Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 25, 2010
     
o   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 0-17795
 
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
         
DELAWARE   2901 Via Fortuna, Austin, TX 78746   77-0024818
(State of incorporation)       (I.R.S. ID)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(512) 851-4000
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 þ NO o
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 o No o
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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of January 21, 2011 was 67,676,904.
 
 

 

 


 

CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 25, 2010
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 Exhibit 10.1
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2

 

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Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
                 
    December 25,     March 27,  
    2010     2010  
    (unaudited)        
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 28,491     $ 16,109  
Restricted investments
    5,755       5,855  
Marketable securities
    156,052       85,384  
Accounts receivable, net
    37,266       23,963  
Inventories
    40,196       35,396  
Deferred tax assets
    16,633       12,549  
Other current assets
    5,979       5,599  
 
           
Total current assets
    290,372       184,855  
 
               
Long-term marketable securities
          34,278  
Property and equipment, net
    32,919       18,674  
Goodwill and intangibles, net
    26,715       27,923  
Other assets
    1,978       1,880  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 351,984     $ 267,610  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 25,371     $ 20,340  
Accrued salaries and benefits
    9,509       9,962  
Other accrued liabilities
    5,034       5,100  
Deferred income on shipments to distributors
    7,108       6,488  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    47,022       41,890  
 
               
Long-term restructuring accrual
    179       596  
Other long-term obligations
    6,113       6,523  
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Capital stock
    959,846       952,803  
Accumulated deficit
    (660,456 )     (733,553 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (720 )     (649 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    298,670       218,601  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 351,984     $ 267,610  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts; unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    December 25,     December 26,     December 25,     December 26,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
                               
Net sales
  $ 95,625     $ 65,162     $ 278,138     $ 158,350  
Cost of sales
    43,163       30,276       122,161       74,903  
 
                       
Gross margin
    52,462       34,886       155,977       83,447  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Research and development
    16,348       12,834       46,890       37,697  
Selling, general and administrative
    13,431       11,428       42,814       33,245  
Restructuring and other costs, net
    (395 )     86       6       (79 )
Impairment of (proceeds from) non-marketable securities
          (500 )     500       (500 )
Provision (benefit) for litigation expenses and settlements
    (30 )     135       105       (2,610 )
Patent agreement, net
                (4,000 )     (1,400 )
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    29,354       23,983       86,315       66,353  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from operations
    23,108       10,903       69,662       17,094  
 
                               
Interest income, net
    212       269       673       1,108  
Other expense, net
    (31 )     (7 )     (13 )     (46 )
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    23,289       11,165       70,322       18,156  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (1,332 )     110       (2,775 )     116  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 24,621     $ 11,055     $ 73,097     $ 18,040  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic income per share:
  $ 0.36     $ 0.17     $ 1.08     $ 0.28  
 
                               
Diluted income per share:
  $ 0.34     $ 0.17     $ 1.02     $ 0.28  
 
                               
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding:
    68,074       65,302       67,731       65,279  
 
                               
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding:
    71,695       65,632       71,868       65,452  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands; unaudited)
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    December 25,     December 26,  
    2010     2009  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 73,097     $ 18,040  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    5,935       6,012  
Stock compensation expense
    5,848       4,137  
Deferred income taxes
    (4,082 )      
(Gain) loss on retirement or writeoff of long-lived assets
    (24 )     33  
Impairment (gain) of non-marketable securities
    500       (500 )
Other non-cash benefits
          (119 )
Net change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, net
    (13,303 )     (14,317 )
Inventories
    (4,800 )     (10,530 )
Other assets
    (899 )     (969 )
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
    3,044       14,801  
Deferred income on shipments to distributors
    620       607  
Income taxes payable
    618       57  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    66,554       17,252  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Additions to property, equipment and software
    (17,719 )     (2,395 )
Investments in technology
    (1,210 )     (2,107 )
Acquisition of Thaler Corporation assets
          (550 )
Purchase of marketable securities
    (176,626 )     (102,288 )
Proceeds from sale and maturity of marketable securities
    140,165       82,346  
Decrease in restricted investments
    100        
Proceeds from sale of non-marketable securities
          500  
Decrease (increase) in deposits and other assets
    (77 )     138  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (55,367 )     (24,356 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
    (22,767 )      
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock
    23,962       431  
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    1,195       431  
 
           
 
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    12,382       (6,673 )
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    16,109       31,504  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 28,491     $ 24,831  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
The consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by Cirrus Logic, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”). The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements do not include complete footnotes and financial presentations. As a result, these financial statements should be read along with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended March 27, 2010, included in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on June 1, 2010. In our opinion, the financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows, for those periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. Moreover, the results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Accounting Standards Codification — “ASC” — Topic 820) — Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements. The ASU requires new disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures were effective for the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements, which are not effective until the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. The adoption of this guidance with respect to Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The adoption of this guidance with respect to Level 3 fair value measurements is not anticipated to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
2. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Under FASB ASC Topic 820, based upon an observation of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, the Company is required to provide certain information according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
    Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
    Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
    Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

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As of December 25, 2010, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents of $28.5 million as well as our restricted investments and short-term investments of $161.8 million were valued using quoted prices generated by market transactions involving identical assets, or Level 1 assets, as defined under FASB ASC Topic 820.
The following table summarizes the carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments (in thousands):
                                 
    December 25, 2010     March 27, 2010  
    Carrying             Carrying        
Financial instruments   Amount     Fair Value     Amount     Fair Value  
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 28,491     $ 28,491     $ 16,109     $ 16,109  
Restricted investments
    5,755       5,755       5,855       5,855  
Marketable securities
    156,052       156,052       85,384       85,384  
Long-term marketable securities
                34,278       34,278  
 
                       
 
