FEI Company Reports Fourth-Quarter Financial Results

Record Quarterly and Annual Revenue and Income

HILLSBORO, Ore., Feb 04, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- FEI Company (NASDAQ:FEIC) reported 2007 annual revenue that was 24% higher and net income that was nearly three times greater than in 2006. Fourth quarter revenue grew both sequentially and year-over-year, as did quarterly net income, which was aided in the latest quarter by a tax benefit.

Net sales for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 of $152.5 million were up 5% compared to the third quarter of 2007 and 9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. Bookings in the quarter totaled $156.3 million, up 2% compared with $153.3 million in the third quarter of 2007 and down 9% from the record level of $171.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. The book-to-bill ratio for the latest quarter was 1.02 to 1.00. The backlog at the end of the quarter was $309.4 million, of which over 90% is expected to ship by the end of the fourth quarter of 2008.

Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $17.2 million, compared with $13.4 million in the third quarter of 2007 and $11.9 million in last year's fourth quarter. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the latest quarter were $0.40, compared with $0.31 in the third quarter of 2007 and $0.30 in the fourth quarter of 2006. The gross profit margin was 40.7 % in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared with 42.0% in both the third quarter of 2007 and the prior year's fourth quarter.

The company recorded a tax benefit of $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, due mainly to the completion of various international tax audits. The tax benefit increased fourth quarter 2007 net income and net income per share from continuing operations by approximately $6.7 million and $0.15 per share, respectively.

"The strength of our market and geographic diversity was evident in the fourth quarter," said Don Kania, president and CEO of FEI. "Bookings were up sequentially and were the second highest quarterly total in our history. Revenue was the highest for a single quarter ever, and capped a year of 24% growth. Revenue has grown at a 12% compound growth rate in the last five years, and our target is to continue to grow at least that rapidly over the next five years.

"We made three important announcements in early 2008 that reflect important parts of our strategy," continued Kania. "In January, we retired the $45.9 million balance of our 5.5% convertible notes, highlighting the company's solid cash-generating capabilities. Also in January we announced the opening of our latest NanoPort applications center in Shanghai, China, as part of our strategic investment to expand our business in Asia. Today we announced the introduction of the Titan Krios(TM), which expands our industry-leading transmission electron microscope performance into life science applications. The Krios reflects both the strategic importance of extending our technology leadership as well as the opportunities we see to tap the growth in our NanoBiology market segment."

Bookings and revenue comparisons for the company's market segments and other data are included in the supplementary information attached to this release, along with detailed statements of operations and balance sheets.

The company's balance sheet remained strong. Total cash and investments at the end of the quarter were $491.0 million, up $35.2 million from the beginning of the quarter and up $84.9 million for the full year. Convertible debt at the end of the quarter remained unchanged at $310.9 million; that total was reduced by $45.9 million in January, 2008. Shareholders' equity at the end of the fourth quarter was $489.0 million, an increase of $32.3 million in the quarter and $139.1 million for the full year.

First Quarter 2008 Guidance

FEI currently expects net sales for the first quarter of 2008 to be in the range of $145 million to $152 million. Bookings are expected to be above $145 million, and earnings are expected to be in the range of $0.18 to $0.25 per share, assuming a 25% tax rate.

Investor Conference Call -- 2:00 p.m. PST Monday, February 4, 2008

Parties interested in listening to FEI's quarterly conference call may do so by dialing 1-800-218-4007 (domestic, toll-free) or 1-303-262-2130 (international) and asking for the FEI Q4 Earnings call. The call can also be accessed via the web by going to FEI's Investor Relations page at www.fei.com, where the webcast will also be archived. A telephone replay of the call will also be accessible for one month by dialing 1-800-405-2236 (US) or 1-303-590-3000 (international) and entering the access code 11107863#.

About FEI

FEI (Nasdaq: FEIC) is a global leader in providing innovative instruments for nanoscale imaging, analysis and prototyping. FEI focuses on delivering solutions that provide groundbreaking results and accelerate research, development and manufacturing cycles for its customers in semiconductor and data storage, academic and industrial R&D and life sciences markets. With R&D centers in North America and Europe, and sales and service operations in more than 50 countries around the world, FEI's Tools for Nanotech(TM) are bringing the nanoscale within the grasp of leading researchers and manufacturers. More information can be found online at: www.fei.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

