ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES REPORTS NET INCOME OF $0.17 PER SHARE

ON REVENUES OF $70 MILLION FOR THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2008

Company Reaches Profitability

Solar Gross Margin Exceeds 30 Percent

Internal Funding for Next 120MW Expansion

Rochester Hills, Mich., May 8, 2008 – Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (NASDAQ: ENER), the leading global manufacturer of thin-film flexible solar laminate products for the building integrated and commercial rooftop markets, today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine-month period ended March 31, 2008.

Total consolidated revenues for the quarter were $70 million, up 24 percent from second quarter revenues of $56.4 million, and 155 percent higher than third quarter fiscal 2007 revenues of $27.4 million. Solar product sales were $64.9 million, a 31 percent sequential increase and a 193 percent increase over the prior-year quarter.

Net income for the third quarter was $7.0 million, or $0.17 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.4 million, or $0.14 per share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, and a net loss of $6.9 million, or $0.17 per share, in the year-ago period. Third quarter results include preproduction costs of approximately $751,000 and restructuring charges of $2.4 million, representing $0.08 per share in the aggregate.

Gross margin on product sales in the solar business was 30.7 percent in the third quarter, compared with 19.2 percent in the second quarter. The gross margin improvement was driven by better factory utilization and yield, and favorable customer/product mix.

Mark Morelli, ECD’s president and chief executive officer, commented, “I’m pleased to report that we’ve reached profitability, and we’ve done so through sustainable changes to our business. This is a key milestone in our company’s history, and a testament to the commitment and hard work of our colleagues.”

United Solar Ovonic produced 21.6 MWs in the third quarter and 47.4 MWs for the first nine months of the fiscal year. The company confirmed its plans to expand and add 120MWs of additional nameplate capacity to its existing Greenville facilities. ECD will be able to internally fund this expansion through available funds and cash flow from operations. This previously announced expansion will increase the company’s nameplate capacity to approximately 300MWs by the end of fiscal year 2010.

“Our focused efforts are achieving tangible results. These include profitability driven by operational improvements, a substantial increase in sustainable gross margin, and $6 million in positive operating cash flow for the fiscal third quarter. Demand for our products continues to exceed available supply, and we are emphasizing take-or-pay agreements which give us better forward visibility, while ensuring supply to our strategic channel partners. These changes have

– 2 –

 

strengthened our current financial position, positioned us for future profitable growth and give us the flexibility to internally fund our new 120MW expansion,” added Mr. Morelli.

Nine Months Results

For the first nine months of fiscal 2008, total consolidated revenues were $173.5 million compared with $77.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2007, an increase of 124 percent. Solar product sales totaled $154.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008, a 150 percent increase compared with $61.7 million last year.

For the nine-month period, the company reported a net loss of $6 million, or $0.15 per share, compared with the previous nine month’s net loss of $12.1 million, or $0.31 per share. Restructuring costs for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 were $7.5 million. Preproduction costs for the year-to-date period were $5.6 million.

Fourth Quarter/Fiscal Year 2008 Updated Guidance

Total consolidated revenues are expected to be between $73 and $78 million for the fiscal fourth quarter ending June 30, 2008 and between $246 and $251 million for fiscal 2008. Solar product sales for the fourth quarter are expected to be $68 to $73 million, and $222 to $227 million for fiscal 2008. For the fourth quarter, ECD expects it will maintain the 30 to 31 percent gross margin it achieved in the third quarter. Restructuring costs are expected to be between $2 to $3 million for the fourth quarter and $10 to $11 million for fiscal 2008. Preproduction costs are expected to be approximately $1.5 to $2 million for the fourth quarter and between $7 and $8 million for fiscal 2008.

Conference Call / Webcast Details

Management of Energy Conversion Devices will review these financial results on a conference call on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The dial-in number for the live audio call is 877-858-2512 or 706-634-6076 (international) with conference ID number 44703161. The conference call will be webcast live over the Internet and can be accessed in the Investor Relations – Conference Calls – section of the company’s website at www.ovonic.com.

An audio replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call. The audio replay will remain available until 11:59 p.m., May 10, 2008, and can be accessed by dialing (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291 (international), with conference ID number 44703161. The webcast will also be archived on the company’s website.

About Energy Conversion Devices

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (NASDAQ: ENER) is the leader in building integrated and commercial rooftop photovoltaics, one of the fastest growing segments of the solar power industry. The company manufactures and sells thin-film solar laminates that convert sunlight to energy using proprietary technology. ECD’s UNI-SOLAR® brand products are unique because of their flexibility, light weight, ease of installation, durability, and real-world efficiency. ECD also pioneers other alternative technologies, including a new type of nonvolatile digital memory technology that is

– 3 –

 

significantly faster, less expensive, and ideal for use in a variety of applications including cell phones, digital cameras and personal computers. For more information, please visit www.ovonic.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future net sales or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to expansions, business trends and other information that is not historical information. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Risks that could cause such results to differ include: our ability to achieve sustainable profitability; our ability to maintain our customer relationships; our ability to expand our manufacturing capacity in a timely and cost-effective manner; the worldwide demand for electricity and the market for solar energy; the supply and price of components and raw materials for our products; and the resolution of pending legal disputes. The risk factors identified in the ECD filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, could impact any forward-looking statements contained in this release.

