Why Shares of NeoPhotonics Corp. Dropped Today

Image source: NeoPhotonics Corp.

What happened

Shares of NeoPhotonics Corp. (NYSE: NPTN), a manufacturer of optoelectronic products used in communications networks, slumped on Tuesday. The company announced that it was selling its low-speed transceiver business, as well as cutting its guidance for the fourth quarter. The stock was down about 10.5% at 10:45 a.m. EST.

So what

NeoPhotonics plans to sell its low-speed transceiver business, which generated $50.7 million of revenue through the first nine months of 2016, to APAT Optoelectonics Components, a Chinese company. The transaction is valued at $26.4 million and is expected to close in January.

Along with this announcement, NeoPhotonics provided updated guidance to investors. The company cited problems with demand for its high-speed products exceeding supply. Production yields at one of its facilities has been lower than expected, resulting in delayed shipments and higher manufacturing costs.

NeoPhotonics now expects to produce non-GAAP revenue of $109 million during the fourth quarter, down from a previous guidance range of $109 million to $115 million. Non-GAAP EPS, previously expected in the range of $0.13 to $0.21, will now come in at $0.03 to $0.11 due to higher costs.

Now what

The sale of the low-speed transceiver unit will allow NeoPhotonics to focus on its high-speed business. CEO Tim Jenks explains:

With manufacturing problems expected to knock down profits during the fourth quarter, this renewed focus should be viewed as a positive. Investors should expect to hear more about NeoPhotonics' manufacturing issues and how the company plans to fix them when it reports its fourth-quarter results in 2017.

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