MEMC Announces Fourth Quarter & Full Year Results

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (NYSE: WFR) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006.

Summary of fourth quarter results:

* Net sales of $420.5 million

* Gross margin of $203.3 million (48.3% of net sales)

* Operating income of $168.6 million (40.1% of net sales)

* Cash and short-term investment balances of $585.5 million

The Company reported fourth quarter net sales of $420.5 million, which represents an increase of 3.1% from the third quarter level of $407.9 million. Gross margin in the quarter was $203.3 million, or 48.3% of net sales, compared to $192.5 million, or 47.2% of net sales, in the third quarter. Operating expenses totaled $34.7 million in the quarter, or 8.2% of sales, compared to $31.8 million, or 7.8% of sales in the third quarter. Operating income in the quarter was $168.6 million, or 40.1% of net sales, compared to $160.7 million, or 39.4% of net sales, in the third quarter. Other income in the quarter includes a benefit of $21.3 million, reflecting the required end of period valuation of the Suntech warrants.

Using an estimated effective cash tax rate of 19%, non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 was $157.8 million and non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.68. Net income for the fourth quarter, using a book tax rate of 33.6%, was $129.0 million and diluted EPS was $0.56. Both GAAP and Non-GAAP EPS figures include $7.2 million in pre-tax stock compensation expense ($0.02 per share after tax) and $21.3 million in pre-tax benefit relating to the Suntech warrants ($0.06 per share after tax). See non-GAAP reconciliation information at the end of this press release following the financial statement tables.

During the fourth quarter, the company generated operating cash flow of $153.7 million, or 36.6% of sales. Capital expenditures for the quarter totaled $51.6 million, or 12.3% of sales. Free cash flow (operating cash flow minus capital expenditures) was $102.1 million or 24.3% of sales. MEMC ended the fourth quarter with cash and short-term investments of $585.5 million, compared to $451.9 million at the end of the prior quarter.

Nabeel Gareeb, MEMC's chief executive officer said, "We are pleased with our performance this quarter as we achieved strong results in a very mixed business environment, where some of the semiconductor segments exhibited greater than anticipated weakness on a short-term basis. Revenue and earnings continued to grow at a solid pace, and our consistent cash flow generation has enabled cash and investment balances to exceed $585 million."

"For the full year 2006, MEMC grew revenue by almost 40%, resulting in the company crossing over the one-and-a-half billion dollar mark in revenues. Our financial performance and profitability improved significantly in almost every category in 2006 including operating profit, which more than doubled versus the prior year, gross margin which grew to a record $689 million, or almost 45% of sales, and non-GAAP EPS, which also more than doubled compared to 2005. In addition, we achieved a return on assets (net income divided by average total assets) greater than 25%, operating cash flow of 34% of sales and free cash flow of 25% of sales."

First Quarter & 2007 Outlook

"The demand environment in the semiconductor industry continues to be mixed," continued Gareeb, "due to some customers continuing to work through their inventory issues, which are compounded by traditional seasonality of their demand. The solar market, however, continues to be strong, and our first deliveries of solar wafers commenced last week. Based on the indicated demand from our semiconductor and solar customers, we are targeting first quarter 2007 sales to be approximately $440 million. In addition, we are targeting margins to improve by approximately 200 basis points compared to the fourth quarter, with operating expense dollars staying approximately flat."

"Based on market indicators, customer indications and our solar wafer delivery outlook, we have established the following targets for the full year 2007: revenue to be over $1.9 billion and non-GAAP EPS to be a little over $3, based on a cash tax rate in the mid-teens, and excluding any change in the Suntech warrant valuation. These targets assume a reasonably healthy demand environment for the markets with no significant economic issues during 2007."

