Kulicke and Soffa Industries
KLIC
#3313
Rank
$4.54 B
Marketcap
$86.80
Share price
2.53%
Change (1 day)
185.15%
Change (1 year)

Kulicke and Soffa Industries - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q



[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended MARCH 31, 1998
----------------
OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to .
--------- ---------


Commission File No. 0-121
-------


KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


PENNSYLVANIA 23-1498399
- ---------------------------- -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.


2101 BLAIR MILL ROAD, WILLOW GROVE, PENNSYLVANIA 19090
- ------------------------------------------------ ----------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


(215) 784-6000
----------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
----- -----


As of April 24, 1998, there were 23,311,895 shares of the
Registrant's Common Stock, Without Par Value outstanding.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.

FORM 10 - Q MARCH 31, 1998

INDEX




Page No.
--------
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

Consolidated Balance Sheet -
March 31, 1998 and September 30, 1997 3

Consolidated Income Statement -
Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 1998
and 1997 4

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows -
Six Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6 - 7

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. 8 - 13


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 13

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF
SECURITY HOLDERS. 14

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. 15

Signatures. 15
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
Item 1. Financial Statements.

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

March 31, September 30,
1998 1997
ASSETS ----------- -------------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 43,039 $107,605
Short-term investments 49,797 7,982
Accounts receivable, net 109,362 105,103
Inventories, net 67,191 45,602
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,972 4,391
Deferred income taxes 1,525 1,521
------- -------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 276,886 272,204

Property, plant and equipment, net 46,859 45,648
Intangible assets, primarily goodwill, net 41,528 42,724
Investment in and loans to joint venture 16,594 14,135
Other assets 1,968 2,108
------- -------
TOTAL ASSETS $383,835 $376,819
======= =======

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Debt due within one year $ 394 $ 780
Accounts payable to suppliers and others 43,158 47,408
Accrued expenses 24,092 24,932
Estimated income taxes payable 4,583 8,864
------- -------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 72,227 81,984

Long-term debt -- 220
Other liabilities 2,966 2,688
------- -------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 75,193 84,892
------- -------
Commitments and contingencies -- --

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, without par value 157,061 155,246
Retained earnings 155,419 139,404
Cumulative translation adjustment (3,838) (2,723)
------- -------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 308,642 291,927
------- -------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $383,835 $376,819
======= =======

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)



Three months Six months
ended March 31, ended March 31,
------------------- -------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
-------- -------- -------- --------

Net sales $120,060 $121,491 $243,171 $203,335
Cost of goods sold 74,073 76,256 151,839 129,319
------- ------- ------- -------
Gross profit 45,987 45,235 91,332 74,016

Selling, general and
administrative 20,315 18,736 42,762 34,963
Research and development,
net 12,685 11,772 24,953 22,465
------- ------- ------- -------
Income from operations 12,987 14,727 23,617 16,588

Interest income 1,266 588 2,660 1,262
Interest expense (47) (865) (94) (1,719)
Equity in loss of
joint venture (2,312) (1,546) (4,541) (2,629)
------- ------- ------- -------

Income before taxes 11,894 12,904 21,642 13,502

Provision for income taxes 2,703 3,602 5,627 3,781
------- ------- ------- -------
Net income $ 9,191 $ 9,302 $16,015 $ 9,721
======= ======= ======= =======


Net income per share:
Basic $0.39 $0.47 $0.69 $0.50
==== ==== ==== ====

Diluted $0.39 $0.46 $0.68 $0.49
==== ==== ==== ====
Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic 23,288 19,586 23,268 19,519

Diluted 23,676 20,127 23,692 20,014



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)


