6-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: February 18, 2009
Commission File No.: 000-30688

NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.

Building 22 Weizmann Science Park, Rehovot
P.O.B 266
Israel

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or
Form 40-F:

Form 20-F x Form 40-F o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is submitting this Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ____

Indicateby check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also
thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934:

Yes o No x

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with 12g3-2(b):

N/A.

        Attached hereto and incorporated by way of reference herein is a press release issued by the Registrant on, and dated, February 18, 2009 and entitled “Nova Announces 2008 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results”.

        This report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd.‘s registration statements on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the following dates: September 13, 2000 (File No. 333-12546); March 5, 2002 (File No. 333-83734); December 24, 2002 (File No. 333-102193, as amended by Amendment No. 1, filed on January 5, 2006); March 24, 2003 (File No. 333-103981); May 17, 2004 (three files, File Nos. 333-115554, 333-115555, and 333-115556, as amended by Amendment No. 1, filed on January 5, 2006); March 7, 2005 (File No. 333-123158); December 29, 2005 (File No. 333-130745); September 21, 2006 (File No. 333-137491); and November 5, 2007 (File No. 333-147140) and into Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd.‘s registration statement on Form F-3, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2007 (File No. 333-142834).



Signatures

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
(the “Registrant”)

By: /s/ Dror David
——————————————
Dror David
Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 18, 2009






Company Contact: Investor relations Contacts:
Dror David, Chief Financial Officer Ehud Helft / Kenny Green
Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. GK Investor Relations
Tel: 972-8-938-7505 Tel: +1-646-201-9246
E-mail: info@nova.co.il E-mail: info@gkir.com
http://www.nova.co.il

Company Press Release

NOVA ANNOUNCES 2008 FULL YEAR
AND FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Rehovot, Israel – February 18, 2009 – Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. (Nasdaq: NVMI), provider of leading edge stand alone metrology and the market leader of integrated metrology solutions to the semiconductor process control market, today reported its 2008 full year and fourth quarter financial results.

Highlights for year 2008 results
  Total revenues of $39 million
  GAAP net loss of $5.4 million, or $0.28 per share; Non-GAAP net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.22 per share
  Increased Stand Alone penetration; Customers presence doubled during 2008
  Results include negative currency impact of $3 million versus 2007
  Reduced operating expenses run rate by 17% versus 2007
  Focus on cost control and cash conservation - $20 million cash reserves at year end

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2008
  Total revenues of $6.2 million
  GAAP net loss of $1.6 million, or $0.08 per share; Non-GAAP net loss of $2.3 million, or $0.12 per share
  Continued cost control and cash conservation measures limited cash flow used for operating activities to only $0.7 million in the fourth quarter



2008 Full Year Results

Total revenues for 2008 were $39.0 million, a 33% decrease over total revenues of $58.1 million reported for 2007.

Gross margin in 2008 was 33%, as compared to 43% in 2007. Excluding inventory write off and inventory purchase commitments losses of $1.4 million in 2008, related to anticipated lower demand for older generation products, gross margin was 37% in 2008.

Operating expenses in 2008 were $20 million, compared with $28 million in 2007. Operating expenses in 2008 and 2007 included non-cash impairment charges related to the Hypernex acquisition, of $0.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

On a GAAP basis, the company reported a $5.4 million net loss in 2008, or $0.28 per share, as compared to a net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.21 per share, in 2007.

On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes stock-based compensation, amortization of intangibles, impairment charges, investment gains, inventory write-off and inventory purchase commitments losses, the company reported net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.22 per share, for 2008. This compares with a non-GAAP net income of $3.0 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in 2007.

During 2008, the company used $3.3 million in cash flow for operating activities, as compared to $4.6 million cash flow generated from operating activities in 2007.

Cash reserves at the end of 2008 were $20.0 million, a decrease of $2.9 million compared to the end of 2007.

2008 Fourth Quarter Results

Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $6.2 million, a decrease of 61% relative to the fourth quarter of 2007, and a decrease of 30% relative to the third quarter of 2008.

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2008 was 21%, compared with 43% in the fourth quarter of 2007, and compared with 24% in the third quarter of 2008. Excluding inventory write off and inventory purchase commitments losses, gross margins in the fourth quarter of 2008 were 30%, compared with 34% in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting a reduction in product revenues. Within the services portion of the business, gross margin continued to improve in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2008 were $4.4 million, compared with $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, and $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting the company’s ongoing cost control measures.