Longer-Term Targets

"Reflecting on Phase I (the last five years) of MEMC's renewal, we are pleased with what we have accomplished so far. MEMC's sales on average have grown 20% per year, while earnings have grown from a loss position to approximately $2.00 per share (non-GAAP). Over the five years we have improved our return on capital employed to well over 30%, and our return on assets from negative territory to over 20%. In addition, we have paid off virtually all of our debt, and consistently generate free cash flow. While we are pleased with our performance in Phase I of our renewal, we are even more excited about our prospects over the next five years, a period that we are referring to as Phase II.

"Since 2002, we have provided investors with a long-term steady-state business model, which is intended to reflect our targets for future performance. This model, which was last revised in July 2005, has historically been in the form of margin percentages or ranges, has not included revenue growth, and was based primarily on the opportunities available to us from sales of semiconductor wafers."

"Our introduction of solar wafers has enabled opportunities for faster growth at equivalent or better profit levels. In addition, we continue to have opportunities to further reduce our existing wafer manufacturing costs. Both of these dynamics need to be reflected in a revised model for Phase II of MEMC's evolution. In the Phase I model, the lack of specific revenue targets caused uncertainty about our top line growth opportunities. As we grow to larger levels of revenue and aim for continued margin improvement, the ranges of margin percentage in the model would need to become wider to account for market uncertainty three to five years out. They could also unintentionally communicate artificial limits regarding our improvement potential. To provide greater clarity regarding our growth opportunities and avoid establishing artificial upper limits on our margin potential, we are moving from a generic percentage based model, that worked well for the first half of this decade, to a target based approach, similar to our annual guidance. For Phase II of MEMC's growth, we have established the following three to five year targets (barring any significant economic issues and assuming reasonable growth in the semiconductor and solar markets):

* Revenue between $3-$4 billion per year

* Operating expenses between $150-$200 million per year

* Non-GAAP EPS between $5 and $7 (assuming mid-teens cash tax rate, no

unusual benefits or losses, with approximately the same number of

shares outstanding as today)

* Annual capital expenditures between 10%-15% of sales

* Net cash position (cash and short-term investments minus debt)

* Improving margins (we will continue to provide specific margin guidance

on a quarterly basis)

Should we achieve the above targets, MEMC will achieve compound annual non-GAAP EPS growth in Phase II of approximately 30% or more. Combined with the accomplished results of Phase I, that would represent a compound annual growth rate in non-GAAP EPS of over 30% for almost a decade.

"We have demonstrated strong results through the first half of this decade, through good markets and bad. Our financial, technological and strategic positioning continues to strengthen, and we are excited about our prospects as we anticipate Phase II of MEMC's evolution during the second half of this decade and beyond," concluded Gareeb. See non-GAAP reconciliation information at the end of this press release following the financial statement tables.

Conference Call

MEMC will host a conference call today, January 25, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. ET to discuss the company's fourth quarter and full year results and related business matters. A live webcast will be available on the company's web site at http://www.memc.com/ir. As a supplement to today's earnings conference call and this press release, we have included a few slides on the same page of our website that may be helpful to investors. Please go to the web site fifteen minutes prior to the call to register and view the slides.

A replay of the conference call will be available from 7:30 p.m. ET on January 25, 2007, until 11:59 p.m. ET on February 1, 2007. To access the replay, please dial (203) 369-1666 at any time during that period. A replay will also be available until 11:59 p.m. ET on February 1, 2007 on the company's web site at http://www.memc.com.

About MEMC

MEMC is a global leader in the manufacture and sale of wafers and related intermediate products to the semiconductor and solar industries. MEMC has been a pioneer in the design and development of wafer technologies over the past four decades. With R&D and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia, MEMC enables the next generation of high performance semiconductor devices and solar cells.