Six months ended March 31,
1998 1997
------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 16,015 $ 9,721
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 6,271 5,563
Equity in loss of joint venture 4,541 2,629
Deferred income taxes (4) (678)
Changes in other components of
working capital, net (35,199) (14,955)
Other changes, net (120) (901)
------- -------
Net cash (used) provided by
operating activities (8,496) 1,379
------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (6,863) (6,837)
Purchases of short-term investments
classified as available-for-sale (48,083) (4,069)
Proceeds from sales of short-term
investments classified as
available-for-sale 6,268 7,163
Proceeds from maturities of debt
securities held-to-maturity -- 29
Investments in and loans to joint venture (7,000) (13,515)
------- -------
Net cash used by investing
activities (55,678) (17,229)
------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of borrowings and capital
lease obligations (606) (595)
Proceeds from issuances of common stock 214 1,389
------- -------
Net cash (used) provided by
financing activities (392) 794
------- -------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash -- 32
------- -------
Change in cash and cash equivalents (64,566) (15,024)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 107,605 45,344
------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 43,039 $ 30,320
======= =======


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

The consolidated financial statement information included herein is
unaudited, but in the opinion of management, contains all adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly
the Company's financial position as of March 31, 1998 and September 30, 1997,
the results of its operations for the three and six month periods ended March
31, 1998 and 1997, and its cash flows for the six month periods ended March
31, 1998 and 1997. These financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the audited financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.

NOTE 2 - INVENTORY:

March 31, September 30,
1998 1997
--------- -------------
Raw materials and supplies $32,290 $28,237
Work in process 20,366 16,028
Finished goods 29,861 17,245
------ ------
82,517 61,510
Inventory reserves (15,326) (15,908)
------ ------
$67,191 $45,602
====== ======

NOTE 3 - DEBT OBLIGATIONS:

On March 26, 1998, the Company renegotiated the terms of its bank credit
facilities resulting in an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement providing for
a $60.0 million revolving credit facility expiring on March 26, 2003. The new
revolving credit facility provides for borrowings denominated in either U.S.
dollars or foreign currencies. Borrowings in U.S. dollars bear interest
either at a Base Rate (defined as the greater of the prime rate minus 1/4% or
the federal funds rate plus 1/2%) or, at a LIBOR Rate (defined as LIBOR plus
.4% to .8% depending on the Company's leverage ratio). Foreign currency
borrowings bear interest at a LIBOR Rate, as defined above, applicable to the
foreign currency.

The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is guaranteed by certain of the
Company's domestic subsidiaries and requires that the Company maintain
certain financial covenants including a leverage ratio and an interest
coverage ratio or liquidity ratio. The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement
also limits the Company's ability to mortgage, pledge or dispose of a
material portion of its assets and imposes restrictions on the Company's
investments and acquisitions. The Company was in compliance with all
covenants of the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement as of March 31, 1998.
NOTE 4 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENT:

Operating results by business segment for the six month periods ended March
31, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:

Packaging Corporate
Six months ended Equipment Materials and
March 31, 1998: Segment Segment Eliminations Total
- ------------------ --------- --------- ------------ --------
Net sales $186,858 $56,313 $243,171
Cost of goods sold 109,336 42,503 151,839
------- ------ -------
Gross profit 77,522 13,810 91,332
Operating costs 51,368 11,922 $ 4,425 67,715
------- ------ ------ -------
Operating income $ 26,154 $ 1,888 $(4,425) 23,617
======= ====== ======
Net interest income 2,566
Equity in loss of
joint venture (4,541)
-------
Income before taxes $ 21,642
=======
Identifiable assets at
March 31, 1998 $189,496 $84,909 $109,430 $383,835
======= ====== ======= =======

Six months ended
March 31, 1997:
- ------------------
Net sales $152,322 $51,013 $203,335
Cost of goods sold 87,646 41,673 129,319
------- ------ -------
Gross profit 64,676 9,340 74,016
Operating costs 43,831 10,279 $ 3,318 57,428
------- ------ ------ -------
Operating income(loss) $ 20,845 $ (939) $(3,318) 16,588
======= ====== ======
Net interest expense (457)
Equity in loss of
joint venture (2,629)
-------
Income before taxes $ 13,502
=======
Identifiable assets at
March 31, 1997 $141,639 $88,079 $53,168 $282,886
======= ====== ====== =======

