SMTC Corporation, a global EMS provider, today reported 2009 fourth quarter unaudited results. Revenue for the quarter was $51.2 million increasing $7.0 million or 16% sequentially. Net earnings from continuing operations for the quarter of $2.4 million compares with $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2009 and $1.0 million for the comparable period last year. Net earnings after discontinued operations for the quarter of $2.2 million compares with net earnings of $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2009 and a net loss of $0.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Net earnings for the fourth quarter included a $0.5 million income tax recovery. The Company produced $55.3 million in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2008, a period largely unaffected by the global recession.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $5.9 million or 11.5% of revenue compared with $3.7 million or 8.5% for the previous quarter and $4.8 million or 8.6% for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Despite an extremely challenging economic environment in which SMTC's revenue declined from $206.9 million to $179.5 million, the company produced net earnings from continuing operations for the full 2009 year of $2.4 million increasing $0.8 million or 46% over 2008 results. Gross profit also increased to 9.8% from 8.9% of revenues in the corresponding period.

"In spite of continuing North American economic headwinds, SMTC produced strong fourth quarter results with revenue and earnings from continuing operations increasing sequentially by 16% and over 400% respectively above the third quarter of 2009," stated John Caldwell, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our revenue growth came from seven of our top 10 customers together with five new customers at the early stage of ramping production. Our solid earnings performance reflects the effect of previous quarters' expense reduction initiatives and continuing cost containment measures. Unquestionably, 2009 was a difficult year as our customers' end markets were significantly adversely affected by the recession that ultimately impacted our revenue. However, through this period we were able to reduce costs and substantially increase overall profitability and margins."

"In the quarter our working capital, excluding cash and net debt levels increased by $5.4 million and $3.1 million, respectively, due to increased revenue, the delay in receipt of a significant customer payment until immediately subsequent to quarter end and the effect of industry wide component shortages that caused a substantially higher end of quarter customer order backlog," stated Jane Todd, Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer. "We expect to improve our working capital and lower debt through the later part of 2010 as supply chain issues abate and timing issues reverse."