Contact:

Mark Trinske, Vice President

Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

(248) 299-6063

– 4 –

 

ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product Sales

$

65,366

 

$

23,206

 

$

159,391

 

$

64,731

 

Royalties

 

1,537

 

 

769

 

 

4,044

 

 

2,397

 

Revenue from Product Development
Agreements

 

2,691

 

 

2,887

 

 

8,490

 

 

8,750

 

Revenue from License Agreements

 

264

 

 

238

 

 

1,015

 

 

734

 

Other

 

124

 

 

329

 

 

533

 

 

947

 

Total Revenues

 

69,982

 

 

27,429

 

 

173,473

 

 

77,559

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Product Sales

 

45,296

 

 

19,787

 

 

122,109

 

 

54,122

 

Cost of Revenues from Product Development Agreements

 

1,863

 

 

2,012

 

 

5,391

 

 

5,726

 

Product Development and Research

 

1,653

 

 

5,671

 

 

7,698

 

 

15,338

 

Preproduction Costs

 

751

 

 

491

 

 

5,575

 

 

1,595

 

Operating, Selling, General and Administrative (Net) (Including Patents)

 

12,461

 

 

10,448

 

 

37,082

 

 

26,977

 

Restructuring Charges

 

2,386

 

 

 

 

7,457

 

 

 

Total Expenses

 

64,410

 

 

38,409

 

 

185,312

 

 

103,758

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

 

5,572

 

 

(10,980

)

 

(11,839

)

 

(26,199

)

Total Other Income

 

1,439

 

 

4,109

 

 

5,914

 

 

14,113

 

Net Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

 

7,011

 

 

(6,871

)

 

(5,925

)

 

(12,086

)

Income Taxes

 

37

 

 

 

 

94

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

$

6,974

 

$

(6,871

)

$

(6,019

)

$

(12,086

)

Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Share

$

.17

 

$

(.17

)

$

(.15

)

$

(.31

)

Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share

$

.17

 

$

(.17

)

$

(.15

)

$

(.31

)

Shares Used In Calculation of Net Loss
Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

40,317

 

 

39,517

 

 

40,100

 

 

39,295

 

Diluted

 

40,719

 

 

39,517

 

 

40,100

 

 

39,295

 

 

– 5 –

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement its financial statements presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) ECD uses the following measures (unaudited) as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission as non-GAAP measures:

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)

Net Income (Loss)

$

6,974

 

$

(6,871

)

$

(6,019

)

$

(12,086

)

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

–  Preproduction Costs

 

751

 

 

491

 

 

5,575

 

 

1,595

 

–  Restructuring Charges

 

2,386

 

 

 

 

7,457

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) as Adjusted (Non-GAAP)

$

10,111

 

$

(6,380

)

$

7,013

 

$

(10,491

)

Net Income (Loss) (Basic and Fully Diluted)
Per Share as Reported

$

.17

 

$

(.17

)

$

(.15

)

$

(.31

)

Net Income (Loss) (Basic and Fully Diluted)
Per Share as Adjusted (Non-GAAP)

$

.25

 

$

(.16

)

$

.17

 

$

(.27

)

ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands)

 

March 31, 2008

 

June 30, 2007

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

80,690

 

 

 

$

80,770

 

 

Restricted Investments

 

 

5,659

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

 

14,963

 

 

 

 

125,004

 

 

Accounts Receivable (Net)

 

 

44,204

 

 

 

 

36,498

 

 

Inventories

 

 

32,232

 

 

 

 

38,692

 

 

Assets Held for Sale

 

 

1,539

 

 

 

 

1,524

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment (Net)

 

 

384,583

 

 

 

 

311,369

 

 

Other

 

 

41,274

 

 

 

 

6,822

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

605,144

 

 

 

$

600,679

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities

 

$

47,166

 

 

 

$

42,940

 

 

Long-Term Liabilities

 

 

31,499

 

 

 

 

32,232

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

 

78,665

 

 

 

 

75,172

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

526,479

 

 

 

 

525,507

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

605,144

 

 

 

$

600,679

 

 

– 6 –

 

ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Nine Months Ended
March 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

$

(6,019

)

$

(12,086

)

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash
Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

15,059

 

 

8,258

 

Bad Debt and Other Expenses

 

734

 

 

(55

)

Amortization of Premium (Discount) on Investments

 

 

 

(146

)

Allowance for Slow-Moving Inventory

 

1,793

 

 

1,421

 

Restructuring Charge

 

1,019

 

 

 

Stock and Stock Options Issued for Services Rendered

 

1,506

 

 

1,455

 

Other

 

(359

)

 

(1,478

)

Changes in Working Capital

 

(1,064

)

 

1,299

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

12,669

 

 

(1,332

)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in Restricted Investment

 

(5,659

)

 

 

Purchases of Property, Plant and Equipment (Including
Construction in Progress) (Net)

 

(88,375

)

 

(139,420

)