On a GAAP basis, the company reported $1.6 million net loss in the fourth quarter of 2008, or $0.08 per share, as compared to a net loss of $0.7 million, or $0.04 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2007, and net loss of $2.6 million, or $0.14 per share, for the third quarter of 2008.

On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes stock-based compensation, impairment charges, investment gains, inventory write-off and inventory purchase commitments losses, the company reported net loss of $2.3 million, or $0.12 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2008. This compares with a non-GAAP net income of $1.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2007, and a non-GAAP net loss of $1.7 million, or $0.09 per share, for the third quarter of 2008.



During the quarter, the company used $0.7 million in cash flow for operating activities.

Total cash reserves at the end of the fourth quarter of 2008 were $20.0 million.

Management Comments

“2008, though difficult, was a year of important accomplishments and positioning for the future,” said Gabi Seligsohn, President and CEO of Nova. “In addition to weak industry conditions and the influence of the global economic crisis, our results reflect the impact of negative foreign currency trends. During the year, we addressed these challenges by taking decisive actions to reduce operating expenses and conserve cash. Some of the important accomplishments not reflected in our financial results include excellent success in penetrating the Stand Alone Optical CD market while doubling our customer presence during the year, as well as continued R&D focus leading to introduction of new solutions such as the Nova T500, which delivers record breaking throughput and leading edge accuracy. Despite the challenging environment, we maintained the pace of our product development program and look forward to introducing additional new products during 2009. While near term visibility remains low, our position within the industry has improved and we will continue to take necessary steps to ensure we have adequate financial flexibility to support our operations”.

The Company will host a conference call today, February 18, 2009, at 9:00am ET. To participate, please dial in the US: 1 866 345 5855; or internationally: +972 3 918 0650. A recording of the call will be available on Nova's website, within 24 hours following the end of the call.

In addition, the conference call will also be webcast live from a link on Nova’s website at www.nova.co.il.

This press release provides financial measures that exclude non-cash charges for inventory write-off, stock-based compensation, impairment charges and amortization of intangible assets and are therefore not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding Nova’s performance because they reflect our operational results and enhances management’s and investors’ ability to evaluate Nova’s performance before charges considered by management to be outside Nova’s ongoing operating results.

The presentation of this non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that it is in the best interest of its investors to provide financial information that will facilitate comparison of both historical and future results and allows greater transparency to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. A reconciliation of each GAAP to non-GAAP financial measure discussed in this press release is contained in the accompanying financial tables.



About Nova
Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. develops, produces and markets advanced integrated and stand alone metrology solutions for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Nova is traded on the NASDAQ & TASE under the symbol NVMI. The Company’s website is www.nova.co.il.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to future events or our future performance, such as statements regarding trends, demand for our products, expected deliveries, transaction, expected revenues, operating results, earnings and profitability. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements.  These risks and other factors include but are not limited to: our dependency on a single integrated process control product line; the highly cyclical nature of the markets we target; our inability to reduce spending during a slowdown in the semiconductor industry; our ability to respond effectively on a timely basis to rapid technological changes; risks associated with our dependence on a single manufacturing facility; our ability to expand our manufacturing capacity or marketing efforts to support our future growth; our dependency on a small number of large customers and small number of suppliers; risks related to our intellectual property; changes in customer demands for our products; new product offerings from our competitors; changes in or an inability to execute our business strategy; unanticipated manufacturing or supply problems; changes in tax requirements; changes in customer demand for our products; risks related to currency fluctuations; anticipated consequences of the global economic crisis and risks related to our operations in Israel.  We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties summarized under the heading “Risk Factors” in Nova’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2008, as amended.  These factors are updated from time to time through the filing of reports and registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

(Tables to Follow)



NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

As of December 31,
2008
2007
 
CURRENT ASSETS            
   Cash and cash equivalents    19,325    15,324  
   Short-term interest-bearing bank deposits    97    -  
   Held to maturity securities    -    2,251  
   Trade accounts receivable    2,783    9,146  
   Inventories    6,862    8,524  
   Other current assets    1,086    1,703  


     30,153    36,948  


LONG-TERM ASSETS  
   Long-term interest-bearing bank deposits    544    2,245  
   Long-term investments    -    1,562  
   Held to maturity securities    -    1,489  
   Other Long-term assets    157    169  
   Severance pay funds    2,141    2,488  


     2,842    7,953  


   
   FIXED ASSETS, NET    2,796    3,484  


   
         Total assets    35,791    48,385  


   
CURRENT LIABILITIES  
   Trade accounts payable    3,480    7,482  
   Deferred income    2,385    1,496  
   Other current liabilities    4,042    7,310  


