UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC. 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 September 30, 2006

or

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 000-24085


AXT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

94-3031310

(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(510) 683-5900
(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 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 o

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o         Accelerated filer o         Non-accelerated filer x

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

 

Outstanding at October 31, 2006

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

23,246,571

 

 




 

AXT, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

3

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

 

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

 

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

 

5

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

17

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

31

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

31

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

32

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

32

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

32

 

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

 

45

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

45

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

45

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

45

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

46

 

Signatures

 

47

 

 

2




 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AXT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

10,587

 

$

17,472

 

Short-term investments

 

5,357

 

5,555

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $202 and $609 as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively

 

8,800

 

5,226

 

Inventories, net

 

17,359

 

16,156

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

4,079

 

1,801

 

Assets held for sale

 

4,659

 

 

Total current assets

 

50,841

 

46,210

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

10,772

 

17,306

 

Restricted deposits

 

7,150

 

7,450

 

Other assets

 

3,806

 

3,832

 

Total assets

 

$

72,569

 

$

74,798

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

4,078

 

$

3,070

 

Accrued liabilities

 

3,225

 

3,533

 

Accrued restructuring

 

 

465

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

450

 

300

 

Income taxes payable

 

1,182

 

2,495

 

Total current liabilities

 

8,935

 

9,863

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

6,803

 

7,420

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

2,237

 

1,897

 

Total liabilities

 

17,975

 

19,180

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share; 2,000 shares authorized; 883 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2006 and December 21, 2005.

 

3,532

 

3,532

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 70,000 shares authorized; 23,247 and 22,977 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively

 

23

 

23

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

156,618

 

155,441

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(107,216

)

(104,776

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

1,637

 

1,398

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

54,594

 

55,618

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

72,569

 

$

74,798

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3




 

AXT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

12,547

 

$

6,153

 

$

31,373

 

$

18,819

 

Cost of revenue

 

9,068

 

5,008

 

23,625

 

17,268

 

Gross profit

 

3,479

 

1,145

 

7,748

 

1,551

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

2,641

 

2,898

 

9,724

 

9,866

 

Research and development

 

392

 

472

 

1,497

 

1,257

 

Impairment charge

 

1,417

 

 

1,417

 

 

Restructuring charge (benefit)

 

 

14

 

(2

)

376

 

Total operating expenses

 

4,450

 

3,384

 

12,636

 

11,499

 

Loss from continuing operations

 

(971

)

(2,239

)

(4,888

)

(9,948

)

Interest income, net

 

103

 

136

 

342

 

386

 

Other income (expense), net

 

641

 

(193

)

1,693

 

(494

)

Loss from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(227

)

(2,296

)

(2,853

)

(10,056

)

Provision (benefit)for income taxes

 

(862

)

45

 

(406

)

98

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

635

 

(2,341

)

(2,447

)

(10,154

)

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

4

 

9

 

7

 

67

 

Gain from disposal, net of tax

 

 

250

 

 

603

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

639

 

$

(2,082

)

$

(2,440

)

$

(9,484

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

0.03

 

$

(0.10

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.45

)

Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

0.01

 

 

0.03

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

0.03

 

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.42

)

Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per share

 

23,158

 

22,994

 

23,066

 

23,073

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

0.02

 

$

(0.10

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.45

)

Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

0.01

 

 

0.03

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

0.02

 

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.42

)

Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share

 

24,378

 

22,994

 

23,066

 

23,073

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4




 

AXT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(2,440

)

$

(9,484

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

2,365

 

2,874

 

Amortization of investments premium/discount

 

(55

)

188

 

Non-cash restructuring charge

 

 

376

 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

89

 

291

 

Stock-based compensation

 

649

 

2

 

Realized gain on sale of investments

 

(2,032

)

 

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations

 

 

(53

)

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

 

1,417

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

(3,574

)

(855

)

Inventories, net

 

(1,203

)

862

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(2,278

)

567

 

Other assets

 

26

 

74

 

Accounts payable

 

1,008

 

421

 

Accrued liabilities and restructuring

 

(773

)

(1,620

)

Income taxes payable

 

(1,313

)

131

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

340

 

147

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(7,774

)

(6,079

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(2,157

)

(1,711

)

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

 

161

 

31

 

Purchases of investments

 

(7,924

)

(7,783

)

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

10,174

 

16,958

 

Decrease in restricted cash

 

300

 

615

 

Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale, net

 

 

1,303

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

554

 

9,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from (payments of):

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

528

 

60

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

(246

)

Long-term debt payments

 

(467

)

(450

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

61

 

(636

)

Effect of exchange rate changes

 

274

 

(230

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(6,885

)

2,468

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

 

17,472

 

12,117

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

$

10,587

 

$

14,585

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5




 

AXT, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of AXT, Inc. (“AXT,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to AXT, Inc. and all of its consolidated subsidiaries) are unaudited, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of AXT and its subsidiaries for all periods presented.

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

The results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future or for the full fiscal year. It is recommended that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2006 and August 11, 2006, respectively.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to current period presentation.

Note 2. Discontinued Operations and Related Assets Held for Sale

In June 2003, we announced the discontinuation of our opto-electronics division, which we had established as part of our acquisition of Lyte Optronics, Inc. in May 1999. The discontinued opto-electronics division manufactured blue, cyan and green high-brightness light emitting diodes (HBLEDs) for the illumination markets, including full-color displays, wireless handset backlighting and traffic signals, and also manufactured vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and laser diodes for fiber optic communications and storage area networks. Because of this discontinuation, the results of operations of the opto-electronics division have been segregated from continuing operations and are reported separately as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.

In September 2003, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of our opto-electronics business to Lumei Optoelectronics Corp. (Lumei) and Dalian Luming Science and Technology Group, Co., Ltd. for the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) equivalent of $9.6 million.

Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been presented to reflect the opto-electronics business as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. Operating results of the discontinued operation are as follows (in thousands):

6




 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

(4

)

(9

)

(7

)

(67

)

Research and development

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

(4

)

(9

)

(7

)

(67

)

Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

4

 

9

 

7

 

67

 

Gain from disposal, net of tax

 

 

250

 

 

603

 

Net income

 

$

4

 

$

259

 

$

7

 

$

670

 

 

The carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the discontinued opto-electronics business included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows (in thousands):

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

407

 

$

472

 

Total current assets

 

407

 

472

 

Total assets

 

$

407

 

$

472

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities

 

$

24

 

$

95

 

Total liabilities

 

24

 

95

 

Net assets

 

383

 

377

 

Total liabilities and net assets

 

$

407

 

$

472

 

 

Note 3. Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123(R)”). SFAS 123(R) establishes accounting for stock-based awards exchanged for employee services. Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost is measured at each grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite service period. All of the Company’s stock compensation is accounted for as an equity instrument. The Company previously applied Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations and provided the required pro forma disclosures of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS 123”).

We have elected the modified prospective application transition method for adopting SFAS 123(R). Under this method, the provisions of SFAS 123(R) apply to all awards granted or modified after the date of adoption. The unrecognized expense of awards not yet vested at the date of adoption will be recognized in net income (loss) in the periods after the date of adoption using the same Black-Scholes valuation method and assumptions determined under the original provisions of SFAS 123, as disclosed in our previous quarterly and annual reports.