Intersegment sales are immaterial. Corporate assets primarily include cash,
investments and the Company's equity investment in Flip Chip Technologies,
LLC ("FCT"). The increase in corporate assets at March 31, 1998 compared to
March 31, 1997 is due principally to the increase in cash and investments
related to net proceeds from the Company's May 1997 underwritten offering of
common stock.
Item 2.             MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Certain statements contained in this report are forward looking statements
and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to the following: the risk of order postponements or cancellations; the
risks associated with a substantial foreign customer base; the risks
associated with instability in foreign capital markets and foreign currency
fluctuations; the upward and downward volatility in demand for semiconductors
and for the Company's products and services; the risk of delays in
introduction and customer qualification of new products and services;
competitive pricing pressures; the Company's ability to manufacture and ship
its products on a timely basis; and the risk that certain customers may adopt
alternate semiconductor assembly processes. Reference is made to a more
detailed discussion of risk factors affecting the Company's business in other
Company reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September
30, 1997, and "Risk Factors" and other sections of the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (33-69734) filed in May 1997.


INTRODUCTION

The Company's operating results primarily depend upon the capital
expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers and subcontract assemblers
worldwide which, in turn, depend on the current and anticipated market demand
for semiconductors. The semiconductor industry has historically been volatile
and experienced periodic slowdowns which have had a severe negative effect on
the semiconductor industry's demand for capital equipment, including assembly
equipment manufactured and sold by the Company and, to a lesser extent,
packaging materials such as those sold by the Company. These slowdowns have
also adversely affected the Company's operating results. The Company believes
that such volatility will continue to characterize the industry and the
Company's operations in the future. The Company does not consider its
business to be seasonal in nature.

A significant portion of the Company's revenue is derived from sales of a
relatively small number of machines, most with selling prices ranging from
$60,000 to over $400,000. A delay in the shipment of a limited quantity of
machines, either due to manufacturing delays, which occur from time to time,
or from rescheduling or cancellations of customer orders, could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations for any
particular quarter.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Three and six month periods ended March 31, 1998
compared to the three and six month periods ended March 31, 1997.

Customer orders booked into backlog during the second quarter of fiscal 1998
totaled $93.0 million, after removing $28.3 million due to the cancellation
of an order for Model 8060 machines. Fiscal 1997 second quarter bookings
totaled $138.0 million. Customer bookings for the first half of 1998 were
$229.0 million compared to $243.0 million for the first half of fiscal 1997.
The rate of customer orders in fiscal 1998 has subsided compared to the
record levels experienced during the middle of fiscal 1997, in large measure
reflecting the effect of the ongoing financial crisis in the Asia/Pacific
region, particularly in Korea. The backlog of customer orders totaled $104.0
million at March 31, 1998 compared to $110.0 million at March 31, 1997. Since
the timing of deliveries may vary and orders generally are subject to delay
or cancellation, the Company's backlog as of any date may not be indicative
of sales for any succeeding period.

Net sales for the fiscal 1998 second quarter totaled $120.1 million compared
to sales of $121.5 million for the same period last year. Net sales for the
first six months of fiscal 1998 were $243.2 million compared to $203.3
million for the same period in the prior year.

Equipment sales totaled $92.9 million for the fiscal 1998 second quarter
compared to $96.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 1997. In the
fiscal 1998 second quarter, total unit sales of machines were approximately
18% lower than the fiscal 1997 second quarter level, principally due to
reduced shipments of automatic ball bonders. Despite the lower unit volume,
equipment sales declined only 3% due to a shift in sales mix toward higher
priced Model 8060 machines in the fiscal 1998 second quarter. Sales of the
Company's new Model 8020 and 8060 wire bonders totaled $41.9 million in the
fiscal 1998 second quarter, representing about 56% of automatic wire bonder
revenues during the period, compared to approximately 20% in the fiscal 1998
first quarter. Equipment sales for the six months ended March 31, 1998 were
$186.9 million compared to $152.3 million for the prior year six month
period. This increase reflects higher total unit sales of automatic wire
bonders in the first half of fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997, and the
sale of higher priced Model 8060 machines in fiscal 1998.

