News Release

Applied Materials Announces Results for Fourth Fiscal Quarter 2004; New Orders of $2.62 Billion; Net Sales of $2.20 Billion

Nov 17, 2004 at 4:02 PM EST

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 2004--Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT), the world's largest supplier of wafer fabrication solutions to the global semiconductor industry, reported results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2004. Net sales were $2.20 billion, down 1 percent from $2.24 billion for the third fiscal quarter of 2004, and up 80 percent from $1.22 billion for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003. Gross margin for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004 was 46.6 percent, down from 47.4 percent for the third fiscal quarter of 2004 and up from 40.5 percent for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003. Net income for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004 was $455 million, or $0.27 per share, up from net income of $441 million, or $0.26 per share, for the third fiscal quarter of 2004, and up from net income of $15 million, or $0.01 per share, for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003. The results of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004 include litigation settlements and a favorable tax rate adjustment due primarily to changes in export tax benefits and the global effective tax rate with respect to foreign operations.

The company's ongoing net income was $455 million, or $0.27 per share, for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004, up from $441 million, or $0.26 per share, for the third fiscal quarter of 2004, and up from $95 million, or $0.06 per share, for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003. Ongoing results for the third and fourth fiscal quarters of 2004 were the same as reported net income.

New orders of $2.62 billion for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004 increased 7 percent from $2.46 billion for the third fiscal quarter of 2004, and increased 105 percent from $1.28 billion for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003. Regional distribution of new orders for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004 was: Taiwan 25 percent, Japan 20 percent, North America 17 percent, Korea 16 percent, Southeast Asia and China 11 percent, and Europe 11 percent. Backlog at the end of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004 was $3.37 billion, compared to $2.99 billion at the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2004.

During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004, the company repurchased 31 million shares of common stock at an average price of $16.13 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $500 million.

"We are pleased with our financial performance this quarter and our strong growth for this fiscal year," said Mike Splinter, president and chief executive officer. "Our team delivered solid results with increased orders driven by customer demand for our industry-leading 300mm and sub-100 nanometer products."

The company also announced its results for its fiscal year ended October 31, 2004. Fiscal 2004 new orders were $8.98 billion, a 108 percent increase from fiscal 2003 new orders of $4.32 billion. Net sales for fiscal 2004 were $8.01 billion, a 79 percent increase from fiscal 2003 net sales of $4.48 billion. Net income for fiscal 2004 was $1.35 billion, or $0.78 per diluted share, up from a loss of $149 million, or $0.09 loss per share, for fiscal 2003.

"We introduced 10 breakthrough products in critical technology areas for transistors, interconnects, defect review and flat panel displays, as well as new service products," Splinter continued. "Applied Materials increased its market share in a number of its core product areas and won customer awards for outstanding reliability and quality.

"As the fourth quarter progressed, some customers became more cautious in response to inventory concerns, slowing their 200mm investments," said Splinter. "Even with these near-term market challenges, we believe our customers will continue to invest in advanced technology and 300mm manufacturing. We remain focused on translating our proven product and process expertise into cost-effective, innovative solutions for our customers," concluded Splinter.

