Brooks Automation Q4 Profit Plummets - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Brooks Automation Inc. (BRKS), Thursday reported a sharp decline in profit for the fourth-quarter, with a slight decrease in revenues. The results reflected a lower income tax benefit of $2.07 million, compared with $123.9 million last year. Net income attributable to the company dropped to $6.05 million or $0.09 per share, from $116.2 million or $1.77 per share a year ago. Excluding special charges, asset sales, and amortization of intangibles, adjusted earnings were $0.13 per share for the quarter.

On average, five analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings per share of $0.04 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.

Revenues for the three-month period edged down to $118.2 million, from $119.4 million last year. Analysts expected the company to generate revenues of $115.66 million for the quarter.

Looking ahead, for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the company said it expects revenue to be in the range of $119 million to $124 million, and adjusted earnings to be in the range of $0.04 to $0.07 per share. Analysts estimate the company to report earnings of $0.07 on revenues of $124.64 million.

Further, the company said its Board reiterated a dividend of $0.08 per share payable on December 27, to shareholders of record on December 6.