Prior to the Adoption of SFAS 123(R)

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), we provided the disclosures required under SFAS 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosures.” SFAS 123(R) requires us to present pro forma information for the comparative period prior to adoption as if we had accounted for all our employee stock options under the fair value method of the original SFAS 123. The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and net loss per share if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 to stock-based employee compensation to the prior-year periods (in thousands, except per share data):

7




 

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2005

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2005

 

Net loss:

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(2,126

)

$

(9,616

)

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in net loss as reported

 

5

 

2

 

Less: Stock-based compensation expense using the fair value based method, net of related tax

 

(206

)

(673

)

Pro forma net loss

 

$

(2,327

)

$

(10,287

)

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.42

)

Pro forma

 

$

(0.10

)

$

(0.45

)

Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share

 

22,994

 

23,073

 

 

Impact of the Adoption of SFAS No. 123 (R)

We elected to adopt the modified prospective application transition method as provided by SFAS 123(R), and we recorded $206,000 and $649,000 of stock compensation expense in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. We elected not to capitalize any stock-based compensation to inventory as of January 1, 2006 when the provisions of SFAS 123(R) were initially adopted. We utilized the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of the stock compensation granted both before and after the adoption of SFAS 123(R). In accordance with the modified prospective application transition method, our condensed consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS 123(R). The following table summarizes compensation costs related to our stock-based compensation plan (in thousands, except per share data):

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2006

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2006

 

Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options, included in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

20

 

$

80

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

148

 

412

 

Research and development

 

38

 

156

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

206

 

$

649

 

Tax effect on stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect on net income or loss

 

$

206

 

$

649

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect on basic and diluted net income (loss) per share

 

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.03

)

 

As of September 30, 2006, the total compensation cost related to unvested stock-based awards granted to employees under our stock option plan but not yet recognized was approximately $856,000, net of estimated forfeitures of $20,000. This cost will be amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.27 years and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures. We elected not to capitalize any stock-based compensation to inventory as of September 30, 2006, due to the immateriality of the amount.

The amortization of stock compensation under SFAS 123(R) for the period after our January 1, 2006 adoption is based on the single-option approach.

8




 

We estimate the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes valuation model, consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123(R), Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 and our prior period pro forma disclosures of net loss, including stock-based compensation (determined under a fair value method as prescribed by SFAS No. 123). The fair value of our stock options granted to employees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Expected term (in years)

 

5.0

 

5.0

 

5.0

 

5.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volatility

 

82.26

%

NA

 

84.86

%

92.45

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected dividend

 

0

%

0

%

0

%

0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.59

%

NA

 

4.80

%

4.18

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated forfeitures

 

1.49

%

0

%

12.33

%

0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average fair value

 

$

2.17

 

NA

 

$

1.82

 

$

0.89

 

 

The following table summarizes the stock option transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted-
average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in years)

 

 

 

Options outstanding as of December 31, 2005

 

2,917

 

$

2.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

26

 

2.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(269

)

1.96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canceled

 

(85

)

1.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding as of September 30, 2006

 

2,589

 

$

2.37

 

6.62

 

$

6,037

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2006

 

2,573

 

$

2.37

 

6.60

 

$

5,993

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercisable as of September 30, 2006

 

1,768

 

$

2.80

 

5.77

 

$

3,712

 

 

The options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2006 were in the following exercise price ranges:

Options Outstanding as of September 30, 2006

 

Options Vested and Exercisable
as of September 30, 2006

 

Range of Exercise Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted-average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted-average
Remaining
Contractual Life

 

Shares

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

$1.17 - $ 1.38

 

1,484,795

 

$

1.29

 

7.37

 

790,693

 

$

1.31

 

$1.39 - $ 1.44

 

11,500

 

$

1.41

 

8.64

 

2,813

 

$

1.40

 

$1.45 - $ 2.24

 

620,363

 

$

2.17

 

5.99

 

527,241

 

$

2.18

 

$2.25 - $ 5.00

 

354,433

 

$

3.63

 

5.73

 

331,315

 

$

3.64

 

$5.01 - $41.50

 

117,500

 

$

13.41

 

3.02

 

116,250

 

$

13.45

 

 

 

2,588,591

 

$

2.37

 

6.62

 

1,768,312

 

$

2.80

 

 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $0.2 million and $0.4 million. Cash received from option exercises for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The total fair value of options vested for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $0.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

9




 

Note 4. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments

Our cash, cash equivalents and investments are classified as follows (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gain

 

Gross
Unrealized
(Loss)

 

Fair
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gain

 

Gross
Unrealized
(Loss)

 

Fair
Value

 

Classified as:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

6,591

 

$

 

$

 

$

6,591

 

$

12,803

 

$

 

$

 

$

12,803

 

Cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

2,341

 

 

 

2,341

 

1,729

 

 

 

1,729

 

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

 

1,055

 

 

 

1,055

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial paper

 

600

 

 

 

600

 

2,940

 

 

 

 

2,940

 

Total cash equivalents

 

3,996

 

 

 

3,996

 

4,669

 

 

 

4,669

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

10,587

 

 

 

10,587

 

17,472

 

 

 

17,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

 

5,627

 

 

(9

)

5,618

 

4,460

 

 

 

(12

)

4,448

 

Asset-backed securities

 

1,092

 

 

(3

)

1,089

 

3,285

 

 

(11

)

3,274

 

Commercial paper

 

900

 

 

 

 

900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

3,183

 

 

(3

)

3,180

 

2,504

 

 

(13

)

2,491

 

Corporate equity securities

 

452

 

1,268

 

 

1,720

 

1,468

 

1,324

 

 

2,792

 

Total investments

 

11,254

 

1,268

 

(15

)

12,507

 

11,717

 

1,324

 

(36

)

13,005

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and investments

 

$

21,841

 

$

1,268

 

$

(15

)

$

23,094

 

$

29,189

 

$

1,324

 

$

(36

)

$

30,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual maturities on investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due within 1 year

 

$

8,117

 

 

 

 

 

$

9,375

 

$

8,384

 

 

 

 

 

$

9,682

 

Due after 1 through 5 years

 

3,137

 

 

 

 

 

3,132

 

3,333

 

 

 

 

 

3,323

 

 

 

$

11,254

 

 

 

 

 

$

12,507

 

$

11,717

 

 

 

 

 

$

13,005

 

 

The investments include $7.2 million and $7.5 million, respectively, recorded as restricted deposits on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005.

We manage our investments as a single portfolio of highly marketable securities that is intended to be available to meet our current cash requirements. For the three months ended September 30, 2006, we had $0.7 million of gross realized gains on sales of our available-for-sale securities. For the three months ended September 30, 2005, we had no gross realized gains or losses on sales of our available-for-sale securities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we had $2.0 million of gross realized gains on sales of our available-for-sale securities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we had no gross realized gains or losses on sales of our available-for-sale securities.

