MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel, Feb. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TowerJazz (NASDAQ:TSEM) (TASE:TSEM) today reports results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2016 ended December 31, 2016.

Highlights of the Full Year 2016

• Record revenues of $1.25 billion, up 30% year over year;
• Record EBITDA of $367 million, up 48% year over year;
• Record net profit of $204 million, as compared to a net loss of $30 million for the full year of 2015;
• Record cash from operations of $327 million and record free cash flow of $118 million, resulting in record cash balance and record shareholders’ equity.

Highlights of the Fourth Quarter of 2016 and First Quarter of 2017 Guidance

• Record revenues of $340 million, up 34% year over year;
• Record gross profit of $88 million, up 36% year over year;
• Record operating profit of $55 million, up 61% year over year;
• Record EBITDA of $105 million, up 39% year over year;
• Net profit of $48 million, up 119% year over year;
• Cash from operations of $82 million and record free cash flow of $39 million;
• First quarter revenue guidance with mid-range of $330 million, up 19% year over year; targeting growth throughout the year.  

Chairman and CEO End of Year Commentary
Mr. Russell Ellwanger, Chief Executive Officer of TowerJazz, commented, “2016 was on all fronts, business, financial, operational and technological, the best year TowerJazz has posted. The year began with a successful acquisition of the San Antonio facility, increasing our capacity and operational flexibility, and ended achieving our stated target in the fourth quarter of $100 million annualized third party revenue at TPSCo.”

Continued Mr. Ellwanger, “Entering 2017, we focus on utilizing the capacity of the acquired Panasonic and Maxim fabs to meet the increasing customers’ demand within our strong advanced analog offerings. Present customer forecast indicates growth throughout the year with each quarter being significantly higher year over year. We are excited with our business and financial position that allows us to capitalize upon new initiatives to continue value creation.”

Mr. Amir Elstein, Chairman of the TowerJazz Board of Directors, summarized: “2016, as a record year, is a strong validation of the business models and the executions behind becoming the worldwide leading specialty analog foundry. The board and I wholeheartedly congratulate all the dedicated employees of TowerJazz, the management and Russell, for all their efforts, activities and accomplishments of multiple years resulting in this record year we have just completed. We very much look forward to another significant year with great achievements.”

Fourth Quarter Results Overview
Revenues for the 2016 fourth quarter were a record $340 million reflecting 34% growth as compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Revenues were 4% higher than those of the previous quarter.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $88 million, representing an increase of 36% as compared with $65 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, and an increase of 8% as compared with $81 million gross profit in the immediately preceding quarter.

Operating profit was $55 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, as compared with $34 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2015 and $49 million operating profit in the immediately preceding quarter.

Net profit for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $48 million, or $0.53 basic earnings per share, demonstrating increased sustainable GAAP net profit, as compared with $22 million or $0.28 basic earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2015. Net profit for the third quarter of 2016 of $51 million, or $0.58 basic earnings per share, and included a non-recurring $6 million of income tax benefit related to finalization of the closure of the Japanese subsidiary that held the fab in Nishiwaki, Japan, which ceased operations in 2014.

On an adjusted basis, as described and reconciled in the tables below, adjusted net profit for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $53 million, compared with $26 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 and $49 million in the immediately preceding quarter.

EBITDA for the fourth quarter totaled $105 million. This represents a 39% increase as compared with $76 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and a 9% sequential increase as compared with $97 million in the immediately preceding quarter.

Cash and short term deposits on December 31, 2016 were $389 million as compared to $363 million as of September 30, 2016. The main cash activities during the fourth quarter of 2016 were comprised of the following: $82 million cash generated from operating activities; $11 million received from the exercise of warrants and options; investments of $43 million in fixed assets, net; $6 million debt repayments and $17 million effect of the Japanese Yen exchange rate on cash balance.

Full Year 2016 Financial Results
Revenues for 2016 were a record $1.25 billion reflecting 30% growth as compared to 2015 revenues of $961 million.

Gross profit for 2016 was $303 million. This represents an increase of 48% as compared with $205 million in 2015. Operating profit was $175 million in 2016, as compared with $82 million in 2015.

Net profit for 2016 was $204 million, or $2.33 basic earnings per share, demonstrating increased net profit, as compared with net loss of $30 million or $0.40 basic loss per share in 2015. Net profit for 2016 included $50 million gain, net, from the San Antonio acquisition and $6 million income tax benefit related to the closure finalization of the Nishiwaki Japanese subsidiary, which were partially offset by $7 million non-cash financing expenses relating to the Israeli banks’ loans early repayment. Net loss for 2015 included $81 million non-cash financing expense associated with Series F Bonds accelerated conversion done in 2015, $18 million income tax benefit resulting from the expiration of statute of limitations and Japanese income tax rate reduction.