These financial results are subject to completion of our year-end audit. In addition, this news release contains forward-looking statements that include our guidance for the first quarter of 2008, the expected shipment of our backlog, plans for further geographic expansion, expectations for future bookings, market and revenue growth and the impact of new product introductions. Factors that could affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the strength of the NanoResearch and Industry, NanoElectronics and NanoBiology segments; cyclical changes in the data storage and semiconductor industries, which are the major components of the NanoElectronics market; fluctuations in foreign exchange, interest and tax rates; our continued ability to maintain deferral accounting of hedge transactions; reduced profitability due to failure to achieve or sustain margin improvement in service or product manufacturing; the relative mix of higher-margin and lower-margin products; inability to produce a higher volume of products with existing personnel or facilities; risks associated with shipping a high percentage of the company's quarterly revenue in the last month of the quarter; difficulty in obtaining parts from suppliers; inability to achieve cost reductions in manufacturing or other areas; lower than expected customer orders; cancellation of customer orders; customer requests to defer planned shipments; failure of customers to adopt new technologies; increased competition and new product offerings from competitors; lower average sales prices and reduced margins on some product sales due to increased competition; failure of the company's products and technology to find acceptance with customers; delays in shipping products for technical performance, component supply or other reasons; unfavorable business conditions and lack of growth in the general economy, both domestic and foreign; potential restructurings and reorganizations not presently anticipated; reduced sales due to geopolitical risks; changes in trade policies and tariff regulations; changes in the regulatory environment in the nations where we do business; inability to overcome technological barriers; additional selling, general and administrative or research and development expenses; additional costs related to future merger and acquisition activity; and failure of the company to achieve anticipated benefits of future acquisitions, including failure to achieve financial goals and integrate the acquisitions successfully. Please also refer to our Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information on these factors and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. FEI assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

                     FEI Company and Subsidiaries
                     Consolidated Balance Sheets
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)

                                         Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, Dec. 31,
ASSETS                                     2007       2007     2006
                                        ---------- --------- ---------
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents             $  280,593  $222,419 $110,656
  Short-term investments in marketable
   securities                              152,041   198,362  234,202
  Short-term restricted cash                20,984    12,973   20,172
  Receivables                              159,457   176,468  144,955
  Inventories                              138,762   137,243   97,470
  Deferred tax assets                        4,788     4,996    4,386
  Other current assets                      36,273    40,941   33,474
                                        ---------- --------- ---------

    Total current assets                   792,898   793,402  645,315

Non-current investments in marketable
 securities                                 12,758    12,708   34,900

Long-term restricted cash                   24,621     9,298    6,131

Non-current service inventories             42,168    41,134   37,920

Property plant and equipment, net           74,700    68,083   60,394

Purchased technology, net                    2,862     3,268    4,494

Goodwill                                    40,864    40,875   40,900

Deferred tax assets                          2,641     9,479      542

Other assets, net                           16,834    19,141    7,483
                                        ---------- --------- ---------

TOTAL                                   $1,010,346  $997,388 $838,079
                                        ========== ========= =========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable                      $   31,156  $ 50,083 $ 45,118
  Accrued payroll liabilities               26,544    26,212   20,736
  Accrued warranty reserves                  6,585     6,902    5,716
  Accrued agent commissions                  9,119     6,871    6,175
  Deferred revenue                          72,551    61,564   48,992
  Income taxes payable                       3,403     6,987    9,203
  Accrued restructuring, reorganization
   and relocation                              580       598    2,439
  Current portion of convertible debt      195,882    45,882        -
  Other current liabilities                 29,266    31,241   29,276
                                        ---------- --------- ---------

    Total current liabilities              375,086   236,340  167,655

Convertible debt                           115,000   265,000  310,882

Deferred tax liabilities                     4,479     4,204    4,062

Other liabilities                           26,776    35,119    5,572

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock - 500 shares
   authorized; none issued and
   outstanding                                   -         -        -
  Common stock - 70,000 shares
   authorized; 36,405, 36,252 and
   34,052 shares issued and outstanding
   at December 31, 2007, September 30,
   2007 and December 31, 2006              395,904   390,168  348,479
  Retained earnings (accumulated
   deficit)                                 28,009    10,533  (36,041)
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   income                                   65,092    56,024   37,470
                                        ---------- --------- ---------

    Total shareholders' equity             489,005   456,725  349,908
                                        ---------- --------- ---------

TOTAL                                   $1,010,346  $997,388 $838,079
                                        ========== ========= =========

                     FEI Company and Subsidiaries
                Consolidated Statements of Operations
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                             (Unaudited)

                         Thirteen Weeks Ended          Year Ended
                     ----------------------------- -------------------
                     Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
                       2007      2007      2006      2007      2006
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
NET SALES:
  Products           $119,275  $113,565  $107,822  $466,425  $360,643
  Service and
   components          33,270    32,223    32,462   128,422   118,848
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Total net sales   152,545   145,788   140,284   594,847   479,491
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

