AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES INC - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

☐

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 000-30941

AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		34-1818596
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

108 Cherry Hill Drive

Beverly, Massachusetts 01915

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(978) 787-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value	ACLS	Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer ☒		Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐		Smaller reporting company ☐
		Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes ☐ No ☒

As of October 31, 2023, there were 32,747,459 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	3
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	4
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022	5
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	6
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	8
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	9
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19
	Overview	19
	Critical Accounting Estimates	19
	Results of Operations	20
	Liquidity and Capital Resources	26
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	27
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	27
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION		28
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	28
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	28
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	28
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	28
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	28
Item 5.	Other Information	28
Item 6.	Exhibits	29

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PART 1—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)


	Three months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30,			September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Revenue:
Product	$	283,367	$	221,540	$	795,047	$	631,998
Services		8,959		7,635		25,269		21,949
Total revenue		292,326		229,175		820,316		653,947
Cost of revenue:
Product		154,798		118,992		444,311		342,387
Services		7,844		6,862		22,600		19,291
Total cost of revenue		162,642		125,854		466,911		361,678
Gross profit		129,684		103,321		353,405		292,269
Operating expenses:
Research and development		24,093		20,563		71,996		56,267
Sales and marketing		16,465		14,573		46,146		38,567
General and administrative		17,446		14,983		48,519		41,163
Total operating expenses		58,004		50,119		166,661		135,997
Income from operations		71,680		53,202		186,744		156,272
Other income (expense):
Interest income		4,580		1,111		12,824		1,558
Interest expense		(1,325)		(1,333)		(4,027)		(4,101)
Other, net		(1,260)		(7,971)		(4,348)		(14,640)
Total other income (expense)		1,995		(8,193)		4,449		(17,183)
Income before income taxes		73,675		45,009		191,193		139,089
Income tax provision		7,744		4,726		15,986		13,002
Net income	$	65,931	$	40,283	$	175,207	$	126,087
Net income per share:
Basic	$	2.01	$	1.22	$	5.35	$	3.81
Diluted	$	1.99	$	1.21	$	5.28	$	3.75
Shares used in computing net income per share:
Basic weighted average shares of common stock		32,807		33,011		32,775		33,116
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock		33,159		33,389		33,208		33,638

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Net income	$	65,931	$	40,283	$	175,207	$	126,087
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(1,231)		(3,690)		(2,192)		(7,561)
Amortization of actuarial net gain and other adjustments from pension plan, net of tax		—		8		—		25
Total other comprehensive loss		(1,231)		(3,682)		(2,192)		(7,536)
Comprehensive income	$	64,700	$	36,601	$	173,015	$	118,551

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)


	September 30,		December 31,
	2023		2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	142,300	$	185,595
Short-term investments		318,710		246,571
Accounts receivable, net		192,327		169,773
Inventories, net		312,223		242,406
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		49,481		33,300
Total current assets		1,015,041		877,645
Property, plant and equipment, net		47,169		39,664
Operating lease assets		31,082		12,146
Finance lease assets, net		16,981		17,942
Long-term restricted cash		6,650		752
Deferred income taxes		44,323		31,701
Other assets		40,448		33,791
Total assets	$	1,201,694	$	1,013,641
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	60,061	$	62,346
Accrued compensation		26,535		35,540
Warranty		11,464		8,299
Income taxes		582		4,304
Deferred revenue		148,299		123,471
Current portion of finance lease obligation		1,438		1,229
Other current liabilities		12,799		12,943
Total current liabilities		261,178		248,132
Long-term finance lease obligation		44,070		45,185
Long-term deferred revenue		53,730		31,306
Other long-term liabilities		41,745		21,762
Total liabilities		400,723		346,385
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 75,000 shares authorized; 32,772 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023; 32,775 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022		33		33
Additional paid-in capital		543,577		550,299
Retained earnings		261,521		118,892
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(4,160)		(1,968)
Total stockholders’ equity		800,971		667,256
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,201,694	$	1,013,641

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


						(Accumulated		Accumulated
				Additional		Deficit)		Other		Total
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Retained		Comprehensive		Stockholders’
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Earnings		Income		Equity
Balance at December 31, 2021	33,240	$	33	$	559,883	$	(22,722)	$	1,765	$	538,959
Net income	—		—		—		41,614		—		41,614
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—		—		—		—		(1,186)		(1,186)
Change in pension obligation	—		—		—		—		9		9
Exercise of stock options	41		—		491		—		—		491
Issuance of common stock on restricted stock units, net of shares withheld	67		—		(3,315)		—		—		(3,315)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		2,701		—		—		2,701
Repurchase of common stock	(284)		—		(5,127)		(14,873)		—		(20,000)
Balance at March 31, 2022	33,064	$	33	$	554,633	$	4,019	$	588	$	559,273

Net income	—		—		—		44,189		—		44,189
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—		—		—		—		(2,685)		(2,685)
Change in pension obligation	—		—		—		—		8		8
Exercise of stock options	25		—		298		—		—		298
Issuance of stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	15		—		711		—		—		711
Issuance of common stock on restricted stock units, net of shares withheld	205		—		(5,896)		—		—		(5,896)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		3,527		—		—		3,527
Repurchase of common stock	(215)		—		(3,872)		(8,626)		—		(12,498)
Balance at June 30, 2022	33,094	$	33	$	549,401	$	39,582	$	(2,089)	$	586,927
Net income	—		—		—		40,283		—		40,283
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—		—		—		—		(3,690)		(3,690)
Change in pension obligation	—		—		—		—		8		8
Exercise of stock options	30		—		367		—		—		367
Issuance of common stock on restricted stock units, net of stock withheld	8		—		(70)		—		—		(70)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		3,562		—		—		3,562
Repurchase of common stock	(195)		—		(3,525)		(8,972)		—		(12,497)
Balance at September 30, 2022	32,937	$	33	$	549,735	$	70,893	$	(5,771)	$	614,890

