6-K

FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934

August 12th , 2004

NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.

Building 22 Weitzmann Science Park, Rehovoth
P.O.B 266

[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 by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 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 Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A.

Attached hereto and incorporated by way of reference herein the Registrants notice regarding 2004 Second Quarter Results



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.





August 12th, 2004
Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd
Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd (the "Registrant")


BY: /S/ Chai Toren
——————————————
Chai Toren
Chief Financial Officer



Company Contact: Investor relations Contacts:
Chai Toren, CFO and Vice President Finance Ehud Helft / Kenny Green
Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. Gelbart Kahana Investor Relations
Tel: 972-8-938-7505 Tel: +1-866-704-6710
E-mail: info@nova.co.il E-mail: Ehud@gk-biz.com
http://www.nova.co.il              Kenny@gk-biz.com

Company Press Release

Nova Measuring Instruments
Announces 2004 Second Quarter Results

Rehovoth, Israel, – August 12, 2004 – Nova Measuring Instruments, Ltd. (Nasdaq: NVMI), the market leader in integrated measurement and process control for the semiconductor industry, today reported results for the second quarter of 2004.

2004 Second Quarter Results

        Total revenues for the second quarter of 2004 were $10.2 million, a 59% increase over revenues of $6.4 million reported for the second quarter of 2003 and a 11% sequential increase over revenues of $9.2 million reported for the first quarter of 2004.

        The Company reported gross profit of $4.7 million (46% of revenues) compared with gross profit of $2.4 million (38% of revenues) for the second quarter of 2003 and gross profit of $4.1 million (44% of revenues) for the first quarter of 2004. Net income for the quarter was $0.5 million or $0.03 per share, compared with a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.09 per share, for the second quarter of 2003 and profit of $0.1 million, or $0.005 per share, for the first quarter of 2004.

        Research and development expenses were $2.0 million (20% of revenues) compared with $1.6 million (25% of revenues), in the second quarter of 2003 and $2.1 million (23% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2004. Sales and marketing expenses were $1.7 million (16% of revenues) as compared with $1.8 million (28% of revenues) in the second quarter of 2003 and $1.5 million (16% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2004. The cash and cash equivalent position at the end of the quarter was $29.3 million.



        Dr. Giora Dishon, President & CEO of Nova commented, “The second quarter results reflect the continuous growth of the company and is the third consecutive quarter with a growing net income. The improvements are a result of the continuing growth in the semiconductor industry, with the addition of our new products for CMP, copper CMP and Etch, as well as the continuous move to Asia Pacific and Japan. The sustained improvement in our financial performance is very encouraging after over two years of losses. We are also very positive with our growth and the growth we see in the industry, as well as our strong cash position. In line with the outlook we provided at the beginning of July, for the third quarter of 2004 we continue to expect growth in revenues and profitability.”

        Dr. Dishon added, “The semiconductor industry continues to invest primarily in the new and expanded 300mm lines, employing more advanced technology nodes. We are seeing increased prolifiration of our new process control systems. In particular, we are seeing significant demand for our NovaScan CD systems in both Stand-alone and Integrated configurations, along with continuing demand for our 200mm systems.”

        Dr. Dishon concluded, “The latest (July 2004) Dataquest market research forecasts a 64% growth in the WFE (wafer fab equipment) market for 2004 and another 15% in 2005. Thus, we will work hard to achieve continuous growth in our activities in all process control areas, continuing expansion of our business in the Asia Pacific and Japan regions, as well as continuous improvements in our financial performance.”

        The Company will host a conference call today, August 12, 2004, at 11:00 EST. To participate please dial in the US 1-866-860-9642 or international +972-3-918-0610 at least 5 minutes before the start of the call. A conference call presentation will be available for download on the company’s website www.nova.co.il, before and during the call.

About Nova
Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. develops, designs and produces integrated process control systems in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Nova provides a broad range of integrated process control solutions that link between different semiconductor processes and process equipment. The Company’s website is www.nova.co.il.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements related to anticipated growth rates, manufacturing capacity and tax rate. Actual results may differ materially from those projected due to a number of risks, including 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, or changes in tax requirements. Nova 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 Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9, 2000. 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.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

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

Three months ended
June 30, 2004
March 31, 2004
(unaudited)
REVENUES:            
    Product sales    7,921    7,471  
    Services    2,296    1,701  


     10,217    9,172  


COST OF REVENUES:   
    Product sales    3,784    3,605  
    Services    1,729    1,502  