The gross unrealized losses related to our portfolio of available-for-sale securities were primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of debt securities as a result of an increase in interest rates during 2005 and the first nine months of 2006. We have determined that the gross unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2006 are temporary in nature. We reviewed our investment portfolio to identify and evaluate investments that have indications of possible impairment. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the magnitude of the decline in market value, the length of time the market value has been below cost (or adjusted cost), credit quality, and our ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. The following table provides a breakdown of our available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses as of September 30, 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

In Loss Position < 12 months

 

In Loss Position > 12 months

 

Total In Loss Position

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
(Loss)

 

Fair Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
(Loss)

 

Fair Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
(Loss)

 

Short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

 

$

5,618

 

$

(9

)

$

 

$

 

$

5,618

 

$

(9

)

Asset-backed securities

 

 

 

1,089

 

(3

)

1,089

 

(3

)

Corporate bonds

 

3,180

 

(3

)

 

 

3,180

 

(3

)

Total in loss position

 

$

8,798

 

$

(12

)

$

1,089

 

$

(3

)

$

9,887

 

$

(15

)

 

10




 

Note 5. Inventories, Net

The components of inventories are summarized below (in thousands):

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

Inventories, net:

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

6,775

 

$

6,667

 

Work in process

 

9,149

 

9,141

 

Finished goods

 

1,435

 

348

 

 

 

$

17,359

 

$

16,156

 

 

Note 6. Restructuring Charges

Our restructuring accrual is as follows (in thousands):

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006

 

Restructuring
Accrual as of
December 31, 2005

 

Additions/Reversals

 

Payments

 

Restructuring
Accrual as of
September 30, 2006

 

Future lease payments related to abandoned facilities

 

$

250

 

$

 

$

(250

)

$

 

Workforce reduction

 

215

 

(2

)

(213

)

 

Total

 

$

465

 

$

(2

)

$

(463

)

$

 

 

In December 2005, as part of our ongoing effort to reduce our Fremont, California facility headcount, we reduced the workforce at the facility by 15 full-time equivalent positions that we no longer required to support production and operations, or approximately 29% of the workforce based at this facility. Accordingly, we recorded a restructuring charge of approximately $273,000 related to the reduction in force for severance-related expenses, of which $215,000 remained on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005. We completed the reduction in force by the end of the first quarter of 2006.

In the three months ended September 30, 2006, we had incurred no restructuring charges. As of September 30, 2006, we have a zero balance for the restructuring accrual for workforce reduction and for future lease payments related to abandoned U.S. facilities located in California that are no longer required to support production, as these have all been paid.

Note 7. Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share includes the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents outstanding during the period calculated using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalents consist of the shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options.

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income or loss per share calculations is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

639

 

$

(2,082

)

$

(2,440

)

$

(9,484

)

Less: Preferred stock dividends

 

(44

)

(44

)

(132

)

(132

)

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

 

$

595

 

$

(2,126

)

$

(2,572

)

$

(9,616

)

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share - weighted average common shares

 

23,158

 

22,994

 

23,066

 

23,073

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock options

 

1,220

 

 

 

 

Denominator for dilutive net income (loss) per common share

 

24,378

 

22,994

 

23,066

 

23,073

 

Basic net income (loss) per share

 

$

0.03

 

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.42

)

Diluted net income (loss) per share

 

$

0.02

 

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.42

)

Options excluded from diluted net loss per share as the impact is anti-dilutive

 

120

 

2,956

 

2,589

 

2,956

 

 

11




 

Note 8. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

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

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

639

 

$

(2,082

)

$

(2,440

)

$

(9,484

)

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

 

196

 

(12

)

274

 

(230

)

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments

 

151

 

377

 

1,997

 

(1,044

)

Less: reclassification adjustment for realized gain included in net income (loss)

 

(650

)

 

(2,032

)

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

336

 

$

(1,717

)

$

(2,201

)

$

(10,758

)

 

Note 9. Segment Information and Foreign Operations

Segment Information

We operate in one segment for the design, development, manufacture and distribution of high-performance compound semiconductor substrates and sale of raw materials. In accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS No. 131”), our chief operating decision-maker has been identified as our Chief Executive Officer, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the Company. All material operating units qualify for aggregation under SFAS No. 131 due to their identical customer base and similarities in economic characteristics, nature of products and services, and procurement, manufacturing and distribution processes. Since we operate in one segment, all financial segment and product line information required by SFAS No. 131 can be found in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Geographical Information

The following table represents revenue amounts (in thousands) reported for products shipped to customers in the corresponding geographic region:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America*

 

$

3,033

 

$

1,481

 

$

7,704

 

$

3,684

 

Europe

 

2,012

 

1,328

 

5,684

 

4,911

 

Japan

 

842

 

1,087

 

2,638

 

1,887

 

Taiwan

 

2,869

 

704

 

5,782

 

2,840

 

Asia Pacific

 

3,791

 

1,553

 

9,565

 

5,497

 

Consolidated

 

$

12,547

 

$

6,153

 

$

31,373

 

$

18,819

 


*                    Primarily the United States

Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, and are attributed to the geographic location in which they are located. Long-lived assets by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

Long-lived assets:

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

160

 

$

6,547

 

Asia Pacific

 

10,612

 

10,759

 

 

 

$

10,772

 

$

17,306

 

 

12




 

Significant Customers

One customer represented 18.4% of our revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and two customers represented 11.5% and 10.7%, respectively, of our revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2005. One customer represented 15.0% and 11.5% of our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our top five customers represented 44.1% and 45.4% of our revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our top five customers represented 40.3% and 35.6% of our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Note 10. Investments in Privately-held Companies

We have made strategic investments in private companies located in China in order to gain access at a competitive cost to raw materials that are critical to our substrate business. Our investments in these privately-held companies are summarized below (in thousands):

 

 

Investment Balance as of

 

 

 

 

 

Company

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

Accounting
Method

 

Ownership
Percentage

 

Beijing Ji Ya Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd

 

$

996

 

$

996

 

Consolidated

 

46

%

Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd

 

592

 

592

 

Consolidated

 

83

 

Beijing BoYu Manufacturing Co., Ltd

 

410

 

410

 

Consolidated

 

70

 

Xilingol Tongli Ge Co. Ltd

 

925

 

864

 

Equity

 

25

 

Emeishan Jia Mei High Pure Metals Co., Ltd

 

673

 

596

 

Equity

 

25

 

 

The investment balances for the two companies accounted for under the equity method are included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We own 25% of the ownership interests in each of these companies. These two companies are not considered variable interest entities because:

·                       both companies have sustainable businesses of their own;

·                       our voting power is proportionate to our ownership interests;

·                       we only recognize our respective share of the losses and/or residual returns generated by the companies if they occur; and

·                       we do not have a controlling financial interest in, do not maintain operational or management control of, do not control the board of directors of, and are not required to provide additional investment or financial support to either company.

Undistributed retained earnings relating to our investments were $3.9 million and $2.2 million as of September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net income recorded from our investments was $609,000 and $416,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net income recorded from our investments was $1,333,000 and $747,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The minority interest for those investments that are consolidated is included within “Other long-term liabilities” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and within Other income (expense), net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

On October 15, 2004, a purported securities class action lawsuit was filed in the United States Court for the Northern District of California, City of Harper Woods Employees Retirement System v. AXT, Inc. et al., No. C 04 4362 MJJ. The Court consolidated the case with a subsequent related case and appointed a lead plaintiff. On April 5, 2005, the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated complaint, captioned as Morgan v. AXT, Inc. et al., No. C 04 4362 MJJ. The lawsuit complaint names AXT, Inc. and our chief technology officer as defendants, and is brought on behalf of a class of all purchasers of our securities from February 6, 2001 through April 27, 2004. The complaint alleges that we announced financial results during this period that were false and misleading. No specific amount of damages is claimed. We believe that there are meritorious defenses against this litigation and intend to vigorously defend it. On September 23, 2005, the Court granted our motion to dismiss the complaint, with leave to amend. The lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint, which we have moved to dismiss. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation. Any unfavorable outcome of the litigation could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

13




 

On June 1, 2005, a lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, Zhao et al. v. American Xtal Technology, et al., No. R 605215713. The lawsuit complaint names as defendants AXT, Inc., our chief technology officer and one of our suppliers. The lawsuit is brought on behalf of two former employees and their minor child. The complaint alleges personal injury, general negligence, intentional tort, wage loss and other damages, including punitive damages, as a result of exposure to the child while in utero to high levels of gallium arsenide and methanol used in the production of gallium arsenide wafers. We believe that there are meritorious defenses against this litigation and intend to vigorously defend it. Our commercial general liability insurance carrier has agreed to fund our defense of the case, but has reserved the right to deny coverage, in whole or in part, in the future under selected policy provisions and applicable law. The plaintiffs have made an initial settlement demand within our insurance limits. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation. Any unfavorable outcome of the litigation could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Indemnification Agreements

We enter into standard indemnification arrangements in the ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, we indemnify, hold harmless, and agree to reimburse the indemnified parties, generally their business partners or customers, for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party in connection with any U.S. patent, or any copyright or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to our products. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual after the execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these agreements is unlimited. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that may require us to indemnify our directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature; to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified; and to obtain directors’ and officers’ insurance if available on reasonable terms, which we currently have in place.