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


								Accumulated
				Additional				Other		Total
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Retained		Comprehensive		Stockholders’
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Earnings		Loss		Equity
Balance at December 31, 2022	32,775	$	33	$	550,299	$	118,892	$	(1,968)	$	667,256
Net income	—		—		—		47,697		—		47,697
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—		—		—		—		50		50
Exercise of stock options	2		—		25		—				25
Issuance of common stock on restricted stock units, net of shares withheld	56		—		(3,907)		—		—		(3,907)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		3,199		—		—		3,199
Repurchase of common stock	(107)		—		(1,924)		(10,575)		—		(12,499)
Balance at March 31, 2023	32,726	$	33	$	547,692	$	156,014	$	(1,918)	$	701,821

Net income	—		—		—		61,579		—		61,579
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—		—		—		—		(1,011)		(1,011)
Issuance of stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	6		—		957		—		—		957
Issuance of common stock on restricted stock units, net of shares withheld	199		—		(11,558)		—		—		(11,558)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		4,749				—		4,749
Repurchase of common stock	(95)		—		(1,720)		(10,780)		—		(12,500)
Balance at June 30, 2023	32,836	$	33	$	540,120	$	206,813	$	(2,929)	$	744,037
Net income	—		—		—		65,931		—		65,931
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—		—		—		—		(1,231)		(1,231)
Issuance of common stock on restricted stock units, net of stock withheld	7		—		(349)		—		—		(349)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		5,082		—		—		5,082
Repurchase of common stock	(71)		—		(1,276)		(11,223)		—		(12,499)
Balance at September 30, 2023	32,772	$	33	$	543,577	$	261,521	$	(4,160)	$	800,971

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


	Nine months ended
	September 30,
	2023		2022
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	175,207	$	126,087
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		9,488		8,614
Deferred income taxes		(12,623)		6,416
Stock-based compensation expense		13,030		9,790
Provision for doubtful accounts		749		—
Provision for excess and obsolete inventory		3,912		3,292
Accretion of discounts and premiums on marketable securities		(8,463)		—
Currency loss on foreign denominated transactions		7,487		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(26,674)		(77,449)
Inventories		(79,494)		(49,699)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(16,493)		(4,861)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities		(8,916)		17,695
Deferred revenue		47,704		54,814
Income taxes		(3,672)		(274)
Other assets and liabilities		(9,948)		(1,202)
Net cash provided by operating activities		91,294		93,223

Cash flows from investing activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software		(10,503)		(6,876)
Purchase of short-term investments		(271,583)		(33,576)
Maturities of short-term investments		207,907		—
Net cash used in investing activities		(74,179)		(40,452)

Cash flows from financing activities
Net settlement on restricted stock grants		(15,814)		(9,281)
Repurchase of common stock		(37,498)		(44,995)
Proceeds from Employee Stock Purchase Plan purchases		957		711
Principal payments on finance lease obligation		(915)		(728)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		25		1,156
Net cash used in financing activities		(53,245)		(53,137)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(1,267)		13,987
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(37,397)		13,621

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		186,347		295,680
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	148,950	$	309,301

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 1. Nature of Business

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (“Axcelis” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in 1995 and is a producer of ion implantation equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe and Asia. In addition, we provide extensive worldwide aftermarket service and support, including spare parts, equipment upgrades, used equipment and maintenance services to the semiconductor industry.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature and considered necessary for a fair presentation of these financial statements have been included. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for the year as a whole.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. As of September 30, 2023, there have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Note 2. Stock-Based Compensation

We maintain the Axcelis Technologies, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2012 Equity Plan”), an Internal Revenue Code Section 423 plan, which became effective on May 2, 2012, and permits the issuance of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance awards to selected employees, directors and consultants of the Company.

The 2012 Equity Plan is more fully described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

We recognized stock-based compensation expense of $5.1 million and $3.6 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We recognized stock-based compensation expense of $13.0 million and $9.8 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These amounts include compensation expense related to RSUs, non-qualified stock options and stock issued to participants under the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2020 ESPP”).

In the three-month period ended September 30, 2023, we issued 7,320 shares of common stock upon vesting of RSUs. In the three-month period ended September 30, 2022, we issued 38,507 shares of common stock upon vesting of RSUs and stock option exercises. In the three-month period ended September 30, 2023, we received no proceeds in connection with the exercise of stock options. In the three-month period ended September 30, 2022, we received proceeds of $0.4 million in connection with the exercise of stock options.

In the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we issued 0.3 million and 0.4 million shares of common stock, respectively, upon stock option exercises, purchases under the 2020 ESPP and vesting of RSUs. In the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we received proceeds of $1.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in connection with the exercise of stock options and purchases under the 2020 ESPP.

Note 3. Leases

We have operating leases for manufacturing, office space, warehouse space, computer and office equipment and vehicles used in our business operations. We have a finance lease in relation to the 2015 sale-leaseback of our corporate headquarters in Beverly, Massachusetts. We review all agreements to determine if the agreement contains a lease

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component. An agreement contains a lease component if it provides for the use of a specific physical space or a specific physical item.

We recognize operating lease obligations under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases (“Topic 842”). The guidance in Topic 842 requires recognition of lease assets and related liabilities on a discounted basis using the explicit or implicit discount rate stated within the agreement. We recognize a corresponding right-of-use asset, which is initially determined based upon the net present value of the associated liability and is adjusted for deferred costs and possible impairment, if any. For those lease agreements that do not indicate the applicable discount rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate. We have made the following policy elections: (i) operating leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet; (ii) we recognize lease expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term; and (iii) we account for lease components and non-lease components that are fixed payments as one component. Some of our operating leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the respective lease term by one to three years. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. For lease extensions that are reasonably certain to occur, we have included the renewal periods in our calculation of the net present value of the lease obligation and related right-of-use asset. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of certain assets and leasehold improvements is limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The amounts of operating and finance lease right-of-use assets and related lease obligations recorded within our consolidated balance sheets are as follows:


		September 30,		December 31,
Leases	Classification	2023		2022

Assets		(in thousands)
Operating leases	Operating lease assets	$	31,082	$	12,146
Finance lease	Finance lease assets*		16,981		17,942
Total leased assets		$	48,063	$	30,088
Liabilities
Current
Operating	Other current liabilities	$	5,001	$	5,367
Finance	Current portion of finance lease obligation		1,438		1,229
Non-current
Operating	Other long-term liabilities		25,850		6,931
Finance	Finance lease obligation		44,070		45,185
Total lease liabilities		$	76,359	$	58,712

*Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated depreciation of $46.7 million and include $0.6 million of prepaid financing costs as of September 30, 2023. Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated depreciation of $45.9 million and include $0.6 million of prepaid financing costs as of December 31, 2022.

