Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.
Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “During the second quarter, we made great strides in positioning Corning to emerge stronger from the global health crisis and resume growth. Sales, net income, EPS, and free cash flow all increased sequentially.
“Corning advanced multiple initiatives throughout the second quarter, including the launch of Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™ and continued innovation with 5G industry leaders,” Weeks continued. “On the COVID-19 front, we continue to seek ways to leverage our deep technology, manufacturing, and engineering capabilities to combat the pandemic directly. We were delighted that Corning Valor® Glass was selected by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Department of Defense to accelerate delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Overall, our decisive action and operational execution resulted in positive free cash flow and continued leadership in the capabilities that make Corning distinctive. We’re delivering for our customers, outperforming our markets, and preserving our financial strength.”
Market-Access Platform Highlights
Corning holds a leadership position in each of the markets addressed by its five Market-Access Platforms. In the second quarter, the company progressed important growth initiatives and reported the following highlights:
Strengthening Financial
Position
Tony Tripeny, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said, “We came into this economic downturn with a balance sheet built for times like these and took actions during the quarter to ensure we have the financial resources needed for the duration. We generated $285 million in free cash flow, exited the quarter with $2.2 billion in cash, and are on track to generate positive free cash flow for the year.
“Our financial position is strong,” Tripeny continued. “We are becoming more efficient, and we have the capacity in place to meet expected growth with minimal investment. We expect improved profitability and return on invested capital as we grow sales.”
Across Corning’s businesses, demand and visibility improved throughout the second quarter. As a result, the company expects sequential sales and profit growth in the third quarter. The level of growth will depend on end-market demand and economic activity in August and September.
Second-Quarter 2020 Results and Comparisons
(In millions, except per-share amounts)
*Core performance measures are non-GAAP financial measures. The reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP measures is provided in the tables following this news release, as well as on the company’s website.
**Not Meaningful
Second-Quarter Segment Results
Display Technologies
In Display Technologies, second-quarter sales were $753 million, and net income was $152 million, both consistent sequentially. Corning’s volume grew by a low-single digit percentage sequentially. Sequential price declines were moderate, as expected.
Optical Communications
In Optical Communications, second-quarter sales were $887 million, up 12% sequentially. Major carriers increased spending versus the first quarter on cable deployments and access network projects. The year-over-year decline in sales was in line with the passive optical market decline.
Environmental Technologies
*Not Meaningful
In Environmental Technologies, the suspension of vehicle manufacturing production in key markets that began in the first quarter continued for much of the second quarter. As a result, sales were down 38% year over year. Profitability was impacted by the lower sales and production volumes.
Specialty Materials
In Specialty Materials, sales grew 13% year over year, driven by strong demand for premium glasses in support of second-half customer launches, growth in IT products due to work- and study-from-home trends, as well as demand for products in the semiconductor equipment space. Net income was up 34% year over y…
