From GlobeNewswire: 2025-02-20 03:13:00

BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. reported Q4-24 revenue of €153.4 million and net income of €59.3 million, within prior guidance. For the fiscal year 2024, revenue was €607.5 million, up 4.9%, and net income was €182.0 million, up 2.8%. Orders for the year were €586.7 million, showing a 7.0% increase over FY-23. A proposed dividend of €2.18 per share was announced for fiscal 2024 with a 95% pay-out ratio.

Key highlights for Q4-24: Revenue was down 2.0% vs. Q3-24, orders decreased by 19.7%, and gross margin was 64.0%. Net income increased by 26.7% vs. Q3-24. For FY 2024, revenue increased by 4.9% driven by demand from computing markets. Orders rose by 7.0% with a gross margin of 65.2%. Net income grew by 2.8% with a proposed dividend of €2.18 per share.

Looking forward to Q1-25, revenue is expected to decrease by 0-10% compared to Q4-24, with gross margin ranging between 63-65%. Operating expenses are forecasted to grow by 10-20% compared to Q4-24. Besi continues to invest in future growth, increasing R&D spending by 31.7% in 2024 and planning to expand advanced packaging production capacity in 2025.

Besi’s President and CEO, Richard W. Blickman, commented on the company’s growth trends for AI and mainstream assembly equipment markets. Revenue grew by 5% in 2024, reaching €607.5 million, mainly due to higher demand from computing markets for AI-related hybrid bonding and photonics applications. Orders for AI applications grew to represent 50% of total orders in 2024.

The company is cautiously optimistic for 2025, expecting strong momentum in die placement solutions for AI applications. Hybrid bonding technology is anticipated to drive growth in the coming years. Besi is prepared for a potential mainstream assembly recovery in the second half of 2025. The company has proposed a cash dividend of €2.18 per share for approval at Besi’s 2025 AGM.

During Q4-24, Besi repurchased approximately 0.2 million of its ordinary shares at an average price of €112.84 per share, totaling €22.4 million. For the year, Besi repurchased about 0.6 million shares at an average price of €125.53 per share, totaling €79.8 million. At year end, Besi held approximately 1.8 million shares in treasury, equal to 2.3% of its shares outstanding.



Read more at GlobeNewswire:: BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. Announces Q4-24 and Full