Product Warranty

We warrant our products against material defects for a specific period of time, generally twelve months. We provide for the estimated future costs of warranty obligations in cost of revenue when the related revenue is recognized. The accrued warranty costs represent the best estimate at the time of sale of the total costs that we expect to incur to repair or replace products that fail while still under warranty. The amount of accrued estimated warranty costs is primarily based on historical experience as to product failures as well as current information on repair costs. On a quarterly basis, we review the accrued balance and update this based on historical warranty cost trends. The following table reflects the change in our warranty accrual, which is included in “Accrued liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning accrued warranty and related costs

 

$

204

 

$

82

 

$

120

 

$

135

 

Charged to cost of revenue

 

553

 

(60

)

699

 

(113

)

Actual warranty expenditures

 

(186

)

 

(248

)

 

Ending accrued warranty and related costs

 

$

571

 

$

22

 

$

571

 

$

22

 

 

Sales Returns

In March 2004, we increased our reserve for repair and replacement costs by $745,000. As of September 30, 2006, this reserve balance was zero since approximately $487,000 had been utilized and approximately $258,000 had been reversed to revenue as we favorably resolved an outstanding matter with a customer.

Note 12. Foreign Exchange Transaction Gains/Losses

We incurred foreign currency transaction exchange losses of $59,000 and $61,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. We incurred foreign currency transaction exchange losses of $48,000 and of $110,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. These amounts are included in “Other income (expense), net” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

14




 

Note 13. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Instruments — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (“SFAS 155”). SFAS 155 amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”) and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” (“SFAS 140”). SFAS 155 allows entities the option of applying fair value accounting to certain hybrid financial instruments in their entirety if they contain embedded derivatives that would otherwise require bifurcation under SFAS 133. SFAS 155 will be effective for us as of January 1, 2007. We are currently assessing the impact that SFAS 155 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting For Uncertain Tax Positions — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. It prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after Decemeber 15, 2006. We are currently assessing the impact of the adoption that FIN 48 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the EITF on Issue No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation) (“ EITF 06-3”). EITF 06-3 includes any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer and may include, but is not limited to, sales, use, value added, and some excise taxes. EITF 06-3 concludes that the presentation of taxes on either a gross (included in revenues and costs) or a net (excluded from revenues) basis is an accounting policy decision that should be disclosed. In addition, for any such taxes that are reported on a gross basis, a company should disclose the amounts of those taxes in interim and annual financial statements for each period for which an income statement is presented if those amounts are significant. The provisions of EITF 06-3 should be applied to financial reports for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006, with earlier adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the impact of the adoption that EITF 06-3 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 provides a new single authoritative definition of fair value and provides enhanced guidance for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities and requires additional disclosures related to the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS 157 is effective for us as of January 1, 2008. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of SFAS 157 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires balance sheet recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of pension and postretirement benefit plans. Under SFAS 158, actuarial gains and losses, prior service costs or credits, and any remaining transition assets or obligations that have not been recognized under previous accounting standards must be recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity, net of tax effects, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost. In addition, the measurement date and the date at which plan assets and the benefit obligation are measured, are required to be the company’s fiscal year-end. SFAS 158 is effective for us as of December 31, 2007, except for the measurement date provisions, which are effective December 31, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 158 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 In September 2006, the SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides interpretative guidance on how public companies quantify financial statement misstatements. There have been two common approaches used to quantify such errors. Under an income statement approach, the “roll-over” method, the error is quantified as the amount by which the current year income statement is misstated. Alternatively, under a balance sheet approach, the “iron curtain” method, the error is quantified as the cumulative amount by which the current year balance sheet is misstated. In SAB 108, the SEC established an approach that requires quantification of financial statement misstatements based on the effects of the misstatements on each of the company’s financial statements and the related financial statement disclosures. This model is commonly referred to as a “dual approach” because it requires quantification of errors under both the roll-over and iron curtain methods. SAB 108 is effective for us as of January 1, 2007. The adoption of SAB 108 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

15




 

Note 14. Subsequent Events

In September 2006, tax authorities in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) announced their intention to impose customs duties on, and to reduce or eliminate refunds of value-added taxes that companies pay when they purchase, certain raw materials, including gallium and arsenic.  The combination of these actions could significantly increase our costs.  Implementing regulations are not expected to be published before late November 2006, and it is possible that these regulations will not be adopted or that changes will be made in their outline before adoption.  Lobbying efforts are being made to remove gallium and arsenic from the list of affected materials, but there is no way to know if these efforts will have any impact on the final form of the regulations.  There appears to be a possibility that the value-added tax refund on gallium will not be completely eliminated, but merely reduced.  If the regulations are adopted as currently proposed, they would not have a material impact on our fourth quarter results because they would only be in effect for a portion of the quarter. They may potentially, however, have a significant adverse impact on our gross margins and net income (loss) in 2007, although we do not have the facts necessary to estimate its magnitude at this time.  We are also exploring alternatives for restructuring our operations in the PRC in order to mitigate the impact of these regulations if and when they are adopted.   We will not know the exact impact of any restructuring or the amount of time that it might take to accomplish until toward the end of this year.

16




 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” includes a number of forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include those set forth under “Risks Related to our Business” below. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” and “intends” and similar expressions. Statements concerning our future or expected financial results and condition, business strategy and plans or objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This discussion should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Overview

We are a leading worldwide developer and producer of high-performance compound and single element semiconductor substrates comprising gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP) and germanium (Ge). We currently sell the following substrate products:

Product

 

Applications

 

Substrates

 

Diameter

 

Electronic

 

GaAs (semi-insulating)

 

2”, 4”, 6”

 

· Power amplifiers and integrated circuits for wireless handsets

 

 

 

 

 

· Direct broadcast television

 

 

 

 

 

· High-performance transistors

 

 

 

 

 

· Satellite communications

 

GaAs (semi-conducting)

 

2”, 4”

 

· LEDs

 

 

 

 

 

· Lasers

 

 

 

 

 

· Optical couplers

 

InP

 

2”, 4”, 6”

 

· Broadband and Fiber optic communications

 

Ge

 

2”, 4”

 

· Satellite solar cells

 

 

We manufacture compound semiconductor substrates using our proprietary vertical gradient freeze, or VGF, technology.  Our in-house VGF technology enables us to add capacity quickly and cost efficiently.  We manufacture all of our products in China, which generally has lower costs for facilities, labor and materials.

