ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
Overview
Exar Corporation (“Exar” or “We”) designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and advanced sub-system solutions for the Networking & Storage, Industrial & Embedded Systems, and Communications Infrastructure markets. Exar’s product portfolio includes power management and connectivity components, communications products, and data compression and storage solutions. Our comprehensive knowledge of end-user markets along with the underlying analog, mixed signal and digital technology has enabled us to provide innovative solutions designed to meet the needs of the evolving connected world. Applying both analog and digital technologies, our products are deployed in a wide array of applications such as portable electronic devices, set top boxes, digital video recorders, networking and telecommunication systems, servers, enterprise storage systems and industrial automation equipment. We provide customers with a breadth of component products and sub-system solutions based on advanced silicon integration.
We market our products worldwide with sales offices and personnel located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Internationally, our products are sold through various regional and country specific distributors and manufacturers’ representatives. Globally, these channel partners are assisted and managed by our regional sales teams. In addition to our regional sales teams, we also employ a worldwide team of field application engineers to work directly with our customers.
Exar was incorporated in California in 1971 and was reincorporated in Delaware in 1991. Our common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “EXAR”. See the information in Part II, Item 8 - “ Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information on our financial position as of March 31, 2013, April 1, 2012 and March 27, 2011, and results of operations and cash flows for fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, April 1, 2012 and March 27, 2011.
Core Competencies and Key Initiatives
Analog and Mixed-Signal Design Expertise-We have over 40 years of proven technical competency in developing analog and mixed-signal ICs. As a result, we have developed a deep understanding of the subtleties of analog and mixed-signal design and a comprehensive library of analog core blocks. We leverage this expertise across our broad range of products and in our new product development efforts. From programmable power management chips to advanced telecommunications products, our solutions share a heavy concentration of analog and mixed-signal content to achieve high performance, power efficient solutions for our customers.
Connectivity Solutions - Our focus on connectivity is a key initiative that drives product strategy and serves as a foundation for our customer engagements. We have added system architecture expertise and extended our portfolio of products to offer new silicon products, cards and software to support the demand for complete system solutions as well as component products. Our connectivity solutions serve data and telecommunications, networking and storage, industrial control and consumer applications. Our devices facilitate and optimize the interface between systems and across networks with Serial Transceivers, Multi-Protocol Interface products and Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitters (“UARTs”).
Power Management Solutions - Our focus on power management includes traditional analog power management solutions as well as an innovative approach to software programmable power management. We design and develop linear and switching regulators that support the diverse power conversion needs of data and telecommunications, networking and storage, industrial control and consumer applications. We have also introduced a new family of programmable power management products that provide power conversion and control of multiple output voltages through a graphical user interface (“GUI”).
Enhanced System Integration - Our effort to provide comprehensive solutions that encompass hardware, software and applications support is fundamental to our initiative in networking and storage applications. The combination of our design expertise, diverse circuit technology and system-level expertise enables us to provide complete solutions that are used in data compression and aggregation, data transmission, acceleration and computer offloading. We believe that by using our solutions OEMs can develop higher performance systems, better leverage their development resources and reduce their time-to-market.
Data Compression and Storage Solutions -We offer a complete solution set of data compression and cryptographic algorithms. With our solution, customers have the flexibility to successfully address diverse market segments with varying storage, throughput, and security requirements. The comprehensive product portfolio also includes a new software architecture that simplifies system integration, reduces time to market and provides a smooth migration path across the entire product portfolio.
Markets and Products
Our products are organized into four product lines, which allow product definition based on market opportunities and trends. We define our product lines as Connectivity and Power Management Components, Data Compression and Storage Solutions, and Communications Products.
Connectivity Components
The demand for connectivity is projected to grow significantly during the next decade as the Internet evolves to support machine-to-machine connectivity. The need to connect billions of devices at home, in the office and in factories through the Internet is driving the requirement for smart connectivity solutions. Our connectivity product strategy is to continue to enhance our portfolio with higher speed, lower power and enhanced functionality devices that meet the growing demands of our customers. Growth drivers in our connectivity product business include increased integration and value through the introduction of differentiated bridging products for popular and growing bus interfaces such as Universal Serial Bus (“USB”), Ethernet and Peripheral Interconnect Express (“PCIe”), as well as innovative new UARTs and serial transceiver devices.
We offer a broad line of industry-proven UARTs solutions as well as complementary serial transceiver devices for use in applications in the communications infrastructure, networking and storage, industrial & embedded systems, and consumer markets. Typical applications include point-of-sale (“POS”), process control, and factory automation, as well as servers, embedded systems, routers, network management equipment, remote access servers, wireless base-stations and repeaters. Additionally, our single and multi-channel UARTs are used in portable consumer applications such as multi-media, global positioning system (“GPS”), personal digital assistant (“PDA”) and smart phone devices.
Our UARTs product portfolio ranges from cost-effective industry-standard devices to high-performance multi-channel UARTs with a broad range of first in, first out (“FIFO”) depths and industry leading performance and features. We support popular central processing unit (“CPU”) bus interfaces such as 8-bit Industry Standard Architecture (“ISA”), 8-bit VLIO, 2-wire Inter-Integrate Circuit (“I2C”), 4-wire Serial Peripheral Interface (“SPI”), Peripheral Component Interconnect (“PCI”), PCIe and USB. In addition, we market a wireless UARTs solution that includes a high-performance UART, a controller and a Radio Frequency (“RF”) transceiver with our proprietary firmware. This device enables applications to send and receive data wirelessly over a secure proprietary protocol.
Our serial transceiver solutions consist of Recommended Standard (“RS”)-232, RS-485, RS-422 and multiprotocol devices that ensure reliable connectivity between computing devices. Our RS-232, RS-485 and RS-422 transceivers comply with international standards in delivering multi-channel digital signals between two systems. Our proprietary multiprotocol transceivers enable network equipment to communicate with a large population of peripherals that use a diverse set of serial protocol standards without the added burden of multiple add-on boards and cables.
Power Management Components
The market for power management components is a large and diverse semiconductor segment covering a wide range of requirements. We have developed solutions for DC/DC voltage conversion and supervision. Our products are designed to meet the needs of various communications infrastructure, networking and storage, industrial & embedded systems, and consumer applications.
We provide analog control of DC voltages and deliver regulated power to electronic systems such as data and telecommunication systems, servers and routers, enterprise storage systems, industrial control and process automation equipment, set top boxes, digital video recorders and portable electronic devices. Our PowerXR programmable power management system solutions provide system designers the ability to reconfigure the power management sub-system through a software interface. This proprietary approach enables customers to reduce product development cycles from many months to several weeks and provides a flexible and configurable solution for control of critical attributes of the power management system.
Power XR technology combines digital control and monitoring with our high performance analog circuitry, enabling the system architect to design products that significantly reduce wasted energy and are quickly reconfigurable.
Power management product development requires close customer interaction, advanced design skills and world-class process capability and design tools. As a fabless semiconductor manufacturer, we have access to a broad range of wafer fabrication facilities and process technologies. This access to leading process technology and our ongoing investment in analog and mixed-signal design automation tools enables us to compete with the world’s leading manufacturers of analog power management products.
Data Compression and Storage Solutions
We provide highly integrated semiconductors and board level products that enable OEMs to develop high performance computing, storage and networking equipment at significantly lower cost and with lower power consumption.
With the rapid growth of data volume and Input/Output (“I/O”) performance of CPUs far outpacing storage I/O performance improvements, overall computing performance is increasingly limited by storage I/O throughput. Data compression is a more cost-effective way to improve I/O throughput compared to other solutions such as Solid State Disks (SSDs) or distributed parallel systems. Our chips and boards can achieve compression throughput of between 10Gbps to 40Gbps and beyond at a fraction of the cost and power consumption of alternative approaches. We enable storage vendors to improve storage efficiency with much lower cost and lower power as compared to their alternate architecture choice of utilizing general purpose CPUs. Our solution off-loads specific tasks from the general purpose CPU by providing compression and hashing technology in a single pass with low latency to reduce and de-duplicate data at very high throughput. Deployment of our devices can be found in storage appliances such as primary storage, data protection and remote replication.
Networking equipment vendors utilize our products for bandwidth optimization and security. As more companies migrate applications to the Cloud there is an increasing need by cloud service providers to secure and optimize the connection between the Cloud and their customers. Our devices enable networking equipment vendors to supply cloud infrastructure with competitive advantages in cost and power. Our compression technology can be used in wide area network (“WAN”) optimization to improve bandwidth, and our high throughput security technology is used in public-key handshakes and symmetric encryptions for secure sockets layer (“SSL”) and internet protocol security (“IPSec”) connections to secure traffic.
Our devices and board level products are supported by our software development kit (“SDK”) and also by an open-source Exalerator solution software kit. These software kits are designed to enable a fast development and integration cycle. Our devices together with SDK and Exalerator software kits have been widely deployed at several leading computing, storage and networking vendors.
Communications Products
We provide high-performance communications products for the transmission of digital data through global service provider networks. Conforming to international standards for copper, fiber optic and wireless protocols, our broad portfolio of Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (“PDH”), Synchronous Optical NETwork (“SONET”) and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (“SDH”) products enable the delivery of highly reliable, value added communication services.
SONET and SDH protocols are the backbone of today’s high capacity, long distance communications networks. Our portfolio of SONET/SDH products process data at speeds from 155Mb/s to 40Gb/s for the efficient transport of digital data over fiber optic networks. Products include mixed signal clock and data recovery (“CDR”) circuits, transceivers, protocol framers and service mappers. Our high density, high-integration products offer significant flexibility in line card design while providing cost, area and power savings over alternative solutions.
Service providers have a large investment in their existing copper infrastructure. This infrastructure remains a cost effective means of providing high value leased line and data services for enterprises, mobile backhaul and network interconnection. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of T1 and E1 devices for twisted pair copper connections and DS3 and E3 devices for coaxial copper connections. Our broad range of T1/E1 devices includes short-haul and long-haul Line Interface Units (“LIUs”) and LIU/framer combinations that incorporate reconfigurable, relayless redundancy (Exar R3 Technology™) with integrated termination resistors and jitter attenuation. Used individually or in chip sets, our T1/E1 technologies offer customers key advantages including design flexibility, enhanced system reliability and standards compliance, which are critical components of high-density, low-power system boards and linecards. In addition, our T1/E1/J1 Framer/LIU combination products simplify the design process by saving board space and by reducing complexity as a result of lowering component count. In addition to T1/E1 solutions, we have developed a diverse portfolio of single- and multi-channel T3/E3 physical interface solutions with integrated LIU logic and jitter attenuation that achieve high performance levels while reducing board space and overall power in multi-port applications.
Strategy
Our goal is to be the leading provider of high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and advanced sub-system solutions for Networking & Storage, Industrial & Embedded Systems, and Communications Infrastructure markets. To achieve our long-term business objectives, we employ the following strategies:
Leverage Analog and Mixed-Signal Design Expertise to Provide Integrated System-Level Solutions-Utilizing our analog and mixed-signal design expertise, we integrate mixed-signal physical interface devices for a broad range of silicon solutions. This capability continues to be the backbone of our integration strategy and enables us to offer optimized solutions to the markets we serve. Our customers depend on analog and mixed-signal integration for power reduction, size optimization and signal integrity.
Expand Product Portfolio- We have developed a strong presence in the data and telecommunications, networking and storage, industrial control and consumer markets where we have industry leading customers and proven technological capabilities. Our design expertise has enabled us to offer a diverse portfolio of both industry standard and proprietary products serving a range of connectivity and power management needs. Our extensive product portfolio provides the framework for customers to work with many of our products on a single board design. Our ability to serve the various needs of a customer’s system enables us to meet procurement and support demands by providing a single point of contact for applications support and supply chain management while reducing its number of vendors.
Grow Market Share with System Solutions-We create systems solutions by coupling system expertise, software and advanced silicon integration to provide an optimized solution that is designed to be technically compelling and cost effective, resulting in distinctive device and card products like DeMux, DX1700 and DX1800 Cards, and Power XR. These solutions and others provide platform-level engagements that involve software and hardware integration, resulting in a cohesive bond with customers.
Strengthen and Expand Strategic OEM Relationships-To promote the early adoption of our solutions, we actively seek collaborative relationships with strategic OEMs during product development. We believe that OEMs recognize the value of our early involvement because designing their system products in parallel with our development can accelerate time-to-market for their end products. Collaborative relationships also help us to obtain early design wins and to increase the likelihood of market acceptance of our new products, while giving us the advantage of being the incumbent device provider on future generations of our customers’ platforms.
Use Standard Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (“CMOS”) and Bipolar CMOS-DMOS (“BCD”) Process Technologies to Provide Compelling Price/Performance Solutions - We design our products to be manufactured using standard CMOS and BCD processes. We believe that these processes are proven, stable and predictable and benefit from the extensive semiconductor-manufacturing infrastructure devoted to CMOS and BCD processes. In certain specialized cases, we may use other process technologies to take advantage of their performance characteristics.
Employ Fabless Semiconductor Model-We have long-standing relationships with third-party wafer foundries and assembly and test subcontractors to manufacture our ICs. Our fabless approach allows us to avoid substantial capital spending, obtain competitive pricing, minimize the negative effects of industry cycles, reduce time-to-market, reduce technology and product risks, and facilitate the migration of our products to new CMOS and BCD process technologies. By employing the fabless model, we can focus on our core competencies in product design, development and support, as well as on sales and marketing.
Broaden Sales Coverage with Channel Partners-We have strong relationships with our distributors, catalog firms and sales representatives throughout the world, from which we derive a significant portion of our total revenue. Through our partners, we have access to large market segments that we cannot directly support. Through these relationships, we extend our expertise and product exposure by enabling our partners to discover new demands for our solutions as well as aid us in defining our next generation solutions.
Sales and Customers
We sell our products globally through both direct and indirect channels. In the United States we have our own direct sales force and are also represented by 21 independent sales representatives, three independent non-exclusive distributors, and three catalog distributors. We currently have domestic presences in or near Chicago, Illinois, Wilmington, Delaware, Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas and Fremont, California.
Internationally, we are represented in Canada, Europe and Asia by our wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries and international support offices in Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. In addition to these offices, approximately 27 independent sales representatives and other independent, non-exclusive distributors represent us. The percentage of our net sales represented by certain geographies is as follows:
We expect international sales to continue to be a significant portion of our net sales in the future. All of our sales to foreign customers are denominated in U.S. dollars. For a detailed description of our sales by geographic regions, see Part II, Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Net Sales by Geography” and Part II, Item 8 - “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement, Note 19-Segment and Geographic Information.” For a discussion of the risk factors associated with our foreign sales, see Part I, Item 1A
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
The following factors, as well as other factors affect our business financial condition and operating results. Past financial performance should not be considered to be a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.
Our financial results may fluctuate significantly because of a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Our financial results may fluctuate significantly as a result of a number of factors, many of which are difficult or impossible to control or predict, which include:
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the continuing effects of economic uncertainty;
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the cyclical nature of the general economy and the semiconductor industry;
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difficulty in predicting revenues and ordering the correct mix of components from suppliers due to limited visibility into customers and channel partners;
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changes in the mix of product sales as our margins vary by product;
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fluctuations in the capitalization and amortization of unabsorbed manufacturing costs;
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the impact of our revenue recognition policies on reported results;
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the reduction, rescheduling, cancellation or timing of orders by our customers, distributors and channel partners due to, among others, the following factors:
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management of customer, subcontractor, logistic provider and/or channel inventory;
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delays in shipments from our foundries and subcontractors causing supply shortages;
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inability of our foundries and subcontractors to provide quality products, in adequate quantities and in a timely manner;
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dependency on a single product with a single customer and/or distributor;
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volatility of demand for equipment sold by our large customers, which in turn, introduces demand volatility for our products;
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demand disruption if customers change or modify their complex subcontract manufacturing supply chain;
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demand disruption in customer demand due to technical or quality issues with our devices or components in their system;
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the inability of our customers to obtain components from their other suppliers;
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disruption in sales or distribution channels;
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our ability to maintain and expand distributor relationships;
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changes in sales and implementation cycles for our products;
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the ability of our suppliers and customers to remain solvent, obtain financing or fund capital expenditures as a result of the recent global economic slowdown;
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risks associated with entering new markets;
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the announcement or introduction of products by our existing competitors or new competitors;
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loss of market share by our customers;
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competitive pressures on selling prices or product availability;
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pressures on selling prices overseas due to foreign currency exchange fluctuations;
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erosion of average selling prices coupled with the inability to sell newer products with higher average selling prices, resulting in lower overall revenue and margins;
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delays in product releases;
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market and/or customer acceptance of our products;
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consolidation among our competitors, our customers and/or our customers’ customers;
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changes in our customers’ end user concentration or requirements;
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loss of one or more major customers;
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significant changes in ordering pattern by major customers;
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our or our channel partners’ or logistic providers’ ability to maintain and manage appropriate inventory levels;
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the availability and cost of materials and services, including foundry, assembly and test capacity, needed by us from our foundries and other manufacturing suppliers;
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disruptions in our or our customers’ supply chain due to natural disasters, fire, outbreak of communicable diseases, labor disputes, civil unrest or other reasons;
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delays in successful transfer of manufacturing processes to our subcontractors;
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fluctuations in the manufacturing output, yields, and capacity of our suppliers;
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fluctuation in suppliers’ capacity due to reorganization, relocation or shift in business focus, financial constraints, or other reasons;
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problems, costs, or delays that we may face in shifting our products to smaller geometry process technologies and in achieving higher levels of design and device integration;
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our ability to successfully introduce and transfer into production new products and/or integrate new technologies;
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excess inventory levels or unanticipated inventory write-downs if expected orders fail to materialize or inventory becomes obsolete;
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increased manufacturing costs;
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higher mask tooling costs associated with advanced technologies; and
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the amount and timing of our investment in research and development;
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costs and business disruptions associated with stockholder or regulatory issues;
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the timing and amount of employer payroll tax to be paid on our employees’ gains on exercise of stock options;
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an inability to generate profits to utilize net operating losses;
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increased costs and time associated with compliance with new accounting rules or new regulatory requirements;
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changes in accounting or other regulatory rules, such as the requirement to record assets and liabilities at fair value;
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write-off of some or all of our goodwill and other intangible assets;
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fluctuations in interest rates and/or market values of our marketable securities;
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litigation costs associated with the defense of suits brought or complaints made against us or enforcement of our rights; and
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changes in or continuation of certain tax provisions.
If we are unable to grow or secure and convert a significant portion of our design wins into revenue, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely impacted.
We continue to secure design wins for new and existing products. Such design wins are necessary for revenue growth. However, many of our design wins may never generate revenues if end-customer projects are unsuccessful in the market place, the end-customer terminates the project, which may occur for a variety of reasons or the end-customer selects a competitive solution. Mergers, consolidations, changing market requirements and cost reduction activities among our customers may lead to termination of certain projects before the associated design win generates revenue. If design wins do generate revenue, the time lag between the design win and meaningful revenue is typically between six months to longer than 18 months. If we fail to grow and convert a significant portion of our design wins into substantial revenue, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted. Under continued uncertain global economic conditions, our design wins could be delayed even longer than the typical lag period and our eventual revenue could be less than anticipated from products that were introduced within the last eighteen to thirty-six months, which would likely materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Global capital, credit market, employment, and general economic and political conditions, and resulting declines in consumer confidence and spending, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Because our customers, suppliers and other business partners are in many countries around the world, we must monitor general global conditions for impact on our business. Economies throughout global regions continue to be volatile and, in many countries, inconsistent with trends in the U.S. or other stable economies. In Europe uncertainty continues regarding the ability of certain countries to service their level of debt. In recent quarters in China and certain other Asian countries growth has continued but at a slower pace than earlier in the recovery. Political conditions in individual countries or across regions can also impact our business.