Sales of packaging materials totaled $27.1 million for the fiscal 1998 second
quarter compared to $25.4 million for the same period last year. Packaging
materials sales for the six months ended March 1998 were $56.3 million
compared to $51.0 million for the same period in the prior year. The
increases in fiscal 1998 sales for both the three and six month periods ended
March 31, 1998 in relation to the comparable prior year periods primarily
resulted from higher unit sales of expendable tools. This increase was offset
in part by lower revenues from wire products as a result of lower fiscal 1998
gold prices, despite higher wire volumes in fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal
1997.

For the six months ended March 31, 1998, sales to customer locations in
Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan increased significantly, both in absolute
terms and as a percentage of total sales compared to the same period last
year, while sales to Korean-based customers declined from 19.6% of total
sales in fiscal 1997 to approximately 5.4% in fiscal 1998.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 38.3% for the fiscal
1998 second quarter, compared to 37.2% for the same period last year. For the
first half of fiscal 1998, gross profit as a percentage of net sales
increased to 37.6% compared to 36.4% during the same period last year.
Equipment segment gross profit as a percentage of net sales totaled 42.1% and
42.3%, for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
For the six month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, gross profit as a
percentage of net sales totaled 41.4% and 42.4%, respectively. Lower fiscal
1998 second quarter and year to date gross margins in the equipment business
primarily resulted from reduced average selling prices on older Model 1488
plus ball bonders and reduced fiscal 1998 sales of higher margin upgrade kits
and accessories compared to fiscal 1997 levels. These declines offset the
favorable effect on gross margins from sales of the new Model 8020 and 8060
machines during the periods.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales in the packaging materials segment
improved from approximately 18% in the fiscal 1997 second quarter and six
month period to approximately 25% in the fiscal 1998 second quarter and six
month period. Improved gross margins in the packaging materials segment
resulted both from increased manufacturing efficiencies in certain of its
factories, and an overall shift in product sales mix toward higher margin
expendable tools from lower margin wire products.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses totaled $20.3 million
for the fiscal 1998 second quarter compared to $18.7 for the same period last
year. SG&A expenses for the six months ended March 1998 totaled $42.8 million
versus $35.0 million for the comparable period last year. Increased, sales,
marketing and customer support costs associated with the launch of the new
Model 8020 and 8060 wire bonders accounted for most of the increase in the
equipment business. Increased SG&A costs in the packaging materials segment
primarily reflected the continued expansion of its sales and distribution
infrastructure. Corporate cost increases principally reflect incremental
costs associated with the implementation of a new world-wide business system.

Net Research and Development ("R&D") costs increased to $12.7 million for the
fiscal 1998 second quarter compared to $11.8 million for the fiscal 1997
second quarter. R&D costs for the six months ended March 31, 1998 were $25.0
million versus $22.5 for the six months ended March 31, 1997. The increase in
fiscal 1998 R&D costs primarily reflects ongoing development activities
related to the 8000 family of products and continuous improvement of existing
products in the equipment segment, and increased expenditures in the
packaging materials segment, primarily for new product development.

Operating income totaled $13.0 million in the fiscal 1998 second quarter
compared to $14.7 million in the fiscal 1997 second quarter. Increased SG&A
and net R&D costs offset the higher gross profit amount in the fiscal 1998
second quarter compared to the same period last year. For the six months
ended March 1998, operating income totaled $23.6 million compared to $16.6
million for the same period in the prior year. Higher sales and gross profit
in both the equipment and packaging materials segments, offset in part by
higher operating costs due to the greater volume of business, contributed to
improved income from operations in the first half of fiscal 1998 compared to
the first half of fiscal 1997.

