Brooks Automation narrows loss in fiscal 4Q

CHELMSFORD, Mass. - Brooks Automation Inc., which supplies semiconductor manufacturers, said Thursday the company narrowed its loss in the fiscal fourth quarter and the CEO said it could approach break-even in the current quarter.

Brooks said it lost $14.5 million, or 23 cents per share, in the quarter ended Sept. 30. It lost $215.9 million, or $3.45 per share, a year ago when it had large charges.

Excluding restructuring charges, the company said it would have lost $14.0 million, or 22 cents per share in the most recent quarter.

Analysts, who usually exclude special items from their forecasts, had expected a loss of 25 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters.

Revenue fell 40 percent to $64.1 million from $106.9 million a year earlier.

The company said sales increased from the previous quarter, however, and CEO Robert J. Lepofsky said there was more interest from equipment manufacturers. He predicted a sequential revenue gain of more than 45 percent for the December quarter.

Lepofsky said based on orders and discussions with major customers, the company is increasingly confident of strong sales growth well into 2010.

"We presently anticipate converging on at least break-even results in the current quarter and positive earnings for our full fiscal year," he said.

For the latest fiscal year, the company lost $227.9 million, or $3.62 per share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $235.9 million, or $3.66 per share. Revenue dropped 58 percent to $218.7 million from $526.4 million.

Brooks shares rose 45 cents, or 6.1 percent, to $7.86 in midday trading.

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