Certain matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements, including our expectation that first quarter 2007 sales are targeted to be approximately $440 million, that margins are targeted to increase by approximately 200 basis points from the fourth quarter, with operating expense dollars staying approximately flat; that barring any significant economic issues, full year 2007 targets are revenue to be over $1.9 billion and non-GAAP EPS to be a little over $3.00 (based on a cash tax rate in the mid-teens and excluding any change in the Suntech warrant valuation); that barring any significant economic issues and assuming reasonable growth in the semiconductor and solar markets, we have established three to five year targets including revenue to be between $3-$4 billion per year and non-GAAP EPS to be between $5 and $7 (at mid-teens cash tax rate, no unusual benefits or losses, with approximately the same number of shares outstanding as today); that average annual capital expenditures will be between 10%-15% of sales; that operating expenses will be between $150-$200 million per year; that we will be in a net cash position; and that margins will be improving over 2006 levels. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include market demand for wafers and semiconductors as well as polysilicon; customer acceptance of our new products; utilization of manufacturing capacity; our ability to reduce manufacturing and operating costs; inventory levels of our customers; changes in the pricing environment for both silicon wafers and polysilicon; supply chain difficulties or problems; assumptions underlying management's financial estimates; general economic conditions; actions by competitors, customers and suppliers; changes in product specifications and manufacturing processes; changes in financial market conditions; changes in the composition of worldwide taxable income; the impact of competitive products and technologies; changes in interest and currency exchange rates and other risks described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands, except share data)

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended

Dec. 31, Sept. 30, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,

2006 2006 2005 2006 2005

Net sales $420,546 $407,949 $303,441 $1,540,584 $ 1,107,379

Cost of goods

sold 217,250 215,441 192,748 851,637 740,861

Gross margin 203,296 192,508 110,693 688,947 366,518

Operating expenses:

Marketing and

administration 25,892 22,774 20,812 94,852 76,316

Research and

development 8,763 9,072 8,400 35,819 33,209

Operating

income 168,641 160,662 81,481 558,276 256,993

Nonoperating

(income) expense:

Interest expense 416 199 1,705 2,428 7,256

Interest income (6,207) (4,227) (1,572) (14,672) (4,156)

Currency losses 16 667 765 1,061 441

(Gain) loss on

fair value of

warrant (21,299) 2,385 - (18,914) -

Other, net (846) (170) 134 (2,113) 1,077

Total

nonoperating

(income)

expense (27,920) (1,146) 1,032 (32,210) 4,618

Income before

income taxes

and minority

interests 96,561 161,808 80,449 590,486 252,375

Income tax

provision

(benefit) 66,051 68,329 27,787 214,833 (2,808)

Income before

minority

interests 130,510 93,479 52,662 375,653 255,183

Minority

interests (1,560) (2,432) (2,449) (6,365) (5,830)

Net income $128,950 $91,047 $50,213 $369,288 $249,353

Basic income per

share $0.58 $0.41 $0.23 $1.66 $1.17

Diluted income

per share $0.56 $0.40 $0.22 $1.61 $1.10

Weighted average

shares used in

computing basic

income per

share 222,728,419 222,058,257 221,164,731 222,128,722 213,513,110

Weighted

average

shares used

in computing

diluted income

per share 230,330,246 229,713,394 228,284,715 229,743,349 226,449,944

MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands)

December 31, September 30, December 31,

2006 2006 2005

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents $527,520 $418,394 $126,494

Short-term investments 57,971 33,478 27,117

Accounts receivable, net 199,071 186,955 125,183

Inventories 80,179 96,055 119,956

Prepaid and other current assets 34,773 31,344 37,528

Total current assets 899,514 766,226 436,278

Property, plant and equipment, net 603,509 552,748 494,927

Deferred tax assets, net 119,457 152,986 165,570

Other assets 143,044 118,194 51,328

Total assets $1,765,524 $1,590,154 $1,148,103

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'

EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Short-term borrowings and current

portion of long-term debt $5,035 $5,100 $18,305

Accounts payable 125,358 108,250 105,500

Accrued liabilities 35,081 59,635 48,938

Deferred revenue 5,221 5,069 14,558

Accrued wages and salaries 32,781 34,549 25,987

Income taxes payable 54,342 92,813 11,621

Total current liabilities 257,818 305,416 224,909

Long-term debt, less current portion 29,373 32,299 34,821

Pension and post-employment

liabilities 85,245 81,922 91,028

Deferred revenue 68,105 67,261 -

Other liabilities 119,528 71,482 41,362

Total liabilities 560,069 558,380 392,120

Minority interests 38,562 43,816 44,646

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock - - -

Common stock 2,240 2,229 2,223

Additional paid-in capital 242,538 214,017 191,535

Retained earnings 933,805 798,042 557,704

Accumulated other comprehensive

loss (7,419) (22,059) (35,854)

