ESI Settles

Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESIO), a Portland-based manufacturing equipment supplier, has announced the settlement of the securities class action (and a related derivative suit) pending against the company in the D. of Oregon. The suit, originally filed in March 2003, is based on misrepresentations related to the company’s restatment of its financials for the 2002 fiscal year and two subsequent quarters. The settlement is for $9.25 million, of which approximately $3.8 million will be paid by ESI and approximately $5.45 million will be paid by its insurance carrier.