Reconciliations of reported results of operations under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to ongoing results are included as a supplement to this press release. Due to the amount of charges incurred in prior periods as a result of realignment activities, Applied Materials believes that ongoing results are useful to investors because they reflect baseline performance exclusive of charges associated with realignment activities. Ongoing results are the primary indicator used by Applied Materials' management to plan and forecast future periods. These non-GAAP measures are neither in accordance with, nor an alternative for, GAAP, and may be materially different from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered as a substitute for net income prepared in accordance with GAAP.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those relating to customers' investments, market conditions, and the company's strategic position and business outlook. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "may," "should," "will," "estimate," "forecast," "see," or similar expressions, and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the sustainability of demand in the semiconductor and semiconductor equipment industries, which is subject to many factors, including global economic conditions, business spending, consumer confidence, demand for electronic products and semiconductors, and geopolitical uncertainties; customers' capacity requirements, including capacity utilizing the latest technology, which depend in part on customers' inventory levels relative to demand for their products; the timing, rate, amount and sustainability of capital spending for new technology, such as 300mm and sub-100 nanometer applications; the company's ability to develop, deliver and support a broad range of products and services on a timely basis; the company's successful and timely development of new markets, products, processes and services; the company's ability to timely satisfy manufacturing requirements; the company's ability to maintain effective cost controls and to timely align its cost structure with business conditions; the successful integration and performance of acquired businesses; the effectiveness of strategic transactions; changes in management; and other risks described in Applied Materials' Securities and Exchange Commission filings. All forward-looking statements are based on management's estimates, projections and assumptions as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements in this press release.

Applied Materials will be discussing its fourth quarter and fiscal 2004 results, along with its outlook for the first fiscal quarter of 2005, on a conference call today beginning at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. A webcast of the conference call will be available on Applied Materials' web site under the "Investors" section.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the largest supplier of equipment and services to the global semiconductor industry. Applied Materials' web site is http://www.appliedmaterials.com.

                        APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
            CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                         Three Months Ended       Fiscal Year Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except    October     October     October     October
 per share amounts)     26, 2003    31, 2004    26, 2003    31, 2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net sales              $1,220,998  $2,203,348  $4,477,291  $8,013,053
Cost of products sold     726,627   1,176,145   2,872,836   4,311,808
                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Gross margin              494,371   1,027,203   1,604,455   3,701,245

Operating expenses:
 Research, development
  and engineering         227,950     248,272     920,618     991,873
 Marketing and selling     71,283     108,490     325,189     394,376
 General and
  administrative           77,370     106,100     300,676     357,245
 Restructuring, asset
  impairments and
  other charges           113,504           -     371,754     167,459
 Litigation
  settlements, net              -      26,627           -      26,627
                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income/(loss) from
 operations                 4,264     537,714    (313,782)  1,763,665

Interest expense           11,690      15,906      46,875      52,877
Interest income            29,342      36,100     149,101     118,462
                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income/(loss) before
 income taxes              21,916     557,908    (211,556)  1,829,250

Provision for/(benefit
 from) income taxes         6,465     102,900     (62,409)    477,947
                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income/(loss)      $   15,451  $  455,008  $ (149,147) $1,351,303
                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Earnings/(loss) per
 share:

 Basic                 $     0.01  $     0.27  $    (0.09) $     0.80
 Diluted               $     0.01  $     0.27  $    (0.09) $     0.78

Weighted average
 number of shares:

 Basic                  1,671,926   1,683,671   1,659,557   1,688,121
 Diluted                1,715,763   1,703,331   1,659,557   1,721,645
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                        APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
                 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               October      October
(In thousands)                                 26, 2003     31, 2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS

Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                   $ 1,364,857  $ 2,281,844
 Short-term investments                        4,128,349    4,296,152
 Accounts receivable, net                        912,875    1,670,153
 Inventories                                     950,692    1,139,368
 Deferred income taxes                           782,823      610,095
 Other current assets                            231,177      283,907
                                             -----------  -----------
Total current assets                           8,370,773   10,281,519

Property, plant and equipment                  3,094,427    2,953,130
Less: accumulated depreciation and
 amortization                                 (1,534,597)  (1,607,602)
                                             -----------  -----------
 Net property, plant and equipment             1,559,830    1,345,528

Goodwill, net                                    223,521      257,321
Purchased technology and other intangible
 assets, net                                      92,512       50,291
Other assets                                      64,986      158,786
                                             -----------  -----------
Total assets                                 $10,311,622  $12,093,445
                                             -----------  -----------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
 Current portion of long-term debt           $   105,292  $    45,864
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses         1,319,471    1,895,061
 Income taxes payable                            216,114      347,056
                                             -----------  -----------
Total current liabilities                      1,640,877    2,287,981

