SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Electronics, Inc. BHE today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.

"Third quarter revenue and earnings were in line with our expectations", said Paul Tufano, Benchmark's President and CEO.  "Bookings remained strong at $175 million; revenue was up 5% year-over-year; and gross margins, on a non-GAAP basis, improved 30 bps quarter-over-quarter to 8.5%, but remain muted from continuing softness in semi-cap.  Cash cycle days were 74 and slightly above our target range due to the linearity of shipments; we expect our Q4 cash cycle days to be within our target range.  As a result, we expect full year operating cash flow to be positive in 2018."

"As of this earnings release, we have spent $152 million on share repurchases year-to-date and are expecting to exceed $200 million in share repurchases exiting this year, which well exceeds our $100 million target for 2018," said Tufano.  "Additionally, the board has authorized an additional $100 million for share repurchases above our existing program."

"Our fourth quarter guidance reflects strength in our core business and sustained operational improvement, but remains tempered by softness in the semi‐cap market, which we expect to persist through the first half of 2019.  Despite an expected 10% year-over-year reduction in the Test & Instrumentation sector, we expect annual revenue growth in 2019 of 3-5%.  For 2019, we also expect gross and operating margin expansion from not only operational execution and the progressive growth of our new RF and high-speed design center, but also the reduction of our cost and expense structure, including SG&A and the evaluation of marginal or dilutive contracts.  We are committed to the achievement of our business model and are encouraged by the opportunities to further expand customer engagements," said Tufano.

Cash Conversion Cycle

Third Quarter 2018 Industry Sector Update

Revenue and percentage of sales by industry sector (in millions) was as follows.

Higher‐value markets were down 2% year‐over‐year from softer demand in Test & Instrumentation (primarily semi-capital equipment) and Medical program transitions.  Traditional market revenues were up 19% year-over-year primarily from strong storage demand in Computing and new program ramps in Telecommunications.

Third Quarter 2018 Bookings Update

• New program bookings of $175 million at the midpoint of projected annualized revenue.
• 27 engineering awards supporting early engagement opportunities.
• 31 manufacturing wins across all market sectors.

The Company projects that new program bookings for the third quarter will result in annualized revenue of $162 to $182 million when fully launched in the next 12-24 months, medical up to 36 months.

Additional Share Repurchase Authorization and Capital Allocation Update

On March 7, 2018, the board expanded an existing share repurchase program by $250 million.  The Company has repurchased $122 million of common stock shares year-to-date through September 30, 2018 and $152 million through October 29, 2018.  On October 26, 2018, the Board authorized an additional $100 million and the total remaining authorization outstanding is $262 million.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Outlook

• Revenue between $610 - $650 million.
• Diluted GAAP earnings per share between $0.21 - $0.32.
• Diluted non-GAAP earnings per share between $0.32 - $0.40 (excluding any additional impact related to U.S. Tax Reform, restructuring charges and other costs and amortization of intangibles).

Third Quarter 2018 Results Conference Call Details

A conference call hosted by Benchmark management will be held today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company's financial results and outlook.  This call will be broadcast via the internet and may be accessed by logging on to the Company's website at www.bench.com.

About Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

Benchmark is a worldwide provider of innovative product design, engineering services, technology solutions and advanced manufacturing services.  From initial product concept to volume production, including direct order fulfillment and aftermarket services, Benchmark has been providing integrated services and solutions to original equipment manufacturers since 1979.  Today, Benchmark proudly serves the following industries: aerospace and defense, medical technologies, complex industrials, test and instrumentation, next-generation telecommunications and high-end computing.  Benchmark's global operations network includes facilities in eight countries and common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The words "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "predict" and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, often identify forward-looking statements, which are not limited to historical facts.  Forward-looking statements include, among other things: guidance for 2018 results; projected annual revenues resulting from new program bookings; statements, express or implied, concerning future operating results or margins, the ability to generate sales and income or cash flow; and Benchmark's business and growth strategies and expected growth and performance.  Although Benchmark believes these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they involve risks and uncertainties relating to operations, markets and the business environment generally.  If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.  Readers are advised to consult further disclosures on these risks and uncertainties, particularly in Item 1A, "Risk Factors", of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  All forward-looking statements included in this document are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this document, and it assumes no obligation to update them.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This document includes certain financial measures that exclude items and therefore are not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  A detailed reconciliation between GAAP results and results excluding special items ("non-GAAP") is included in the following tables attached to this document.  Management discloses non‐GAAP information to provide investors with additional information to analyze the Company's performance and underlying trends.  Management uses non‐GAAP measures that exclude certain items in order to better assess operating performance and help investors compare results with our previous guidance.  The Company's non‐GAAP information is not necessarily comparable to the non‐GAAP information used by other companies.  Non‐GAAP information should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, net income or other data prepared in accordance with GAAP as a measure of the Company's profitability or liquidity.  Readers should consider the types of events and transactions for which adjustments have been made.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the adoption of ASC 606 increased revenue by $7.4 million, operating income by $0.1 million and net income by $0.3 million.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the adoption of ASC 606 increased revenue by $1.5 million, decreased operating income by $0.5 million and increased net income by $0.1 million.

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SOURCE Benchmark Electronics, Inc.