AXYS

[BigSully1]

Chart and company prospects still looking awesome. More on stock picking board 

Axsys Technologies, Inc.
175 Capital Boulevard
Suite 103
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
United States - Map
Phone: 860-257-0200
Fax: 860-594-5750
Web Site: http://www.axsys.com

DETAILS   
Index Membership: N/A
Sector: Technology
Industry: Scientific & Technical Instruments
Full Time Employees: 822


BUSINESS SUMMARY   
Axsys Technologies, Inc. designs and manufactures precision optical solutions for defense, aerospace, homeland security, and commercial applications. The company operates in two Segments, the Surveillance Systems Group and the Imaging Systems Group. The Surveillance Systems Group segment offers precise camera systems for deployment on ground, marine, and aerial vehicles. Its products are used in surveillance, reconnaissance, tracking, and targeting applications. The Imaging Systems Group segment manufactures and sells optical and motion control subsystems and components for deployment in integrated systems. Its products include visible and infrared lenses, scanning systems, laser positioners, long-range telescopes, stabilized sensor positioning systems, precision motion-control components, and imaging optics. The company sells its products to various government institutions, such as the U.S. Border Patrol, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, as well as defense contractors for integration into larger platforms. Axsys Technologies was incorporated in 1959 and is headquartered in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

[BigSully1]

Another big beat, top and bottom (.45 vs .40, and 56.4M vs 49.75) and yet another guidance raise. Lovin it.

Axsys Technologies Announces 59 Percent Growth in Revenues and 87 Percent Growth in Income From Continuing Operations in First Quarter
Wednesday April 23, 4:10 pm ET
Company Increases 2008 Guidance


ROCKY HILL, Conn., April 23, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Axsys Technologies, Inc. (NasdaqGS:AXYS - News), a global leader in the design and development of high-performance surveillance cameras, imaging systems and related motion control technologies, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 29, 2008.
During the first quarter, Axsys generated revenues of $56.4 million, compared to $35.5 million in the first quarter of 2007. Net income was $5.1 million or $0.45 per diluted share, up from $3.0 million or $0.27 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2007. The results for the first quarter of 2007 include net income of $249 thousand or $0.02 per diluted share from the discontinued AST Bearings business, which was sold in November 2007.

First Quarter Financial Highlights from Continuing Operations

Period comparisons vs. the first quarter of 2007.



* Sales increased 59% to a record $56.4 million;
* Gross margin improved to 34.0% from 31.1%;
* Operating margin improved to 14.2% from 13.0%;
* Income increased 87% to $5.1 million;
* Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.45 from $0.25;
* Backlog increased to a record $158 million, representing a 13%
   increase compared to the end of the fourth quarter of 2007.

Compared to the same period in the prior year, the increase in sales was due to both strong organic growth across the company and the acquisition of the gyrostabilized gimbal business in April 2007. Margins were favorably impacted by the faster growth rate in the higher margin Surveillance Systems Group. Backlog growth was mainly attributable to the large infrared lens orders that we received for the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) and Thermal Weapons Sight (TWS) programs.



Segment Sales

      (Millions)                           Three Months Ended:
                                           -------------------
                                            Mar 29,   Mar 31,
                                             2008      2007
                                           -------------------
Surveillance Systems Group                 $ 17.9    $  9.2
Imaging Systems Group                        38.5      26.3

ADVERTISEMENT


Compared to the first quarter of 2007, the Surveillance Systems Group's sales grew 95%. Cineflex generated $4.3 million of sales in the first quarter of 2007 and, consequently, pro forma sales growth, including the first quarter 2007 results for Cineflex, was 32%.

The Imaging Systems Group's sales grew 46% year over year. All business areas within the Imaging Systems segment grew during the quarter, with the infrared lens business performing particularly well.

``Both of our business segments achieved impressive results in the first quarter,'' said Stephen W. Bershad, Chairman and CEO of Axsys Technologies. ``The Surveillance Systems Group met our high expectations, while increased throughput at our Imaging Systems Group produced better than expected results. The strong performance by both reporting segments has led the management team to increase its financial guidance for fiscal 2008.''

Fiscal 2008 Earnings Guidance Increase

Axsys is increasing its full-year 2008 guidance as follows:



* Sales are expected to be in the range of $224 million to
   $228 million, up from the $208 million to $212 million range
   previously provided.
* Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of
   $1.88 to $1.92, up from the previous guidance of $1.70 to $1.75.

``Our excellent first quarter results combined with a record backlog provide additional evidence of our enviable market position,'' continued Mr. Bershad. ``To support continued growth, we plan to expand the manufacturing footprint of our infrared camera and lens businesses by leasing a new facility in the southern New Hampshire area. We expect this new facility to be operational during the second half of the year. With this additional capacity, we believe that we will be well-positioned for growth in the coming years.''

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call to review the Company's financial results on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Shareholders, institutional investors and equity research analysts are invited to participate in the call by dialing 1-888-713-4209 and providing the operator with the conference ID# 70467556 to enter the call.

The conference call will be webcast live via the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at http://www.axsys.com. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call for a period of approximately 90 days.

[BigSully1]

Analyst upgrade. Estimates and target increased again.

Some silly sellers yesterday