We also have three majority-owned and two minority-owned joint ventures in China which provide us favorable pricing, reliable supply and enhanced sourcing lead-times for key raw materials which are central to our final manufactured products.  These joint ventures produce products including 99.99% pure gallium (4N Ga), high purity gallium, arsenic, germanium, germanium dioxide, paralytic boron nitride (pBN) crucibles and boron oxide. AXT’s ownership interest in these entities ranges from 25% to 83%. We consolidate the three ventures in which we own a majority or controlling financial interest and employ equity accounting for the two joint ventures in which we have a 25% interest. We purchase portions of the materials produced by these ventures for our own use and the joint ventures sell the remainder of their production to third parties.

Revenue from continuing operations increased $12.6 million, or 66.7%, to $31.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $18.8 million for the same period of 2005 primarily due to our improved product quality and higher customer demands for six-inch diameter wafers. As of September 30, 2006, we had available cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $15.9 million, excluding restricted deposits.

17




 

Restructuring Charges

In December 2005, as part of our ongoing effort to reduce our Fremont, California facility headcount, we further reduced the facility’s work force by 15 full-time equivalent positions that we no longer required to support production and operations, or approximately 29% of the workforce based at this facility.  We expect to save $0.9 million annually in payroll and related expenses. Accordingly, we recorded a restructuring charge of approximately $273,000 related to the reduction in force for severance-related expenses, of which $215,000 was the balance as of December 31, 2005. We completed the reduction in force in the first quarter of 2006.

As of September 30, 2006, the remaining restructuring accrual for workforce reduction and for future lease payments related to abandoned U.S. facilities located in California that are no longer required to support production was zero, as these have all been paid.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have prepared our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, we have had to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported on our financial statements. These estimates, assumptions and judgments about future events and their effects on our results cannot be determined with certainty, and are made based upon our historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates may change as new events occur or additional information is obtained, and we may periodically be faced with uncertainties, the outcomes of which are not within our control and may not be known for a prolonged period of time. The discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition are based upon these condensed consolidated financial statements.

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and understanding of our financial condition and results of operations.

A critical accounting policy is one that is both material to the presentation of our financial statements and requires us to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments that could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations. They may require us to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time of the estimate, and different estimates that we could have used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur, may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

We believe that the following are our critical accounting policies:

Revenue Recognition

We manufacture and sell high-performance compound and single element semiconductor substrates and sell certain raw materials including gallium, germanium dioxide and pBN crucibles. After we ship our products, there are no remaining obligations or customer acceptance requirements that would preclude recognition of the revenue earned on the sale. Our products are typically sold pursuant to a purchase order placed by our customers, and our terms and conditions of sale do not require customer acceptance. We recognize revenue upon shipment and transfer of title of products to our customers, which is ordinarily upon shipment from our dock, receipt at the customer’s dock, or removal from consignment inventory at the customer’s location, provided that we have received a signed purchase order, the price is fixed or determinable, title and risk of ownership have transferred, collection of resulting receivables is probable, and product returns are reasonably estimable. We do not provide training, installation or commissioning services. Additionally, we do not provide discounts or other incentives to customers except for one customer with which we agreed in the fourth quarter of 2004 to provide a certain amount of cumulative discounts on future product purchases from us. We will recognize these discounts in future periods as a reduction in revenue as products are sold to this customer.

We provide for future returns based on historical experience, current economic trends and changes in customer demand at the time revenue is recognized. In the first quarter of 2004, we recorded a specific reserve for sales returns of $745,000 related to our failure to follow certain testing requirements and provide testing data and information to certain customers. This reserve was based on discussions with some of the affected customers and review of specific shipments. As of September 30, 2006, this reserve balance was zero since approximately $487,000 had been utilized and approximately $258,000 had been reversed to revenue as we favorably resolved an outstanding matter with a customer.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We periodically review the likelihood of collection on our accounts receivable balances and provide an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable primarily based upon the age of these accounts. We provide a 100% allowance for U.S. receivables in excess of 90 days and for foreign receivables in excess of 120 days. We assess the probability of collection based on a number of factors, including the length of time a receivable balance has been outstanding, our past history with the customer and their creditworthiness.

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, our accounts receivable, net, balance was $8.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively, which was net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. If actual uncollectible accounts differ substantially from our estimates, revisions to the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts would be required, which could have a material impact on our financial results for the period.

18




 

Warranty Reserve

We maintain a warranty reserve based upon our claims experience during the prior twelve months. Warranty costs are accrued at the time revenue is recognized. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, accrued product warranties totaled $571,000 and $120,000, respectively. If actual warranty costs differ substantially from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method. Our inventory consists of raw materials as well as finished goods and work-in-process that include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs. Given the nature of our substrate products, and the materials used in the manufacturing process, the wafers and ingots comprising work-in-process may be held in inventory for up to two years and three years, respectively, as the risk of obsolescence for these materials is low. We routinely evaluate the levels of our inventory in light of current market conditions in order to identify excess and obsolete inventory, and we provide a valuation allowance for certain inventories based upon the age and quality of the product and the projections for sale of the completed products. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had an inventory reserve of $16.3 million and $16.9 million for excess and obsolete inventory, respectively. The majority of this inventory has not been scrapped. If actual demand for our products were to be substantially lower than estimated, additional inventory adjustments for excess or obsolete inventory might be required, which could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Impairment of Investments

We classify our investments in debt and equity securities as available-for-sale securities as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” All available-for-sale securities with a quoted market value below cost (or adjusted cost) are reviewed in order to determine whether the decline is other-than-temporary. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the magnitude of the decline in market value, the length of time the market value has been below cost (or adjusted cost), credit quality, and our ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

We invest in equity instruments of privately-held companies for business and strategic purposes. These investments are classified as other assets and are accounted for under the cost method as we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over their operations. We monitor our investments for impairment and would record reductions in carrying value when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Determination of impairment is highly subjective and is based on a number of factors, including an assessment of the strength of the investee’s management, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than our cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, fundamental changes to the business prospects of the investee, share prices of subsequent offerings, and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in our carrying value.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the recoverability of property, equipment and intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” When events and circumstances indicate that long-lived assets may be impaired, we compare the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the projection of future undiscounted cash flows attributable to these assets. In the event that the carrying value exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows, we record an impairment charge against income equal to the excess of the carrying value over the assets’ fair value. Fair values are determined based on quoted market values, discounted cash flows or internal and external appraisals, as applicable. Assets held for sale are carried at the lower of carrying value or estimated net realizable value.

Employee Stock Options

We grant options to substantially all management employees and believe that this program helps us to attract, motivate and retain high quality employees, to the ultimate benefit of our stockholders. Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Paymen,” (“SFAS 123(R)”), using the modified prospective application transition method. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation cost was recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements for all share-based payments after January 1, 2006. Compensation cost recognized includes the estimated expense for the portion of the vesting period after January 1, 2006 for share-based payments prior to, but not vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Results for prior periods have not been restated, as provided for under the modified prospective application transition method. See Note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

19




 

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. SFAS 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

We provide for income taxes based upon the geographic composition of worldwide earnings and tax regulations governing each region, including particularly the People’s Republic of China. The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws, particularly in foreign countries such as the People’s Republic of China.

