com. Please go to the
website at least 15 minutes before start time to register, download and install
any necessary audio software. A replay of the webcast will be available at
www.aehr.com for 90 days.
About Aehr Test Systems
Headquartered in Fremont, California, Aehr Test Systems is a leading
worldwide provider of systems for burning-in and testing DRAM and logic
integrated circuits and has an installed base of more than 2,500 systems
worldwide. Aehr Test has developed and introduced several innovative products,
including the FOX MTX, MAX3 and MAX4 systems, and the DiePak(R) carrier. The FOX
system is a full wafer contact test and burn-in system. The MTX system is a
massively parallel test system designed to reduce the cost of memory testing by
performing both test and burn-in on thousands of devices simultaneously. The MAX
system can effectively burn in and functionally test complex devices, such as
digital signal processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers and
systems-on-a-chip. The DiePak carrier is a reusable, temporary package that
enables IC manufacturers to perform cost-effective final test and burn-in of
bare die. For more information, please visit the Company's website at
www.aehr.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties relating to projections regarding customer demand and acceptance
of Aehr Test's products. Actual results may vary from projected results. These
risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, acceptance by customers of
the Aehr Test's technologies, acceptance by customers of the systems shipped
upon receipt of a purchase order and the ability of new products to meet
customer needs or perform as described. See Aehr Test's recent 10-K and 10-Q
reports and other reports from time to time filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) for a more detailed description of the risks facing
our business. The Company disclaims any obligation to update information
contained in any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances
occurring after the date of this press release.
At Financial Relations Board
Amy Cozamanis Laurie Berman
Investor/Analyst Contact General Inquiries
(310) 854-8314 (310) 854-8315
AEHR TEST SYSTEMS AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
August 31,
(Unaudited)
-----------------------
2005 2004
---------- ----------
Net sales $ 4,646 $ 5,936
Cost of sales 2,458 4,869
Gross profit 2,188 1,067
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 1,452 1,432
Research and development 1,034 1,025
Total operating expenses 2,486 2,457
Loss from operations (298) (1,390)
Interest income 46 24
Other income, net -- 24
Loss before income taxes (252) (1,342)
Income tax benefit (8) (18)
Net loss $ (244) $ (1,324)
Net loss per share
Basic $ (0.03) $ (0.18)
Diluted $ (0.03) $ (0.18)
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic 7,482 7,393
Diluted 7,482 7,393
AEHR TEST SYSTEMS AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except per share data)
August 31, May 31,
2005 2005
----------- ----------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,983 $ 4,952
Short-term investments 2,341 3,813
Accounts receivable 4,628 2,537
Inventories 7,815 7,140
Prepaid expenses and other 433 585
Total current assets 19,200 19,027
Property and equipment, net 1,381 1,232
Long-term investments 0 409
Goodwill 274 274
Other assets, net 526 527
Total assets $ 21,381 $ 21,469
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,222 $ 1,050
Accrued expenses 1,782 1,943
Deferred revenue 835 692
Total current liabilities 3,839 3,685
Deferred revenue 20 21
Deferred lease commitment 309 311
Total liabilities 4,168 4,017
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value outstanding:
7,482 and 7,482 shares at August 31, 2005
and May 31, 2005, respectively 75 75
Additional paid-in capital 37,568 37,568
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,255 1,250
Accumulated deficit (21,685) (21,441)
Total shareholders' equity 17,213 17,452
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 21,381 $ 21,469
SOURCE Aehr Test Systems
-0- 09/27/2005 C LATU117
/PRNewswire-FirstCall -- Sept. 27/
/Web site: http://www.aehr.com /