We cannot predict the timing, severity or duration of any economic slowdown or recovery or the impact of any such events on our vendors, customers or us. If the economy or markets in which we operate deteriorate from current levels, many related factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition, including the following:
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slower spending by our target markets and economic fluctuations may result in reduced demand for our products, reduced orders for our products, order cancellations, lower revenues, increased inventories, and lower gross margins;
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if recent restructuring activities insufficiently lower our operating expense or we fail to execute on our growth strategy, our restructuring efforts may not be successful and we may not be able to realize the cost savings and other anticipated benefits;
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if we further reduce our workforce or curtail or redirect research and development efforts, it may adversely impact our ability to respond rapidly to product development or growth opportunities;
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we may be unable to predict the strength or duration of market conditions or the effects of consolidation of our customers or competitors in their industries, which may result in project delays or cancellations;
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we may be unable to find suitable investments that are safe or liquid, or that provide a reasonable return resulting in lower interest income or longer investment horizons, and disruptions to capital markets or the banking system may also impair the value of investments or bank deposits we currently consider safe or liquid;
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the failure of financial institution counterparties to honor their obligations to us under credit instruments could jeopardize our ability to rely on and benefit from those instruments, and our ability to replace those instruments on the same or similar terms may be limited under poor market conditions;
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continued volatility in the markets and prices for commodities, such as gold, and raw materials we use in our products and in our supply chain, could have a material adverse effect on our costs, gross margins, and profitability;
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if distributors of our products experience declining revenues, experience difficulty obtaining financing in the capital and credit markets to purchase our products or experience severe financial difficulty, it could result in insolvency, reduced orders for our products, order cancellations, inability to timely meet payment obligations to us, extended payment terms, higher accounts receivable, reduced cash flows, greater expenses associated with collection efforts and increased bad debt expenses;
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if contract manufacturers or foundries of our products or other participants in our supply chain experience difficulty obtaining financing in the capital and credit markets to purchase raw materials or to finance general working capital needs, it may result in delays or non-delivery of shipments of our products;
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potential shutdowns or over capacity constraints by our third-party foundry, assembly and test subcontractors could result in longer lead-times, higher buffer inventory levels and degraded on-time delivery performance; and
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the current macroeconomic envir onment also limits our visibility into future purchases by our customers and renewals of existing agreements, which may necessitate changes to our business model.
If we fail to develop, introduce or enhance products that meet evolving needs or which are necessitated by technological advances, or we are unable to grow revenue in our served markets, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.
The markets for our products are characterized by a number of factors, some of which are listed below:
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changing or disruptive technologies;
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evolving and competing industry standards;
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changing customer requirements;
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increasing price pressure from lower priced solutions;
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increasing product development costs;
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finite market windows for product introductions;
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design-to-production cycles;
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increasing functional integration;
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competitive solutions, stronger customer engagement or broader product offering;
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fluctuations in capital equipment spending levels and/or deployment;
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rapid adjustments in customer demand and inventory;
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moderate to slow growth;
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frequent product introductions and enhancements; and
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changing competitive landscape (due to consolidation, financial viability, etc.).
Our growth depends in large part on our continued development and timely release of new products for our core markets. We must: (1) anticipate customer and market requirements and changes in technology and industry standards; (2) properly define, develop and introduce new products on a timely basis; (3) gain access to and use technologies in a cost-effective manner; (4) have suppliers produce quality products consistent with our requirements; (5) continue to expand and retain our technical and design expertise; (6) introduce and cost-effectively deliver new products in line with our customer product introduction requirements; (7) differentiate our products from our competitors’ offerings; and (8) gain customer acceptance of our products. In addition, we must continue to have our products designed into our customers’ future products and maintain close working relationships with key customers to define and develop new products that meet their evolving needs. Moreover, we must respond in a rapid and cost-effective manner to shifts in market demands to increased functional integration and other changes. Migration from older products to newer products may result in earnings volatility as revenues from older products decline and revenues from newer products begin to grow.
Products for our customers’ applications are subject to continually evolving industry standards and new technologies. Our ability to compete will depend in part on our ability to identify and ensure compliance with these industry standards. The emergence of new standards could render our products incompatible with other products that meet those standards. We could be required to invest significant time, effort and expense to develop and qualify new products to ensure compliance with industry standards.
The process of developing and supporting new products is complex, expensive and uncertain, and if we fail to accurately predict, understand and execute to our customers’ changing needs and emerging technological trends, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be harmed. In addition, we may make significant investments to define new products according to input from our customers who may choose a competitor’s or an internal solution or cancel their projects. We may not be able to identify new product opportunities successfully, develop and bring to market new products, achieve design wins, ensure when and which design wins actually get released to production, or respond effectively to technological changes or product announcements by our competitors. In addition, we may not be successful in developing or using new technologies or may incorrectly anticipate market demand and develop products that achieve little or no market acceptance. Our pursuit of technological advances may require substantial time and expense and may ultimately prove unsuccessful. Failure in any of these areas may materially and adversely harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from distributors, especially from our two primary distributors, Future Electronics Inc. (“Future”), a related party, and Arrow Electronics, Inc. (“Arrow”). Our revenues would likely decline significantly if our primary distributors elected not to or we were unable to effectively promote or sell our products or if they elected to cancel, reduce or defer purchases of our products.
Future and Arrow have historically accounted for a significant portion of our revenues and they are our two primary distributors worldwide. We anticipate that sales of our products to these distributors will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues. The loss of either Future or Arrow as a distributor, for any reason, or a significant reduction in orders from either of them would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Sales to Future and Arrow are made under agreements that provide protection against price reduction for their inventory of our products. As such, we could be exposed to significant liability if the inventory value of the products held by Future and Arrow declined dramatically. Our distributor agreements with Future and Arrow do not contain minimum purchase commitments. As a result, Future and Arrow could cease purchasing our products with short notice or cease distributing our products. In addition, they may defer or cancel orders without penalty, which would likely cause our revenues to decline and materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our distributors or sales representatives stop selling or fail to successfully promote our products, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.
We sell many of our products through sales representatives and distributors, many of which sell directly to OEMs, contract manufacturers and end customers. Our non-exclusive distributors and sales representatives may carry our competitors’ products, which could adversely impact or limit sales of our products. Additionally, they could reduce or discontinue sales of our products or may not devote the resources necessary to sell our products in the volumes and within the time frames that we expect. Our agreements with distributors contain limited provisions for return of our products, including stock rotations whereby distributors may return a percentage of their purchases from us based upon a percentage of their most recent three or six months of shipments. In addition, in certain circumstances upon termination of the distributor relationship, distributors may return some portion of their prior purchases. The loss of business from any of our significant distributors or the delay of significant orders from any of them, even if only temporary, could materially and adversely impact our business, financial conditions and results of operations.
Moreover, we depend on the continued viability and financial resources of these distributors and sales representatives, some of which are small organizations with limited working capital. In turn, these distributors and sales representatives are subject to general economic and semiconductor industry conditions. We believe that our success will continue to depend on these distributors and sales representatives. If some or all of our distributors and sales representatives experience financial difficulties, or otherwise become unable or unwilling to promote and sell our products, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.
Certain of our distributors may rely heavily on the availability of short-term capital at reasonable rates to fund their ongoing operations. If this capital is not available, or is only available on onerous terms, certain distributors may not be able to pay for inventory received or we may experience a reduction in orders from these distributors, which would likely cause our revenue to decline and materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to accurately forecast demand for our products, we may be unable to efficiently manage our inventory.
Due to the absence of substantial non-cancelable backlog, we typically plan our production and inventory levels based on customer forecasts, internal evaluation of customer demand and current backlog, which can fluctuate substantially. Due to a number of factors such as customer changes in delivery schedules and quantities actually purchased, cancellation of orders, distributor returns or price reductions, our backlog at any particular date is not necessarily indicative of actual sales for any succeeding period. The still unsettled, uncertain and weak economy may increase the risk of purchase order cancellations or delays, product returns and price reductions. We may not be able to meet our expected revenue levels or results of operations if there is a reduction in our order backlog for any particular period and we are unable to replace those anticipated sales during the same period. Our forecast accuracy can be adversely affected by a number of factors, including inaccurate forecasting by our customers, changes in market conditions, new part introductions by our competitors, loss of previous design wins, adverse changes in our scheduled product order mix and demand for our customers’ products or models. As a consequence of these factors and other inaccuracies inherent in forecasting, inventory imbalances periodically occur that result in surplus amounts of some of our products and shortages of others. Such shortages can adversely impact customer relations and surpluses can result in larger-than-desired inventory levels, either of which can materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Due to the unpredictability of global economic conditions and increased difficulty in forecasting demand for our products, we could experience an increase in inventory levels.
In instances where we have hub agreements with certain vendors, the inability of our partners to provide accurate and timely information regarding inventory and related shipments of the inventory may impact our ability to maintain the proper amount of inventory at the hubs, forecast usage of the inventory and record accurate revenue recognition which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial conditions and the results of operations.
We depend on third-party subcontractors to manufacture our products. We utilize wafer foundries for processing our wafers and assembly and test subcontractors for manufacturing and testing our integrated circuit products and board assembly subcontractors for our board-level products. Any disruption in or loss of our subcontractors’ capacity to manufacture and test our products subjects us to a number of risks, including the potential for an inadequate supply of products and higher materials costs. These risks may lead to delayed product delivery or increased costs, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We do not own or operate a semiconductor fabrication facility or a foundry. We utilize various foundries for different processes. Our products are based on complementary metal oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) processes, bipolar processes and bipolar-CMOS (“BiCMOS”) processes. Our foundries produce semiconductors for many other companies (many of which have greater volume requirements than us), and therefore, we may not have access on a timely basis to sufficient capacity or certain process technologies and we have from time to time, experienced extended lead times on some products. In addition, we rely on our foundries’ continued financial health and ability to continue to invest in smaller geometry manufacturing processes and additional wafer processing capacity.
Many of our new products are designed to take advantage of smaller geometry manufacturing processes. Due to the complexity and increased cost of migrating to smaller geometries, as well as process changes, we could experience interruptions in production or significantly reduced yields causing product introduction or delivery delays. If such delays occur, our products may have delayed market acceptance or customers may select our competitors’ products during the design process.
New and current process technologies or products can be subject to wide variations in manufacturing yields and efficiency. Our foundries or the foundries of our suppliers may experience unfavorable yield variances or other manufacturing problems that result in product introduction or delivery delays. Further, if the products manufactured by our foundries contain production defects, reliability issues or quality or compatibility problems that are significant to our customers, our reputation may be damaged and customers may cancel orders or be reluctant to continue to buy our products, which could adversely affect our ability to retain and attract new customers. In addition, these defects or bugs could interrupt or delay sales of affected products, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our foundries and test assembly subcontractors manufacture our products on a purchase order basis. We provide our foundries with rolling forecasts of our production requirements; however, the ability of our foundries to provide wafers is limited by the foundries’ available capacity. Our third-party foundries may not allocate sufficient capacity to satisfy our requirements. In addition, we may not continue to do business with our foundries on terms as favorable as our current terms.
Furthermore, any sudden reduction or elimination of any primary source or sources of fully processed wafers could result in a material delay in the shipment of our products. Any delays or shortages would likely materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, the products produced from the wafers manufactured by our supplier in Hangzhou, China currently constitute a significant part of our total revenue, and so any delay, reduction or elimination of our ability to obtain wafers from this supplier could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our reliance on our wafer foundries, assembly and test subcontractors and board assembly subcontractors involves the following risks, among others:
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a manufacturing disruption or sudden reduction or elimination of any existing source(s) of semiconductor manufacturing materials or processes, which might include the potential closure, change of ownership, change in business conditions or relationships, change of management or consolidation by one of our foundries;
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disruption of manufacturing or assembly or test services due to vendor transition, relocation or limited capacity of the foundries or subcontractors;
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inability to obtain, develop or ensure the continuation of technologies needed to manufacture our products;
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extended time required to identify, qualify and transfer to alternative manufacturing sources for existing or new products or the possible inability to obtain an adequate alternative;
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failure of our foundries or subcontractors to obtain raw materials and equipment;
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increasing cost of commodities, such as gold, raw materials and energy resulting in higher wafer or package costs;
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long-term financial and operating stability of the foundries or their suppliers or subcontractors and their ability to invest in new capabilities and expand capacity to meet increasing demand, to remain solvent or to obtain financing in tight credit markets;
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continuing measures taken by our suppliers such as reductions in force, pay reductions, forced time off or shut down of production for extended periods of time to reduce and/or control operating expenses in response to weakened customer demand;
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subcontractors’ inability to transition to smaller package types or new package compositions;
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a sudden, sharp increase in demand for semiconductor devices, which could strain the foundries’ or subcontractors’ manufacturing resources and cause delays in manufacturing and shipment of our products;
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manufacturing quality control or process control issues, including reduced control over manufacturing yields, production schedules and product quality;
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potential misappropriation of our intellectual property;
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disruption of transportation to and from Asia where most of our foundries and subcontractors are located;
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political, civil, labor or economic instability;
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embargoes or other regulatory limitations affecting the availability of raw materials, equipment or changes in tax laws, tariffs, services and freight rates; and
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compliance with U.S., local or international regulatory requirements.
Other additional risks associated with subcontractors include:
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subcontractors imposing higher minimum order quantities for substrates;
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potential increase in assembly and test costs;
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our board level product volume may not be attractive to preferred manufacturing partners, which could result in higher pricing, extended lead times or having to qualify an alternative vendor;
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difficulties in selecting, qualifying and integrating new subcontractors;
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inventory and delivery management issues relating to hub arrangements;
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entry into “take-or-pay” agreements; and
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limited warranties from our subcontractors for products assembled and tested for us.
We depend in part on the continued service of our key engineering and executive management personnel and our ability to identify, hire, incentivize and retain qualified personnel. If we lose key employees or fail to identify, hire, incentivize and retain these individuals, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.
Our future success depends, in part, on the continued service of our key design, engineering, technical, sales, marketing and executive personnel and our ability to identify, hire, motivate and retain such qualified personnel, as well as effectively and quickly replace key personnel with qualified successors with competitive incentive compensation packages.
Under certain circumstances, including a company acquisition, significant restructuring or business downturn, current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with us. Volatility or lack of positive performance in our stock price and the ability or willingness to offer meaningful competitive equity compensation and incentive plans or in amounts consistent with market practices may also adversely affect our ability to retain and incentivize key employees. In addition, competitors may recruit our employees, as is common in the high tech sector. If we are unable to retain personnel that are critical to our future operations, we could face disruptions in operations, loss of existing customers, loss of key information, expertise or know-how, unanticipated additional recruiting and training costs, and potentially higher compensation costs.
Competition for skilled employees having specialized technical capabilities and industry-specific expertise is intense and continues to be a considerable risk inherent in the markets in which we compete. At times, competition for such employees has been particularly notable in California and People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). Further, the PRC historically has different managing principles from Western style management and financial reporting concepts and practices, as well as different banking, computer and other control systems, making the successful identification and employment of qualified personnel particularly important, and hiring and retaining a sufficient number of such qualified employees may be difficult. As a result of these factors, we may experience difficulty in establishing and maintaining management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data, books of account and records and instituting business practices that meet Western standards and regulations, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our employees are employed “at-will”, which means that they can terminate their employment at any time. Our international locations are subject to local labor laws, which are often significantly different from U.S. labor laws and which may under certain conditions, result in large separation costs upon termination. Further, employing individuals in international locations is subject to other risks inherent in international operations, such as those discussed with respect to international sales below, among others. The failure to recruit and retain, as necessary, key design engineers and technical, sales, marketing and executive personnel could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Stock-based awards are critical to our ability to recruit, retain and motivate highly skilled talent. In making employment decisions, particularly in the semiconductor industry and the geographies where our employees are located, a key consideration of current and potential employees is the value of the equity awards they receive in connection with their employment. If we are unable to offer employment packages with a competitive equity award component, our ability to attract highly skilled employees would be harmed. In addition, volatility in our stock price could result in a stock option’s exercise price exceeding the market value of our common stock or a deterioration in the value of restricted stock units granted, thus lessening the effectiveness of stock-based awards for retaining and motivating employees. Similarly, decreases in the number of unvested in-the-money stock options held by existing employees, whether because our stock price has declined, options have vested, or because the size of follow-on option grants has decreased, may make it more difficult to retain and motivate employees. Consequently, we may not continue to successfully attract and retain key employees, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have made, and in the future may make, acquisitions and significant strategic equity investments, which may involve a number of risks. If we are unable to address these risks successfully, such acquisitions and investments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have undertaken a number of strategic acquisitions, have made strategic investments in the past, and may make further strategic acquisitions and investments from time to time in the future. The risks involved with these acquisitions and investments include:
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the possibility that we may not receive a favorable return on our investment or incur losses from our investment or the original investment may become impaired;
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revenues or synergies could fall below projections or fail to materialize as assumed;
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failure to satisfy or set effective strategic objectives;
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the possibility of litigation arising from or in connection with these acquisitions;
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our assumption of known or unknown liabilities or other unanticipated events or circumstances; and
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the diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day operations of the business and the resulting potential disruptions to the ongoing business.
Additional risks involved with acquisitions include:
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difficulties in integrating and managing various functional areas such as sales, engineering, marketing, and operations;
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difficulties in incorporating or leveraging acquired technologies and intellectual property rights in new products;
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difficulties or delays in the transfer of manufacturing flows and supply chains of products of acquired businesses;
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failure to retain and integrate key personnel;
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failure to retain and maintain relationships with existing customers, distributors, channel partners and other parties;
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failure to manage and operate multiple geographic locations both effectively and efficiently;
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failure to coordinate research and development activities to enhance and develop new products and services in a timely manner that optimize the assets and resources of the combined company;
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difficulties in creating uniform standards, controls (including internal control over financial reporting), procedures, policies and information systems;
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unexpected capital equipment outlays and continuing expenses related to technical and operational integration;
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difficulties in entering markets or retaining current markets in which we have limited or no direct prior experience or where competitors in such markets may have stronger market positions;
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insufficient revenues to offset increased expenses associated with acquisitions;
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under-performance problems with an acquired company;
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issuance of common stock that would dilute our current stockholders’ percentage ownership;
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reduction in liquidity and interest income on lower cash balances;
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recording of goodwill and intangible assets that will be subject to periodic impairment testing and potential impairment charges against our future earnings;
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incurring amortization expenses related to certain intangible assets; and
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incurring large and immediate write-offs of assets.
Strategic equity investments also involve risks associated with third parties managing the funds and the risk of poor strategic choices or execution of strategic and operating plans.
