Summary
Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS) reported strong financial results for the nine months ended July 31, 2018, demonstrating significant year-over-year growth. Net revenue increased by 22% to $2.83 billion, driven by robust performance across its key segments, particularly the Communications Solutions Group. The company also saw a substantial increase in net income, reaching $279 million compared to $140 million in the prior year period. This improvement was bolstered by higher revenue, favorable business mix, and a significant positive impact from U.S. tax legislation changes, which contributed a discrete tax benefit of $109 million. The company's strategic acquisition of Ixia continues to be integrated, contributing to revenue growth, and management expresses confidence in future growth prospects driven by R&D investments and a focus on high-growth markets. Operationally, Keysight achieved a substantial improvement in gross margin, increasing 7 percentage points for the quarter and 1 percentage point for the nine-month period, reflecting increased revenue volume and favorable business mix. While Research and Development (R&D) and Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) expenses saw increases, they were managed effectively relative to revenue growth. The company's balance sheet remains solid with $742 million in cash and cash equivalents, and it continues to execute its capital allocation strategy, including a new stock repurchase program of up to $350 million. The company expects overall year-over-year sales growth to continue for the remainder of fiscal 2018, despite existing macroeconomic uncertainties.
Financial Highlights
55 data points| Revenue | $1.00B |
| Cost of Revenue | $442.00M |
| Gross Profit | $562.00M |
| R&D Expenses | $154.00M |
| SG&A Expenses | $294.00M |
| Operating Expenses | $887.00M |
| Operating Income | $117.00M |
| Interest Expense | $20.00M |
| Net Income | $121.00M |
| EPS (Basic) | $0.64 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $0.63 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 188.00M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 191.00M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total net revenue for the nine months ended July 31, 2018, increased by 22% year-over-year to $2.83 billion, with a 21% increase for the third quarter to $1.004 billion.
- 2Net income for the nine months ended July 31, 2018, more than doubled to $279 million, compared to $140 million in the prior year period. Diluted EPS was $1.46.
- 3The company benefited from a significant discrete tax benefit of $109 million recognized in the nine-month period due to changes in U.S. tax law, contributing to the strong net income.
- 4Gross margin improved to 54.2% for the nine months ended July 31, 2018 (up from 53.1% in the prior year) and 56.2% for the third quarter (up from 49.4% in the prior year), driven by revenue volume and favorable mix.
- 5The Communications Solutions Group led revenue growth, increasing 15% for the nine months and 23% for the quarter, driven by strong demand in commercial communications and aerospace/defense markets.
- 6Keysight successfully repaid its $260 million Senior Unsecured Term loan on February 27, 2018, and had no borrowings outstanding under its $450 million Revolving Credit Facility as of July 31, 2018, indicating a healthy liquidity position.
- 7The company initiated a new stock repurchase program in March 2018, authorizing up to $350 million of common stock purchases, and repurchased $80 million worth of shares in the first nine months of fiscal 2018.