nLIGHT, INC. ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2018 RESULTS

VANCOUVER, Wash., May 23, 2018

Revenues of $42.5 Million and Gross Margin of 34.7%

 nLIGHT, Inc. (Nasdaq: LASR), a leading provider of high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers used in the industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace and defense markets, today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2018. These results included:

• Revenues of $42.5 million, up 42.1% compared to $29.9 million for the first quarter of 2017

• Gross margin of 34.7% compared to 30.0% for the first quarter of 2017

• Income from operations of $4.2 million, or 9.9% of revenues, compared to $0.6 million, or 2.0% of revenues, for the first quarter of 2017

GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2018 was $2.9 million, or $0.00 per diluted common share, compared to a loss of $1.2 million, or a loss of $0.47 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2017. Excluding the impact of stock-based compensation and assuming the conversion of all outstanding convertible preferred stock in the period to common stock, non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2018 was $3.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted common share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $1.1 million, or a non-GAAP net loss of $0.05 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2017.

“We began 2018 on a strong note, delivering record quarterly revenues, gross profit, and income from operations,” commented Scott Keeney, nLIGHT’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We saw activity accelerate across all end markets, led by growth in the industrial end market. Our first quarter results reflect growing customer adoption of our semiconductor and fiber laser technology and demonstrate the expanding global opportunity for high-power lasers.”

Outlook
For the second quarter of 2018, nLIGHT expects revenues to be in the range of $48.0 million to $52.0 million, gross margin to be in the range of 33.0% to 36.0%, and income from operations in the range of $5.0 million to $7.0 million.

Investor Conference Call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Parties interested in listening to nLIGHT’s quarterly conference call may do so by dialing 1-877-270-2148 (U.S., toll-free) or +1-412-902-6510 (international and toll), with the conference title: nLIGHT First Quarter 2018 Earnings. The call can also be accessed via the web by going to nLIGHT’s Investor Relations page at http://nlight.net/company/investors.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Results
In addition to U.S. GAAP results, this press release also contains non-GAAP financial results, including Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial metric, is used to help us evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans and make strategic decisions. In addition to our results determined in accordance with GAAP, we believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our operating performance. Similarly, we believe that providing non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted, is useful to our investors as it gives effect to both the conversion of all outstanding preferred stock to common stock, which occurred immediately prior to the closing of nLIGHT’s initial public offering on April 30, 2018, as well as removing the effect of stock-based compensation expense, which we believe to be an informative view of our results during the period.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted for income tax expense, other non-operating expense or income, net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation and other special items as determined by management, as applicable. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure of performance as it is commonly utilized by us and the investment community to analyze operating performance in our industry. We define non-GAAP net income (loss) as GAAP net income (loss) adjusted for stock-based compensation. We define non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted, as non-GAAP net income (loss) divided by preferred and common weighted-average shares outstanding during the respective period plus the dilutive effect of any outstanding options or warrants during the period, if applicable.

Tables presenting the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, as well as the reconciliation of net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted to non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted, the two most directly comparable GAAP financial metrics, are included at the end of this press release.

Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “guidance,” “expects,” “intends,” “projects,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “anticipates,” and similar expressions may identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected revenues, gross margin and operating income, the expanding global opportunity for high-power lasers, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: (1) our ability to generate sufficient revenues to achieve or maintain profitability in the future as our operating costs increase, (2) the risk that our revenue growth rate in recent periods may not be indicative of our future performance, (3) downturns in the markets we serve could materially adversely affect our revenues and profitability, (4) our high levels of fixed costs and inventory levels may harm our gross profits and results of operations in the event that demand for our products declines or we maintain excess inventory levels, (5) the competiveness of the markets for our products, (6) our substantial sales and operations in China, which expose us to risks inherent in doing business there, (7) our manufacturing capacity and operations may not be appropriate for future levels of demand, (8) our reliance on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues and (9) the risk that we may be unable to protect our proprietary technology and intellectual property rights. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in nLIGHT's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including other risks, relevant factors and uncertainties identified in the “Risk Factors” section of nLIGHT's Registration Statement on Form S-1 or subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. nLIGHT undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law.

The nLIGHT logo and “nLIGHT,” are registered trademarks or trademarks of nLIGHT, Inc. in various jurisdictions.

About nLIGHT
nLIGHT, Inc. is a leading provider of high‑power semiconductor and fiber lasers used in a variety of end applications in the industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace and defense markets. For more information, please visit www.nlight.net.