COST OF SALES:
  Products             65,995    61,249    58,499   252,546   197,742
  Service and
   components          24,525    23,307    22,880    93,544    85,303
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Total cost of
     sales             90,520    84,556    81,379   346,090   283,045
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

    Gross profit       62,025    61,232    58,905   248,757   196,446
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Research and
   development         18,222    16,414    16,112    66,105    57,528
  Selling, general
   and
   administrative      33,865    30,915    28,508   124,526   100,279
  Amortization of
   purchased
   technology             450       444       438     1,777     2,034
  Merger costs              -         -         -         -       484
  Restructuring,
   reorganization
   and relocation         132         -       (27)     (272)   12,609
  Asset impairment          -         -         -         -       465
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Total operating
     expenses          52,669    47,773    45,031   192,136   173,399
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

OPERATING INCOME        9,356    13,459    13,874    56,621    23,047
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

OTHER INCOME
 (EXPENSE):
  Interest income       6,498     5,902     4,154    22,372    13,150
  Interest expense     (2,444)   (2,218)   (2,110)   (8,735)   (7,355)
  Gain on investment
   disposals and
   impairment, net          -       511         -     1,167         -
  Other expense, net     (230)   (1,034)     (538)   (3,492)     (723)
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
      Total other
       income, net      3,824     3,161     1,506    11,312     5,072
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

INCOME FROM
 CONTINUING
 OPERATIONS BEFORE
 TAXES                 13,180    16,620    15,380    67,933    28,119

INCOME TAX EXPENSE
 (BENEFIT)             (4,034)    3,236     3,481     8,374    10,467
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

INCOME FROM
 CONTINUING
 OPERATIONS            17,214    13,384    11,899    59,559    17,652

DISCONTINUED
 OPERATIONS:
  Gain (loss) from
   discontinued
   operations               -         -      (580)        -      (947)
  Gain on disposal,
   net of income
   taxes                  263         -     3,335       390     3,335
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
INCOME FROM
 DISCONTINUED
 OPERATIONS               263         -     2,755       390     2,388
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

NET INCOME           $ 17,477  $ 13,384  $ 14,654  $ 59,949  $ 20,040
                     ========= ========= ========= ========= =========

BASIC NET INCOME PER
 SHARE DATA:
  From continuing
   operations        $   0.47  $   0.37  $   0.35  $   1.67  $   0.52
                     ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
  From discontinued
   operations        $   0.01  $   0.00  $   0.08  $   0.01  $   0.07
                     ========= ========= ========= ========= =========

DILUTED NET INCOME
 PER SHARE DATA:
  From continuing
   operations        $   0.40  $   0.31  $   0.30  $   1.39  $   0.47
                     ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
  From discontinued
   operations        $   0.01  $   0.00  $   0.06  $   0.01  $   0.06
                     ========= ========= ========= ========= =========

WEIGHTED AVERAGE
 SHARES OUTSTANDING:
  Basic                36,323    36,216    33,886    35,709    33,818
                     ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
  Diluted              46,477    46,419    44,079    46,254    39,752
                     ========= ========= ========= ========= =========

                     FEI Company and Subsidiaries
                Consolidated Statements of Operations
                             (Unaudited)

                           Thirteen Weeks Ended(1)     Year Ended(1)
                         --------------------------- -----------------
                         Dec. 31, Sept. 30, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
                          2007      2007     2006     2007     2006
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
NET SALES:
  Products                  78.2%     77.9%    76.9%    78.4%    75.2%
  Service                   21.8%     22.1%    23.1%    21.6%    24.8%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
    Total net sales        100.0%    100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%

COST OF SALES:
  Products                  43.3%     42.0%    41.7%    42.5%    41.2%
  Service                   16.1%     16.0%    16.3%    15.7%    17.8%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
    Total cost of sales     59.3%     58.0%    58.0%    58.2%    59.0%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------

    Gross profit            40.7%     42.0%    42.0%    41.8%    41.0%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Research and
   development              11.9%     11.3%    11.5%    11.1%    12.0%
  Selling, general and
   administrative           22.2%     21.2%    20.3%    20.9%    20.9%
  Amortization of
   purchased technology      0.3%      0.3%     0.3%     0.3%     0.4%
  Restructuring,
   reorganization and
   relocation                0.1%      0.0%     0.0%     0.0%     2.6%
  Asset impairment           0.0%      0.0%     0.0%     0.0%     0.1%
  Merger costs               0.0%      0.0%     0.0%     0.0%     0.0%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
    Total operating
     expenses               34.5%     32.8%    32.1%    32.3%    36.2%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------