Results of Operations

Revenue

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GaAs

 

$

10,561

 

$

5,353

 

$

5,208

 

97.3

%

InP

 

340

 

234

 

106

 

45.3

%

Ge

 

387

 

5

 

382

 

7,640.0

%

Raw materials

 

1,251

 

566

 

685

 

121.0

%

Other

 

8

 

(5

)

13

 

260

%

Total revenue

 

$

12,547

 

$

6,153

 

$

6,394

 

103.9

%

 

Revenue increased $6.4 million, or 103.9%, to $12.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $6.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Total GaAs substrate revenue increased $5.2 million, or 97.3%, to $10.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

Sales of 5 inch and 6 inch diameter GaAs substrates were $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in larger diameter substrate revenue was due to the fact that, while the GaAs device market grew in strength for both cellular and the WLAN (Wide Local Area Network) markets, the compound semiconductor industry has been experiencing capacity constraints; with our excess capacity, we were able to benefit from the overflow business from our competition.

 Sales of 2 inch, 3 inch and 4 inch diameter GaAs substrates were $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in revenue from smaller diameter substrates was due to the continued market growth generally of LED laser diodes and commercial epitaxy.

InP substrate revenue increased $106,000, or 45.3%, to $340,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $234,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in InP substrate revenue was due to greater overall demand.

Ge substrate revenue increased $382,000, or 7,640.0%, to $387,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $5,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in Ge substrate revenue was due to an increase in customers in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) that have now qualified our product, as demand for photovoltaic applications is high in the PRC.

Raw materials revenue increased $685,000, or 121.0%, to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in raw materials revenue was primarily due to sales of germanium dioxide to a new customer, and increased sales of gallium to existing customers. The new customer for germanium dioxide is located in North America, and has been purchasing consistently each quarter in 2006. We expect this trend to continue.

20




 

Revenue

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

GaAs

 

$

25,441

 

$

15,033

 

$

10,408

 

69.2

%

InP

 

1,249

 

651

 

598

 

91.9

%

Ge

 

592

 

35

 

557

 

1,591.4

%

Raw materials

 

4,083

 

3,095

 

988

 

31.9

%

Other

 

8

 

5

 

3

 

60.0

%

Total revenue

 

$

31,373

 

$

18,819

 

$

12,554

 

66.7

%

 

Revenue increased $12.6 million, or 66.7%, to $31.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $18.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Total GaAs substrate revenue increased $10.4 million, or 69.2%, to $25.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $15.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Sales of 5 inch and 6 inch diameter GaAs substrates were $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in larger diameter substrate revenue was due to the fact that, while the GaAs device market grew in strength for both cellular and the WLAN (Wide Local Area Network) markets, the compound semiconductor industry has been experiencing capacity constraints; with our excess capacity, we were able to benefit from the overflow business from our competition.

Sales of 2 inch, 3 inch and 4 inch diameter GaAs substrates were $13.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $12.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. We have sold a larger quantity of smaller diameter wafers in 2006 than in 2005, but generated similar dollar revenue due to continued pricing pressures, which caused average sales prices to decline. The increase in revenue from smaller diameter substrates was due to the continued market growth generally of LED laser diodes and commercial epitaxy.

InP substrate revenue increased $0.6 million, or 91.9%, to $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. While overall demand for InP has increased over the past year, the higher than expected increase in InP substrate revenue was due to the receipt of one large customer order for a government contract, which is not expected to repeat for the remainder of 2006. While we are beginning to see evidence of renewed growth in the optical networking industry, which uses InP to manufacture telecom lasers and may result in growth in InP substrate sales, we have not yet seen a large movement in this direction.

Ge substrate revenue increased $0.6 million, or 1,591.4%, to $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $35,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in Ge substrate revenue was due to an increase in customers in the PRC that have now qualified our product, as demand for photovoltaic applications is high in the PRC.

Raw materials revenue increased $1.0 million, or 31.9%, to $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $3.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in raw materials revenue was primarily due to sales of germanium dioxide to a new customer, and increased sales of gallium to existing customers. The new customer for germanium dioxide is located in North America, and has been purchasing consistently each quarter in 2006. We expect this trend to continue. Our raw materials business is increasingly becoming an important part of our business, both in terms of providing us protection against raw materials pricing increases and supply constraints and in opportunities for sales of raw materials. Accordingly, we expect to continue to expand our raw materials sales efforts and explore new and additional investment opportunities.

21




 

Revenue by Geographic Region

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

North America *

 

$

3,033

 

$

1,481

 

$

1,552

 

104.8

%

% of total revenue

 

24.2

%

24.1

%

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

2,012

 

1,328

 

684

 

51.5

%

% of total revenue

 

16.0

%

21.6

%

 

 

 

 

Japan

 

842

 

1,087

 

(245

)

(22.5

)%

% of total revenue

 

6.7

%

17.7

%

 

 

 

 

Taiwan

 

2,869

 

704

 

2,165

 

307.5

%

% of total revenue

 

22.9

%

11.4

%

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and Taiwan)

 

3,791

 

1,553

 

2,238

 

144.1

%

% of total revenue

 

30.2

%

25.2

%

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

12,547

 

$

6,153

 

$

6,394

 

103.9

%


*                    Primarily the United States

North America revenue increased by $1.5 million, or 104.8%, to $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. We believe our quality has improved as shown by customers that have qualified our products manufactured in the PRC as sales to existing customers increased by $0.7 million, while we gained $0.8 million in sales to new customers.

Europe revenue increased by $0.7 million, or 51.5%, to $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. This increase came from increased substrate sales to customers in France and Germany, partially offset by decreases in sales to customers in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Japan revenue decreased by $0.2 million, or 22.5%, to $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease resulted from lower substrate sales to one customer.

Taiwan revenue increased by $2.2 million, or 307.5%, to $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase of $2.2 million was due to sales to existing customers mainly in larger diameter wafers.

Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and Taiwan) revenue increased by $2.2 million, or 144.1%, to $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Of this increase, sales to customers in the PRC accounted for $0.5 million of the increase in GaAs substrate sales, $0.4 million of the increase in Ge substrate sales, and $0.5 million of the increase in raw material sales. Revenue from sales to customers in Malaysia, Korea and Singapore accounted for $0.8 million of the increase in GaAs substrate sales.

22




 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

North America *

 

$

7,704

 

$

3,684

 

$

4,020

 

109.1

%

% of total revenue

 

24.6

%

19.6

%

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

5,684

 

4,911

 

773

 

15.7

%

% of total revenue

 

18.1

%

26.1

%

 

 

 

 

Japan

 

2,638

 

1,887

 

751

 

39.8

%

% of total revenue

 

8.4

%

10.0

%

 

 

 

 

Taiwan

 

5,782

 

2,840

 

2,942

 

103.6

%

% of total revenue

 

18.4

%

15.1

%

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and Taiwan)

 

9,565

 

5,497

 

4,068

 

74.0

%

% of total revenue

 

30.5

%

29.2

%

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

31,373

 

$

18,819

 

$

12,554

 

66.7

%


*                    Primarily the United States

North America revenue increased by $4.0 million, or 109.1%, to $7.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. We believe our quality has improved as shown by customers that have qualified our products manufactured in the PRC as sales to existing customers increased by $2.6 million, while we gained $1.4 million in sales to new customers.

Europe revenue increased by $0.8 million, or 15.7%, to $5.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. This increase resulted from increased substrate sales to customers in France, partially offset by decreases in sales to customers in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, we lost one customer in the second half of 2005 due to quality problems with our product. We are beginning to regain sales to this customer as it began placing orders with us again in 2006.

Japan revenue increased by $0.8 million, or 39.8%, to $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $ 1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Raw material sales to a new customer accounted for $0.3 million of this increase, while $0.5 million was from substrate sales to existing customers, mainly for larger diameter wafers.

Taiwan revenue increased by $2.9 million, or 103.6%, to $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was due to sales to existing customers of $2.7 million mainly in large diameter wafers, while we gained $0.2 million in sales to new customers mainly in smaller diameter wafers.

Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and Taiwan) revenue increased by $4.1 million, or 74.0%, to $9.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Of this increase, sales to customers in Malaysia and Singapore accounted for $2.0 million of the increase, mainly in larger diameter wafers, while sales to customers in the PRC increased by $1.8 million, and sales to customers in Korea increased by $0.3 million.

23




 

Gross Profit

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

$

3,479

 

$

1,145

 

$

2,334

 

203.8

%

Gross Margin%

 

27.7

%

18.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin increased to 27.7% of total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from 18.6% of total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Gross margin in the three months ended September 30, 2006 was positively impacted by sales of approximately $802,000 of gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafers that were previously fully reserved. Product mix also contributed to higher gross margins as we sold a greater amount of InP substrates, as well as larger diameter GaAs wafers, both of which contributed larger gross margins. In December 2005, we reduced the workforce at our Fremont, California facility to eliminate positions that we no longer required to support production, and this reduction accounted for approximately 2% of the increase in gross margin in the three months ended September 30, 2006. Gross margin in the three months ended September 30, 2005 was positively impacted by sales of approximately $686,000 of GaAs wafers that were previously fully reserved, and by approximately $205,000 as a result of a reversal of a sales return reserve established in 2004 as we favorably resolved an outstanding matter with a customer. See our risk factor related to “Changes in tariffs, import restrictions, export restrictions or other trade barriers that may reduce gross margins.”

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

$

7,748

 

$

1,551

 

$

6,197

 

399.5

%

Gross Margin%

 

24.7

%

8.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 Gross margin increased to 24.7% of total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from 8.2% of total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Gross margin in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was positively impacted by sales of approximately $2.2 million of GaAs wafers that were previously fully reserved, and by approximately $53,000 as a result of a reversal of a sales return reserve established in 2004 as we favorably resolved an outstanding matter with a customer. In addition, we sold a greater amount of InP substrates and larger diameter GaAs wafers in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, which contributed higher gross margins. In December 2005, we reduced the workforce at our Fremont, California facility to eliminate positions that we no longer required to support production, and this reduction accounted for approximately 3% to gross margin in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. We had manufacturing equipment that became fully depreciated in 2006, and the absence of depreciation expense for this equipment contributed approximately 1% to gross margin in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Gross margin in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was positively impacted by sales of approximately $1.5 million of gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafers, which were previously fully reserved, and by approximately $205,000 as a result of a reversal of a sales return reserve established in 2004 as we favorably resolved an outstanding matter with a customer, offset by the negative impact of a $765,000 charge to cost of revenue as a result of an inventory valuation adjustment, as well as a decline in our average selling prices. See our risk factor related to “Changes in tariffs, import restrictions, export restrictions or other trade barriers that may reduce gross margins.”

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

$

2,641

 

$

2,898

 

$

(257

)

(8.9

)%

% of total revenue

 

21.0

%

47.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million to $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease was primarily due to $0.3 million in legal fees reimbursed by our insurance company for fees incurred in connection with ongoing litigation described elsewhere in this report, a decrease in bad debt expense of $0.3 million as we collected on past due accounts, a decrease in severance payments of $0.2 million from the prior year change of sales staff, and a $0.1 million decrease in general legal fees partially offset by an increase in decontamination expense of $0.3 million as we prepare our U.S. property in Fremont, California for sale, an increase in bonus payments of $0.1 million, an increase in consulting fees for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of $0.1 million, and an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $0.1 million.

24




 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

$

9,724

 

$

9,866

 

$

(142

)

(1.4

)%

% of total revenue

 

31.0

%

52.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.1 million to $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $9.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $1.4 million in decontamination expense as we are preparing our U.S. property in Fremont, California for sale, a decrease of $0.3 million in legal fees reimbursed by our insurance company for fees incurred in connection with ongoing litigation described elsewhere in this report, and a decrease of $0.1 million in recruiting fees, partially offset by an increase of $0.4 million in stock-based compensation expense, an increase of $0.3 million in bonuses, an increase of $0.3 million in sales discount compensation expenses, an increase of $0.2 million for facility depreciation reclassed from cost of revenue, an increase of $0.2 million in audit and tax fees, and an increase of $0.2 million for consulting fees for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and an increase of $0.1 million in general legal fees.

Research and Development

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

392

 

$

472

 

$

(80

)

(16.9

)%

% of total revenue

 

3.1

%

7.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses decreased $80,000, or 16.9%, to $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005, as a result of $0.1 million salary savings from personnel reductions in 2006 and $0.1 million reduced expenses on new products testing, partially offset by $0.1 million stock-based compensation costs in 2006 not present in 2005.

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

1,497

 

$

1,257

 

$

240

 

19.1

%

% of total revenue

 

4.8

%

6.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses increased $0.2 million, or 19.1%, to $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, as a result of stock-based compensation costs of $0.2 million and increased bonuses of $0.1 million, partially offset by $0.1 million salary savings from personnel reductions in 2006.

Impairment charge

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment charge

 

$

1,417

 

$

 

$

1,417

 

100.0

%

% of total revenue

 

11.3

%

0.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2006, we incurred an impairment charge of $1.4 million to write down our U.S. property in Fremont, California, which has been decontaminated and is being prepared for sale. This property has been classified as “Assets held for sale” in the amount of $4.7 million on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2006.

25




 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment charge

 

$

1,417

 

$

 

$

1,417

 

100.0

%

% of total revenue

 

4.5

%

0.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we incurred an impairment charge of $1.4 million to write down our U.S. property in Fremont, California, which has been decontaminated and is being prepared for sale. This property has been classified as “Assets held for sale” in the amount of $4.7 million on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2006.

Restructuring

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring

 

$

 

$

14

 

$

(14

)

(100.0

)%

% of total revenue

 

0.0

%

0.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2006, we incurred no restructuring charges. During the three months ended September 30, 2005, we recorded restructuring charges of $14,000, of which $5,000 related to lease costs associated with facilities located in California that are no longer required to support production, and $9,000 related to the closure of our Japan office.

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring

 

$

(2

)

$

376

 

$

(378

)

(100.5

)%

% of total revenue

 

(0.0

)%

2.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we recognized a $2,000 gain related to an adjustment to a prior accrual. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we recorded restructuring charges of $0.4 million, of which $0.2 million related to lease costs associated with facilities located in California that are no longer required to support production, $0.1 million related to the closure of our Japan office, and $0.1 million related to the reduction in our PRC work force we effected in March 2005.

Interest Income, net

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net

 

$

103

 

$

136

 

$

(33

)

(24.3

)%

% of total revenue

 

0.8

%

2.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net decreased $33,000 to $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 as a result of higher interest rates earned on our investments, partially offset by higher interest rates on our debt, which we have continued to pay down. We also had lower cash balances.

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net

 

$

342

 

$

386

 

$

(44

)

(11.4

)%

% of total revenue

 

1.1

%

2.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net decreased $44,000 to $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as a result of higher interest rates earned on our investments, partially offset by higher interest rates on our debt, which we have continued to pay down. We also had lower cash balances.

26




 

Other Income and Expense, net

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

 

$

641

 

$

(193

)

$

834

 

432.1

%

% of total revenue

 

5.1

%

(3.1

)%

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net was $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 due to a realized gain of $0.7 million on the sale of 300,000 shares of common stock of Finisar Corporation, partially offset by minority interests in our joint ventures. Other expense was $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 primarily due to foreign exchange losses related to the Japanese yen and minority interests in our joint ventures.