  $ 190,298     $ 190,298     $ 141,626     $ 141,626  
 
                       
Financial assets and liabilities with carrying amounts approximating fair value include cash and cash equivalents, restricted investments, and marketable securities. The carrying amount of these financial assets and liabilities approximates fair value because of their short maturity. The fair values of long-term marketable securities are valued using quoted prices generated by market transactions involving identical assets.
The Company’s investments that have original maturities greater than 90 days have been classified as available-for-sale securities in accordance with ASC Topic 320, “Investments — Debt and Equity Securities.” Marketable securities are categorized on the consolidated condensed balance sheet as restricted investments and marketable securities, as appropriate.
The following table shows the gross unrealized gains, losses, and fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category at December 25, 2010 (in thousands):
                                 
                            Estimated Fair  
            Gross     Gross     Value (Net  
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Carrying  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Amount)  
 
                               
Corporate securities — U.S.
  $ 41,958     $ 25     $ (13 )   $ 41,970  
U.S. Government securities
    52,382       6       (1 )     52,387  
Agency discount notes
    16,890       15       (3 )     16,902  
Commercial paper
    50,527       25       (4 )     50,548  
 
                       
Total securities
  $ 161,757     $ 71     $ (21 )   $ 161,807  
 
                       
The Company’s specifically identified gross unrealized losses of $21 thousand relates to twenty-six different securities with amortized costs of approximately $57.6 million at December 25, 2010. Because the Company does not intend to sell the investments at a loss and the Company will not be required to sell the investments before recovery of its amortized cost basis, it does not consider the investment in these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 25, 2010. Further, the securities with gross unrealized losses have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months as of December 25, 2010.

 

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The following table shows the gross unrealized gains, losses, and fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category at March 27, 2010 (in thousands):
                                 
                            Estimated Fair  
            Gross     Gross     Value (Net  
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Carrying  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Amount)  
 
                               
Corporate securities — U.S.
  $ 57,283     $ 133     $ (55 )   $ 57,361  
U.S. Government securities
    44,423       44       (6 )     44,461  
Agency discount notes
    15,946       7       (7 )     15,946  
Commercial paper
    7,744       5             7,749  
 
                       
Total securities
  $ 125,396     $ 189     $ (68 )   $ 125,517  
 
                       
The Company’s specifically identified gross unrealized losses of $68 thousand relates to thirty different securities with a total amortized cost of approximately $46.2 million at March 27, 2010. Because the Company did not intend to sell the investments at a loss and the Company was not required to sell the investments before recovery of its amortized cost basis, it did not consider the investment in these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 27, 2010. Further, the securities with gross unrealized losses had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months as of March 27, 2010.
3. Accounts Receivable, net
The following are the components of accounts receivable, net (in thousands):
                 
    December 25,     March 27,  
    2010     2010  
 
               
Gross accounts receivable
  $ 37,652     $ 24,451  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (386 )     (488 )
 
           
 
  $ 37,266     $ 23,963  
 
           
The increase in accounts receivable balances at December 25, 2010, as compared to March 27, 2010, is consistent with revenue growth experienced during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 as compared to the end of fiscal year 2010.
4. Inventories
Inventories are comprised of the following (in thousands):
                 
    December 25,     March 27,  
    2010     2010  
 
               
Work in process
  $ 19,319     $ 18,016  
Finished goods
    20,877       17,380  
 
           
 
  $ 40,196     $ 35,396  
 
           
The increase in inventory balances at December 25, 2010, as compared to March 27, 2010, is primarily related to the expected increased demand for our products, and reflects planned inventory builds.

 

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5. Income Taxes
We recorded an income tax benefit of $1.3 million and $2.8 million for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2011, respectively, yielding an effective tax benefit rate of 5.7 percent and 4.0 percent, respectively. Our income tax benefit for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2011 is based on an estimated effective tax rate derived from an estimate of consolidated earnings before taxes for fiscal year 2011. The estimated effective tax rate was impacted primarily by the worldwide mix of consolidated earnings before taxes and an assessment regarding the ability to realize our deferred tax assets. This assessment resulted in a $1.8 million and $4.1 million net increase in deferred tax assets for the three and nine month periods ended December 25, 2010, respectively. Our income tax expense for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2011 was less than the Federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the utilization of a portion of our U.S. deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance.
We recorded income tax provisions of $110 thousand and $116 thousand for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2010, respectively, yielding an effective tax rate of 1.0 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. Our tax provisions for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2010 were based on an estimated effective tax rate derived from an estimate of consolidated earnings before taxes for fiscal year 2010. The estimated effective tax rate was impacted primarily by the worldwide mix of consolidated earnings before taxes and an assessment regarding the ability to realize our deferred tax assets. Our tax expense for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2010 was less than the Federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the utilization of a portion of our U.S. deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance.
We had no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 25, 2010. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, we had a gross decrease of $0.1 million to our unrecognized tax benefits related to the expiration of the statute of limitations. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 25, 2010, the balance of accrued interest and penalties was zero. No interest or penalties were incurred during the first nine months of fiscal year 2011.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. Fiscal years 2008 through 2010 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject.
6. Acquisitions
On December 8, 2008, we executed an asset purchase agreement with Thaler Corporation of Tucson, Arizona, an entity specializing in the manufacture of precision analog and mixed signal devices. The purchase price of the acquisition was $1.1 million, which consisted primarily of intangible assets and inventory. The intangible assets, which were $0.8 million of the purchase price, are being amortized over a period of 5 years. Fifty percent of the purchase price, or $550 thousand, was paid in cash at closing, and the remaining balance was paid on April 8, 2009.
7. Provision (Benefit) for Litigation Expenses and Settlements
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company received proceeds of $113 thousand reflecting the final resolution of our litigation with Silvaco Data Systems, as described more fully in Note 10 — Legal Matters, below. Of this amount, $30 thousand represented the settlement awarded to the Company, and the balance represented recoveries of certain litigation expenses and interest. Further, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company incurred $135 thousand in settlement costs related to a dispute with a former distributor of the Company’s products. These transactions are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Provision (benefit) for litigation expenses and settlements.”

