Celestica swung to Q3 profit

Net earnings on a GAAP basis for the third quarter were $51.5 million or $0.22 per share, compared to GAAP net loss of ($42.1) million or ($0.19) per share for the same period last year. Included in the third quarter 2007 earnings are restructuring charges of $2.7 million compared to restructuring charges of $82.4 million in the third quarter last year. Adjusted net earnings for the quarter were $29.3 million or $0.13 per share compared to adjusted net earnings of $40.5 million or $0.18 per share for the same period last year. The term adjusted net earnings is defined as net earnings before amortization of intangible assets, gains or losses on the repurchase of shares and debt, integration costs related to acquisitions, option expense, option exchange costs and other charges, net of tax and significant deferred tax write-offs or recovery (detailed GAAP financial statements and supplementary information related to adjusted net earnings appear at the end of this press release). These results compare with the company's guidance for the third quarter, announced on July 26, 2007, of revenue in the range of $2.0 billion to $2.2 billion and adjusted net earnings per share in the range of $0.04 to $0.12. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, revenue was $5,860 million compared to $6,550 million for the same period in 2006. Net loss on a GAAP basis was ($2.0) million or ($0.01) per share compared to net loss of ($89.8) million or ($0.40) per share last year. Adjusted net earnings for the first nine months of 2007 were $25.1 million or $0.11 per share compared to adjusted net earnings of $87.0 million or $0.38 per share for the same period in 2006. "Our third quarter results reflect the significant progress we are making with respect to the turnaround plans we put in place at the beginning of this year," said Craig Muhlhauser, President and Chief Executive Officer, Celestica. "On a sequential basis, revenue grew 7%, operating margins almost doubled, inventory turns improved to 8.3x and we generated more than $200 million in free cash flow. We are encouraged by our progress to date and believe that significant opportunity remains throughout the business. Although we continue to manage through nearer-term volatility as we complete our turnaround plans, our entire team remains confident in our ability to drive further improvements as we strive to build a solid foundation for Celestica's future growth and profitability." For the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2007, the company expects revenue to be in the range of $2.0 billion to $2.15 billion, and adjusted net earnings per share to range from $0.10 to $0.16.