We may not address these risks successfully without substantial expense, delay or other operational or financial problems, or at all. Any delays or other such operations or financial problems could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business may be materially and adversely impacted if we fail to effectively utilize and incorporate acquired technologies.
We have acquired and may in the future acquire intellectual property in order to expand our serviceable markets, accelerate our time to market, and to accelerate to gain market share for new and existing products. Acquisitions of intellectual property may involve risks relating to, among other things, valuation of innovative capabilities, successful technical integration into new products, loss of key technical personnel, compliance with contractual obligations, market acceptance of new product features or capabilities, and achievement of planned return on investment. Successful technical integration in particular requires a variety of capabilities that we may not currently have, such as available technical staff with sufficient time to devote to integration, the requisite skills to understand the acquired technology and the necessary support tools to effectively utilize the technology. The timely and efficient integration of acquired technology may be adversely impacted by inherent design deficiencies or application requirements. The potential failure of or delay in product introduction utilizing acquired intellectual property could lead to an impairment of capitalized intellectual property acquisition costs, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Because a significant portion of our total assets were, and may again be with future potential acquisitions, represented by goodwill and other intangible assets, which are subject to mandatory annual impairment evaluations, we could be required to write-off some or all of our goodwill and other intangible assets, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A significant portion of the purchase price for any business combination may be allocated to identifiable tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities based on estimated fair values at the date of consummation. As required by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), the excess purchase price, if any, over the fair value of these assets less liabilities typically would be allocated to goodwill. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We typically conduct our annual analysis of our goodwill at the reporting unit level in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.
The assessment of goodwill and other intangible assets impairment is a subjective process. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performance, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. Changes in estimates and assumptions could impact fair value resulting in an impairment, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Because some of our integrated circuit and board level products have lengthy sales cycles, we may experience substantial delays between incurring expenses related to product development and the revenue derived from these products.
A portion of our revenue is derived from selling integrated circuits and board level products to end customer equipment vendors. Due to their product development cycle, we have typically experienced at least an eighteen-month time lapse between our initial contact with a customer and realizing volume shipments. In such instances, we first work with customers to achieve a design win, which may take six months or longer. Our customers then complete their design, test and evaluation process and begin to ramp-up production, a period which typically lasts an additional six months. The customers of equipment manufacturers may also require a period of time for testing and evaluation, which may cause further delays. As a result, a significant period of time may elapse between our research and development efforts and realization of revenue, if any, from volume purchasing of our products by our customers. Due to the length of the end customer equipment vendors’ product development cycle, the risks of project cancellation by our customers, price erosion or volume reduction are common aspects of such engagements.
The complexity of our products may lead to errors, defects and bugs, which could subject us to significant costs or damages and adversely affect market acceptance of our products.
Although we, our customers and our suppliers rigorously test our products, they may contain undetected errors, performance weaknesses, defects or bugs when first introduced, as new versions are released when manufacturing or process changes are made. If any of our products contain production defects or reliability issues, quality or compatibility problems that are significant to our customers, our reputation may be damaged and customers may be reluctant to continue to design in or buy our products, which could adversely affect our ability to retain and attract new customers. In addition, these defects or bugs could interrupt or delay sales of affected products, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If defects or bugs are discovered after commencement of commercial production, we may be required to make significant expenditures of capital and other resources to resolve the problems. This could result in significant additional development costs and the diversion of technical and other resources from our other business development efforts. We could also incur significant costs to repair or replace defective products or may agree to be liable for certain damages incurred. These costs or damages could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to compete effectively with existing or new competitors, we will experience fewer customer orders, reduced revenues, reduced gross margins and lost market share.
We compete in markets that are intensely competitive, and which are subject to both rapid technological change, continued price erosion and changing business terms with regard to risk allocation. Our competitors include many large domestic and foreign companies that may have substantially greater financial, market share, technical and management resources, name recognition and leverage than we have. As a result, they may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources to promote the sale of their products.
We have experienced increased competition at the design stage, where customers evaluate alternative solutions based on a number of factors, including price, performance, product features, technologies, and availability of long-term product supply and/or roadmap guarantee. Additionally, we experience, and may in the future experience, in some cases, severe pressure on pricing from competitors or on-going cost reduction expectations from customers. Such circumstances may make some of our products unattractive due to price or performance measures and result in the loss of our design opportunities or a decrease in our revenue and margins.
Also, competition from new companies, including those from emerging economy countries, with significantly lower costs could affect our selling price and gross margins. In addition, if competitors in Asia continue to reduce prices on commodity products, it would adversely affect our ability to compete effectively in that region. Specifically, we have licensed rights to a supplier in China to market our commodity connectivity products, which could reduce our sales in the future should they become a meaningful competitor. Loss of competitive position could result in price reductions, fewer customer orders, reduced revenues, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which would adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Furthermore, many of our existing and potential customers internally develop solutions which attempt to perform all or a portion of the functions performed by our products. To remain competitive, we continue to evaluate our manufacturing operations for opportunities for additional cost savings and technological improvements. If we or our contract partners are unable to successfully implement new process technologies and to achieve volume production of new products at acceptable yields, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our stock price is volatile.
The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly at times. In the future, the market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to, among other reasons:
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our anticipated or actual operating results;
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announcements or introductions of new products by us or our competitors;
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technological innovations by us or our competitors;
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investor perception of the semiconductor sector;
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loss of or changes to key executives;
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product delays or setbacks by us, our customers or our competitors;
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potential supply disruptions;
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sales channel interruptions;
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concentration of sales among a small number of customers;
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conditions in our customers’ markets and the semiconductor markets;
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the commencement and/or results of litigation;
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changes in estimates of our performance by securities analysts;
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decreases in the value of our investments or long-lived assets, thereby requiring an asset impairment charge against earnings;
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repurchasing shares of our common stock;
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announcements of merger or acquisition transactions; and/or
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general global economic and capital market conditions.
In the past, securities and class action litigation has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market prices of their securities. We may be the target of one or more of these class action suits, which could result in significant costs and divert management’s attention, thereby materially and adversely impacting our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, at times the stock market has experienced extreme price, volume and value fluctuations that affect the market prices of the stock of many high technology companies, including semiconductor companies, that are unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Any such fluctuations may harm the market price of our common stock.
Occasionally, we enter into agreements that expose us to potential damages that exceed the value of the agreement.
We have given certain customers increased indemnification protection for product deficiencies or intellectual property infringement that is in excess of our standard limited warranty and indemnification provisions and could result in costs that are in excess of the original contract value. In an attempt to limit this liability, we have purchased insurance coverage to partially offset some of these potential additional costs; however, our insurance coverage could be insufficient in terms of amount and/or coverage to prevent us from suffering material losses if the indemnification amounts are large enough or if there are coverage issues.
As of March 31, 2013, affiliates of Future, Alonim Investments Inc. and two of its affiliates (collectively “Alonim”), beneficially own approximately 16% of our common stock and Soros Fund Management LLC, as principal investment manager for Quantum Partners LP (“Soros”), beneficially owns approximately 14% of our common stock. As such, Alonim and Soros are our largest stockholders. These substantial ownership positions provide the opportunity for Alonim and Soros to significantly influence matters requiring stockholder approval, which may or may not be in our best interests or the interest of our other stockholders. In addition, Alonim is an affiliate of Future and an executive officer of Future is on our board of directors, which could lead to actual or perceived influence from Future.
Alonim and Soros each own a significant percentage of our outstanding shares. Due to such ownership, Alonim and Soros, acting independently or jointly, have not in the past, but may in the future, exert strong influence over actions requiring the approval of our stockholders, including the election of directors, many types of change of control transactions and amendments to our charter documents. Further, if one of these stockholders were to sell or even propose to sell a large number of their shares, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly.
Although we have no reason to believe it to be the case, the interests of these significant stockholders could conflict with our best interests or the interests of the other stockholders. For example, the significant ownership percentages of these two stockholders could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from obtaining control of us, regardless of whether the change of control is supported by us and our other stockholders. Conversely, by virtue of their percentage ownership of our stock, Alonim and/or Soros could facilitate a takeover transaction that our board of directors and/or other stockholders did not approve.
Further, Alonim is an affiliate of Future, our largest distributor, and Pierre Guilbault, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Future, is a member of our board of directors. These relationships could also result in actual or perceived attempts to influence management or take actions beneficial to Future which may or may not be beneficial to us or in our best interests. Future could attempt to obtain terms and conditions more favorable than those we would typically provide to other distributors because of its relationship with us. Any such actual or perceived preferential treatment could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Earthquakes and other natural disasters, may damage our facilities or those of our suppliers and customers.
The occurrence of natural disasters in certain regions, such as the recent natural disasters in Asia, could adversely impact our manufacturing and supply chain, our ability to deliver products on a timely basis (or at all) to our customers and the cost of or demand for our products. Our corporate headquarters in Fremont, California is located near major earthquake faults that have experienced seismic activity and is approximately 170 miles from a nuclear power plant. In addition, some of our other offices, customers and suppliers are in locations, which may be subject to similar natural disasters. In the event of a major earthquake or other natural disaster near our offices, our operations could be disrupted. Similarly, a major earthquake or other natural disaster, such as the flooding in Thailand, affecting one or more of our major customers or suppliers could adversely impact the operations of those affected, which could disrupt the supply or sales of our products and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any error in our sell-through revenue recognition judgment or estimates could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income.
Sell-through revenue recognition is highly dependent on receiving pertinent and accurate data from our distributors in a timely fashion. Distributors provide us periodic data regarding the product, price, quantity, and end customer when products are resold as well as the quantities of our products they still have in stock. We must use estimates and apply judgment to reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities. Any error in our judgment could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights, which could harm our competitive position.
Our ability to compete is affected by our ability to protect our intellectual property rights. We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, mask work registrations, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and non-disclosure and licensing arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite these efforts, we may be unable to protect our proprietary information. Such intellectual property rights may not be recognized or if recognized, may not be commercially feasible to enforce. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop technology that is substantially similar or superior to our technology.
More specifically, our pending patent applications or any future applications may not be approved, and any issued patents may not provide us with competitive advantages or may be challenged by third parties. If challenged, our patents may be found to be invalid or unenforceable, and the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our ability to do business. Furthermore, others may independently develop similar products or processes, duplicate our products or processes or design around any patents that may be issued to us.
We could be required to pay substantial damages or could be subject to various equitable remedies if it were proven that we infringed the intellectual property rights of others.
As a general matter, semiconductor companies may from time to time become involved with ongoing litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. If a third party were to prove that our technology infringed its intellectual property rights, we could be required to pay substantial damages for past infringement and could be required to pay license fees or royalties on future sales of our products. If we were required to pay such license fees whenever we sold our products, such fees could exceed our revenue. In addition, if it was proven that we willfully infringed a third party’s proprietary rights, we could be held liable for three times the amount of the damages that we would otherwise have to pay. Such intellectual property litigation could also require us to:
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stop selling, incorporating or using our products that use the infringed intellectual property;
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obtain a license to make, sell or use the relevant technology from the owner of the infringed intellectual property, which license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all; and/or
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redesign our products so as not to use the infringed intellectual property, which may not be technically or commercially feasible.
The defense of infringement claims and lawsuits, regardless of their outcome, would likely be expensive and could require a significant portion of management’s time. In addition, rather than litigating an infringement matter, we may determine that it is in our best interests to settle the matter. Terms of a settlement may include the payment of damages and our agreement to license technology in exchange for a license fee and ongoing royalties. These fees could be substantial. If we were required to pay damages or otherwise became subject to equitable remedies, our business, financial condition and results of operations would suffer. Similarly, if we were required to pay license fees to third parties based on a successful infringement claim brought against us, such fees could exceed our revenue.
Our results of operations could vary as a result of the methods, estimations and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies.
The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on our results of operations. Such methods, estimates and judgments are, by their nature, subject to substantial risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in rulemaking by regulatory bodies; and factors may arise over time that lead us to change our methods, estimates, and judgments. Changes in those methods, estimates and judgments could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our revenue reporting is highly dependent on receiving pertinent and accurate data from our distributors in a timely fashion. Distributors provide us periodic data regarding the product, price, quantity and end customer when products are resold as well as the quantities of our products they still have in stock. We must use estimates and apply judgment to reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities. Any error in our judgment could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income.
We estimate the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation represent our estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgments, which include the expected term of the stock-based awards, stock price volatility and forfeiture rates. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.
On an on-going basis, we use estimates and judgment to evaluate valuation of inventories, income taxes, goodwill and long-lived assets in preparing our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates and material effects on operating results and financial position may result.
The final determination of our income tax liability may be materially different from our income tax provision, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our future effective tax rates may be adversely affected by a number of factors including:
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the jurisdictions in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed;
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the resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities;
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changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities;
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adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns;
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increases in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, including write-offs of acquired in-process research and development and impairment of goodwill in connection with acquisitions;
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changes in available tax credits;
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changes in stock-based compensation expense;
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changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws and changes in generally accepted accounting principles; and/or
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the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings for which we have not previously provided for U.S. taxes.
Any significant increase in our future effective tax rates could adversely impact net income for future periods. In addition, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities regularly examine our income tax returns. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted if these assessments or any other assessments resulting from the examination of our income tax returns by the IRS or other taxing authorities are not resolved in our favor.
We have acquired significant Net Operating Loss (“NOL”) carryforwards as a result of our acquisitions. The utilization of acquired NOL carryforwards is subject to the IRS’s complex limitation rules that carry significant burdens of proof. Limitations include certain levels of a change in ownership. As a publicly traded company, such change in ownership may be out of our control. Our eventual ability to utilize our estimated NOL carryforwards is subject to IRS scrutiny and our future results may not benefit as a result of potential unfavorable IRS rulings.
Our engagement with foreign customers could cause fluctuations in our operating results, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
International sales have accounted for, and will likely continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues, which subjects us to the following risks, among others:
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changes in regulatory requirements;
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tariffs, embargoes, directives and other trade barriers which impact our or our customers’ business operations;
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timing and availability of export or import licenses;
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disruption of services due to political, civil, labor or economic instability;
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disruption of services due to natural disasters outside the United States;
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disruptions to customer operations outside the United States due to the outbreak of communicable diseases;
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difficulties in accounts receivable collections;
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difficulties in staffing and managing foreign subsidiary and branch operations;
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difficulties in managing sales channel partners;
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difficulties in obtaining governmental approvals for our products;
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limited intellectual property protection;
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foreign currency exchange fluctuations;
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the burden of complying with foreign laws and treaties;
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contractual or indemnity issues that are materially different from our standard sales terms; and
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potentially adverse tax consequences.
In addition, because sales of our products have been denominated primarily in U.S. dollars, increases in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared with local currencies could make our products more expensive to customers in the local currency of a particular country resulting in pricing pressures on our products. Increased international activity in the future may result in foreign currency denominated sales. Furthermore, because some of our customers’ purchase orders and agreements are governed by foreign laws, we may be limited in our ability, or it may be too costly for us, to enforce our rights under these agreements and to collect damages, if awarded.
We may be exposed to additional credit risk as a result of the addition of significant direct customers through acquisitions.
From time to time one of our customers has contributed more than 10% of our quarterly net sales. A number of our customers are OEMs, or the manufacturing subcontractors of OEMs, which might result in an increase in concentrated credit risk with respect to our trade receivables and therefore, if a large customer were to be unable to pay, it could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Compliance with new regulations regarding the use of conflict minerals could adversely impact the supply and cost of certain metals used in manufacturing our products.
In August 2012, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued final rules for compliance with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act, and outlined what publicly-traded companies in the U.S. have to disclose regarding their use of conflict minerals in their products. According to the rule, companies that utilize any of the 3TG (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) minerals in their products need to conduct a reasonable country of origin inquiry to determine if the minerals are coming from the conflict zones in and around the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first filings are due May 31, 2014 for calendar year 2013. The implementation of these new regulations may limit the sourcing and availability of some metals used in the manufacture of our products and may affect our ability to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
Our executive offices and our marketing and sales, research and development, manufacturing, test and engineering operations are located in Fremont, California in two adjacent buildings that we own, which consist of approximately 151,000 square feet. Additionally, we own approximately 4.5 acres of partially developed property adjacent to our headquarters.
We also lease smaller facilities in Canada, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and the United States, which are occupied by administrative offices, sales offices, design centers and field application engineers.
Based upon our estimates of future hiring, we believe that our current facilities will be adequate to meet our requirements at least through the next fiscal year.
The former Hillview Facility located in Milpitas, California (the “Hillview Facility”) totaling approximately 95,700 square feet, which we originally leased from Mission West Properties, L.P, as part of a sale-leaseback transaction, was sublet in April 2008. The sublease expired on March 31, 2011. In accordance with the lease agreement, the leased building was returned to the lessor on March 31, 2011. For further discussion of this facility and its effect on our financial condition and results of operations, see Part II, Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in Part II, Item 8 -“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 15-Lease Financing Obligation.”
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Information required by this item is set forth in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 17-Legal Proceedings ” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “EXAR.” The following table set forth the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock for the periods indicated, as reported by NASDAQ.
The closing sales price for our common stock on June 10, 2013, was $11.37 per share. As of June 10, 2013, the approximate number of record holders of our common stock was 281 (not including beneficial owners of stock held in street name).
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock. We expect to retain future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. Any future determination to pay dividends on our common stock will be, subject to applicable law, at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and contractual restrictions.
Unregistered Securities
On March 22, 2013, we acquired certain assets from Altior Inc., a privately held company in Eatontown, New Jersey (the “Acquisition”). The transaction included approximately $4.7 million in initial consideration which was paid to the sellers in a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. See Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4-Business Combinations” for more information about the Acquisition.
We have issued approximately 358,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition, which had a fair market value of $3.7 million as of March 22, 2013, based on the closing price of our common stock on that date. The issuance of the common stock pursuant to the Acquisition was exempt from registration in reliance on an exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) as a transaction by us not involving a public offering. The common stock has not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The purchase price also includes additional consideration earn-outs which may be paid in the form of cash, shares or a combination thereof (not to exceed $20.0 million in aggregate) payable over the next three fiscal years contingent upon achieving certain revenue targets.
Stock Price Performance (1)
The following table and graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total stockholder returns for Exar, The NASDAQ Composite Index, and The NASDAQ Electronic Components Index (SIC code 3670-3679). The table and graph assumed the investment of $100 in stock or index on March 30, 2008 and that all dividends, if any, were reinvested. The performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
(1)
This graph and data are not “soliciting material,” are not deemed “filed” with the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of Exar Corporation under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, unless specifically and expressly incorporated by reference, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
On March 22, 2013, March 16, 2010, June 17, 2009 and April 3, 2009 we acquired the businesses of Altior, Neterion, Galazar, and Hifn, respectively. Accordingly, the results of operations of Altior and Hifn have been included in our consolidated financial statements since March 23, 2013 and April 4, 2009, respectively. On March 4, 2011, we decided to exit the data center virtualization market and therefore, the results of operations of Neterion were included in our consolidated financial statements from March 17, 2010 through March 4, 2011. On February 1, 2012, we decided to discontinue development of products for the OTN market and therefore, the results of operations of Galazar were included in our consolidated financial statements from June 18, 2009 through February 1, 2012. See Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4-Business Combinations.”