For the three and six month periods ended March 31, 1998, the Company
reported net interest income totaling $1.2 million and $2.6 million,
respectively. The Company recognized net interest expense of $.3 million and
$.5 million, respectively, during the comparable periods last year. During
fiscal 1998, the Company remained essentially debt-free, principally as a
result of the Company's May 1997 underwritten public offering of common stock
which generated net proceeds of $101.1 million. A portion of the offering
proceeds were used to repay the $50.0 million borrowed under the Company's
bank revolving credit facility to fund the AFW acquisition. Such borrowings
accounted for the majority of the fiscal 1997 interest expense.

In the fiscal 1998 second quarter, the Company recognized a $2.3 million loss
as its 51% equity interest in its joint venture investment in Flip Chip
Technologies, LLC ("FCT") compared to the $1.5 million loss during the same
period last year. For the six months ended March 1998, the Company's share of
the loss totaled $4.5 million compared to the $2.6 million loss in the same
period prior year. Through March 1998, the Company has made capital
contributions totaling $16.8 million and has loaned $12.0 million to FCT to
fund start up operations. As a result of delays in the customer evaluation
process and in the generation of substantial operating revenues, the Company
now anticipates that its proportionate share of FCT's fiscal 1998 loss will
exceed $7.0 million, and that an additional $10.0 million of loans may be
required by FCT during the remainder of fiscal 1998. The joint venture is
subject to numerous risks common to business arrangements of this nature.
There can be no assurance that FCT will ever become profitable, that the
Company will not make additional capital contributions and loans to FCT, or
that the anticipated benefits of the joint venture will ever be realized. If
the joint venture does not become profitable and cash flow positive, the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results could be
materially adversely affected.

The fiscal 1998 effective tax rate is presently expected to approximate 26%,
compared to the approximately 29% for the 1997 fiscal year. During the fiscal
1998 second quarter, the Company revised downward its estimate of expected
taxable earnings for the 1998 fiscal year resulting in a favorable adjustment
to its expected effective tax rate for the year and a corresponding reduction
to income tax expense during the fiscal 1998 second quarter.


COMPANY OUTLOOK

The Company presently expects sales and earnings for the remainder of fiscal
1998 to be lower than experienced in the fiscal 1998 first half. This lower
outlook generally reflects the expected impact of continued softness in
demand for the Company's products as a result of the ongoing financial crisis
in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in Korea. For the fiscal 1998 third
quarter, the Company currently expects to incur a slight loss, both due to
the general softness in demand and to the cancellation of an order for Model
8060 machines. In response to the above issues, the Company has instituted
certain cost control measures to more closely align manufacturing capacity
and operating expenses with decreased product demand.

The Company is in the process of transitioning to its new family of wire
bonders, the 8000 family, which is based on an entirely new platform and has
required the development of new software and many subassemblies not part of
the Company's current wire bonders. The first products in the 8000 family are
the Model 8020 ball bonder which will replace the Model 1488 plus, and the
Model 8060 wedge bonder which replaced the Model 1474fp. The Company expects
the transition to volume production and sales of Model 8020 and 8060 machines
to be substantially complete by the end of fiscal 1998.

The Company has incurred substantial incremental costs to date and expects to
incur additional costs during the customer evaluation and qualification
process to ensure the functionality and reliability of these new products.
The Company's inability to successfully qualify new products, or its
inability to manufacture and ship these products in volume and on a timely
basis, could adversely affect the Company's competitive position.

