Advantest Corporation reported consolidated unaudited earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported net sales of JPY 24,628 million against JPY 30,695 million a year ago. Operating loss was JPY 2,545 million against JPY 3,040 million a year ago. Loss before income taxes and equity in loss of affiliated company was JPY 3,009 million against JPY 3,416 million a year ago. Net loss was JPY 3,436 million or JPY 19.80 per diluted share against JPY 3,193 million or JPY 18.43 per diluted share a year ago.

For the nine months, the company reported net sales of JPY 97,186 million against JPY 95,155 million a year ago. Operating income was JPY 824 million against operating loss of JPY 5,323 million a year ago. Income before income taxes and equity in income of affiliated company was JPY 108 million against loss before income taxes and equity in loss of affiliated company of JPY 8,089 million a year ago. Net loss was JPY 1,917 million or JPY 11.05 per diluted share against JPY 7,732 million or JPY 44.62 per diluted share a year ago. Net cash used in operating activities was JPY 3,336 million against net cash provided by operating activities of JPY 5,334 million a year ago. Purchases of property, plant and equipment were JPY 9,527 million against JPY 4,303 million a year ago. Purchases of intangible assets were JPY 323 million against JPY 234 million a year ago.

The company revised earnings guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013. For the period, the company now expects net sales of JPY 132,000 million and operating income of JPY 2,500 million compared to net sales of JPY 140,000 million to JPY 160,000 million and operating income of JPY 6,000 million to JPY 16,000 million as estimated previously.

The company expects to pay interim dividend of JPY 10.00 per share at the end of fiscal 2012 compared to JPY 10.00 per share declared for the same period last year.