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as information contained in “Risk Factors” above and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are generally written in the future tense and/or may generally be identified by words such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “expect,” “suggest, “possible,” “potential,” “target,” “commit,” “continue,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” “projected,” “positioned,” “plan,” or other similar words. Forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report include, among others, statements made in Part II, Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Executive Summary” and elsewhere regarding: (1) our future strategies and target markets; (2) our future revenues, gross profits and margins; (3) our future research and development (“R&D”) efforts and related expenses; (4) our future selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”); (5) our cash and cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities and cash flows from operations being sufficient to satisfy working capital requirements and capital equipment needs for at least the next 12 months; (6) our ability to continue to finance operations with cash flows from operations, existing cash and investment balances, and some combination of long-term debt and/or lease financing and sales of equity securities; (7) the possibility of future acquisitions and investments; (8) our ability to accurately estimate our assumptions used in valuing stock-based compensation; (9) our ability to estimate and reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities; (10) our ability to estimate future cash flows associated with long-lived assets; and (11) the volatile global economic and financial market conditions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, among others, those identified above under Part I, Item 1A - “Risk Factors.” We disclaim any obligation to revise or update information in any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.
Company Overview
Exar Corporation (“Exar” or “We”) designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and advanced sub-system solutions for the Networking & Storage, Industrial & Embedded Systems, and Communications Infrastructure markets. Exar’s product portfolio includes power management and connectivity components, communications products, and data compression and storage solutions. Our comprehensive knowledge of end-user markets along with the underlying analog, mixed signal and digital technology has enabled us to provide innovative solutions designed to meet the needs of the evolving connected world. Applying both analog and digital technologies, our products are deployed in a wide array of applications such as portable electronic devices, set top boxes, digital video recorders, networking and telecommunication systems, servers, enterprise storage systems and industrial automation equipment. We provide customers with a breadth of component products and sub-system solutions based on advanced silicon integration.
We market our products worldwide with sales offices and personnel located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Our products are sold in the United States through a number of manufacturers’ representatives and distributors. Internationally, our products are sold through various regional and country specific distributors. Globally, these channel partners are assisted and managed by our regional sales teams. In addition to our regional sales teams, we also employ a worldwide team of field application engineers to work directly with our customers.
Our international sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Our international related operating expenses expose us to fluctuations in currency exchange rates because our foreign operating expenses are denominated in foreign currencies while our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Our operating results are subject to quarterly and annual fluctuations as a result of several factors that could materially and adversely affect our future profitability as described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors-Our Financial Results May Fluctuate Significantly Because Of A Number Of Factors, Many Of Which Are Beyond Our Control.”
Executive Summary
We experienced a sequential quarterly increase of 1% in our net sales in the fourth quarter as compared to the third fiscal quarter of 2013. The increase in net sales as compared to the immediately prior quarter was primarily attributed to the growth in our data compression and storage solution products. Operating expenses decreased from $14.5 million in the third fiscal quarter to $14.0 million in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2013, as a result of release of $0.5 million liability related to Industrial Research Agreement Program (“IRAP”) with a Canadian governmental agency. We believe we are effectively managing our operating expenses while continuing to invest an appropriate amount in research and development projects for future products. In the first fiscal quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth fiscal quarter of 2013, we expect sales and operating expenses to increase slightly and the gross margin to remain consistent or increase slightly.
Acquisitions
On March 22, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Altior Inc. (“Altior”), a developer of data management solutions in Eatontown, New Jersey. Altior’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning March 23, 2013.
On March 16, 2010, we completed the acquisition of Neterion, Inc. (“Neterion”), a developer of 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) controller silicon and card solutions optimized for virtualized environments located in Sunnyvale, California. During the course of fiscal year 2011, Exar participated in the 10GbE market and established a limited set of customers but fell short of customer expansion and revenue growth goals for the product line. After assessing our market position, degree of target customer adoption and development roadmap, we announced on March 4, 2011 that we had decided to exit the data center virtualization market and, in connection therewith, had decided to discontinue development of these products. We promptly reduced our resources and sold assets devoted to the development of these products in June 2011.
On June 17, 2009, we completed the acquisition of Galazar Networks, Inc. (“Galazar”), a fabless semiconductor company focused on carrier grade transport over telecom networks based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Galazar’s product portfolio addressed transport of a wide range of datacom and telecom services including Ethernet, SAN, TDM and video over SONET/SDH, PDH and OTN networks. After assessing our market position, recent changes in the competitive landscape and future prospects, we announced on February 1, 2012 that we had decided to discontinue development of products for the OTN market. We promptly reduced our resources dedicated to our OTN products.
On April 3, 2009, we completed the acquisition of hi/fn, inc. (“Hifn”), a provider of network-and storage-security and data reduction products located in Los Gatos, California.
Our fiscal years consist of 52 or 53 weeks. In a 52-week year, each fiscal quarter consists of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 consisted of 52, 53 and 52 weeks, respectively. Fiscal year 2014 will consist of 52 weeks. Fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, April 1, 2012 and March 27, 2011 are also referred to as “2013,” “2012,” and “2011” unless otherwise indicated.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements and accompanying disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as policies that are most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require a company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Based on this definition, we have identified our most critical accounting policies and estimates to be as follows: (1) revenue recognition; (2) valuation of inventories; (3) capitalized mask set tools; (4) income taxes; (5) stock-based compensation; (6) goodwill; (7) long-lived assets; and (8) valuation of business combinations; each of which is addressed below. We also have other key accounting policies that involve the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that are significant to understanding our results. For additional information, see Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 3-Accounting Policies.” Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based upon information presently available. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates if the assumptions, judgments and conditions upon which they are based turn out to be inaccurate.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance for Revenue Recognition. Four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.
We derive revenue principally from the sale of our products to distributors and to OEMs or their contract manufacturers. Our delivery terms are primarily free on board (“FOB”) shipping point, at which time title and all risks of ownership are transferred to the customer.
To date, software revenue has been an immaterial portion of our net sales.
Non-distributors
For non-distributors, revenue is recognized when title to the product is transferred to the customer, which occurs upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the customer order, provided that persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, collection of the resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Provisions for returns and allowances for non-distributor customers are provided at the time product sales are recognized. Allowances for sales returns and other reserves are recorded based on historical experience or specific identification of an event necessitating an allowance.
Our history of actual returns from our non-distributors has not been material and, therefore, the allowance for sales returns for non-distributor customers is not significant.
Distributors
Agreements with our two primary distributors permit the return of 3% to 6% of their purchases during the preceding quarter for purposes of stock rotation. For one of these distributors, a scrap allowance of 1% of the preceding quarter’s purchases is permitted. We also provide discounts to certain distributors based on volume of product they sell or purchase for a period not to exceed one year.
We recognize revenue from each of our distributors using either the sell-in basis or sell-through basis, each as described below. Once adopted, the basis for revenue recognition for a distributor is maintained unless there is a change in circumstances indicating the basis for revenue recognition for that distributor is no longer appropriate.
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Sell-in Basis-Revenue is recognized upon shipment if we conclude we meet the same criteria as for non-distributors discussed above and we can reasonably estimate the credits for returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions. We record an estimated allowance, at the time of shipment, based upon historical patterns of returns, pricing allowances and other concessions (i.e., “sell-in” basis).
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Sell-through Basis-Revenue and the related costs of sales are deferred until the resale to the end customer if we grant more than limited rights of return, pricing allowances and/or other concessions or if we cannot reasonably estimate the level of returns and credits issuable (i.e., “sell-through” basis). Under the sell-through basis, accounts receivable are recognized and inventory is relieved upon shipment to the distributor as title to the inventory is transferred upon shipment, at which point we have a legally enforceable right to collection under normal terms. The associated sales and cost of sales are deferred and are included in deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors in the consolidated balance sheet. When the related product is sold by our distributors to their end customers, at which time the ultimate price we receive is known, we recognize previously deferred income as sales and cost of sales. The following table summarizes the deferred income balance, primarily consisting of sell-through distributors (in thousands):
Sell-through revenue recognition is highly dependent on receiving pertinent and accurate data from our distributors in a timely fashion. Distributors provide us periodic data regarding the product, price, quantity, and end customer when products are resold as well as the quantities of our products they still have in stock. We must use estimates and apply judgments to reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities. Any error in our judgment could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income.
Mask Costs
We incur costs for the fabrication of masks to manufacture our products. If we determine the product technological feasibility has been achieved when costs are incurred, the costs will be treated as pre-production costs and capitalized as machinery and equipment under property, plant and equipment. The amount will be amortized to cost of sales over the estimated production period of the product. If product technological feasibility has not been achieved or the mask is not expected to be utilized in production manufacturing, the related mask costs are expensed to R&D when incurred. We will periodically assess capitalized mask costs for impairment. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012, total mask costs capitalized was $1.7 million and $0, respectively. The costs capitalized during March 31, 2013 will be amortized over five years.
Valuation of Inventories
Our policy is to establish a provision for excess inventories, based on the nature of the specific product, that is greater than twelve months of forecasted demand unless there are other factors indicating that the inventories will be sold at a profit after such periods. Among other factors, management considers known backlog of orders, projected sales and marketing forecasts, shipment activity, inventory-on-hand at our primary distributors, past and current market conditions, anticipated demand for our products, changing lead times in the manufacturing process and other business conditions when determining if a provision for excess inventory is required. Should the assumptions used by management in estimating the provision for excess inventory differ from actual future demand or should market conditions become less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required, which would have a negative impact on our gross margins. See Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors-“Our Financial Results May Fluctuate Significantly Because Of A Number Of Factors, Many Of Which Are Beyond Our Control’.”
Income Taxes
We determine our deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of our assets and liabilities. We make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities, which arise from timing differences in the recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. Such deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax base, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Changes in tax rates affect the deferred income tax assets and liabilities and are recognized in the period in which the tax rates or benefits are enacted.
We must determine the probability that we will be able to utilize our deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. We measure and recognize uncertain tax positions in accordance with GAAP, whereby we only recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the merits of the position. See Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 18-Income Taxes” for more details about our deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Stock-Based Compensation
We compute the fair value of stock options utilizing the Black-Scholes model. Calculating stock-based compensation expense requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation represent our estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, we are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what we have recorded in the current period. See Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 14-Stock-Based Compensation” for more details about our assumptions used in calculating the stock-based compensation expenses and equity related transactions during the fiscal year.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using a combination of the income approach that uses discounted cash flows and the market approach that utilizes comparable companies’ data. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one reporting unit, we utilize an entity-wide approach to assess goodwill for impairment.
Long-Lived Assets
We assess the impairment of long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or the asset group may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider in deciding when to perform an impairment review include significant negative industry or economic trends and significant changes or planned changes in our use of the assets. These factors can also be referred to as triggering events. We measure the recoverability of assets that will continue to be used in our operations by comparing the carrying value of the asset group to our estimate of the related total future undiscounted net cash flows. If an asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable through the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset group is considered to be impaired. The impairment is measured by comparing the difference between the asset group’s carrying value and its fair value. Long-lived assets such as goodwill; intangible assets; and property, plant and equipment are considered non-financial assets, and are recorded at fair value only if an impairment charge is recognized.
Impairments of long-lived assets are determined for groups of assets related to the lowest level of identifiable independent cash flows. We operate with one asset group on an enterprise basis. As a result, we believe the lowest identifiable cash flows reside at the enterprise level.
When we determine that the useful lives of assets are shorter than we had originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of depreciation and/or amortization over the assets’ new, shorter useful lives. See “Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset Impairment” in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” below for more details regarding charges associated with the shortening of useful lives of certain intangible assets.
Valuation of Business Combinations
We periodically evaluate potential strategic acquisitions to broaden our product offering and build upon our existing library of intellectual property, human capital and engineering talent, in order to expand our capabilities in the areas in which we operate or to acquire complementary businesses.
We account for each business combination by applying the acquisition method, which requires (1) identifying the acquiree; (2) determining the acquisition date; (3) recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest we have in the acquiree at their acquisition date fair value; and (4) recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase.
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed and/or incurred in a business combination that arise from contingencies are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date if fair value can be determined during the measurement period. If fair value cannot be determined, we typically account for the acquired contingencies using existing guidance for a reasonable estimate.
To establish fair value, we measure the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an ordinary transaction between market participants. The measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by the market participants that would maximize the value of the asset or the group of assets within which the asset would be used at the measurement date, even if the intended use of the asset is different.
Goodwill is measured and recorded as the amount, by which the consideration transferred, generally at the acquisition date fair value, exceeds the acquisition date fair value of identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest we have in the acquiree. To the contrary, if the acquisition date fair value of identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest we have in the acquiree exceeds the consideration transferred, it is considered a bargain purchase and we would recognize the resulting gain in earnings on the acquisition date.
In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) assets are considered an indefinite-lived intangible asset and are not subject to amortization until its useful life is determined to be no longer indefinite. IPR&D assets must be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the IPR&D asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the IPR&D asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of the IPR&D asset will be its new accounting basis. Subsequent reversal of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited. The initial determination and subsequent evaluation for impairment of the IPR&D asset requires management to make significant judgments and estimates. Once the IPR&D projects have been completed, the useful life of the IPR&D asset is determined and amortized accordingly. If the IPR&D asset is abandoned, the remaining carrying value is written off.
Acquisition related costs, including finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with the exception that the costs to issue debt or equity securities are recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP.
Results of Operations
On April 3, 2009, June 17, 2009 and March 16, 2010, we acquired Hifn, Galazar and Neterion, respectively. On March 4, 2011, we decided to exit the data center virtualization market and therefore, the results of operations of Neterion were included in our consolidated financial statements from March 17, 2010 through March 4, 2011. On February 1, 2012, we decided to discontinue development of products for the OTN market and therefore, the results of operations of Galazar were included in our consolidated financial statements from June 18, 2009 through February 1, 2012.
Fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 consist of 52, 53 and 52 weeks, respectively. In the following discussion of the results of operations, the fiscal year 2013 amounts are less than fiscal year 2012 amounts due to the shorter fiscal year length, in addition to the other explanations cited below.
Net Sales by Product Line
The following table shows net sales by product line in dollars and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentages):
We continued to sell products acquired from Neterion in fiscal year 2012, on a last time buy basis, and we will continue to sell products acquired from Galazar until those products reach their end of life.
Software revenues have been an immaterial portion of our net sales.
Fiscal Year 2013 versus Fiscal Year 2012
Connectivity Components
Net sales of Connectivity Components, including UARTs and serial transceiver products, for fiscal year 2013 decreased by $3.2 million as compared to fiscal year 2012. Connectivity products sales volume started to decrease in the third fiscal quarter of 2012. Although sales volume started to recover during the third fiscal quarter of 2013, the year-to-date revenue for fiscal year 2013 was still lower than revenue from the same period a year ago.
Power Management Components
Net sales of Power Management Components, including DC-DC regulators, LED drivers and programmable power management devices, for fiscal year 2013 decreased by $3.5 million compared to fiscal year 2012 due to reduced demand at certain Communications Infrastructure and Automotive customers.
Data Compression and Storage Solutions
Net sales of Data Compression and Storage Solutions, include network access and storage products, encryption and data reduction and packet processing products, for fiscal year 2013 increased $4.5 million as compared to fiscal year 2012. The increase was primarily due to increased shipments of our compression and encryption products offset by lower sales volume and price erosion on our end of life products.
Communications Products
Net sales of Communications Products, including network access, transmission and transport products, for fiscal year 2013 decreased $6.3 million, as compared to fiscal year 2012. The decrease in net sales of these products is primarily due to reduced demand of legacy SONET/SDH-based and packet-based devices.
Fiscal Year 2012 versus Fiscal Year 2011
Connectivity Components
Net sales of Connectivity Components, including UARTs and serial transceiver products, for fiscal year 2012 decreased by $7.8 million as compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease was primarily due to lower shipments of our UARTs and serial transceivers products as customers depleted inventory and remained cautious in the second half of fiscal year 2012. The decrease also includes price erosion of $0.7 million as the serial transceiver market became more competitive throughout fiscal year 2012.
Power Management Components
Net sales of Power Management Components, including DC-DC regulators, LED drivers and power management, for fiscal year 2012 increased $0.1 million as compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase was primarily due to license revenue generated from our power management technology offset by lower shipments in the EMEA region and price erosion of $0.2 million as the analog power market became more competitive throughout fiscal year 2012.
Data Compression and Storage Solutions
Net sales of Data Compression and Storage Solutions include network access and storage products, encryption, data reduction and packet processing products as well as 10GbE controller products acquired from Neterion. Following our exit from the 10GbE controller market, we sold $0.6 million of those products in fiscal year 2012, a $2.0 million decline from fiscal year 2011. Net sales of Data Compression and Storage Solutions for fiscal year 2012 increased $0.3 million as compared to fiscal year 2011 from initial sales of our new DX series data compression and encryption cards offset by reduced demand for our encryption processors as an end customer’s product reached end-of-life.
Communications Products
Net sales of Communications Products, including network access, transmission and network transport products, for fiscal year 2012 decreased by $6.0 million as compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease was primarily due to lower shipments of legacy SONET, T/E carrier transport and packet based products.
Net Sales by Channel
For fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, approximately 39%, 42% and 40%, respectively, of our net sales were derived from product sales to our two primary distributors, Future Electronics Inc. (“Future”) and Arrow Electronics (“Arrow”). The remaining net sales were derived from sales to other distributors, OEM customers and other non-distributors.
The following table shows net sales by channel in dollars and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):
Fiscal Year 2013 versus Fiscal Year 2012
Net sales to our distributors, for which we recognize revenue on the sell-through basis, for fiscal year 2013 decreased by $10.5 million, as compared to fiscal year 2012 due to lower sales volume across all product lines except data compression and storage solution products and price erosion on serial transceiver and UARTs products.
Net sales to our direct customers and other distributors for which we recognize revenue on a sell-in basis, for fiscal year 2013 increased by $2.0 million compared to fiscal year 2012. The increase is primarily attributable to higher sales volume of our data compression and storage solution products.
Fiscal Year 2012 versus Fiscal Year 2011
Net sales to our distributors, for which we recognize revenue on the sell-through basis, for fiscal year 2012 decreased by $9.4 million from the fiscal year 2011. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales volume in the second half of fiscal year 2012 across all product lines and price erosion in serial transceiver and power management component products.
Net sales to direct customers and other distributors for fiscal year 2012 decreased by $6.0 million from fiscal year 2011. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower sales volume of all our products with the exception of our power management component products.
Net Sales by Geography
The following table shows net sales by geography in dollars and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):
Fiscal Year 2013 versus Fiscal Year 2012
Net sales in Asia, Americas and EMEA for fiscal year 2013 decreased by $4.3 million, $1.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, as compared to fiscal year 2012 due to lower sales volume across all of our product lines in the regions with the exception of data compression and storage solution products.
Fiscal Year 2012 versus Fiscal Year 2011
Net sales in Asia in fiscal year 2012 decreased by $12.2 million as compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease was primarily due to lower shipments across all product lines with the exception of power management component products.
Net sales in EMEA in fiscal year 2012 decreased by $3.8 million as compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease was primarily due to lower shipments across all our product lines.
Gross Profit
The following table shows gross profit and cost of sales in dollars and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):
Gross profit represents net sales less cost of sales. Cost of sales includes:
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the cost of purchasing finished silicon wafers manufactured by unaffiliated foundries;
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the costs associated with assembly, packaging, test, quality assurance and product yield loss;
•
the cost of purchasing finished tested “turnkey” units;
•
the cost of personnel and equipment associated with manufacturing, engineering and support;
•
the cost of stock-based compensation associated with manufacturing, engineering and support personnel;
•
the amortization of purchased intangible assets and acquired intellectual property;
•
the provision for excess and obsolete inventory; and
•
provisions for restructuring charges and exit costs.
We believe that gross profit will fluctuate as a percentage of sales and in absolute dollars due to, among other factors, product, manufacturing costs, our ability to leverage fixed operational costs, shipment volumes, competitive pricing pressure on our products, and currency fluctuations. We reduced employee-related costs through restructuring activities in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012. We began to realize the reduction in the underlying costs in fiscal year 2013.
Fiscal Year 2013 versus Fiscal Year 2012
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for fiscal year 2013 increased by 3% compared to fiscal year 2012. The increase in gross profit percentage was primarily due to favorable product mix and successful cost reduction efforts.
Fiscal Year 2012 versus Fiscal Year 2011
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for fiscal year 2012 decreased by 1% as compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of sales was primarily due to unfavorable product mix with the decline in communications and 10GbE controller products that have higher than average margins, price erosion on serial transceiver and analog power products, manufacturing inefficiencies at lower volume and continued high gold costs partially offset by product cost reductions. Restructuring charges in fiscal year 2012 were primarily severance payments.
Stock-based compensation expense recorded in cost of sales was $0.5 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Other Costs and Expenses
The following table shows other costs and expenses in dollars and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):
On March 4, 2011, we decided to exit the data virtualization market and therefore, operating expenses of Neterion were in included in our consolidated financial statements from March 17, 2010 through March 4, 2011. On February 1, 2012, we decided to discontinue product development for the OTN market and therefore, operating expenses of Galazar were included in our consolidated financial statements from June 18, 2009 through February 1, 2012.
Research and Development Expenses
Our Research and Development (“R&D”) expenses consist primarily of:
•
the salaries, stock-based compensation, and related expenses of employees engaged in product research, design and development activities;
•
costs related to engineering design tools, expenses related to new mask tool sets, software amortization, test hardware, and engineering supplies and services;
•
amortization of acquired intangible assets such as existing technology and patents/core technology; and
•
facilities expenses.
We believe that R&D expenses will fluctuate as a percentage of sales and increase in absolute dollars due to, among other factors, increased investment in software development, incentives, annual merit increases and fluctuations in reimbursements under a research and development contract. We reduced employee related costs, rent and electronic design automation tool expenses through restructuring activities in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012. In connection with the restructuring, we eliminated our internal capability to physically design certain deep submicron products and adopted an outsourcing model instead. Partially offsetting our cost reductions: incremental subcontract costs for deep submicron design; we continue to hire engineers and other personnel to execute our strategy; increases in salary, benefits, and profit sharing rates. We began to realize the net cost reduction in fiscal year 2013.
Fiscal Year 2013 versus Fiscal Year 2012
R&D expenses for fiscal year 2013 decreased $12.6 million, or 36%, as compared to fiscal year 2012. The decrease was primarily a result of lower labor and facility related expenses resulting from our reduction in force in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 and lower maintenance costs on our design software.
We have a contractual agreement under which certain of our R&D costs are eligible for reimbursement. Amounts collected under this arrangement are offset against R&D expenses. During fiscal year 2013, we offset $2.0 million of R&D expenses in connection with this agreement, representing a $2.0 million decrease in reimbursement from fiscal year 2012.
Fiscal Year 2012 versus Fiscal Year 2011
R&D expenses decreased by $14.9 million, or 30%, in fiscal year 2012 as compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease was primarily due to decreased labor expenses following the reduction in engineering headcount in March 2011 related to our exit from the data virtualization market and additional attrition experienced throughout the year. In addition, we reduced costs through the closure of two acquired research and development sites.
We entered into a new contractual agreement under which certain of our R&D costs are eligible for reimbursement. Amounts reimbursed under this arrangement are offset against R&D expenses. During fiscal year 2012, we offset $4.0 million of R&D expenses in connection with this agreement, representing a $1.0 million decrease in reimbursement from fiscal year 2011.
Sales, General and Administrative Expenses
Sales, General, and Administrative (“SG&A”) expenses consist primarily of:
•
salaries, stock-based compensation and related expenses;
•
sales commissions;
•
professional and legal fees;
•
amortization of acquired intangible assets such as distributor relationships, tradenames/trademarks and customer relationships;
•
facilities expenses; and
•
acquisition related costs.
We believe that SG&A expenses will fluctuate as a percentage of sales and in absolute dollars due to, among other factors, variable commissions, legal costs, incentives and annual merit increases. We reduced employee related costs through restructuring activities in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012. We began to realize the net cost reduction in fiscal year 2013.
Fiscal Year 2013 versus Fiscal Year 2012
SG&A expenses for fiscal year 2013 decreased $6.0 million, or 15%, as compared to the same period a year ago. The decrease was primarily a result of lower labor-related costs, incentives and professional fees, offset by an accrual for a dispute resolution of $1.4 million.
Fiscal Year 2012 versus Fiscal Year 2011
SG&A expenses decreased by $6.7 million, or 15%, in fiscal year 2012 as compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease was primarily due to decreased labor expenses following the reduction in sales headcount in March 2011 related to our exit from the data virtualization market and additional attrition experienced throughout the year. In addition, we collected $0.3 million from the Neterion acquisition escrow account and received a China business tax refund offset by an accrual for a dispute resolution.
Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs
Fiscal Year 2013
During fiscal year 2013, we incurred additional restructuring charges and exit costs of $1.6 million, primarily consisting of severance benefits, which were offset by a release of $0.5 million liability related to Industrial Research Assistance Program (“IRAP”) with a Canadian governmental agency. See “Note 8 - Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs.”
Fiscal Year 2012
Restructuring charges in fiscal year 2012 consist of severance benefits of $3.5 million, contract termination and other costs of $7.0 million, charges for abandoned leases of $0.8 million and accelerated amortization and depreciation of $1.6 million. See “Note 8 - Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs.”
Fiscal Year 2011
Restructuring charges in fiscal year 2011 consist of severance benefits of $1.1 million and accelerated depreciation and amortization of $0.3 million. See “Note 8 - Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs.”
Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset Impairment
Fiscal Year 2013
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, we conducted our annual impairment review comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying value. As of the test date and as of year-end, and before consideration of a control premium, the fair value, which was estimated as our market capitalization, exceeded the carrying value of our net assets. As a result, no impairment was recorded for fiscal year 2013.
Fiscal Year 2012
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, we conducted our annual impairment review comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying value. As of the test date and as of year-end, and before consideration of a control premium, the fair value, which was estimated as our market capitalization, exceeded the carrying value of our net assets. As a result, no impairment was recorded for fiscal year 2012.
Fiscal Year 2011
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, we decided to exit the data center virtualization market, and in connection therewith, to discontinue development of our 10GbE network interface cards. We determined that the current economic and market environment did not provide the potential to deliver acceptable returns on the required investments in these products. As a result, we abandoned all related in-process research and development. We promptly reduced our resources and sold assets devoted to the development of these products.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, we conducted our annual impairment review comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying value and recorded an impairment charge of $7.5 million. The impairment charge consisted of $0.8 million to write-off abandoned IPR&D and $6.7 million to write-down the carrying value of intangible assets that were held for sale to $0.2 million at March 27, 2011, which represented their estimated fair value less cost to sell based on third party bids received. In June 2011, we completed the asset sale process and received $0.2 million, net of selling costs.
Other Income and Expenses
The following table shows other income and expenses in dollars and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):
Interest Income and Other, Net
Interest income and other, net primarily consists of:
•
interest income;
•
foreign exchange gains or losses;
•
realized gains or losses on marketable securities; and
Fiscal Year 2013 versus Fiscal Year 2012
The decrease in other income and expenses during fiscal year 2013 as compared to fiscal year 2012 was primarily attributable to decrease in interest income as a result of lower yield related to our cash and short-term investments.
Fiscal Year 2012 versus Fiscal Year 2011
The $3.1 million, or 53%, decrease in interest income and other, net during fiscal year 2012 as compared to fiscal year 2011 was primarily attributable to a decrease in interest income as a result of lower invested cash balances and lower yield of the investments.
The former Hillview Facility, which we originally leased from Mission West Properties, L.P. as part of a sale-leaseback transaction, was sublet in April 2008. The sublease expired on March 31, 2011. There was no sublease income for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 whereas fiscal year 2011 included sublease income of $1.4 million. See Part II, Item 8 - “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 15 - Lease Financing Obligation.”
Interest Expense
We leased Hillview Facility from Mission West Properties, L.P. in August 2007. We had accounted for this sale and leaseback transaction as a financing transaction, which is included in the long-term lease financing obligations line item on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 27, 2011. The effective interest rate was 8.2%. At the end of the lease term, March 31, 2011, the terminal value of the lease of $12.2 million was settled in a non-cash transaction with the expiration of the Hillview Facility lease.
We have acquired engineering design tools (“Design Tools”) under capital leases. We acquired Design Tools of $0.9 million in July 2012 under a three-year license, $4.5 million in December 2011 under a three-year license, $5.8 million in October 2011 under a three-year license, $1.0 million in June 2010 under a three-year license, $1.3 million in December 2009 under a 28-month license, and $1.1 million in July 2009 under a three-year license, all of which were accounted for as capital leases and recorded in the property, plant and equipment, net line item in the consolidated balance sheets. The obligations related to the Design Tools were included in other current liabilities and long-term lease financing obligations in our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012, respectively. The effective interest rates for the Design Tools range from 2.0% to 7.25%.
Interest expense for the Hillview Facility and Design Tools lease financing obligations for the periods indicated were as follow (in thousands):
Impairment Charges on Investments
We periodically review and determine whether our investments with unrealized loss positions are other-than-temporarily impaired. This evaluation includes, but is not limited to, significant quantitative and qualitative assessments and estimates regarding credit ratings, collateralized support, the length of time and significance of a security’s loss position, our intent to not sell the security, and whether it is more likely than not that we will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. Realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities are determined by the specific identification method and are reflected in the interest income and other, net line on the consolidated statements of operations. Declines in value of our investments both marketable and non-marketable, judged to be other-than-temporary, are reported in the impairment charges on investments line in the consolidated statements of operations. We did not record any impairment charges in either fiscal year 2013 and 2012, respectively.
In fiscal year 2010, an investment in GSAA Home Equity with a cost of $425,000 was downgraded from an AAA rating to a CCC rating. As a result of the reduction in the rating, quantitative analysis showing an increase in the default rate and decrease in prepayment rate of the investment, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $91,000 during the second quarter of fiscal year 2010. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, due to further decline in the investment, we recorded an additional other-than-temporary impairment charge of $62,000. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, we sold this investment resulting in an immaterial loss from its adjusted basis.
Our long-term investment consists of our investment in Skypoint Telecom Fund II (US), L.P. (“Skypoint Fund”). Skypoint Fund is a venture capital fund that invested primarily in private companies in the telecommunications and/or networking industries. We account for this non-marketable equity investment under the cost method. We periodically review and determine whether the investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, in which case the investment is written down to its impaired value. Any decline in the value of our non-marketable investments is reported in the impairment charges on investments line in the consolidated statements of operations.
Provision for Income Taxes
Fiscal Year 2013
Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2013 was (70%) due to release of a $1.3 million reserve for uncertain tax positions related to an NOL carryback refund in the third quarter of 2013.
Fiscal Year 2012
Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2012 was (0.2%). The provision for fiscal year 2012 differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal rate of 35%. This difference is principally due to our not benefitting from deferred tax assets as a result of increases in valuation allowances during fiscal year 2012.
Fiscal Year 2011
Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2011 was (0.7%). The provision for fiscal year 2011 differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal rate of 35%. This difference is principally due to our not benefitting from deferred tax assets as a result of increases in valuation allowances during fiscal year 2011.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Fiscal Year 2013
Operating Activities-Our net income was $2.9 million in fiscal year 2013. After adjustments for non-cash items and changes in working capital, we generated $7.4 million of cash from operating activities.
Significant non-cash charges included:
•
Depreciation and amortization expenses of $10.8 million; and
•
Stock-based compensation expense of $4.8 million.
Working capital changes included:
•
a $4.6 million increase in accounts receivable primarily due to the timing of shipments;
•
a $0.9 million increase in inventory due to expected increase in future shipments; and
•
a $3.7 million decrease in accrued restructuring charges and exit costs- current portion, primarily due to payments made.
In fiscal year 2013, net cash used in investing activities was $4.8 million. Proceeds of $197.6 million from sales and maturities of investments and $0.4 million from the sale of certain patents were offset by $200.7 million in purchases of investments, $1.4 million used for purchases of property, plant and equipment and intellectual property and $0.8 million for the acquisition of Altior.
In fiscal year 2013, net cash provided by financing activities reflects $6.3 million of proceeds associated with our employee stock plans partially offset by the $2.8 million repayment of lease financing obligations.
Fiscal Year 2012
Operating Activities-Our net loss was $28.1 million in fiscal year 2012. After adjustments for non-cash items and changes in working capital, we used $2.3 million of cash from operating activities.
Significant non-cash charges included:
•
Depreciation and amortization expenses of $14.9 million; and
•
Stock-based compensation expense of $3.8 million.
Working capital changes included:
•
a $1.6 million decrease in accounts receivable primarily due to lower shipments;
•
a $3.6 million decrease in inventory primarily due to reduced purchases in response to lower demand; and
•
a $5.4 million increase in other accrued restructuring charges - current portion due to the reduction in force in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012.
Investment Activities-In fiscal year 2012, net cash used in investing activities reflects net purchase of short-term marketable securities of $1.4 million and $2.5 million in purchases of property, plant and equipment and intellectual property.
Financing Activities-In fiscal year 2012, net cash used in financing activities reflects the $3.6 million repayment of lease financing obligations partially offset by $3.1 million of proceeds associated with our employee stock plans.
Fiscal Year 2011
Operating Activities-Our net loss was $35.7 million in fiscal year 2011. After adjustments for non-cash items and changes in working capital, we used $3.0 million of cash from operating activities.
Significant non-cash charges included:
•
Depreciation and amortization expenses of $19.4 million;
•
Intangible assets and goodwill impairment of $7.5 million; and
•
Stock-based compensation expense of $7.4 million.
Working capital changes included:
•
a $4.8 million decrease in accounts receivable primarily due to lower shipments and improved collections;
•
a $7.0 million increase in inventory primarily due to higher material receipts for our data compression and storage solution and power management component products in anticipation of higher future shipments of our new products and the impact of the semiconductor industry’s inventory correction; and
•
a $2.8 million decrease in other current and non-current assets primarily as a result of a tax refund.
Investment Activities-In fiscal year 2011, net cash used in investing activities includes net purchases of short-term marketable securities of $0.9 million and $3.7 million in purchases of property, plant and equipment and intellectual property.
Financing Activities-In fiscal year 2011, net cash used in financing activities reflects the $4.0 million repayment of lease financing partially offset by $1.2 million of proceeds associated with our employee stock plans.
To date, inflation has not had a significant impact on our operating results.
We anticipate that we will continue to finance our operations with cash flows from operations, existing cash and investment balances.
We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities and expected cash flows from operations will be sufficient to satisfy working capital requirements, capital equipment and intellectual property needs for at least the next 12 months. However, should the demand for our products decrease in the future, the availability of cash flows from operations may be limited, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. From time to time, we evaluate potential acquisitions, strategic arrangements and equity investments that we believe are complementary to our design expertise and market strategy. To the extent that we pursue or position ourselves to pursue these transactions, we could consume a significant portion of our capital resources or choose to seek additional equity or debt financing. Additional financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt could result in dilution to our stockholders.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2013, we had not utilized special purpose entities to facilitate off-balance sheet financing arrangements. However, we have, in the normal course of business, entered into agreements which impose warranty obligations with respect to our products or which obligate us to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors and business partners, our directors and executive officers, purchasers of assets or subsidiaries, and other parties with respect to certain matters. These arrangements may constitute “off-balance sheet transactions” as defined in Section 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K. Please see “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 16-Commitments and Contingencies” for further discussion of our product warranty liabilities and indemnification obligations.
As discussed in “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 16-Commitments and Contingencies,” during the normal course of business, we make certain indemnities and commitments under which we may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. These indemnities include non-infringement of patents and intellectual property, indemnities to our customers in connection with the delivery, design, performance, manufacture and sale of our products, indemnities to our directors and officers in connection with legal proceedings, indemnities to various lessors in connection with facility leases for certain claims arising from such facility or lease, and indemnities to other parties to certain acquisition agreements. The duration of these indemnities and commitments varies, and in certain cases, is indefinite. We believe that substantially all of our indemnities and commitments provide for limitations on the maximum potential future payments we could be obligated to make. However, we are unable to estimate the maximum amount of liability related to our indemnities and commitments because such liabilities are contingent upon the occurrence of events which are not reasonably determinable. Management believes that any liability for these indemnities and commitments would not be material to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following is a summary of fixed payments related to certain off-balance sheet contractual obligations as of March 31, 2013 (in thousands):
(1)
We place purchase orders with wafer foundries and other vendors as part of our normal course of business. We expect to receive and pay for wafers, capital equipment and various service contracts over the next 12 months from our existing cash balances.
(2)
Includes operating lease payments related to worldwide offices.
Other Commitments
As of March 31, 2013, our unrecognized tax benefits were $15.5 million, of which $2.2 million was classified as other non-current obligations. We believe that it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to the resolution of income tax matters could be reduced by approximately $1.4 million during the next 12 months as the statute of limitations expires. See “Note 18 - Income Taxes.”
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Please refer to Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 3-Accounting Policies.”
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Currency Fluctuations. We are exposed to foreign currency fluctuations primarily through our foreign operations. This exposure is the result of foreign operating expenses being denominated in foreign currency. Operational currency requirements are typically forecasted for a one-month period. If there is a need to hedge this risk, we may enter into transactions to purchase currency in the open market or enter into forward currency exchange contracts.
If our foreign operations forecasts are overstated or understated during periods of currency volatility, we could experience unanticipated currency gains or losses. For fiscal years 2013 and 2012, we did not have significant foreign currency denominated net assets or net liabilities positions, and had no foreign currency contracts outstanding.
Investment Risk and Interest Rate Sensitivity. We maintain investment portfolio holdings of various issuers, types, and maturity dates with two professional management institutions. The fair value of these investments on any given day during the investment term may vary as a result of market interest rate fluctuations. Our investment portfolio consisted of cash equivalents, money market funds and fixed income securities of $195.6 million as of March 31, 2013 and $190.8 million as of April 1, 2012. These securities, like all fixed income instruments, are subject to interest rate risk and will vary in value as market interest rates fluctuate. If market interest rates were to increase or decline immediately and uniformly by less than 10% from levels as of March 31, 2013, the increase or decline in the fair value of the portfolio would not be material. At March 31, 2013, the difference between the fair value and the underlying cost of the investments portfolio was an unrealized loss of $0.5 million, net of taxes.
Our short-term investments are classified as “available-for-sale” securities and the cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. At March 31, 2013, short-term investments consisted of corporate bonds and securities, asset and mortgage-backed securities, U.S. government agency securities, U.S. Treasury securities and state and local government securities of $190.6 million.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Exar Corporation
Fremont, California
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Exar Corporation as of March 31, 2013 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Exar Corporation at March 31, 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Exar Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated June 12, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
San Jose, California
June 12, 2013
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Exar Corporation
Fremont, California
We have audited Exar Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Exar Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Exar Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Exar Corporation as of March 31, 2013 and the related consolidated statement of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended and our report dated June 12, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
San Jose, California
June 12, 2013
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Exar Corporation:
In our opinion, the consolidated balance sheet as of April 1, 2012 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended April 1, 2012 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Exar Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company") at April 1, 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended April 1, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Jose, California
June 13, 2012
EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share amounts)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
EXAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, APRIL 1, 2012 AND MARCH 27, 2011
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Exar Corporation was incorporated in California in 1971 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1991. Exar Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Exar” or “we”) is a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and advanced sub-system solutions for the Networking & Storage, Industrial & Embedded, and Communications Infrastructure markets. Exar's product portfolio includes power management and connectivity components, communications products and data compression and storage solutions.
NOTE 2. REVISION OF PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we identified an error in our accounting for stock-based compensation previously recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. We assessed the materiality of the error on prior periods' financial statements and concluded that the error was not material to any of our prior period annual or interim financial statements. We elected to revise previously issued consolidated financial statements the next time they were filed. As each subsequent filing is made in the future, the previous period consolidated financial statements affected by the errors will be revised. We have revised the April 1, 2012 consolidated balance sheet and the statements of operations for fiscal year 2012 included herein to reflect the correct balances. We reduced the additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit each by $741,000 as of the end of fiscal year 2012 related to the above mentioned error as shown in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and net loss as reported for fiscal year 2012 was reduced accordingly by $741,000.
NOTE 3. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation- Our fiscal years consist of 52 or 53 weeks. In a 52-week year, each fiscal quarter consists of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 consisted of 52, 53 and 52 weeks, respectively. Fiscal year 2014 will consist of 52 weeks. Fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, April 1, 2012 and March 27, 2011 are also referred to as “2013,” “2012,” and “2011” unless otherwise indicated.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation. Such reclassification had no effect on previously reported results of operations or stockholders’ equity.
Principles of Consolidation-The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Exar and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Management Estimates-The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including (1) revenue recognition; (2) allowance for doubtful account (3); valuation of inventories; (4) income taxes; (5) stock-based compensation; (6) goodwill; (7) long-lived assets; and (8) contingent consideration. Actual results could differ from these estimates and material effects on operating results and financial position may result.
Business Combinations-The estimated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities and the results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the purchase. The total purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. (See Note 4-“Business Combinations.”)
Cash and Cash Equivalents-We consider all highly liquid debt securities and investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents also consist of cash on deposit with banks and money market funds.
Inventories-Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost or market, determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Cost is computed using the standard cost, which approximates average actual cost. Inventory is written down when conditions indicate that the selling price could be less than cost due to physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels, or other causes. The write-down of excess inventories is generally based on inventory levels in excess of 12 months of demand, as judged by management, for each specific product.
Property, Plant and Equipment-Property, plant and equipment, including assets held under capital leases and leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation for machinery and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which ranges from three to 10 years. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 30 years. Assets held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the terms of the leases or their estimated useful lives. Land is not depreciated.
Non-Marketable Equity Securities-Non-marketable equity investments are accounted for at historical cost and are presented on our consolidated balance sheets within other non-current assets.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment-All of our marketable and non-marketable investments are subject to periodic impairment reviews. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary, as follows:
Marketable investments-When the resulting fair value is significantly below cost basis and/or the significant decline has lasted for an extended period of time, we perform an evaluation to determine whether the marketable equity security is other than temporarily impaired. The evaluation that we use to determine whether a marketable equity security is other than temporarily impaired is based on the specific facts and circumstances present at the time of assessment, which include significant quantitative and qualitative assessments and estimates regarding credit ratings, collateralized support, the length of time and significance of a security’s loss position and intent and ability to hold a security to maturity or forecasted recovery. Other-than-temporary declines in value of our investments are reported in the impairment charges on investments line in the consolidated statements of operations.
Non-marketable equity investments-When events or circumstances are identified that would likely have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment and the fair value is significantly below cost basis and/or the significant decline has lasted for an extended period of time, we perform an impairment analysis. The indicators that we use to identify those events and circumstances include:
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the investment manager’s evaluation;
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the investee’s revenue and earnings trends relative to predefined milestones and overall business prospects;
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the technological feasibility of the investee’s products and technologies;
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the general market conditions in the investee’s industry; and
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the investee’s liquidity, debt ratios and the rate at which the investee is using cash.
Investments identified as having an indicator of impairment are subject to further analysis to determine if the investment is other than temporarily impaired, and if so, the investment is written-down to its impaired value. When an investee is not considered viable from a financial or technological point of view, the entire investment is written down. Impairment of non-marketable equity investments is recorded in the impairment charges on investments line in the consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill- Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performances, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one reporting unit, we utilize an entity-wide approach to assess goodwill for impairment.
Long-Lived Assets-We assess the impairment of long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or the asset group may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider in deciding when to perform an impairment review include significant negative industry or economic trends, and significant changes or planned changes in our use of the assets. These factors can also be referred to as triggering events. We measure the recoverability of assets that will continue to be used in our operations by comparing the carrying value of the asset group our estimate of the related total future undiscounted net cash flows. If an asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable through the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset group is considered to be impaired. The impairment is measured by comparing the difference between the asset group’s carrying value and its fair value. Long-lived assets such as goodwill; intangible assets; and property, plant and equipment are considered non-financial assets, and are recorded at fair value only if an impairment charge is recognized.
Impairments of long-lived assets are determined for groups of assets related to the lowest level of identifiable independent cash flows. We operate with one asset group on an enterprise basis. As a result, we believe the lowest identifiable cash flows reside at the enterprise level.
When we determine that the useful lives of assets are shorter than we had originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of depreciation and/or amortization over the assets’ new, shorter useful lives.
Substantially all of our property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are located in the United States.
In-process research and development-In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) assets are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets and are not subject to amortization until their useful life is determined. IPR&D assets must be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the IPR&D assets with their carrying values. If the carrying amount of the IPR&D asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of the IPR&D assets will be their new accounting basis. Subsequent reversal of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited. The initial determination and subsequent evaluation for impairment of the IPR&D asset requires management to make significant judgments and estimates. Once an IPR&D project has been completed, the useful life of the IPR&D asset is determined and amortized accordingly. If the IPR&D asset is abandoned, the remaining carrying value is written off.
Income Taxes-Deferred taxes are recognized using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Revenue Recognition-We recognize revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance for Revenue Recognition. Four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.
We derive revenue principally from the sale of our products to distributors and to OEMs or their contract manufacturers. Our delivery terms are primarily free on board (“FOB”) shipping point, at which time title and all risks of ownership are transferred to the customer.
To date, software revenue has been an immaterial portion of our net sales.
Non-distributors-For non-distributors, revenue is recognized when title to the product is transferred to the customer, which occurs upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the customer order, provided that persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, collection of the resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Provisions for returns and allowances for non-distributor customers are provided at the time product sales are recognized. Allowances for sales returns and other reserves are recorded based on historical experience or specific identification of an event necessitating an allowance.
Distributors-Agreements with our two primary distributors permit the return of 3% to 6% of their purchases during the preceding quarter for purposes of stock rotation. For one of these distributors, a scrap allowance of 1% of the preceding quarter’s purchases is permitted. We also provide discounts to certain distributors based on volume of product they sell for a specific product with a specific volume range for a given customer over a period not to exceed one year.
We recognize revenue from each of our distributors using the sell-in basis or sell-through basis, each as described below. Once adopted, the basis for revenue recognition for a distributor is maintained unless there is a change in circumstances indicating the basis for revenue recognition for that distributor is no longer appropriate.
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Sell-in Basis-Revenue is recognized upon shipment if we conclude we meet the same criteria as for non-distributors discussed above and we can reasonably estimate the credits for returns, pricing allowances and/or other concessions. We record an estimated allowance, at the time of shipment, based upon historical patterns of returns, pricing allowances and other concessions (i.e., “sell-in” basis).
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Sell-through Basis-Revenue and the related costs of sales are deferred until the resale to the end customer if we grant more than limited rights of return, pricing allowances and/or other concessions or if we cannot reasonably estimate the level of returns and credits issuable (i.e., “sell-through” basis). Under the sell-through basis, accounts receivable are recognized and inventory is relieved upon shipment to the distributor as title to the inventory is transferred upon shipment, at which point we have a legally enforceable right to collection under normal terms. The associated sales and cost of sales are deferred and are included in deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors in the consolidated balance sheet. When the related product is sold by our distributors to their end customers, at which time the ultimate price we receive is known, we recognize previously deferred income as sales and cost of sales.
Sell-through revenue recognition is highly dependent on receiving pertinent and accurate data from our distributors in a timely fashion. Distributors provide us periodic data regarding the product, price, quantity, and end customer when products are resold as well as the quantities of our products they still have in stock. We must use estimates and apply judgments to reconcile distributors’ reported inventories to their activities. Any error in our judgment could lead to inaccurate reporting of our net sales, gross profit, deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors and net income.
Mask Costs- We incur costs for the fabrication of masks to manufacture our products. If we determine the product technological feasibility has been achieved when costs are incurred, the costs will be treated as pre-production costs and capitalized as machinery and equipment under property, plant and equipment. The amount will be amortized to cost of sales over the estimated production period of the product. If product technological feasibility has not been achieved or the mask is not expected to be utilized in production manufacturing, the related mask costs are expensed to R&D when incurred. We will periodically assess capitalized mask costs for impairment. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012, total mask costs capitalized was $1.7 million and $0, respectively. The costs capitalized during March 31, 2013 will be amortized over five years.
Research and Development Expenses-Research and development costs consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, certain types of mask tooling costs, depreciation, amortization, overhead, outside contractors, facility expenses, and non-recurring engineering fees. Expenditures for research and development are charged to expense as incurred. In accordance with FASB authoritative guidance for the costs of computer software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed, certain software development costs are capitalized after technological feasibility has been established. The period from achievement of technological feasibility, which we define as the establishment of a working model, until the general availability of such software to customers, has been short, and therefore software development costs qualifying for capitalization have been insignificant. Accordingly, we have not capitalized any software development costs in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011.
We have entered into agreements under which certain R&D costs are eligible for reimbursement. Amounts reimbursed under this arrangement are offset against R&D expenses. During fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, we offset $2.0 million, $4.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of R&D expenses in connection with such agreements.
Advertising Expenses-We expense advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 were immaterial.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)-Comprehensive income (loss) includes charges or credits to equity related to changes in unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities, net of taxes. Comprehensive income (loss) for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 has been disclosed within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
Foreign Currency-The accounts of foreign subsidiaries are remeasured to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes by using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and exchange gains and losses are reported in income and expenses. These currency gains or losses are reported in interest income and other, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Monetary balance sheet accounts are remeasured using the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. For non-monetary items, the accounts are measured at the historical exchange rate. Revenues and expenses are remeasured at the average exchange rates for the period. Foreign currency transaction losses were immaterial for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers-Financial instruments potentially subjecting us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities, accounts receivable and long-term investments. The majority of our sales are derived from distributors and manufacturers in the communications, industrial, storage and computer industries. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral for sales on credit. We maintain allowances for potential credit losses, and such losses have been within management’s expectations. Charges to bad debt expense were insignificant for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011. Our policy is to invest our cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities with high credit quality financial institutions and limit the amounts invested with any one financial institution or in any type of financial instrument. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
We sell our products to distributors and OEMs throughout the world. Future Electronics, Inc. (“Future”), a related party, has been and continues to be our largest distributor. See “Note 19 - Segment and Geographic Information,” for distributors who accounted for more than 10% of net sales and accounts receivable.
Concentration of Other Risks-The majority of our products are currently fabricated by our foundry suppliers and are assembled and tested by third-party subcontractors located in Asia. A significant disruption in the operations of one or more of these subcontractors could impact the production of our products for a substantial period of time which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments-We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments by using available market information and valuation methodologies considered to be appropriate. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on estimated fair value amounts. The estimated fair value of our cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2013, April 1, 2012 and March 27, 2011 was not materially different from the carrying values due to the relatively short periods to maturity of the instruments.
Stock-Based Compensation-The estimated fair value of the equity-based awards, less expected forfeitures, is amortized over the awards’ vesting period on a straight-line basis. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires considerable judgment, including estimating expected volatility, forfeiture rate, expected term and risk-free interest rate. If factors change and we employ different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the prior years. In addition, we follow the “with-and-without” intra-period allocation approach in our tax attribute calculations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update to the authoritative guidance for comprehensive income. This update requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This update is effective in fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. As a result, we have separately presented the Statements of Comprehensive Income beginning the fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2012, which did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In July 2012, the FASB issued amended standards to simplify how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment which improve consistency in impairment testing requirements among long-lived asset categories. These amended standards permit an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. For assets in which this assessment concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than its carrying value, these amended standards eliminate the requirement to perform quantitative impairment testing as outlined in the previously issued standards. These amended standards are effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2013, the FASB issued amended standards to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income by requiring an entity to report their corresponding effect(s) on net income. These amended standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 4. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
We periodically evaluate potential strategic acquisitions to, broaden our product offering and build upon our existing library of intellectual property, human capital and engineering talent, in order to expand our capabilities in the areas in which we operate or to acquire complementary businesses.
We account for each business combination by applying the acquisition method, which requires (1) identifying the acquiree; (2) determining the acquisition date; (3) recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest we have in the acquiree at their acquisition date fair value; and (4) recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase.
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date if fair value can be determined during the measurement period. If fair value cannot be determined, we typically account for the acquired contingencies using existing guidance for a reasonable estimate.
To establish fair value, we measure the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an ordinary transaction between market participants. The measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by the market participants that would maximize the value of the asset or the group of assets within which the asset would be used at the measurement date, even if the intended use of the asset is different.
Acquisition related costs, including finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with the exception that the costs to issue debt or equity securities are recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP.
Acquisition of Altior
On March 22, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Altior Inc. (“Altior”), a developer of data management solutions in Eatontown, New Jersey. Altior’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning March 23, 2013. The pro forma effects of the portion of the Altior operations assumed through the transaction on our results of operations during fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were considered immaterial.
Consideration
The purchase consideration issued includes approximately 358,000 shares issued to the shareholders of Altior, cash payment of $1.0 million (of which $0.25 million was held back temporarily to satisfy potential indemnity claims), and additional purchase price consideration earn-outs which may be paid in the form of cash, shares or a combination thereof (not to exceed $20.0 million in aggregate) payable over the next three fiscal years contingent upon achieving certain revenue targets. The $3.7 million worth of shares issued as consideration were valued on the date of the acquisition, and the fair value of contingent earn-outs was derived using a probability-based approach on various revenue assumptions. Final determination of the earn-out liability can range from zero to $20.0 million based on the actual achievement of the revenue targets. Fair value of contingent consideration is subject to periodic revaluation and any change in the fair value of contingent consideration from the events after the acquisition date, will be recognized in earnings of the period in which the fair value changes. The probability -based approach used to fair value contingent consideration is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. The significant unobservable inputs include projected revenues, percentage probability of occurrence and a discount rate to present value the payments. The summary of the purchase consideration is as follows (in thousands):
In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the acquisition of Altior was recorded as a purchase business acquisition since Altior was a considered a business. Under the purchase method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration was allocated to assets and liabilities assumed at their fair values. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets and contingent earn-outs were derived from model-based valuations from significant unobservable inputs (“Level 3 inputs”) determined by management. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using discounted cash flow models from operating projections prepared by management using an internal rate of return ranging from 12% to 19%. The fair value of contingent earn-outs was a probability-based approach that includes significant unobservable inputs. See Note 6 -“Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Marketable Securities,” for additional details of the inputs used to determine the fair value of the contingent earn-out. The excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the fair values of net assets and liabilities acquired and identifiable intangible assets resulted in recognition of goodwill of approximately $7.2 million. The goodwill consists largely of expected synergies from combining the operations of Altior with that of Exar and is deductible over 15 years for tax purposes.
Purchase Price Allocation
The allocation of the purchase price to Altior’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed was based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
The fair value allocated to each of the major classes of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Altior acquisition was as follows (in thousands):
Acquisition Related Costs
Acquisition related costs, or deal costs, relating to Altior are included in the selling, general and administrative lines on the consolidated statement of operations for fiscal year 2013, were approximately $48,000.
Acquisition of Neterion
On March 16, 2010, we completed the acquisition of Neterion Inc. (“Neterion”), a supplier of 10 GbE controller silicon and card solutions optimized for virtualized data centers based in Sunnyvale, California. Neterion’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning March 17, 2010. On March 4, 2011, we decided to exit the data center virtualization market, and, in connection therewith, to stop development of our 10GbE network interface cards. Therefore, the results of operations of Neterion were included in our consolidated financial statements from March 17, 2010 through March 4, 2011.
Acquisition of Galazar
On June 17, 2009, we completed the acquisition of Galazar Networks, Inc. (“Galazar”), a fabless semiconductor company focused on carrier grade transport over telecom networks based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Galazar’s product portfolio addressed transport of a wide range of datacom and telecom services including Ethernet, SAN, TDM and video over SONET/SDH, PDH and OTN networks. Galazar’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning June 18, 2009. On February 1, 2012, we terminated our development efforts in connection with our pre-production OTN products. Therefore, the results of operations of Galazar were included in our consolidated financial statements from June 18, 2009 through February 1, 2012.
Acquisition of Hifn
On April 3, 2009, we completed the acquisition of hi/fn, inc. (“Hifn”), a provider of network-and storage-security and data reduction products located in Los Gatos, California. Hifn’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning April 4, 2009. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, we ceased development of our de-duplication products. (See “Note 10-Goodwill and Intangible Assets”).
NOTE 5. BALANCE SHEET DETAILS
Our property, plant and equipment consisted of the following as of the dates indicated below (in thousands):
During fiscal year 2013, we wrote off $35.9 million of fully depreciated assets.
Depreciation and amortization expense pertaining to property, plant and equipment for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $6.8 million, $8.1 million and $9.1 million, respectively.
Our inventories consisted of the following (in thousands) as of the dates indicated below:
Our other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands) as of the dates indicated below:
Our other non - current obligations consisted of the following (in thousands) as of the dates indicated:
NOTE 6. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM MARKETABLE SECURITIES
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. GAAP describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value as follows:
Level 1-Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2-Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3-Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Our cash and investment instruments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.
The fair value of contingent consideration arising from the acquisition of Altior (See “Note 4-Business Combinations”) is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy since it is based on a probability-based approach that includes significant unobservable inputs.
There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 during the year ended March 31, 2013.
Our investment assets, measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands, except for percentages):
Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
Our marketable securities include U.S. government and agency securities, state and local government securities, corporate bonds and securities, and asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. We classify investments as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and re-evaluate such designation as of each balance sheet date. We amortize premiums and accrete discounts to interest income over the life of the investment. Our available-for-sale securities, which we intend to sell as necessary to meet our liquidity requirements, are classified as cash equivalents if the maturity date is 90 days or less from the date of purchase and as short-term marketable securities if the maturity date is greater than 90 days from the date of purchase.
All marketable securities are reported at fair value based on the estimated or quoted market prices as of each balance sheet date, with unrealized gains or losses, net of tax effect, recorded in the consolidated statements of other comprehensive income except those unrealized losses that are deemed to be other than temporary which are reflected in the impairment charges on investments line item on the consolidated statements of operations.
The fair value of contingent consideration was determined based on a probability-based approach which includes projected revenues, percentage probability of occurrence and discount rate to present value the payments. A significant increase (decrease) in the projected revenue, discount rate or probability of occurrence in isolation could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.
The following table presents quantitative information about the inputs and valuation methodologies used for our fair value measurements classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2013.
Realized gains (losses) on the sale of marketable securities are determined by the specific identification method and are reflected in the interest income and other, net line item on the consolidated statements of operations.
Our net realized gains (losses) on marketable securities for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
The following table summarizes our investments in marketable securities as of the dates indicated below (in thousands):
(1)
Gross of tax impact
Our asset-backed securities are comprised primarily of premium tranches of vehicle loans and credit card receivables, while our mortgage-backed securities are primarily from Federal agencies. We do not own auction rate securities nor do we own securities that are classified as subprime. As of March 31, 2013, we have sufficient liquidity and do not intend to sell these securities to fund normal operations or realize any significant losses in the short term; however, these securities are available for use, if needed, for current operations.
Management determines the appropriate classification of cash equivalents or short-term marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification as of each balance sheet date. The investments are adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity and such accretion/amortization, which is immaterial for all periods presented, is included in the interest income and other, net line in the consolidated statements of operations. Cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities are reported at fair value with the related unrealized gains and losses included in the accumulated other comprehensive losses line in the consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2013, there was approximately $0.5 million of unrealized losses, net of tax from our Level 1 and Level 2 investments.
We periodically review our investments in unrealized loss positions for other-than-temporary impairments. This evaluation includes, but is not limited to, significant quantitative and qualitative assessments and estimates regarding credit ratings, collateralized support, the length of time and significance of a security’s loss position, our intent not to sell the security, and whether it is more likely than not that we will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. For fiscal year 2013, there were no investments identified with other-than-temporary declines in value.
In fiscal year 2010, an investment in GSAA Home Equity with a cost of $425,000 was downgraded from an AAA rating to a CCC rating. As a result of the reduction in the rating, quantitative analysis showing an increase in the default rate and decrease in prepayment rate of the investment, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $91,000 during the second quarter of fiscal year 2010. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, due to further decline in the investment, we recorded an additional other-than-temporary impairment charge of $62,000. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, we sold this investment resulting in an immaterial loss from its adjusted basis.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of cash equivalents and marketable securities classified as available-for-sale by expected maturity as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair values of our investments in an unrealized loss position as of the dates indicated below, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):
NOTE 7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION
Affiliates of Future, Alonim Investments Inc. and two of its affiliates (collectively “Alonim”), own approximately 7.6 million shares, or approximately 16%, of our outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2013. As such, Alonim is our largest stockholder.
Our sales to Future are made under a distribution agreement that provides protection against price reduction for its inventory of our products and other sales allowances that are provided to certain of our other partners. We recognize revenue on sales to Future when Future sells the products to its end customers. Future has historically accounted for a significant portion of our net sales.
Related party contributions to our total net sales were as follows for the periods indicated:
Related party receivables to our net accounts receivables were as follows as of the dates indicated below:
Related party expenses for reimbursement of promotional materials were not significant for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011.
NOTE 8. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES AND EXIT COSTS
2013 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, we recorded $0.3 million restructuring charges and exit costs and released a $0.5 million liability related to Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) with a Canadian governmental agency. In the third, second and first quarters of fiscal year 2013, we recorded restructuring charges and exit costs of $0.6 million, $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Of the total restructuring charges and exit costs recorded in fiscal year 2013, $0.3 million was reflected in cost of sales and $1.3 million was reflected in operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations.
2012 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs
In fiscal year 2012, we incurred restructuring charges and exit costs totaling $14.2 million, of which $13.9 million was recorded in the fourth quarter and $0.3 million was recorded in the first quarter. Of the total restructuring charges and exit costs, $1.3 million was reflected in cost of sales and $12.9 million was reflected in operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, we implemented and completed reductions in force of approximately 173 positions across of all company functions. This action was intended to align our cost structure with revenues, reduce spending in operations and to cease development of certain products. The reduction in headcount was primarily associated with offices located in Fremont, California; Hangzhou, China; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Raleigh, North Carolina; and San Diego, California. As part of the reduction activity, we terminated our development efforts in connection with our pre-production OTN and de-duplication products. The market for our OTN product was modest and the outlook to achieve meaningful revenue and a return on this investment was considered unlikely. As a result of the reduction activity in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, we recorded a total charge for restructuring and exit costs of $13.9 million, which included a one-time severance charge of $4.2 million, lease contract termination costs and other costs of $7.0 million, lease abandonment charges of $0.8 million and accelerated amortization and depreciation charges of $1.9 million. We paid $1.4 million of the $4.2 million one-time severance charges in fiscal year 2012.
The lease contract termination costs and other costs of $7.0 million include: (1) costs associated with the termination of certain electronic design automated license agreements consisting of the accrual of future payments of $3.9 million, and the write off of prepaid training, maintenance and license fees of $2.6 million; and (2) costs associated with a Canadian governmental agency related to the Industrial Research Assistance Program (“IRAP”) tied to continued employment obligations of $0.5 million, which was waived as of March 31, 2013.
The lease abandonment charges of $0.8 million include future lease obligations, net of estimated rental income for vacated facilities in Ottawa, Canada, San Diego, California, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Raleigh, North Carolina, for leases that expire at various dates from June 2012 to January 2015. In light of local market conditions, we estimated that one of the facilities could be sublet within 12 months.
The accelerated amortization and depreciation charges of $1.9 million include $1.7 million related to termination of OTN and de-duplication products (See “Note 10 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets”) and $0.2 million related to certain property and equipment.
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, we incurred restructuring charges and exit costs of $0.3 million, which included a one-time severance charge of $0.1 million, lease contract termination costs of $0.1 million, and inventory write-off costs of $0.1 million.
2011 Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, we decided to exit the data center virtualization market, and, in connection therewith, to stop development of our 10GbE network interface cards. We determined that the current economic and market environment did not provide the potential to deliver acceptable returns on the required investments in these products. As a result, in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 we abandoned all related development of in-process research and development. In addition, we began to actively market for sale the related assets of our 10GbE technology, consisting primarily of underlying existing and core technology intangible assets. Charges related to this decision in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 totaled approximately $11.1 million and included $7.5 million for the impairment of intangible assets, which is included within the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill line in our consolidated statements of operations, $2.1 million for the write-off of inventory, which is included within the cost of sales line in our consolidated statements of operations, and $1.2 million in severance related costs, which is included in operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations. The majority of the severance related costs were paid out in fiscal year 2011.
The intangible asset impairment charge of $7.5 million consists of $0.8 million related to the write-off of abandoned IPR&D acquired in the Neterion acquisition and $6.7 million related to the write-down of the carrying value of intangible assets that were held for sale to $0.2 million at March 27, 2011, which represented their estimated fair value less costs to sell based on third-party bids received to date. In June 2011, we completed the asset sale process and received $0.2 million, net of selling costs.
During the quarter ended December 26, 2010, we vacated our facility in Framingham, Massachusetts and recorded a restructuring reserve of $134,000 for the remaining payments owed on this site. The lease expired in November 2011.
In connection with the Neterion acquisition in March 2010, we assumed a lease obligation for a facility in Sunnyvale, California. We vacated the facility in May 2010 and recorded a restructuring reserve of approximately $234,000, during the quarter ended June 27, 2010, for the remaining payments due on this site. The lease expired in August 2011.
In connection with the acquisition of Sipex Corporation (“Sipex”) in August 2007, our management approved and initiated plans to restructure the operations of the combined company to eliminate certain duplicative activities, reduce costs and better align product and operating expenses with then current economic conditions. These costs were accounted for as liabilities assumed as part of the business combination in 2007. The costs remaining as of March 27, 2011 relate to office space in Belgium that has been vacated but is under lease until February 2012 and were $81,000. The lease expired in February 2012.
Total restructuring charges and exit costs recorded in cost of sales and operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations were $1.6 million, $14.2 million and $3.6 million for the fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Our restructuring liabilities were included in other current liabilities and other non-current obligations line items in our consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes the activities affecting the liabilities as of the dates indicated below (in thousands):
See “Note 5-Balance Sheet Details” for current and long-term portion of restructuring charges and exit costs recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012.
NOTE 9. LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
Our long-term investment consists of our investment in Skypoint Telecom Fund II (US), L.P. (“Skypoint Fund”). Skypoint Fund is a venture capital fund that invested primarily in private companies in the telecommunications and/or networking industries. We account for this non-marketable equity investment under the cost method. We periodically review and determine whether the investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, in which case the investment is written down to its impaired value.
As of the dates indicated below, our long-term investment balance, which is included in the “Other non-current assets” line item on the consolidated balance sheets was as follows (in thousands):
The carrying amount of $1.3 million as of March 31, 2013 reflects the net of the capital contributions, capital distributions and cumulative impairment charges. We have made $4.8 million in capital contributions to Skypoint Fund since we became a limited partner in July 2001. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, we contributed $15,000 to the fund and the limited partners of the Skypoint Fund agreed to extend the term of the Skypoint Fund for one additional year. As of March 31, 2013, we do not have any further capital commitments.
In the third quarter of fiscal year 2012, Skypoint Fund informed us of the sale of one of the portfolio companies in the fund. Our distribution from the sale is approximately $404,000, of which $76,000 will be held in escrow until May 18, 2013. In accordance with the standard related to accounting for cost method investments, we recorded the distributions on the cost basis and reduced the carrying value of our investment in the Skypoint Fund.
Impairment
We evaluate our long-term investment for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year by comparing the carrying amount to the fair value of the underlying investments. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, long term-investment is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. We analyzed the fair value of the underlying investments of Skypoint Fund and as a result, no impairment was recorded for fiscal year 2013, 2012 or 2011.
NOTE 10. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
Goodwill- Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We conduct our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performances, results of our operations and comparability of our market capitalization and net book value will be used. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Because we have one reporting unit, we utilize an entity-wide approach to assess goodwill for impairment.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, we conducted our annual impairment. As of the test date and as of year-end, and before consideration of a control premium, the fair value, which was estimated as our market capitalization, exceeded the carrying value of our net assets. As a result, no impairment was recorded for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
Intangible Assets
Our purchased intangible assets as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
Long-lived assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives. Existing technology is amortized over two to seven years. Patents/core technology is amortized over five to six years. Distributor relationships are amortized over six years. Customer relationships are amortized over six to seven years and tradenames/trademarks are amortized over three years. We evaluate the remaining useful life of our long-lived assets that are being amortized each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the long-lived asset is amortized prospectively over the remaining useful life. Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an indicator of impairment exists, we compare the carrying value of long-lived assets to our projection of future undiscounted cash flows attributable to such assets and, in the event that the carrying value exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows, we record an impairment charge equal to the excess of the carrying value over the asset’s fair value. Although the assumptions used in projecting future revenues and gross margins are consistent with those used in our annual strategic planning process, intangible asset impairment charges might be required in future periods if our assumptions are not achieved.
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, we sold certain patents for $500,000 and recorded a gain of approximately $223,000.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 we exited the OTN market, and, in connection therewith, stopped development of our OTN products. We also ceased development of our de-duplication products. In both instances, we determined that the current economic and market environment did not provide the potential to deliver acceptable returns on the required investments. As a result, in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, we expensed the costs for the related IPR&D and intangible assets. We recorded total charges of $1.7 million in restructuring charges and exit costs line item in our consolidated statements of operations.
The intangible asset charges related to the exiting of the OTN and de-duplication products of $1.7 million consists of $0.3 million write-off of the IPR&D acquired from Galazar, $1.1 million of amortization of purchased intangible assets related to the OTN products acquired from Galazar and $0.3 million amortization of the existing technology acquired from Hifn. See “Note 8-Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs.”
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, we exited the data center virtualization market, and, in connection therewith, discontinued development of our 10GbE network interface cards. We determined that the current economic and market environment did not provide the potential to deliver acceptable returns on the required investments in these products. As a result, in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 we abandoned all related in-process research and development. In addition, we began to actively market for sale the related assets of our 10GbE technology, consisting primarily of underlying existing and core technology intangible assets. Charges related to this decision in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 included $7.5 million for the impairment of intangible assets, which is included within the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill line in our consolidated statements of operations.
The intangible asset impairment charge of $7.5 million consists of $0.8 million to the write-off abandoned IPR&D acquired in the Neterion acquisition and $6.7 million to write-down the carrying value of intangible assets that were held for sale to $0.2 million at March 27, 2011, which represented their estimated fair value less costs to sell based on third-party bids received as of that date. In June 2011, we completed the asset sale process and received $0.2 million, net of selling costs.
The aggregate amortization expenses for our purchased intangible assets for fiscal years indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
The total future amortization expenses for our purchased intangible assets are summarized below (in thousands):
NOTE 11. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic net income (loss) per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if outstanding stock options or warrants to purchase common stock were exercised for common stock, using the treasury stock method, and the common stock underlying outstanding restricted stock units (“RSUs”) were issued.
The following table summarizes our net income (loss) per share for the fiscal years indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
All outstanding stock options and RSUs are potentially dilutive securities. As of March 31, 2013, stock options, warrants to purchase common stock and RSUs of 2.2 million were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because they were determined to be anti-dilutive. For fiscal years 2012 and 2011, all shares attributable to outstanding options and RSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share, as inclusion of such shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect. Accordingly, basic and diluted net loss per share were the same in each period presented.
In connection with the Sipex acquisition in August 2007, we assumed warrants with a fair value of $1.5 million on the date of acquisition, which enable the holders to purchase a total of approximately 280,000 shares of our common stock. The warrants were exercisable at any time for shares of our common stock at an initial exercise price of $9.63 per share, subject to adjustment upon certain events. The warrants expired unexercised on May 18, 2011.
NOTE 12. COMMON STOCK REPURCHASES
From time to time, we acquire outstanding common stock in the open market to partially offset dilution from our equity award programs and to bring our cash to a more appropriate level for our company.
On August 28, 2007, we announced the approval of a share repurchase plan (“2007 SRP”), which authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million of our common stock.
As of March 27, 2011, we had purchased shares valued at $88.2 million under the 2007 SRP. During fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, we did not repurchase any shares under the 2007 SRP. As of March 31, 2013, the remaining authorized amount for the stock repurchase under the 2007 SRP was $11.8 million. The 2007 SRP does not have a termination date. We may continue to utilize our 2007 SRP, which would reduce our cash, cash equivalents and/or short-term marketable securities available to fund future operations and to meet other liquidity requirements.
NOTE 13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Exar Savings Plan
The Exar Savings Plan, as amended and restated, covers our eligible U.S. employees. The Exar Savings Plan provides for voluntary salary reduction contributions in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code as well as matching contributions from the company based on the achievement of specified operating results.
Our matching contributions to the plan for the fiscal years indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
Executive and Employee Incentive Compensation Programs
Our incentive compensation programs provide for incentive awards for substantially all employees based on the achievement of personal objectives and our operating performance results. Our incentive compensation programs may be amended or discontinued at the discretion of our board of directors.
Our paid and unpaid incentive compensation for the fiscal years indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
NOTE 14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Employee Stock Participation Plan (“ESPP”)
Our ESPP permits employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions at a purchase price that is equal to 95% of our common stock price on the last trading day of each three-calendar-month offering period. Our ESPP is non-compensatory.
The following table summarizes our ESPP transactions during the fiscal periods presented (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Equity Incentive Plans
We currently have two equity incentive plans, in which shares are available for future issuance, the Exar Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) and the Sipex Corporation (“Sipex”) 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Sipex Plan”), the latter of which was assumed in connection with the August 2007 acquisition of Sipex.
The 2006 Plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock bonuses and other forms of awards granted or denominated in common stock or units of common stock, as well as cash bonus awards. RSUs granted under the 2006 Plan are counted against authorized shares available for future issuance on a basis of two shares for every RSU issued. The 2006 Plan allows for performance-based vesting and partial vesting based upon level of performance. Grants under the Sipex Plans are only available to former Sipex employees or employees of Exar hired after the Sipex acquisition. At our annual meeting on September 15, 2010, our stockholders approved an amendment to the 2006 Plan to increase the aggregate share limit under the 2006 Plan by an additional 5.5 million shares to 8.3 million shares. At March 31, 2013, there were 4.0 million shares available for future grant under all our equity incentive plans.
The following table summarizes information about our stock options outstanding at March 31, 2013:
Stock Option Activities
A summary of stock option transactions during the periods indicated below for all stock option plans was as follows:
The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value, which is based on the closing price of our common stock of $10.50, $8.40 and $6.08 as of March 31, 2013, April 1, 2012 and March 27, 2011, respectively. These are the values which would have been received by option holders if all option holders exercised their options on that date.
In January 2012, we granted 480,000 performance-based stock options to our Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (“CEO”). The options are scheduled to vest in four equal annual installments at the end of fiscal years 2013 through 2016 if certain predetermined financial measures are met. If the financial measures are not met, each installment will be rolled over to the subsequent fiscal year for vesting except for the last installment. If the financial measures are not met for two consecutive years, the options will be forfeited except for the last installment which will be forfeited at the end of fiscal year 2016. We recorded $260,000 and $65,000 of compensation expense for these options in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Options exercised for the fiscal years indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
RSUs
We issue RSUs to employees and non-employee directors. RSUs generally vest on the first or third anniversary date from the grant date. Prior to vesting, RSUs do not have dividend equivalent rights, do not have voting rights and the shares underlying the RSUs are not considered issued and outstanding. Shares are issued on the date the RSUs vest.
A summary of RSU transactions during the periods indicated for all stock option plans is as follows:
The aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs represents the closing price per share of our common stock at the end of the periods presented, multiplied by the number of unvested RSUs or the number of vested and expected to vest RSUs, as applicable, at the end of each period.
For RSUs, stock-based compensation expense was calculated based on our stock price on the date of grant, multiplied by the number of RSUs granted. The grant date fair value of RSUs less estimated forfeitures was recognized on a straight-line basis, over the vesting period.
In July 2009, we granted performance-based RSUs covering 99,000 shares to certain executives, issuable upon meeting certain performance targets in fiscal year 2010 and vesting annually over a three year period beginning July 1, 2010. The annual vesting requires continued service through each annual vesting date. In fiscal year 2012, we recognized approximately $19,000 of compensation expense related to these awards, net of forfeitures. The awards were fully vested in fiscal year 2012, and no expense was recorded in fiscal year 2013.