Long-term debt                                   456,422      410,436
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities      146,289      133,001
                                             -----------  -----------
Total liabilities                              2,243,588    2,831,418
                                             -----------  -----------
Stockholders' equity:
 Common stock                                     16,774       16,803
 Additional paid-in capital                    2,223,553    2,070,733
 Deferred stock compensation, net                 (1,543)         (96)
 Retained earnings                             5,812,867    7,164,170
 Accumulated other comprehensive income           16,383       10,417
                                             -----------  -----------
Total stockholders' equity                     8,068,034    9,262,027
                                             -----------  -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $10,311,622  $12,093,445
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                        APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
            SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS
                    OF OPERATIONS -- ONGOING BASIS

                                           Three Months Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            October 26, 2003
                                --------------------------------------
(In thousands, except                          Special       Ongoing
 per share amounts)             Reported(1)    Items(2)      Results
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net sales                        $1,220,998   $        -   $1,220,998
Cost of products sold               726,627            -      726,627
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Gross margin                        494,371            -      494,371

Operating expenses:
 Research, development and
  engineering                       227,950            -      227,950
 Marketing and selling               71,283            -       71,283
 General and administrative          77,370            -       77,370
 Restructuring, asset
  impairments and
  other charges                     113,504    (113,504)(a)         -
 Litigation settlements, net              -            -            -
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Income from operations                4,264      113,504      117,768

Interest expense                     11,690            -       11,690
Interest income                      29,342            -       29,342
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Income before income taxes           21,916      113,504      135,420

Provision for income taxes            6,465       33,484(b)    39,949
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Net income                       $   15,451   $   80,020   $   95,471
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Earnings per share:

 Basic                           $     0.01   $     0.05   $     0.06
 Diluted                         $     0.01   $     0.05   $     0.06

Weighted average number of
 shares:

 Basic                            1,671,926    1,671,926    1,671,926
 Diluted                          1,715,763    1,715,763    1,715,763
----------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Reported results of operations are presented in accordance with
    U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

(2) Special items for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003 consisted of
    the following:

    a) Restructuring, asset impairments and other charges resulting
       from employee-related costs, the consolidation of facilities
       and impairment of certain assets associated with realignment
       activities.

    b) The tax effect of special items.


                                           Three Months Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            October 31, 2004
                                 -------------------------------------
                                                Special     Ongoing
                                 Reported(1)    Items(3)    Results
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net sales                        $2,203,348   $        -   $2,203,348
Cost of products sold             1,176,145            -    1,176,145
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Gross margin                      1,027,203            -    1,027,203

Operating expenses:
 Research, development and
  engineering                       248,272            -      248,272
 Marketing and selling              108,490            -      108,490
 General and administrative         106,100            -      106,100
 Restructuring, asset
  impairments and
  other charges                           -            -            -
 Litigation settlements, net         26,627            -       26,627
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Income from operations              537,714            -      537,714

Interest expense                     15,906            -       15,906
Interest income                      36,100            -       36,100
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Income before income taxes          557,908            -      557,908

Provision for income taxes          102,900            -      102,900
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Net income                       $  455,008   $        -   $  455,008
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Earnings per share:

 Basic                           $     0.27   $        -   $     0.27
 Diluted                         $     0.27   $        -   $     0.27

Weighted average number of
 shares:

 Basic                            1,683,671    1,683,671    1,683,671
 Diluted                          1,703,331    1,703,331    1,703,331
----------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Reported results of operations are presented in accordance with
    U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

(3) There were no special items for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2004.
    Therefore, ongoing results are the same as reported results of
    operations.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                        APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
            SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS
                    OF OPERATIONS -- ONGOING BASIS

