II-VI Incorporated Soaring 22% (IIVI)

Shares of II-VI Incorporated

are soaring today, gaining more than 22% after the company crushed earnings estimates. The company reported earnings of 72 cents per share versus Wall Street estimates 53 cents per share. Revenues also beat estimates, coming in at $130 million, up 33% from last year. Francis J. Kramer, president and chief executive officer said, "We achieved record bookings and revenues in the third fiscal quarter as strong positive momentum continued across almost all markets. Bookings increased 30%, revenues were up 33% and earnings more than doubled from the year-ago quarter. Orders in the Infrared Optics segment and at Photop were particularly strong - up 38% and 39%, respectively, from the year-ago quarter and 12% and 24%, respectively, from the quarter ended December 31, 2010. Our backlog stands at $176.5 million, an increase of 23% from March 31, 2010 and 9% from December 31, 2010. Earnings of $0.72 per share-diluted primarily resulted from increases in sales volume and operating efficiencies. The effective tax rate for the quarter was lower to reflect the increased profit contribution from our foreign operations; revenues outside of the U.S. accounted for over 60% of our total revenues for the quarter." Kramer continued, "Quarterly EBITDA performance and cash flow generation continue to strengthen. EBITDA for the quarter increased 63% from the same period last fiscal year and 9% from the December 31, 2010 period. During the quarter, we made strategic capital investments of $14 million, after which our cash balance still increased $9 million. Robust market momentum, strong operating performance and a record order backlog are causing us to increase our guidance for the fourth quarter and fiscal year." At last check, shares of IIVI were up $10.87 to $58.94.