In March 2012, we granted 300,000 performance-based RSUs to our CEO. The RSUs are scheduled to start vesting in three equal installments at the end of fiscal year 2013 through 2015 with three year vesting periods if certain predetermined financial measures are met. If the financial measures are not met, each installment will be forfeited at the end of its respective fiscal year. In fiscal years 2013 and 2012, we recorded $448,000 and $48,000 compensation expense, respectively for these awards.
In April 2012, we granted 29,000 bonus RSUs to our CEO. The RSUs vest 50% on the date that is six months after the commencement of the fiscal year 2013 and 50% on the last day of fiscal year 2013. In fiscal year 2013, we recorded $250,000, of compensation expense for these awards.
In June 2012, we announced the Fiscal Year 2013 Executive Management Incentive Program (“2013 Incentive Program”). Under this program, each participant’s award is denominated in stock and subject to achievement of certain financial performance goals and the participant’s annual Management by Objective goals. In fiscal year 2013, we recorded $1.2 million of stock compensation expense related to the 2013 Incentive Program as a result of achieving performance at various levels.
Stock-Based Compensation Expenses
Valuation Assumptions
The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation represent our estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgments which include the expected term of the share-based awards, stock price volatility and forfeiture rates. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.
Valuation Method-we compute the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
Expected Term-we estimate the expected life of options granted based on historical exercise and post-vest cancellation patterns, which we believe are representative of future behavior.
Volatility-our expected volatility is based on historical data of the market closing price for our common stock as reported by NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “EXAR” and the expected term of our stock options.
Risk-Free Interest Rate-the risk-free interest rate assumption is based on the observed interest rate of the U.S. Treasury appropriate for the expected term of the option to be valued.
Dividend Yield-we do not currently pay dividends and have no plans to do so in the future. Therefore, we have assumed a dividend yield of zero.
We used the following weighted average assumptions to calculate the fair values of options granted during the fiscal years presented below:
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and RSUs during the fiscal years presented below (in thousands):
The amount of stock-based compensation cost capitalized in inventory was immaterial at each of the fiscal years presented.
During fiscal year 2012, we modified stock options and performance-based RSUs held by our then current CEO upon his termination to accelerate the vesting of any portion of each equity award that was scheduled to vest on or within 12 months after November 7, 2011 (the “Severance Date”) and to exercise the vested portion of stock options on or within twelve months after the Severance Date, which is in accordance with the separation agreement. As a result of the modifications in fiscal year 2012, we recorded additional stock-based compensation expense of approximately $114,000.
Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The following table summarizes unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and RSUs for the fiscal years indicated below as follows:
Option Exchange Program
On October 23, 2008, we commenced a tender offer (the “Offer”) and filed a Schedule TO with the SEC pursuant to which holders of options with exercise prices equal to or greater than $11.00 per share and an expiration date after March 31, 2009 could tender their options in exchange for RSUs awards. The exchange ratio of shares subject to such eligible options to shares subject to new awards issued was 4-to-1, 5-to-1 or 6-to-1, depending on the exercise price of the option being exchanged. New awards received in exchange for eligible options are subject to a two-year vesting schedule with 50% vesting at each anniversary of the grant date.
Pursuant to the Offer, 242 eligible participants tendered, and we accepted for exchange, options to purchase an aggregate of 1,650,231 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 94% of the 1,755,691 shares subject to options that were eligible to be exchanged in the Offer as of the commencement of the Offer on October 23, 2008. On November 24, 2008, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Exchange Certain Outstanding Options for Restricted Stock Units, filed as an exhibit to the Schedule TO, we issued RSU awards covering an aggregate of 344,020 shares of our common stock in exchange for the options surrendered pursuant to the Offer.
The new awards were granted with a price of $6.51 per share, the closing price of our common stock on November 24, 2008 as reported on NASDAQ. The fair value of the options exchanged was measured as the total of the unrecognized compensation cost of the original options tendered and the incremental compensation cost of the RSUs awarded on November 24, 2008, the date of exchange. The incremental compensation cost of $1.2 million, was measured as the excess of the fair value of the RSUs over the fair value of the options immediately before cancellation based on the share price and other pertinent factors at that date. The amount was amortized over the two year service period. Such incremental stock-based compensation expense recorded for the fiscal years indicated below were as follow (in thousands):
NOTE 15. LEASE FINANCING OBLIGATION
We leased Hillview Facility from Mission West Properties, L.P. in August 2007. We had accounted for this sale and leaseback transaction as a financing transaction, which is included in the long-term lease financing obligations line item on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 27, 2011. The effective interest rate was 8.2%. At the end of the lease term, March 31, 2011, the terminal value of the lease of $12.2 million was settled in a non-cash transaction with the expiration of the Hillview Facility lease.
Depreciation expense for the Hillview Facility recorded over the straight-line method for the remaining useful life for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
The former Hillview Facility, which we originally leased from Mission West Properties, L.P. as part of a sale-leaseback transaction, was sublet in April 2008. The sublease expired on March 31, 2011. There was no sublease income for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 whereas fiscal year 2011 included sublease income of $1.4 million.
We have acquired engineering Design Tools under capital leases. We acquired Design Tools of $0.9 million in July 2012 under a three-year license, $4.5 million in December 2011 under a three-year license, $5.8 million in October 2011 under a three-year license, $1.0 million in June 2010 under a three-year license, $1.3 million in December 2009 under a 28-month license, and $1.1 million in July 2009 under a three-year license, all of which were accounted for as capital leases and recorded in the property, plant and equipment, net line item in the consolidated balance sheets. The obligations related to the Design Tools were included in other current liabilities and long-term lease financing obligations in our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012, respectively. The effective interest rates for the Design Tools range from 2.0% to 7.25%.
Amortization expense related to the Design Tools, which was recorded using the straight-line method over the remaining useful life for the periods indicated below was as follows (in thousands):
Future minimum lease and sublease income payments for the lease financing obligations as of March 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
Lease financing
Interest expense for the Hillview Facility and Design Tools lease financing obligations for the periods indicated were as follow (in thousands):
In the course of our business, we enter into arrangements accounted for as operating leases related to the licensing of engineering design software and the rental of office space. Rent expenses for all operating leases for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
Our future minimum lease payments for the lease operating obligations as of March 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
Operating lease
NOTE 16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In 1986, Micro Power Systems Inc. (“MPSI”), a subsidiary that we acquired in June 1994, identified low-level groundwater contamination at its principal manufacturing site. The area and extent of the contamination appear to have been defined. MPSI previously reached an agreement with a prior tenant to share in the cost of ongoing site investigations and the operation of remedial systems to remove subsurface chemicals and well closure activities. In April 2012, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board approved our application for low-threat closure and rescinded the previous cleanup order. All monitoring well closure activities on adjacent/neighboring sites have been completed. Discussions with the current property owner regarding access indemnity and a deed restriction agreement are ongoing.
Outstanding liabilities for remediation activities, net of payments consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):
In early 2012, we received correspondences from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (“DTSC”) regarding its ongoing investigation of hazardous wastes and hazardous waste constituents at a former regulated treatment facility in San Jose, California. In 1985, MPSI made two separate permitted hazmat deliveries to the regulated site for treatment. DTSC has requested that former/current property owners and companies currently in excess of 50 that had hazardous waste treated at the site participate in further assessment and remediation activities. We have entered into various agreements with other named generators, former property owners and DTSC limited to the investigation of the sites condition and evaluation and selection of appropriate remedial measures. Given that this matter is in the early stages of investigation and discussions are ongoing, we are unable to ascertain our exposure, if any.
In a letter dated March 27, 2012, Exar was notified by the Alameda County Water District (“ACWD”) of the recent detection of volatile organic compounds at a site adjacent to a facility that was previously owned and occupied by Sipex. The letter was also addressed to prior and current property owners and tenants (collectively “Property Owners”). ACWD requested that the property owners carry out further site investigation activities to determine if the detected compounds are emanating from the site or simply flowing under it. In June 2012, the Property Owners filed with ACWD a report of its investigation/characterization activities and analytical data obtained. Accumulated data suggests that compounds of concern in groundwater appear to be from an offsite source. ACWD is now investigating alternative upgradient sites. Given that this matter is in the early stages of investigation and discussions are ongoing, we are unable to ascertain our exposure, if any.
Generally, we warrant all custom products and application specific products, including cards and boards, against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months, and occasionally we may provide an extended warranty from the delivery date. We warrant all of our standard products against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 90 days from the date of delivery. Reserve requirements are recorded in the period of sale and are based on an assessment of the products sold with warranty, historical warranty costs incurred and customer/product specific circumstances. Our liability is generally limited to, at our option, to replacing, repairing, or issuing a credit (if it has been paid for). Generally, our warranty does not cover damage which results from accident, misuse, abuse, improper line voltage, fire, flood, lightning or other damage resulting from modifications, repairs or alterations performed other than by us, or resulting from failure to comply with our written operating and maintenance instructions. Warranty expense has historically been immaterial for our products. The warranty liabilities related to our product sales as of March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012 were immaterial.
In the ordinary course of business, we may provide for indemnification of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners, purchasers of assets or subsidiaries, and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of our breach of agreements or representations and warranties made by us, services to be provided by us, intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties or, matters related to our conduct of the business. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our executive officers that will require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or executive officers. We maintain director and officer liability insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from our obligation to indemnify our directors and officers, and former directors and officers of acquired companies, in certain circumstances.
It is not possible to determine the aggregate maximum potential loss under these indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement and claims. Such indemnification agreements might not be subject to maximum loss clauses. Historically, we have not incurred material costs as a result of obligations under these agreements and we have not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in our consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 17. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On August 2, 2011, a lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of California in the County of Santa Clara by Mission West Properties, L.P. (“Mission West”), the lessor for the Hillview Facility, located at 233 South Hillview Drive, Milpitas, California, which named us as a defendant (Santa Clara County Superior Court case No. 1-11-CV-206456) (“Action”). The lawsuit asserted various monetary and equitable claims, but essentially sought recovery of remediation and restoration costs associated with our lease of the Hillview Facility. We disputed liability and damages in connection with claims asserted by Mission West.
On April 9, 2013, we entered into a Settlement Agreement and Full Mutual General Release (herein “Agreement and Release”) with Mission West and a related entity Mission West Liquidating Trust (collectively, the “Mission West Entities”), and Kovio to settle this litigation. We agreed to pay $2,412,088 to the Mission West Entities within thirty (30) days of execution of the Agreement and Release and allow the Mission West Entities to retain our security deposit of $242,682. We made this settlement payment on May 3, 2013. Kovio also agreed to pay $345,230 to the Mission West Entities. We agreed to return to Kovio a security deposit in the amount of $314,929, which we have done on April 15, 2013. Following the payments by Exar and Kovio, Mission West’s Complaint and our Cross-Complaint in the Action were dismissed with prejudice on May 13, 2013. The parties agreed to bear their own attorney’s fees and costs. The Agreement and Release contains mutual releases whereby the Mission West Entities, Exar, and Kovio each agreed to release each other from all claims, known and unknown, arising out of, in connection with, or relating to the Action or the events or incidents referred to in the pleadings in the Action. The parties agreed that the Agreement and Release is intended solely as a compromise of disputed claims, was entered into to avoid the uncertainties and costs associated with litigation, and is not an admission of liability by any party. As of March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012, we accrued $3.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for a dispute resolution and related subtenant deposit liabilities which were recorded in other current liabilities line in the consolidated balance sheets.
From time to time, we are involved in various claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the normal course of business. We are not a named party to any other currently ongoing lawsuit or formal proceeding that, in the opinion of our management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 18. INCOME TAXES
The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes as of the dates indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
Foreign income included in consolidated pre-tax income for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
Undistributed earnings of $6.3 million of our foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no provision for federal and state income taxes have been provided thereon. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of a dividend or otherwise, we would be subject to both United States income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries.
Significant components of our net deferred taxes are as follows as of the dates indicated (in thousands):
The valuation allowance decreased $6.7 million and increased $13.9 million and $23.5 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Reconciliations of the income tax provision at the statutory rate to our provision for (benefit from) income tax are as follows as of the dates indicated (in thousands):
As of March 31, 2013, our federal, state and Canada net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes were as follow (in thousands):
If not utilized, some of the federal net operating loss carryovers will begin expiring in fiscal year 2019, while the state net operating losses will begin to expire in fiscal year 2015. As of March 31, 2013, our Canadian net operating loss carryforward deferred tax asset was approximately $4.3 million. The Canadian net operating loss carryovers will begin expiring in fiscal year 2026, if not utilized.
As of March 31, 2013, our federal, state and Canada tax credit carryforwards, net of reserves, were as follows (in thousands):
Federal tax credits will begin to expire in fiscal year 2019. State tax credits are carried forward indefinitely. The Canadian tax credits will begin to expire in fiscal year 2014.
Utilization of these federal and state net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to a substantial annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and similar state provisions.
We have evaluated our deferred tax assets and concluded that a valuation allowance is required for that portion of the total deferred tax assets that are not considered more likely than not to be realized in future periods. To the extent that the deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance become realizable in future periods, we will have the ability, subject to carryforward limitations, to benefit from these amounts. Approximately $7.5 million of these deferred tax assets pertain to certain net operating loss and credit carryforwards that resulted from the exercise of employee stock options. When recognized, the tax benefit of these carryforwards is accounted for as a credit to additional paid-in capital rather than a reduction of the income tax provision.
Uncertain Income Tax Benefits
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the unrecognized tax benefits during the tax year ended March 31, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
Of the total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $15.5 million as of March 31, 2013, $12.9 million, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate before consideration of valuation allowance.
The total unrecognized gross tax benefits were as follow as of the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1)
Included in other non-current obligations line item in consolidated balance sheet.
We believe that it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to the resolution of income tax matters could be reduced by approximately $1.4 million during the next 12 months as the statute of limitations expire.
Estimated interest and penalties related to the underpayment of income taxes were classified as a component of the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and penalties consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):
Our major tax jurisdictions are the United States federal and various states, Canada, China and certain other foreign jurisdictions. The fiscal years 2003 through 2012 remain open and subject to examinations by the appropriate governmental agencies in the United States and certain of our foreign jurisdictions.
On November 6, 2012, California passed Proposition 39, which mandates most taxpayers to apportion their California income by using a single sales factor and requires all taxpayers to use market-based sourcing for sale receipts for tax years beginning or after January 1, 2013. The enacted law will impact Exar during fiscal year 2014.
On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, which includes retroactive extension of the research credit from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. This enacted tax law will result in an increase in Exar’s gross deferred tax asset by approximately $0.1 million, offset by a valuation allowance during the annual tax provision of 2013.
NOTE 19. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
We operate in one reportable segment, which is comprised of one operating segment. We design, develop and market high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and advanced sub-system solutions for the Networking & Storage, Industrial & Embedded Systems, and Communications Infrastructure markets. Our product portfolio includes power management and connectivity components, communications products, and data compression and storage solutions.
Our net sales by product lines were summarized as follows as of the dates indicated below (in thousands):
Our net sales by end market were summarized as follows as of the dates indicated below (in thousands):
Our foreign operations are conducted primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Our principal markets include North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Net sales by geographic areas represent direct sales principally to original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”), or their designated subcontract manufacturers, and to distributors (affiliated and unaffiliated) who buy our products and resell to their customers.
Our net sales by geographic area for the periods indicated below were as follows (in thousands):
Substantially all of our long-lived assets at March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012 were located in the United States.
The following distributors accounted for 10% or more of our net sales in the fiscal years indicated below:
*
Net sales for this distributor for this period were less than 10% of our net sales.
No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of the net sales in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The following distributors accounted for 10% or more of our net accounts receivable as of the dates indicated below:
No other distributor or customer accounted for 10% or more of the net accounts receivable as of March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012, respectively.
NOTE 20. ALLOWANCES FOR SALES RETURNS AND DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
We had the following activities for the allowance for sales returns and allowance and for doubtful accounts as the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1)
Utilization amounts within allowance for sales returns reflect credits issued to distributors for stock rotations and volume discounts.
NOTE 21. SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
The following table contains selected unaudited quarterly financial data for fiscal years 2013 and 2012. In the opinion of management, this unaudited information has been prepared on the same basis as the audited information and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly the information set forth therein. Results for a given quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any subsequent quarter (in thousands, except per share data). Net income (loss) per share for the four quarters of each fiscal year may not sum to the total for the fiscal year, because of the different number of shares outstanding during each period.
*
Amount presented includes a $741,000 stock-based compensation adjustment. See Note 2 -“Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements.” for detail.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures (“Disclosure Controls”)
Disclosure Controls, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods as specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. In addition, Disclosure Controls are designed to ensure the accumulation and communication of information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive officer) (the “CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial and accounting officer) (the “CFO”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
We evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Disclosure Controls, as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC (the “Evaluation”), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. This Evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our CEO, as principal executive officer, and CFO, as principal financial officer.
Attached as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 of this Annual Report are the certifications of the CEO and the CFO, respectively, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Certifications”). This section of the Annual Report provides information concerning the Evaluation referred to in the Certifications and should be read in conjunction with the Certifications.
Based on the Evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our Disclosure Controls are effective as of the end of fiscal year 2013.
Inherent Limitations on the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls
Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. Disclosure Controls, no matter how well conceived, managed, utilized and monitored, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of such controls are met. Therefore, because of the inherent limitation of Disclosure Controls, no evaluation of such controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within us have been detected.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Management conducted an assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013 based on the framework established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of March 31, 2013, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance, and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013 has been audited by BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included in this Annual Report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance and Board Matters,” “Executive Compensation Matters” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our Definitive Proxy Statement in connection with our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“2013 Definitive Proxy Statement”) which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after March 31, 2013.
Executive Officers
A listing of Executive Officers of Exar and certain other information required by Item 10 with respect to our executive officers is set forth under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I, Item 1 of this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Ethics for Principal Executives, Executive Management and Senior Financial Officers, a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and a Financial Integrity Compliance Policy. These documents can be found on our website: www.exar.com . We will post any amendments to the codes and policy, as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the NASDAQ on our website, or by filing a Current Report on Form 8-K. Hard copies can be obtained free of charge by submitting a written request to:
Exar Corporation
48720 Kato Road
Fremont, California 94538
Attn: Investor Relations, M/S 210
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation” in our 2013 Definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item is set forth under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our 2013 Definitive Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item is set forth under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” in our 2013 Definitive Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item is set forth under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our 2013 Definitive Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
(1) All Financial Statements. The financial statements of the Company are included herein as required in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report. See Index to Financial Statements on page 48.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 20-Allowance for Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts.” Schedules not listed have been omitted because information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits. See Part IV, Item 15(b) below.
(b) The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index, which follows the signature page to this Annual Report, are filed or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
EXAR CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Louis DiNardo
Louis DiNardo
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: June 12, 2013
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Louis DiNardo and Ryan A. Benton, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their or his substitute or substituted, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
EXHIBIT INDEX
*
Indicates management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.
**
Filed herewith.
***
Furnished herewith.
+
Related forms of Stock Option Grant and Exercise filed as part of an exhibit to Exar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.