ST. PETERS, Mo., Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (NYSE: WFR) today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2011 that reflect year-over-year growth in revenue despite a sharp slowdown and weaker pricing in solar wafer markets and a modest softening of underlying semiconductor demand.  Responding to this environment, the company took actions across all segments to reduce cost, maximize the use of existing assets and lower risk.  SunEdison project pipeline grew in the second quarter to 2.5 GW. This was the third consecutive quarter of meaningful growth in the SunEdison project pipeline.  The second quarter also marked completion of the 300mm semiconductor wafer capacity expansion in Korea, adding 50,000 wafers per month of new production capacity.  

"Our second quarter results demonstrate the resilience of our company following the Japan earthquake and in the midst of a severe solar materials downturn," said MEMC's CEO Ahmad Chatila.  "Our Semiconductor Materials business recovered quickly from the March earthquake in Japan, and 300mm wafer output is now at pre-earthquake levels despite softening demand in underlying semiconductor markets.  Responding quickly to market conditions in solar wafers, our Solar Materials business took actions to restructure customer and supplier agreements and right-size the business.  We are pleased to have reached the resolution with Suntech, and we expect that our future relationship with Suntech will be much improved, and that they will continue to buy from us in 2011 and beyond.  SunEdison, with a growing pipeline and interconnection ramp, continues to de-risk our Solar Materials business by providing more predictable demand and clear visibility into end markets.  We remain focused on our strategic business objectives, investing for long-term growth and driving productivity in our semiconductor and solar businesses."

Revenue

GAAP revenue for the second quarter was $745.6 million, including $149.4 million resulting from the resolution of a long-term wafer supply agreement with Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. which included an unfulfilled take-or-pay arrangement.  This represents an increase of 66% from $448.3 million in the second quarter of 2010 and an increase of 1% from the 2011 first quarter. Excluding the Suntech contract resolution, revenue was down 19% sequentially, due to weaker solar wafer pricing and volumes and the timing of Solar Energy (SunEdison) project completion.  Year-over-year, revenue increased 33% excluding the Suntech contract resolution, on higher solar wafer volumes, higher solar energy system sales, and higher semiconductor wafer prices and volumes.  

Non-GAAP revenue for the quarter was $779.6 million, including the Suntech contract resolution, an increase of 68% from the 2010 second quarter but decrease of 6% from the 2011 first quarter.  Non-GAAP revenue includes $34.0 million related to real estate and leasing sales transactions that will be recognized in earnings under GAAP in the future.  See the financial statement tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.  Non-GAAP adjustments relate to the SunEdison segment only.  

Gross Margin

GAAP gross margin in the 2011 second quarter was 24.3%, compared to 17.2% in the second quarter of 2010 and 15.5% in the 2011 first quarter.  Non-GAAP gross margin was 25.2% in the 2011 second quarter, compared to 18.0% in the 2011 first quarter and 17.2% in the second quarter of 2010.  GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin included a net benefit of $75.6 million, comprised of the $149.4 million benefit from the Suntech contract resolution, $52.4 million in charges relating to adverse purchase obligations in Solar Materials, $7.2 million in Semiconductor Materials cost of goods sold charges related to the March 2011 earthquake in Japan, $14.2 million of charges due largely to low initial volumes at our Kuching, Malaysia facility. 

Net Income

MEMC reported GAAP net income for the 2011 second quarter of $47.3 million, or $0.21 per share, compared to a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.02 per share, in the 2011 first quarter and net income of $13.8 million, or $0.06 per share, in the 2010 second quarter.  Non-GAAP net income for the 2011 second quarter was $66.2 million, or $0.29 per share, compared to $0.09 per share in the 2011 first quarter and $0.07 in the 2010 second quarter.  GAAP and non-GAAP net income in the second quarter was positively impacted by $64.5 million, reflecting an after tax benefit of $132.6 million related to the Suntech contract resolution (approximately $12.0 million of which is expected to recur in each of the third and fourth quarters), partially offset by $38.0 million of net charges for adverse purchase obligations, which include a related currency hedge gain, charges of $8.5 million associated with costs related to the earthquake in Japan, $14.0 million of charges due largely to low initial volumes at Kuching, and restructuring and other net charges of $7.6 million taken in the quarter to accelerate migration of semiconductor wafer production to new capacity in Asia, make our polysilicon and semiconductor wafer operations in Italy more productive, and other steps to improve the underlying operations and lower business risk.  

Cash Flow

During the 2011 second quarter, the company had operating cash flow of $198.7 million, compared to operating cash use of $225.1 million in the 2011 first quarter and operating cash flow of $118.8 million in the 2010 second quarter.  Higher operating cash flow was driven in part by improved working capital management.  The Suntech and related contract matters were non-cash items in the second quarter, though $48.5 million of the Suntech contract matter was treated as both an operating cash inflow and financing outflow.