All of our operating lease office locations support selling and servicing functions. Our Axcelis Asia Operations Center facility in South Korea brings production capability closer to our Asia-based customers. Our state-of-the-art 98,500 square foot logistics and flex manufacturing center in Beverly, Massachusetts became fully operational in the third quarter of 2023.

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Operating lease expense and depreciation and interest expense relating to our finance lease obligation are recognized within our consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 as follows:


		Three months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
Lease cost	Classification	2023		2022		2023		2022

Operating lease cost		(in thousands)
Product / services*	Cost of revenue	$	2,041	$	1,462	$	5,328	$	3,978
Research and development	Operating expenses		183		54		426		186
Sales and marketing*	Operating expenses		419		369		1,231		1,155
General and administrative*	Operating expenses		298		253		813		773
Total operating lease cost		$	2,941	$	2,138	$	7,798	$	6,092
Finance lease cost
Depreciation of leased assets	Cost of revenue, Research and development, Sales and marketing and General and administrative	$	324	$	325	$	961	$	973
Interest on lease liabilities	Interest expense		1,214		1,245		3,668		3,754
Total finance lease cost		$	1,538	$	1,570	$	4,629	$	4,727

Total lease cost		$	4,479	$	3,708	$	12,427	$	10,819

* Product / services, sales and marketing and general and administrative expense also includes short-term lease and variable lease costs of approximately $0.6 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and includes short-term lease and variable lease costs of approximately $0.4 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

The lease of our corporate headquarters, shown below under finance leases, had an original lease term of 22 years, beginning in January 2015 and expiring in January 2037, with renewal options. All other locations are treated as operating leases, with lease terms ranging from one to sixteen years. The tables below reflect the minimum cash outflow regarding our current lease obligations as well as the weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rates used in our calculation of our lease obligations and right-of-use assets as of September 30, 2023:


	Finance		Operating		Total
Maturity of Lease Liabilities	Leases		Leases		Leases

	(in thousands)
2023	$	1,531	$	2,117	$	3,648
2024		6,252		6,248		12,500
2025		5,930		4,761		10,691
2026		6,008		3,471		9,479
2027		6,128		2,502		8,630
Thereafter		61,586		25,123		86,709
Total lease payments	$	87,435	$	44,222	$	131,657
Less interest portion*		(41,927)		(13,371)		(55,298)
Finance lease and operating lease obligations	$	45,508	$	30,851	$	76,359

* Finance lease interest calculated using the implied interest rate; operating lease interest calculated using estimated corporate borrowing rate.

The table above does not include options to renew lease terms that are not reasonably certain of being exercised.

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	September 30,
Lease term and discount rate	2023
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases		11.6
Finance leases		13.3
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases		5.5%
Finance leases		10.5%

Our cash outflows from our operating leases include rent expense and other charges associated with these leases. These cash flows are included within the operating activities section of our statement of cash flows. Our cash flows from our finance lease include both an interest component and a principal component. The table below shows our cash outflows by lease type and related section of our statement of cash flows, as well as the non-cash amount capitalized on our balance sheet in relation to our operating lease right-of-use assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively:



	Nine months ended September 30,
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	2023		2022

	(in thousands)
Operating cash outflows from operating leases	$	7,798	$	6,092
Operating cash outflows from finance leases		3,668		3,754
Financing cash outflows from finance leases		915		728
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities		25,697		5,494
Finance lease assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities		—		—

Note 4. Revenue

To reflect the organization of our business operations, we divide revenue into two categories: revenue from sales of new systems and revenue arising from the sale of used systems, parts and labor to customers who own systems, which we refer to as “Aftermarket.”

Revenue by categories used by management are as follows:


	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022

	(in thousands)
Systems	$	231,454	$	171,092	$	641,825	$	488,243
Aftermarket		60,872		58,083		178,491		165,704
Total Revenue	$	292,326	$	229,175	$	820,316	$	653,947

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We also consider revenue by geography. Revenue is allocated to geographic markets based upon the location to which our products are shipped and in which our services are performed. Revenue in our principal geographic markets is as follows:


	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022

	(in thousands)
North America	$	51,563	$	36,036	$	134,647	$	95,633
Asia Pacific		185,194		166,342		582,238		484,286
Europe		55,569		26,797		103,431		74,028
Total Revenue	$	292,326	$	229,175	$	820,316	$	653,947

Our system sales revenue transactions give rise to contract liabilities (in the case of pre-payments and the fair value of goods and services to be delivered after the system delivery, such as installation and certain warranty obligations).

Contract liabilities are as follows:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2023		2022

	(in thousands)
Contract liabilities	$	202,029	$	154,777

Contract liabilities are reflected as deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheet and relate to payments invoiced or received in advance of completion of performance obligations under a contract. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue upon the fulfillment of performance obligations.


	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022

	(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of the period	$	182,540	$	71,549	$	154,777	$	68,436
Deferral of revenue		62,787		70,706		154,216		108,472
Recognition of deferred revenue		(43,298)		(19,666)		(106,964)		(54,319)
Balance, end of the period	$	202,029	$	122,589	$	202,029	$	122,589

The majority of our system transactions have either (1) payment terms of 90% due upon shipment of the system and 10% due upon acceptance or (2) a pre-shipment deposit ranging from 20% to 60%, 70% to 30% due upon shipment and 10% at acceptance. Aftermarket transaction payment terms typically provide that payment is due either within 30 or 60 days after the service is provided or parts delivered.