Treasury stock (4,271) (4,271) (4,271)

Total stockholders' equity 1,166,893 987,958 711,337

Total liabilities and

stockholders' equity $1,765,524 $1,590,154 $1,148,103

MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands)

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended

Dec. 31, Sept. 30, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,

2006 2006 2005 2006 2005

Cash Flows from

Operating Activities:

Net income $128,950 $91,047 $50,213 $369,288 $249,353

Adjustments to reconcile

net income to net cash

provided by operating

activities:

Depreciation and

amortization 18,709 17,637 15,554 70,256 57,182

Minority interests 1,560 2,432 2,449 6,365 5,830

Stock compensation 7,078 4,542 1,483 19,026 2,156

Working capital and other (2,558) 24,739 37,298 64,200 6,475

Net cash provided by

operating activities 153,739 140,397 106,997 529,135 320,996

Cash Flows from

Investing Activities:

Proceeds from sales and

maturities of investments 15,830 2,088 27,209 32,213 46,254

Purchases of investments (44,359) (4,242) (17,825) (61,970) (37,885)

Capital expenditures (51,630) (33,985) (21,171) (148,370) (162,738)

Proceeds from sale of

property, plant and

equipment - - 15 145 21

Proceeds from insurance

settlement - 3,750 1,736 3,750 1,736

Net cash used in

investing activities (80,159) (32,389) (10,036) (174,232) (152,612)

Cash Flows from

Financing Activities:

Net short-term borrowings - (240) (1,302) (13,209) (9,054)

Proceeds from issuance

of long-term debt - - - - 60,000

Principal payments on

long-term debt (2,559) - (78,509) (5,250) (149,476)

Debt financing fees - - - - (1,184)

Proceeds from issuance

of common stock 10,864 975 1,944 17,148 14,817

Proceeds from customer

deposits 16,031 21,219 - 37,250 -

Dividend to minority

interest - - - (5,636) (9,546)

Excess tax benefits from

share-based payment

arrangements 8,157 1,052 - 9,209 -

Net cash provided by

(used in) financing

activities 32,493 23,006 (77,867) 39,512 (94,443)

Effect of exchange rate

changes on cash and

cash equivalents 3,053 1,049 (232) 6,611 3,034

Net increase in cash and

cash equivalents 109,126 132,063 18,862 401,026 76,975

Cash and cash

equivalents at

beginning of period 418,394 286,331 107,632 126,494 49,519

Cash and cash

equivalents at end of

period $527,520 $418,394 $126,494 $527,520 $126,494

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and EPS

to non-GAAP Net Income and EPS

Net Income EPS

GAAP $129.0 $0.56

Cash Tax Difference* $28.8 $0.12

Non-GAAP $157.8 $0.68

* Our estimated cash tax rate is the estimated tax payable on our tax

returns as a percentage of estimated annual pre-tax book income. The

annual cash tax rate is estimated quarterly by reference to book

taxable income and then taking into account temporary book/tax

differences and any tax basis items reflected on our annual tax

returns. The Q4 2006 estimated cash tax rate is 19%. The Q4 2006 book

tax rate is 33.6%, giving rise to a $28.8 million tax difference from

GAAP to non-GAAP EPS calculations as reflected in the above table.

Future years' projected non-GAAP EPS is based on a mid-teens cash tax

rate, no unusual benefits or losses and approximately the same number

of shares outstanding as today. Reconciliation to projected GAAP

numbers cannot be made at this time because the information necessary

to calculate this number is not now available to the Company.

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