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KLA-Tencor (KLAC) Tops Q1 EPS by 1c; Announces Leveraged Recapitalization and $16.50/Share Special Dividend

October 23, 2014 4:16 PM EDT

KLA-Tencor (NASDAQ: KLAC) reported Q1 EPS of $0.47, $0.01 better than the analyst estimate of $0.46. Revenue for the quarter came in at $643 million versus the consensus estimate of $620.7 million.

KLA-Tencor also announced today a plan to significantly accelerate its strategy to drive stockholder returns. As part of the Company's ongoing commitment to deliver stockholder value, the Board of Directors has authorized the financing of a leveraged recapitalization, which would feature a special cash dividend of $16.50 per share, representing approximately 23% of the Company's common stock price as of October 22, 2014, or an aggregate value of approximately $2.75 billion. Subject to the close of necessary financing, the Board of Directors currently intends to declare and pay the special cash dividend before December 31, 2014. The special cash dividend would be in addition to the Company's regular $0.50 per share quarterly cash dividend. The Company's regular $0.50 per share quarterly cash dividend is expected to be declared and paid following the Company's regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting in November 2014.

In connection with the leveraged recapitalization, the Board of Directors has approved an increase to the Company's stock repurchase program for up to 3.6 million additional shares of the Company's common stock, which is valued at approximately $250 million based upon the closing price of the Company's common stock as of October 20, 2014. This is in addition to the $1 billion stock repurchase program previously announced in July 2014. KLA-Tencor expects to complete these share repurchases within 12 to 18 months. The repurchases may occur from time to time, in the open market, with consideration given to the market price of the common stock, the Company's other investment opportunities, and general economic conditions.

Including the intended special cash dividend of $16.50 per share or an aggregate value of approximately $2.75 billion, the $250 million increase to the stock repurchase program announced today, and the $1 billion stock repurchase program previously announced in July 2014, the total capital that would be directed to stockholders would be approximately $4 billion in aggregate.

"KLA-Tencor's strong business model and the ongoing successful execution of our strategic plans enable us to continue to invest in our business at a high level to fuel our growth and support our customers' needs, while also delivering meaningful returns to stockholders," commented Rick Wallace, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These factors, coupled with a strong balance sheet and the Company's ongoing focus on cash distributions, will enable our stockholders to continue to benefit from KLA-Tencor's sustained success in the marketplace. This is another major step forward for the Company in executing our capital allocation strategies in support of our strategic objectives, while increasing returns to stockholders."

The intended special cash dividend of $2.75 billion in the aggregate will be funded in part with a portion of the cash on the Company's balance sheet, and in part with incremental debt. To fund the debt financed portion of the special cash dividend, KLA-Tencor intends to add up to $2.5 billion of incremental debt, consisting of a combination of investment grade senior notes and a pre-payable term loan facility, subject to market conditions. The Company also expects to enter into an unfunded revolving credit facility, subject to market conditions. The declaration and payment of the special cash dividend are conditioned on the Company's ability to obtain requisite debt financing on satisfactory terms and conditions. KLA-Tencor intends to manage its capital structure to preserve and maintain its investment grade rating.

In considering the proposed recapitalization, the Board of Directors took a number of factors into account, including the substantial net cash on KLA-Tencor's balance sheet, the likely effects of increased leverage on the Company's ability to pursue its strategic initiatives, and the Company's ability to generate cash flows to service the Company's increased debt and fund operations and investments designed to grow the business and serve customer needs.

KLA-Tencor will discuss the results for its fiscal year 2015 first quarter and its plan to pursue a recapitalization, along with its outlook, on a conference call today beginning at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. A webcast of the call will be available at: www.kla-tencor.com.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on KLA-Tencor (KLAC) click here.



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