Note 5. Receivables and Allowances for Credit Losses

All trade receivables are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at their amortized cost adjusted for any write-offs and net of allowances for credit losses.

We maintain an allowance for credit losses, which represents an estimate of expected losses over the remaining contractual life of our receivables, considering current market conditions and estimates for supportable forecasts when appropriate. The estimate is a result of our ongoing assessments and evaluations of collectability, historical loss experience, and future expectations in estimating credit losses in our receivable portfolio. We use historical loss experience rates and apply them to a related aging analysis while also considering customer and/or economic risk where appropriate. Determination of the proper amount of allowances requires management to exercise judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of credit losses that could materially affect the provision for credit losses and, as a result, net earnings. The allowance takes into consideration numerous quantitative and qualitative factors that include receivable type, historical loss

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experience, loss migration, delinquency trends, collection experience, current economic conditions, trade restrictions, estimates for supportable forecasts, when appropriate, and credit risk characteristics.

We evaluate the credit risk of the customer when extending credit based on a combination of financial and qualitative factors that may affect our customers’ ability to pay. These factors may include the customer’s financial condition, past payment experience, and credit bureau report, as well as the value of the underlying collateral.

Management performs detailed reviews of our receivables on a quarterly basis to assess the adequacy of the allowances and to determine if any impairment has occurred. Amounts determined to be uncollectable are charged directly against the allowances, while amounts recovered on previously written-off accounts increase the allowances. Changes to the allowances for credit losses are maintained through adjustments to the provision for credit losses, which are charged to current period earnings. We recorded $0.7 million in bad debt expense for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023. We did not have any allowance or incur any credit losses or recoveries for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, we had no provision for credit losses.

Note 6. Computation of Net Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders (the numerator) by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding (the denominator) for the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased by the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive shares of common stock issuable on exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs had been issued, calculated using the treasury stock method.

The components of net earnings per share are as follows:


	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022

	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	65,931	$	40,283	$	175,207	$	126,087
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding used in computing basic income per share		32,807		33,011		32,775		33,116
Incremental options and RSUs		352		378		433		522
Weighted average shares of common stock used in computing diluted net income per share		33,159		33,389		33,208		33,638
Net income per share
Basic	$	2.01	$	1.22	$	5.35	$	3.81
Diluted	$	1.99	$	1.21	$	5.28	$	3.75

Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding does not include 734 and 5,046 common equivalent shares issuable with respect to outstanding equity awards for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, or 2,598 and 6,692 common equivalent shares issuable with respect to outstanding equity awards for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Note 7. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:


	Foreign		Defined benefit
	currency		pension plan		Total

	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	(1,994)	$	26	$	(1,968)
Other comprehensive loss and pension reclassification		(2,192)		—		(2,192)
Balance at September 30, 2023	$	(4,186)	$	26	$	(4,160)

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Note 8. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the total of the amounts shown in the statement of cash flows:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2023			2022

	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	142,300	$	185,595
Long-term restricted cash		6,650		752
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	148,950	$	186,347

As of September 30, 2023, we had $6.7 million in restricted cash representing the total of (i) a $5.9 million cash collateral relating to our lease for our headquarters in Beverly, Massachusetts, (ii) a $0.7 million letter of credit relating to workers’ compensation insurance and (iii) a $0.1 million deposit relating to customs activity. See Note 12 for further discussion on the $5.9 million cash collateral.

Note 9. Inventories, net

The components of inventories are as follows:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2023		2022

	(in thousands)
Raw materials	$	226,601	$	187,313
Work in process		55,825		35,069
Finished goods (completed systems)		29,797		20,024
Inventories, net	$	312,223	$	242,406

When recorded, inventory reserves reduce the carrying value of inventories to their net realizable value. We establish inventory reserves when conditions exist that indicate inventory may be in excess of anticipated demand or is obsolete based upon assumptions about future demand for the Company’s products or market conditions. We regularly evaluate the ability to realize the value of inventories based on a combination of factors including the following: forecasted sales or usage, estimated product end of life dates, estimated current and future market value and new product introductions. Purchasing and usage alternatives are also explored to mitigate inventory exposure.

Note 10. Product Warranty

We generally offer a one-year warranty for all of our systems, the terms and conditions of which vary depending upon the product sold. For all systems sold, we accrue a liability for the estimated cost of standard warranty at the time of system shipment and defer the portion of systems revenue attributable to the fair value of non-standard warranty. Costs for non-standard warranty are expensed as incurred. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of installed units, historical and anticipated product failure rates, material usage and service labor costs. We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded liability and adjust the amount as necessary.

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The changes in our standard product warranty liability are as follows:


	Nine months ended
	September 30,
	2023		2022

	(in thousands)
Balance at January 1 (beginning of year)	$	10,487	$	6,924
Warranties issued during the period		9,072		7,454
Settlements made during the period		(7,746)		(4,633)
Changes in estimate of liability for pre-existing warranties during the period		2,043		(78)
Balance at September 30 (end of period)	$	13,856	$	9,667

Amount classified as current	$	11,464	$	8,482
Amount classified as long-term (within other long-term liabilities)		2,392		1,185
Total warranty liability	$	13,856	$	9,667

Note 11. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

(a) Fair Value Hierarchy

The accounting guidance for fair value measurement requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 - applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

Level 3 - applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

(b) Fair Value Measurements

Our money market funds and short-term investments with initial maturities of three months or less are included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets. Other investments that have a maturity of greater than three months but less than one year are included within short-term investments in the consolidated balance sheets.