     9,907    16,288  


   
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES  
   Liability for employee severance pay    3,152    3,561  
   Deferred income    351    901  
   Other long-term liability    40    51  


     3,543    4,513  


   
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY    22,341    27,584  


   
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity    35,791    48,385  





NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
YEARLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Year ended December 31,
2008
2007
2006
 
REVENUES                
    Product sales    25,673    45,604    38,258  
    Services    13,296    11,707    10,034  
    IP Licensing    -    766    -  



     38,969    58,077    48,292  



   
COST OF REVENUES   
    Products    12,527    22,251    18,728  
    Inventory write-off and inventory purchase  
    commitments losses    1,400    303    -  
    Services    12,059    10,697    9,015  



     25,986    33,251    27,743  



   
GROSS PROFIT     12,983    24,826    20,549  



   
OPERATING EXPENSES   
    Research & Development expenses, net    8,606    9,143    9,166  
    Sales & Marketing expenses    7,503    10,175    8,754  
    General & Administration expenses    3,199    4,830    5,136  
    Impairment loss on intangibles and equipment related to  
    Hypernex assets and liabilities acquisition    633    3,831    -  



     19,941    27,979    23,056  



   
       OPERATING LOSS     (6,958 )  (3,153 )  (2,507 )
   
       Interest income, net    171    602    573  
       Gain (impairment) on short-term investments    1,366    (1,366 )  -  



   
       NET LOSS FOR THE YEAR     (5,421 )  (3,917 )  (1,934 )



   
    Basic and diluted loss per share    (0.28 )  (0.21 )  (0.12 )



   
    Shares used for calculation of loss per share    19,369    18,606    15,976  






NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
YEARLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year ended December 31,
2008
2007
2006
 
CASH FLOW - OPERATING ACTIVITIES                
   
    Net loss for the year    (5,421 )  (3,917 )  (1,934 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash  
    used in operating activities:  
   
         Depreciation and amortization    1,320    1,743    1,413  
         Impairment of intangibles and fixed assets    643    3,918    -  
         Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation    556    1,052    662  
         Increase in liability for employee termination  
         benefits, net    33    219    254  
         Impairment (gain) on short-term investments    (1,366 )  1,366    -  
   
         Net recognized losses (gains) on investments    66    6    (226 )
         Decrease (increase) in trade accounts receivables    6,363    1,106    (3,411 )
         Decrease (Increase) in inventories    1,330    (1,890 )  (786 )
         Decrease (increase) in other short and long term  
         assets    247    529    (736 )
         Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payables and other  
         long term liabilities    (4,013 )  1,058    137  
         Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities    (3,371 )  1,014    (1,089 )
         Increase (decrease) in short and long term deferred income    339    (1,630 )  604  



    Net cash from (used in) operating activities       (3,274 )   4,574     (5,112 )



   
CASH FLOW - INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES    
   
    Decrease (increase) in short-term interest-bearing bank deposits    (97 )  466    567  
    Decrease (increase) in short-term investments    32    (528 )  1,100  
    Proceeds from held to maturity securities    3,701    3,205    5,261  
    Proceeds from long term investments    2,928    -    -  
    Investment in short term held to maturity securities    -    (491 )  (664 )
    Investment in long term held to maturity securities    -    (1,491 )  -  
    Proceeds from long-term interest-bearing bank deposits    1,643    2,000    -  
    Investment in long-term interest-bearing bank deposits    -    (1,073 )  (25 )
    Acquisition of Assets and liabilities    -    -    (1,577 )
    Additions to fixed assets    (944 )  (1,183 )  (1,233 )



    Net cash from investment activities       7,263     905     3,429  



   
CASH FLOW - FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
   
    Shares issued in private placement    -    4,982    -  
    Shares issued under employee share-based plans    12    687    83  



    Net cash from financing activities       12     5,669     83  



   
    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents       4,001     11,148     (1,600 )
    Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year       15,324     4,176     5,776  



    Cash and cash equivalents - end of year       19,325     15,324     4,176  






NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Three months ended
December 31,
September 30,
December 31,
2008
2008
2007
 
REVENUES                
    Product sales    3,028    5,535    12,831  
    Services    3,200    3,305    3,177  



     6,228    8,840    16,008  



   
COST OF REVENUES   
    Products    1,643    2,872    6,341  
    Inventory write-off and inventory purchase commitments losses    550    850    -  
    Services    2,696    2,956    2,751  



