Brooks Automation’s 1st-quarter loss narrows on product sales, results fall short of forecast

Brooks Automation 1Q loss narrows but misses views

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Brooks Automation Inc., which supplies semiconductor manufacturers, said Friday its fiscal 2010 first-quarter loss narrowed on a boost in product sales. But the results were below Wall Street’s expectations and the company’s stock took a hit.

Brooks said it lost $2.8 million, or 4 cents per share, in the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with a loss of $35.1 million, or 56 cents per share, during the same period a year prior. Revenue rose 45 percent to $106.2 million from $73.4 million.

Excluding charges, the company said it lost 2 cents per share. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to break even on revenue of $94.1 million.

Brooks shares fell $1.23, or 14.4 percent, to $7.29 in afternoon trading. The stock has traded between $3.30 and $10.82 over the last 52 weeks.