Aggressive Growth: Novellus Systems (NVLS)

Novellus Systems (NVLS) analysts continue to raise estimates as demand increases. The company also just topped expectations for the fourth consecutive quarter.

Company Description

Novellus Systems makes process equipment for semiconductor makers. The company has a global reach, a market cap of near $2.6 billion and is in the S&P 500 index.

Beat the Street

On Jul 12 Novellus reported second-quarter results that included a 16% quarter-over-quarter increase in sales, to just over $320 million. That figure is more than double the same period last year.

Net income for the period was $63.3 million, about triple the previous quarter and up from a $50 million loss a year ago. Earnings broke down to 66 cents per shares, up from 43 cents in the first quarter.

The CEO, Richard Hill, also added that he is seeing an upturn in demand as the trend for improving global infrastructure continues.

Higher Estimates

Prior to the release, analysts were already raising estimates, but they continued to do so after as well. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year 2010 is now $2.51, up from $1.80 in the past 3 months, with 3 upward revisions on the news.

Next year’s estimates for Novellus Systems are averaging $3.15, up from $2.34. This is a drastic turn around from the 51 cent loss in 2009.

Valuations

Novellus Systems is the top rated company it is industry, which is third out of 264 at Zacks.com, yet only trades at 11 times forward earnings.

The PEG ratio is around 0.6 times, so the growth is priced at a discount. Other metrics, like the P/B over 2.0 and P/S north of 3 times, will keep value investors away though.

The Chart

Shares of NVLS surged on the earnings news and, with the shift in momentum, have a good chance to break through the recently-set 52-week high.

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