     5,513    5,107  


    GROSS PROFIT     4,704    4,065  


OPERATING EXPENSES   
    Research & Development expenses, net    2,045    2,126  
    Sales & Marketing expenses    1,666    1,503  
    General & Administrative expenses    641    457  


     4,352    4,086  


       OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)     352    (21 )
   
INTEREST INCOME     98    90  


       NET INCOME FOR THE PERIOD     450    69  


EARNINGS PER SHARE     0.03    0.00  


Comments:   
        1. Employee Stock Based Compensation expenses    0    122  


        2. Shares for calculation of earnings (loss) per  
            share Basic and Diluted    15,261    15,206  


        3. The adjusted results excluding Employee Stock  
            Based Compensation:  
   
              Gross profit    4,704    4,080  
              Operating expenses    4,352    3,979  
              Net Income    450    191  
              Earnings per share    0.03    0.01  



NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

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

Three months ended
June 30, 2004
June 30, 2003
(unaudited)
REVENUES:            
    Product sales    7,921    5,213  
    Services    2,296    1,220  


     10,217    6,433  


COST OF REVENUES:   
    Product sales    3,784    2,549  
    Services    1,729    1,455  


     5,513    4,004  


    GROSS PROFIT     4,704    2,429  


OPERATING EXPENSES   
    Research & Development expenses, net    2,045    1,605  
    Sales & Marketing expenses    1,666    1,782  
    General & Administrative expenses    641    489  


     4,352    3,876  


       OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)     352    (1,447 )
   
INTEREST INCOME     98    93  


       NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD     450    (1,354 )


EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE     0.03    (0.09 )


Comments:   
        1. Employee Stock Based Compensation expenses    0    106  


        2. Shares for calculation of earnings (loss) per  
            share Basic and Diluted    15,261    14,939  


        3. The adjusted results excluding employee  
            Stock Based Compensation:  
              Gross profit    4,704    2,442  
              Operating expenses    4,352    3,783  
              Net Income (Loss)    450    (1,248 )
              Earnings (Loss) per share    0.03    (0.08 )



NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

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

Six months ended
June 30, 2004
June 30, 2003
(unaudited)
REVENUES:            
    Product sales    15,392    8,817  
    Services    3,997    2,389  


     19,389    11,206  


COST OF REVENUES:   
    Product sales    7,389    4,335  
    Services    3,231    2,932  


     10,620    7,267  


    GROSS PROFIT     8,769    3,939  


OPERATING EXPENSES   
    Research & Development expenses, net    4,171    3,757  
    Sales & Marketing expenses    3,169    3,291  
    General & Administrative expenses    1,098    1,074  


     8,438    8,122  


       OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)     331    (4,183 )
   
INTEREST INCOME     188    241  


       NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD     519    (3,942 )


EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE     0.03    (0.26 )


Comments:   
        1. Employee Stock Based Compensation expenses    122    273  


        2. Shares for calculation of earnings (loss) per  
            share Basic and Diluted    15,243    14,935  


        3. The adjusted results excluding employee  
            Stock Based Compensation:  
              Gross profit    8,784    3,972  
              Operating expenses    8,331    7,882  
              Net Income (Loss)    641    (3,669 )
              Earnings (Loss) per share    0.04    (0.24 )



NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

As of June 30, 2004
As of December 31, 2003
(unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS            
    Cash and cash equivalents    16,249    26,634  
    Short-term interest-bearing bank deposits    1,634    711  
    Held to maturity securities    2,216    4,296  
    Trade accounts receivable    9,194    5,804  
    Inventories    4,338    4,152  
    Other current assets    927    1,244  


     34,558    42,841  


LONG-TERM ASSETS   
    Long-term interest-bearing bank deposits    943    1,386  
    Held to maturity securities    8,269    -  
    Other long- term assets    266    242  
    Severance pay funds    2,150    2,024  
    Fixed assets, net    1,507    1,425  


     13,135    5,077  


     47,693    47,918  


CURRENT LIABILITIES   
    Trade accounts payable    4,519    5,389  
    Other current liabilities    6,328    7,102  


     10,847    12,491  


LONG-TERM LIABILITIES   
    Liability for employee termination benefits    2,873    2,653  
    Deferred Income    386    263  
    Other long-term liability    143    175  


     3,402    3,091  


    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   
       Share capital    46    46  
       Additional paid- in capital    73,199    72,785  
       Deferred stock-based compensation    -    (122 )
       Accumulated other comprehensive income    66    13  
       Accumulated deficit    (39,867 )  (40,386 )


     33,444    32,336  


     47,693    47,918