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The following table sets forth our assets by level within the fair value hierarchy:


	September 30, 2023
	Fair Value Measurements
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total

	(in thousands)
Assets
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments:
Cash equivalents (money market funds, U.S. Government Securities and Agency Investments)	$	114,475	$	—	$	—	$	114,475
Short-term investments (U.S. Government Securities and Agency Investments)		318,202		—		—		318,202
Total	$	432,677	$	—	$	—	$	432,677


	December 31, 2022
	Fair Value Measurements
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total

	(in thousands)
Assets
Cash equivalents and other short-term investments:
Cash equivalents (money market funds, U.S. Government Securities and Agency Investments)	$	111,771	$	25,000	$	—	$	136,771
Short-term investments (U.S. Government Securities and Agency Investments)		245,247		—		—		245,247
Total	$	357,018	$	25,000	$	—	$	382,018

(c) Other Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets and non-current assets, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.

Note 12. Financing Arrangements

On January 30, 2015, we sold our corporate headquarters facility in Beverly, Massachusetts for $48.9 million. As part of the sale, we also entered into a 22-year lease agreement of our headquarters facility. This sale-leaseback is accounted for as a financing lease under generally accepted accounting principles and, as such, we have recorded a financing obligation of $45.5 million as of September 30, 2023. The associated lease payments include both an interest component and payment of principal, with the remaining liability being extinguished at the end of the original lease term. As of September 30, 2023, we had a security deposit of $5.9 million related to this lease.

On April 5, 2023 we terminated the Senior Secured Credit Facilities Credit Agreement, as amended (the “Credit Agreement”), with Silicon Valley Bank that we entered into on July 31, 2020. The Credit Agreement provided for a revolving credit facility covering borrowings and letters of credit in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $40.0 million. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement were secured by a security interest, senior to any current and future debts and to any security interest, in all of our rights, title, and interest in, to and under substantially all of our assets, subject to limited exceptions, including permitted liens. Upon termination, these liens and all other obligations under the credit agreement, were released. A letter of credit issued by Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank & Trust Company (successor by purchase to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A.) as successor to Silicon Valley Bank, remains outstanding in the amount of $5.9 million, securing our lease on our corporate headquarters. This letter of credit was transitioned to a cash collateral arrangement on March 30, 2023, and was classified as long-term restricted cash on our balance sheet at September 30, 2023.

Note 13. Income Taxes

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income partially offset by the tax deduction related to foreign sales taxed at a lower rate. Income tax expense was $16.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $13.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The $3.0 million increase was primarily due to an increase in pre-tax income partially offset by the tax deduction related to stock based compensation and additional research and development tax credit.

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was less than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% due to a forecasted Foreign Derived Intangible Income deduction, Federal research and development tax credits and a favorable discrete item related to equity compensation that reduces the annual tax rate.

The deferred income taxes of $44.3 million and $31.7 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, as well as the tax effect of carryforwards. As of September 30, 2023, we have recorded a $10.6 million valuation allowance in the U.S. against certain tax credits and state net operating losses due to the uncertainty of their realization. Realization of our net deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income. We believe it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized; however, ultimate realization could be impacted by market conditions and other variables not known or anticipated at this time.

Note 14. Concentration of Risk

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, no individual customer accounted for greater than ten percent of total revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, one customer accounted for 13.8% of total revenue.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, one customer accounted for 10.7% of total revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, one customer accounted for 14.8% of total revenue.

At September 30, 2023, three customers accounted for 11.8%, 11.0%, and 10.2% of accounts receivable, respectively. At December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for 19.4% and 11.5% of accounts receivable, respectively.

Note 15. Share Repurchase

In February 2022, our Board of Directors approved stock repurchases of up to $100 million of our common stock. In August 2023, our Board of Directors approved additional funding of $200 million for our stock repurchase program, to be available on full utilization of the $100 million repurchase funding approved in February 2022. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we repurchased 0.3 million shares at an average cost of $137.54 per share. The timing and actual number of any additional shares to be repurchased under this program will depend on various factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions.

Repurchased shares are accounted for when the transaction is settled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares. Accordingly, on our balance sheet, the repurchase price is deducted from common stock par value and from additional paid-in capital for the excess over par value. If additional paid-in capital has been exhausted, the excess over par value is deducted from retained earnings. Direct costs incurred to acquire the shares are included in the total cost of the shares.

Note 16. Contingencies

(a) Litigation

We are from time to time a party to litigation that arises in the normal course of our business operations. We are not presently a party to any litigation that we believe might have a material adverse effect on our business operations.

(b) Indemnifications

Our system sales agreements typically include provisions under which we agree to take certain actions, provide certain remedies and defend our customers against third-party claims of intellectual property infringement under specified conditions and indemnify customers against any damage and costs awarded in connection with such claims. We have not incurred any material costs as a result of such indemnifications and have not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Certain statements within "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as may, will, should, would, anticipates, expects, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among other things, those set forth under "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below and under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Overview

We are primarily a producer of ion implantation equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia. In addition, we provide extensive worldwide aftermarket service and support, including spare parts, equipment upgrades and maintenance services to the semiconductor industry. Our product development and manufacturing activities currently occur primarily in the United States and South Korea. Our equipment and service products are highly technical and are sold through a direct sales force in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Consolidation and partnering within the semiconductor manufacturing industry has resulted in a small number of customers representing a substantial portion of our business. Our ten largest customers accounted for 55.1% of total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The first nine months of 2023 exhibited continued strong demand for our capital equipment, despite a downturn in the memory segment of our industry that is causing other semiconductor equipment makers to experience lower revenues than the same period in the prior year. Supply chain performance has improved from challenges experienced during the global pandemic between 2020 and 2022, but has not completely recovered. Axcelis’ strong results in 2023 demonstrate our ability to meet demand and manage supply chain difficulties. Our performance is closely related to the growing mature process technology market, with 94% of shipments during the first nine months of 2023 going to mature foundry/logic customers.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations included herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management has not identified any need to make any material change in, and has not changed, any of our critical accounting estimates and judgments as described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of total revenue:


	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Revenue:
Product	96.9	%	96.7	%	96.9	%	96.6	%
Services	3.1		3.3		3.1		3.4
Total revenue	100.0		100.0		100.0		100.0
Cost of revenue:
Product	53.0		51.9		54.2		52.4
Services	2.7		3.0		2.8		2.9
Total cost of revenue	55.7		54.9		57.0		55.3
Gross profit	44.3		45.1		43.0		44.7
Operating expenses:
Research and development	8.2		9.0		8.8		8.6
Sales and marketing	5.6		6.4		5.6		5.9
General and administrative	6.0		6.5		5.9		6.3
Total operating expenses	19.8		21.9		20.3		20.8
Income from operations	24.5		23.2		22.7		23.9
Other income (expense):
Interest income	1.6		0.5		1.6		0.2
Interest expense	(0.5)		(0.6)		(0.5)		(0.6)
Other, net	(0.4)		(3.5)		(0.5)		(2.2)
Total other income (expense)	0.7		(3.6)		0.6		(2.6)
Income before income taxes	25.2		19.6		23.3		21.3
Income tax provision	2.6		2.0		1.9		2.0
Net income	22.6	%	17.6	%	21.4	%	19.3	%

Revenue

The following table sets forth our product and services revenue:


	Three months ended						Period-to-Period				Nine months ended						Period-to-Period
	September 30,						Change				September 30,						Change
	2023			2022			$		%		2023			2022			$		%

	(dollars in thousands)
Revenue:
Product	$	283,367		$	221,540		$	61,827	27.9	%	$	795,047		$	631,998		$	163,049	25.8	%
Percentage of revenue		96.9	%		96.7	%						96.9	%		96.6	%
Services		8,959			7,635			1,324	17.3	%		25,269			21,949			3,320	15.1	%
Percentage of revenue		3.1	%		3.3	%						3.1	%		3.4	%
Total revenue	$	292,326		$	229,175		$	63,151	27.6	%	$	820,316		$	653,947		$	166,369	25.4	%

Three months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Three months ended September 30, 2022

Product

Product revenue, which includes systems sales, sales of spare parts, product upgrades and used systems, was $283.4 million, or 96.9% of revenue, during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $221.5 million, or 96.7% of revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The $61.8 million increase in product revenue for the

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three-month period ended September 30, 2023, in comparison to the same period in 2022, was primarily driven by an increase in the number of systems sold.

Deferred revenue includes payments received in advance of system sales as well as deferral of revenue from systems sales for installation and other future performance obligations. The total amount of deferred revenue at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $202.0 million and $154.7 million, respectively. The increase in deferred revenue was primarily due to payments received in advance of sales.

Services

Services revenue, which includes the labor component of maintenance and service contracts and fees for service hours provided by on-site service personnel, was $9.0 million, or 3.1% of revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $7.6 million, or 3.3% of revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Although services revenue typically increases with the expansion of the installed base of systems, it can fluctuate from period to period based on capacity utilization at customers’ manufacturing facilities, which affects the need for equipment service.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Nine months ended September 30, 2022

Product

Product revenue was $795.0 million, or 96.9% of revenue, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $632.0 million, or 96.6% of revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The $163.0 million increase in product revenue for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, in comparison to the same period in 2022, was primarily driven by an increase in the number of systems sold.

Services

Services revenue was $25.3 million, or 3.1% of revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $21.9 million, or 3.4% of revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Revenue Categories used by Management

In addition to the line item revenue categories discussed above, management also regularly disaggregates revenue in the following categories, which it finds relevant and useful:

●

Systems and Aftermarket revenues, in which “Aftermarket” is:

The portion of Product revenue relating to spare parts, product upgrades and used equipment, combined with

Services revenue, which is the labor component of Aftermarket revenues;

(Aftermarket purchases reflect current fab utilization as opposed to Systems purchases which reflect capital investment decisions by our customers, which have differing economic drivers);

●

Revenue by geographic regions, since economic factors impacting customer purchasing decisions may vary by geographic region; and

●

Revenue by our customer market segments, since they can be subject to different economic drivers at different periods of time, impacting a customer’s likelihood of purchasing capital equipment during any particular period. Currently, management references three customer market segments: memory, mature process technology and leading edge foundry and logic.

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Aftermarket and Systems Revenue

Three months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Three months ended September 30, 2022

Included in total revenue of $292.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 is revenue from our Aftermarket business of $60.9 million, compared with $58.1 million of Aftermarket revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Aftermarket revenue fluctuates from period to period based on capacity utilization at customers’ manufacturing facilities, which affects the sale of spare parts and demand for equipment service. Aftermarket revenue can also fluctuate from period to period based on the demand for system upgrades or used equipment. The remaining $231.4 million of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was from system sales, compared with $171.1 million of systems revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Systems revenue fluctuates from period to period based on our customers’ capital spending.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Nine months ended September 30, 2022

Included in total revenue of $820.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 is revenue from our Aftermarket business of $178.5 million, compared with $165.7 million of Aftermarket revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The remaining $641.8 million of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was from system sales, compared with $488.2 million of systems revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Gross Profit / Gross Margin

The following table sets forth our gross profit / gross margin:


	Three months ended						Period-to-Period				Nine months ended						Period-to-Period
	September 30,						Change				September 30,						Change
	2023			2022			$		%			2023			2022		$		%

	(dollars in thousands)
Gross Profit:
Product	$	128,569		$	102,548		$	26,021	25.4	%	$	350,736		$	289,611		$	61,125	21.1	%
Product gross margin		45.4	%		46.3	%						44.1	%		45.8	%

Services		1,115			773			342	44.2	%		2,669			2,658			11	0.4	%
Services gross margin		12.4	%		10.1	%						10.6	%		12.1	%
Total gross profit	$	129,684		$	103,321		$	26,363	25.5	%	$	353,405		$	292,269		$	61,136	20.9	%
Gross margin		44.3	%		45.1	%						43.0	%		44.7	%

Three months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Three months ended September 30, 2022

Product

Gross margin from product revenue was 45.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 46.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross margin primarily resulted from a less favorable mix of system revenue.

Services

Gross margin from services revenue was 12.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 10.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in gross margin is attributable to changes in the mix of service contracts.

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Nine months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Nine months ended September 30, 2022

Product

Gross margin from product revenue was 44.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 45.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross margin primarily resulted from a less favorable mix of system revenue.