 

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On March 23, 2009, a lawsuit was filed against the Company alleging patent infringement. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, a settlement agreement was concluded which resulted in Cirrus Logic recognizing a $135 thousand charge related to the suit. Further, on June 17, 2009, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, the Company received net proceeds of $2.7 million from its insurance carrier as part of the final settlement of derivative lawsuits filed against current and former officers and directors of Cirrus Logic and against the Company, as a nominal defendant, alleging various breaches of fiduciary duties, conspiracy, improper financial reporting, insider trading, violations of the Texas Securities Act, unjust enrichment, accounting, gross mismanagement, abuse of control, rescission, and waste of corporate assets related to certain prior grants of stock options by the Company. On March 13, 2009, a Revised Stipulation of Settlement, representing settlement terms as agreed to by the parties, was filed with the federal court. On May 28, 2009, the Court entered judgment thereon, which included the payment by the Company’s Directors’ and Officers’ insurer of $2.85 million to the Company. The net proceeds of $2.7 million were recorded as a recovery of costs previously incurred in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” These transactions are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Provision (benefit) for litigation expenses and settlements.”
8. Restructuring and Other Costs, net
The Company’s remaining restructuring initiative relates to our facilities abandonment activities which commenced in fiscal year 2004. For the quarter ending December 25, 2010, the Company recognized a $0.4 million release for changed assumptions on future rent occupation and sublease income. For the first nine months of fiscal year 2011, we incurred a net reduction in the fiscal year 2004 restructuring accrual in the amount of $0.8 million. The net reduction reflects cash payments of $0.9 million, partially offset by an additional accrual of $0.1 million for recurring accretion activity and a six thousand dollar net charge for changed assumptions on future sublease income. The entries to record the changed sublease assumptions are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the heading “Restructuring and other costs, net.”
For the first nine months of fiscal year 2010, we recorded a net reduction to the fiscal year 2004 restructuring accrual in the amount of $79 thousand based on a change in assumptions for future rent expense and sublease income. The entry to record the changed assumptions is reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Restructuring and other costs, net.”
As of December 25, 2010, we had a remaining restructuring accrual of $0.5 million, primarily related to net lease expenses that will be paid over the lease terms through fiscal year 2013. We have classified $0.2 million of this restructuring accrual as long-term.
9. Earnings Per Share
Basic net income per share is based on the weighted effect of common shares issued and outstanding and is calculated by dividing net income by the basic weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the basic weighted average number of common shares used in the basic net income per share calculation plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding.
The weighted average outstanding options excluded from our diluted calculation for the quarters ended December 25, 2010, and December 26, 2009, were 888,000, and 8,739,000, respectively, as the exercise price of the options exceeded the average market price during the respective periods. The weighted average outstanding options excluded from our diluted calculation for the nine months ended December 25, 2010, and December 26, 2009, were 641,000 and 8,664,000, respectively, as the exercise price of the options exceeded the average market price during the respective periods.

 

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10. Legal Matters
Silvaco Data Systems
On December 8, 2004, Silvaco Data Systems (“Silvaco”) filed suit against us, and others, in Santa Clara County Superior Court (the “Court”), alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, conversion, unfair business practices, and civil conspiracy. Silvaco’s complaint stems from a trade secret dispute between Silvaco and a software vendor, Circuit Semantics, Inc., who supplied us with certain software design tools. Silvaco alleged that our use of Circuit Semantic’s design tools infringed upon Silvaco’s trade secrets and that we were liable for compensatory damages in the sum of $10 million.
On January 25, 2005, we answered Silvaco’s complaint by denying any wrong-doing. In addition, we filed a cross-complaint against Silvaco alleging breach of contract relating to Silvaco’s refusal to provide certain technology that would enable us to use certain unrelated software tools.
On July 5, 2007, the Court granted our motion for judgment on the pleadings, determining that all claims except for the misappropriation of trade secrets claims were pre-empted by trade secret law. On October 15, 2007, the Court granted our motion for summary judgment on the trade secret misappropriation claim because we presented undisputed evidence that Silvaco will be unable to prove that Cirrus misappropriated Silvaco’s trade secrets.
On February 12, 2008, we settled our cross-complaint against Silvaco, whereby Silvaco agreed to pay Cirrus $30,000 as full and final restitution of all claims that could have been alleged in the cross-complaint.
Based on these orders and the settlement of the cross-complaint, the Court entered judgment in our favor on Silvaco’s complaint and our cross-complaint on March 4, 2008. As a result of the favorable judgment, on May 16, 2008, the court awarded approximately $59,000 for our expenses in defending the suit.
On April 7, 2008, Silvaco filed a notice of appeal on these matters. The appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Sixth Appellate District on April 13, 2010. On April 29, 2010, the appellate court affirmed the judgment of the district court, finding that the district court did not err by granting summary judgment in favor of Cirrus Logic. On June 8, 2010, Silvaco filed a petition for review with the California Supreme Court. On August 18, 2010, the California Supreme court denied Silvaco’s petition, finally resolving the matter in our favor. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company received proceeds of $113 thousand reflecting the final resolution of our litigation with Silvaco Data Systems. Of this amount, $30 thousand represented the settlement awarded to the Company, and the balance represented recoveries of certain litigation expenses and interest.
Other Claims
From time to time, other various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced against us arising from, or related to, contractual matters, intellectual property, employment disputes, as well as other issues. Frequent claims and litigation involving these types of issues are not uncommon in our industry. As to any of these claims or litigation, we cannot predict the ultimate outcome with certainty.
11. Stockholder’s Equity
Common Stock
The Company issued 0.4 million and 3.7 million shares of common stock, respectively, for the three and nine month periods ending December 25, 2010, in connection with stock option exercises during the current fiscal year. The Company issued 47 thousand and 86 thousand shares of common stock, respectively, for the three and nine month periods ending December 26, 2009, in connection with stock option exercises during the prior fiscal year.