On an adjusted basis, as described and reconciled in the tables below, adjusted net profit for 2016 was $175 million, compared with $49 million for 2015, representing a $126 million increased adjusted net profit derived from the $289 million higher revenues.

EBITDA for the year was $367 million. This represents a 48% increase as compared with $248 million in 2015, or $119 million increased EBITDA derived from the $289 million higher revenues.

Cash and short term deposits on December 31, 2016 were $389 million as compared to $206 million on December 31, 2015. The main cash activities during 2016 were comprised of the following: $327 million cash generated from operating activities; $39 million received from the exercise of warrants and options; $37 million debt received, net of debt principal payments; and investments of $210 million in fixed assets, net.

Shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2016 was a record of $683 million, 77% higher than $386 million as of December 31, 2015. Net cash as of December 31, 2016 totaled $37 million as compared to net debt of $105 million as of December 31, 2015.

Business Outlook
TowerJazz expects revenues for the first quarter of 2017 ending March 31, 2017 to be $330 million with an upward or downward range of 5%, representing approximately 19% year over year revenue growth as compared to the first quarter of 2016.

Teleconference and Webcast
TowerJazz will host an investor conference call today, February 13, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time (9:00 a.m. Central time, 8:00 a.m. Mountain time, 7:00 a.m. Pacific time and 5:00 p.m. Israel time) to discuss the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2016 and its first quarter 2017 outlook.

This call will be webcast and can be accessed via TowerJazz’s website at www.towerjazz.com., or by calling: 1-888-668-9141 (U.S. Toll-Free), 03-918-0609 (Israel), +972-3-918-0609 (International).  For those who are not available to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived for 90 days.

The Company presents its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The audited financial statements in accordance with US GAAP will be included in the 6-K to be filed with the annual financial statements and Form 20-F.  The financial information included in the tables below contain abbreviated financial results which are not audited or in accordance with US GAAP. Some of the financial information in this release, which we refer to in this release as “adjusted financial measures”, are non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G and related reporting requirements promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission as they apply to our Company. These adjusted financial measures are calculated excluding one or more of the following: (1) amortization of acquired intangible assets; (2) compensation expenses in respect of equity grants to directors, officers and employees; (3) gain from acquisition, net; (4) other non-cash financing expense, net associated with Bonds Series F accelerated conversion; (5) non-cash financing expenses related to bank loans early repayment; (6) non-recurring income tax benefit; (7) Nishiwaki Fab restructuring and impairment cost (income), net; and (8) other non-recurring items. These adjusted financial measures should be evaluated in conjunction with, and are not a substitute for, GAAP financial measures. The tables also present the GAAP financial measures, which are most comparable to the adjusted financial measures as well as reconciliation between the adjusted financial measures and the comparable GAAP financial measures. As used in this release, the term Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) consists of profit or loss, according to U.S. GAAP, excluding gain from acquisition, net, interest and other financing expenses (net), other income (expense), net, taxes, non-controlling interest, depreciation and amortization, stock based compensation expenses, acquisition related costs and Nishiwaki Fab restructuring and impairment cost (income), net. EBITDA is reconciled in the tables below from GAAP operating profit. EBITDA is not a required GAAP financial measure and may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure employed by other companies. EBITDA and the adjusted financial information presented herein should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating profit, net profit or loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing activities, per share data or other profit or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Net cash or net debt, as presented in this release, is comprised of the outstanding principal amount of banks’ loans (in the amounts of approximately $166 million and $246 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) and the outstanding principal amount of debentures (in the amounts of approximately $186 million and $65 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively), less cash and short-term deposits (in the amounts of approximately $389 million and $206 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively).

About TowerJazz
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ:TSEM) (TASE:TSEM) and its fully owned U.S. subsidiaries Jazz Semiconductor, Inc. and TowerJazz Texas Inc., operate collectively under the brand name TowerJazz, the global specialty foundry leader. TowerJazz manufactures integrated circuits, offering a broad range of customizable process technologies including: SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), and MEMS. TowerJazz also provides a world-class design enablement platform for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as Transfer Optimization and development Process Services (TOPS) to IDMs and fabless companies that need to expand capacity.