Capital expenditures were $102.7 million in the 2011 second quarter, down from $205.4 million in the first quarter, and were primarily related to ongoing investments in low cost solar wafer capacity and semiconductor 300mm wafer production capacity.

Construction of solar energy systems for SunEdison projects of $174.1 million for the 2011 second quarter includes projects currently classified as owned and carried as fixed assets.  The majority of these projects become sale lease-back transactions in which the assets are financed with non-recourse debt.  Projects expected to result in direct sales are held in inventory, thus impacting operating cash flows.

MEMC ended the 2011 second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $651.9 million, excluding $58.1 million of long and short-term restricted cash.  

Following is additional detail on second quarter 2011 results by segment.

Semiconductor Materials

Semiconductor Materials revenue was $275.3 million, an increase of 9% compared to the 2011 first quarter and 10% compared to the 2010 second quarter.  The sequential increase was driven by higher volume due to seasonal effects and volume recovery from the Japan earthquake.  Year-over-year revenue increased despite the negative effects of the Japan earthquake.  The year-over-year increase was primarily the result of higher pricing and volume, which included market share gains.

Segment operating profit was $3.4 million, compared to $8.4 million in the 2011 first quarter, and $24.3 million in the 2010 second quarter.  Second quarter 2011 operating profit included a $14.2 million unfavorable impact from the earthquake in Japan and $8.1 million in restructuring charges related to actions taken to improve productivity in Italy and cease production at higher cost facilities in the U.S.  The 2011 first quarter included an adverse impact of $9.3 million from the earthquake in Japan and the 2010 second quarter included a benefit of $8.0 million from an insurance settlement and $1.4 million in restructuring charges.  Excluding these items, operating profit would have increased $8.0 million sequentially and year-over-year.  

Solar Materials

Solar Materials revenue was $323.1 million, a decrease of 1% from the 2011 first quarter and an increase of 92% from the 2010 second quarter.  Second quarter revenue included a $149.4 million benefit related to the Suntech contract resolution.  Excluding the Suntech contract resolution, revenue was down $152.6 million sequentially, driven by lower wafer volume and prices, and was up slightly year-over-year as a result of higher wafer volume, offset by lower prices.  According to independent industry reports, solar wafer pricing fell approximately 40% sequentially during the 2011 second quarter.

Segment operating profit was $89.2 million, compared to $39.4 million in the 2011 first quarter, and $19.1 million in the 2010 second quarter.  The sequential increase was driven by the Suntech contract resolution, partially offset by $52.4 million in cost of goods sold charges resulting from adverse purchase obligations, $1.3 million in restructuring charges, and a $14.2 million charge due largely to low initial volumes at Kuching as the ramp of that facility progresses.  

Solar Energy (SunEdison)

SunEdison GAAP revenue was $147.2 million, compared to revenue of $158.1 million in the 2011 first quarter, and $30.7 million in the 2010 second quarter.  SunEdison non-GAAP revenue for the 2011 second quarter was $181.2 million, compared to $254.8 million in the 2011 first quarter and $47.4 million in the 2010 second quarter.  Projects interconnected during the 2011 second quarter represented 30 MW, including 25 MW of direct sales projects, 4 MW of sale-lease back projects, and 1 MW of debt financed projects.  Non-GAAP revenue includes $34.0 million related to real estate and leasing sales transactions that will be recognized in earnings under GAAP in the future.  See the financial statement tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.  

SunEdison's 2011 second quarter GAAP operating loss was $8.4 million, compared to an operating loss of $6.6 million in the 2011 first quarter, and an operating loss of $4.4 million in the 2010 second quarter.  GAAP operating loss in the 2011 second quarter resulted from timing differences between recognition of cost and revenue under GAAP accounting.  The year-over-year increase in operating loss is due in part to this effect, but also to higher operating expenses related to investments in continued growth in the business and $7.3 million in restructuring and other charges.  SunEdison's non-GAAP operating income for the 2011 second quarter was $7.1 million, compared to $29.0 million in the 2011 first quarter and a loss of $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2010.  The sequential decline in non-GAAP operating profit is primarily due to fewer megawatts completed, higher operating expenses due to continued investment in the growth of the business, and restructuring and impairment charges.

SunEdison ended the 2011 second quarter with a total pipeline of 2.5 GW.  At June 30, 2011, 160 MW of the pipeline was under construction, compared to 105 MW at March 31, 2011, as the company continues to execute on its growing backlog of projects.  As SunEdison continues to increase its utility scale project development and enter into new global solar markets, SunEdison has narrowed and clarified its definition of pipeline projects to appropriately reflect the various development stages for its project portfolio.  A solar energy system project will be classified as "pipeline" where SunEdison has a signed or awarded PPA or other energy off-take agreement or has achieved each of the following three items: site control, an identified interconnection point with an estimate of the interconnection costs, and an executed energy off-take agreement or the determination that there is a reasonable likelihood that an energy off-take agreement will be signed.  "Under construction" refers to projects within pipeline, in various stages of completion, which are not yet operational.