Services

Gross margin from services revenue was 10.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 12.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross margin is attributable to changes in the mix of service contracts.

Operating Expenses

The following table sets forth our operating expenses:


	Three months ended						Period-to-Period				Nine months ended						Period-to-Period
	September 30,						Change				September 30,						Change
	2023			2022			$		%		2023			2022			$		%

	(dollars in thousands)
Research and development	$	24,093		$	20,563		$	3,530	17.2	%	$	71,996		$	56,267		$	15,729	28.0	%
Percentage of revenue		8.2	%		9.0	%						8.8	%		8.6	%
Sales and marketing		16,465			14,573			1,892	13.0	%		46,146			38,567			7,579	19.7	%
Percentage of revenue		5.6	%		6.4	%						5.6	%		5.9	%
General and administrative		17,446			14,983			2,463	16.4	%		48,519			41,163			7,356	17.9	%
Percentage of revenue		6.0	%		6.5	%						5.9	%		6.3	%
Total operating expenses	$	58,004		$	50,119		$	7,885	15.7	%	$	166,661		$	135,997		$	30,664	22.5	%
Percentage of revenue		19.8	%		21.9	%						20.3	%		20.8	%

Our operating expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, including salaries, commissions, incentive-based compensation, stock-based compensation and related benefits and taxes; project material costs related to the design and development of new products and enhancement of existing products; and professional fees, travel and depreciation expenses.

Personnel costs are our largest expense, representing $34.8 million, or 60.0%, of our total operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $31.4 million, or 62.6%, of our total operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Personnel costs were $99.3 million, or 59.6%, of our total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $83.0 million, or 61.0%, of our total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The higher personnel costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are primarily due to increases in personnel-related expenses to support growth.

Research and Development


	Three months ended						Period-to-Period				Nine months ended							Period-to-Period
	September 30,						Change				September 30,							Change
	2023			2022				$	%		2023			2022				$	%

	(dollars in thousands)
Research and development	$	24,093		$	20,563		$	3,530	17.2	%	$	71,996		$	56,267		$	15,729	28.0	%
Percentage of revenue		8.2	%		9.0	%						8.8	%		8.6	%

Our ability to remain competitive depends largely on continuously developing innovative technology, with new and enhanced features and systems and introducing them at competitive prices on a timely basis. Accordingly, based on our strategic plan, we establish annual research and development budgets to fund programs that we expect will solve customers’ high value, high impact, ion implantation challenges.

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Three months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Three months ended September 30, 2022

Research and development expense was $24.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $3.5 million, or 17.2%, compared with $20.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase is primarily due to higher personnel expenses as well as an increase in the cost of project materials and related services for ongoing projects.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Nine months ended September 30, 2022

Research and development expense was $72.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $15.7 million, or 28.0%, compared with $56.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase is primarily due to higher personnel expenses as well as an increase in the cost of project materials and related services for ongoing projects.

Sales and Marketing


	Three months ended						Period-to-Period				Nine months ended						Period-to-Period
	September 30,						Change				September 30,						Change
	2023			2022			$		%		2023			2022			$		%

	(dollars in thousands)
Sales and marketing	$	16,465		$	14,573		$	1,892	13.0	%	$	46,146		$	38,567		$	7,579	19.7	%
Percentage of revenue		5.6	%		6.4	%						5.6	%		5.9	%

Our sales and marketing expenses result primarily from the sale of our equipment and services through our direct sales force.

Three months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Three months ended September 30, 2022

Sales and marketing expense was $16.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $1.9 million, or 13.0%, compared with $14.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase is primarily due to higher personnel expenses.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Nine months ended September 30, 2022

Sales and marketing expense was $46.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $7.6 million, or 19.7%, compared with $38.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase is primarily due to higher personnel expenses and travel-related expense.

General and Administrative


	Three months ended						Period-to-Period				Nine months ended						Period-to-Period
	September 30,						Change				September 30,						Change
	2023			2022			$		%		2023			2022			$		%

	(dollars in thousands)
General and administrative	$	17,446		$	14,983		$	2,463	16.4	%	$	48,519		$	41,163		$	7,356	17.9	%
Percentage of revenue		6.0	%		6.5	%						5.9	%		6.3	%

Our general and administrative expenses result primarily from the costs associated with our executive, finance, information technology, legal and human resource functions.

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Three months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Three months ended September 30, 2022

General and administrative expense was $17.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $2.5 million, or 16.4%, compared with $15.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase is primarily due to an increase in personnel expenses.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 Compared with Nine months ended September 30, 2022

General and administrative expense was $48.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $7.4 million, or 17.9%, compared with $41.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase is primarily due to an increase in personnel expenses.

Other Income (Expense)


	Three months ended						Period-to-period				Nine months ended						Period-to-period
	September 30,						change				September 30,						change
	2023			2022			$		%		2023			2022			$		%

	(dollars in thousands)
Other income (expense):	$	1,995		$	(8,193)		$	(10,188)	124.4	%	$	4,449		$	(17,183)		$	(21,632)	125.9	%
Percentage of revenue		0.7	%		(3.6)	%						0.6	%		(2.6)	%

Other income (expense) consists of interest earned and accretion on our invested cash balances, interest expense relating to the finance lease obligation we incurred in connection with the 2015 sale of our headquarters facility and other financing obligations as well as foreign exchange gains and losses attributable to fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies of the countries in which we operate.

Other income was $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with other expense of $8.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The $10.2 million change in other income (expense) compared to the same prior year period was primarily due to an increase in interest income of $3.5 million and a decrease in foreign exchange loss of $6.7 million. Other income was $4.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with other expense of $17.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The $21.6 million change in other income (expense) compared to the same prior year period was primarily due to an increase in interest income of $11.3 million and a decrease in foreign exchange loss of $10.2 million.

During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we had no significant off-balance sheet risk such as exchange contracts, option contracts or other hedging arrangements.