                                           Fiscal Year Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            October 26, 2003
                                 -------------------------------------
(In thousands, except                           Special     Ongoing
 per share amounts)              Reported(1)    Items(2)    Results
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net sales                        $4,477,291   $        -   $4,477,291
Cost of products sold             2,872,836    (142,404)(a) 2,730,432
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Gross margin                      1,604,455      142,404    1,746,859

Operating expenses:
 Research, development and
  engineering                       920,618     (13,916)(b)   906,702
 Marketing and selling              325,189            -      325,189
 General and administrative         300,676            -      300,676
 Restructuring, asset
  impairments and
  other charges                     371,754    (371,754)(c)         -
 Litigation settlements, net              -            -            -
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Income/(loss) from operations      (313,782)     528,074      214,292

Interest expense                     46,875            -       46,875
Interest income                     149,101            -      149,101
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Income/(loss) before income
 taxes                             (211,556)     528,074      316,518

Provision for/(benefit from)
 income taxes                       (62,409)     155,782(d)    93,373
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Net income/(loss)                $ (149,147)  $  372,292   $  223,145
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Earnings/(loss) per share:

 Basic                           $    (0.09)  $     0.22   $     0.13
 Diluted                         $    (0.09)  $     0.22   $     0.13

Weighted average number of
 shares:

 Basic                            1,659,557    1,659,557    1,659,557
 Diluted                          1,659,557    1,691,644    1,691,644
----------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Reported results of operations are presented in accordance with
    U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

(2) Special items for the fiscal year ended October 26, 2003 consisted
    of the following:

    a) Charges to cost of products sold for inventory write-offs as a
       result of the implementation of the global spares distribution
       system and refocused product efforts, which included the Etec
       mask pattern products.

    b) Charges to research, development and engineering expense for
       laboratory tool write-offs resulting from refocused product
       efforts associated with realignment activities.

    c) Restructuring, asset impairments and other charges resulting
       from employee-related costs, the consolidation of facilities
       and impairment of certain assets associated with realignment
       activities.

    d) The tax effect of special items.


                                           Fiscal Year Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            October 31, 2004
                                 -------------------------------------
(In thousands, except                           Special     Ongoing
 per share amounts)              Reported(1)    Items(3)    Results
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net sales                        $8,013,053   $        -   $8,013,053
Cost of products sold             4,311,808            -    4,311,808
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Gross margin                      3,701,245            -    3,701,245

Operating expenses:
 Research, development and
  engineering                       991,873            -      991,873
 Marketing and selling              394,376            -      394,376
 General and administrative         357,245            -      357,245
 Restructuring, asset
  impairments and
  other charges                     167,459    (167,459)(e)         -
 Litigation settlements, net         26,627            -       26,627
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Income/(loss) from operations     1,763,665      167,459    1,931,124

Interest expense                     52,877            -       52,877
Interest income                     118,462            -      118,462
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Income/(loss) before income
 taxes                            1,829,250      167,459    1,996,709

Provision for/(benefit from)
 income taxes                       477,947       49,400(f)   527,347
                                 ----------   ----------   ----------
Net income/(loss)                $1,351,303   $  118,059   $1,469,362

Earnings/(loss) per share:
 Basic                           $     0.80   $     0.07   $     0.87
 Diluted                         $     0.78   $     0.07   $     0.85

Weighted average number of
 shares:
 Basic                            1,688,121    1,688,121    1,688,121
 Diluted                          1,721,645    1,721,645    1,721,645
----------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Reported results of operations are presented in accordance with
    U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

(3) Special items for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, all of
    which occurred in the first fiscal quarter of 2004, consisted of
    the following:

    e) Restructuring, asset impairments and other charges resulting
       primarily from the consolidation of facilities associated with
       realignment activities.

    f) The tax effect of special items.

    CONTACT: Applied Materials, Inc.
             Paul Bowman, 408-563-1698 (Investment Community)
             David Miller, 408-563-9582 (Editorial/Media)

    SOURCE: Applied Materials, Inc.