Brooks Automation Narrows Loss In Fiscal 4Q

CHELMSFORD, Mass. (AP) — Brooks Automation Inc., which supplies semiconductor manufacturers, said Thursday the company narrowed its loss in the fiscal fourth quarter and the CEO said it could approach break-even in the current quarter.

Brooks said it lost $14.5 million, or 23 cents per share, in the quarter ended Sept. 30. It lost $215.9 million, or $3.45 per share, a year ago when it had large charges.

Excluding restructuring charges, the company said it would have lost $14.0 million, or 22 cents per share in the most recent quarter.

Analysts, who usually exclude special items from their forecasts, had expected a loss of 25 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters.

Revenue fell 40 percent to $64.1 million from $106.9 million a year earlier.

The company said sales increased from the previous quarter, however, and CEO Robert J. Lepofsky said there was more interest from equipment manufacturers. He predicted a sequential revenue gain of more than 45 percent for the December quarter.