STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE: STM) is gaining 5% in pre-open trade after the company reported Q4 EPS of $0.13, in-line with the analyst estimate of $0.13. Revenue for the quarter came in at $1.86 billion versus the consensus estimate of $1.86 billion.

"In the fourth quarter we continued to see sustained demand, resulting in revenues and gross margin better than the midpoint of our guidance. Net revenues grew 3.5% sequentially and 11.5% year-over-year; our gross margin of 37.5% increased substantially both sequentially and year-over-year," commented Carlo Bozotti, STMicroelectronics President and Chief Executive Officer.

"In 2016, revenues grew 1.1% compared to 2015. After a weak start to the year, reflecting both market and specific product transitions, revenues grew 6.5% in the second half of 2016 compared to the same period one year earlier. Importantly, by leveraging our strategic focus on Smart Driving and Internet of Things, we recorded year-over-year sales growth in the second half of 2016 across all of our product groups excluding discontinued businesses. Throughout 2016 we also further strengthened our technology and product portfolio, accelerating innovation and time-to-market to reinforce our leadership. Overall, we have improved our operating profitability through the combination of revenue growth, gross margin expansion and operating expense control."

First Quarter 2017 Business Outlook

Mr. Bozotti commented, "Based on market forecasts, a positive booking trend, and a strong point-of-sales performance at our distributors, we see the momentum of the second half of 2016 to continue entering 2017.

"Based on these factors, we expect our first quarter to reflect better than normal seasonality, with a sequential net revenues decline of about 2.4% at the midpoint. On a year-over year basis, this would translate into a net revenues growth of about 12.5% at the mid-point. We expect a gross margin of about 37.0% at the midpoint.

"In order to support ST's innovative product portfolio and to fuel significant revenue growth in 2017 and beyond, particularly from new specialized technologies and products, we expect to invest approximately $1 billion to $1.1 billion in 2017. Specifically, the Company is investing in 300mm front-end manufacturing and in back-end assembly and test to support new products. In particular, we anticipate a newly won program to ramp with substantial revenues in the second half of 2017."

The Company expects first quarter 2017 revenues to decrease about 2.4% on a sequential basis, plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Gross margin in the first quarter is expected to be about 37.0% plus or minus 2.0 percentage points.

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