OPERATING INCOME             6.1%      9.2%     9.9%     9.5%     4.8%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest income            4.3%      4.0%     3.0%     3.8%     2.7%
  Interest expense          -1.6%     -1.5%    -1.5%    -1.5%    -1.5%
  Gain on investment
   disposals and
   impairment, net           0.0%      0.4%     0.0%     0.2%     0.0%
  Other expense, net        -0.2%     -0.7%    -0.4%    -0.6%    -0.2%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
      Total other
       expense, net          2.5%      2.2%     1.1%     1.9%     1.1%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING
 OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES     8.6%     11.4%    11.0%    11.4%     5.9%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------

INCOME TAX EXPENSE
 (BENEFIT)                  -2.6%      2.2%     2.5%     1.4%     2.2%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING
 OPERATIONS                 11.3%      9.2%     8.5%    10.0%     3.7%
                         ======== ========= ======== ======== ========

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
  Loss from discontinued
   operations                0.0%      0.0%    -0.4%     0.0%    -0.2%
  Gain on disposal, net
   of income taxes           0.2%      0.0%     2.4%     0.1%     0.7%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED
 OPERATIONS                  0.2%      0.0%     2.0%     0.1%     0.5%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------

NET INCOME                  11.5%      9.2%    10.4%    10.1%     4.2%
                         -------- --------- -------- -------- --------

(1) Percentages may not add due to rounding.

                             FEI COMPANY
                      Supplemental Data Table 1
              ($ in millions, except per share amounts)
                             (Unaudited)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Q4 Ended    Q3 Ended     Q4 Ended
                                  12/31/2007   9/30/2007   12/31/2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Statement Highlights
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Consolidated sales             $     152.6  $    145.8  $     140.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Gross margin                          40.7%       42.0%        42.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  R&D spending                   $      18.2  $     16.4  $      16.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  R&D (% of sales)                      11.9%       11.3%        11.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  SG&A                           $      33.9  $     30.9  $      28.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  SG&A (% of sales)                     22.2%       21.2%        20.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Stock compensation expense -
   COGS                          $       0.4  $      0.2  $       0.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Stock compensation expense -
   R&D                           $       0.3  $      0.3  $       0.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Stock compensation expense -
   SG&A                          $       1.5  $      0.7  $       1.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income from continuing
   operations                    $      17.2  $     13.4  $      11.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income from discontinued
   operations                    $       0.3  $      0.0  $       2.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                     $      17.5  $     13.4  $      14.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted earnings per share
   from continuing operations    $      0.40  $     0.31  $      0.30
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted earnings per share
   from discontinued operations  $      0.01  $     0.00  $      0.06
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Interest income add back
   included in the calculation
   of diluted EPS                $       1.2  $      1.2  $       1.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales by Market Segment
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  NanoElectronics                $      33.0  $     48.1  $      42.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  NanoResearch & Industry        $      67.8  $     51.6  $      55.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  NanoBiology                    $      18.5  $     13.9  $      10.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Service and Components         $      33.3  $     32.2  $      32.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales by Geography
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  North America                  $      63.7  $     46.5  $      49.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Europe                         $      65.7  $     61.5  $      52.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Asia Pacific                   $      23.2  $     37.8  $      38.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bookings
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total                          $     156.3  $    153.3  $     171.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Book-to-bill ratio                    1.02        1.05         1.22
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Backlog - total                $     309.4  $    305.7  $     305.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Backlog - Service and
   Components                    $      54.7  $     58.5  $      46.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bookings by Market Segment
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  NanoElectronics                $      39.6  $     28.8  $      49.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  NanoResearch & Industry        $      63.2  $     80.2  $      65.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  NanoBiology                    $      24.0  $     11.2  $      23.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Service and Components         $      29.5  $     33.1  $      33.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Highlights
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Cash, equivalents,
   investments, restricted cash  $     491.0  $    455.8  $     406.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Operating cash generated
   (used)                        $      34.8  $     11.4  $      24.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Accounts receivable            $     159.5  $    176.5  $     145.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Days sales outstanding (DSO)            95         110           94
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Inventory turnover                     2.6         2.6          3.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Inventories                    $     138.8  $    137.2  $      97.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Property, plant and equipment  $      74.7  $     68.1  $      60.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Fixed asset investment (during
   quarter)                      $       7.3  $      5.1  $       2.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Depreciation expense           $       3.8  $      3.4  $       3.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Current liabilities            $     375.1  $    236.3  $     167.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Working capital                $     417.8  $    557.1  $     477.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Shareholders' equity           $     489.0  $    456.7  $     349.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Headcount (permanent and
   temporary)                          1,866       1,851        1,683
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SOURCE: FEI Company

FEI Company
Investor Relations
Fletcher Chamberlin, 503-726-7710
fletcher.chamberlin@fei.com

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