To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, TowerJazz operates two manufacturing facilities in Israel (150mm and 200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm) and three additional facilities in Japan (two 200mm and one 300mm) through TowerJazz Panasonic Semiconductor Co. (TPSCo), established with Panasonic Corporation of which TowerJazz has the majority holding. Through
technologies, including the most advanced image sensor technologies. For more information, please visit www.towerjazz.com or www.tpsemico.com.

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements and you should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: (i) demand in our customers’ end markets; (ii) over demand for our foundry services and/or products that exceeds our capacity; (iii) maintaining existing customers and attracting additional customers, (iv) high utilization and its effect on cycle time, yield and on schedule delivery which may cause customers to transfer their product(s) to other fabs, (v) operating results fluctuate from quarter to quarter making it difficult to predict future performance, (vi) impact of our debt and other liabilities on our financial position and operations, (vii) our ability to successfully execute acquisitions, integrate them into our business, utilize our expanded capacity and find new business, (viii) fluctuations in cash flow, (ix) our ability to satisfy the covenants stipulated in our agreements with our lender banks and bondholders (as of December 31, 2016 we are in compliance with all such covenants included in our banks’ agreements, bond G indenture and others), (x) pending litigation, including the shareholder class actions that were filed against the Company, certain officers, its directors and/or its external auditor in the US and Israel, following a short sell thesis report issued by a short-selling focused firm, which has been dismissed and closed in the US and is still pending in Israel; (xi) our majority stake in TPSCo and our acquisition of the San Antonio fabrication facility by TowerJazz Texas (“TJT”), including new customer engagements, qualification and production ramp-up, (xii) the closure of TJP within the scope of restructuring our activities and business in Japan, settling any future claims or potential claims from third parties, (xiii) meeting the conditions set in the approval certificates received from the Israeli Investment Center under which we received a significant amount of grants in past years, (xiv) receipt of orders that are lower than the customer purchase commitments, (xv) failure to receive orders currently expected, (xvi) possible incurrence of additional indebtedness, (xvii) effect of global recession, unfavorable economic conditions and/or credit crisis, (xviii) our ability to accurately forecast financial performance, which is affected by limited order backlog and lengthy sales cycles, (xix) possible situations of obsolete inventory if forecasted demand exceeds actual demand when we manufacture products before receipt of customer orders, (xx) the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the resulting periodic overcapacity, fluctuations in operating results and future average selling price erosion, (xxi) the execution of debt re-financing and/or fundraising to enable the service of our debt and/or other liabilities, (xxii) operating our facilities at high utilization rates which is critical in order to cover a portion or all of the high level of fixed costs associated with operating a foundry, and our debt, in order to improve our results, (xxiii) the purchase of equipment to increase capacity, the timely completion of the equipment installation, technology transfer and raising the funds therefor, (xxiv) the concentration of our business in the semiconductor industry, (xxv) product returns, (xxvi) our ability to maintain and develop our technology processes and services to keep pace with new technology, evolving standards, changing customer and end-user requirements, new product introductions and short product life cycles, (xxvii) competing effectively, (xxviii) use of outsourced foundry services by both fabless semiconductor companies and integrated device manufacturers; (xxix) achieving acceptable device yields, product performance and delivery times, (xxx) our dependence on intellectual property rights of others, our ability to operate our business without infringing others’ intellectual property rights and our ability to enforce our intellectual property against infringement, (xxxi) retention of key employees and recruitment and retention of skilled qualified personnel, (xxxii) exposure to inflation, currency rates (mainly the Israeli Shekel and Japanese Yen) and interest rate fluctuations and risks associated with doing business locally and internationally, as well fluctuations in the market price of our traded securities, (xxxiii) issuance of ordinary shares as a result of conversion and/or exercise of any of our convertible securities, as well as any sale of shares by any of our shareholders, or any market expectation thereof, which may depress the market price of our ordinary shares and may impair our ability to raise future capital, (xxxiv) meeting regulatory requirements worldwide, including environmental and governmental regulations; and (xxxv) business interruption due to fire and other natural disasters, the security situation in Israel and other events beyond our control such as power interruptions.

A more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements included in this press release or which may otherwise affect our business is included under the heading "Risk Factors" in Tower’s most recent filings on Forms 20-F and 6-K, as were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Israel Securities Authority. Future results may differ materially from those previously reported. The Company does not intend to update, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update, the information contained in this release.

(Financial tables follow)

CONTACTS:
Noit Levi | TowerJazz | +972 4 604 7066 | Noit.levi@towerjazz.com
GK Investor Relations | Gavriel Frohwein, (646) 688 3559 | towerjazz@gkir.com