Proceeds from Sale of Investments

 

75,379

 

 

21,504

 

Payment to Ovonyx

 

 

 

(200

)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

(18,655

)

 

(118,116

)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

5,971

 

 

8,308

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(65

)

 

(18

)

NET CASH FLOW

 

(80

)

 

(111,158

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

80,770

 

 

164,962

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

$

80,690

 

$

53,804

 

– 7 –

 

ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEGMENT REVENUE AND OPERATING INCOME/(LOSS)

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

Revenues

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

United Solar Ovonic

 

$

66,736

 

 

 

$

23,841

 

 

 

$

13,735

 

 

 

$

518

 

 

Ovonic Materials

 

 

3,178

 

 

 

 

3,442

 

 

 

 

940

 

 

 

 

(4,185

)

 

Corporate Activities

 

 

253

 

 

 

 

291

 

 

 

 

(9,175

)

 

 

 

(6,796

)

 

Consolidating Entries

 

 

(185

)

 

 

 

(145

)

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

 

(517

)

 

Consolidated

 

$

69,982

 

 

 

$

27,429

 

 

 

$

5,572

 

 

 

$

(10,980

)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
March 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

Revenues

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

United Solar Ovonic

 

$

160,343

 

 

 

$

66,895

 

 

 

$

15,352

 

 

 

$

2,870

 

 

Ovonic Materials

 

 

12,840

 

 

 

 

10,263

 

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

 

(10,957

)

 

Corporate Activities

 

 

797

 

 

 

 

890

 

 

 

 

(27,983

)

 

 

 

(16,527

)

 

Consolidating Entries

 

 

(507

)

 

 

 

(489

)

 

 

 

154

 

 

 

 

(1,585

)

 

Consolidated

 

$

173,473

 

 

 

$

77,559

 

 

 

$

(11,838

)

 

 

$

(26,199

)

 

 

– 8 –

 

 

Segment Operations – United Solar Ovonic

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

PV Product Sales

$

64,941

 

$

22,143

 

$

154,538

 

$

61,715

 

Megawatts Produced

 

21.6

 

 

8.8

 

 

47.4

 

 

21.8

 

Megawatts Shipped

 

21.5

 

 

7.4

 

 

51.4

 

 

19.2

 

Cost of Product Sales

$

45,021

 

$

18,303

 

$

117,846

 

$

50,298

 

Gross Margin

$

19,920

 

$

3,840

 

$

36,692

 

$

11,417

 

Gross Margin %

 

30.7%

 

 

17.3%

 

 

23.7%

 

 

18.5%

 

Other Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and Development

$

1,795

 

$

1,696

 

$

5,805

 

$

5,174

 

Other Operating Revenues

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

6

 

Other Revenues Total

 

1,795

 

 

1,698

 

 

5,805

 

 

5,180

 

Total Revenues

 

66,736

 

 

23,841

 

 

160,343

 

 

66,895

 

Other Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and Development

 

1,943

 

 

1,945

 

 

6,314

 

 

4,793

 

Preproduction

 

751

 

 

491

 

 

5,574

 

 

1,595

 

Operating, Selling, General and Administrative
Expenses

 

5,286

 

 

2,584

 

 

15,257

 

 

7,339

 

Total Other Expenses

 

7,980

 

 

5,020

 

 

27,145

 

 

13,727

 

Income from Operations

$

13,735

 

$

518

 

$

15,352

 

$

2,870

 

 

– 9 –

 

 

Segment Operations – Ovonic Materials

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Product Sales

$

425

 

$

1,063

 

$

4,872

 

$

3,016

 

Cost of Product Sales

 

356

 

 

1,098

 

 

4,519

 

 

2,674

 

Other Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalties

 

1,537

 

 

769

 

 

4,044

 

 

2,397

 

Research and Development

 

896

 

 

1,194

 

 

2,684

 

 

3,596

 

Licenses

 

264

 

 

238

 

 

1,015

 

 

734

 

Other Operating Revenues

 

56

 

 

178

 

 

225

 

 

520

 

Other Revenues Total

 

2,753

 

 

2,379

 

 

7,968

 

 

7,247

 

Total Revenues

 

3,178

 

 

3,442

 

 

12,840

 

 

10,263

 

Other Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and Development

 

1,573

 

 

5,740

 

 

6,776

 

 

16,289

 

Operating, General and Administrative Expenses

 

309

 

 

789

 

 

906

 

 

2,257

 

Total Other Expenses

 

1,882

 

 

6,529

 

 

7,682

 

 

18,546

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

$

940

 

$

(4,185

)

$

639

 

$

(10,957

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Operations – Corporate Activities

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Other Operating Revenues

$

253

 

$

291

 

$

797

 

$

890

 

Other Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Restructuring

 

2,386

 

 

 

 

7,457

 

 

 

   Operating, General and Administrative
   Expenses

 

7,042

 

 

7,087

 

 

21,323

 

 

17,417

 

Total Expenses

 

9,428

 

 

7,087

 

 

28,780

 

 

17,417

 

Loss from Operations

$

(9,175

)

$

(6,796

)

$

(27,983

)

$

(16,527

)