 

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Comprehensive Income
The components of comprehensive income, net of tax, are as follows (in thousands):
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    December 25,     December 26,     December 25,     December 26,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Net income
  $ 24,621     $ 11,055     $ 73,097     $ 18,040  
Adjustments to arrive at comprehensive income:
                               
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities
    (98 )     (49 )     (71 )     (44 )
 
                       
 
                               
Comprehensive income
  $ 24,523     $ 11,006     $ 73,026     $ 17,996  
 
                       
Share Repurchase Program
In the third quarter of the current fiscal year, the Company completed the repurchase of approximately 1.8 million shares of the Company’s stock, at a total cost of $22.8 million, or $12.94 per share. Of this amount, 1.5 million shares of the Company’s stock were repurchased pursuant to the $20 million share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors in January 2009. In addition, as of December 25, 2010, 216 thousand shares have been repurchased at a cost of $2.8 million under a new $80 million share repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors and which the Company publicly announced on November 4, 2010.
12. Segment Information
We are focused on becoming a leader in high-precision analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits (“ICs”) for a broad range of audio and energy markets. We sell audio converters, audio interface devices, audio processors and audio amplification products for these markets, as well as hybrids and modules for high-power applications. We also provide complete system reference designs based on our technology that enable our customers to bring products to market in a timely and cost-effective manner. We determine our operating segments in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting.” Our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) has been identified as the chief operating decision maker as defined by FASB ASC Topic 280.
Our CEO receives and uses enterprise-wide financial information to assess financial performance and allocate resources, rather than detailed information at a product line level. Additionally, our product lines have similar characteristics and customers. They share operations support functions such as sales, public relations, supply chain management, various research and development and engineering support, in addition to the general and administrative functions of human resources, legal, finance and information technology. Therefore, there is no complete, discrete financial information maintained for these product lines. We report revenue in two product categories: audio products and energy products.

 

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In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 280, below is a summary of our net sales by product line (in thousands):
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    December 25,     December 26,     December 25,     December 26,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
                               
Audio Products
  $ 72,716     $ 47,063     $ 197,875     $ 113,121  
Energy Products
    22,909       18,099       80,263       45,229  
 
                       
 
  $ 95,625     $ 65,162     $ 278,138     $ 158,350  
 
                       
13. Patent Agreement, Net
On July 13, 2010, we entered into a Patent Purchase Agreement for the sale of certain Company owned patents. As a result of this agreement, on August 31, 2010, the Company received cash consideration of $4.0 million from the purchaser. The proceeds were recorded as a recovery of costs previously incurred and are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Patent agreement, net.”
On June 11, 2009, we entered into a Patent Purchase Agreement for the sale of certain Company owned patents. As a result of this agreement, on August 26, 2009, the Company received cash consideration of $1.4 million from the purchaser. The proceeds were recorded as a recovery of costs previously incurred and are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Patent agreement, net.”
14. Impairment of (Proceeds from) Non-Marketable Securities
In the second quarter of the current fiscal year, the Company recognized a loss on the impairment of an equity investment in the amount of $0.5 million. Our original investment was in the form of a note receivable, which was then converted into an equity security during the second quarter of the current fiscal year. After the conversion, we determined that an impairment indicator existed related to our cost method investment. We performed a fair value analysis of our cost method investment in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 320 — “Investments — Debt and Equity Securities.” Based on the results of this analysis as of September 25, 2010, we recognized an impairment of $0.5 million to reduce the carrying value of the cost method investment to zero. The impairment was recorded as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Impairment of (proceeds from) non-marketable securities.”
In the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, as part of a convertible note financing round for Magnum Semiconductor, Inc. (“Magnum”), we received proceeds of $500 thousand from Magnum as consideration for our ownership interest in Magnum securities which in fiscal year 2008 had previously been fully impaired. The proceeds were recorded as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Impairment of (proceeds from) non-marketable securities.”
15. Subsequent Event
In January 2011, the Company executed a General Contractors Agreement for the construction of our planned new headquarters facility in Austin, Texas. Construction will commence in the March quarter of calendar year 2011, with completion expected in the summer of calendar year 2012. We estimate that total facility construction costs will be approximately $30 million and will generally occur ratably throughout the construction process. It is anticipated that the project will be funded internally from existing and future cash flows.

 

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ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read along with the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the fiscal year ended March 27, 2010, contained in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) on June 1, 2010. We maintain a web site at www.cirrus.com, which makes available free of charge our recent annual report and all other filings we have made with the SEC. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and certain information incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. In some cases, forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “project,” “believe,” “goals,” “estimates,” “intend” and variations of these types of words and similar expressions which are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to our plans, expectations, strategies or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason.
Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements are those discussed in “Item 1A — Risk Factors Affecting our Business and Prospects” in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on June 1, 2010, as well as “Item 1A — Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 25, 2010. Readers should carefully review these risk factors, as well as those identified in other documents filed by us with the Commission.
Overview
Cirrus Logic, Inc. (“Cirrus Logic,” “Cirrus,” “We,” “Us,” “Our,” or the “Company”) develops high-precision, analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits (“ICs”) for a broad range of audio and energy markets. Building on our diverse analog mixed-signal patent portfolio, Cirrus Logic delivers highly optimized products for consumer and commercial audio, automotive entertainment and targeted industrial and energy-related applications. We develop ICs, board-level modules and hybrids for high-power amplifier applications branded as the Apex Precision Power™ (“Apex”) line of products and provide complete system reference designs based on our technology that enable our customers to bring products to market in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated condensed financial statements included in this report, which have been prepared in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts. We evaluate the estimates on an on-going basis. We base these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. We also have policies that we consider to be key accounting policies, such as our policies for revenue recognition, including the deferral of revenues and cost of sales on sales to our distributors, and our stock option granting practices; however, these policies do not meet the definition of critical accounting estimates because they do not generally require us to make estimates or judgments that are difficult or subjective.

 

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There were no material changes in the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 to the information provided under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 27, 2010, which was filed with the Commission on June 1, 2010.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal years 2011 and 2010 as a percent of net sales. All percentage amounts were calculated using the underlying data in thousands, unaudited:
                                 
    Percentage of Net Sales  
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    December 25,     December 26,     December 25,     December 26,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
                               
Audio products
    76 %     72 %     71 %     71 %
Energy products
    24 %     28 %     29 %     29 %
 
                       
Net sales
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
Cost of sales
    45 %     46 %     44 %     47 %
Gross margin
    55 %     54 %     56 %     53 %
 
                               
Research and development
    17 %     20 %     17 %     24 %
Selling, general and administrative
    14 %     18 %     15 %     21 %
Restructuring and other costs, net
    0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %
Impairment of (proceeds from) non-marketable securities
          (1 %)     0 %     0 %
Provision (benefit) for litigation expenses and settlements
    0 %     0 %     0 %     (2 %)
Patent agreement, net
                (1 %)     (1 %)
 
                       
 
                               
Total operating expenses
    31 %     37 %     31 %     42 %
 
                       
 
                               
Income from operations
    24 %     17 %     25 %     11 %
 
                               
Interest income, net
    0 %     0 %     0 %     1 %
Other expense, net
    0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Income before income taxes
    24 %     17 %     25 %     12 %
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (2 %)     0 %     (1 %)     1 %
 
                       
Net income
    26 %     17 %     26 %     11 %
 
                       
Net Sales
Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 increased $30.4 million, or 47 percent, to $95.6 million from $65.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010. Net sales from our audio products increased $25.7 million, or 55 percent, as compared to the comparable period from the prior fiscal year. These increases were primarily attributable to portable products, with additional contributions from surround codec products, analog to digital convertor (“ADC”) products, digital signal processing (“DSP”) products, and interface products. Energy product sales increased $4.8 million, or 27 percent, during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 versus the comparable quarter of the prior fiscal year. These increases were distributed across the energy product line, with the primary drivers being attributable to power amplifier products, seismic, power meter, and ARM products.
Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 increased $119.7 million, or 76 percent, to $278.1 million from $158.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2010. Net sales from our audio products increased $84.8 million, or 75 percent, as compared to the comparable period from the prior fiscal year. These increases were distributed across the audio product line, primarily associated with portable products, surround codec products, DSP products, and ADC products. Energy product sales increased $35.0 million, or 77 percent, during the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 versus the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. These increases were distributed across the energy product line, with the primary drivers being attributable to seismic, power meter, and power amplifier products.

 

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Export sales, principally to Asia, including sales to U.S.-based customers with manufacturing plants overseas, were 83 percent and 81 percent of net sales during the third quarter of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively. For the first nine months of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, export sales, principally to Asia, were 83 percent and 80 percent of net sales, respectively. Our sales are denominated primarily in U.S. dollars. As a result, we have not entered into foreign currency forward exchange and option contracts.
Since the components we produce are largely proprietary and generally not available from second sources, we consider our end customer to be the entity specifying the use of our component in their design. These end customers may then purchase our products directly from us, from an external sales representative or distributor, or through a third party manufacturer contracted to produce their designs. For the third quarter of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, our ten largest end customers represented approximately 67 percent and 57 percent of our sales, respectively. For the first nine months of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, our ten largest end customers represented approximately 60 percent and 54 percent of our sales, respectively.
We had one end customer, Apple Inc. that purchased through multiple contract manufacturers and represented approximately 54 percent and 41 percent of the Company’s total sales for the third quarter of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively. This same customer represented approximately 44 percent and 36 percent of the Company’s total sales for the first nine months of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively.
We had one distributor, Avnet Inc., which represented 21 percent and 24 percent of our sales for the three and nine month periods ending December 25, 2010, respectively. This same distributor represented approximately 26 percent and 25 percent of the Company’s total sales for the three and nine month periods ending December 26, 2009, respectively. No other end customer or distributor represented more than 10 percent of net sales for the three and nine month periods ending December 25, 2010 or December 26, 2009.
Gross Margin
Gross margin was 54.9 percent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, up from 53.5 percent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010. The increase in gross margin was driven by changes in customer and product mix, and reflects growth in certain higher margin products within our energy product line coupled with margin improvements in certain products within our audio product line, including our portable applications.
Gross margin was 56.1 percent in the first nine months of fiscal year 2011, up from 52.7 percent in the first nine months of fiscal year 2010. The increase in gross margin was driven by changes in customer and product mix, and reflects growth in certain higher margin products within our energy product line coupled with margin improvements in certain products within our audio product line.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development expense for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 was $16.3 million, an increase of $3.5 million, or 27.4 percent, from $12.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010. This increase was primarily due to an increase in research and development headcount and associated employee related expenses (including variable compensation attributable to improved operating profit), product development expenses, and employment expenses.
Research and development expense for the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 was $46.9 million, an increase of $9.2 million, or 24.4 percent, from $37.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2010. This increase was primarily due to an increase in research and development headcount and associated employee related expenses (including variable compensation attributable to improved operating profit), employment expenses, product development expenses, and professional expenses.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense in the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 was $13.4 million, an increase of $2.0 million, or 17.5 percent, from $11.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010. The increase was partially attributable to an increase in overall compensation related expenses (including variable compensation attributable to improved operating profit), as well as sales commissions, occupancy expenses, and employee travel and educational expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expense in the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 was $42.8 million, an increase of $9.6 million, or 28.8 percent, from $33.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2010. The increase was partially attributable to an increase in overall compensation related expenses (including variable compensation attributable to improved operating profit), as well as sales commissions, marketing expenses, higher than normal stock option expenses, and professional expenses.
Restructuring and Other Costs, net
The Company’s remaining restructuring initiative relates to our facilities abandonment activities which commenced in fiscal year 2004. For the quarter ending December 25, 2010, the Company recognized a $0.4 million release for changed assumptions on future rent occupation and sublease income. For the first nine months of fiscal year 2011, we incurred a net reduction in the fiscal year 2004 restructuring accrual in the amount of $0.8 million. The net reduction reflects cash payments of $0.9 million, partially offset by an additional accrual of $0.1 million for recurring accretion activity and a six thousand dollar net charge for changed assumptions on future sublease income. The entries to record the changed sublease assumptions are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the heading “Restructuring and other costs, net.”
For the first nine months of fiscal year 2010, we recorded a net reduction to the fiscal year 2004 restructuring accrual in the amount of $79 thousand based on a change in assumptions for future rent expense and sublease income. The entry to record the changed assumptions is reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Restructuring and other costs, net.”
Impairment of (Proceeds from) Non-Marketable Securities
In the second quarter of the current fiscal year, the Company recognized a loss on the impairment of an equity investment in the amount of $0.5 million. Our original investment was in the form of a note receivable, which was then converted into an equity security during the second quarter of the current fiscal year. After the conversion, we determined that an impairment indicator existed related to our cost method investment. We performed a fair value analysis of our cost method investment in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 320 — “Investments — Debt and Equity Securities.” Based on the results of this analysis as of September 25, 2010, we recognized an impairment of $0.5 million to reduce the carrying value of the cost method investment to zero. The impairment was recorded as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Impairment of (proceeds from) non-marketable securities.”
In the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, as part of a convertible note financing round for Magnum Semiconductor, Inc. (“Magnum”), we received proceeds of $500 thousand from Magnum as consideration for our ownership interest in Magnum securities which in fiscal year 2008 had previously been fully impaired. The proceeds were recorded as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Impairment of (proceeds from) non-marketable securities.”

 

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Provision (Benefit) for Litigation Expenses and Settlements
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company received proceeds of $113 thousand reflecting the final resolution of our litigation with Silvaco Data Systems, as described more fully in Note 10 — Legal Matters of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements contained in Item 1. Of this amount, $30 thousand represented the settlement awarded to the Company, and the balance represented recoveries of certain litigation expenses and interest. Further, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company incurred $135 thousand in settlement costs related to a dispute with a former distributor of the Company’s products. These transactions are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Provision (benefit) for litigation expenses and settlements.”
On March 23, 2009, a lawsuit was filed against the Company alleging patent infringement. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, a settlement agreement was concluded which resulted in Cirrus Logic recognizing a $135 thousand charge related to the suit. Further, on June 17, 2009, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, the Company received net proceeds of $2.7 million from its insurance carrier as part of the final settlement of derivative lawsuits filed against current and former officers and directors of Cirrus Logic and against the Company, as a nominal defendant, alleging various breaches of fiduciary duties, conspiracy, improper financial reporting, insider trading, violations of the Texas Securities Act, unjust enrichment, accounting, gross mismanagement, abuse of control, rescission, and waste of corporate assets related to certain prior grants of stock options by the Company. On March 13, 2009, a Revised Stipulation of Settlement, representing settlement terms as agreed to by the parties, was filed with the federal court. On May 28, 2009, the Court entered judgment thereon, which included the payment by the Company’s Directors’ and Officers’ insurer of $2.85 million to the Company. The net proceeds of $2.7 million were recorded as a recovery of costs previously incurred in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” These combined transactions are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Provision (benefit) for litigation expenses and settlements.”
Patent Agreement, Net
On July 13, 2010, we entered into a Patent Purchase Agreement for the sale of certain Company owned patents. As a result of this agreement, on August 31, 2010, the Company received cash consideration of $4.0 million from the purchaser. The proceeds were recorded as a recovery of costs previously incurred and are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Patent agreement, net.”
On June 11, 2009, we entered into a Patent Purchase Agreement for the sale of certain Company owned patents. As a result of this agreement, on August 26, 2009, the Company received cash consideration of $1.4 million from the purchaser. The proceeds were recorded as a recovery of costs previously incurred and are reflected as a separate line item on the consolidated condensed statement of operations in operating expenses under the caption “Patent agreement, net.”
Interest Income
Interest income in the third quarter of fiscal years 2011 and 2010 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Invested capital balances on which interest was earned for the quarterly periods ending December 25, 2010, and December 26, 2009, was $190.3 million and $133.5 million, respectively. The decrease in interest income in the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 compared to the corresponding period of fiscal year 2010 was attributable to lower yields on invested capital.
Interest income in the first nine months of fiscal years 2011 and 2010 was $0.7 million and $1.1 million respectively. Average invested capital balances on which interest was earned were $166.0 million and $126.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease in interest income in the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 compared to the corresponding period of fiscal year 2010 was attributable to lower yields on invested capital.

 

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Income Taxes
We recorded an income tax benefit of $1.3 million and $2.8 million for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2011, respectively, yielding an effective tax benefit rate of 5.7 percent and 4.0 percent, respectively. Our income tax benefit for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2011 is based on an estimated effective tax rate derived from an estimate of consolidated earnings before taxes for fiscal year 2011. The estimated effective tax rate was impacted primarily by the worldwide mix of consolidated earnings before taxes and an assessment regarding the ability to realize our deferred tax assets. This assessment resulted in a $1.8 million and $4.1 million net increase in deferred tax assets for the three and nine month periods ended December 25, 2010, respectively. Our income tax expense for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2011 was less than the Federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the utilization of a portion of our U.S. deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, in connection with our year-end forecasting process for fiscal year 2012, we will assess our ability to realize our deferred tax assets, which will be based on an evaluation of deferred tax assets we consider being more likely than not to be realized. Based on the Company’s current operating trends, this assessment may result in additional increases in our deferred tax assets.
We recorded a provision for income taxes of $110 thousand and $116 thousand for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2010, respectively, yielding an effective tax rate of 1.0 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. Our tax provisions for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2010 were based on an estimated effective tax rate derived from an estimate of consolidated earnings before taxes for fiscal year 2010. The estimated effective tax rate was impacted primarily by the worldwide mix of consolidated earnings before taxes and an assessment regarding the ability to realize our deferred tax assets. Our tax expense for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2010 was less than the Federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the utilization of a portion of our U.S. deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC Topic 820) — Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements. The ASU requires new disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures were effective for the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements, which are not effective until the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. The adoption of this guidance with respect to Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The adoption of this guidance with respect to Level 3 fair value measurements is not anticipated to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by operating activities was $66.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 as compared to $17.3 million for the corresponding period of fiscal year 2010. The primary increase in cash from operations was related to the cash components of our net income, including $4.0 million from the sale of company-owned patents. Net cash provided by operating activities also benefited from a $3.0 million increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities. These increases in cash from operations were partially offset by increases in accounts receivable of $13.3 million and inventory of $4.8 million. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2010, we generated approximately $17.3 million in cash from operating activities. The increase in cash from operations was primarily related to the cash components of our net income, coupled with a $14.8 million increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities. These increases in cash from operations were partially offset by increases in accounts receivable of $14.3 million and inventory of $10.5 million.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities was $55.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $24.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal year 2010, primarily as a result of a net $36.5 million utilized for the purchase of marketable securities. In addition, we utilized $18.9 million for the purchase of property, equipment, software, and technology assets, including $10.8 million for the purchase of land for our planned new headquarters facility. Net cash used in investing activities was $24.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal year 2010, primarily as a result of the net purchase of $19.9 million in available-for-sale securities. Additionally, purchases of property, equipment, software, and technology assets were $4.5 million. Finally, we utilized $0.6 million to complete the purchase of the Thaler assets, as discussed previously in Note 6 — Acquisitions of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements contained in Item 1.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.2 million during the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 and was attributable to the issuance of 3.7 million shares of common stock in connection with option exercises during the current year, which netted $24.0 million in proceeds. This source of cash provided by financing activities was substantially offset by the use of $22.8 million to repurchase 1.8 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $12.94 during the third quarter, as discussed previously in Note 11 — Stockholder’s Equity of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements contained in Item 1. Cash provided by financing activities during the first nine months of fiscal year 2010 represented $0.4 million, and was attributable to the issuance of 97,000 shares of common stock in connection with option exercises.
As of December 25, 2010, we had restricted cash of $5.8 million, which primarily secures certain obligations under our lease agreement for the headquarters and engineering facility in Austin, Texas. The cash restriction for this lease agreement is reduced to $2.6 million in September, 2011 and expires in May, 2012.
As discussed previously in Note 15 — Subsequent Event of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements contained in Item 1, the Company has executed a General Contractors Agreement for the construction of our planned new headquarters facility in Austin, Texas. Construction will commence in the fourth quarter of the Company’s current fiscal year, with completion expected in the summer of calendar year 2012. We estimate that total facility construction costs will be approximately $30 million and will generally occur ratably throughout the construction process. It is anticipated that the project will be funded internally from existing and future cash flows.
We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock and currently intend to continue our policy of retaining any earnings for reinvestment in our business. Although we cannot give assurance that we will be able to generate cash in the future, we anticipate that our existing capital resources and cash flow generated from future operations will enable us to maintain our current level of operations for at least the next 12 months.
ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risks associated with interest rates on our debt securities, currency movements on non-U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities, and the effect of market factors on the value of our non-marketable equity securities and marketable securities. We assess these risks on a regular basis and have established policies that are designed to protect against the adverse effects of these and other potential exposures. There have been no significant changes in our interest rate or foreign exchange risk since we filed our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K on June 1, 2010.

 

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ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 25, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that our controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in this report.
Changes in control over financial reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Silvaco Data Systems
On December 8, 2004, Silvaco Data Systems (“Silvaco”) filed suit against us, and others, in Santa Clara County Superior Court (the “Court”), alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, conversion, unfair business practices, and civil conspiracy. Silvaco’s complaint stems from a trade secret dispute between Silvaco and a software vendor, Circuit Semantics, Inc., who supplied us with certain software design tools. Silvaco alleged that our use of Circuit Semantic’s design tools infringed upon Silvaco’s trade secrets and that we are liable for compensatory damages in the sum of $10 million.
On January 25, 2005, we answered Silvaco’s complaint by denying any wrong-doing. In addition, we filed a cross-complaint against Silvaco alleging breach of contract relating to Silvaco’s refusal to provide certain technology that would enable us to use certain unrelated software tools.
On July 5, 2007, the Court granted our motion for judgment on the pleadings, determining that all claims except for the misappropriation of trade secrets claims were pre-empted by trade secret law. On October 15, 2007, the Court granted our motion for summary judgment on the trade secret misappropriation claim because we presented undisputed evidence that Silvaco will be unable to prove that Cirrus misappropriated Silvaco’s trade secrets.
On February 12, 2008, we settled our cross-complaint against Silvaco, whereby Silvaco agreed to pay Cirrus $30,000 as full and final restitution of all claims that could have been alleged in the cross-complaint.
Based on these orders and the settlement of the cross-complaint, the Court entered judgment in our favor on Silvaco’s complaint and our cross-complaint on March 4, 2008. As a result of the favorable judgment, on May 16, 2008, the court awarded approximately $59,000 for our expenses in defending the suit.

 

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On April 7, 2008, Silvaco filed a notice of appeal on these matters. The appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Sixth Appellate District on April 13, 2010. On April 29, 2010, the appellate court affirmed the judgment of the district court, finding that the district court did not err by granting summary judgment in favor of Cirrus Logic. On June 8, 2010, Silvaco filed a petition for review with the California Supreme Court. On August 18, 2010, the California Supreme court denied Silvaco’s petition, finally resolving the matter in our favor. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company received proceeds of $113 thousand reflecting the final resolution of our litigation with Silvaco Data Systems. Of this amount, $30 thousand represented the settlement awarded to the Company, and the balance represented recoveries of certain litigation expenses and interest.
Other Claims
From time to time, other various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced against us arising from, or related to, contractual matters, intellectual property, employment disputes, as well as other issues. Frequent claims and litigation involving these types of issues are not uncommon in our industry. As to any of these claims or litigation, we cannot predict the ultimate outcome with certainty.
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS
In evaluating all forward-looking statements, readers should specifically consider risk factors that may cause actual results to vary from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Various risk factors associated with our business are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 27, 2010, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) on June 1, 2010 and available at www.sec.gov. Other than as set forth below, there have been no material changes to those risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 27, 2010, which was filed with the Commission on June 1, 2010.
We depend on a limited number of customers and distributors for a substantial portion of our sales, and the loss of, or a significant reduction in orders from, any key customer or distributor could significantly reduce our sales.
While we generate sales from a broad base of customers worldwide, the loss of any of our key customers, or a significant reduction in sales to any one of them, would significantly reduce our sales and adversely affect our business. For the third quarter of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, our ten largest end customers represented approximately 67 percent and 57 percent of our sales, respectively. For the first nine months of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, our ten largest end customers represented approximately 60 percent and 54 percent of our sales, respectively. We had one end customer, Apple Inc. that purchased through multiple contract manufacturers and represented approximately 54 percent and 41 percent of the Company’s total sales for the third quarter of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively. This same customer represented approximately 44 percent and 36 percent of the Company’s total sales for the first nine months of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively.
We had one distributor, Avnet Inc., which represented 21 percent and 24 percent of our sales for the three and nine month periods ending December 25, 2010, respectively. This same distributor represented approximately 26 percent and 25 percent of the Company’s total sales for the three and nine month periods ending December 26, 2009, respectively. No other end customer or distributor represented more than 10 percent of net sales for the three and nine month periods ending December 25, 2010 or December 26, 2009.
We may not be able to maintain or increase sales to certain of our key customers for a variety of reasons, including the following:
    most of our customers can stop incorporating our products into their own products with limited notice to us and suffer little or no penalty;
    our agreements with our customers typically do not require them to purchase a minimum quantity of our products;
    many of our customers have pre-existing or concurrent relationships with our current or potential competitors that may affect the customers’ decisions to purchase our products;
    our customers face intense competition from other manufacturers that do not use our products; and
    our customers regularly evaluate alternative sources of supply in order to diversify their supplier base, which increases their negotiating leverage with us and their ability to obtain components from alternative sources.

 

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These relationships often require us to develop new products that may involve significant technological challenges. Our customers frequently place considerable pressure on us to meet their tight development schedules. Accordingly, we may have to devote a substantial amount of resources to strategic relationships, which could detract from or delay our completion of other important development projects or the development of next generation products and technologies. Delays in development could impair our relationships with strategic customers and negatively impact sales of the products under development.
Our financial results may be adversely affected by changes in the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets.
The Company has a significant amount of deferred tax assets. Our ability to recognize these deferred tax assets is dependent upon our ability to determine whether it is more likely than not that we will be able to realize, or actually use, these deferred tax assets. That determination depends primarily on our ability to generate future U.S. taxable income. Our judgments regarding future profitability may change due to future market conditions, changes in U.S. or international tax laws and other factors. These changes, if any, may require possible material adjustments to the net deferred tax asset and an accompanying reduction or increase in net income in the period in which such determinations are made.
ITEM 2.   UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table provides information about purchases of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act during the three months ended December 25, 2010:
                                 
                    Total Number of     Approximate Dollar  
                    Shares Purchased as     Value of Shares That  
                    Part of Publicly     May Yet be Purchased  
    Total Number of     Average Price     Announced Plans or     Under the Plan or  
Monthly Period   Shares Purchased     Paid per Share     Programs   Programs (1)  
September 26, 2010 - October 23, 2010
                       
 
                               
October 24, 2010 - November 20, 2010
    1,758,890     $ 12.94       1,758,890     $ 77,233,351  
 
                               
November 21, 2010 - December 25, 2010
                    $ 77,233,351  
 
                           
 
                               
Total
    1,758,890               1,758,890          
     
(1)   In January 2009, our Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program that authorized us to purchase up to $20.0 million in common stock. The January 2009 program was completed on October 29, 2010. In November 2010, our Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program that authorized us to purchase up to $80.0 million in common stock. The repurchases will be funded from existing cash and will be effected from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws through the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing of the repurchases and the actual amount purchased will depend on a variety of factors including the market price of the Company’s shares, general market and economic conditions, and other corporate considerations. The program does not have an expiration date, does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of common stock, and may be modified or suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. As of December 25, 2010, 216 thousand shares have been repurchased at a cost of $2.8 million dollars, or an average price of $12.80 per share under this program.
ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed as part of or incorporated by reference into this Report:
         
  3.1    
Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 26, 1998. (1)
  3.2    
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant. (2)
  10.1 *  
General Contractors Agreement by Registrant dated January 25, 2011.
  31.1 *  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  31.2 *  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.1 *#  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.2 *#  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
*   Filed with this Form 10-Q.
 
#   Not considered to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.
 
(1)   Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 from Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, filed with the Commission on June 22, 2001.
 
(2)   Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 from Registrant’s Report of Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 21, 2005.
The exhibits required to be filed pursuant to the requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K are set forth in the Exhibit Index accompanying this report and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURE
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.
             
    CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.    
 
           
Date: January 27, 2011
  By:   /s/ Thurman K. Case
 
Thurman K. Case
   
 
      Chief Financial Officer and    
 
      Principal Accounting Officer    

 

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