Axcelis Technologies lowers its first-quarter outlook

Microchip component maker Axcelis Technologies Inc. lowered its first-quarter outlook today because of an unexpected drop in income from a Japanese joint venture.

The Beverly company now estimates a loss of 10 to 14 cents per share for the quarter ended March 31, compared with its previous outlook for a loss of 4 to 8 cents per share.

The company made a profit of 3 cents per share in the 2007 first quarter.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect a loss of 6 cents per share for the quarter when the company reports May 7.

It is the second time that Axcelis has had to lower its first-quarter forecast because of weak returns from SEN, a joint venture with Sumitomo Heavy Industries, that makes chip components.

Axcelis adds implants to silicon wafters that change their conductive properties, allowing information to flow between parts of a microchip.

Shares lost 32 cents, or 6.1 percent, at $4.90 in premarket trading after closing at $5.22 on Friday on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

For recent Globe coverage of Axcelis, click here. (AP)