Corporate/Other

Corporate/other costs were $32.5 million in the 2011 second quarter, compared to $41.4 million in the 2011 first quarter and $35.7 million in the 2010 second quarter.  The sequential decrease was driven primarily by an adverse legal accrual in the first quarter 2011.  

Outlook

Given the downturn in the solar upstream supply chain and the softening of semiconductor demand, MEMC is revising its guidance for 2011.  The company now expects 2011 non-GAAP sales to be in the range of $3.3 - $3.6 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.80 to $1.00.  GAAP sales are expected to be in the range of $2.7 - $3.0 billion, with earnings per share of $0.10 to $0.30.

Subsequent Events - Acquisition of Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Inc.

In a separate release, the company also announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Inc. ("FRV U.S.").  FRV U.S. is a leading developer, operator and owner of solar power plants in the United States.  FRV U.S.'s solar portfolio includes 42 MW in operation in the United States, including 14 MW at Nellis Air Force Base.  In addition, FRV U.S.'s solar portfolio includes 28 projects currently in various stages of development, providing SunEdison with up to 1.4 GW of solar projects in the United States.  The acquisition is expected to close in the third or fourth quarter of 2011, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals.  

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Management has determined that certain non-GAAP metrics for the SunEdison segment presented herein are the key metrics that will help investors understand the ultimate income and near-term cash flows generated by our SunEdison business.  These non-GAAP measures and metrics include deferrals required under GAAP real estate and lease accounting for some of SunEdison's direct sales and or its sale-leaseback transactions.  For a complete description of our non-GAAP measures, see the non-GAAP reconciliation table below and Form 8-K filed today.

Conference Call

MEMC will host a conference call today, August 3 at 5:30 p.m. ET to discuss the company's second quarter results, outlook for the second half of 2011 and related business matters. A live webcast will be available on the company's web site at www.memc.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available from 7:30 p.m. ET on August 3, 2011, until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 10, 2011.  To access the replay, please dial (320) 365-3844 at any time during that period, using passcode 211108. A replay will also be available on the company's web site at www.memc.com.

About MEMC

MEMC is a world leader in semiconductor and solar technology.  MEMC has been a pioneer in the design and development of silicon wafer technologies for over 50 years.  With R&D and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, MEMC enables the next generation of high performance semiconductor devices and solar cells.  Through its SunEdison subsidiary, MEMC is also a developer of solar power projects and a worldwide leader in solar energy services.  MEMC's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WFR" and is included in the S&P 500 Index.  For more information about MEMC, please visit www.memc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release and on the conference call are forward-looking statements, including that 2011 non-GAAP sales are expected to be in the range of $3.3 - $3.6 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.80 to $1.00, and GAAP sales in the range of $2.7 - $3.0 billion with earnings per share of $0.10 to $0.30; and our expectation that Suntech will continue to buy from us in 2011 and beyond.  Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include concentrated project development risks related to large scale solar projects; changes to accounting interpretations or accounting rules; changes in the pricing environment for silicon wafers and polysilicon, as well as solar power systems; market demand for our products and services; the availability and size of government and economic incentives to adopt solar power, including tax policy and credits and renewable portfolio standards; the availability of attractive project finance and other capital for SunEdison projects; existing or new regulations and policies governing the electric utility industry; our ability to convert SunEdison pipeline into completed projects in accordance with our current expectations; dependence on single and limited source suppliers; utilization of our manufacturing volume and capacity, including the successful ramping of production at our Ipoh and Kuching facilities; the terms of any potential future amendments to or terminations of our long-term agreements with our solar wafer customers; general economic conditions, including interest rates, the ability of our customers to pay their debts as they become due; our ability to realize the benefits of any announced or future facility closings and/or restructurings; our ability to maintain future growth; failure of third-party subcontractors to construct and install our solar energy systems; customer acceptance of our new products; the impact of competitive products and technologies; inventory levels of our customers; supply chain difficulties or problems; interruption of production; outcome of pending and future litigation matters; good working order of our manufacturing facilities; our ability to reduce manufacturing and operating costs; assumptions underlying management's financial estimates; delays in capacity expansion and the restructuring of our manufacturing operations across different plants; actions by competitors, customers and suppliers; changes in the retail industry; changes in federal or state laws governing utilities; damage to our brand; the integration of the Solaicx acquisition, acquisitions of pipeline in our Solar Energy segment, or any future acquisitions; changes in product specifications and manufacturing processes; changes in financial market conditions; changes in foreign economic and political conditions; changes in the composition of worldwide taxable income and applicable tax laws and regulations, including our ability to utilize any net operating losses; changes in technology; the impact of competitive products and technologies; changes in interest and currency exchange rates and other risks described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

-tables to follow-

SOURCE MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.