Income Tax Provision


	Three months ended							Period-to-period				Nine months ended							Period-to-period
	September 30,							change				September 30,							change
	2023			2022				$		%		2023			2022				$		%

	(dollars in thousands)
Income tax provision	$	7,744			$	4,726		$	3,018	63.9	%	$	15,986			$	13,002		$	2,984	23.0	%
Percentage of revenue		2.6	%			2.0	%						1.9	%			2.0	%

Income tax expense was $7.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The $3.0 million increase was primarily due to an increase in pre-tax income partially offset by the tax deduction related to foreign sales taxed at a lower rate. Income tax expense was $16.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $13.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The $3.0 million increase was primarily due to an increase in pre-tax income partially offset by the tax deduction related to stock based compensation and additional research and development tax credit.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2023, we had $142.3 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $318.7 million in short-term investments, in addition to $6.7 million in restricted cash. Management believes that maintaining a strong cash balance is necessary to fund a continuing ramp in our business which can require significant cash investment to meet sudden demand. Additionally, we are using cash to repurchase shares as part of our stock repurchase program and are considering both organic and inorganic opportunities to drive future growth, for which cash resources will be necessary.

Our liquidity is affected by many factors. Some of these relate specifically to the operations of our business, for example, the rate of sales of our products, and others relate to the uncertainties of global economic conditions, including the availability of credit and the condition of the overall semiconductor equipment industry. Our industry requires ongoing investments in operations and research and development that are not easily adjusted to reflect changes in revenue. As a result, profitability and cash flows can fluctuate more widely than revenue. Stock repurchases, as discussed below, also reduce our cash balances.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we generated $91.3 million and $93.2 million, respectively, of cash related to operating activities.

Investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 resulted in cash outflows of $74.2 million, $10.5 million of which was used for capital expenditures and $271.6 million of which was used to purchase short-term investments, offset by $207.9 million related to maturities of short-term investments. Investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 resulted in cash outflows of $40.5 million, $6.9 million of which was used for capital expenditures and $33.6 million used to purchase short-term investments.

Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 resulted in a cash usage of $53.2 million. During the first nine months of 2023, $37.5 million in cash was used to repurchase our common stock and $15.8 million was used for payments to government tax authorities for income tax withholding on employee compensation arising from the vesting of RSUs, where units are withheld by the Company to cover taxes, as well as $0.9 million relating to the reduction of the liability under the finance lease of our corporate headquarters. These amounts were partially offset by $1.0 million of proceeds related to the purchase of shares under our 2020 ESPP and exercise of stock options during the first nine months of 2023. In comparison, financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 resulted in cash usage of $53.1 million, $45.0 million of which related to the repurchase of our common stock and $9.3 million of which related to payments made to government tax authorities for income tax withholding on employee compensation arising from the vesting of RSUs, as well as $0.7 million relating to the reduction of our financing lease liability. These amounts were partially offset by $1.9 million of proceeds related to the purchase of shares under our ESPP and exercise of stock options during the first nine months of 2022.

On April 5, 2023, we terminated the Senior Secured Credit Facilities Credit Agreement, as amended (the “Credit Agreement”), with Silicon Valley Bank that we entered into on July 31, 2020. The Credit Agreement provided for a revolving credit facility covering borrowings and letters of credit in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $40.0 million. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement were secured by a security interest, senior to any current and future debts and to any security interest, in all of our rights, title, and interest in, to and under substantially all of our assets, subject to limited exceptions, including permitted liens. Upon termination, these liens and all other obligations under the credit agreement, were released. A letter of credit issued by Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank & Trust

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Company (successor by purchase to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A.) as successor to Silicon Valley Bank, remains outstanding in the amount of $5.9 million, securing our lease on our corporate headquarters. This letter of credit was transitioned to a cash collateral arrangement on March 30, 2023, and was classified as long-term restricted cash on our balance sheet at September 30, 2023.

We believe that based on our current market, revenue, expense and cash flow forecasts, our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated cash requirements for the short- and long-term.

Commitments and Contingencies

Significant commitments and contingencies at September 30, 2023 are consistent with those discussed in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

As of September 30, 2023, there have been no material changes to the quantitative information about market risk disclosed in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the evaluation of our internal control that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We are, from time to time, a party to litigation that arises in the normal course of our business operations. We are not presently a party to any litigation that we believe might have a material adverse effect on our business operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

As of September 30, 2023, there have been no material changes to the risk factors described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

In February 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for up to $100 million of the Company's common stock. This program was announced on March 1, 2022. In August 2023, our Board of Directors approved additional funding of $200 million for our stock repurchase program, to be available upon the full utilization of the $100 million repurchase funding approved in February 2022. This additional funding was announced on September 12, 2023. The Company’s share repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

The following table summarizes the stock repurchase activity, based upon settlement date, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as well as the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased pursuant to our stock repurchase program:


	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share	Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program

	(in thousands except per share amounts)
July 1 through July 31	22	$179.93	22	$	13,507
August 1 through August 31	27	$175.80	27		208,761	(1)
September 1 through September 30	22	$174.80	22		205,007
Total	71		71

(1) The increase in the dollar value available for repurchases under the program at August 31, 2023 reflects the additional funding authorized under the program in August 2023.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2023, no director or officer adopted or terminated any contract, instrument or written plan for the purchase or sale of Axcelis securities intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act or any non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed herewith:


Exhibit No		Description

3.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed November 2, 2017. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 3, 2017.

3.2		Bylaws of the Company, as amended as of May 11, 2022. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 11, 2022.

31.1*		Certification of the Principal Executive Officer under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), dated November 2, 2023.

31.2*		Certification of the Principal Financial Officer under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), dated November 2, 2023.

32.1**		Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), dated November 2, 2023.

32.2**		Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), dated November 2, 2023.

101*		The following materials from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, formatted in inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited). Filed herewith.

104*		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

* Filed herewith
** This exhibit is being furnished rather than filed, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing, in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


	AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
DATED: November 2, 2023	By:	/s/ JAMES COOGAN

		James Coogan
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer