Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 28, 2010

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 0-12933

 

 

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   94-2634797

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4650 Cushing Parkway Fremont, California   94538
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(510) 572-0200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of April 29, 2010, there were 126,533,883 shares of Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page No.
PART I. Financial Information
Item 1.   Financial Statements (Unaudited):   
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 28, 2010 and June 28, 2009    3
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010 and March 29, 2009    4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended March 28, 2010 and March 29, 2009    5
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    6
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    25
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    39
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    39
PART II. Other Information    40
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings    40
Item 1A.   Risk Factors    40
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    46
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    47
Item 4.   Removed and Reserved    47
Item 5.   Other Information    47
Item 6.   Exhibits    47
Signatures      48
Exhibit Index      49
  EX-4.13   
  EX-31.1   
  EX-31.2   
  EX-32.1   
  EX-32.2   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     March 28,
2010
    June 28,
2009
 
     (unaudited)     (1)  
ASSETS     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 461,369      $ 374,167   

Short-term investments

     217,178        205,221   

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,722 as of March 28, 2010 and $10,719 as of June 28, 2009

     521,810        253,585   

Inventories

     281,469        233,410   

Deferred income taxes

     49,363        69,043   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     73,546        101,714   
                

Total current assets

     1,604,735        1,237,140   

Property and equipment, net

     203,037        215,666   

Restricted cash and investments

     165,284        178,439   

Deferred income taxes

     14,380        17,007   

Goodwill

     169,182        169,182   

Intangible assets, net

     73,686        91,605   

Other assets

     94,055        84,145   
                

Total assets

   $ 2,324,359      $ 1,993,184   
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Trade accounts payable

   $ 126,922      $ 49,606   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     262,733        281,335   

Deferred profit

     138,194        45,787   

Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases

     5,512        5,348   
                

Total current liabilities

     533,361        382,076   

Long-term debt and capital leases

     20,314        40,886   

Income taxes payable

     113,364        102,999   

Other long-term liabilities

     12,872        14,134   
                

Total liabilities

     679,911        540,095   

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, at par value of $0.001 per share; authorized - 5,000 shares, none outstanding

     —          —     

Common stock, at par value of $0.001 per share; authorized - 400,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 126,037 shares at March 28, 2010 and 126,532 shares at June 28, 2009

     126        127   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,421,608        1,377,231   

Treasury stock, at cost, 36,274 shares at March 28, 2010 and 34,679 shares at June 28, 2009

     (1,555,006     (1,495,693

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (50,890     (52,822

Retained earnings

     1,828,610        1,624,246   
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,644,448        1,453,089   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 2,324,359      $ 1,993,184   
                

 

(1) Derived from audited financial statements

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
    March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 

Total revenue

   $ 632,763    $ 174,412      $ 1,438,487      $ 898,182   

Cost of goods sold

     339,892      127,680        795,810        556,212   

Cost of goods sold - restructuring and asset impairments

     —        10,217        —          20,993   

Cost of goods sold - 409A expense

     —        —          (10,168     —     
                               

Total costs of goods sold

     339,892      137,897        785,642        577,205   
                               

Gross margin

     292,871      36,515        652,845        320,977   

Research and development

     81,845      70,434        235,215        220,778   

Selling, general and administrative

     61,933      58,515        174,163        185,813   

Goodwill impairment

     —        89,076        —          89,076   

Restructuring and asset impairments

     —        13,028        8,012        39,117   

409A expense

     —        646        (34,238     2,250   
                               

Total operating expenses

     143,778      231,699        383,152        537,034   
                               

Operating income (loss)

     149,093      (195,184     269,693        (216,057

Other income, net

     1,616      13,497        1,190        15,281   
                               

Income (loss) before income taxes

     150,709      (181,687     270,883        (200,776

Income tax expense

     30,408      16,672        64,211        12,882   
                               

Net income (loss)

   $ 120,301    $ (198,359   $ 206,672      $ (213,658
                               

Net income (loss) per share:

         

Basic net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.94    $ (1.58   $ 1.63      $ (1.70
                               

Diluted net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.94    $ (1.58   $ 1.61      $ (1.70
                               

Number of shares used in per share calculations:

         

Basic

     127,307      125,566        127,127        125,368   
                               

Diluted

     128,587      125,566        128,368        125,368   
                               

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Nine Months  
     March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 206,672      $ (213,658

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     53,737        54,723   

Deferred income taxes

     22,351        10,632   

Restructuring charges, net

     8,012        60,110   

Goodwill impairment

     —          89,076   

Equity-based compensation expense

     38,134        39,684   

Income tax benefit on equity-based compensation plans

     691        (13,121

Excess tax benefit on equity-based compensation plans

     (973     6,510   

Other, net

     2,542        6,818   

Changes in operating asset and liabilities:

     (145,886     (60,783
                

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     185,280        (20,009
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Capital expenditures and intangible assets

     (23,548     (38,434

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

     —          (19,457

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     (92,868     (198,311

Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities

     78,839        279,019   

Purchase of other investments

     (961     (3,439

Transfer of restricted cash and investments

     13,155        (47,748

Other

     —          (10,375
                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (25,383     (38,745
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     (20,424     (255,136

Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     336        625   

Excess tax benefit on equity-based compensation plans

     973        (6,510

Treasury stock purchases

     (75,172     (27,749

Reissuances of treasury stock

     11,279        13,526   

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     7,823        5,727   
                

Net cash used for financing activities

     (75,185     (269,517
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     2,490        (29,618

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     87,202        (357,889

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     374,167        732,537   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 461,369      $ 374,648   
                

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Lam Research Corporation (“Lam Research” or the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2009, which are included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended June 28, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”). The Company’s Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and Forms 8-K are available online at the Securities and Exchange Commission website on the Internet. The address of that site is www.sec.gov. The Company also posts its Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and Forms 8-K on its corporate website at http://investor.lamresearch.com .

The Company’s reporting period is a 52/53-week fiscal year. The Company’s current fiscal year will end June 27, 2010 and includes 52 weeks. The quarters ended March 28, 2010 (the “March 2010 quarter”) and March 29, 2009 (the “March 2009 quarter”) each included 13 weeks.

Certain amounts presented in the comparative financial statements for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal year 2010 presentation.

NOTE 2 — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) revised the authoritative guidance for business combinations. The guidance establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. The revised guidance also establishes disclosure requirements to enable readers to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The accounting treatment of tax benefits from acquired companies has changed under the revised guidance. Any changes to the tax benefits associated with valuation allowances related to business combinations will be recorded through income tax expense. The Company adopted the revised guidance on June 29, 2009 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on its results of operations or financial condition.

In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance that establishes accounting and reporting standards for the treatment of noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary. Noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary are reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements and any retained noncontrolling equity investment when a subsidiary is deconsolidated is initially measured at fair value. The Company adopted the guidance on June 29, 2009 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on its results of operations or financial condition.

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance that requires publicly-traded companies to provide disclosures on the fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements. The Company adopted this guidance on June 29, 2009 and the adoption resulted in expanded disclosures but did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

In June 2009, the FASB issued the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”). The Codification is the single source for all authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied for financial statements issued for periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Codification does not change GAAP and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In September 2009, the FASB ratified guidance from the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) regarding revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. This guidance addresses criteria for separating the consideration in multiple-element arrangements and requires companies to allocate the overall consideration to each deliverable by using a best estimate of the selling price of individual deliverables in the arrangement in the absence of vendor-specific objective evidence or other third-party evidence of the selling price. This guidance will be effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

        In September 2009, the FASB also ratified guidance from the EITF regarding certain revenue arrangements that include software elements. This guidance modifies the scope of the software revenue recognition rules to exclude (a) non-software components of tangible products and (b) software components of tangible products that are sold, licensed, or leased with tangible products when the software components and non-software components of the tangible product function together to deliver the tangible product’s essential functionality. This guidance will be effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 3 — EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company has adopted stock plans that provide for grants of equity-based awards to eligible participants, including stock options and restricted stock units, of Lam Research common stock (“Common Stock”). The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) that allows employees to purchase its Common Stock at a discount through payroll deductions.

The Company recognized the following equity-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of operations:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
   March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
     (in millions)

Equity-based compensation expense

   $ 10.9    $ 10.2    $ 38.1    $ 39.7

Income tax benefit related to equity-based compensation expense

   $ 1.7    $ 1.7    $ 6.1    $ 6.9

The estimated fair value of the Company’s stock-based awards, less expected forfeitures, is amortized over the awards’ vesting periods on a straight-line basis.

Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units

The 2007 Stock Incentive Plan provides for grants of equity-based awards to eligible participants. Additional shares are reserved for issuance under the Company’s 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and its 1999 Stock Option Plan pursuant to awards previously granted under those plans (together with the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, the “Plans”). As of March 28, 2010, there were a total of 4,157,350 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding equity-based awards under the Plans. As of March 28, 2010, there were an additional 9,549,498 shares reserved and available for future equity-based awards under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.

A summary of stock option activity under the Plans as of March 28, 2010 and changes during the nine months then ended is presented below:

 

Options

   Shares
(in thousands)
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)
   Aggregate Intrinsic
Value as of March 28,
2010 (in

thousands)

Outstanding at June 28, 2009

   1,590      $ 22.10    2.50   

Exercised

   (431   $ 18.22      

Forfeited or expired

   (31   $ 37.50      
              

Outstanding at March 28, 2010

   1,128      $ 23.14    2.44    $ 15,425
              

Exercisable at March 28, 2010

   650      $ 25.30    1.37    $ 7,644
              

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
   March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
     (in millions)

Intrinsic value of options exercised

   $ 0.9    $ 1.8    $ 7.0    $ 6.1
                           

As of March 28, 2010, there was approximately $1.7 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options granted and outstanding; that expense is expected to be recognized over a remaining period of 0.9 years.

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

Cash received from stock option exercises was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
   March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
     (in millions)

Cash received from stock option exercises

   $ 1.4    $ 1.3    $ 7.8    $ 5.7
                           

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock units as of March 28, 2010 and changes during the nine months then ended is presented below:

 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

   Shares
(in thousands)
    Average Grant-
Date Fair Value

Unvested at June 28, 2009

   2,520      $ 30.32

Granted

   1,325      $ 34.53

Vested

   (652   $ 39.03

Forfeited

   (163   $ 34.29
        

Unvested at March 28, 2010

   3,030      $ 30.02
        

The fair value of the Company’s restricted stock units was calculated based upon the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. As of March 28, 2010, there was $67.6 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units granted; that expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 1.89 years.

ESPP

The 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “1999 ESPP”) allows employees to designate a portion of their base compensation to be withheld through payroll deductions and used to purchase the Company’s Common Stock at a purchase price per share equal to the lower of 85% of the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the first or last day of the applicable purchase period. Each offering period lasts up to 12 months and includes up to three interim purchase dates. As of March 28, 2010, there were a total of 8,681,166 shares available for issuance under the 1999 ESPP.

Purchase rights under the 1999 ESPP were valued using the Black-Scholes model assuming no expected dividends and the following weighted-average assumptions for the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010:

 

     Three Months Ended
March  28,

2010
    Nine Months Ended
March  28,

2010
 

Expected term:

   0.70 years      0.78 years   

Expected volatility:

   40.66   59.07

Risk-free interest rate:

   0.69   0.61

As of March 28, 2010, there was $5.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the 1999 ESPP which is expected to be recognized over the next 0.8 years.

NOTE 4 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value

Pursuant to the accounting guidance for fair value measurement and its subsequent updates, we define fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

The FASB has established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. An asset or liability’s level in the hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities with sufficient volume and frequency of transactions.

Level 2: Valuations based on observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations techniques for which all significant inputs are observable in the market or can be corroborated by, observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3: Valuations based on unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value of assets or liabilities and based on non-binding, broker-provided price quotes and may not have been corroborated by observable market data.

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 28, 2010:

 

          Fair Value Measurement at March 28, 2010
     Total    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
     (In thousands)

Assets

           

Fixed income

           

Money market funds

   $ 381,223    $ 381,223    $ —      $ —  

Municipal notes and bonds

     102,905      —        102,905      —  

US treasury & agencies

     4,181      4,181      —        —  

Government-sponsored enterprises

     16,308      —        16,308      —  

Bank and corporate notes

     234,181      171,024      62,929      228

Mortgage backed securities - residential

     6,987      —        6,987      —  

Mortgage backed securities - commercial

     23,640      —        23,640      —  
                           

Total fixed income

   $ 769,425    $ 556,428    $ 212,769    $ 228

Equities

     5,986      5,986      —        —  

Mutual funds

     16,507      16,507      —        —  

Derivatives assets

     452      —        452      —  
                           

Total

   $ 792,370    $ 578,921    $ 213,221    $ 228
                           

Liabilities

           

Derivative liabilities

   $ 1,449    $ —      $ 1,449    $ —  
                           

The amounts in the table above are reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 28, 2010 as follows:

 

Reported as:

   Total    (Level 1)    (Level 2)    (Level 3)
     (In thousands)

Cash equivalents

   $ 387,362    $ 387,362    $ —      $ —  

Short-term investments

     217,178      4,181      212,769      228

Restricted cash and investments

     164,885      164,885      —        —  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     452      —        452      —  

Other assets

     22,493      22,493      —        —  
                           
   $ 792,370    $ 578,921    $ 213,221    $ 228
                           

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   $ 1,449    $ —      $ 1,449    $ —  
                           

At March 28, 2010, the fair value of Level 3 assets measured on a recurring basis was $0.2 million and consisted of a corporate note security. Fair values were based on non-binding, broker-provided price quotes and may not have been corroborated by observable market data.

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 28, 2009.

 

          Fair Value Measurement at June 28, 2009
     Total    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
     (In thousands)

Assets

           

Fixed income

           

Money market funds

   $ 273,439    $ 273,439    $ —      $ —  

Municipal notes and bonds

     103,618      —        103,618      —  

US treasury & agencies

     24,184      24,184      —        —  

Government-sponsored enterprises

     6,323      —        6,323      —  

Foreign governments

     1,024      —        1,024      —  

Bank and corporate notes

     228,171      183,171      45,000      —  

Mortgage backed securities - residential

     11,630      —        11,630      —  

Mortgage backed securities - commercial

     13,442      —        13,442      —  
                           

Total fixed income

   $ 661,831    $ 480,794    $ 181,037    $ —  

Equities

     4,961      4,961      —        —  

Mutual funds

     —        —        —        —  

Derivatives assets

     74      —        74      —  
                           

Total

   $ 666,866    $ 485,755    $ 181,111    $ —  
                           

Liabilities

           

Derivative liabilities

   $ 69    $ —      $ 69    $ —  
                           

The amounts in the table above are reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of June 28, 2009 as follows:

 

Reported as:

   Total    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3
     (In thousands)

Cash equivalents

   $ 278,304    $ 278,304    $ —      $ —  

Short-term investments

     205,221      24,184      181,037      —  

Restricted cash and investments

     178,306      178,306      —        —  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     74      —        74      —  

Other assets

     4,961      4,961      —        —  
                           
   $ 666,866    $ 485,755    $ 181,111    $ —  
                           

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   $ 69    $ —      $ 69    $ —  
                           

 

10


Table of Contents

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

Investments

The following tables summarize the Company’s investments (in thousands):

 

     March 28, 2010    June 28, 2009
     Cost    Unrealized
Gain
   Unrealized
(Loss)
    Fair Value    Cost    Unrealized
Gain
   Unrealized
(Loss)
    Fair Value

Cash

   $ 74,406    $ —      $ —        $ 74,406    $ 95,996    $ —      $ —        $ 95,996

Fixed income money market funds

     381,223      —        —          381,223      273,439      —        —          273,439

Municipal notes and bonds

     101,105      1,832      (32     102,905      101,587      2,069      (38     103,618

US treasury & agencies

     4,095      86      —          4,181      23,828      387      (31     24,184

Government-sponsored enterprises

     16,278      61      (31     16,308      6,177      146      —          6,323

Foreign governments

     —        —        —          —        1,024      —        —          1,024

Bank and corporate notes

     232,844      1,415      (78     234,181      227,244      1,025      (98     228,171

Mortgage backed securities—residential

     6,648      339      —          6,987      11,328      385      (83     11,630

Mortgage backed securities—commercial

     23,481      248      (89     23,640      13,465      166      (189     13,442
                                                         

Total cash and short-term investments

   $ 840,080    $ 3,981    $ (230   $ 843,831    $ 754,088    $ 4,178    $ (439   $ 757,827
                                                         

Publicly traded equity securities

   $ 9,321    $ —      $ (3,335   $ 5,986    $ 8,359    $ —      $ (3,398   $ 4,961

Mutual funds

     16,277      230      —          16,507      —        —        —          —  
                                                         

Total financial instruments

   $ 865,678    $ 4,211    $ (3,565   $ 866,324    $ 762,447    $ 4,178    $ (3,837   $ 762,788
                                                         

As Reported

                     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 461,369    $ —      $ —        $ 461,369    $ 374,167    $ —      $ —        $ 374,167

Short-term investments

     213,427      3,981      (230     217,178      201,482      4,178      (439     205,221

Restricted cash and investments

     165,284      —        —          165,284      178,439      —        —          178,439

Other assets

     25,598      230      (3,335     22,493      8,359      —        (3,398     4,961
                                                         

Total

   $ 865,678    $ 4,211    $ (3,565   $ 866,324    $ 762,447    $ 4,178    $ (3,837   $ 762,788
                                                         

The Company accounts for its investment portfolio at fair value. Realized gains (losses) for investments sold are specifically identified. Management assesses the fair value of investments in debt securities that are not actively traded through consideration of interest rates and their impact on the present value of the cash flows to be received from the investments. The Company also considers whether changes in the credit ratings of the issuer could impact the assessment of fair value. The Company recognized no realized losses on investments due to other-than-temporary impairment charges during the three months ended March 28, 2010. During the nine months ended March 28, 2010 the Company recognized $0.9 million of realized losses on investments due to other-than-temporary impairment. The Company recognized $1.5 million of realized loss on investments due to other-than-temporary impairment charges during both the three and nine months ended March 29, 2009. Additionally, the Company realized gains (losses) from sales of investments of $0.5 million and $0.6 million in the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010, respectively, and $(0.1) million and $(0.6) million during the three and nine months ended March 29, 2009, respectively.

The following is an analysis of the Company’s fixed income securities in unrealized loss positions as of March 28, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     March 28, 2010  
     UNREALIZED LOSSES
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS
    UNREALIZED LOSSES
12 MONTHS OR GREATER
    TOTAL  
     Fair Value    Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair Value    Gross
Unrealized
Loss
    Fair Value    Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 

Fixed Income Securities

               

Municipal Notes and Bonds

   $ 9,625    $ (32   $ —      $ —        $ 9,625    $ (32

Government-Sponsored Enterprises

     4,644      (31     —        —          4,644      (31

Bank and Corporate Bonds

     15,935      (73     257      (5     16,192      (78

Mortgage Backed Securities - Commercial

     4,495      (41     423      (48     4,918      (89
                                             

Total Fixed Income

   $ 34,699    $ (177   $ 680    $ (53   $ 35,379    $ (230
                                             

 

11


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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

The amortized cost and fair value of cash equivalents and short-term investments and restricted cash and investments with contractual maturities are as follows:

 

     March 28, 2010    June 28, 2009
     Cost    Estimated Fair
Value
   Cost    Estimated Fair
Value
     (in thousands)

Due in less than one year

   $ 608,853    $ 609,610    $ 504,359    $ 504,597

Due in more than one year

     156,821      159,815      153,732      157,233
                           
   $ 765,674    $ 769,425    $ 658,091    $ 661,830
                           

Management has the ability, if necessary, to liquidate any of its investments in order to meet the Company’s liquidity needs in the next 12 months. Accordingly, those investments with contractual maturities greater than one year from the date of purchase nonetheless are classified as short-term on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging

The Company carries derivative financial instruments (“derivatives”) on its consolidated balance sheets at their fair values. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with financial institutions with the primary objective of reducing volatility of earnings and cash flows related to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The counterparties to these foreign exchange forward contracts are creditworthy multinational financial institutions; therefore, we do not consider the risk of counterparty nonperformance to be material.

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company’s policy is to attempt to minimize short-term business exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations using an effective and efficient method to eliminate or reduce such exposures. In the normal course of business, the Company’s financial position is routinely subjected to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. To protect against a reduction in value of forecasted Japanese yen-denominated revenues, the Company has instituted a foreign currency cash flow hedging program. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts that generally expire within 12 months and no later than 24 months. These foreign exchange forward contracts are designated as cash flow hedges and are carried on the Company’s balance sheet at fair value with the effective portion of the contracts’ gains or losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently recognized in revenue in the same period the hedged revenue is recognized.

At inception and at each quarter end, hedges are tested for effectiveness using regression testing. Changes in the fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts due to changes in time value are excluded from the assessment of effectiveness and are recognized in revenue in the current period. The change in forward time value was not material for all reported periods. There were no gains or losses during the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010 and the three months ended March 29, 2009 associated with ineffectiveness or forecasted transactions that failed to occur. There were $4.0 million of deferred net losses, net of tax, associated with ineffectiveness related to forecasted transactions that were no longer considered probable of occurring and were recognized in “Other income (expense), net” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations during the nine months ended March 29, 2009. To qualify for hedge accounting, the hedge relationship must meet criteria relating both to the derivative instrument and the hedged item. These criteria include identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the hedging instrument’s effectiveness in offsetting the exposure to changes in the hedged item’s fair value or cash flows will be measured.

        To receive hedge accounting treatment, all hedging relationships are formally documented at the inception of the hedge and the hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to future cash flows on hedged transactions. When derivative instruments are designated and qualify as effective cash flow hedges, the Company is able to defer effective changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged exposure is realized. Consequently, with the exception of excluded time value and hedge ineffectiveness recognized, the Company’s results of operations are not subject to fluctuation as a result of changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments. If hedges are not highly effective or if the Company does not believe that the underlying hedged forecasted transactions will occur, the Company may not be able to account for its derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. If this were to occur, future changes in the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments would be recognized in earnings without the benefits of offsets or deferrals of changes in fair value arising from hedge accounting treatment. At March 28, 2010, the Company expects to reclassify the entire amount associated with the $0.2 million of gains accumulated in other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months due to the recognition in earnings of the hedged forecasted transactions.

Balance Sheet Hedges

        The Company also enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the effects of foreign currency fluctuations associated with foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, primarily intercompany receivables and payables. These foreign exchange forward contracts are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. Therefore, the change in fair value of these derivatives is recorded as a component of other income (expense) and offsets the change in fair value of the foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, recorded in other income (expense).

 

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Table of Contents

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

As of March 28, 2010, the Company had the following outstanding foreign currency forward contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted revenues and purchases:

 

     Derivatives Designated as SFAS
133 Hedging Instruments:
   Derivatives Not Designated  as
SFAS 133 Hedging
Instruments:
     (in thousands)

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

     

Sell JPY

   $  33,249    $ —  

Sell JPY

     —        35,457

Buy CHF

     —        195,898

Buy EUR

     —        56,340

Buy TWD

     —        50,641
             
   $ 33,249    $  338,336

The fair value of derivatives instruments in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 28, 2010 was as follows:

 

     Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
     Asset Derivatives    Liability Derivatives
     Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair Value    Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair
Value
     (in thousands)

Derivatives designated as SFAS 133 hedging instruments:

                   

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   Prepaid expense
and other assets
   $ 215    Accrued
liabilities
   $ —  

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133:

           

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   Prepaid expense
and other assets
     237    Accrued
liabilities
     1,449
                   

Total derivatives

      $ 452       $ 1,449
                   

The effect of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended March 28, 2010 and March 29, 2009 were as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended March 28, 2010

Derivatives Designated as SFAS 133 Hedging Instruments:

   Gain
(Loss)
Recognized
(Effective
Portion)
(1)
    Gain
(Loss)
Recognized
(Effective
Portion)
(2)
    Gain
(Loss)
Recognized
(Ineffective
Portion)
(3)
    Gain (Loss)
Recognized
(Excluded
from
Effectiveness
Testing) (4)
     (in thousands)

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   $ (366   $ (561   $      $ 60
      Nine Months Ended March 29, 2009

Derivatives Designated as SFAS 133 Hedging Instruments:

   Gain
(Loss)
Recognized
(Effective
Portion)
(1)
    Gain
(Loss)
Recognized
(Effective
Portion)
(2)
    Gain
(Loss)
Recognized
(Ineffective
Portion)
(3)
    Gain (Loss)
Recognized
(Excluded
from
Effectiveness
Testing) (4)
     (in thousands)

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   $ (10,078   $ (4,363   $ (2,973   $ 1,449

 

(1) Amount recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion).
(2) Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income (effective portion) located in revenue.
(3) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (ineffective portion) located in other income (expense), net.
(4) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) located in other income (expense), net.

The effect of derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended March 28, 2010 and March 29, 2009 were as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 

Derivatives Not Designated as SFAS 133 Hedging Instruments:

   Gain (Loss)
Recognized (5)
    Gain (Loss)
Recognized (5)
 
     (in thousands)  

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   $ (5,041   $ (7,027

 

(5) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income located in other income (expense), net.

 

13


Table of Contents

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short term investments, restricted cash and investments, trade accounts receivable, and derivative financial instruments used in hedging activities. Cash is placed on deposit in major financial institutions in various countries throughout the world. Such deposits may be in excess of insured limits. Management believes that the financial institutions that hold the Company’s cash are financially sound and, accordingly, minimal credit risk exists with respect to these balances.

The Company’s available-for-sale securities, which are invested in taxable financial instruments, must have a minimum rating of A2 / A, as rated by two of the following three rating agencies: Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s (S&P), or Fitch. Available-for-sale securities that are invested in tax-exempt financial instruments must have a minimum rating of A2 / A, as rated by any one of the same three rating agencies. The Company’s policy limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution or commercial issuer.

The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties on the foreign currency forward contracts that are used to mitigate the effect of exchange rate changes. These counterparties are large international financial institutions and to date, no such counterparty has failed to meet its financial obligations to the Company. The Company does not anticipate nonperformance by these counterparties.

Credit risk evaluations, including trade references, bank references and Dun & Bradstreet ratings, are performed on all new customers and the Company monitors its customers’ financial statements and payment performance. In general, the Company does not require collateral on sales.

NOTE 5 — INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. Shipments to Japanese customers, to whom title does not transfer until customer acceptance, are classified as inventory and carried at cost until title transfers. Inventories consist of the following:

 

     March 28,
2010
   June 28,
2009
     (in thousands)

Raw materials

   $ 148,848    $ 145,421

Work-in-process

     65,826      35,487

Finished goods

     66,795      52,502
             
   $ 281,469    $ 233,410
             

 

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Table of Contents

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 6 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net, consists of the following:

 

     March 28,
2010
    June 28,
2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Manufacturing, engineering and office equipment

   $ 244,920      $ 254,397   

Computer equipment and software

     75,283        69,567   

Land

     15,788        16,550   

Buildings

     63,215        64,488   

Leasehold improvements

     57,155        52,115   

Furniture and fixtures

     13,779        13,295   
                
     470,140        470,412   

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (267,103     (254,746
                
   $ 203,037      $ 215,666   
                

NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

The balance of goodwill was $169.2 million as of March 28, 2010 and June 28, 2009. Goodwill attributable to the SEZ acquisition of approximately $104 million is not tax deductible due to applicable foreign law. The remaining goodwill balance of approximately $65 million is tax deductible.

Intangible Assets

The following table provides details of the Company’s intangible assets subject to amortization as of March 28, 2010 (in thousands, except years):

 

     Gross    Accumulated
Amortization
    Changes in
Foreign Currency
Exchange Rates
    Net    Weighted-
Average
Useful
Life
(years)

Customer relationships

   $ 35,226    $ (17,273   $ —        $ 17,953    6.90

Existing technology

     61,598      (17,868     (7,204     36,526    6.70

Other intangible assets

     35,216      (24,595     (1,298     9,323    4.10

Patents

     20,270      (10,386     —          9,884    6.13
                                
   $ 152,310    $ (70,122   $ (8,502   $ 73,686    6.07
                                

The following table provides details of the Company’s intangible assets subject to amortization as of June 28, 2009 (in thousands, except years):

 

     Gross    Accumulated
Amortization
    Changes in
Foreign Currency
Exchange Rates
    Net    Weighted-
Average
Useful
Life
(years)

Customer relationships

   $ 35,226    $ (13,557   $ —        $ 21,669    6.90

Existing technology

     61,598      (11,799     (7,204     42,595    6.70

Other intangible assets

     35,216      (18,924     (1,298     14,994    4.10

Patents

     20,270      (7,923     —          12,347    6.13
                                
   $ 152,310    $ (52,203   $ (8,502   $ 91,605    6.07
                                

The Company recognized $6.0 million and $6.2 million in intangible asset amortization expense during the three months ended March 28, 2010 and March 29, 2009, respectively. The Company recognized $17.9 million and $18.2 million in intangible asset amortization expense during the nine months ended March 28, 2010 and March 29, 2009, respectively.

 

15


Table of Contents

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

The estimated future amortization expense of purchased intangible assets as of March 28, 2010 is as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year

   Amount

2010 (3 months)

   $ 6,193

2011

     21,206

2012

     17,956

2013

     16,525

2014

     9,956

Thereafter

     1,850
      
   $ 73,686
      

NOTE 8 — ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

     March 28,
2010
   June 28,
2009
     (in thousands)

Accrued compensation

   $ 134,339    $ 171,609

Warranty reserves

     27,605      21,185

Income and other taxes payable

     50,559      31,970

Other

     50,230      56,571
             
   $ 262,733    $ 281,335
             

Income and other taxes payable increased $18.6 million as of March 28, 2010 as compared to June 28, 2009 primarily due to an increase in corporate income taxes consistent with the change in profit before tax.

Following a voluntary independent review of the Company’s historical employee stock option grant process, the Company considered whether Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“IRC”) and similar provisions of state law would apply to certain stock option grants that were found to have intrinsic value at the time of their respective measurement dates. If a stock option is not considered as issued with an exercise price of at least the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, it may be subject to penalty taxes under Section 409A and similar provisions of state law. In such a case, such taxes may be assessed not only on the intrinsic value increase, but on the entire stock option gain as measured at various times. On March 30, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to assume potential tax liabilities of certain employees, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers, relating to options that might be subject to Section 409A and similar provisions of state law. The assumed Section 409A liability was $53.7 million as of June 28, 2009 and is included in accrued compensation in the table above.

During the six months ended December 27, 2009, the Company reached a final settlement with respect to its Section 409A liabilities, which resulted in a reduction of the liability and net credits recognized in the statements of operations of $(10.2) million recorded in cost of goods sold and $(34.2) million recorded in operating expenses. The determinations from the 2007 voluntary independent stock option review are more fully described in Note 3, “Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements” to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2007 Form 10-K and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of the Company’s 2007 Form 10-K.

 

16


Table of Contents

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 9 — OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

The significant components of other income (expense), net, are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
    March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Interest income

   $ 2,863      $ 5,360      $ 6,919      $ 21,287   

Interest expense

     (434     (1,146     (868     (6,182

Foreign exchange gains (losses)

     650        10,911        (1,339     612   

Other, net

     (1,463     (1,628     (3,522     (436
                                
   $ 1,616      $ 13,497      $ 1,190      $ 15,281   
                                

Interest income decreased in the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended March 29, 2009. Decreases in interest income during these comparative periods were primarily attributable to decreases in the Company’s average cash and investment balances used to fund operating needs and decreases in interest rate yields.

Included in foreign exchange gains during the three months ended March 29, 2009 was $6.7 million of gains associated with the Company’s accelerated tax planning strategy and $4.2 million of gains primarily due to changes in the value of our foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities with non-U.S. dollar functional subsidiaries due to the U.S. dollar’s weakening against the Euro and strengthening against the Japanese yen.

NOTE 10 — INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate for the year ending June 27, 2010, is approximately 21.6%. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% and the Company’s effective tax rate is primarily due to the geographical mix of income in higher and lower tax jurisdictions and research and development tax credits offset by the tax effect of non-deductible stock-based compensation. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010, was approximately 20.2% and 23.7% respectively.

The difference between the actual effective tax rate during the quarter and the estimated annual effective tax rate is due to the tax impact of the following material discrete events during the March 2010 quarter: (1) a tax expense of $1.1 million due to the unrecognized tax benefits related to research and development tax credits, (2) a tax expense of $0.9 million related to interest on uncertain tax positions, (3) a tax benefit of $2.6 million related to the filing of prior year federal and foreign tax returns, and (4) a tax benefit of $0.4 million due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits and the reversal of the related interest accruals due to the finalization of certain foreign tax positions.

The difference between the actual effective tax rate during the nine months ended March 28, 2010, and the estimated annual effective tax rate is due to the tax impact of the following material discrete events: (1) a tax expense of $17.7 million related to the 409A settlements from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and California Franchise Tax Board (“FTB”) audits, (2) a tax expense of $2.7 million related to interest on uncertain tax positions, (3) a tax expense of approximately $2.2 million related to a change in valuation allowance on California R&D credits, (4) a tax expense of $1.1 million due to the unrecognized tax benefits related to research and development tax credits, (5) a tax benefit of $3.5 million related to the accrual of restructuring expenses, (6) a tax benefit of $3.0 million due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits and the reversal of the related interest accruals due to the finalization of certain foreign tax positions, and (7) a tax benefit of $2.8 million related to the filing of prior year federal and foreign tax returns.

The total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of each date noted below were as follows:

 

     June 28,
2009
   September 27,
2009
   December 27,
2009
   March 28,
2010
     (in millions)

Total gross unrecognized tax benefits

   $ 178.4    $ 179.6    $ 182.9    $ 193.6

As of March 28, 2010, the total gross unrecognized tax benefits were $193.6 million compared to $178.4 million as of June 28, 2009, representing an increase of approximately $15.2 million for the nine month period. If the remaining balance of $193.6 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits were recognized in a future period, it would result in a net tax benefit of $154.4 million and a reduction of the effective tax rate. The Company does not anticipate that the total unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change due to the settlement of audits and the expiration of statute of limitations in the next 12 months.

The Company recognizes interest expense and penalties related to the above unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense. As of March 28, 2010, the Company had accrued approximately $20.6 million for the payment of gross interest and penalties, relating to unrecognized tax benefits, compared to $19.1 million as of June 28, 2009.

The Company files U.S. federal, U.S. state, and foreign income tax returns. As of March 28, 2010, tax years 2002-2009 remain subject to examination in the jurisdictions where the Company operates.

The IRS is examining the Company’s U.S. income tax return for fiscal year 2007. The FTB is examining the Company’s tax returns for fiscal years 2005 and 2006. It is anticipated that the IRS audit will be completed in fiscal year 2011. As of March 28, 2010, no significant adjustments have been proposed by the IRS or FTB. The Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate as to when cash settlements, if any, with the relevant taxing authorities will occur.

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

The French tax authorities have examined the Company’s tax returns for the fiscal years 2004 through 2006 and have proposed certain adjustments to its transfer pricing. The Company has appealed the proposed adjustments and the appeal is currently in review. The Company believes it has made adequate tax payments and accrued adequate amounts such that the outcome of these audits will have no material adverse effects on its results of operations or financial condition.

Realization of the Company’s net deferred tax assets is based upon the weight of available evidence, including such factors as the recent earnings history and expected future taxable income. The Company believes it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized with the exception of $38.9 million related to certain California and foreign deferred tax assets. However, ultimate realization could be negatively impacted by market conditions and other variables not known or anticipated at this time. If the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets were released as of March 28, 2010, approximately $38.9 million would be credited to the statement of operations.

NOTE 11 — NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed, using the treasury stock method, as though all potentially dilutive common shares were outstanding during the period. The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted computations for net income (loss) per share.

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
    March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Numerator:

          

Net income

   $ 120,301    $ (198,359   $ 206,672    $ (213,658
                              

Denominator:

          

Basic average shares outstanding

     127,307      125,566        127,127      125,368   

Effect of potential dilutive securities:

          

Employee stock plans

     1,280      —          1,241      —     
                              

Diluted average shares outstanding

     128,587      125,566        128,368      125,368   
                              

Net income per share - basic

   $ 0.94    $ (1.58   $ 1.63    $ (1.70
                              

Net income per share - diluted

   $ 0.94    $ (1.58   $ 1.61    $ (1.70
                              

For purposes of computing diluted net income (loss) per share, weighted-average common shares do not include potentially dilutive securities that are in fact anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method. The following potentially dilutive securities were excluded:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
   March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
     (in thousands)

Number of potential dilutive securities excluded

   676    3,012    311    2,394
                   

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 12 — COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
    March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Net income (loss)

   $ 120,301      $ (198,359   $ 206,672      $ (213,658

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (6,192     (33,820     1,656        (76,389

Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of derivative financial instruments, net

     16        9,827        761        (6,706

Unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments, net

     (371     1,884        600        1,879   

Reclassification adjustment for loss (gain) included in earnings

     (253     (3,758     (1,121     899   

Postretirement benefit plan adjustment

     51        34        36        102   
                                

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 113,552      $ (224,192   $ 208,604      $ (293,873
                                

The balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss is as follows:

 

     March 28,
2010
    June 28,
2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment

   $ (50,319   $ (51,975

Accumulated unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments

     210        15   

Accumulated unrealized gain on financial instruments

     251        206   

Postretirement benefit plan adjustment

     (1,032     (1,068
                

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (50,890   $ (52,822
                

NOTE 13 — LONG-TERM DEBT AND GUARANTEES

The Company’s contractual cash obligations relating to its existing capital leases and debt as of March 28, 2010 are as follows:

 

     Capital
Leases
   Long-term
Debt
   Total
     (in thousands)

Payments due by period:

        

One year

   $ 1,837    $ 4,018    $ 5,855

Two years

     1,838      2,739      4,577

Three years

     1,837      1,020      2,857

Four years

     1,580      —        1,580

Five years

     1,528      —        1,528

Over 5 years

     10,980      —        10,980
                    

Total

     19,600      7,777      27,377

Interest on capital leases

     1,551      —        1,551
                    

Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases

     1,494      4,018      5,512
                    

Long-term debt and capital leases

   $ 16,555    $ 3,759    $ 20,314
                    

Capital Leases

Capital leases reflect building and office equipment lease obligations. The amounts in the table above include the interest portion of payment obligations.

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

Long-Term Debt

The Company’s total long-term debt of $7.8 million as of March 28, 2010 consists of various bank loans and government subsidized technology loans supporting operating needs.

Operating Leases and Related Guarantees

The Company leases most of its administrative, R&D and manufacturing facilities, regional sales/service offices and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases, which expire at various dates through fiscal year 2016. Certain of the Company’s facility leases for buildings located at its Fremont, California headquarters and certain other facility leases provide the Company with options to extend the leases for additional periods or to purchase the facilities. Certain of the Company’s facility leases provide for periodic rent increases based on the general rate of inflation.

On December 18, 2007, the Company entered into two operating leases regarding certain improved properties in Livermore, California. These leases were amended on April 3, 2008 and July 9, 2008 (as so amended, the “Livermore Leases”). On December 21, 2007, the Company entered into a series of four amended and restated operating leases (the “New Fremont Leases,” and collectively with the Livermore Leases, the “Operating Leases”) with regard to certain improved properties at the Company’s headquarters in Fremont, California. Each of the Operating Leases is an off-balance sheet arrangement. The Operating Leases (and associated documents for each Operating Lease) were entered into by the Company and BNP Paribas Leasing Corporation (“BNPPLC”).

Each Operating Lease facility has a term of approximately seven years ending on the first business day in January 2015. Under each Operating Lease, the Company may, at its discretion and with 30 days’ notice, elect to purchase the property that is the subject of the Operating Lease for an amount approximating the sum required to prepay the amount of BNPPLC’s investment in the property and any accrued but unpaid rent. Any such amount may also include an additional make-whole amount for early redemption of the outstanding investment, which will vary depending on prevailing interest rates at the time of prepayment.

The Company is required, pursuant to the terms of the Operating Leases and associated documents, to maintain collateral in an aggregate of approximately $164.9 million in separate interest-bearing accounts as security for the Company’s obligations under the Operating Leases. As of March 28, 2010, the Company had $164.9 million recorded as restricted cash in its consolidated balance sheet as collateral required under the Operating Leases related to the amounts currently outstanding on the facilities.

When the term of an Operating Lease expires, the property subject to that Operating Lease may be remarketed. The Company has guaranteed to BNPPLC that each property will have a certain minimum residual value, as set forth in the applicable Operating Lease. The aggregate guarantee made by the Company under the Operating Leases is generally no more than approximately $141.7 million; however, under certain default circumstances, the guarantee with regard to an Operating Lease may be 100% of BNPPLC’s aggregate investment in the applicable property. The amounts payable under such guarantees will be no more than $164.9 million plus related indemnification or other obligations.

The lessor under the Operating Leases is a substantive independent leasing company that does not have the characteristics of a variable interest entity (VIE) and is therefore not consolidated by the Company.

Other Guarantees

The Company has issued certain indemnifications to its lessors for taxes and general liability under some of its agreements. The Company has entered into certain insurance contracts which may limit its exposure to such indemnifications. As of March 28, 2010, the Company has not recorded any liability on its consolidated financial statements in connection with these indemnifications, as it does not believe, based on information available, that it is probable that any amounts will be paid under these guarantees.

Generally, the Company indemnifies, under pre-determined conditions and limitations, its customers for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights by the Company’s products or services. The Company seeks to limit its liability for such indemnity to an amount not to exceed the sales price of the products or services subject to its indemnification obligations. The Company does not believe, based on information available, that it is probable that any material amounts will be paid under these guarantees.

        The Company recognized at lease inception $0.6 million in estimated liabilities related to the Operating Leases, which represents the fair value guarantee premium that would be required had the guarantee been issued in a standalone transaction. These liabilities are recorded in other long-term liabilities with the offsetting entry recorded as prepaid rent in other assets. The balances in prepaid rent and the guarantee liability are amortized to the statement of operations on a straight line basis over the life of the leases. If it becomes probable that the Company will be required to make a payment under the residual guarantee, the Company will increase its liability with a corresponding increase to prepaid rent and amortize the increased prepaid rent over the remaining lease term with no corresponding reduction in the liability. As of March 28, 2010, the unamortized portion of the fair value of the residual value guarantees remaining in other long-term liabilities and prepaid rent was $0.3 million.

Warranties

The Company offers standard warranties on its systems that generally run for a period of 12 months from system acceptance. The liability amount is based on actual historical warranty spending by type of system, customer, and geographic region, modified for any known differences such as the impact of system reliability improvements.

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

Changes in the Company’s product warranty reserves were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,     March 29,     March 28,     March 29,  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 22,759      $ 34,570      $ 21,185      $ 61,308   

Warranties assumed from acquisitions

     —          878        —          878   

Warranties issued during the period

     11,167        2,282        25,199        10,294   

Settlements made during the period

     (4,653     (7,507     (12,717     (27,033

Expirations and change in liability for pre-existing warranties during the period

     (1,668     (3,985     (6,487     (17,674

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

     —          (293     425        (1,828
                                

Balance at end of period

   $ 27,605      $ 25,945      $ 27,605      $ 25,945   
                                

NOTE 14 — RESTRUCTURING AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS

Prior to the end of each of the three quarters noted below, the Company initiated the announced restructuring activities and management, with the proper level of authority, approved specific actions under the June 2008 Plan, December 2008 Plan, and March 2009 Plan. Severance packages to affected employees were communicated in enough detail such that the employees could determine their type and amount of benefit. The termination of the affected employees occurred as soon as practical after the restructuring plans were announced. The amount of remaining future lease payments for facilities the Company ceased to use and included in the restructuring charges is based on management’s estimates using known prevailing real estate market conditions at that time based, in part, on the opinions of independent real estate experts. Leasehold improvements relating to the vacated buildings were written off, as these items will have no future economic benefit to the Company and have been abandoned.

Accounting for restructuring activities, as compared to regular operating cost management activities, requires an evaluation of formally committed and approved plans. Restructuring activities have comparatively greater strategic significance and materiality and may involve exit activities, whereas regular cost containment activities are more tactical in nature and are rarely characterized by formal and integrated action plans or exiting a particular product, facility, or service.

The following table summarizes restructuring and asset impairment charges during the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010 and March 29, 2009 for each restructuring Plan (as defined below in this Note 14):

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months
     March 28,    March 29,    March 28,    March 29,
     2010    2009    2010    2009
     (in thousands)

June 2008 Plan

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 19,016

December 2008 Plan

     —        —        105      17,849

March 2009 Plan

     —        23,245      7,907      23,245
                           

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ 23,245    $ 8,012    $ 60,110
                           

The amounts in the table above are reported in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended March 29, 2009 and March 28, 2010 as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months
     March 28,    March 29,    March 28,    March 29,
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Cost of goods sold

   $ —      $ 10,217    $ —      $ 20,993

Operating expense

     —        13,028      8,012      39,117
                           

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ 23,245    $ 8,012    $ 60,110
                           

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

June 2008 Plan

During the June 2008 quarter, the Company incurred restructuring expenses and asset impairment charges related to the integration of SEZ and overall streamlining of the Company’s combined Clean Product Group (“June 2008 Plan”). There were no restructuring and asset impairment charges under the June 2008 Plan during the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010 or during the three months ended March 29, 2009. Restructuring and asset impairment charges during the nine months ended March 29, 2009 were as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
March  29,

2009
     (in thousands)

Severance and benefits

   $ 12,554

Facilities

     —  

Abandoned assets

     3,395

Inventory

     3,067
      

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ 19,016
      

Below is a table summarizing activity relating to the June 2008 Plan during the nine months ended March 28, 2010:

 

     Severance and
Benefits
    Facilities     Total  
     (in thousands)  

Balance at June 28, 2009

   $ 567      $ 26      $ 593   

Cash payments

     (525     (26     (551
                        

Balance at March 28, 2010

   $ 42      $ —        $ 42   
                        

Total charges incurred as of March 28, 2010 under the June 2008 Plan were $38.0 million.

December 2008 Plan

During the December 2008 quarter the Company incurred restructuring expenses and asset impairment charges designed to better align the Company’s cost structure with its business opportunities in consideration of market and economic uncertainties (“December 2008 Plan”). There were no restructuring and asset impairment charges incurred under the December 2008 Plan during the three months ended March 28, 2010 or March 29, 2009. Restructuring and asset impairment charges during the nine months ended March 28, 2010 and March 29, 2009 were as follows:

 

     Nine Months
     March 28,    March 29,
     2010    2009
     (in thousands)

Severance and benefits

   $ 105    $ 16,412

Facilities

   $ —      $ 618

Inventory

   $ —      $ 819
             

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ 105    $ 17,849
             

Below is a table summarizing activity relating to the December 2008 Plan during the nine months ended March 28, 2010:

 

     Severance and
Benefits
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance at June 28, 2009

   $ 684   

Fiscal year 2010 expense

     105   

Cash payments

     (474
        

Balance at March 28, 2010

   $ 315   
        

Total charges incurred as of March 28, 2010 under the December 2008 Plan were $18.0 million.

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

March 2009 Plan

During the March 2009 quarter the Company incurred restructuring expenses and asset impairment charges designed to align the Company’s cost structure with its outlook for the current economic environment and future business opportunities (“March 2009 Plan”). Restructuring and asset impairment charges were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months
     March 28,    March 29,    March 28,    March 29,
     2010    2009    2010    2009
     (in thousands)

Severance and benefits

   $ —      $ 20,954    $ 472    $ 20,954

Facilities

     —        822      6,848      822

Abandoned assets

     —        1,139      587      1,139

Inventory

        330         330
                           

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ 23,245    $ 7,907    $ 23,245
                           

Below is a table summarizing activity relating to the March 2009 Plan during the nine months ended March 28, 2010:

 

     Severance and
Benefits
    Facilities     Asset
Impairments
    Total  
     (in thousands)  

Balance at June 28, 2009

   $ 3,925      $ 437      $ —        $ 4,362   

Fiscal year 2010 expense

     472        6,848        587        7,907   

Cash payments

     (3,917     (2,545     —          (6,462

Non-cash charges

     —          —          (587     (587
                                

Balance at March 28, 2010

   $ 480      $ 4,740      $ —        $ 5,220   
                                

Total charges incurred as of March 28, 2010 under the March 2009 Plan were $36.5 million.

The severance and benefits-related balances are anticipated to be paid by the end of fiscal year 2010. The facilities balance consists primarily of lease payments, net of sublease income, on vacated buildings and is expected to be paid by the end of fiscal year 2015.

NOTE 15 — STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

On September 8, 2008, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of Company common stock from the public market or in private purchases, using the Company’s available cash. While the repurchase program does not have a defined termination date, it may be suspended or discontinued at any time. The Company temporarily suspended repurchases under the program during the December 2008 quarter.

On February 2, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized the resumption of the repurchase program. Repurchases were expected to be made only in the amounts necessary to offset dilution resulting from the Company’s equity compensation plans.

Repurchases under the repurchase program were as follows during the periods indicated:

 

Period

   Total Number of
Shares
Repurchased
   Total Cost of
Repurchase
   Average Price Paid
Per Share
   Amount Available
Under Repurchase
Program
     (in thousands, except per share data)

Quarter ended September 27, 2009

   —      $ —      $ —      $ 226,942

Quarter ended December 27, 2009

   —      $ —      $ —      $ 226,942

Quarter ended March 28, 2010

   2,000    $ 68,674    $ 34.34    $ 158,268

During the nine months ended March 28, 2010, the Company withheld 189,043 shares through net share settlements to cover tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock unit awards granted under the Company’s equity compensation plans. The shares retained by the Company through these net share settlements are not a part of the Board-authorized repurchase program but instead are authorized under the Company’s equity compensation plans.

 

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Table of Contents

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 28, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 16: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company has received notices from third parties alleging infringement of such parties’ patent or other intellectual property rights by the Company’s products. In such cases it is the Company’s policy to defend the claims, or if considered appropriate, negotiate licenses on commercially reasonable terms. However, no assurance can be given that the Company will be able in the future to negotiate necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or that any litigation resulting from such claims would not have a materially- adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or operating results.

 

24


Table of Contents
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

With the exception of historical facts, the statements contained in this discussion are forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain, but not all, of the forward-looking statements in this report are specifically identified as forward-looking, by use of phrases and words such as “we believe,” “we anticipate,” “we expect,” “may,” “should,” “could” and other future-oriented terms. The identification of certain statements as “forward-looking” is not intended to mean that other statements not specifically identified are not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to: trends in the global economic environment and the semiconductor industry; the anticipated levels of, and rates of change in, future shipments and revenue and operating expenses generally; volatility in our quarterly results; customer requirements and our ability to satisfy those requirements; customer capital spending and their demand for our products; our ability to defend our market share and to gain new market share; anticipated growth in the industry and the total market for wafer-fabrication equipment and our growth relative to such growth; levels of research and development expenditures; the estimates we make, and the accruals we record, in order to implement our critical accounting policies (including but not limited to the adequacy of prior tax payments, future tax liabilities and the adequacy of our accruals relating to them); our access to capital markets; our ability to manage and grow our cash position; and the sufficiency of our financial resources to support future business activities (including but not limited to operations, investments, debt service requirements and capital expenditures). Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in condition, significance, value, and effect, including without limitation those discussed below under the heading “Risk Factors” within Part II Item 1A and elsewhere in this report and other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), such as our annual reports on Form 10-K and our current reports on Form 8-K. Such risks, uncertainties and changes in condition, significance, value, and effect could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in this report and in ways not readily foreseeable. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof and are based on information currently and reasonably known to us. We undertake no obligation to release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence or effect of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Documents To Review In Connection With Management’s Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations

For a full understanding of our financial position and results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010, and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations below, you should also read the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes presented in this Form 10-Q and the financial statements and notes in our 2009 Form 10-K.

Overview

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations consists of the following sections:

Executive Summary provides an overview of the Company’s operations and a summary of certain highlights of our results of operations

Results of Operations provides an analysis of operating results

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates discusses accounting policies that reflect the more significant judgments and estimates we use to prepare our condensed consolidated financial statements

Liquidity and Capital Resources provides an analysis of cash flows, contractual obligations and financial position

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We design, manufacture, market, and service semiconductor processing equipment used to fabricate integrated circuits. We are recognized as a major provider of such equipment to the worldwide semiconductor industry. Semiconductor wafers undergo a complex series of process and preparation steps that result in the simultaneous creation of many individual integrated circuits. We leverage our expertise in these areas to develop integrated and standalone processing solutions that typically benefit our customers through reduced cost, lower defect rates, enhanced yields, or faster processing time as well as by facilitating their ability to meet more stringent performance and design standards. Our customers include semiconductor memory and foundry manufacturers that make DRAM, NAND and logic integrated circuits, for a wide range of consumer and industrial electronics.

        The demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment is cyclical in nature and has historically experienced significant periodic upturns and downturns. Demand is dependent in part on overall world economic conditions. Other factors that influence demand for our products include, but are not limited to, general supply and demand (including demand for the products that our customers manufacture), prices for semiconductors, customer capacity requirements and our ability to develop and market competitive products. For these and other reasons, our results of operations during any particular fiscal period are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.

 

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Adverse conditions in the global economy during 2008 and 2009 severely reduced customer demand for our products, resulting in reduced revenue and profits throughout fiscal 2009. After three quarters of net losses, we returned to profitability in the September 2009 quarter as worldwide demand for wafer fabrication equipment began to recover. Our shipments, revenue and net income increased significantly in the March 2010 quarter compared to the December 2009 quarter, as both industry and global economic conditions continued to improve. We expect the same to be true for calendar year 2010 versus calendar year 2009 given our current view of wafer fab equipment spending.

We believe that, over the long term, demand for our products will continue to increase as customers’ capital expenditures increase to meet growing demand for semiconductor devices. However, historically the improvement in demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment occurs at an uneven pace following a major downturn. Accordingly, any forecasts about demand for wafer fab equipment in the near term are subject to uncertainty and we could experience significant volatility in our quarterly results of operations over the next several quarters. The following table summarizes certain key financial information for the periods indicated below:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    December 27,
2009
    March 29,
2009
 

Revenue

   $ 632,763      $ 487,176      $ 174,412   

Gross margin

   $ 292,871      $ 223,204      $ 36,515   

Gross margin as a percent of total revenue

     46.3     45.8     20.9

Total operating expenses

   $ 143,778      $ 131,856      $ 231,699   

Net income (loss)

   $ 120,301      $ 69,574      $ (198,359

Diluted net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.94      $ 0.54      $ (1.58

Our results for the March 2010 quarter reflect continued improvement in the global business environment and in the semiconductor industry, improved foundry fabrication utilization and an increase in the rate of next-generation DRAM and NAND wafer starts by leading memory companies. Throughout calendar year 2009 and the first quarter of calendar year 2010, we maintained our investments in new product research and development (“R&D”) and our focus on improving customer productivity in our installed base, including defending our market share and winning new application share by focusing on delivering continuously improved high-performance, and lower cost of product ownership. We also focused on developing the flexibility and rapid response capabilities of our business operations and supply chain organizations, which enable us to fulfill short lead-time customer orders. Our results during the quarter ended March 28, 2010 also reflected growth in customer requirements for technology conversion, after-market products, and higher customer utilization levels.

We believe that the total market for wafer-fabrication equipment will increase substantially in calendar year 2010 as compared to 2009 and currently anticipate growth in customer shipments.

While conditions in our industry have clearly improved and we currently anticipate industry and market share growth in calendar year 2010, we cannot predict the robustness or pace of any macroeconomic recovery. The electronics and semiconductor industries remain significantly linked to worldwide GDP and consumer spending. While we will continue to use our operational flexibility and rapid response capabilities to meet the shipment needs of our customers, we also plan to continue our strong focus on managing and growing our cash position.

In the quarter ended March 28, 2010, revenue increased by 30%, as compared to the quarter ended December 27, 2009, reflecting increased system shipments and customer acceptances in all product lines as well as strong performance in our installed base business. Gross margin as a percent of revenues for the March 2010 quarter increased to 46.3% compared to 45.8% in the quarter ended December 27, 2009. The sequential increase in gross margin is a result of higher revenue, improved product mix, and more favorable absorption from the factories. The December 2009 quarter also included a credit of approximately $5 million related to a reversal of accrued liabilities due to final settlement of matters associated with our Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (“409A”) expenses from the 2007 voluntary independent stock option review.

Operating expenses in the March 2010 quarter increased $12 million as compared to the quarter ended December 27, 2009. Operating expenses during the December 2009 quarter included a reversal of accrued liabilities in operating expenses associated with final settlement of 409A matters from the 2007 voluntary independent stock option review of $16 million and restructuring and asset impairments of $6 million. No 409A adjustments or restructuring charges were recorded in the March 2010 quarter. The remaining increase of approximately $2 million during the March 2010 quarter was primarily due to higher variable compensation expense associated with our improved revenue and profitability.

        Our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted cash and investments balances totaled approximately $844 million as of March 28, 2010 compared to $831 million as of December 27, 2009. We generated approximately $109 million in net cash provided by operating activities during the March 2010 quarter. We used that cash to repurchase shares for approximately $69 million, to repay $18 million of outstanding loan amounts, and to purchase $11 million of capital. Employee headcount increased to approximately 3,100 as of March 28, 2010, from approximately 3,000 in the December 2009 quarter.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Shipments

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    December 27,
2009
    March 29,
2009
 

Shipments (in millions)

   $  735      $  519      $  159   

North America

     8     7     16

Europe

     5     6     17

Japan

     11     12     27

Korea

     27     26     17

Taiwan

     37     37     15

Asia Pacific

     12     12     8

Shipments for the March 2010 quarter increased approximately 362% compared to the March 2009 quarter, and approximately 41% compared to the December 2009 quarter. Our continued focus on flexibility and rapid responsiveness to customer demands in our business operations and supply chain organization enabled us to respond to customer demand. During the March 2010 quarter, 300 millimeter applications represented approximately 98% of total systems shipments, and applications at less than the 60 nanometer technology node accounted for 89% of total systems shipments. The memory market segment accounted for approximately 65% of shipments, with foundry at 27%, and integrated device manufacturers and logic at 8%. We believe it is likely that shipments for calendar year 2010 will exceed those of 2009.

Revenue

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    December 27,
2009
    March 29,
2009
    March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 

Revenue (in thousands)

   $ 632,763      $ 487,176      $ 174,412      $ 1,438,487      $ 898,182   

North America

     10     8     15     9     15

Europe

     6     6     14     6     11

Japan

     11     15     24     14     22

Korea

     24     25     19     24     23

Taiwan

     33     35     20     33     16

Asia Pacific

     16     11     8     14     13

Revenue for the March 2010 quarter exceeded our expectations and increased 30% compared to the December 2009 quarter. This increase reflects increased system shipments and customer acceptances in all product lines as well as strong performance in our installed base business. Revenue for the three and nine months ended March 2010 increased 263% and 60%, respectively, year over year reflecting the significant increase in shipment volumes. Our revenue levels are correlated to our shipment, installation and acceptance timelines. Versus the March 2009 quarter, Korea, Taiwan, and Asia Pacific accounted for an increasingly significant portion of our business in the March 2010 quarter. Our deferred revenue balance increased to $238.4 million as of March 28, 2010 compared to $43.7 million as of March 29, 2009 and $134.4 million as of December 27, 2009. Our deferred revenue balance does not include shipments to Japanese customers, to whom title does not transfer until customer acceptance. Shipments to Japanese customers are classified as inventory at cost until the time of acceptance. The anticipated future revenue value from shipments to Japanese customers was approximately $23 million as of March 28, 2010 compared to $11 million as of December 27, 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

Gross Margin

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    December 27,
2009
    March 29,
2009
    March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Gross margin

   $ 292,871      $ 223,204      $ 36,515      $ 652,845      $ 320,977   

Percent of total revenue

     46.3     45.8     20.9     45.4     35.7

Gross margin as a percent of revenue for the March 2010 quarter was 46.3%. The gross margin during the March 2010 quarter increased compared to the March 2009 and December 2009 quarters as a result of higher revenue, more favorable product mix, and improved absorption from our factories. The December 2009 quarter also included a credit of $5 million in cost of goods sold related to a final settlement of 409A accruals from the 2007 voluntary independent employee stock options review. The increase in gross margin dollars in the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010 compared with the same period in the prior year was primarily due to increased revenue along with improved factory utilization and a more favorable product mix. Additionally, the gross margin for the March 2009 quarter and for the nine months ended March 28, 2010 included restructuring and asset impairment charges of $10.2 million and $21.0 million, respectively. The nine months ended March 28, 2010 also included a credit of $10.2 million in cost of goods sold related to a final settlement of 409A liabilities from the 2007 voluntary independent employee stock options review.

Research and Development

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    December 27,
2009
    March 29,
2009
    March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Research & development (“R&D”)

   $ 81,845      $ 82,171      $ 70,434      $ 235,215      $ 220,778   

Percent of total revenue

     12.9     16.9     40.4     16.4     24.6

We continue to make significant R&D investments focused on plasma etch, single wafer clean and other semiconductor manufacturing products. The increase in R&D expenses during the March 2010 quarter compared to the March 2009 quarter is primarily due to higher salaries and benefits and variable compensation of $9 million. The increase in R&D expenses for the nine months ended March 28, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was due to higher variable compensation of $13 million. The decrease in R&D expenses during the March 2010 quarter compared to the December 2009 quarter is mainly due to nonrecurring benefits for material and supplies of $4 million, partially offset by an increase of $2 million in compensation items as a result of improved profitability and a $1 million increase in outside service expenses.

Selling, General and Administrative

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    December 27,
2009
    March 29,
2009
    March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Selling, general & administrative (“SG&A”)

   $ 61,933      $ 60,111      $ 58,515      $ 174,163      $ 185,813   

Percent of total revenue

     9.8     12.3     33.5     12.1     20.7

The sequential increase in SG&A expenses in the March 2010 quarter compared to the December 2009 quarter was primarily due to increased compensation-related expenses as a result of improved profitability.

The increase in SG&A expenses for the March 2010 quarter compared to the March 2009 quarter was driven by an increase of approximately $12 million in variable and other compensation items, which was partially offset by a $7 million accounts receivable reserve recorded in the March 2009 quarter related to specific distressed customers The decrease in SG&A expenses for the nine months ended March 28, 2010 compared to the same period in the prior year was driven by reductions of approximately $4 million in salaries and benefits due to lower headcount levels, $9 million related to lower depreciation, rent and utilities, $7 million due to an accounts receivable reserve recorded for specific distressed customers in the March 2009 quarter, and a $3 million decrease in outside service expenses. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of approximately $16 million in variable compensation.

Restructuring and Asset Impairments

        Prior to the end of each of the three quarters noted below, we initiated the announced restructuring activities and our management, with the proper level of authority, approved specific actions under the June 2008 Plan, December 2008 Plan, and March 2009 Plan. Severance packages to affected employees were communicated in enough detail such that the employees could determine their type and amount of benefit. The termination of the affected employees occurred as soon as practical after the restructuring plans were announced. The amount of remaining future lease payments for facilities we ceased to use and included in the restructuring charges is based on management’s estimates using known prevailing real estate market conditions at that time based, in part, on the opinions of independent real estate experts. Leasehold improvements relating to the vacated buildings were written off, as these items will have no future economic benefit to us and have been abandoned.

 

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Accounting for restructuring activities, as compared to regular operating cost management activities, requires an evaluation of formally committed and approved plans. Restructuring activities have comparatively greater strategic significance and materiality and may involve exit activities, whereas regular cost containment activities are more tactical in nature and are rarely characterized by formal and integrated action plans or exiting a particular product, facility, or service.

The following table summarizes restructuring and asset impairment charges for each restructuring Plan (as defined below):

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
   March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
     (in thousands)

June 2008 Plan

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 19,016

December 2008 Plan

     —        —        105      17,849

March 2009 Plan

     —        23,245      7,907      23,245
                           

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ 23,245    $ 8,012    $ 60,110
                           

The amounts in the table above are reported in our consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended March 29, 2009 and March 28, 2010 as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
   March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009

Cost of goods sold

   $ —      $ 10,217    $ —      $ 20,993

Operating expense

     —        13,028      8,012      39,117
                           

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ 23,245    $ 8,012    $ 60,110
                           

June 2008 Plan

During the June 2008 quarter, we incurred restructuring expenses and asset impairment charges related to the integration of SEZ and overall streamlining of our combined Clean Product Group (“June 2008 Plan”). There were no restructuring and asset impairment charges under the June 2008 Plan during the three and nine months March 28, 2010 or during the three months ended March 29, 2009. Restructuring and asset impairment charges during the nine months March 29, 2009were as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
March  29,

2009
     (in thousands)

Severance and benefits

   $ 12,554

Facilities

     —  

Abandoned assets

     3,395

Inventory

     3,067
      

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ 19,016
      

Below is a table summarizing activity relating to the June 2008 Plan during the nine months ended March 28, 2010:

 

     Severance and
Benefits
    Facilities     Total  
     (in thousands)  

Balance at June 28, 2009

   $ 567      $ 26      $ 593   

Cash payments

     (525     (26     (551
                        

Balance at March 28, 2010

   $ 42      $ —        $ 42   
                        

Total charges incurred as of March 28, 2010 under the June 2008 Plan were $38.0 million.

 

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December 2008 Plan

During the December 2008 quarter we incurred restructuring expenses and asset impairment charges designed to better align our cost structure with our business opportunities in consideration of market and economic uncertainties (“December 2008 Plan”). There were no restructuring and asset impairment charges incurred under the December 2008 Plan during the three months ended March 28, 2010 or March 29, 2009. Restructuring and asset impairment charges during the nine months ended March 28, 2010 and March 29, 2009 were as follows:

 

     Nine Months
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
     (in thousands)

Severance and benefits

   $ 105    $ 16,412

Facilities

   $ —      $ 618

Inventory

   $ —      $ 819
             

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ 105    $ 17,849
             

Below is a table summarizing activity relating to the December 2008 Plan during the nine months ended March 28, 2010:

 

     Severance and
Benefits
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance at June 28, 2009

   $ 684   

Fiscal year 2010 expense

     105   

Cash payments

     (474
        

Balance at March 28, 2010

   $ 315   
        

Total charges incurred as of March 28, 2010 under the December 2008 Plan were $18.0 million.

March 2009 Plan

During the March 2009 quarter we incurred restructuring expenses and asset impairment charges designed to align our cost structure with our outlook for the then-current economic environment and future business opportunities (“March 2009 Plan”). Restructuring and asset impairment charges were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months
     March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
   March 28,
2010
   March 29,
2009
     (in thousands)

Severance and benefits

   $ —      $ 20,954    $ 472    $ 20,954

Facilities

     —        822      6,848      822

Abandoned assets

     —        1,139      587      1,139

Inventory

        330         330
                           

Total restructuring and asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ 23,245    $ 7,907    $ 23,245
                           

 

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Below is a table summarizing activity relating to the March 2009 Plan during the nine months ended March 28,2010:

 

     Severance and
Benefits
    Facilities     Asset
Impairments
    Total  
     (in thousands)  

Balance at June 28, 2009

   $ 3,925      $ 437      $ —        $ 4,362   

Fiscal year 2010 expense

     472        6,848        587        7,907   

Cash payments

     (3,917     (2,545     —          (6,462

Non-cash charges

     —          —          (587     (587
                                

Balance at March 28, 2010

   $ 480      $ 4,740      $ —        $ 5,220   
                                

Total charges incurred as of March 28, 2010 under the March 2009 Plan were $36.5million.

The severance and benefits-related balances are anticipated to be paid by the end of fiscal year 2010. The facilities balance consists primarily of lease payments, net of sublease income, on vacated buildings and is expected to be paid by the end of fiscal year 2015.

409A Expense

Following the voluntary independent review of our historical employee stock option grant process, we considered whether Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“IRC”) and similar provisions of state law would apply to certain stock option grants that were found to have intrinsic value at the time of their respective measurement dates. If a stock option is not considered as issued with an exercise price of at least the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, it may be subject to penalty taxes under Section 409A and similar provisions of state law. In such a case, such taxes may be assessed not only on the intrinsic value increase, but on the entire stock option gain as measured at various times. On March 30, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized us to assume potential tax liabilities of certain employees, including our Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers, relating to options that might be subject to Section 409A and similar provisions of state law. The assumed Section 409A liability, inclusive of estimated legal and accounting fees, were $53.7 million as of June 28, 2009.

During the six months ended December 27, 2009, we reached a final settlement with respect to our Section 409A liabilities which resulted in a reduction of the liability and net credits recognized in the statements of operations of $10.2 million recorded in cost of goods sold and $34.2 million recorded in operating expenses. The determinations from the 2007 voluntary independent stock option review are more fully described in Note 3, “Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements” to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of our 2007 Form 10-K and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of our 2007 Form 10-K.

 

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Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net consisted of the following:

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     March 28,
2010
    December 27,
2009
    March 29,
2009
    March 28,
2010
    March 29,
2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Interest income

   $ 2,863      $ 2,008      $ 5,360      $ 6,919      $ 21,287   

Interest expense

     (434     (245     (1,146     (868     (6,182

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

     650        (195     10,911        (1,339     612   

Other, net

     (1,463     (1,626     (1,628     (3,522     (436
                                        
   $ 1,616      $ (58   $ 13,497      $ 1,190      $ 15,281   
                                        

Interest income increased in the three months ended March 28, 2010 compared with the three months ending December 27, 2009 primarily due to realized gains on investment assets. Interest income decreased in the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended March 29, 2009. Decreases in interest income during these comparative periods were primarily attributable to decreases in our average cash and investment balances used to fund operating needs and decreases in interest rate yields.

During the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010, our interest expense decreased compared with the corresponding three and nine month periods ended March 29, 2009 primarily as a result of our $250.0 million loan payment to ABN AMRO during the 2009 fiscal year and to a lesser extent decreases in interest rates.

Included in foreign exchange gains during the three months ended March 29, 2009 was $6.7 million of gains associated with our accelerated tax planning strategy. This line item also includes $4.2 million of gains primarily due to changes in the value of our foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities with non-U.S. dollar functional subsidiaries, which reflected the U.S. dollar’s weakening against the Euro and strengthening against the Japanese yen.

Included in the foreign exchange gains during the nine months ended March 29, 2009 was $4.0 million of deferred net losses associated with ineffectiveness of our cash flow hedges related to forecasted transactions that were no longer considered probable of occurring due to a significant decline in the market. This line item also includes $5.5 million of gains primarily due to changes in the value of our foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities with non-U.S. dollar functional subsidiaries, which reflected the U.S. dollar’s weakening against the Euro and Taiwanese dollar and strengthening against the Japanese yen.

We recognized a $0.9 million realized loss on investments due to an other-than-temporary impairment charge during the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010. We recognized a $1.5 million realized loss on investments due to an other-than-temporary impairment charge during the three and nine months ended March 29, 2009. Also included in other expense during the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010 is interest expenses related to our foreign exchange hedging programs.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended March 28, 2010, were 20.2% and 23.7%, respectively. Our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended March 29, 2009, was approximately (9.2)% and (6.4)%, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 28, 2010, compared to the three months ended March 29, 2009, was primarily due to the geographical mix of income in higher and lower tax jurisdictions. The effective tax rate of 20.2% for the three months ended March 28, 2010, is impacted by the following material discrete events: (1) a tax expense of $1.1 million due to the unrecognized tax benefits related to research and development tax credits, (2) a tax expense of $0.9 million related to interest on uncertain tax positions, (3) a tax benefit of $2.6 million related to the filing of prior year federal and foreign tax returns, and (4) a tax benefit of $0.4 million due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits and the reversal of the related interest accruals due to the finalization of certain foreign tax positions. The effective tax rate of (9.2)% for the three months ended March 29, 2009, is impacted by the following material discrete events: (1) a tax expense of $4.2 million for California valuation allowance, (2) a tax expense of $1.0 million for revaluation of California deferred tax assets, (3) a tax expense for a Singapore tax holiday clawback of $1.0 million, (4) a tax expense of $0.9 million related interest on uncertain tax positions, (5) a tax benefit of $4.6 million related to one-time restructuring costs, and (6) a tax benefit of $0.7 million for filing prior year federal and foreign tax returns.

        The change in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended March 28, 2010, compared to the nine months ended March 29, 2009, was primarily due to the geographical mix of income in higher and lower tax jurisdictions. The effective tax rate of 23.7% for the nine months ended March 28, 2010, is impacted by the following material discrete events: (1) a tax expense of $17.7 million related to the 409A settlements from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and FTB audits, (2) a tax expense of $2.7 million related to interest on uncertain tax positions, (3) a tax expense of approximately $2.2 million related to a change in valuation allowance on California R&D credits, (4) a tax expense of $1.1 million due to the unrecognized tax benefits related to research and development tax credits, (5) a tax benefit of $3.5 million related to the accrual of restructuring expenses, (6) a tax benefit of $3.0 million due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits and the reversal of the related interest accruals due to the finalization of certain foreign tax positions, and (7) a tax benefit of $2.8 million filing of prior year federal and foreign tax returns. The effective tax rate of (6.4)% for the nine months ended March 29,2009, is impacted by the following material discrete events: (1) a tax expense of $5.4 million related to the application of certain foreign tax rulings, (2) a tax expense of $4.2 million for California valuation allowance, (3) a tax expense of $3.5 million of interest related to uncertain tax positions, (4) a tax expense of $1.3 million related to deferred taxes for leases, (5) tax expense of $1.0 million for revaluation of California deferred tax assets, (6) a tax expense of $1.0 million for a Singapore tax holiday claw back, (7) a tax benefit of $16.2 million for restructuring cost, (8) a tax benefit of $5.8 million related to the extension of the federal research credit as it pertains to our fiscal year 2008, and (9) a tax benefit of $2.1 million for filing prior year federal and foreign tax returns. Our effective tax rate is based on our current profitability outlook and our expectations of earnings from operations in various tax jurisdictions throughout the world. We have implemented strategies intended to minimize our tax liability on the sale of our products worldwide. These tax strategies are intended to align the asset ownership and functions of our various legal entities around the world with our forecasts of the level, timing and sources of future revenues and profits.

 

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Deferred Income Taxes

We had gross deferred tax assets, related primarily to reserves and accruals that are not currently deductible and tax credit carryforwards, of $134.7 million and $157.0 million as of March 28, 2010, and June 28, 2009, respectively. The gross deferred tax assets were offset by deferred tax liabilities of $42.1 million and a valuation allowance of $38.9 million as of March 28, 2010. The gross deferred tax assets were offset by deferred tax liabilities of $39.3 million and a valuation allowance of $7.5 million as of March 29, 2009 and by deferred tax liabilities of $41.9 million and a valuation allowance of $35.5 million as of June 28, 2009.

Deferred tax assets decreased from June 28, 2009 to March 28, 2010 by approximately $22.3 million primarily related to release in 409A accrual.

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Realization of our net deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income. We believe it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized; however, realization could be negatively impacted by market conditions and other variables not known or anticipated at this time. In the event that we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets, an adjustment would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if we later determine that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets would be realized, then the previously provided valuation allowance would be reversed. Our current valuation allowance of $38.9 million relates to certain California and foreign deferred tax assets.

As part of the valuation allowance recorded in fiscal year 2009, we recorded a valuation allowance on certain California deferred tax assets reflecting the potential impacts of the new California law related to the repeal of the cost of performance sales factor sourcing rule and the single sales factor apportionment election (both passed February 20, 2009, effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2011). In addition, we recorded a valuation allowance against certain foreign deferred tax assets.

We reevaluate uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

A critical accounting policy is defined as one that has both a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations and requires us to make difficult, complex and/or subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain judgments, estimates and assumptions that could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be applicable and evaluate them on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain reasonable under current conditions. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates, which could have a material impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

We believe that the following critical accounting policies reflect the more significant judgments and estimates we use in preparing our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition: We recognize all revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and title has passed or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, collection of the receivable is reasonably assured, and we have completed our system installation obligations, received customer acceptance or are otherwise released from our installation or customer acceptance obligations. In the event that terms of the sale provide for a lapsing customer acceptance period, we recognize revenue upon the expiration of the lapsing acceptance period or customer acceptance, whichever occurs first. In circumstances where the practices of a customer do not provide for a written acceptance or the terms of sale do not include a lapsing acceptance provision, we recognize revenue where it can be reliably demonstrated that the delivered system meets all of the agreed-to customer specifications. In situations with multiple deliverables, revenue is recognized upon the delivery of the separate elements to the customer and when we receive customer acceptance or are otherwise released from our customer acceptance obligations. Revenue from multiple-element arrangements is allocated among the separate elements based on their relative fair values, provided the elements have value on a stand-alone basis, there is objective and reliable evidence of fair value, the arrangement does not include a general right of return relative to the delivered item and delivery, or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in our control. The maximum revenue recognized on a delivered element is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon the delivery of additional items. Revenue related to sales of spare parts and system upgrade kits is generally recognized upon shipment. Revenue related to services is generally recognized upon completion of the services requested by a customer order. Revenue for extended maintenance service contracts with a fixed payment amount is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract.

 

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Inventory Valuation: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost on a first-in, first-out basis or market using standard costs which generally approximate actual costs. We maintain a perpetual inventory system and continuously record the quantity on-hand and standard cost for each product, including purchased components, subassemblies, and finished goods. We maintain the integrity of perpetual inventory records through periodic physical counts of quantities on hand. Finished goods are reported as inventories until the point of title transfer to the customer. Generally, title transfer is documented in the terms of sale. When the terms of sale do not specify title transfer, we assume title transfers when we complete physical transfer of the products to the freight carrier unless other customer practices prevail. Transfer of title for shipments to Japanese customers generally occurs at the time of customer acceptance.

Standard costs are reassessed as needed but annually at a minimum, and reflect achievable acquisition costs. Acquisition costs are generally based on the most recent vendor contract prices for purchased parts, normalized assembly and test labor utilization levels, methods of manufacturing, and normalized overhead. Manufacturing labor and overhead costs are attributed to individual product standard costs at a level planned to absorb spending at average utilization volumes. All intercompany profits related to the sales and purchases of inventory between our legal entities are eliminated from our consolidated financial statements.

Management evaluates the need to record adjustments for impairment of inventory at least quarterly. Our policy is to assess the valuation of all inventories including manufacturing raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, and spare parts in each reporting period. Obsolete inventory or inventory in excess of management’s estimated usage requirements over the next 12 to 36 months is written down to its estimated market value if less than cost. Estimates of market value include, but are not limited to, management’s forecasts related to our future manufacturing schedules, customer demand, technological and/or market obsolescence, general semiconductor market conditions, and possible alternative uses. If future customer demand or market conditions are less favorable than our projections, additional inventory write-downs may be required and would be reflected in cost of goods sold in the period the revision is made.

Warranty: Typically, the sale of semiconductor capital equipment includes providing parts and service warranty to customers as part of the overall price of the system. We offer standard warranties for our systems that generally run for a period of 12 months from system acceptance. When appropriate, we record a provision for estimated warranty expenses to cost of sales for each system upon revenue recognition. The amount recorded is based on an analysis of historical activity which uses factors such as type of system, customer, geographic region, and any known factors such as tool reliability trends. All actual or estimated parts and labor costs incurred in subsequent periods are charged to those established reserves on a system-by-system basis.

Actual warranty expenses are accounted for on a system-by-system basis, and may differ from our original estimates. While we periodically monitor the performance and cost of warranty activities, if actual costs incurred are different than our estimates, we may recognize adjustments to provisions in the period in which those differences arise or are identified. We do not maintain general or unspecified reserves; all warranty reserves are related to specific systems. In addition to the provision of standard warranties, we offer customer-paid extended warranty services. Revenues for extended maintenance and warranty services with a fixed payment amount are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. Related costs are recorded either as incurred or when related liabilities are determined to be probable and estimable.

Equity-based Compensation — Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Employee Stock Plans: GAAP requires the recognition of the fair value of equity-based compensation in net income. The fair value of our restricted stock units was calculated based upon the fair market value of Company stock at the date of grant. The fair value of our stock options and ESPP awards was estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected stock price volatility and the estimated life of each award. The fair value of equity-based awards is amortized over the vesting period of the award and we have elected to use the straight-line method of amortization.

We make quarterly assessments of the adequacy of our tax credit pool related to equity-based compensation to determine if there are any deficiencies that require recognition in our consolidated statements of operations. We will only recognize a benefit from stock-based compensation in paid-in-capital if an incremental tax benefit is realized after all other tax attributes currently available to us have been utilized. In addition, we have elected to account for the indirect benefits of stock-based compensation on the research tax credit through the income statement (continuing operations) rather than through paid-in-capital. We have also elected to net deferred tax assets and the associated valuation allowance related to net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards for the accumulated stock award tax benefits for income tax footnote disclosure purposes. We will track these stock award attributes separately and will only recognize these attributes through paid-in-capital.

Income Taxes: Deferred income taxes reflect the net effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Realization of our net deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income. We believe it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized; however, ultimate realization could be negatively impacted by market conditions and other variables not known or anticipated at this time. In the event that we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets, an adjustment would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if we later determine that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets would be realized, then the previously provided valuation allowance would be reversed.

 

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We calculate our current and deferred tax provision based on estimates and assumptions that can differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. Adjustments based on filed returns are recorded when identified.

We provide for income taxes on the basis of annual estimated effective income tax rates. Our estimated effective income tax rate reflects our underlying profitability, the level of R&D spending, the regions where profits are recorded and the respective tax rates imposed. We carefully monitor these factors and adjust the effective income tax rate, if necessary. If actual results differ from estimates, we could be required to record an additional valuation allowance on deferred tax assets or adjust our effective income tax rate.

In July 2006, the FASB issued guidance which defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority. It provides guidance on the de-recognition, measurement and classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest and penalties. This guidance also includes information concerning accounting for income tax uncertainties in interim periods and increases the level of disclosures associated with any recorded income tax uncertainties. We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of tax credits, benefits, and deductions, and in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities, which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes, as well as the interest and penalties relating to these uncertain tax positions. Significant changes to these estimates may result in an increase or decrease to our tax provision in a subsequent period.

In addition, the calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on the two-step process prescribed within the interpretation. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as this requires us to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. We reevaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision in the period such determination is made.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in each business combination. The carrying value of goodwill is allocated to our reporting units. Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible asset may not be recoverable and the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

We review goodwill at least annually for impairment. Should certain events or indicators of impairment occur between annual impairment tests, we would perform an impairment test of goodwill at that date. In testing for a potential impairment of goodwill, we: (1) allocate goodwill to our reporting units to which the acquired goodwill relates; (2) estimate the fair value of our reporting units; and (3) determine the carrying value (book value) of those reporting units, as some of the assets and liabilities related to those reporting units are not held by those reporting units but by a corporate function. Prior to this allocation of the assets to the reporting units, we are required to assess long-lived assets for impairment. Furthermore, if the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, we must estimate the fair value of all identifiable assets and liabilities of that reporting unit, in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation for an acquired business. This can require independent valuations of certain internally generated and unrecognized intangible assets such as in-process research and development and developed technology. Only after this process is completed can the amount of goodwill impairment, if any, be determined.

As of March 28, 2010, the carrying value of goodwill on our consolidated balance sheets was $169.2 million. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. We determine the fair value of our reporting units by using a weighted combination of both a Market and an Income approach, as this combination was deemed to be the most indicative of our fair value in an orderly transaction between market participants.

Under the Market approach, we utilize information regarding the reporting unit as well as publicly available industry information to determine various financial multiples that are used to value our reporting units. Under the Income approach, we determine fair value based on estimated future cash flows of each reporting unit, discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk of a reporting unit and the rate of return an outside investor would expect to earn.

        In estimating the fair value of a reporting unit for the purposes of our annual or periodic analyses, we make estimates and judgments about the future cash flows of our reporting units, including estimated growth rates and assumptions about the economic environment. Although our cash flow forecasts are based on assumptions that are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses, there is significant judgment involved in determining the cash flows attributable to a reporting unit. In addition, we make certain judgments about allocating shared assets to the estimated balance sheets of our reporting units. We also consider our market capitalization and that of our competitors on the date we perform the analysis. Changes in judgment on these assumptions and estimates could result in a goodwill impairment charge.

 

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As a result, several factors could result in impairment of a material amount of our goodwill balance in future periods, including, but not limited to: (1) weakening of the global economy, weakness in the semiconductor equipment industry, or failure of the Company to reach its internal forecasts. This could impact our ability to achieve our forecasted levels of cash flows and reduce the estimated discounted cash flow value of our reporting units; (2) a decline in our stock price and resulting market capitalization, if we determine that the decline is sustained and is indicative of a reduction in the fair value of our reporting units below their carrying value. Further, the value assigned to intangible assets, other than goodwill, is based on estimates and judgments regarding expectations such as the success and life cycle of products and technology acquired. If actual product acceptance differs significantly from the estimates, we may be required to record an impairment charge to write down the asset to its realizable value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) revised the authoritative guidance for business combinations, which establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. The revised guidance also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The accounting treatment of tax benefits from acquired companies has changed under the revised guidance. Any changes to the tax benefits associated with the valuation allowances related to business combinations will be recorded through income tax expense. We adopted the revised guidance on June 29, 2009 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the treatment of noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary. Noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary are to be reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements and any retained noncontrolling equity investment upon deconsolidation of a subsidiary is initially measured at fair value. We adopted the guidance on June 29, 2009 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance to require publicly-traded companies, to provide disclosures on the fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements. We adopted this guidance on June 29, 2009 and the adoption resulted in expanded disclosures but did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

In June 2009, the FASB issued the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”). The Codification is the single source for all authoritative Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied for financial statements issued for periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Codification does not change GAAP and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In September 2009, the FASB ratified guidance from the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) regarding revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. This guidance addresses criteria for separating the consideration in multiple-element arrangements and will require companies to allocate the overall consideration to each deliverable by using a best estimate of the selling price of individual deliverables in the arrangement in the absence of vendor-specific objective evidence or other third-party evidence of the selling price. This guidance will be effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

In September 2009, the FASB also ratified guidance from the EITF regarding certain revenue arrangements that include software elements. This guidance modifies the scope of the software revenue recognition rules to exclude (a) non-software components of tangible products and (b) software components of tangible products that are sold, licensed, or leased with tangible products when the software components and non-software components of the tangible product function together to deliver the tangible product’s essential functionality. This guidance will be effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of March 28, 2010, we had $843.8 million in gross cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted cash and investments (total cash and investments) compared to $757.8 million as of June 28, 2009.

 

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Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities of $185.3 million during the nine months ended March 28, 2010 consisted of (in millions):

 

Net income

   $ 206.7   

Non-cash charges:

  

Depreciation and amortization

     53.7   

Equity-based compensation

     38.1   

Restructuring charges, net

     8.0   

Net tax benefit on equity-based compensation plans

     (0.3

Deferred income taxes

     22.4   

Changes in operating asset and liability accounts

     (145.9

Other

     2.6   
        
   $ 185.3   
        

Changes in operating asset and liability accounts of $(145.9) million included the following uses of cash: increases in accounts receivable of $268.0 million, inventory of $44.3 million, and prepaid expenses and other assets of $20.9 million. These uses of cash were partially offset by the following sources of cash: increases in accounts payable of $77.3 million, deferred profit of $92.4 million, and accrued expenses and other liabilities of $20.1 million. These changes in overall cash were all consistent with increased business volumes.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used for investing activities during the nine months ended March 28, 2010 was $25.4 million, primarily consisting of capital expenditures of $23.5 million, net purchases of available-for-sale securities of $14.0 million, and purchase of other investments of $1.0 million, partially offset by the transfer of restricted cash and investments of approximately $13.2 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used for financing activities during the nine months ended March 28, 2010 was $75.2 million. It included $75.2 million in treasury stock purchases and $20.4 million in principal payments on long-term debt and capital leases, partially offset by net proceeds from issuance of common stock related to employee equity-based plans of $19.1 million.

Given the cyclical nature of the semiconductor equipment industry, we believe that maintaining sufficient liquidity reserves is important to support sustaining levels of investment in R&D and capital infrastructure. Based upon our current business outlook, we expect that our levels of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at March 28, 2010 will be sufficient to support our presently anticipated levels of operations, investments, debt service requirements, and capital expenditures, through at least the next 12 months.

In the longer term, liquidity will depend to a great extent on our future revenues and our ability to appropriately manage our costs based on demand for our products and services. If we require additional funding, we may need to raise the required funds through borrowings or public or private sales of debt or equity securities. We believe that, if necessary, we will be able to access the capital markets on terms and in amounts adequate to meet our objectives. However, given the possibility of changes in market conditions or other occurrences, there can be no certainty that such funding will be available in needed quantities or on terms favorable to us.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

We have certain obligations to make future payments under various contracts, some of which are recorded on our balance sheet and some of which are not. Obligations are recorded on our balance sheet in accordance with GAAP and include our long-term debt which is outlined in the following table and noted below. Our off-balance sheet arrangements include contractual relationships and are presented as operating leases and purchase obligations in the table below. Our contractual cash obligations and commitments as of March 28, 2010, relating to these agreements and our guarantees are included in the following table. The amounts in the table below exclude $113.4 million of liabilities related to uncertain tax benefits as we are unable to reasonably estimate the ultimate amount or time of settlement.

 

     Operating
Leases
   Capital
Leases
   Purchase
Obligations
   Long-term
Debt and
Interest Expense
   Total
     (in thousands)

Payments due by period:

              

Less than 1 year

   $ 7,289    $ 1,837    $ 124,852    $ 4,122    $ 138,100

1-3 years

     7,296    $ 3,675      61,118      3,809      75,898

3-5 years

     145,157    $ 3,108      31,895      —        180,160

Over 5 years

     —      $ 10,980      11,882      —        22,862
                                  

Total

   $ 159,742    $ 19,600    $ 229,747    $ 7,931    $ 417,020
                                  

 

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Operating Leases and Related Guarantees

We lease most of our administrative, R&D and manufacturing facilities, regional sales/service offices and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases, which expire at various dates through fiscal year 2016. Certain of our facility leases for buildings located at our Fremont, California headquarters and certain other facility leases provide us with options to extend the leases for additional periods or to purchase the facilities. Certain of our facility leases provide for periodic rent increases based on the general rate of inflation.

Included in the Operating Leases Over 5 years section of the table above is $141.7 million in guaranteed residual values for lease agreements relating to certain properties at our Fremont, California campus and properties in Livermore, California.

On December 18, 2007, we entered into two operating leases regarding certain improved properties in Livermore, California. These leases were amended on April 3, 2008 and July 9, 2008 (as so amended, the “Livermore Leases”). On December 21, 2007, we entered into a series of four amended and restated operating leases (the “New Fremont Leases,” and collectively with the Livermore Leases, the “Operating Leases”) with regard to certain improved properties at our headquarters in Fremont, California. Each of the Operating Leases is an off-balance sheet arrangement. The Operating Leases (and associated documents for each Operating Lease) were entered into by us and BNP Paribas Leasing Corporation (“BNPPLC”).

Each Operating Lease facility has an approximately seven-year term ending on the first business day in January 2015. Under each Operating Lease, the Company may, at its discretion and with 30 days’ notice, elect to purchase the property that is the subject of the Operating Lease for an amount approximating the sum required to prepay the amount of BNPPLC’s investment in the property and any accrued but unpaid rent. Any such amount may also include an additional make-whole amount for early redemption of the outstanding investment, which will vary depending on prevailing interest rates at the time of prepayment.

We are required, pursuant to the terms of the Operating Leases and associated documents, to maintain collateral in an aggregate of approximately $164.9 million in separate interest-bearing accounts as security for our obligations under the Operating Leases. As of March 28, 2010 we had $164.9 million recorded as restricted cash in our consolidated balance sheet as collateral required under the lease agreements related to the amounts currently outstanding on the facility.

Upon expiration of the term of an Operating Lease, the property subject to that Operating Lease may be remarketed. We have guaranteed to BNPPLC that each property will have a certain minimum residual value, as set forth in the applicable Operating Lease. The aggregate guarantee made by us under the Operating Leases is no more than approximately $141.7 million (although, under certain default circumstances, the guarantee with regard to an Operating Lease may be 100% of BNPPLC’s investment in the applicable property; in the aggregate, the amounts payable under such guarantees will be no more than $164.9 million plus related indemnification or other obligations).

The lessor under the lease agreements is a substantive independent leasing company that does not have the characteristics of a variable interest entity (VIE) and is therefore not consolidated by us.

The remaining operating lease balances primarily relate to non-cancelable facility-related operating leases.

Capital Leases

Capital leases reflect building and office equipment lease obligations. The amounts in the table above include the interest portion of payment obligations.

Purchase Obligations

Purchase obligations consist of significant contractual obligations either on an annual basis or over multi-year periods related to our outsourcing activities or other material commitments, including vendor-consigned inventories. We continue to enter into new agreements and maintain existing agreements to outsource certain activities, including elements of our manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, facilities maintenance, certain information technology functions, and certain transactional general and administrative functions. The contractual cash obligations and commitments table presented above contains our obligations at March 28, 2010 under these arrangements and others. Actual expenditures will vary based on the volume of transactions and length of contractual service provided. In addition to these obligations, certain of these agreements include early termination provisions and/or cancellation penalties which could increase or decrease amounts actually paid.

Consignment inventories, which are owned by vendors but located in our storage locations and warehouses, are not reported as our inventory until title is transferred to us or our purchase obligation is determined. At March 28, 2010, vendor-owned inventories held at our locations and not reported as our inventory were $25.8 million.

Long-Term Debt

        Our total long-term debt of $7.8 million as of March 28, 2010 consisted of various bank loans and government subsidized technology loans supporting operating needs.

 

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Other Guarantees

We have issued certain indemnifications to our lessors for taxes and general liability under some of our agreements. We have entered into certain insurance contracts which may limit our exposure to such indemnifications. As of March 28, 2010, we had not recorded any liability on our consolidated financial statements in connection with these indemnifications, as we do not believe, based on information available, that it is probable that any amounts will be paid under these guarantees.

Generally, we indemnify, under pre-determined conditions and limitations, our customers for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights by our products or services. We seek to limit our liability for such indemnity to an amount not to exceed the sales price of the products or services subject to its indemnification obligations. We do not believe, based on information available, that it is probable that any material amounts will be paid under these guarantees.

We recognized at lease inception $0.6 million in liabilities related to the Operating Leases, which represents the fair value guarantee premium that would be required had the guarantee been issued in a standalone transaction. These liabilities are recorded in other long-term liabilities with the offsetting entry recorded as prepaid rent in other assets. The balances in prepaid rent and the guarantee liability are amortized to the statement of operations on a straight line basis over the life of the leases. If it becomes probable that we will be required to make a payment under the residual guarantee, we will increase our liability with a corresponding increase to prepaid rent and amortize the increased prepaid rent over the remaining lease term with no corresponding reduction in the liability. As of March 28, 2010, the unamortized portion of the fair value of the residual value guarantees remaining in other long-term liabilities and prepaid rent was $0.3 million.

Warranties

We offer standard warranties on its systems that run generally for a period of 12 months from system acceptance. The liability amount is based on actual historical warranty spending activity by type of system, customer, and geographic region, modified for any known differences such as the impact of system reliability improvements.

 

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

For financial market risks related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, refer to Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, in our 2009 Form 10-K.

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio, long-term debt, and synthetic leases. We maintain a conservative investment policy, which focuses on the safety and preservation of our invested funds by limiting default risk, market risk, and reinvestment risk. We mitigate default risk by investing in high credit quality securities and by positioning our portfolio to respond appropriately to a significant reduction in a credit rating of any investment issuer or guarantor. The portfolio includes only marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets to achieve portfolio liquidity and maintain a prudent amount of diversification.

We believe that maintaining sufficient liquidity reserves is important to support sustaining levels of investment in our business activities. Anticipated cash flows from operations based on our current business outlook, combined with our current levels of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at March 28, 2010 are expected to be sufficient to support our anticipated levels of operations, investments, debt service requirements, and capital expenditures, through at least the next 12 months. However, uncertainty in the global economy and the semiconductor industry, as well as disruptions in credit markets have in the past, and could in the future, impact customer demand for our products, as well as our ability to manage normal commercial relationships with our customers, suppliers, and creditors.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), as of March 28, 2010, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer, along with our Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

We intend to review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures on an ongoing basis and to correct any material deficiencies that we may discover. Our goal is to ensure that our senior management has timely access to material information that could affect our business.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Effectiveness of Controls

While we believe the present design of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting is effective, future events affecting our business may cause us to modify our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting. The effectiveness of controls cannot be absolute because the cost to design and implement a control to identify errors or mitigate the risk of errors occurring should not outweigh the potential loss caused by the errors that would likely be detected by the control. Moreover, we believe that a control system cannot be guaranteed to be 100% effective all of the time. Accordingly, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we have received notices from third parties alleging infringement of such parties’ patent or other intellectual property rights by our products. In such cases it is our policy to defend the claims, or if considered appropriate, negotiate licenses on commercially reasonable terms. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able in the future to negotiate necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or that any litigation resulting from such claims would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or operating results.

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information in this Form 10-Q, the following risk factors should be carefully considered in evaluating the Company and its business because such factors may significantly impact our business, operating results, and financial condition. As a result of these risk factors, as well as other risks discussed in our other SEC filings, our actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. No priority or significance is intended, nor should be attached, to the order in which the risk factors appear.

The Semiconductor Industry is Undergoing Rapid Change and, as a Result, We Face Risks Related to Our Strategic Resource Allocation Decisions

The business cycle in the semiconductor equipment industry has historically been characterized by frequent periods of rapid change in demand that challenge our management to adjust spending and other resources allocated to operating activities. During periods of rapid growth or decline in demand for our products and services, we face significant challenges in maintaining adequate financial and business controls, management processes, information systems, procedures for training, managing, and appropriately sizing our supply chain, our work force, and other components of our business on a timely basis.

If we do not adequately meet these challenges during periods of demand decline, our gross margins and earnings may be impaired. In late 2008 and 2009, the semiconductor industry experienced a general decline in demand, leading to a steep decline in demand for our products and services. In response to that industry demand decline, we made difficult resource allocation decisions, including layoffs and restructurings, in an effort to minimize the disruptive effects of the deteriorating economic conditions on our business operating results.

We are now transitioning into what we believe to be a period of demand growth. This is fueled in large part by increased investment by customers who, during the downturn, reduced or eliminated their spending on our products. We continuously reassess our strategic resource allocation choices in response to the changing business environment. If we do not adequately adapt to the changing business environment, we may lack the infrastructure and resources to scale up our business to meet customer expectations and compete successfully during this period of growth; or we may expand our capacity too rapidly and/or beyond what is appropriate for the actual demand environment.

Especially during transitional periods, resource allocation decisions can have a significant impact on our future performance, particularly if we have not accurately anticipated industry changes. Our success will depend, to a significant extent, on the ability of our executive officers and other members of our senior management to identify and respond to these challenges effectively.

Because the Semiconductor Equipment Industry is Highly Volatile and Significantly Dependent on Overall World Economic Conditions, We Face Risks Related to Downturns in the Semiconductor Industry and in the Global Economy.

Our business depends on the capital equipment expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers, which in turn depend on the current and anticipated market demand for integrated circuits. The semiconductor industry is cyclical in nature and historically experiences periodic downturns. Global economic and business conditions, which are often unpredictable, have historically impacted customer demand for our products and normal commercial relationships with our customers, suppliers, and creditors. Additionally, in times of economic uncertainty, some of our customers’ budgets for our products, or their ability to access credit to purchase them, could be adversely affected. This would limit their ability to purchase our products and services. As a result, economic downturns could cause material adverse changes to our results of operations and financial condition including, but not limited to:

 

   

a decline in demand for our products;

 

   

an increase in reserves on accounts receivable due to our customers’ inability to pay us;

 

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an increase in reserves on inventory balances due to excess or obsolete inventory as a result of our inability to sell such inventory;

 

   

additional valuation allowances on deferred tax assets;

 

   

additional restructuring charges;

 

   

additional asset impairments including the potential additional impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets;

 

   

a decrease in value of our investments;

 

   

exposure to claims from our suppliers for payment on inventory that we order in anticipation of customer purchases that do not come to fruition;

 

   

a decline in value of certain facilities we lease to less than our residual value guarantee with the lessor; and

 

   

problems maintaining reliable and uninterrupted sources of supply.

Fluctuating levels of investment by semiconductor manufacturers could continue to materially affect our aggregate shipments, revenues and operating results. Where appropriate, we will attempt to respond to these fluctuations with cost management programs aimed at aligning our expenditures with anticipated revenue streams, which sometimes result in restructuring charges. Even during periods of reduced revenues, we must continue to invest in research and development and maintain extensive ongoing worldwide customer service and support capabilities to remain competitive, which may temporarily harm our financial results.

Our Quarterly Revenues and Operating Results Are Unpredictable

Our revenues and operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, not all of which are in our control. We manage our expense levels based in part on our expectations of future revenues. If revenue levels in a particular quarter do not meet our expectations, our operating results may be adversely affected. Because our operating expenses are based in part on anticipated future revenues, and a certain amount of those expenses are relatively fixed, a change in the timing of recognition of revenue and/or the level of gross profit from a small number of transactions can unfavorably affect operating results in a particular quarter. Factors that may cause our financial results to fluctuate unpredictably include, but are not limited to:

 

   

economic conditions in the electronics and semiconductor industries generally and the equipment industry specifically;

 

   

the extent that customers continue to purchase and use our products and services in their business;

 

   

timing of customer acceptances of equipment;

 

   

the size and timing of orders from customers;

 

   

customer cancellations or delays in our shipments, installations, and/or acceptances;

 

   

changes in average selling prices, customer mix, and product mix;

 

   

our ability in a timely manner to develop, introduce and market new, enhanced, and competitive products;

 

   

our competitors’ introduction of new products;

 

   

legal or technical challenges to our products and technology;

 

   

transportation, communication, demand, information technology or supply disruptions based on factors outside our control such as acts of God, wars, terrorist activities, and natural disasters;

 

   

legal, tax, accounting, or regulatory changes (including but not limited to change in import/export regulations) or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing requirements;

 

   

procurement shortages;

 

   

manufacturing difficulties;

 

   

the failure of our suppliers or outsource providers to perform their obligations in a manner consistent with our expectations;

 

   

changes in our estimated effective tax rate; and

 

   

foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Further, because a significant amount of our R&D and administrative operations and capacity is located at our Fremont, California campus, natural, physical, logistical or other events or disruptions affecting these facilities (including labor disruptions, earthquakes, and power failures) could adversely impact our financial performance.

We Derive Our Revenues Primarily from a Relatively Small Number of High-Priced Systems

        System sales constitute a significant portion of our total revenue. Our systems are priced up to approximately $6 million per unit, and our revenues in any given quarter are dependent upon the acceptance of a rather limited number of such systems. As a result, the inability to recognize revenue on even a few systems can cause a significant adverse impact on our revenues for that quarter.

 

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We Have a Limited Number of Key Customers

Sales to a limited number of large customers constitute a significant portion of our overall revenue, new orders and profitability. As a result, the actions of even one customer may subject us to revenue swings that are difficult to predict. Similarly, significant portions of our credit risk may, at any given time, be concentrated among a limited number of customers, so that the failure of even one of these key customers to pay its obligations to us could significantly impact our financial results

Variations in the Amount of Time it Takes for Our Customers to Accept Our Systems May Cause Fluctuation in Our Operating Results

We generally recognize revenue for new system sales on the date of customer acceptance or the date the contractual customer acceptance provisions lapse. As a result, the fiscal period in which we are able to recognize new systems revenues is typically subject to the length of time that our customers require to evaluate the performance of our equipment after shipment and installation, which may vary from customer to customer and tool to tool. Such variations could cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate.

We Depend on New Products and Processes for Our Success. Consequently, We are Subject to Risks Associated with Rapid Technological Change

Rapid technological changes in semiconductor manufacturing processes subject us to increased pressure to develop technological advances enabling such processes. We believe that our future success depends in part upon our ability to develop and offer new products with improved capabilities and to continue to enhance our existing products. If new products have reliability, quality, or design problems, our performance may be impacted by reduced orders, higher manufacturing costs, delays in acceptance of and payment for new products, and additional service and warranty expenses. We may be unable to develop and manufacture new products successfully, or new products that we introduce may fail in the marketplace. Our failure to complete commercialization of these new products in a timely manner could result in unanticipated costs and inventory obsolescence, which would adversely affect our financial results.

In order to develop new products and processes, we expect to continue to make significant investments in R&D and to pursue joint development relationships with customers, suppliers or other members of the industry. We must manage product transitions and joint development relationships successfully, as introduction of new products could adversely affect our sales of existing products. Moreover, future technologies, processes or product developments may render our current product offerings obsolete, leaving us with non-competitive products, or obsolete inventory, or both.

We are Subject to Risks Relating to Product Concentration and Lack of Product Revenue Diversification

We derive a substantial percentage of our revenues from a limited number of products, and we expect these products to continue to account for a large percentage of our revenues in the near term. Continued market acceptance of these products is, therefore, critical to our future success. Our business, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows could therefore be adversely affected by:

 

   

a decline in demand for even a limited number of our products;

 

   

a failure to achieve continued market acceptance of our key products;

 

   

export restrictions or other regulatory or legislative actions which could limit our ability to sell those products to key customer or market segments;

 

   

an improved version of products being offered by a competitor in the market in which we participate;

 

   

increased pressure from competitors that offer broader product lines;

 

   

technological change that we are unable to address with our products; or

 

   

a failure to release new or enhanced versions of our products on a timely basis.

In addition, the fact that we offer a more limited product line creates the risk that our customers may view us as less important to their business than our competitors that offer additional products as well. This may impact our ability to maintain or expand our business with certain customers. Such product concentration may also subject us to additional risks associated with technology changes. Since we are a provider of etch and clean equipment, our business is affected by our customers’ use of etching and clean steps in their processes. Should technologies change so that the manufacture of semiconductor chips requires fewer etching or clean steps, this could have a larger impact on our business than it would on the business of our less concentrated competitors.

Strategic Alliances May Have Negative Effects on Our Business

        Increasingly, semiconductor companies are entering into strategic alliances with one another to expedite the development of processes and other manufacturing technologies. Often, one of the outcomes of such an alliance is the definition of a particular tool set for a certain function or a series of process steps that use a specific set of manufacturing equipment. While this could work to our advantage if our equipment becomes the basis for the function or process, it could work to our disadvantage if a competitor’s tools or equipment become the standard equipment for such function or process. In the latter case, even if our equipment was previously used by a customer, that equipment may be displaced in current and future applications by the tools standardized by the alliance.

 

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Similarly, our customers may team with, or follow the lead of, educational or research institutions that establish processes for accomplishing various tasks or manufacturing steps. If those institutions utilize a competitor’s equipment when they establish those processes, it is likely that customers will tend to use the same equipment in setting up their own manufacturing lines. These actions could adversely impact our market share and financial results.

We are Dependent Upon a Limited Number of Key Suppliers

We obtain certain components and sub-assemblies included in our products from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. We have established long-term contracts with many of these suppliers. These long-term contracts can take a variety of forms. We may renew these contracts periodically. In some cases, these suppliers sold us products during at least the last five years, and we expect that we will continue to renew these contracts in the future or that we will otherwise replace them with competent alternative suppliers. However, certain of our suppliers are relatively new providers to us so that our experience with them and their performance is limited. Where practical, our intent is to establish alternative sources to mitigate the risk that the failure of any single supplier will adversely affect our business. Nevertheless, a prolonged inability to obtain certain components could impair our ability to ship products, lower our revenues and thus adversely affect our operating results and result in damage to our customer relationships.

Our Outsource Providers May Fail to Perform as We Expect

Outsource providers have played and will continue to play a key role in our manufacturing operations and in many of our transactional and administrative functions, such as information technology, facilities management, and certain elements of our finance organization. Although we aim at selecting reputable providers and secure their performance on terms documented in written contracts, it is possible that one or more of these providers could fail to perform as we expect and such failure could have an adverse impact on our business.

In addition, the expansive role of outsource providers has required and may continue to require us to implement changes to our existing operations and to adopt new procedures to deal with and manage the performance of these outsource providers. Any delay or failure in the implementation of our operational changes and new procedures could adversely affect our customer relationships and/or have a negative effect on our operating results.

Once a Semiconductor Manufacturer Commits to Purchase a Competitor’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment, the Manufacturer Typically Continues to Purchase that Competitor’s Equipment, Making it More Difficult for Us to Sell Our Equipment to that Customer

Semiconductor manufacturers must make a substantial investment to qualify and integrate wafer processing equipment into a semiconductor production line. We believe that once a semiconductor manufacturer selects a particular supplier’s processing equipment, the manufacturer generally relies upon that equipment for that specific production line application for an extended period of time. Accordingly, we expect it to be more difficult to sell to a given customer if that customer initially selects a competitor’s equipment.

We Face a Challenging and Complex Competitive Environment

We face significant competition from multiple competitors. Other companies continue to develop systems and products that are competitive to ours and may introduce new products, which may affect our ability to sell our existing products. We face a greater risk if our competitors enter into strategic relationships with leading semiconductor manufacturers covering products similar to those we sell or may develop, as this could adversely affect our ability to sell products to those manufacturers.

We believe that to remain competitive we will require significant financial resources to offer a broad range of products, to maintain customer service and support centers worldwide, and to invest in product and process R&D. Certain of our competitors, especially those that are created and financially backed by foreign governments, have substantially greater financial resources and more extensive engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service and support resources than we do and therefore have the potential to increasingly dominate the semiconductor equipment industry. These competitors may deeply discount or give away products similar to those that we sell, challenging or even exceeding our ability to make similar accommodations and threatening our ability to sell those products. We also face competition from our own customers, who in some instances have established affiliated entities that manufacture equipment similar to ours. For these reasons, we may fail to continue to compete successfully worldwide.

In addition, our competitors may be able to develop products comparable or superior to those we offer or may adapt more quickly to new technologies or evolving customer requirements. In particular, while we continue to develop product enhancements that we believe will address future customer requirements, we may fail in a timely manner to complete the development or introduction of these additional product enhancements successfully, or these product enhancements may not achieve market acceptance or be competitive. Accordingly, competition may intensify and we may be unable to continue to compete successfully in our markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, operating results, financial condition, and/or cash flows.

Our Future Success Depends on International Sales and the Management of Global Operations

Non-U.S. sales accounted for approximately 85% of total revenue in fiscal year 2009, 83% in fiscal year 2008 and 84% in fiscal year 2007. We expect that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of our total revenue in future years.

We are subject to various challenges related to international sales and the management of global operations including, but not limited to:

 

   

trade balance issues;

 

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global economic and political conditions;

 

   

changes in currency controls;

 

   

differences in the enforcement of intellectual property and contract rights in varying jurisdictions;

 

   

our ability to respond to customer demands for locally sourced systems, spare parts and services and develop the necessary relationships with local suppliers;

 

   

compliance with U.S. and international laws and regulations affecting foreign operations, including U.S. export restrictions;

 

   

fluctuations in interest and foreign currency exchange rates;

 

   

the need for technical support resources in different locations; and

 

   

our ability to secure and retain qualified people in all necessary locations for the successful operation of our business.

Certain international sales depend on our ability to obtain export licenses from the U.S. government. Our failure or inability to obtain such licenses would substantially limit our markets and severely restrict our revenues. Many of the challenges noted above are applicable in China, which is a fast developing market for the semiconductor equipment industry and therefore an area of potential significant growth for our business. As the business volume between China and the rest of the world grows, there is inherent risk, based on the complex relationships between China, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States, that political and diplomatic influences might lead to trade disruptions; this would adversely affect our business with China and/or Taiwan and perhaps the entire Asia Pacific region. A significant trade disruption in these areas could have a materially adverse impact on our future revenue and profits.

We are potentially exposed to adverse as well as beneficial movements in foreign currency exchange rates. The majority of our sales and expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars. However, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations related to certain of our revenues denominated in Japanese yen and Euros, as well as certain of our spares and service contracts, and expenses related to our non-U.S. sales and support offices which are denominated in the related countries’ local currency.

We currently enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to minimize the short-term impact of the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on Japanese yen-denominated assets and forecasted Japanese yen-denominated revenue and on net intercompany liability exposures denominated in Swiss francs, Euros and Taiwanese dollars. We currently believe these are our primary exposures to currency rate fluctuation. We expect to continue to enter into hedging transactions, for the purposes outlined, in the foreseeable future. However, these hedging transactions may not achieve their desired effect because differences between the actual timing of customer acceptances and our forecasts of those acceptances may leave us either over- or under-hedged on any given transaction. Moreover, by hedging these foreign currency denominated revenues, assets and liabilities with foreign exchange forward contracts, we may miss favorable currency trends that would have been advantageous to us but for the hedges. Additionally, we are exposed to short-term foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets and liabilities (other than those currency exposures previously discussed) and currently we do not enter into such foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge these other foreign currency exposures. Therefore we are subject to both favorable and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations to the extent that we transact business (including intercompany transactions) in other currencies.

Our Ability To Attract, Retain and Motivate Key Employees Is Critical To Our Success.

Our ability to compete successfully depends in large part on our ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees. This is an ongoing challenge due to intense competition for top talent, as well as fluctuations in industry economic conditions that may require cycles of hiring activity and workforce reductions. Our success in hiring depends on a variety of factors, including the attractiveness of our compensation and benefit programs, our ability to offer a challenging and rewarding work environment, and changes in our leadership and management teams. We periodically evaluate our overall compensation programs and make adjustments, as appropriate, to maintain or enhance their competitiveness. If we are not able to successfully attract, retain and motivate key employees, we may be unable to capitalize on market opportunities and our operating results may be materially and adversely affected.

Our Financial Results May be Adversely Impacted by Higher Than Expected Tax Rates or Exposure to Additional Tax Liabilities

As a global company, our effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the geographic composition of worldwide earnings and tax regulations governing each region. We are subject to income taxes in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions, and significant judgment is required to determine worldwide tax liabilities. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in the split of earnings between countries with differing statutory tax rates, in the valuation of deferred tax assets, in tax laws or by material audit assessments, which could affect our profitability. In particular, the carrying value of deferred tax assets, which are predominantly in the United States, is dependent on our ability to generate future taxable income in the United States. In addition, the amount of income taxes we pay is subject to ongoing audits in various jurisdictions, and a material assessment by a governing tax authority could affect our profitability.

 

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A Failure to Comply with Environmental Regulations May Adversely Affect Our Operating Results

We are subject to a variety of governmental regulations related to the discharge or disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals. We believe that we are in general compliance with these regulations and that we have obtained (or will obtain or are otherwise addressing the need for) all environmental permits necessary to conduct our business. These permits generally relate to the disposal of hazardous wastes. Nevertheless, the failure to comply with present or future regulations could result in fines being imposed on us, suspension of production, cessation of our operations or reduction in our customers’ acceptance of our products. These regulations could require us to alter our current operations, to acquire significant equipment or to incur substantial other expenses to comply with environmental regulations. Our failure to control the use, sale, transport or disposal of hazardous substances could subject us to future liabilities.

If We Choose to Acquire or Dispose of Product Lines and Technologies, We May Encounter Unforeseen Costs and Difficulties That Could Impair Our Financial Performance

An important element of our management strategy is to review acquisition prospects that would complement our existing products, augment our market coverage and distribution ability, or enhance our technological capabilities. As a result, we may make acquisitions of complementary companies, products or technologies, such as our March 2008 acquisition of SEZ, or we may reduce or dispose of certain product lines or technologies that no longer fit our long-term strategies. Managing an acquired business, disposing of product technologies or reducing personnel entails numerous operational and financial risks, including difficulties in assimilating acquired operations and new personnel or separating existing business or product groups, diversion of management’s attention away from other business concerns, amortization of acquired intangible assets and potential loss of key employees or customers of acquired or disposed operations among others. There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve and manage successfully any such integration of potential acquisitions, disposition of product lines or technologies, or reduction in personnel or that our management, personnel, or systems will be adequate to support continued operations. Any such inabilities or inadequacies could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows.

In addition, any acquisition could result in changes such as potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, the amortization of related intangible assets, and goodwill impairment charges, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and/or the price of our Common Stock.

The Market for Our Common Stock is Volatile, Which May Affect Our Ability to Raise Capital or Make Acquisitions

The market price for our Common Stock is volatile and has fluctuated significantly over the past years. The trading price of our Common Stock could continue to be highly volatile and fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors, many of which are not within our control or influence. These factors include but are not limited to the following:

 

   

general market, semiconductor, or semiconductor equipment industry conditions;

 

   

economic or political events and trends occurring globally or in any of our key sales regions;

 

   

variations in our quarterly operating results and our liquidity;

 

   

variations in our revenues, earnings or other business and financial metrics from those experienced by other companies in our industry or from forecasts by securities analysts;

 

   

announcements of restructurings, reductions in force, departure of key employees, and/or consolidations of operations;

 

   

government regulations;

 

   

developments in, or claims relating to, patent or other proprietary rights;

 

   

technological innovations and the introduction of new products by us or our competitors;

 

   

commercial success or failure of our new and existing products; or

 

   

disruptions of relationships with key customers or suppliers.

In addition, the stock market experiences significant price and volume fluctuations. Historically, we have witnessed significant volatility in the price of our Common Stock due in part to the actual or anticipated movement in interest rates and the price of and markets for semiconductors. These broad market and industry factors have and may again adversely affect the price of our Common Stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In the past, following volatile periods in the price of their stock, many companies became the object of securities class action litigation. If we are sued in a securities class action, we could incur substantial costs, and it could divert management’s attention and resources and have an unfavorable impact on our financial performance and the price for our Common Stock.

We Rely Upon Certain Critical Information Systems for the Operation of Our Business

        We maintain and rely upon certain critical information systems for the effective operation of our business. These information systems include telecommunications, the internet, our corporate intranet, various computer hardware and software applications, network communications, and e-mail. These information systems may be owned and maintained by us, our outsource providers or third parties such as vendors and contractors. These information systems are subject to attacks, failures, and access denials from a number of potential sources including viruses, destructive or inadequate code, power failures, and physical damage to computers, hard drives, communication lines, and networking equipment. To the extent that these information systems are under our control, we have implemented security procedures, such as virus protection software and emergency recovery processes, to mitigate the outlined risks. However, security procedures for information systems cannot be guaranteed to be failsafe and our inability to use or access these information systems at critical points in time could unfavorably impact the timely and efficient operation of our business.

 

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Intellectual Property, Indemnity and Other Claims Against Us Can be Costly and Could Result in the Loss of Significant Rights That are Necessary to Our Continued Business and Profitability

Third parties may assert infringement, unfair competition or other claims against us. From time to time, other parties send us notices alleging that our products infringe their patent or other intellectual property rights. In addition, law enforcement authorities may seek criminal charges relating to intellectual property issues. We also face risks of claims from commercial and other relationships. In addition, our Bylaws and indemnity obligations provide that we will indemnify officers and directors against losses that they may incur in legal proceedings resulting from their service to Lam Research. In such cases, it is our policy either to defend the claims or to negotiate licenses or other settlements on commercially reasonable terms. However, we may be unable in the future to negotiate necessary licenses or reach agreement on other settlements on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and any litigation resulting from these claims by other parties may materially adversely affect our business and financial results. Moreover, although we seek to obtain insurance to protect us from claims and cover losses to our property, there is no guarantee that such insurance will fully compensate us for any losses that we may incur if they relate to critical technologies.

We May Fail to Protect Our Critical Proprietary Technology Rights, Which Could Affect Our Business

Our success depends in part on our proprietary technology and our ability to protect key components of that technology through patents, copyrights and trade secret protection. Protecting our key proprietary technology helps us to achieve our goals of developing technological expertise and new products and systems that give us a competitive advantage; increasing market penetration and growth of our installed base; and providing comprehensive support and service to our customers. As part of our strategy to protect our technology we currently hold a number of United States and foreign patents and pending patent applications. However, other parties may challenge or attempt to invalidate or circumvent any patents the United States or foreign governments issue to us or these governments may fail to issue patents for pending applications. Additionally, even when patents are issued, the legal systems in certain of the countries in which we do business do not enforce patents and other intellectual property rights as rigorously as the United States. The rights granted or anticipated under any of our patents or pending patent applications may be narrower than we expect or, in fact, provide no competitive advantages. Any of these circumstances could have a material adverse impact on our business if they relate to critical technologies.

Compliance with Federal Securities Laws, Rules and Regulations, as well As NASDAQ Requirements, has Become Increasingly Complex, and the Significant Attention and Expense We Must Devote to those Areas May Have an Adverse Impact on Our Business

Federal securities laws, rules and regulations, as well as NASDAQ rules and regulations, require companies to maintain extensive corporate governance measures, impose comprehensive reporting and disclosure requirements, set strict independence and financial expertise standards for audit and other committee members and impose civil and criminal penalties for companies and their chief executive officers, chief financial officers and directors for securities law violations. These laws, rules and regulations have increased, and in the future are expected to continue to increase, the scope, complexity and cost of our corporate governance, reporting and disclosure practices, which could harm our results of operations and divert management’s attention from business operations. A failure to comply with these regulations could also have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) On September 8, 2008, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of Company common stock from the public market or in private purchases. While the repurchase program does not have a defined termination date, it may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and will be funded using the Company’s available cash. The Company temporarily suspended repurchases under the Board authorized program prior to the end of the March 2009 quarter.

 

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On February 2, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized the resumption of the repurchase program. Repurchases were expected to be made only in the amounts necessary to offset dilution resulting from the Company’s equity compensation plans. Repurchases under the repurchase program were as follows during the periods indicated:

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased
(1)
   Average Price
Paid Per
Share
   Total Number  of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
   Amount
Available
Under
Repurchase
Program
     (in thousands, except per share data)
            $ 226,942

December 28, 2009 - January 24, 2010

   87    $ 37.39    —      $ 226,942

January 25, 2010 - February 21, 2010

   643    $ 34.25    640    $ 205,016

February 22, 2010 - March 28, 2010

   1,366    $ 34.37    1,360    $ 158,268
               

Total

   2,096    $ 34.46    2,000    $ 158,268
               

 

(1) In addition to shares repurchased under Board authorized repurchase programs and included in this column are 96,276 shares which the Company withheld through net share settlements during the three months ended March 28, 2010 to cover tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock unit awards granted under the Company’s equity compensation plans. The shares retained by the Company through these net share settlements are not a part of the Board-authorized repurchase program but instead are authorized under the Company’s equity compensation plans.

 

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

 

ITEM 4. (Removed and Reserved)

 

ITEM 5. Other Information

None

 

ITEM 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

 

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

SIGNATURES

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

Date: May 5, 2010

 

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

(Registrant)

/s/    Ernest E. Maddock        

Ernest E. Maddock

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

4.13    Amended and Restated Lam Research Corporation 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Executive Officer)
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Financial Officer)
32.1    Section 1350 Certification (Principal Executive Officer)
32.2    Section 1350 Certification (Principal Financial Officer)

 

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