ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. , a leading global provider of high-quality, technologically advanced flexible printed circuit and value-added component assembly solutions to the electronics industry, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Net sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 were $199.2 million, a 6.5 percent decrease from net sales of $213.1 million in the same period of the prior year. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to substantially lower sales to two customers (consistent with recent prior quarters), partially offset by significantly higher sales to one other major customer with new product launches. Net sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 grew 14 percent sequentially from $174.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 due primarily to higher sales of flex assemblies for smartphones and other consumer electronic devices that are experiencing strong marketplace demand.

Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $11.6 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to net income of $7.6 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the same period in fiscal 2008. Net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 was negatively impacted by three non-recurring charges totaling $9.8 million net of tax, or $0.38 per diluted share.

"Our solid fourth quarter and record full-year results validate our value-added service model that includes working directly with our customers during the design phase of a program and maintaining a high level of interaction throughout the product lifecycle. This provides us with the ability to quickly ramp production of complex flex assemblies and has proven instrumental in expanding our relationship with major customers. Today''s smartphones and the other consumer electronic devices for which we manufacture flex assemblies have increasingly short product lifecycles. We believe that our ability to help our customers reduce the time-to-market differentiates MFLEX and gives us a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace. We believe the traction that we have gained with the leading smartphone and consumer electronic device OEMs affirms our approach and we look forward to building upon this momentum in fiscal 2010 and beyond," said Reza Meshgin, Chief Executive Officer of MFLEX.

Financial Highlights

Gross margin during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was 14.1 percent, compared to 16.1 percent for the same period in the prior year. The year-over-year decrease in gross margin is primarily due to the higher material content of current programs, partially offset by improved yields and labor productivity. Sequentially, gross margin declined from 14.3 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 due to higher material costs associated with the fourth quarter product mix partially offset by improved labor utilization.

Cash flow from operating activities for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $27.0 million.

At September 30, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $139.7 million, or $5.45 per diluted share. Cash and cash equivalents increased by $12.7 million compared to the balance at June 30, 2009.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, net sales increased 4.9 percent to a record $764.4 million from $728.8 million in fiscal 2008. The Company also generated record net income in fiscal 2009 of $46.1 million, or $1.81 per diluted share, compared to $40.5 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, during the prior fiscal year.

Outlook

For the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company expects net sales to range between $225 and $240 million, and gross margin to range between 14.0 percent and 16.0 percent based on the projected product mix and ramp of new programs.

Commenting on the Company''s business outlook, Mr. Meshgin said, "For the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we expect to benefit from the normal seasonal increase in customer demand associated with the holiday season coupled with our success on new programs for smartphones and other consumer electronic devices. Based on our current forecast, we anticipate year-over-year net sales growth in the first quarter and we expect to achieve the highest quarterly net sales in the history of the Company. In addition, through improvements in yields and labor productivity, we continue to work diligently to mitigate the pressure on our gross margins from higher material costs associated with the current product mix.

"In anticipation of continued growth in fiscal 2010, we are moving forward with capital expenditures in support of our previously announced capacity expansion initiatives. Construction of our new manufacturing facility, MFC3, is progressing on schedule and we continue to expect that this new facility will be on-line during fiscal 2010 to help meet our future capacity requirements," said Mr. Meshgin.

Conference Call

MFLEX will host a conference call at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time (2:30 p.m. Pacific time) today to review its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. The dial-in number for the call in North America is 1-877-941-8632 and 1-480-629-9821 for international callers. The call also will be webcast live on the Internet and can be accessed by logging onto http://www.mflex.com/.

The webcast will be archived on the Company''s website for at least 60 days following the call. An audio replay of the conference call will be available for seven days beginning at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time (5:30 p.m. Pacific time) today. The audio replay dial-in number for North America is 1-800-406-7325 and 1-303-590-3030 for international callers. The replay passcode is 4176695.

About MFLEX

MFLEX (http://www.mflex.com/) is a global provider of high-quality, technologically advanced flexible printed circuit and value-added component assembly solutions to the electronics industry. The Company is one of a limited number of manufacturers that provides a seamless, integrated end-to-end flexible printed circuit solution for customers, ranging from design and application engineering, prototyping and high-volume manufacturing to turnkey component assembly and testing. The Company targets its solutions within the electronics market and, in particular, focuses on applications where flexible printed circuits are the enabling technology in achieving a desired size, shape, weight or functionality of an electronic device. Current applications for the Company''s products include mobile phones and smart mobile devices, medical devices, computer/data storage, portable bar code scanners and other handheld consumer electronic devices. MFLEX''s common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol MFLX.