     4,889    6,678    9,092  



   
GROSS PROFIT     1,339    2,162    6,916  



   
OPERATING EXPENSES   
    Research & Development expenses, net    2,223    2,301    2,410  
    Sales & Marketing expenses    1,390    1,631    2,896  
    General & Administration expenses    738    760    944  



     4,351    4,692    6,250  



   
       OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)     (3,012 )  (2,530 )  666  
   
       Interest income (expenses), net    75    (94 )  23  
       Gain (impairment) on short-term investments    1,366    -    (1,366 )



   
       NET LOSS FOR THE PERIOD     (1,571 )  (2,624 )  (677 )



   
    Basic and diluted net loss per share    (0.08 )  (0.14 )  (0.04 )



   
    Shares used for calculation of loss per share    19,378    19,378    19,256  






NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Three months ended
December 31,
September 30,
December 31,
2008
2008
2007
 
CASH FLOW - OPERATING ACTIVITIES                
   
    Net loss for the period    (1,571 )  (2,624 )  (677 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash  
    used in operating activities:  
   
         Depreciation and amortization    314    323    367  
         Impairment if intangibles and fixed assets    10    -    -  
         Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation    114    123    283  
         Increase in liability for employee termination  
         benefits, net    (61 )  (33 )  116  
         Impairment (gain) on short-term investments    (1,366 )  -    1,366  
   
         Net recognized losses (gains) on investments    49    4    10  
         Decrease (increase) in trade accounts receivables    2,465    (208 )  1,109  
         Decrease (increase) in inventories    759    1,703    (1,947 )
         Decrease (increase) in other short and long term assets    40    314    80  
       Decrease (increase) in trade accounts payables and  
       other long term liabilities    (452 )  (494 )  2,165  
         Increase (decrease) in current liabilities    (253 )  (1,918 )  1,099  
         Increase (decrease) in short and long term deferred  
         income    (740 )  526    46  



    Net cash from (used in) operating activities       (692 )   (2,284 )   4,017  



   
CASH FLOW - INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES    
   
    Decrease (increase) in short-term interest-bearing bank deposits    21    (46 )  -  
    Decrease (increase) in short-term investments    8,586    (4,243 )  -  
    Proceeds from held to maturity securities    -    1,506    900  
    Proceeds (investment) in long-term interest-bearing bank deposits    -    9    (44 )
    Proceeds from long-term investments    2,928    -    -  
    Additions to fixed assets    (40 )  (165 )  (364 )



    Net cash from (used in) investment activities       11,495     (2,939 )   492  



   
CASH FLOW - FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
   
    Shares issued under employee share-based plans    -    -    111  



    Net cash from financing activities       -     -     111  



   
    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents       10,803     (5,223 )   4,620  
    Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period       8,521     13,744     10,704  



    Cash and cash equivalents - end of period       19,325     8,521     15,324  






NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
DISCLOSURE OF NON-GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS)

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Year ended December 31,
2008
2007
2006
 
GAAP Net loss for the year      (5,421 )  (3,917 )  (1,934 )
   
Non-GAAP Adjustments:   
    Stock based compensation expenses    554    1,052    662  
    Amortization of intangible assets    -    326    173  
    Inventory write-off and inventory purchase commitments  
    losses    1,400    303    -  
    Impairment loss on equipment and intangibles related to  
    Hypernex assets and liabilities acquisition    633    3,831    -  
    Impairment (gain) on short term investments    (1,366 )  1,366    -  



   
Non-GAAP Net income (loss) for the year     (4,200 )  2,961    (1,099 )



   
    Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share:  
         Basic    (0.22 )  0.16    (0.07 )



         Diluted    (0.22 )  0.16    (0.07 )



   
    Shares used for calculation of non-GAAP net income (loss) per share:  
         Basic    19,369    18,606    15,976  



         Diluted    19,369    18,966    15,976  




Three months ended
December 31,
September 30,
December 31,
2008
2008
2007
 
GAAP Net loss for the quarter      (1,571 )  (2,624 )  (677 )
  
Non-GAAP Adjustments:   
    Stock based compensation expenses    112    123    283  
    Inventory write-off and inventory purchase commitments losses    550    850    -  
    Impairment (gain) on short term investments    (1,366 )  -    1,366  



   
Non-GAAP Net income (loss) for the quarter     (2,275 )  (1,651 )  972  



   
    Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share:  
         Basic    (0.12 )  (0.09 )  0.05  



         Diluted    (0.12 )  (0.09 )  0.05  



   
    Shares used for calculation of non-GAAP net income (loss) per share:  
         Basic    19,378    19,378    19,256  



         Diluted    19,378    19,378    19,572