Brooks Automation Reports Wider 2Q Loss

CHELMSFORD, Mass. (AP) — Brooks Automation Inc., which makes products for the semiconductor industry, reported Thursday that it lost $152.5 million in its fiscal second quarter of 2009, compared with a loss of $8.3 million a year ago, as revenue plunged 75 percent.

The loss for the three months ended March 31 was equivalent to $2.43 per share, while the year-ago loss was equal to 13 cents per share.

The current year loss included special charges totaling $116.3 million. Without the charges, the company lost $36.2 million, or 58 cents per share, in the quarter.

Revenue in the quarter came in at $37.3 million, compared with $147.6 million in the same period a year ago.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, on average, were expecting a second-quarter loss of 51 cents a share on revenue of $41.3 million. Analysts generally exclude one-time items from their estimates.

Shares of the company fell 8 cents to close at $6.25.