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements and predictions regarding: revenues; net sales; sales; net income; cash balances, cash flow and uses of cash; tax rates; operating expenses; capital expenditures; inventory levels; profitability; gross margins, including factors that could affect gross margins; yields; labor productivity and operating efficiencies; growth and diversification of the Company''s customer base; the Company''s relationship and opportunities with, and expected demand and orders from, its customers (including the effect of the economy and seasonality on demand); demand for smartphones and other consumer electronic devices; product lifecycles; the Company''s competitive advantages, service model and market opportunities; expected benefits from the acquisition of Pelikon and the Morphpad(TM) display; the utilization of flex and flex assemblies; current and upcoming programs, product mix and the material content and ramping thereof; the Company''s manufacturing capabilities, capacity and ability to ramp/expand production of flex and flex assemblies and capacity; and plans regarding expansion of the Company''s manufacturing facilities. Additional forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements pertaining to other financial items, plans, strategies or objectives of management for future operations, the Company''s future operations and financial condition or prospects, and any other statement that is not historical fact, including any statement which is preceded by the words "assume," "can," "will," "plan," "expect," "estimate," "aim," "intend," "project," "foresee," "target," "anticipate," "may," "believe," or similar words. Actual events or results may differ materially from those stated or implied by the Company''s forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including the effect of the economy or seasonality on the demand for electronic devices, the Company''s success with new and current customers and those customers'' success in the marketplace, the Company''s ability to develop and deliver new technologies, the Company''s ability to diversify its customer base and markets, the Company''s effectiveness in managing manufacturing processes and costs and expansion of its operations, the Company''s ability to manage quality assurance issues, the degree to which the Company is able to utilize available manufacturing capacity, enter into new markets and execute its strategic plans, the impact of competition, pricing pressures and technological advances, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company''s SEC reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. These forward-looking statements represent management''s judgment as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact: Lasse Glassen Investor Relations Tel: 213-486-6546 Email: investor_relations@mflex.com (SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOLLOWS) Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share and share data) (unaudited) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, ------------- ------------- 2009 2008 2009 2008 ---- ---- ---- ---- Net sales $199,172 $213,095 $764,432 $728,805 Cost of sales 171,043 178,693 653,568 611,517 ------- ------- ------- ------- Gross profit 28,129 34,402 110,864 117,288 ------ ------ ------- ------- Operating expenses Research and development 1,614 752 5,505 2,470 Sales and marketing 5,565 3,756 22,146 17,957 General and administrative 6,116 8,366 25,486 30,518 Impairment and Restructuring costs 201 2,180 328 2,180 --- ----- --- ----- Total operating expenses 13,496 15,054 53,465 53,125 ------ ------ ------ ------ Operating income 14,633 19,348 57,399 64,163 Other income, net Interest income 16 402 767 1,687 Interest expense (270) - (768) (106) Other income (loss), net 109 (1,010) (1,358) (2,742) --- ------ ------ ------ Income before income taxes 14,488 18,740 56,040 63,002 Provision for income taxes (2,932) (11,100) (9,972) (22,523) ------ ------- ------ ------- Net income $11,556 $7,640 $46,068 $40,479 ======= ====== ======= ======= Net income per share Basic $0.46 $0.31 $1.84 $1.63 Diluted $0.45 $0.30 $1.81 $1.59 Shares used in computing net income per share Basic 25,094,472 24,993,420 25,026,039 24,828,732 Diluted 25,624,332 25,711,676 25,453,390 25,433,676 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) (unaudited) September 30, September 30, 2009 2008 ---- ---- Cash and cash equivalents $139,721 $62,090 Short term investments 11,812 - Accounts receivable, net 129,270 162,419 Inventories 50,285 59,774 Other current assets 17,475 13,000 ------ ------ Total current assets 348,563 297,283 Property, plant and equipment 150,099 160,217 Other assets and long-term investments 27,268 30,110 ------ ------ Total assets $525,930 $487,610 ======== ======== Accounts payable $122,524 $128,642 Other current liabilities 24,003 34,741 Notes payable 10,852 - Other long term liabilities 9,563 13,909 Stockholders'' equity 358,988 310,318 ------- ------- Total liabilities and stockholders'' equity $525,930 $487,610 ======== ======== Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 ---- ---- ---- ---- Cash flows from operating activities Net Income $11,556 $7,640 $46,068 $40,479 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation and amortization 10,415 9,902 40,766 31,150 Provision for doubtful accounts 2,259 (343) 2,489 216 Deferred taxes 4,196 (4,430) 4,311 (4,462) Stock based compensation expense 777 908 3,437 3,423 Asset impairments 554 3,162 1,932 3,612 (Gain) loss on disposal of equipment (2) 267 (194) 718 Changes in operating assets and liabilities (2,728) 3,033 14,328 7,203 ------ ----- ------ ----- Net cash provided by Operating activities 27,027 20,139 113,137 82,339 ------ ------ ------- ------ Cash flows from investing activities (Purchase) sale of long term investments - (821) 50 (6,300) Purchases of property plant and equipment (1) (18,124) (18,880) (31,971) (49,218) Proceeds from sale of equipment 11 102 795 300 Change in restricted cash 56 2,478 204 2,490 Cash paid for acquisition - - (872) - --- --- ---- --- Net cash used in investing activities (18,057) (17,121) (31,794) (52,728) ------- ------- ------- ------- Cash flows from financing activities Income tax benefit related to Stock option exercise 2,062 1,559 2,131 1,623 Debt issuance costs - - (891) - Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,681 180 3,482 2,182 Purchase of treasury shares - - (8,410) - --- --- ------ --- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 3,743 1,739 (3,688) 3,805 Effect of exchange rate on cash 2 745 (24) 719 --- --- --- --- Net change in cash 12,715 5,502 77,631 34,135 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 127,006 56,588 62,090 27,955 ------- ------ ------ ------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $139,721 $62,090 $139,721 $62,090 ======== ======= ======== ======= (1) Excludes $6,349 of capital expenditures accrued but not paid as of September 30, 2009.

Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc.

CONTACT: Lasse Glassen, Investor Relations, for Multi-Fineline
Electronix, Inc., +1-213-486-6546, investor_relations@mflex.com

Web Site: http://www.mflex.com/