Furthermore, the transition to the Model 8020 and 8060 platforms involves
numerous risks, including the possibility that the Model 8020 or 8060 will
fail to meet customer needs or achieve market acceptance. To the extent that
the Company fails to accurately forecast demand in volume and configuration
for both its current and next-generation wire bonders and generally to manage
product transitions successfully, it could experience reduced orders, delays
in product shipments and increased risk of inventory obsolescence. There can
be no assurance that the Company will successfully introduce and manufacture
new products, including the Model 8020 and 8060, that new products introduced
by the Company will be accepted in the marketplace or that the Company will
manage its product transitions successfully. The Company's failure to do any
of the foregoing could materially adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During the past three fiscal years, the Company has financed its operations
principally through cash flows from operations. In May 1997, the Company
completed an underwritten public offering of 3,450,000 shares of common stock
which generated $101.1 million in net proceeds, and used a portion of such
proceeds to repay the $50.0 million outstanding balance on the Company's bank
revolving credit facility.

During the first six months of fiscal 1998, cash used by operating activities
totaled $8.5 million compared to $1.4 million in cash generated by operating
activities during the first six months of fiscal 1997. Cash and investments
totaled $92.8 million at the end of March 1998 compared to $115.8 million at
September 30, 1997. Working capital increased at the end of March 1998 to
$204.7 million from $190.2 million at the end of September 1997. Increased
inventories, extended payment terms on certain accounts receivable, reduced
accounts payable to suppliers and payments of income taxes since September
1997 contributed to the decline in cash and short-term investments.

During the first half of fiscal 1998, the Company invested approximately $6.9
million in property, plant and equipment. These investments were primarily to
upgrade equipment used in manufacturing and R&D activities and for the
Company's new enterprise-wide business systems. The principal capital
projects planned for fiscal 1998 include the purchase of additional tooling
and equipment necessary to manufacture the 8000 series of machines, the
purchase of equipment necessary to expand manufacturing capacity, primarily
in the United States and Israel, and additional investments in management
information systems.

The Company is in the process of replacing its existing business and
accounting systems with an enterprise-wide business system which is "Year
2000" compliant. The Company expects to incur capital expenditures, primarily
for computer hardware and software, related to this system implementation
project. Year to date spending on the management information system upgrade
totaled approximately $1.8 million. Internal staffing costs and re-
engineering costs, if any, associated with this system implementation project
will be expensed as incurred. The Company's system implementation plan
currently anticipates conversion to the new enterprise system by the Willow
Grove and Israeli equipment manufacturing facilities in early fiscal 1999.

In addition, the Company has conducted an initial evaluation of the operating
software used in many of its equipment products for possible "Year 2000"
issues. Based on this initial assessment, the Company does not believe
operation of equipment sold to customers will be affected by the transition
to the year 2000. Accordingly, the Company does not currently anticipate any
material disruption in its business operations as a consequence of the "Year
2000" issue.

See "Results of Operations" above for information concerning anticipated
contributions and loans to FCT.

A significant portion of the Company's consolidated earnings are attributable
to undistributed earnings of certain of its foreign subsidiaries. Deferred
income taxes have not been provided on that portion of undistributed foreign
earnings which is expected to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign
operations. If funds were required to be repatriated to fund the Company's
operations or other financial obligations, additional U.S. Federal income tax
expense could be required to be recognized.

The Company currently has available the entire amount of a $60.0 million
credit facility expiring March 26, 2003. There have been no borrowings under
the Company's bank credit facilities during fiscal 1998.

The Company believes that anticipated cash flows from operations, its working
capital and amounts expected to be available under its revolving credit
facility will be sufficient to meet anticipated liquidity and capital
requirements for at least the next twelve months, including any anticipated
loans to FCT. The Company may however seek equity or debt financing to
provide capital for Corporate purposes and/or to fund strategic business
opportunities, including possible acquisitions, joint ventures, alliances or
other business arrangements which could require substantial capital outlays.
The timing and amount of such potential capital requirements cannot be
determined at this time and will depend on a number of factors, including
demand for the Company's products, semiconductor and semiconductor capital
equipment industry conditions and competitive factors and the nature and size
of strategic business opportunities which the Company may elect to pursue.


