ITEM 1. BUSINESS
National Instruments Corporation (“we” or “our”) is a leading supplier of measurement and automation products that engineers and scientists use in a wide range of industries. These industries comprise a large and diverse market for design, control and test applications. We provide flexible application software and modular, multifunction hardware that users combine with industry-standard computers, networks and third party devices to create measurement, automation and embedded systems, which we also refer to as “virtual instruments.” Our approach gives customers the ability to quickly and cost-effectively design, prototype and deploy unique custom-defined solutions for their design, control and test application needs.
We are based in Austin, Texas and were incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas in May 1976 and were reincorporated in Delaware in June 1994. On March 13, 1995, we completed an initial public offering of shares of our common stock. Our common stock, $0.01 par value, is quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the trading symbol NATI.
Our Internet website address is http://www.ni.com. Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available through our Internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our Internet website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Industry Background
Engineers and scientists have long used instruments to observe, better understand and manage the real-world phenomena, events and processes related to their industries or areas of expertise. Instruments measure and control electrical signals, such as voltage, current and power, as well as physical phenomena, such as temperature, pressure, speed, flow, volume, torque and vibration. Common general-purpose instruments include voltmeters, signal generators, oscilloscopes, dataloggers, spectrum analyzers, cameras, and temperature and pressure monitors and controllers. Some traditional instruments are also highly application specific, designed to measure specific signals for particular vertical industries or applications. Instruments used for industrial automation applications include data loggers, strip chart recorders, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and proprietary turn-key devices and/or systems designed to automate specific vertical applications. Measurement and control functionality is also used in a variety of embedded and/or real-time applications, such as machine monitoring, machine control, and embedded design and prototyping.
Measurement and automation applications can be generally categorized as either test and measurement (“T&M”) or industrial/embedded. T&M applications generally involve testing during the research, design, manufacture and service of a wide variety of products. Industrial/embedded applications generally involve designing, prototyping and deploying the machinery and processes used in the production and distribution of a wide variety of products and materials.
Instruments and systems for design, control, and test applications have historically shared common limitations, including: fixed, vendor-defined functionality; proprietary, closed architectures that were generally difficult to program and integrate with other systems; and inflexible operator interfaces that were usually cumbersome to operate and change. Proprietary instrumentation systems have traditionally been very expensive, with industrial/embedded system prices ranging as high as several million dollars and T&M instrumentation system prices often ranging in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition, the limitations on programmability of traditional systems means that adapting these systems to changing requirements can be both expensive and time consuming, and users are often required to purchase multiple single-purpose instruments.
Our Approach to Measurement and Automation
A virtual instrument is a user-defined measurement and automation system that consists of an industry standard computer (which may be a mainstream general-purpose computer, workstation, handheld PDA device, or a version of an industry standard computer, workstation, or handheld PDA that is specially designed and packaged for harsh industrial or embedded environments) equipped with our user-friendly application software, cost-effective hardware and driver software. Virtual instrumentation represents a fundamental shift from traditional hardware-centered instrumentation systems to software-centered systems that exploit the computational, display, productivity and connectivity capabilities of computers, networks and the Internet. Because virtual instruments exploit these computation, connectivity, and display capabilities, users can define and change the functionality of their instruments, rather than being restricted by fixed-functions imposed by traditional instrument and automation vendors. Our products empower users to monitor and control traditional instruments, create innovative computer-based systems that can replace traditional instruments at a lower cost, and develop systems that integrate measurement functionality together with industrial and embedded capabilities. We believe that giving users flexibility to create their own user-defined virtual instruments for an increasing number of applications in a wide variety of industries, and letting users leverage the latest technologies from computers, networking and communications shortens system development time and reduces both the short- and long-term costs of developing, owning and operating measurement and automation systems, and improves the efficiency and precision of applications spanning research, design, production and service.
Compared with traditional solutions, we believe our products and computer-based, virtual instrumentation approach provide the following significant customer benefits:
Performance, Ease-of-Use and Efficiency
Our virtual instrument application software brings the power and ease-of-use of computers, PDAs, networks and the Internet to instrumentation. With features such as graphical programming, automatic code generation capabilities, graphical tools libraries, ready-to-use example programs, libraries of specific instrumentation functions, and the ability to deploy their applications on a range of platforms, users can quickly build a virtual instrument system that meets their individual application needs. In addition, the continuous improvement in performance of PC and networking technologies, which are the core platform for our approach, results in direct performance benefits for virtual instrument users in the form of faster execution for software-based measurement and automation applications, resulting in shorter test times, faster automation, and higher manufacturing throughput.
Modularity, Reusability and Reconfigurability
Our products include reusable hardware and software modules that offer considerable flexibility in configuring systems. This ability to reuse and reconfigure measurement and automation systems allows users to reduce development time and improve efficiency by eliminating duplicated programming efforts and to quickly adapt their systems to new and changing needs. In addition, these features help protect both hardware and software investments against obsolescence.
Lower Total Solution Cost
We believe that our products and solutions offer price/performance advantages over traditional solutions. Virtual instrumentation provides users the ability to utilize industry standard computers and workstations, portable PDAs and other handheld devices, as well as ruggedized industrial computers equipped with modular and reusable application software, cost-effective hardware and driver software that together perform the functions that would otherwise be performed by costly, proprietary systems. In addition, virtual instrumentation gives users the flexibility and portability to adapt to changing needs, whereas traditional closed systems are both expensive and time consuming to adapt, if adaptable at all.
Products and Technology
We offer an extensive line of measurement and automation products. Our products consist of application software, and hardware components together with related driver software. Our products are designed to work either in an integrated solution or separately; however, customers generally purchase our software and hardware together. We believe that the flexibility, functionality and ease of use of our application software promotes sales of our other software and hardware products.
Application Software
We believe that application software is playing an increasingly important role in the development of computer-based instruments and systems in measurement and automation applications. Our application software products leverage the increasing capability of computers, networks and the Internet for data analysis, connectivity and presentation power to bring increasing efficiency and precision to measurement and automation applications. Our application software products include LabVIEW, LabVIEW Real-Time, LabVIEW FPGA, Measurement Studio, LabWindows/CVI, DIAdem, TestStand, and Multisim. Our application software products are integrated with our hardware/driver software.
We offer a variety of software products for developing measurement and automation applications to meet the different programming and computer preferences of our customers. LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and Measurement Studio are programming environments with which users can develop graphical user interfaces (“GUIs”), control instruments, and acquire, analyze and present data. With these software products, users can design custom virtual instruments by creating a GUI on the computer screen through which they operate the actual program and control selected hardware. Users can customize front panels with knobs, buttons, dials and graphs to emulate control panels of instruments or add custom graphics to visually represent the control and operation of processes. LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and Measurement Studio also have ready-to-use libraries for controlling thousands of programmable instruments, including our hardware products, as well as traditional serial, General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), VME extensions for instrumentation (VXI), Ethernet and USB measurement and automation devices from other vendors.
The principal difference between LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and Measurement Studio is in the way users develop programs. With LabVIEW, users program graphically, developing application programs by connecting icons to create “block diagrams” which are natural design notations for scientists and engineers. With LabVIEW Real-Time, the user’s application program can be easily configured to execute using a real-time operating system kernel instead of the Windows operating system, which allows users to easily build virtual instrument solutions for mission-critical applications that require highly reliable operation. In addition, with LabVIEW Real-Time, users can easily configure their programs to execute remotely on embedded processors inside PXI systems, on embedded processors inside Fieldpoint distributed I/O systems, or on processors embedded on plug-in PC data acquisition boards. With LabVIEW FPGA, the user’s application can be configured to execute directly in silicon via a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) residing on one of our reconfigurable I/O hardware products. LabVIEW FPGA allows users to easily build their own highly specialized, custom hardware devices for ultra high-performance requirements or for unique or proprietary measurement or control protocols. With LabWindows/CVI, users program using the conventional, text-based language of C. Measurement Studio consists of measurement and automation add-on libraries and additional tools for programmers that use Microsoft’s Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual C#, and Visual Studio.NET development environments.
We offer a software product called TestStand targeted for T&M applications in a manufacturing environment. TestStand is a test management environment for organizing, controlling, and running automated production test systems on the factory floor. It also generates customized test reports and integrates product and test data across the customers’ enterprise and across the Internet. TestStand manages tests that are written in LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measurement Studio, C and C++, and Visual Basic, so test engineers can easily share and re-use test code throughout their organization and from one product to the next. TestStand is a key element of our strategy to broaden the reach of our application software products across the corporate enterprise.
In 2005, we acquired Electronics Workbench and its suite of software for electronic design automation. The Electronics Workbench flagship product, Multisim Circuit Simulation Software, is widely used for electronic circuit design, board layout, and electrical engineering training programs by companies and academic institutions including Sony, Boeing, MIT, and DeVry. This acquisition strengthened the integration between our functional test and design tools and has advanced our graphical system design technology.
Hardware Products and Related Driver Software
Our hardware and related driver software products include data acquisition (“DAQ”), PCI extensions for instrumentation (PXI) chassis and controllers, image acquisition, motion control, Distributed I/O, Modular Instruments and Embedded Control Hardware/Software, industrial communications interfaces, GPIB interfaces, and VXI Controllers. The high level of integration between our products provides users with the flexibility to mix and match hardware components when developing custom virtual instrumentation systems.
DAQ Hardware/Driver Software. Our DAQ hardware and driver software products are “instruments on a board” that users can combine with sensors, signal conditioning hardware and software to acquire analog data and convert it into a digital format that can be accepted by a computer. We believe that computer-based DAQ products are typically a lower-cost solution than traditional instrumentation. We believe that applications suitable for automation with computer-based DAQ products are widespread throughout many industries, and that many systems currently using traditional instrumentation (either manual or computer-controlled) could be displaced by computer-based DAQ systems. We offer a range of computer-based DAQ products, including models for digital, analog and timing input-output, and for transferring data directly to a computer’s random-access memory. In 2005, we acquired the operating assets of both Measurement Computing and IOtech, two smaller data acquisition companies, whose products complement and extend our data acquisition offerings, including portable and vibration measurement products.
PXI Modular Instrumentation Platform. Our PXI modular instrument platform, which was introduced in 1997, is a standard PC packaged in a small, rugged form factor with expansion slots and instrumentation extensions. It combines mainstream PC software and PCI hardware with advanced instrumentation capabilities. In essence, PXI is an instrumentation PC with several expansion slots to enable us to pursue complete system-level opportunities and deliver a much higher percentage of the overall system content using our own products. We continue to expand our PXI product offerings with new modules, which address a wide variety of measurement and automation applications. PXI continues to gain acceptance, with numerous endorsements from our customers, engineering trade publications and industry analysts. In 2006, we introduced our first PXI Express products which provide backward software compatibility with PXI while providing advanced capabilities for high-performance instrumentation, such as RF instrumentation.
Machine Vision/Image Acquisition. In 1996, we introduced our first image acquisition hardware which provides users with a cost-effective solution to integrate vision into their measurement and automation applications. Our vision software is designed to work with many different software environments, including LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Visual Basic, C, and Measurement Studio. In 2002, we expanded our software offering with an easy-to-use menu driven machine vision software that can run as a stand-alone vision system. The software can also generate LabVIEW code. In 2003, we introduced our Vision Builder software for automated inspection and our Compact Vision System, which is a small, ruggedized, industrial vision system that can connect up to three IEEE-1394 cameras and that is easily programmed using Vision Builder. In 2007, we introduced our first integrated Smart Cameras which leverage our LabVIEW software to provide integrated solutions for many inspection and other industrial/embedded applications.
Motion Control. During 1997, we introduced our first line of motion control hardware, software and peripheral products. This intelligent PC-based motion control hardware is programmable from industry standard development environments including LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and Measurement Studio. Our software tools for motion are easily integrated with our other product lines, allowing motion to be combined with image acquisition, test, measurement, data acquisition and automation. Our computer-based motion products allows users to leverage standard hardware and software in measurement and automation applications to create robust, flexible solutions.
Distributed I/O and Embedded Control Hardware/Software. FieldPoint is an intelligent, distributed, and modular I/O system, first introduced by us in 1997, that gives industrial system developers an economical solution for distributed data acquisition, monitoring and control applications. Suitable for direct connection to industrial signals, FieldPoint includes a wide array of rugged and isolated analog and digital I/O modules, terminal base options, and network modules. With LabVIEW Real-Time users can download their LabVIEW code and easily create networked systems of intelligent, real-time nodes for embedded measurement and control. In late 2002, we launched Compact FieldPoint, a smaller and even more rugged intelligent distributed I/O product that is also an execution target for LabVIEW Real-Time. In 2004 we introduced CompactRIO, an advanced embedded control and acquisition system powered by our reconfigurable I/O (RIO) technology. Compact RIO leverages LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA for industrial control, process monitoring, and embedded machine applications that require intelligent I/O products with a small form factor, a wide operating temperature, and resistance to shock and vibration.
Industrial Communications Interfaces. In 1995, we began shipping our first interface boards for communicating with serial devices, such as dataloggers and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) targeted for IA applications, and benchtop instruments, such as oscilloscopes, targeted for T&M applications. Industrial applications need the same high-quality, easy-to-use hardware and software tools for communicating with industrial devices such as process instrumentation, PLCs, single-loop controllers, and a variety of I/O and DAQ devices. We offer hardware and driver software product lines for communication with industrial devices-Controller Area Network (CAN), DeviceNet, Foundation Fieldbus, and RS-485 and RS-232.
GPIB Interfaces/Driver Software. We began selling GPIB products in 1977 and are a leading supplier of GPIB interface boards and driver software to control traditional GPIB instruments. These traditional instruments are manufactured by a variety of third-party vendors and are used primarily in T&M applications. Our diverse portfolio of hardware and software products for GPIB instrument control is available for a wide range of computers. Our GPIB product line also includes products for portable computers such as a personal computer memory card (PCMCIA)-GPIB interface card, and products for controlling GPIB instruments using the computer’s standard parallel, USB, IEEE 1394 (Firewire), Ethernet, and serial ports.
VXI Controllers//Driver Software. We are a leading supplier of VXI computer controller hardware and the accompanying NI-VXI and NI-VISA driver software. We also offer LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measurement Studio and TestStand software products for VXI systems.
Customer Training Courses
We offer fee-based training classes and self-paced course kits for many of our software and hardware products. On-site courses are quoted per customer requests. We also offer programs to certify programmers and instructors for our products.
Markets and Applications
Our products are used across many industries in a variety of applications from research and development to simulation and modeling to product design and validation to production testing and industrial control to field and factory service and repair. The following industries and applications are served by us worldwide: advanced research, automotive, commercial aerospace, computers and electronics, continuous process manufacturing, education, government/defense, medical research/pharmaceutical, power/energy, semiconductors, automated test equipment, telecommunications and others.
Customers
We have a broad customer base, with no customer accounting for more than 3% of our sales in 2007, 2006, or 2005.
Marketing
Through our worldwide marketing efforts, we strive to educate engineers and scientists about the benefits of our virtual instrumentation philosophy, products and technology, and to highlight the performance, ease of use and cost advantages of our products. We also seek to present our position as a technological leader among producers of instrumentation software and hardware and to help promulgate industry standards that will benefit users of computer-based instrumentation.
We reach our intended audience through our Web site at ni.com as well as through the distribution of written and electronic materials including demonstration versions of our software products, participation in tradeshows and technical conferences and training and user seminars.
We actively market our products in higher education environments, and we identify many colleges, universities and trade and technical schools as key accounts. We offer special academic pricing and products to enable universities to utilize our products in their classes and laboratories. We believe our prominence in the higher education area can contribute to our future success because students gain experience using our products before they enter the work force.
Sales and Distribution
We sell our software and hardware products primarily through a direct sales organization. We also use independent distributors, OEMs, VARs, system integrators and consultants to market our products. Our Hungarian manufacturing facility sources a substantial majority of our sales throughout the world. We have sales offices in the United States and sales offices and distributors in key international markets. Sales outside of the Americas accounted for approximately 55%, 52%, and 52% of our revenues in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. We expect that a significant portion of our total revenues will continue to be derived from international sales. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details concerning the geographic breakdown of our net sales, operating income, interest income and identifiable assets.
We believe the ability to provide comprehensive service and support to our customers is an important factor in our business. We permit customers to return products within 30 days from receipt for a refund of the purchase price less a restocking charge. Our products are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date we ship the products to our customers. Historically, warranty costs have not been material.
The marketplace for our products dictates that many of our products be shipped very quickly after an order is received. As a result, we are required to maintain significant inventories. Therefore, inventory obsolescence is a risk for us due to frequent engineering changes, shifting customer demand, the emergence of new industry standards and rapid technological advances including the introduction by us or our competitors of products embodying new technology. We strive to mitigate this risk by monitoring inventory levels against product demand and technological changes. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in these efforts in the future.
Our foreign operations are subject to certain risks set forth on page 12 under “We are Subject to Various Risks Associated with International Operations and Foreign Economies.”
See fluctuations in our quarterly results at Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of seasonality in our business.
Competition
The markets in which we operate are characterized by intense competition from numerous competitors, some of which are divisions of large corporations having far greater resources than we have, and we expect to face further competition from new market entrants in the future. A key competitor is Agilent Technologies Inc. (“Agilent”). Agilent offers its own line of hardware and software products that provide solutions that directly compete with our virtual instrumentation products. Agilent is aggressively advertising and marketing products that are competitive with our products. Because of Agilent’s strong position in the instrumentation business, change in its marketing strategy or product offerings could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Some of our competitors have substantial competitive advantages in terms of breadth of technology, sales, marketing and support capability and resources, including the number of sales and technical personnel and their ability to cover a geographic area and/or particular account more extensively and with more complete solutions than we can offer, and more extensive warranty support, system integration and service capabilities than those we have. In addition, large competitors can often enter into strategic alliances with our key customers or target accounts, which can potentially have a negative impact on our success with those accounts.
We believe our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors both within and outside our control, including:
o new product introductions by competitors;
o product pricing;
o quality and performance;
o success in developing new products;
o adequate manufacturing capacity and supply of components and materials;
o efficiency of manufacturing operations;
o effectiveness of sales and marketing resources and strategies;
o strategic relationships with other suppliers;
o timing of our new product introductions;
o protection of our products by effective use of intellectual property laws;
o the outcome of any material intellectual property litigation;
o general market and economic conditions; and
o government actions throughout the world.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in the future.
Research and Development
We believe that our long-term growth and success depends on delivering high quality software and hardware products on a timely basis. We intend to focus our research and development efforts on enhancing existing products and developing new products that incorporate appropriate features and functionality to be competitive with respect to technology and price/performance.
Our research and development staff strives to build quality into products at the design stage in an effort to reduce overall development and manufacturing costs. Our research and development staff also designs proprietary application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), many of which are designed for use in several of our products. The goal of our ASIC design program is to further differentiate our products from competing products, to improve manufacturability and to reduce costs. We seek to reduce our time to market for new and enhanced products by sharing our internally developed hardware and software components across multiple products.
As of December 31, 2007, we employed 1,306 people in product research and development. Our research and development expenses were $126.5 million, $113.1 million, and $87.8 million for 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.
Intellectual Property
We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark law, contracts and technical measures to establish and protect our proprietary rights in our products. As of December 31, 2007, we held 402 United States patents (395 utility patents and 7 design patents) and 27 patents in foreign countries (24 patents registered in Europe in various countries; 1 patent in Canada; and 2 patents in Japan), and had 300 patent applications pending in the United States and foreign countries. 100 of our issued United States patents are software patents related to LabVIEW, and cover fundamental aspects of the graphical programming approach used in LabVIEW. Our patents expire from 2008 to 2026. We do not expect that the expiration of certain of our patents in 2008 will have a significant impact on our business. No assurance can be given that our pending patent applications will result in the issuance of patents. We also own certain registered trademarks in the United States and abroad.
Manufacturing and Suppliers
We manufacture a substantial majority of our products at our facilities in Debrecen, Hungary. The rest of our production primarily of low volume or newly introduced products is done in Austin, Texas. Our product manufacturing operations can be divided into four areas: electronic circuit card and module assembly; chassis and cable assembly; technical manuals and product support documentation; and software duplication. We manufacture most of the electronic circuit card assemblies, modules and chassis in-house, although subcontractors are used from time to time. In 2005, we began using subcontractors in Asia to manufacture a significant portion of our chassis. We manufacture some of our electronic cable assemblies in-house, but many assemblies are produced by subcontractors. We primarily subcontract our software duplication, our technical manuals and product support documentation.
We obtain our electronic components from suppliers located principally in the United States, Europe and Asia. Some of the components purchased by us, including ASICs, are sole-sourced. Any disruption of our supply of sole or limited source components, whether resulting from business demand, quality, production or delivery problems, could adversely affect our ability to manufacture our products, which could in turn adversely affect our business and results of operations.
See Environmental Regulations and Costs at page 14 for discussion of environmental matters as they may affect our business.
Backlog
We typically ship products shortly following the receipt of an order. Accordingly, our backlog typically represents less than 5 days sales. Backlog should not be viewed as an indicator of our future sales.
Employees
As of December 31, 2007, we had 4,647 employees worldwide, including 1,306 in research and development, 2,107 in sales and marketing and customer support, 698 in manufacturing and 536 in administration and finance. None of our employees are represented by a labor union and we have never experienced a work stoppage. We consider our employee relations to be good. For nine consecutive years, from 1999 to 2007, we have been named among the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America according to FORTUNE magazine.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Changes in the U.S. or Global Economies Will Impact our Future Business. As has occurred in the past and may occur in the future, the markets in which we do business could experience the negative effects of a slowdown in the U.S. and/or Global economies. In particular, current market conditions indicate that the U.S. economy could be entering a recessionary period in 2008. The worsening of the U.S. or Global economies could result in reduced purchasing and capital spending in any of our markets which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Our business could also be subject to or impacted by acts of terrorism and/or the effects that war or continued U.S. military action would have on the U.S. and/or Global economies. Our business could also be impacted by public health concerns, natural disasters, disruptions to public or commercial transportation systems, political instability or similar events which result in increased difficulty or higher costs for the export of products into affected regions, the import of components used in our products from affected regions, and/or the effects the event has on the economy in regions in which we do business.
Negative Conditions in the Global Credit Markets May Impair the Liquidity of a Portion of Our Investment Portfolio. Included within our short-term investments are Aaa/AAA/AA rated investments in auction rate securities. The recent negative conditions in the global credit markets have prevented some investors from liquidating their holdings of auction rate securities because the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders for such securities. If the credit market does not improve, auctions for our investments in these securities may fail. If an auction fails for securities in which we have invested, we may be unable to liquidate some or all of our auction rate securities at par, should we need or desire to access the funds invested in those securities. In the event we need or desire to access these funds, we will not be able to do so until a future auction on these investments is successful or a buyer is found outside the auction process. If a buyer is found but is unwilling to purchase the investments at par, we may incur a loss.
On February 15, 2008, auction rate securities that we originally purchased for $8.6 million failed the auction process. We do not consider these investments as liquid in the short-term. In the event that we needed to access these funds, we would not be able to do so until a future auction on these securities was successful. We do not believe that the auction process will provide liquidity for the securities in the foreseeable future. We are uncertain as to when the liquidity issues relating to these securities will improve. Accordingly, these securities should be considered as non-current as of February 15, 2008. Although we have uncertainty with regard to the future short-term liquidity of these securities, we continue to believe that the fair value of these investments continues to be par value based on the fact that these securities have redemption features which call for redemption at 100% of par value, the fact that the underlying debt continues to carry Aaa/AAA/AA and the fact that we have the ability to hold these securities to maturity.
We Have Established a Budget and Variations From Our Budget Will Affect Our Financial Results. We have established an operating budget for 2008. Our budget was established based on the estimated revenue from forecasted sales of our products which is based on economic conditions in the markets in which we do business as well as the timing and volume of our new products and the expected penetration of both new and existing products in the marketplace. Our spending for 2008 could exceed our budget due to a number of factors, including:
o additional marketing costs for new product introductions and/or for conferences and tradeshows;
o increased costs from hiring more product development engineers or other personnel;
o additional costs related to acquisitions, if any;
o increased manufacturing costs resulting from component supply shortages and/or component price fluctuations; and/or
o additional expenses related to intellectual property litigation.
Any future decreased demand for our products could result in decreased revenue and could require us to revise our budget and reduce expenditures. Exceeding our established operating budget or failing to reduce expenditures in response to any decrease in revenue could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our Business is Dependent on Key Suppliers. Our manufacturing processes use large volumes of high-quality components and subassemblies supplied by outside sources. Several of these components are available through sole or limited sources. Sole-source components purchased include custom ASICs, chassis and other components. We have in the past experienced delays and quality problems in connection with sole-source components, and there can be no assurance that these problems will not recur in the future. Accordingly, our failure to receive sole-source components from suppliers could result in a material adverse effect on our revenues and operating results.
We May Experience Component Shortages. As has occurred in the past and as may be expected to occur in the future, supply shortages of components used in our products, including sole source components, can result in significant additional costs and inefficiencies in manufacturing. If we are unsuccessful in resolving any such component shortages in a timely manner, we will experience a significant impact on the timing of revenue, a possible loss of revenue and/or an increase in manufacturing costs, any of which would have a material adverse impact on our operating results.
Our Quarterly Results are Subject to Fluctuation Due to Various Factors. Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and may fluctuate significantly in the future due to a number of factors, including:
o changes in the mix of products sold;
o the availability and pricing of components from third parties (especially sole sources);
o pricing of our products;
o fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
o the timing, cost or outcome of intellectual property litigation;
o the difficulty in maintaining margins, including the higher margins traditionally achieved in international sales; and
o changes in pricing policies by us, our competitors or suppliers.
In particular, if the local currencies in which we sell our products weaken against the U.S. dollar, and if the local sales prices cannot be raised due to competitive pressures, we will experience a deterioration of our gross and net profit margins. If the U.S. dollar strengthens in the future, it could have a material adverse effect on our gross and net profit margins.
As has occurred in the past and as may be expected to occur in the future, our new software products or new operating systems of third parties on which our products are based often contain bugs or errors that can result in reduced sales and/or cause our support costs to increase, either of which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results. Furthermore, we have significant revenues from customers in industries such as semiconductors, automated test equipment, telecommunications, aerospace, defense and automotive which are cyclical in nature. Downturns in these industries could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
In recent years, our revenues have been characterized by seasonality, with revenues typically being relatively constant in the second and third quarters, growing in the fourth quarter and declining from the fourth quarter of the year to the first quarter of the following year. This historical trend may be affected in the future by the economic impact of larger orders as well as the timing of new product introductions and/or acquisitions, if any. We believe the seasonality of our revenue results from the international mix of our revenue and the variability of the budgeting and purchasing cycles of our customers throughout each international region. In addition, our total operating expenses have in the past tended to increase in each successive quarter and have fluctuated as a percentage of revenue based on changes in the seasonality of our revenue.
Our Success Depends on New Product Introductions and Market Acceptance of Our Products. The market for our products is characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, changes in customer needs and frequent new product introductions, and is therefore highly dependent upon timely product innovation. Our success is dependent on our ability to successfully develop and introduce new and enhanced products on a timely basis to replace declining revenues from older products, and on increasing penetration in domestic and international markets. In the past, we have experienced significant delays between the announcement and the commercial availability of new products. Any significant delay in releasing new products could have a material adverse effect on the ultimate success of a product and other related products and could impede continued sales of our predecessor products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. There can be no assurance that we will be able to introduce new products in accordance with announced release dates, that new products will achieve market acceptance or that any such acceptance will be sustained for any significant period. Failure of our new products to achieve or sustain market acceptance could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our international sales will continue at existing levels or grow in accordance with our efforts to increase foreign market penetration.
We are Subject to Risks Associated with Our Web Site. We devote resources to maintain our Web site as a key marketing, sales and support tool and expect to continue to do so in the future. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to leverage the Web to increase sales. We host our Web site internally. Any failure to successfully maintain our Web site or any significant downtime or outages affecting our Web site could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.
We Operate in Intensely Competitive Markets. The markets in which we operate are characterized by intense competition from numerous competitors, some of which are divisions of large corporations having far greater resources than we have, and we expect to face further competition from new market entrants in the future. A key competitor is Agilent Technologies Inc. ("Agilent"). Agilent offers its own line of hardware and software products that provide solutions that directly compete with our virtual instrumentation products. Agilent is aggressively advertising and marketing products that are competitive with our products. Because of Agilent’s strong position in the instrumentation business, changes in its marketing strategy or product offerings could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We believe our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors both within and outside our control, including:
o new product introductions by competitors;
o product pricing;
o quality and performance;
o success in developing new products;
o adequate manufacturing capacity and supply of components and materials;
o efficiency of manufacturing operations;
o effectiveness of sales and marketing resources and strategies;
o strategic relationships with key suppliers;
o timing of our new product introductions;
o protection of our products by effective use of intellectual property laws;
o the outcome of any material intellectual property litigation;
o general market and economic conditions; and
o government actions throughout the world.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in the future.
We Rely on Management Information Systems and any Disruption in Such Systems Would Adversely Affect Us. We rely on two primary regional centers for our management information systems and on multiple systems in some branches not covered by our two regional centers. As with any information system, unforeseen issues may arise that could affect our ability to receive adequate, accurate and timely financial information, which in turn could inhibit effective and timely decisions. Furthermore, it is possible that one or both of our regional information systems could experience a complete or partial shutdown. If such a shutdown occurred, it could impact our product shipments and revenues, as order processing and product distribution are heavily dependent on the integrated management information systems in each region. Accordingly, our operating results in such periods would be adversely impacted. We are working to maintain reliable regional management information systems to control costs and improve our ability to deliver our products in our markets worldwide. No assurance can be given that our efforts will be successful. The failure to receive adequate, accurate and timely financial information could inhibit our ability to make effective and timely decisions.
During 2007, we devoted resources to the implementation of systems to support the shipment of products from our manufacturing facility and warehouse in Hungary directly to customers worldwide, and to the continued development of our web offerings. There can be no assurance that we will not experience difficulties with these new systems. Difficulties with these new systems may interrupt our normal operations, including our ability to provide quotes, process orders, ship products, provide services and support to our customers, bill and track our customers, fulfill contractual obligations and otherwise run our business. Any disruption occurring with these systems may have a material adverse effect on our operating results. During 2008, we plan to continue to devote significant resources on the systems that support shipment of products from our manufacturing facility and warehouse in Hungary directly to our customers worldwide, and to the continued development of our web offerings. Any failure to successfully implement these initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We are Subject to Risks Associated with Our Centralization of Inventory and Distribution. We are devoting considerable resources to centralizing our distribution to a limited number of shipping points. Currently, shipments to our European customers are sourced from our warehouse facility in Debrecen, Hungary. Shipments to almost all customers in the Americas were previously sourced from our warehouse in Austin, Texas. Since July 2007, our Austin distribution operation has been transferred to Debrecen, Hungary and since October 2007 our Japanese distribution operations have also been transferred to Debrecen, Hungary. Shipments to most of our customers in the rest of Asia are currently made either out of local inventory managed by our branch operations in various Asian countries or from a centralized distribution point in Singapore. Our planned centralization of inventory and distribution to a limited number of shipping points is subject to inherent risks, including:
o burdens of complying with additional and/or more complex VAT and customs regulations;
o severe concentration of inventory increasing the impact associated with fire, natural disasters, and logistics disruptions to customer order fulfillment;
No assurance can be given that our efforts will be successful. Any difficulties with the centralization of distribution or delays in the implementation of the systems or processes to support this centralized distribution could result in interruption of our normal operation, including our ability to process orders and ship products to our customers. Any failure or delay in successfully centralizing our inventory in and distribution from our facility in Hungary could have a materially adverse effect on our operating results.
We are Subject to Various Risks Associated with International Operations and Foreign Economies. Our international sales are subject to inherent risks, including:
o fluctuations in local economies;
o fluctuations in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar;
o difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
o greater difficulty in accounts receivable collection;
o costs and risks of localizing products for foreign countries;
o unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
o tariffs and other trade barriers;
o difficulties in the repatriation of earnings; and
o the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws.
In many foreign countries, particularly in those with developing economies, it is common to engage in business practices that are prohibited by United States regulations applicable to us such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Although we implement policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, contractors and agents, including those based in or from countries where practices which violate such United States laws may be customary, will not take actions in violations of our policies. Any violation of foreign or United States laws by our employees, contractors or agents, even if such violation is prohibited by our policies, could have a material adverse effect on our business. We must also comply with various import and export regulations. The application of these various regulations depends on the classification of our products which can change over time as such regulations are modified or interpreted. As a result, even if we are currently in compliance with applicable regulations, there can be no assurance that we will not have to incur additional costs or take additional compliance actions in the future. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines and/or termination of import and export privileges, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Additionally, the regulatory environment in some countries is very restrictive as their governments try to protect their local economy and value of their local currency against the U.S. dollar. Sales made by our international direct sales offices are denominated in local currencies, and accordingly, the U.S. dollar equivalent of these sales is affected by changes in the foreign currency exchange rates. Net of hedging results, the change in exchange rates had the effect of increasing our consolidated sales by 3.2% in 2007 compared to 2006. Since most of our international operating expenses are also incurred in local currencies, the change in exchange rates had the effect of increasing our operating expenses by $10.4 million in 2007 compared to 2006. If the U.S. dollar weakens in the future, it could result in our having to reduce prices locally in order for our products to remain competitive in the local marketplace. If the U.S. dollar strengthens in the future, and we are unable to successfully raise our international selling prices, it could have a materially adverse effect on our operating results.
A Substantial Majority of Our Manufacturing Capacity is Located in Hungary. Our Hungarian manufacturing facility sources a substantial majority of our sales. During the third quarter of 2006, we moved one of our two manufacturing lines in our Austin, Texas manufacturing facility to our manufacturing facility in Debrecen, Hungary. During 2007, we continued to implement systems and processes that support the direct shipment of product orders to our customers worldwide from our manufacturing facility in Hungary and will continue to do so in 2008. In order to better insure timely shipment of products to our customers we will maintain the vast majority of our inventory at our Hungary manufacturing facility. In addition to being subject to the risks of maintaining such a concentrated global inventory, this facility and its operation are also subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including:
o difficulty in managing manufacturing operations in a foreign country;
o difficulty in achieving or maintaining product quality;
o interruption to transportation flows for delivery of components to us and finished goods to our customers; and
o changes in the country's political or economic conditions.
No assurance can be given that our efforts will be successful. Accordingly, a failure to deal with these factors could result in interruption in the facility’s operation or delays in expanding its capacity, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our Income Tax Rate is Affected by Tax Benefits in Hungary. As a result of certain foreign investment incentives available under Hungarian law, the profit from our Hungarian operation has been subject to a reduced income tax rate. This special tax status terminated on January 1, 2008, upon the effective date of the merger of our Hungary manufacturing operations with its Hungarian parent company which was approved in December of 2007. The tax position of our Hungarian operation continues to benefit from assets created by the restructuring of our operations in Hungary. These benefits may not be available in the future due to changes in Hungary’s political condition and/or tax laws. The reduction or elimination of these tax benefits could result in an increase in our future effective income tax rate, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We received a substantial income tax benefit from the extraterritorial income exemption (“ETI”) under U.S. law. The ETI rules provided that a percentage of the profits from products and intangibles exported from the U.S. were exempt from U.S. tax. Effective December 31, 2006, this benefit was no longer available as the ETI was repealed by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The repeal of the ETI has increased our effective income tax rate. However, the effect of the repeal of the ETI has been offset by the effects of the increased benefit from the deduction for income from qualified domestic production activities and increased profits in certain foreign jurisdictions with reduced income tax rates.
Our Product Revenues are Dependent on Certain Industries. Sales of our products are dependent on customers in certain industries, particularly the telecommunications, semiconductor, automotive, automated test equipment, defense and aerospace industries. As experienced in the past, and as may be expected to occur in the future, downturns characterized by diminished product demand in any one or more of these industries could result in decreased sales, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our Reported Financial Results may be Adversely Affected by Changes in Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States. We prepare our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. These accounting principles are subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Securities and Exchange Commission and various bodies formed to interpret and create appropriate accounting policies. A change in these policies or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results, and could affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement of a change. For example, beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2006, with the adoption of SFAS 123R, we now record a charge to earnings for employee stock option grants for all stock options unvested at December 31, 2005. This accounting pronouncement has had a material negative impact on our financial results. Technology companies generally, and our company specifically, have in the past relied on stock options as a major component of our employee compensation packages. Because we are required to expense options, beginning in 2005 we changed our equity compensation program to no longer grant options but instead grant restricted stock units. Furthermore, because we are required to expense options, we may be less likely to sustain profitability in the future.
Our Business Depends on Our Proprietary Rights and We are Subject to Intellectual Property Litigation. Our success depends on our ability to obtain and maintain patents and other proprietary rights relative to the technologies used in our principal products. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may have in the past infringed or violated certain of our intellectual property rights. We from time to time engage in litigation to protect our intellectual property rights. In monitoring and policing our intellectual property rights, we have been and may be required to spend significant resources. We from time to time may be notified that we are infringing certain patent or intellectual property rights of others. There can be no assurance that any existing intellectual property litigation or any intellectual property litigation initiated in the future, will not cause significant litigation expense, liability, injunction against some of our products, and a diversion of management’s attention, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Compliance with Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is Costly and Challenging. As required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, this Form 10-K contains our managements’ certification of adequate disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007. This report on Form 10-K also contains a report by our management on our internal control over financial reporting including an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. This Form 10-K also contains an attestation and report by our external auditors with respect to the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting under Section 404. While these assessments and reports did not reveal any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, compliance with Sections 302 and 404 is required for each future fiscal year end. We expect that the ongoing compliance with Sections 302 and 404 will continue to be both very costly and very challenging and there can be no assurance that material weaknesses will not be identified in future periods. Any adverse results from such ongoing compliance efforts could result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports and have an adverse effect on our stock price.
Our Business Depends on the Continued Service of Key Management and Technical Personnel. Our success depends upon the continued contributions of our key management, sales, marketing, research and development and operational personnel, including Dr. Truchard, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and other members of senior management and key technical personnel. We have no agreements providing for the employment of any of our key employees for any fixed term and our key employees may voluntarily terminate their employment with us at any time. The loss of the services of one or more of our key employees in the future could have a material adverse affect on our operating results. We also believe our future success will depend upon our ability to attract and retain additional highly skilled management, technical, marketing, research and development, and operational personnel with experience in managing large and rapidly changing companies, as well as training, motivating and supervising employees. As a result of the impact that the adoption of SFAS 123R in our first fiscal quarter of 2006 has had on our results of operations, we have changed our equity compensation program. We now grant fewer equity instruments and the type of equity instrument is restricted stock units rather than stock options, which may make it more difficult for us to attract or retain qualified management and technical personnel, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results. In addition, the recruiting environment for software engineering, sales and other technical professionals is very competitive. Competition for qualified software engineers is particularly intense and is likely to result in increased personnel costs. Our failure to attract or retain qualified software engineers could have an adverse effect on our operating results. We also recruit and employ foreign nationals to achieve our hiring goals primarily for engineering and software positions. There can be no guarantee that we will continue to be able to recruit foreign nationals at the current rate. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in retaining our existing key personnel or attracting and retaining additional key personnel. Failure to attract and retain a sufficient number of our key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our Manufacturing Operations are Subject to a Variety of Environmental Regulations and Costs. We must comply with many different governmental regulations related to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals used in our manufacturing operations in the U.S. and in Hungary. Although we believe that our activities conform to presently applicable environmental regulations, our failure to comply with present or future regulations could result in the imposition of fines, suspension of production or a cessation of operations. Any such environmental regulations could require us to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses to comply with such regulations. Any failure by us to control the use of or adequately restrict the discharge of hazardous substances could subject us to future liabilities.
Our Acquisitions are Subject to a Number of Related Costs and Challenges. We have from time to time acquired, and may in the future acquire, complementary businesses, products or technologies. Achieving the anticipated benefits of an acquisition depends upon whether the integration of the acquired business, products or technology is accomplished efficiently and effectively. In addition, successful acquisitions may require, among other things, integration of product offerings, manufacturing operations and coordination of sales and marketing and R&D efforts. These difficulties can become more challenging due to the need to coordinate geographically separated organizations, the complexities of the technologies being integrated, and the necessities of integrating personnel with disparate business backgrounds and combining two different corporate cultures. The integration of operations following an acquisition also requires the dedication of management resources, which may distract attention from our day-to-day business and may disrupt key R&D, marketing or sales efforts. The inability of our management to successfully integrate any future acquisition could harm our business. Some of the existing products previously sold by some of the entities we have acquired are of lesser quality than our products and/or could contain errors that produce incorrect results on which users rely or cause failure or interruption of systems or processes that could subject us to liability claims that could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial position. Furthermore, products acquired in connection with acquisitions may not gain acceptance in our markets, and we may not achieve the anticipated or desired benefits of such transaction.
Provisions in Our Charter Documents and Delaware Law and Our Stockholder Rights Plan May Delay or Prevent an Acquisition of Us. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our Board of Directors. These provisions include a classified Board of Directors, prohibition of stockholder action by written consent, prohibition of stockholders to call special meetings and the requirement that the holders of at least 80% of our shares approve any business combination not otherwise approved by two-thirds of the Board of Directors. Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. In addition, our Board of Directors has the right to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer. Our Board of Directors adopted a new stockholders rights plan on January 21, 2004, pursuant to which we declared a dividend of one right for each share of our common stock outstanding as of May 10, 2004. This rights plan replaced a similar rights plan that had been in effect since our initial public offering in 1995. Unless redeemed by us prior to the time the rights are exercised, upon the occurrence of certain events, the rights will entitle the holders to receive upon exercise thereof shares of our preferred stock, or shares of an acquiring entity, having a value equal to twice the then-current exercise price of the right. The issuance of the rights could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us.
We are Subject to the Risk of Product Liability Claims. Our products are designed to provide information upon which users may rely. Our products are also used in “real time” applications requiring extremely rapid and continuous processing and constant feedback. Such applications give rise to the risk that failure or interruption of the system or application could result in economic damage or bodily harm. We attempt to assure the quality and accuracy of the processes contained in our products, and to limit our product liability exposure through contractual limitations on liability, limited warranties, express disclaimers and warnings as well as disclaimers contained in our “shrink wrap” license agreements with end-users. If our products contain errors that produce incorrect results on which users rely, or cause failure or interruption of systems or processes, customer acceptance of our products could be adversely affected. Further, we could be subject to liability claims that could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial position. Although we maintain liability insurance for product liability matters, there can be no assurance that such insurance or the contractual limitations used by us to limit our liability will be sufficient to cover or limit any claims which may occur.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our principal corporate and research and development activities are conducted at three buildings we own in Austin, Texas. We own approximately 69 acres of land in north Austin, Texas, on which are a 232,000 square foot office facility, a 140,000 square foot manufacturing and office facility, and a 380,000 square foot research and development facility. We also own a 136,000 square foot office building in Austin, Texas which is being leased to third-parties. Our principal manufacturing and distribution activities are conducted at our 239,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Debrecen, Hungary which we own. Our German subsidiary, National Instruments Engineering GmbH & Co. KG, owns a 25,500 square foot office building in Aachen, Germany in which a majority of its activities are conducted. National Instruments Engineering owns another 19,375 square foot office building in Aachen, Germany, which is partially leased to third-parties.
As of December 31, 2007, we also leased a number of sales and support offices in the United States and overseas. Our facilities are currently being utilized below maximum capacity to allow for headcount growth and design/construction cycles. We believe our existing facilities are adequate to meet our current requirements.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We filed a patent infringement action on January 25, 2001 in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas (Marshall Division) claiming that The MathWorks, Inc. (“MathWorks”) infringed certain of our U.S. patents. On January 30, 2003, a jury found infringement by MathWorks of three of the patents involved and awarded us specified damages. On June 23, 2003, the District Court entered final judgment in favor of us and entered an injunction against MathWorks’ sale of its Simulink and related products and stayed the injunction pending appeal. Upon appeal, the judgment and the injunction were affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (September 3, 2004). Subsequently the stay of injunction was lifted by the District Court. In November 2004, the final judgment amount of $7.4 million which had been held in escrow pending appeal was released to us.
An action was filed by MathWorks against us on September 22, 2004, in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas (Marshall Division), claiming that on that day MathWorks had released modified versions of its Simulink and related products, and seeking a declaratory judgment that the modified products do not infringe the three patents adjudged infringed in the District Court’s decision of June 23, 2003, (and affirmed by the Court of Appeals on September 3, 2004). On November 2, 2004, MathWorks served the complaint on us. We filed an answer to MathWorks’ declaratory judgment complaint, denying MathWorks’ claims of non-infringement and alleging our own affirmative defenses. On January 5, 2005, the Court denied a contempt motion by us to enjoin the modified Simulink products under the injunction in effect from the first case. On January 7, 2005, we amended our answer to include counterclaims that MathWorks’ modified products are infringing three of our patents, and requested unspecified damages and an injunction. MathWorks filed its reply to our counterclaims on February 7, 2005, denying the counterclaims and alleging affirmative defenses. On March 2, 2005, we filed a notice of appeal regarding the Court’s denial of the contempt motion. On March 15, 2005, the Court stayed MathWorks’ declaratory judgment action, pending a decision on the appeal by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On February 9, 2006, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s January 2005 order. On November 22, 2006, the District Court lifted the stay. The case schedule has yet to be set in this action. During the fourth quarter of 2004, we accrued $4 million related to our probable loss from this contingency, which consists entirely of anticipated patent defense costs that are probable of being incurred. In the fourth quarter of 2006, we accrued an additional $600,000 related to this contingency. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we charged a total of $9,000 against this accrual. There were not any charges against this accrual during the fourth quarter of 2007. We have charged a cumulative total of $611,000 against this accrual through December 31, 2007.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matter was submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock, $0.01 par value, began trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market (formerly known as the Nasdaq National Market) under the symbol NATI effective March 13, 1995. Prior to that date, there was no public market for our common stock. The high and low closing prices for our common stock, as reported by Nasdaq for the two most recent fiscal years, are as indicated in the following table.
At the close of business on February 20, 2008, there were approximately 520 holders of record of our common stock and approximately 23,739 shareholders of beneficial interest.
We believe factors such as quarterly fluctuations in our results of operations, announcements by us or our competitors, technological innovations, new product introductions, governmental regulations, litigation, changes in earnings estimates by analysts or changes in our financial guidance may cause the market price of our Common Stock to fluctuate, perhaps substantially. In addition, stock prices for many technology companies fluctuate widely for reasons that may be unrelated to their operating results. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.
We paid cash dividends of $0.07 per share on each of March 5, 2007 and June 4, 2007 and $0.10 per share on each of September 4, 2007 and December 3, 2007. We paid cash dividends of $0.06 per share on each of February 27, 2006, May 30, 2006, August 28, 2006 and November 27, 2006. Our policy as to future dividends will be based on, among other considerations, our views on potential future capital requirements related to research and development, expansion into new market areas, investments and acquisitions, share dilution management, legal risks, and challenges to our business model.
See Item 12 for information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total return to stockholders of NI’s common stock from December 31, 2002 to December 31, 2007 to the cumulative return over such period of (i) Nasdaq Composite Index and (ii) Russell 2000 Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2002 in NI’s common stock and in each of the other two indices and the reinvestment of all dividends, if any. Stockholders are cautioned against drawing any conclusions from the data contained therein, as past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance.
The information contained in the Performance Graph shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that NI specifically incorporates it by reference into any such filing. The graph is presented in accordance with SEC requirements.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
For the past several years, we have maintained various stock repurchase programs. In July 2007, our board of directors approved a new share repurchase plan that increases the aggregate number of shares of common stock that we are authorized to repurchase from 639,270 to 3.0 million. Our repurchase plan does not have an expiration date.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, including the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Form 10-K. The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of the results of our future operations. The information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
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” contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any statements contained herein regarding our future financial performance or operations (including, without limitation, statements to the effect that we “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “continue,” or “estimate” or other variations thereof or comparable terminology or the negative thereof) should be considered forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors including those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9, and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.
Overview
National Instruments designs, develops, manufactures and markets instrumentation and automation software and hardware for general commercial, industrial and scientific applications. We offer hundreds of products used to create virtual instrumentation systems for measurement and automation. We have identified a large and diverse market for design, control and test applications. Our products are used in a variety of applications from research and development to production testing, monitoring and industrial control. We sell to a large number of customers in a wide variety of industries. No single customer accounted for more than 3% of our sales in 2007, 2006 or 2005.
The key strategies that management focuses on in running our business are the following:
Expanding our broad customer base:
We strive to increase our already broad customer base by serving a large market on many computer platforms, through a global sales, marketing and distribution network. We also seek to acquire new technologies and expertise from time to time in order to open new opportunities for our existing product portfolio. While we continue our efforts to expand our customer base, we are also benefiting from our efforts in increasing order size from both new and existing customers.
Maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction:
To maintain a high level of customer satisfaction we strive to offer innovative, modular and integrated products through a global sales and support network. We strive to maintain a high degree of backwards compatibility across different platforms in order to preserve the customer’s investment in our products. In this time of intense global competition, we believe it is crucial that we continue to offer products with quality and reliability, and that these products provide cost-effective solutions for our customers.
Leveraging external and internal technology:
Our product strategy is to provide superior products by leveraging generally available technology, supporting open architectures on multiple platforms and by leveraging our core technologies such as custom ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) across multiple products.
We sell into the test and measurement (“T&M”) and the industrial automation (“IA”) industries and as such are subject to the economic and industry forces which drive those markets. It has been our experience that the performance of these industries and our performance is impacted by general trends in industrial production for the global economy and by the specific performance of certain vertical markets that are intensive consumers of measurement technologies. Examples of these markets are semiconductor capital equipment, telecom, defense, aerospace, automotive and others. In assessing our business, our management considers the trends in the Global Purchasing Managers Index (published by JP Morgan), global industrial production as well as industry reports on the specific vertical industries that we target.
We distribute our software and hardware products primarily through a direct sales organization. We also use independent distributors, OEMs, VARs, system integrators and consultants to market our products. We have sales offices in the United States and sales offices and distributors in key international markets. Sales outside of the Americas accounted for approximately 55%, 52%, and 52% of our revenues in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. The vast majority of our foreign sales are denominated in the customers’ local currency, which exposes us to the effects of changes in foreign-currency exchange rates. We expect that a significant portion of our total revenues will continue to be derived from international sales. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details concerning the geographic breakdown of our net sales, operating income, interest income and identifiable assets.
We manufacture a substantial majority of our products at our facility in Debrecen, Hungary. Additional production primarily of low volume or newly introduced products is done in Austin, Texas. Our product manufacturing operations can be divided into four areas: electronic circuit card and module assembly; chassis and cable assembly; technical manuals and product support documentation; and software duplication. We manufacture most of the electronic circuit card assemblies, modules and chassis in-house, although subcontractors are used from time to time. In particular, some chassis are produced by subcontractors in Asia. We manufacture some of our electronic cable assemblies in-house, but many assemblies are produced by subcontractors. We primarily subcontract our software duplication, our technical manuals, and product support documentation.
We believe that our long-term growth and success depends on delivering high quality software and hardware products on a timely basis. Accordingly, we focus significant efforts on research and development. We focus our research and development efforts on enhancing existing products and developing new products that incorporate appropriate features and functionality to be competitive with respect to technology and price/performance. Our success also is dependant on our ability to obtain and maintain patents and other proprietary rights related to technologies used in our products. We have engaged in litigation and will likely engage in future litigation to protect our intellectual property rights. In monitoring and policing our intellectual property rights, we have been and may be required to spend significant resources.
We have been profitable in every year since 1990. However, there can be no assurance that our net sales will grow or that we will remain profitable in future periods. As a result, we believe historical results of operations should not be relied upon as indications of future performance.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of net sales represented by certain items reflected in our consolidated statements of income:
Net Sales. In 2007, consolidated net sales were $740.4 million, a 12% increase from 2006, which followed an increase in net sales of 15% in 2006 from the level achieved in 2005. This increase can primarily be attributed to an increased market acceptance of our virtual instrumentation and graphical system design products, which constitutes the vast majority of our product portfolios as well as the introduction of new and upgraded products in all regions. In 2007, we saw an increase in our average order size to a new record of $3,600 as compared to $3,200 in 2006. The increase in sales in 2006 compared to 2005 was primarily attributable to the introduction of new and upgraded products, an increased market acceptance of our products in all regions and the impact of our acquisitions.
Sales in the Americas increased $13.7 million, or 4%, to $331.5 million in 2007 compared to 2006, which followed a 15% increase in 2006 compared to 2005. The decrease in the percentage growth in sales in the Americas in 2007 is primarily attributable to the overall economic slow-down in North America over the last half of 2007. The increase in sales in the Americas in 2006 was attributable to an increased market acceptance of our products and from revenue of $34.4 million from acquired companies. (See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of acquisitions). Sales outside of the Americas, as a percentage of consolidated sales for 2007, increased to 55% from 52% in 2006. European revenue was $230.9 million in 2007, an increase of 19% from 2006, following a 13% increase in 2006 compared to 2005. Asia Pacific revenue grew 19% to $178.0 million in 2007, which followed a 20% increase in 2006 compared to 2005. We expect sales outside of the Americas to continue to represent a significant portion of our revenue. We intend to continue to expand our international operations by increasing our presence in existing markets, adding a presence in some new geographical markets and continuing the use of distributors to sell our products in some countries.
Almost all sales made by our direct sales offices in Europe and Asia Pacific are denominated in local currencies, and accordingly, the U.S. dollar equivalent of these sales is affected by changes in the foreign currency exchange rates. Between 2007 and 2006, net of hedging results, the change in the exchange rates had the effect of increasing our consolidated sales $21.0 million or 3.2%, increasing European sales by $16.5 million or 8.6% and increasing Asia Pacific by $2.9 million or 1.9%. Between 2006 and 2005, net of hedging results, the change in the exchange rates had the effect of decreasing our consolidated sales by $3.8 million or 0.5%, decreasing European sales by $4.6 million or 3% and had no material effect on sales in Asia Pacific. Since most of our international operating expenses are also incurred in local currencies, the change in exchange rates had the effect of increasing operating expenses $10.4 million, or 2.3%, in 2007, and decreasing operating expenses $1.5 million, or 0.4% in 2006, and increasing operating expenses $4.2 million, or 1.2%, in 2005.
Gross Profit. As a percentage of sales, gross profit was 75% in 2007 compared to 74% in each of 2006 and 2005. The higher margin in 2007 compared to 2006 is attributable to the net impact of favorable foreign currency exchange rates, the favorable impact of higher sales volume, improved product margins resulting from both price increases and cost reductions on certain products, offset by the unfavorable impact of increased stock-based compensation, and the unfavorable impact of costs incurred to transition our Austin, Texas distribution activities to Hungary. Our gross margin in 2006 remained flat with 2005 primarily because the favorable impact of higher sales volume and improved product margins resulting from both price increases and cost reductions on certain products were offset entirely by the negative impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates, the expensing of stock-based compensation, the increase in the amortization of acquisition intangibles and the write-off in the first quarter of 2006 of some capitalized facility costs due to the transition of production operations to our manufacturing facility in Hungary.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses in 2007 increased to $267.1 million, a 14% increase, compared to 2006 following an increase of 11% in 2006 compared to 2005. As a percentage of net sales, sales and marketing expenses were 36% in each of 2007 and 2006 and 37% in 2005. Approximately 68% of the increase in sales and marketing expense in 2007 was attributable to an increase in sales and marketing personnel, increases in stock-based compensation and the increase in variable compensation from higher sales volume. Approximately 84% of the increase in sales and marketing expense in 2006 compared to 2005 was attributable to an increase in sales and marketing personnel, the increase in variable compensation from higher sales volume and from the impact of the expensing of stock-based compensation. In 2008, we expect to make additional investment in our field sales. As such, we expect sales and marketing expenses in 2008 and in future periods to increase in absolute dollars, and to fluctuate as a percentage of sales based on recruiting, marketing and advertising campaign costs associated with major new product releases and entry into new market areas, investment in web sales and marketing efforts, increasing product demonstration costs and the timing of domestic and international conferences and trade shows.
Research and Development. Research and development expenses in 2007 increased to $126.5 million, a 12% increase, compared to 2006 following an increase of 29% in 2006 compared to 2005. As a percentage of net sales, research and development expense was 17% in each of 2007 and 2006 and 15% in 2005. The increase in research and development costs in 2007 compared to 2006 was primarily due to increases in personnel costs from the hiring of additional product development engineers as well as increases related to stock-based compensation. Research and development expenses in 2006 increased compared to 2005 both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenue primarily as a result of increases in personnel costs from the hiring of additional product development engineers, from the impact of the expensing of stock-based compensation, and from the decrease in the capitalization of software development costs. Research and development personnel increased from 1,122 at December 31, 2006 to 1,306 at December 31, 2007. We plan to continue making a significant investment in research and development to remain competitive and support revenue growth.
We capitalize software development costs in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed.” We amortize such costs over the related product’s estimated economic useful life, generally three years, beginning when a product becomes available for general release. Software amortization expense included in cost of goods sold totaled $8.9 million, $9.1 million, and $7.2 million during 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. Internally developed software costs capitalized during these years were $8.3 million, $7.4 million, and $13.4 million, respectively. (See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of intangibles.)
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses in 2007 increased to $62.4 million, a 15% increase compared to 2006, following an increase of 20% in 2006 compared to 2005. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses were approximately 8% in each of 2007, 2006 and 2005. The increase in general and administrative expenses in 2007 was primarily attributable to increases in personnel costs due to the increase in general and administrative personnel and increases in stock-based compensation as well as severance and lease termination costs incurred as a result of the restructuring of our Dublin, Ireland operations. The increases in general and administrative expenses in 2006 compared to 2005 were primarily attributable to increases in personnel costs from both the increase in international general and administrative personnel, the impact of the expensing of stock-based compensation, and the effect of decreased litigation costs in 2005. We expect that general and administrative expenses in future periods will fluctuate in absolute amounts and as a percentage of revenue.
Interest Income. Interest income increased 43% in 2007 from 2006, which followed an increase of 82% in 2006 from 2005. The increase in interest income in 2007 was primarily driven by an increase in investment funds. The increase in interest income in 2006 compared to 2005 was due to higher yields on larger invested funds. The primary source of interest income is from the investment of our cash and short-term investments. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $147.4 million and $97.9 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Net Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss). We experienced net foreign exchange gains of $1.7 million in 2007, compared to gains of $740,000 in 2006 and losses of $1.6 million in 2005. These results are attributable to movements between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies in countries in which our sales subsidiaries are located. We recognize the local currency as the functional currency for most of our international subsidiaries.
We utilize foreign currency forward contracts to hedge up to 90% of our foreign currency-denominated receivables in order to reduce our exposure to significant foreign currency fluctuations. We typically limit the duration of our “receivables” foreign currency forward contracts to approximately 90 days.
We also utilize foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency purchased option contracts in order to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in future foreign currency cash flows. We purchase these contracts for up to 100% of our forecasted exposures in selected currencies (primarily the euro, yen and pound sterling) and limit the duration of these contracts to 40 months or less. Our foreign currency purchased option contracts are purchased “at-the-money” or “out-of-the-money.” As a result, our hedging activities only partially address our risks in foreign currency transactions, and there can be no assurance that this strategy will be successful. We do not invest in contracts for speculative purposes. (See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of our forward and purchased option contracts and hedged positions.) Our hedging strategy reduced our foreign exchange gains for December 31, 2007 by $1.1 million and reduced our foreign exchange gain for December 31, 2006 by $1.0 million.
Provision for Income Taxes. Our provision for income taxes reflected an effective tax rate of 6% in 2007 and 24% in 2006 and 2005. Our effective tax rate is lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily as a result of the research and development tax credit, tax-exempt interest and reduced tax rates in certain foreign jurisdictions. The decrease in our tax rate in 2007 from 2006 and 2005 is due to increased profits in foreign jurisdictions with reduced income tax rates and the partial release of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets recorded as a result of the restructuring of our manufacturing operation in Hungary. (See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We currently finance our operations and capital expenditures through cash flow from operations. At December 31, 2007, we had working capital of approximately $419.9 million compared to $379.7 million at December 31, 2006. Net cash provided by operating activities in 2007, 2006, and 2005 totaled $147.4 million, $97.9 million, and $88.1 million, respectively.
Accounts receivable increased to $131.3 million at December 31, 2007 from $117.2 million at December 31, 2006, as a result of higher sales levels in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. Days sales outstanding at December 31, 2007 increased to 61 days from 59 days at December 31, 2006. Consolidated inventory balances increased to $82.7 million at December 31, 2007 from $77.1 million at December 31, 2006. Inventory turns decreased to 2.3 per year for 2007 from 2.4 per year for 2006. The increase in inventory in 2007 was driven primarily by increased production in anticipation of high demand levels during the fourth quarter of 2007.
Cash used in 2007 for the purchase of property and equipment totaled $24.9 million, for the capitalization of internally developed software costs totaled $8.3 million and for additions to other intangibles totaled $6.4 million. Cash used in 2006 for the purchase of property and equipment totaled $18.5 million, for the capitalization of internally developed software costs totaled $7.4 million and for additions to other intangibles totaled $3.1 million. Cash used in 2005 for acquisitions totaled $63.9 million, for the purchase of property and equipment totaled $15.4 million, for the capitalization of internally developed software costs totaled $13.4 million and for additions to other intangibles totaled $4.3 million.
Cash provided by the issuance of common stock totaled $36.5 million, $37.1 million and $23.2 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and cash used for payment of dividends totaled $27.1 million, $19.0 million and $15.8 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The issuance of common stock was to employees under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, our 1994 Incentive Plan and our 2005 Incentive Plan. Cash used for the repurchase of common stock totaled $79.7 million, $16.5 million and $49.5 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The following summarizes our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2007 (in thousands):
The following summarizes our other commercial commitments as of December 31, 2007 (in thousands):
We currently expect to fund expenditures for capital requirements as well as liquidity needs created by changes in working capital from a combination of available cash and short-term investment balances and internally generated funds. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had no debt outstanding. We believe that our cash flow from operations and existing cash balances and short-term investments will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. Cash requirements for periods beyond the next twelve months will depend on our profitability, our ability to manage working capital requirements and our rate of growth.
Financial Risk Management
Our international sales are subject to inherent risks, including fluctuations in local economies; fluctuations in foreign currencies relative to the US dollar; difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations; greater difficulty in accounts receivable collection; costs and risks of localizing products for foreign countries; unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other trade barriers; difficulties in the repatriation of earnings and the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws. The vast majority of our sales outside of North America are denominated in local currencies, and accordingly, we are subject to the risks associated with fluctuations in currency rates. In particular, increases in the value of the dollar against foreign currencies decrease the U.S. dollar value of foreign sales requiring that we either increase our price in the local currency, which could render our product prices noncompetitive, or suffer reduced revenues and gross margins as measured in U.S. dollars. These dynamics have adversely affected our revenue growth in international markets in previous years. Our foreign currency hedging program includes both foreign currency forward and purchased option contracts to reduce the effect of exchange rate fluctuations. However, our hedging program will not eliminate all of our foreign exchange risks. (See “Net Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss)” and Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Inventory Management
The marketplace for our products dictates that many of our products be shipped very quickly after an order is received. As a result, we are required to maintain significant inventories. Therefore, inventory obsolescence is a risk for us due to frequent engineering changes, shifting customer demand, the emergence of new industry standards and rapid technological advances including the introduction by us or our competitors of products embodying new technology. While we adjust for excess and obsolete inventories and we monitor the valuation of our inventories, there can be no assurance that our valuation adjustments will be sufficient.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no debt or off-balance sheet debt. As of December 31, 2007, we have non-cancelable operating lease obligations of approximately $25.5 million and contractual purchase commitments with various suppliers of general components and customized inventory components of approximately $8.3 million. As of December 31, 2007, we have outstanding guarantees for payment of customs and foreign grants totaling approximately $4.7 million. (See Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.) As of December 31, 2007, we did not have any relationships with any unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we were engaged in such relationships.
Market Risk
We are exposed to a variety of risks, including foreign currency fluctuations and changes in the market value of our investments. In the normal course of business, we employ established policies and procedures to manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency values and changes in the market value of our investments.
Foreign Currency Hedging Activities. Our objective in managing our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations is to reduce the impact of adverse fluctuations in such exchange rates on our earnings and cash flow. Accordingly, we utilize purchased foreign currency option contracts and forward contracts to hedge our exposure on anticipated transactions and firm commitments. The principal currencies hedged are the euro, British pound and Japanese yen. We monitor our foreign exchange exposures regularly to ensure the overall effectiveness of our foreign currency hedge positions. However, there can be no assurance that our foreign currency hedging activities will substantially offset the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange rates on our results of operations and financial position. Based on the foreign exchange instruments outstanding at December 31, 2007 and 2006, an adverse change (defined as 20% in the Asian currencies and 10% in all other currencies) in exchange rates would result in a decline in the aggregate fair market value of all of our instruments outstanding of approximately $10.0 million and $6.6 million, respectively. However, as we utilize foreign currency instruments for hedging anticipated and firmly committed transactions, we believe that a loss in fair value for those instruments will be substantially offset by increases in the value of the underlying exposure. (See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of our financial instruments at December 31, 2007 and 2006.)
Short-term Investments. The fair value of our investments in marketable securities at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $93.8 million and $150.2 million, respectively. Investments with maturities beyond one year are classified as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. Our investment policy is to manage our investment portfolio to preserve principal and liquidity while maximizing the return on our investment portfolio through the full investment of available funds. We diversify our marketable securities portfolio by investing in multiple types of investment-grade securities. Our investment portfolio is primarily invested in securities with at least an investment grade rating to minimize interest rate and credit risk as well as to provide for an immediate source of funds. Based on our investment portfolio and interest rates at December 31, 2007 and 2006, a 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would result in a decrease or increase of approximately $470,000 and $750,000, respectively, in the fair value of our investment portfolio. Although changes in interest rates may affect the fair value of our investment portfolio and cause unrealized gains or losses, such gains or losses would not be realized unless the investments are sold or if the unrealized loss was considered to be other than temporary.
Included within our short-term investments are Aaa/AAA/AA rated investments in auction rate securities. Auction rate securities are variable rate debt instruments whose interest rates are reset approximately every 7 to 35 days. The underlying securities generally have longer dated contractual maturities. The auction rate securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at estimated fair value. Typically, the carrying value of auction rate securities approximates estimated fair value due to the frequent resetting of the interest rates. Included in short-term investments at December 31, 2007, were auction rate securities with a principal cost of $32.4 million which were reported at their fair-market value of $32.4 million. At December 31, 2007, we did not report any unrealized gains or losses related to these securities as we have historically reported the fair market value of these investments at par since that is the value we received when trading them in the established market. Any difference between par value and the purchase price or settlement value have historically been comprised of accrued interest.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 109. This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. It prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. This interpretation was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 as required. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 was recorded in retained earnings upon adoption. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. (See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. This standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. This pronouncement applies under other accounting standards that require or permit fair value measurements. Accordingly, this statement does not require any new fair value measurement. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008, as required. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - including an amendment of FASB Statement 115. This standard permits an entity to measure many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We adopted SFAS 159 on January 1, 2008 as required. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 159 to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), Business Combinations-a replacement of FASB Statement No. 141, which significantly changes the principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. The statement also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This statement is effective prospectively, except for certain retrospective adjustments to deferred tax balances, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS 141(R) and have not yet determined the impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our critical accounting policies are as follows:
o Revenue recognition
We derive revenue primarily from the sale/licensing of integrated hardware and software solutions. Independent sales of application software licenses include post contract support services. In addition, training services are sold separately. The products and services are generally sold under standardized licensing and sales arrangements with payment terms ranging from net 30 days in the United States to net 30 days and up to net 90 days in some international markets. Approximately 95% of our product/license sales include both hardware and software in the customer arrangement, with a small percentage of sales including other services. We offer rights of return and standard warranties for product defects related to our products. The rights of return are generally for a period of up to 30 days after the delivery date. The standard warranties cover periods ranging from 90 days to three years. We do not enter into contracts requiring product acceptance from the customer.
Revenue is recognized in accordance with the provisions of SOP 97-2 when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable. We enter into certain arrangements where we are obligated to deliver multiple products and/or services (“multiple elements”). In these transactions, we allocate the total revenue among the elements based on vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value as determined by the sales price of each element when sold separately.
When VSOE of fair value is available for the undelivered element of a multiple element arrangements, sales revenue is generally recognized on the date the product is shipped, using the relative fair value or residual method under SOP 97-2, with a portion of revenue recorded as deferred (unearned) due to applicable undelivered elements. Undelivered elements for our multiple-element arrangements with a customer are generally restricted to post contract support and training and education. The amount of revenue allocated to these undelivered elements is based on the VSOE of fair value for those undelivered elements. Deferred revenue due to undelivered elements is recognized ratably on a straight-line basis over the service period or when the service is completed. When VSOE of fair value is not available for the undelivered element of a multiple element arrangement, sales revenue is generally recognized ratably, on a straight-line basis over the service period of the undelivered element, generally 12 months or when the service is completed in accordance with the subscription method under SOP 97-2. Deferred revenue at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $36.1 million and $22.2 million, respectively.
The application of SOP 97-2 requires judgment, including whether a software arrangement includes multiple elements, and if so, whether VSOE of fair value exists for those elements. Changes to the elements in a software arrangement, the ability to identify VSOE for those elements, the fair value of the respective elements, and changes to a product’s estimated life cycle could materially impact the amount of earned and unearned revenue. Judgment is also required to assess whether future releases of certain software represent new products or upgrades and enhancements to existing products.
Provision for estimated sales returns is made by reducing recorded revenue based on historical experience. Management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends, and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for sales returns. The accounts receivable are net of allowance for sales returns of $1.7 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
o Estimating allowances, specifically sales returns, the allowance for doubtful accounts and the adjustment for excess and obsolete inventories
The preparation of financial statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Specifically, we must make estimates of potential future product returns related to current period product revenue. Management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends, and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of our sales returns and other allowances. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales returns and other allowances in any accounting period. The allowance for sales returns was $1.7 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. Similarly, management must make estimates of the uncollectability of our accounts receivables. Management specifically analyzes accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.9 million and $2.9 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and estimated market value based on assumptions of future demand and market conditions. Our allowance for excess and obsolete inventories was $4.2 million and $5.2 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write downs would be required.
o Accounting for costs of computer software
We capitalize costs related to the development and acquisition of certain software products. Capitalization of costs begins when technological feasibility has been established and ends when the product is available for general release to customers. Judgment is required in determining when technological feasibility of a product is established. Amortization is computed on an individual product basis for those products available for market and has been recognized based on the product’s estimated economic life, generally three years. At each balance sheet date, the unamortized costs are reviewed by management and reduced to net realized value when necessary. As of December 31, 2007, unamortized capitalized software development costs was $15.1 million.
o Valuation of long-lived and intangible assets
We assess the impairment of identifiable intangibles, long-lived assets and related goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors considered important which could trigger an impairment review include the following:
o Significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;
o Significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business;
o Significant negative industry or economic trends;
o Our market capitalization relative to net book value.
When it is determined that the carrying value of intangibles, long-lived assets and related goodwill may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, the measurement of any impairment is determined and the carrying value is reduced as appropriate. As of December 31, 2007, we had net goodwill of approximately $54.1 million.
o Accounting for income taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Variations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could materially impact our financial position or our results of operations. In estimating future tax consequences, all expected future events are considered other than enactments of changes in tax laws or rates. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more likely than not to be realized.
As a result of certain foreign investment incentives available under Hungarian law, the profit from our Hungarian operation has been subject to a reduced income tax rate. This special tax status terminated on January 1, 2008, upon the effective date of the merger of our Hungary manufacturing operations with its Hungarian parent company which was approved in December of 2007. The tax position of our Hungarian operation continues to benefit from assets created by the restructuring of our operations in Hungary. These benefits may not be available in the future due to changes in Hungary’s political condition and/or tax laws. The reduction or elimination of these tax benefits could result in an increase in our future effective income tax rate, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
o Loss contingencies
We accrue for probable losses from contingencies including legal defense costs, on an undiscounted basis, in accordance with SFAS 5, Accounting for Loss Contingencies, when such costs are considered probable of being incurred and are reasonably estimable. We periodically evaluate available information, both internal and external, relative to such contingencies and adjust this accrual as necessary. Disclosure of a contingency is required if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss has been incurred. In determining whether a loss should be accrued we evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. Changes in these factors could materially impact our financial position or our results of operation.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Market Risk” above.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth on pages through hereof.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There were no disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure for the year ended December 31, 2007.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as required by paragraph (b) of Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we evaluated under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management. Our disclosure controls and procedures include components of our internal control over financial reporting. Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is expressed at the level of reasonable assurance because a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met.
Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company, (ii) 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 (iii) 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.
Management assessed our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, which was the end of our fiscal year. Management based its assessment on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included evaluation of such elements as the design and operating effectiveness of key financial reporting controls, process documentation, accounting policies, and our overall control environment. This assessment is supported by testing and monitoring performed by our finance organization.
Based on our assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of the end of the fiscal year to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We reviewed the results of management’s assessment with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, audited our consolidated financial statements, and independently assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Ernst & Young LLP has issued their report, which is included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the three months ended December 31, 2007, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 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
Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Report in that we intend to file a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Proxy Statement”) relating to our annual meeting of stockholders not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report, and such information is incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information concerning our directors required by this Item pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-K will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Election of Directors” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information concerning our executive officers required by this Item pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-K will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Executive Officers” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information concerning our code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, our controller or person performing similar functions required by this Item pursuant to Item 406 of Regulation S-K will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Code of Ethics” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 407(c)(3) of Regulation S-K regarding material changes, if any, to procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our board of directors will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Deadline for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 407(d)(4) and Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K regarding our Audit Committee and our audit committee financial expert(s), respectively, will appear in our Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K regarding director compensation will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Board Compensation” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K regarding executive officer compensation, including our Compensation Discussion & Analysis, will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Executive Compensation” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 407(e)(4) of Regulation S-K will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 407(e)(5) will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Compensation Committee Report” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
From time to time our directors, executive officers and other insiders may adopt stock trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1(c) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Jeffrey L. Kodosky and James J. Truchard have made periodic sales of our stock pursuant to such plans.
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 403 of Regulation S-K concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Security Ownership” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K concerning securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Equity Compensation Plans Information” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
During 2002, we irrevocably contributed approximately $3.6 million to the National Instruments Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation established in 2002 for the purpose of continued promotion of scientific and engineering research and education at higher education institutions worldwide. Two of the four directors of the National Instruments Foundation are current officers of National Instruments.
In addition, the information required by this Item pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K regarding the independence of our directors will appear in our Proxy Statement under the section “Corporate Governance” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information concerning principal accountant fees and services required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement under the heading “Independent Public Accountants.”
The information concerning pre-approval policies for audit and non-audit services required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement under the heading “Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors.”
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Documents Filed with Report
1. Financial Statements.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Income
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2.
Financial Statement Schedules.
None
3.
Exhibits.
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 33-88386) declared effective March 13, 1995.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the same-numbered exhibit filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
(3) Incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 filed with the Company's current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2004.
(4) Incorporated by reference to the same-numbered exhibit filed with the Company's Form 8-K on April 27, 2004.
(5) Incorporated by reference to the same-numbered exhibit filed with the Company's Form 10-Q on August 5, 2004.
(6) Incorporated by reference to the same-numbered exhibit filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
(7) Incorporated by reference to exhibit A of the Company's Proxy Statement dated and filed on April 4, 2005.
(8) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit 10.1 filed with the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 27, 2006.
(9) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit 10.3 filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
(10) Incorporated by reference to the same-numbered exhibit filed with the Company's Form 10-Q filed on August 2, 2006.
* Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement.
(b) Exhibits
See Item 15(a)(3) above.
(c) Financial Statement Schedules
See Item 15(a)(2) above.
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.
Registrant
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
February 26, 2008
BY:
/s/ Dr. James J. Truchard
Dr. James J. Truchard
Chairman of the Board and President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Dr. James J. Truchard and Alexander M. Davern, jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may 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.
Signature Capacity in Which Signed Date
/s/ Dr. James J. Truchard
Dr. James J. Truchard
Chairman of the Board and
President (Principal Executive Officer)
February 26, 2008
/s/ Alex M. Davern
Alex M. Davern
Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
February 26, 2008
/s/ Jeffrey L. Kodosky
Jeffrey L. Kodosky
Director
February 23, 2008
/s/ Dr. Donald M. Carlton
Dr. Donald M. Carlton
Director
February 24, 2008
/s/ Dr. Ben G. Streetman
Dr. Ben G. Streetman
Director
February 26, 2008
/s/ R. Gary Daniels
R. Gary Daniels
Director
February 25, 2008
/s/ Charles J. Roesslein
Charles J. Roesslein
Director
February 26, 2008
/s/ Duy-Loan T. Le
Duy-Loan T. Le
Director
February 25, 2008
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of National Instruments Corporation:
We have audited National Instruments Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). National Instruments 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 Management 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, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and 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, National Instruments Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, 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 sheets of National Instruments Corporation as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 and our report dated February 26, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Austin, Texas
February 26, 2008
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of National Instruments Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of National Instruments Corporation as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. 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 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. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of National Instruments Corporation at December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
As discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109). Additionally, as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.”
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), National Instruments Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Austin, Texas
February 26,
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1: Operations and summary of significant accounting policies
National Instruments Corporation is a Delaware corporation. We engage in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of instrumentation software and specialty computer plug-in cards and accessories that users combine with industry standard computers, networks and the Internet to create measurement and automation systems. We offer hundreds of products used to create virtual instrumentation systems for general, commercial, industrial and scientific applications. Our products may be used in different environments, and consequently, specific application of our products is determined by the customer and generally is not known to us. We approach all markets with essentially the same products, which are used in a variety of applications from research and development to production testing, monitoring and industrial control. The following industries and applications are served by us worldwide: advanced research, automotive, commercial aerospace, computers and electronics, continuous process manufacturing, education, government/defense, medical research/pharmaceutical, power/energy, semiconductors, automated test equipment, telecommunications and others. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Instruments Corporation and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2007 presentation as shown in the following table:
(a)
These amounts have been reclassified to as a result of the adoption of FIN 48 (See Note 7 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
(b)
These amounts have been reclassified for comparability of an other long-term liability previously included in accrued expenses and other liabilities due to the fact that it was not material for separate disclosure on the face of the balance sheet.
(c)
These amounts have been reclassified in the deferred tax assets (liabilities) table in Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for comparability to corresponding amounts reported in 2007.
Use of estimates
Judgments and estimates are required in the preparation of financial statements to conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The estimates and underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingencies at the balance sheet date and the reported revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition.
Short-term investments
Short-term investments consist of corporate, state and municipal securities with readily determinable fair market values and maturities in excess of three months at the date of acquisition. Investments with maturities beyond one year are classified as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. Our investments are classified as available-for-sale and accordingly are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as other comprehensive income. Unrealized losses are charged against income when a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost of securities sold.
Accounts Receivable, net
Accounts receivable are recorded net of allowance for sales returns of $1.7 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $3.9 million and $2.9 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. A provision for estimated sales returns is made by reducing recorded revenue based on historical experience. We analyze historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for sales returns. Our allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical experience. We analyze historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost or market. Cost is determined using standard costs, which approximate the first-in first-out (FIFO) method. Cost includes the acquisition cost of purchased components, parts and subassemblies, in-bound freight costs, labor and overhead. Market is replacement cost with respect to raw materials and is net realizable value with respect to work in process and finished goods.
Inventory is shown net of adjustment for excess and obsolete inventories of $4.2 million and $5.2 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from twenty to forty years for buildings, three to seven years for purchased internal use software and for equipment which are each included in furniture and equipment. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the life of the lease or the asset.
Intangible assets
We capitalize costs related to the development and acquisition of certain software products. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 86, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed, capitalization of costs begins when technological feasibility has been established and ends when the product is available for general release to customers. Technological feasibility for our products is established when the product is available for beta release. Amortization is computed on an individual product basis for those products available for market and is recognized based on the product’s estimated economic life, generally three years. Patents are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, generally ten to seventeen years. At each balance sheet date, the unamortized costs for all intangible assets are reviewed by management and reduced to net realizable value when necessary.
Goodwill
The excess purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. In accordance with SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, and between annual tests if indicators of potential impairment exist, using a fair-value-based approach. Our annual impairment test was performed on February 28, 2007. No impairment of goodwill was identified.
Concentrations of credit risk
We maintain cash and cash equivalents with various financial institutions located in many countries throughout the world. At December 31, 2007, $97 million or 49.7% of our cash and cash equivalents were held in the ABN AMRO Global Liquidity Fund. This fund carries a Aaa rating by Moody’s and an AAA rating by S&P. The remaining balances are located in various operating cash accounts throughout the world. There are not any other significant concentrations in those accounts at December 31, 2007.
At December 31, 2007, $32.4 million or 35% of our short-term investments were held in auction rate securities and $61.4 million or 65% were held in tax exempt municipal bonds. No single issuer of the auction rate securities or the tax exempt municipal bonds represented more than 10% or our short-term investments at December 31, 2007. In accordance with our investment policy and guidelines, our short-term investments are diversified among and limited to high quality securities with a minimum of investment grade ratings. We actively monitor our investment portfolio to ensure compliance with our investment objective to preserve capital, meet liquidity requirements and maximize return on our investments. We do not require collateral or enter into master netting arrangements to mitigate our credit risk. (See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
At December 31, 2007, we held foreign currency forward and option contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $96.8 million with various counterparties and with varying maturity dates. Our counter parties in our foreign currency forward and option contracts are major financial institutions. We do not anticipate nonperformance by these counterparties. (See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across many countries and industries. The amount of sales to any individual customer did not exceed 3% of revenue for the periods presented. The largest trade account receivable from any individual customer at December 31, 2007 was approximately $4.0 million.
Key supplier risk
Our manufacturing processes use large volumes of high-quality components and subassemblies supplied by outside sources. Several of those components are available through single or limited sources. Supply shortages of or quality problems in connection with some of these key components could require us to procure components from replacement suppliers, which would cause significant delays in fulfillment of orders and likely result in additional costs. In order to manage this risk, we maintain safety stock of some of these single sourced components and subassemblies and perform regular assessments of suppliers performance, grading key suppliers in critical areas such as quality and “on-time” delivery.
Revenue recognition
We derive revenue primarily from the sale/licensing of integrated hardware and software solutions. Independent sales of application software licenses include post contract support services. In addition, training services are sold separately. The products and services are generally sold under standardized licensing and sales arrangements with payment terms ranging from net 30 days in the United States to net 30 days and up to net 90 days in some international markets. Approximately 95% of our product/license sales include both hardware and software in the customer arrangement, with a small percentage of sales including other services. We offer rights of return and standard warranties for product defects related to our products. The rights of return are generally for a period of up to 30 days after the delivery date. The standard warranties cover periods ranging from 90 days to three years. We do not enter into contracts requiring product acceptance from the customer.
Revenue is recognized in accordance with the provisions of SOP 97-2 when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable. We enter into certain arrangements where we are obligated to deliver multiple products and/or services (“multiple elements”). In these transactions, we allocate the total revenue among the elements based on vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value as determined by the sales price of each element when sold separately.
When VSOE of fair value is available for the undelivered element of a multiple element arrangements, sales revenue is generally recognized on the date the product is shipped, using the relative fair value or residual method under SOP 97-2, with a portion of revenue recorded as deferred (unearned) due to applicable undelivered elements. Undelivered elements for our multiple-element arrangements with a customer are generally restricted to post contract support and training and education. The amount of revenue allocated to these undelivered elements is based on the VSOE of fair value for those undelivered elements. Deferred revenue due to undelivered elements is recognized ratably on a straight-line basis over the service period or when the service is completed. When VSOE of fair value is not available for the undelivered element of a multiple element arrangement, sales revenue is generally recognized ratably, on a straight-line basis over the service period of the undelivered element, generally 12 months or when the service is completed in accordance with the subscription method under SOP 97-2. Deferred revenue at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $36.1 million and $22.2 million, respectively.
The application of SOP 97-2 requires judgment, including whether a software arrangement includes multiple elements, and if so, whether VSOE of fair value exists for those elements. Changes to the elements in a software arrangement, the ability to identify VSOE for those elements, the fair value of the respective elements, and changes to a product’s estimated life cycle could materially impact the amount of earned and unearned revenue. Judgment is also required to assess whether future releases of certain software represent new products or upgrades and enhancements to existing products.
Warranty reserve
We offer a one-year limited warranty on most hardware products, with a two or three-year warranty on a subset of our hardware products, which is included in the sales price of many of our products. Provision is made for estimated future warranty costs at the time of the sale pursuant to SFAS 5, Accounting for Loss Contingencies, for the estimated costs that may be incurred under the basic limited warranty. Our estimate is based on historical experience and product sales during this period.
The warranty reserve for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, was as follows (in thousands):
Loss contingencies
We accrue for probable losses from contingencies including legal defense costs, on an undiscounted basis, in accordance with SFAS 5, Accounting for Loss Contingencies, when such costs are considered probable of being incurred and are reasonably estimable. We periodically evaluate available information, both internal and external, relative to such contingencies and adjust this accrual as necessary.
Advertising expense
We expense costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $51.2 million, $47.3 million and $42.5 million, respectively.
Foreign currency translation
The functional currency for our international sales operations is the applicable local currency. The assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date and sales and expenses are translated at average rates. The resulting gains or losses from translation are included in a separate component of other comprehensive income. Gains and losses resulting from re-measuring monetary asset and liability accounts that are denominated in a currency other than a subsidiary’s functional currency are included in net foreign exchange gain (loss) and are included in net income.
Foreign currency hedging instruments
All of our derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value. We currently use foreign currency forward and purchased option contracts to hedge our exposure to material foreign currency denominated receivables and forecasted foreign currency cash flows.
On the date the derivative contract is entered into, we designate the derivative as either a hedge of the fair value of foreign currency denominated receivables (“fair-value” hedge) or as a hedge of the variability of foreign currency cash flows to be received (“cash flow” hedge). Changes in the fair market value of a fair-value hedge are recorded, along with the loss or gain on the re-measurement of foreign-currency-denominated receivables, in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges under SFAS 133 and that are deemed to be highly effective are recorded in other comprehensive income. These amounts are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedge transaction is realized. We do not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes.
We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair-value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. We also formally assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedging instruments are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items.
We prospectively discontinue hedge accounting if (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of a hedged item (forecasted transactions); or (2) the derivative is de-designated as a hedge instrument, because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur. When hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative is sold and the resulting gains and losses are recognized immediately in earnings.
Income taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method as set forth in SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more likely than not to be realized.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding (if dilutive) during each period. The number of common share equivalents, which include stock options and restricted stock units, is computed using the treasury stock method.
The reconciliation of the denominators used to calculate basic EPS and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):
Stock options to acquire 2,304,078, 3,295,000 and 3,056,000 shares for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, were excluded in the computations of diluted EPS because the effect of including the stock options would have been anti-dilutive.
Stock-based compensation
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123R (“SFAS 123R”), “Share-based Payments”, using the modified-prospective-transition method. Under this method, prior periods are not restated. Under this transition method, stock compensation cost recognized beginning January 1, 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted on or subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R.
Prior to adopting SFAS 123R, we presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock grants as operating cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows. SFAS 123R requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows. As a result, $3.0 million and $4.3 million of excess tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, have been classified as financing cash flows.
Prior to the effective date of SFAS 123R, we applied Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25 (“APB 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations for our stock option grants. APB 25 provides that the compensation expense relative to our stock options is measured based on the intrinsic value of the stock option at date of grant.
As a result of adopting SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006, our income before income taxes and net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $9.4 million and $8.7 million lower, respectively, than if we had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $0.11 and $0.11 lower, respectively, than if we had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. Deferred stock-based compensation balances previously required under APB 25 were adjusted against previously recorded common stock and additional paid-in capital balances upon adoption of SFAS 123R, as required.
Had we previously recognized compensation costs as prescribed by SFAS 123R, previously reported net income, basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share would have changed to the pro forma amounts shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Pro-forma disclosures for the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are not presented because the amounts are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, total stock-based compensation was $13.7 million, net of tax of $3.8 million and $11.7 million, net of tax of $2.4 million, respectively. (See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
Comprehensive income
Our comprehensive income is comprised of net income, foreign currency translation and unrealized gains and losses on forward and option contracts and securities available for sale. Comprehensive income for 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $111.6 million, $76.9 million and $57.2 million, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 109. This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. It prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. This interpretation was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 as required. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 was recorded in retained earnings upon adoption. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. (See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. This standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. This pronouncement applies under other accounting standards that require or permit fair value measurements. Accordingly, this statement does not require any new fair value measurement. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008, as required. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - including an amendment of FASB Statement 115. This standard permits an entity to measure many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We adopted SFAS 159 on January 1, 2008 as required. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 159 to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), Business Combinations-a replacement of FASB Statement No. 141, which significantly changes the principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. The statement also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This statement is effective prospectively, except for certain retrospective adjustments to deferred tax balances, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS 141(R) and have not yet determined the impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 2: Short-term investments
Short-term investments at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, consisting of corporate, state and municipal securities, were acquired at an aggregate cost of $93.6 million and $150.1 million, respectively. The contractual maturities of these securities, which are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value, are as follows (in thousands):
Included within our short-term investments are Aaa/AAA/AA rated investments in auction rate securities. Auction rate securities are variable rate debt instruments whose interest rates are reset approximately every 7 to 35 days. The underlying securities generally have longer dated contractual maturities. The auction rate securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at estimated fair value. Typically, the carrying value of auction rate securities approximates estimated fair value due to the frequent resetting of the interest rates. Included in short-term investments at December 31, 2007, were auction rate securities with a principal cost of $32.4 million which were reported at their fair-market value of $32.4 million. At December 31, 2007, we did not report any unrealized gains or losses related to these securities as we have historically reported the fair market value of these investments at par since that is the value we received when trading them in the established market. Any difference between par value and the purchase price or settlement value have historically been comprised of accrued interest.
Note 3: Inventories
Inventories, net consist of the following (in thousands):
Note 4: Property and equipment
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, was $22.2 million, $20.2 million and $17.8 million, respectively.
Note 5: Intangibles
Intangibles at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
Software development costs capitalized during 2007, 2006 and 2005 were $8.3 million, $7.4 million and $13.4 million, respectively, and related amortization was $8.9 million, $9.1 million and $7.2 million, respectively. Amortization of capitalized software development costs is computed on an individual product basis for those products available for market and is recognized based on the product’s estimated economic life, generally three years. Patents are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, generally ten to seventeen years. Total intangible assets amortization expenses were $14.4 million, $13.9 million and $10.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Capitalized software development costs, acquired technology, patents and other have weighted-average useful lives of 1.9 years, 2.8 years, 8.7 years and 2.3 years, respectively, as of December 31, 2007. The estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets as of December 31, 2007 is as follows:
Note 6: Goodwill
The carrying amount of goodwill for 2006 and 2007 are as follows:
The excess purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. In accordance with SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, and between annual tests if indicators of potential impairment exist, using a fair-value-based approach. Our annual impairment test was performed on February 28, 2007. No impairment of goodwill was identified during any of the periods presented.
Note 7: Income taxes
The components of income before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
The provision for income taxes charged to operations is as follows (in thousands):
Deferred tax liabilities (assets) at December 31, 2007 and 2006 as follows (in thousands):
A reconciliation of income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate follows:
As of December 31, 2007, nine of our subsidiaries have available, for income tax purposes, foreign net operating loss carryforwards of an aggregate of approximately $287.5 million, of which $8.6 million expire during the years 2009 - 2014 and $278.9 million of which may be carried forward indefinitely. Our tax valuation allowance relates to the realizability of certain of these foreign net operating loss carryforwards and benefits of tax deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill.
We maintain a manufacturing facility in Hungary. As a result of certain foreign investment incentives available under Hungarian law, the profit from our Hungarian operation has been subject to a reduced income tax rate. This special tax status terminated on January 1 2008, upon the merger of our Hungary manufacturing operation with its Hungarian parent company. The merger was effective on January 1, 2008. The aggregate tax benefit of the exemption was $8.7 million and $5.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
In 2003, we restructured the organization of our manufacturing operation in Hungary. The tax deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill created by this restructuring resulted in our being required to record a gross deferred tax asset of $91.0 million. The amortization of this excess tax deductible goodwill resulted in a $43.8 million and $32.1 million deferred tax asset for the associated net operating loss for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the gross deferred tax asset related to the excess tax goodwill was $81.5 million and $85.7 million, respectively. Because we do not expect to have sufficient taxable income in the relevant jurisdiction in future periods to realize the full benefit of these deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance has been established in the amount of $107.0 million and $117.8 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. In December 2007, upon the approval of the merger of our Hungarian manufacturing operation with its Hungarian parent company, we released $18.3 million of the valuation allowance previously established for the excess tax deductible goodwill to reflect the tax benefit we expect to realize following the merger of our Hungarian operations.
We have not provided for U.S. federal income and foreign withholding taxes on approximately $196.1 million of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries’ undistributed earnings as of December 31, 2007. These earnings would become subject to taxes of approximately $75.4 million, if they were actually or deemed to be remitted to the parent company as dividends or if we should sell our stock in these subsidiaries. We currently intend to reinvest indefinitely these undistributed earnings.
We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 109 on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 was $96,000, which was recorded as a reduction in beginning retained earnings upon adoption, as required. We recognized no material adjustment to the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefit is as follows:
All of our unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2007 would affect our effective income tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2007, it is deemed reasonably possible that the Company will recognize tax benefits in the amount of $1.2 million in the next twelve months due to the closing of open tax years. The nature of the uncertainty relates to deductions taken on returns that have not been examined by the applicable tax authority.
We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, we recognized interest expense related to uncertain tax positions of approximately $204,000 and $197,000, respectively. The tax years 2000 through 2007 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions in which we file income tax returns.
Note 8: Stockholders’ equity and stock-based compensation
Stock option plans
Our stockholders approved the 1994 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “1994 Plan”) on May 9, 1994. At the time of approval, 9,112,500 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under this plan. In 1997, an additional 7,087,500 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under this plan, and an additional 750,000 shares were reserved for issuance under this plan, as amended, in 2004. The 1994 Plan terminated in May 2005, except with respect to outstanding awards previously granted thereunder. Awards under the plan were either incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or nonqualified options. The right to purchase shares vests over a five to ten-year period, beginning on the date of grant. Vesting of ten year awards may accelerate based on the Company’s previous year’s earnings and growth but shares cannot accelerate to vest over a period of less than five years. Stock options must be exercised within ten years from date of grant. Stock options were issued at the market price at the grant date. As part of the requirements of SFAS 123R, the Company is required to estimate potential forfeitures of stock grants and adjust compensation cost recorded accordingly. The estimate of forfeitures will be adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures will be recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period of change and will also impact the amount of stock compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.
Transactions under all stock option plans are summarized as follows:
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options at exercise, represented in the table above, was $22.3 million, $25.5 million and $19.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $11.4 million as of the end of 2007, related to approximately 926,000 shares with a per share weighted average fair value of $16.19. We anticipate this expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.5 years.
The weighted average remaining contractual life of options exercisable as of December 31, 2007 was 3.14 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding as of December 31, 2007 was $46.2 million. The aggregate intrinsic value of options currently exercisable as of December 31, 2007 was $39.4 million. No options were granted in the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 as our incentive option plan terminated in May 2005. The fair value of options granted in 2005 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
Restricted stock plan
Our stockholders approved the 2005 Incentive Plan on May 10, 2005. At the time of approval, 2,700,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under this plan, as well as the number of shares which had been reserved, but not issued under the 1994 Plan (our incentive stock option plan which terminated in May 2005), and any shares that returned to the 1994 Plan as a result of termination of options or repurchase of shares issued under such plan. The 2005 Plan, administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, provides for granting of incentive awards in the form of restricted stock and restricted stock units to directors, executive officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Awards vest over a three, five or ten-year period, beginning on the date of grant. Vesting of ten year awards may accelerate based on the Company’s previous year’s earnings and growth but ten year awards cannot accelerate to vest over a period of less than five years. Shares available for grant at December 31, 2007 were 3,078,102. As part of the requirements of SFAS 123R, the Company is required to estimate potential forfeitures of restricted stock units and adjust compensation cost recorded accordingly. The estimate of forfeitures will be adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures will be recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period of change and will also impact the amount of stock compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.
Transactions under the restricted stock plan are summarized as follows:
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock units was approximately $46.5 million as of the end of 2007, related to 1,841,634 shares with a per share weighted average fair value of $33.19. We anticipate this expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 6.4 years.
Employee stock purchase plan
Our employee stock purchase plan permits substantially all domestic employees and employees of designated subsidiaries to acquire our common stock at a purchase price of 85% of the lower of the market price at the beginning or the end of the participation period. On December 21, 2005, our Compensation Committee amended the purchase periods from semi-annual to quarterly beginning on November 1, February 1, May 1 and August 1 of each year. Following this amendment, the initial period commenced on April 1, 2006 and ended on July 31, 2006. Employees may designate up to 15% of their compensation for the purchase of common stock. Common stock reserved for future employee purchases aggregated 823,309 shares at December 31, 2006. During the annual shareholder meeting held on May 7, 2007, shareholders approved an additional 3,000,000 shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance under the employee stock purchase plan. Common stock reserved for future employee purchases aggregated 3,273,590 shares at December 31, 2007. Shares issued under this plan were 549,719 and 539,541 in the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The weighted average fair value of the employees’ purchase rights was $24.77 and was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:
Weighted average, grant date fair value of purchase rights granted under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
Authorized Preferred Stock and Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Plan
We have 5,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock. On January 21, 2004, our Board of Directors designated 750,000 of these shares as Series A Participating Preferred Stock in conjunction with its adoption of a Preferred Stock Rights Agreement (the “Rights Agreement”) and declaration of a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each share of common stock outstanding held as of May 10, 2004 or issued thereafter. Each Right will entitle its holder to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of National Instruments’ Series A Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $200, subject to adjustment, under certain circumstances. The Rights Agreement was not adopted in response to any effort to acquire control of National Instruments.
The Rights only become exercisable in certain limited circumstances following the tenth day after a person or group announces acquisitions of or tender offers for 20% or more of our common stock. In addition, if an acquirer (subject to certain exclusions for certain current stockholders of National Instruments, an “Acquiring Person”) obtains 20% or more of our common stock, then each Right (other than the Rights owned by an Acquiring Person or its affiliates) will entitle the holder to purchase, for the exercise price, shares of our common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price. Under certain circumstances, our Board of Directors may redeem the Rights, in whole, but not in part, at a purchase price of $0.01 per Right. The Rights have no voting privileges and are attached to and automatically traded with our common stock until the occurrence of specified trigger events. The Rights will expire on the earlier of May 10, 2014 or the exchange or redemption of the Rights.
Stock repurchases and retirements
Since 1998, our Board of Directors approved and we maintained various stock repurchase programs. Pursuant to these plans we purchased and retired a total of 4,624,831 shares for approximately $105.1 million through December 31, 2007. In January 2007, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan that increased the aggregate number of shares of common stock that we were authorized to repurchase to 3.0 million shares. Pursuant to the January 2007 repurchase program, we purchased and retired a total of 2,360,730 shares for approximately $68.0 million. In July 2007, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan that increased the aggregate number of shares of common stock that we are authorized to repurchase from 639,270 to 3.0 million. Pursuant to the July 2007 repurchase program, we have repurchased 369,405 shares for approximately $11.8 million. The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under this plan was 2,630,595 at December 31, 2007. This plan has no expiration date.
Note 9: Employee retirement plan
We have a defined contribution retirement plan pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Substantially all domestic employees with at least thirty days of continuous service are eligible to participate and may contribute up to 15% of their compensation. The Board of Directors has elected to make matching contributions equal to 50% of employee contributions, which may be applied to a maximum of 6% of each participant’s compensation. Employees are eligible for matching contributions after one year of continuous service. Company contributions vest immediately. Our policy prohibits participants from direct investment in shares of our common stock within the plan. Company contributions charged to expense were $3.3 million, $3.0 million and $2.6 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Note 10: Financial instruments
Fair value of financial instruments
The estimated fair value amounts disclosed below have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies described below. For certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The estimated fair values of the other assets (liabilities) of our remaining financial instruments at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows (in thousands):
The fair values of short-term investments and foreign currency forward and option contracts were estimated based upon quotes from brokers as of the applicable balance sheet date.
Note 11: Derivative instruments and hedging activities
We have operations in over 40 countries. Approximately 55% of our revenues are generated outside the Americas. Our activities expose us to a variety of market risks, including the effects of changes in foreign-currency exchange rates. These financial risks are monitored and managed by us as an integral part of our overall risk management program.
We maintain a foreign-currency risk management strategy that uses derivative instruments (foreign currency forward and purchased options contracts) to protect our earnings and cash flows from fluctuations caused by the volatility in currency exchange rates. Movements in foreign-currency exchange rates pose a risk to our operations and competitive position, since exchange rate changes may affect our profitability and cash flow, and the business or pricing strategies of our non-U.S. based competitors.
Foreign currency fair value and cash flow hedges
The vast majority of our foreign sales are denominated in the customers’ local currency. We purchase foreign currency forward and purchased options contracts as hedges of forecasted sales that are denominated in foreign currencies and as hedges of foreign currency denominated receivables. These contracts are entered into to protect against the risk that the eventual dollar-net-cash inflows resulting from such sales or firm commitments will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates.
We held forward contracts with notional amounts totaling $14.6 million and $19.6 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, that were designated as foreign currency fair value hedges of our foreign denominated receivables. The fair value of these contracts, which are for 90-day periods, is a liability of $39,000 and a liability of $617,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We recorded net losses of $1.1 million, net losses of $1.0 million and net gains of $2.2 million for fair value hedges for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, which was recorded in “Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss).” We hedge up to 90% of our outstanding foreign denominated receivables.
We held forward contracts with a notional amount of $37.2 million and $26.6 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, that were designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges related to our anticipated sales transactions. The fair value of these contracts, which are for terms up to twelve months, is a liability of $1.1 million and a liability of $427,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We recorded a net unrealized deferred loss of $1.1 million and a net unrealized deferred loss of $427,000 in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to these forward contracts.
We held option contracts with a notional amount of $82.2 million at December 31, 2007, that were designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges related to our anticipated sales transactions. The fair value of these contracts, which are for terms up to twenty-four months, is an asset of $2.7 million at December 31, 2007. We recorded a net unrealized deferred gain of $466,000 in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” at December 31, 2007, related to these option contracts. We did not hold any option contracts at December 31, 2006.
We purchase foreign currency forward and option contracts for up to 100% of our forecasted exposures in selected currencies (primarily in euro, yen and pound sterling) and limit the duration of these contracts to 40 months or less. We recorded net losses of $3.0 million, net losses of $1.0 million and net gains of $105,000 for cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, which was included in “Net Sales”.
$869,000 of deferred losses on cash flow hedges recorded in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” at December 31, 2007, are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months. In addition, $261,000 of deferred gains on cash flow hedges recorded in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” at December 31, 2007, are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the fiscal year December 31, 2009. We expect to reclassify substantially all of the amount recorded in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at December 31, 2007 into earnings during the next twenty-four months, providing an offsetting economic impact against the underlying sales transactions.
Hedge effectiveness of a foreign currency forward and option contract designated as a cash flow hedge is measured by comparing the hedging instrument’s cumulative change in fair value from inception to maturity to the forecasted transaction’s terminal value. Ineffectiveness in 2007, 2006 and 2005 was not significant. No amounts were excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness nor were there any amounts of ineffectiveness recorded in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
Note 12: Segment information
In accordance with SFAS 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, we determine operating segments using the management approach. The management approach designates the internal organization that is used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source of our operating segments. It also requires disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.
While we sell our products to many different markets, management has chosen to organize the Company by geographic areas, and as a result has determined that we have one operating segment. Substantially all of the interest income, depreciation and amortization is recorded in the Americas. Net sales, operating income and identifiable assets, classified by the major geographic areas in which we operate, are as follows (in thousands):
Total sales outside the United States for 2007, 2006 and 2005 were $437.0 million, $373.7 million and $323.9 million, respectively.
Note 13: Commitments, contingencies and leases
We have commitments under non-cancelable operating leases primarily for office facilities. Certain leases require us to pay property taxes, insurance and routine maintenance, and include escalation clauses. Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2007, for each of the next five years are as follows (in thousands):
Rent expense under operating leases was approximately $10.2 million, $8.7 million and $7.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
As of December 31, 2007, we have non-cancelable purchase commitments with various suppliers of customized inventory and inventory components totaling approximately $8.3 million over the next twelve months.
As of December 31, 2007, we have outstanding guarantees for payment of customs and foreign grants totaling approximately $4.7 million.
Note 14: Litigation
We filed a patent infringement action on January 25, 2001 in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas (Marshall Division) claiming that The MathWorks, Inc. (“MathWorks”) infringed certain of our U.S. patents. On January 30, 2003, a jury found infringement by MathWorks of three of the patents involved and awarded us specified damages. On June 23, 2003, the District Court entered final judgment in favor of us and entered an injunction against MathWorks’ sale of its Simulink and related products and stayed the injunction pending appeal. Upon appeal, the judgment and the injunction were affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (September 3, 2004). Subsequently the stay of injunction was lifted by the District Court. In November 2004, the final judgment amount of $7.4 million which had been held in escrow pending appeal was released to us.
An action was filed by MathWorks against us on September 22, 2004, in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas (Marshall Division), claiming that on that day MathWorks had released modified versions of its Simulink and related products, and seeking a declaratory judgment that the modified products do not infringe the three patents adjudged infringed in the District Court’s decision of June 23, 2003, (and affirmed by the Court of Appeals on September 3, 2004). On November 2, 2004, MathWorks served the complaint on us. We filed an answer to MathWorks’ declaratory judgment complaint, denying MathWorks’ claims of non-infringement and alleging our own affirmative defenses. On January 5, 2005, the Court denied a contempt motion by us to enjoin the modified Simulink products under the injunction in effect from the first case. On January 7, 2005, we amended our answer to include counterclaims that MathWorks’ modified products are infringing three of our patents, and requested unspecified damages and an injunction. MathWorks filed its reply to our counterclaims on February 7, 2005, denying the counterclaims and alleging affirmative defenses. On March 2, 2005, we filed a notice of appeal regarding the Court’s denial of the contempt motion. On March 15, 2005, the Court stayed MathWorks’ declaratory judgment action, pending a decision on the appeal by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On February 9, 2006, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s January 2005 order. On November 22, 2006, the District Court lifted the stay. The case schedule has yet to be set in this action. During the fourth quarter of 2004, we accrued $4 million related to our probable loss from this contingency, which consists entirely of anticipated patent defense costs that are probable of being incurred. In the fourth quarter of 2006, we accrued an additional $600,000 related to this contingency. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we charged a total of $9,000 against this accrual. There were not any charges against this accrual during the fourth quarter of 2007. We have charged a cumulative total of $611,000 against this accrual through December 31, 2007.
Note 15: Acquisitions
On January 31, 2005, we acquired all of the common stock of Toronto, Canada-based Electronics Workbench, a supplier of electronics design automation software. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price of the acquisition, subject to adjustment as provided for in the purchase agreement, was $12.1 million in cash. We funded the purchase price from existing cash balances. Our consolidated financial statements include the operating results from the date of acquisition. Pro-forma results of operations have not been presented because the effects of those operations were not material. In accordance with SFAS 141, Business Combinations, the total purchase consideration has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable intangible assets, based on their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
On April 29, 2005, we acquired the operating assets of Measurement Computing Corporation (MCC), a provider of low-cost data acquisition products. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. We acquired the operating assets of MCC, which included the legal positions of MCC and SoftWIRE in litigation against us. As a result of the asset acquisition, a pending legal action was dismissed with prejudice and we eliminated our remaining $1.9 million accrual for patent defense costs related to MCC. The gain that resulted from the elimination of the accrual was recorded in general and administrative expenses. The purchase price of the acquisition, subject to adjustment as provided for in the purchase agreement, was $33.2 million in cash. We funded the purchase price from existing cash balances. Our consolidated financial statements include the operating results from the date of acquisition. Pro-forma results of operations have not been presented because the effects of those operations were not material. In accordance with SFAS 141, the total purchase consideration has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable assets, based on their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
On October 17, 2005, we acquired the operating assets of IOtech, Inc., a provider of PC-based data acquisition and instrumentation products. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price of the acquisition, subject to adjustment as provided for in the purchase agreement, was $17.6 million in cash. We funded the purchase price from existing cash balances. Our consolidated financial statements include the operating results from the date of acquisition. Pro-forma results of operations have not been presented because the effects of those operations were not material. In accordance with SFAS 141, the total purchase consideration has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable assets, based on their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
Goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed periodically for impairment. Acquired core technology and intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives, which range from three to eight years. Amortization expense for intangible assets acquired was approximately $3.2 million and $3.2 million for 2007 and 2006, respectively, of which approximately $2.7 million and $2.7 million was recorded in cost of sales and approximately $480,000 and $490,000 was recorded in operating expenses. The estimated amortization expense of intangible assets acquired for the current fiscal year and in future years will be recorded in the consolidated statements of income as follows (in thousands):
Note 16: Quarterly results (unaudited)
The following quarterly results have been derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements that, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of such quarterly information. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period. The unaudited quarterly financial data for each of the eight quarters in the two years ended December 31, 2007 are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
Note 17: Subsequent Event
Included in short-term investments at December 31, 2007, were auction rate securities with a principal cost of $32.4 million. Subsequent to December 31, 2007, we sold auction rate securities, at par, with a principal cost of $23.8 million, thereby realizing no loss on the sale of these securities. On February 15, 2008, auction rate securities that were originally purchased for $8.6 million failed the auction process. We do not consider these investments as liquid in the short-term. In the event that we needed to access these funds, we would not be able to do so until a future auction on these securities was successful. We do not believe that the auction process will provide liquidity for the securities in the foreseeable future. We are uncertain as to when the liquidity issues relating to these securities will improve. Accordingly, these securities should be considered as non-current as of February 15, 2008. Although we have uncertainty with regard to the future short-term liquidity of these securities, we continue to believe that the fair value of these investments continues to be par value based on the fact that these securities have redemption features which call for redemption at 100% of par value, the fact that the underlying debt continues to carry Aaa/AAA/AA and the fact that we have the ability to hold these securities to maturity.
On January 29, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per common share, payable March 3, 2008, to shareholders of record on February 11, 2008.
On February 1, 2008, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of microLEX Systems A/S, headquartered in Denmark, a provider of video and audio test solutions. The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price of the acquisition was $17.3 million.
Since December 31, 2007, we have repurchased 1,410,354 shares of our common stock at an average price of $26.85 under our share repurchase plan. The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plan is 1,220,241.