EFFECT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

In February 1998, the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132,
"Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,"
("SFAS No. 132") was issued. SFAS No. 132 revises the disclosure requirements
for pension and other postretirement benefit plans to improve the
understandability of benefit disclosures, but does not affect either the
measurement or the recognition of benefit costs.

In March 1998, Statement of Position 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use," ("SOP 98-1") was
issued. The Company is currently evaluating the effect and timing of adoption
of this SOP, which must be implemented no later than the Company's fiscal
2000. Based on a preliminary review of this new guidance and the Company's
current practices, adoption of the SOP is not expected to have a material
effect on the Company's accounting for internally-used software.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION.

Item 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

During the first six months of fiscal 1998, the Company contributed 44,970
shares of unregistered common stock, valued at its fair market value, as
contributions to its Section 401(k) Employee Incentive Savings Plan.
Registration for such shares was not required because the transaction did not
constitute a "sale" under Section 2(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, or,
alternatively, the transaction was exempt pursuant to the private offering
provisions of that Act and the rules thereunder.
Item 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company was held on February
10, 1998. At this meeting, Messrs. John A. O'Steen and MacDonell Roehm, Jr.
were re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Company for terms expiring
at the 2002 Annual Meeting. In such election, 21,509,956 votes and 21,508,725
votes were cast for Mr. O'Steen and Mr. Roehm, Jr., respectively. Under
Pennsylvania law, votes cannot be cast against a candidate. Proxies filed by
the holders of 124,893 shares and 126,124 shares at the 1998 Annual Meeting
withheld authority to vote for Mr. O'Steen and Mr. Roehm, Jr., respectively.

Also at the 1998 Annual Meeting, 19,490,285 shares were voted in favor of the
proposal to amend the Company's Articles of Incorporation increasing the
number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 50,000,000 shares to
100,000,000 shares, and 2,100,762 shares voted against this proposal.
Proxies filed by the holders of 43,602 shares instructed the proxy holders to
abstain from voting on this proposal.

Also at the meeting, 19,534,683 shares were voted in favor of the proposal to
approve the 1997 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors,
and 2,035,439 shares were voted against such proposal. Proxies filed by the
holders of 64,727 shares at the 1998 Annual Meeting instructed the proxy
holders to abstain from voting on such proposal.

Lastly, 20,386,009 shares were voted in favor of the reappointment of Price
Waterhouse as independent accountants of the Company to serve until the 1999
Annual Meeting, and 1,210,854 shares were voted against such proposal.
Proxies filed by the holders of 37,986 shares at the 1998 Annual Meeting
instructed the proxy holders to abstain from voting on such proposal.

Broker "non-votes" received at the 1998 Annual Meeting totaled 200 shares.
Item 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a) Exhibits

Exhibit 3 (i) - Form of Articles of Incorporation as amended,
effective March 3, 1998.

Exhibit 10 (a) - Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated March 26,
1998 between Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. and PNC Bank,
National Association.

Exhibit 10 (b) - Form of Termination of Employment Agreement signed
by Mr. Kulicke (Section 2.(a) - 30 months), and Messrs. Perchick,
Sprague, Von Seggern, Jacobi, Baskin, Campanale, DeSouza, Furhovden,
Hermoni, Laflin, Lendner, Leonhardt, Massey, May, Razon, Salmons,
Sawachi, Spooner, and Wolf (Section 2.(a) - 18 months).*

Exhibit 10 (vii) - The Company's 1997 Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan For Non-Employee Directors, filed as Appendix A to the
Company's definitive proxy statement relating to the February 10,
1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by
reference.*

Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule.

(b) Reports on Form 8 - K

None

* Compensatory contract


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.


Date: April 30, 1998 By: /s/ Clifford G. Sprague
_________________________________
Clifford G. Sprague
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


By: /s/ Curtis A. Massey
_________________________________
Curtis A. Massey
Vice President,
Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)