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

 

$

1,693

 

$

(494

)

$

2,187

 

442.7

%

% of total revenue

 

5.4

%

(2.6

)%

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net was $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 due to a realized gain of $2.2 million on the sale of 700,000 shares of common stock of Finisar Corporation, partially offset by minority interests in our joint ventures. Other expense was $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 primarily due to foreign exchange losses related to the Japanese yen and minority interests in our joint ventures.

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

$

(862

)

$

45

 

$

(907

)

(2,015.6

)%

% of total revenue

 

(6.9

)%

0.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

In 2005, the Internal Revenue Service closed its examination of our tax return for the 2002 tax year, including the calculation of our 1999 and 2000 net operating loss carryback. As a result of this, we reversed approximately $1.0 million of income tax payable accrued for potential exposures relating to those years shown as a benefit from income taxes in 2006, partially offset by a provision for income taxes of $0.1 million, which was related to our foreign subsidiaries. Provision for income taxes, which was related to our foreign subsidiaries, was $45,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

$

(406

)

$

98

 

$

(504

)

(514.3

)%

% of total revenue

 

(1.3

)%

0.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

In 2005, the Internal Revenue Service closed its examination of our tax return for the 2002 tax year, including the calculation of our 1999 and 2000 net operating loss carryback. As a result of this, we reversed approximately $1.0 million of income tax payable accrued for potential exposures relating to those years, partially offset by a provision for income taxes of $0.5 million, which was related to our foreign subsidiaries. Provision for income taxes, which was related to our foreign subsidiaries, was $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The reason for the increase was a combination of higher income from processing fees in our overseas subsidiary at higher tax rates.

Gain from Discontinued Operations

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Gain from discontinued operations and gain from disposal, net of tax

 

$

4

 

$

259

 

$

(255

)

(98.5

)%

% of total revenue

 

0.0

%

4.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

27




 

For the three months ended September 30, 2006, we recorded $4,000 in interest income on cash balances held in the discontinued operations. During the three months ended September 30, 2005, we recorded a gain on discontinued operations for the release of the remaining $0.3 million that was held in escrow on the sale of our opto-electronics business to Lumei Optoelectronics Corp. The $0.3 million was held in escrow to satisfy any claims that the purchaser might make for breaches of representations or warranties by us, and was released in September 2005, with approximately $9,000 in accrued interest.

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Gain from discontinued operations and gain from disposal, net of tax

 

$

7

 

$

670

 

$

(663

)

(99.0

)%

% of total revenue

 

0.0

%

3.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we recorded $7,000 in interest income on cash balances held in the discontinued operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the $0.7 million gain from discontinued operations was made up of a gain of $0.3 million, which was the remaining portion of the first $0.8 million held in escrow due to us from the sale of our opto-electronics business, $0.1 million in property tax refunds, a gain of $0.1 million from the sale of a building located in Monterey Park, California, and the remaining $0.3 million that was held in escrow on the sale of our opto-electronics business to Lumei Optoelectronics Corp. The final $0.3 million was released in September 2005, with approximately $9,000 in accrued interest.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2006, our principal sources of liquidity were $15.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, excluding restricted deposits. We consider cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as liquid and available for use. Short-term investments are comprised of government bonds and high-grade commercial debt instruments. Also included in short-term investments is our investment in common stock of Finisar Corporation. We continue to sell the shares of common stock in Finisar held by us, as described below.

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased $7.1 million to $15.9 million as of September 30, 2006 from $23.0 million as of December 31, 2005. Included in this $7.1 million decrease was the additional cash of $2.0 million from the realized gain on our sale of 700,000 shares of Finisar common stock in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. We plan to sell additional Finisar stock during the remainder of 2006. As of September 30, 2006, we continued to hold 474,000 shares of Finisar common stock.

Net cash used in operating activities of $7.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was primarily comprised of our net loss of $2.4 million, adjusted for non-cash items of depreciation of $2.4 million, a realized gain on sale of investments of $2.0 million, an asset impairment charge of $1.4 million, stock-based compensation of $0.6 million, and by a net change of $7.8 million in assets and liabilities. The net increase in assets and liabilities resulted from a $3.6 million increase in accounts receivable, net, a $2.3 million increase in prepaid expenses, primarily from foreign taxes prepaid and prepayments to vendors, a $1.3 million decrease in income taxes payable, primarily from the reversal of approximately $1.0 million of income tax payable accrued for potential exposures that have expired, a $1.2 million increase in inventories, net, a $0.8 million decrease in accrued liabilities, primarily for restructuring costs and decommissioning expenses, and partially offset by a $1.0 million increase in accounts payable and a $0.3 million increase in other long-term liabilities. Net accounts receivable increased by $3.6 million, or 68.4%, to $8.8 million as of September 30, 2006 from $5.2 million as of December 31, 2005. The increase was primarily a result of our increased sales. Our days sales outstanding was 65 days as of September 30, 2006 compared to 62 days as of December 31, 2005.

Net cash provided by investing activities of $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was primarily from the proceeds from net sales of investments of $2.3 million and the decrease of restricted cash of $0.3 million, largely offset by the purchase of property, plant and equipment, net, of $2.0 million.

We expect to invest approximately $1.0 million in capital projects during the remainder of 2006. We believe that our existing and planned facilities and equipment are sufficient to fulfill current and expected future orders.

28




 

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 consisted of payments of $0.5 million related to long-term borrowings, largely offset by proceeds of $0.5 million received on exercise of stock options through our stock option program.

Our main Fremont, California manufacturing facility is financed by long-term borrowings, which were refinanced by taxable variable rate revenue bonds in 1998. These bonds mature in 2023 and bear interest at a variable rate that was 5.42% as of September 30, 2006. The bonds are traded in the public market. Repayment of principal and interest under the bonds is supported by a letter of credit from our bank and is paid on a quarterly basis. We have the option to redeem the bonds in whole or in part during their term. As of September 30, 2006, $7.2 million was outstanding under these bonds.

As of September 30, 2006, the credit facility maintained by us with a bank included a letter of credit supporting repayment of our revenue bonds with an outstanding amount of $7.2 million. We have pledged and placed a like amount of investment securities with an affiliate of the bank as additional collateral for this facility.

We believe that we have adequate cash and investments to meet our needs over the next twelve months. In June 2006, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which was declared effective by the SEC in August 2006. Under the shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer shares of our common stock with a total value of up to $25.0 million. The shelf registration statement provides us with flexibility to fund working capital, including future capital expenditures, research and development, and potential investments or acquisitions in complementary businesses, products and technologies. However, we have no specific agreements, commitments or understandings with respect to any transactions at this time. There can be no assurance that such additional capital will be available or, if available, it will be at terms acceptable to us.

In September 2006, tax authorities in the PRC announced their intention to impose customs duties on, and to reduce or eliminate refunds of value-added taxes that companies pay when they purchase certain raw materials, including gallium and arsenic.  The combination of these actions could significantly increase our costs and impact our cash flows. Implementing regulations are not expected to be published before late November, and it is possible that these regulations will not be adopted or that changes will be made in their outline before adoption.  Lobbying efforts are being made to remove gallium and arsenic from the list of affected materials, but there is no way to know if these efforts will have any impact on the final form of the regulations.  There appears to be a possibility that the value-added tax refund on gallium will not be completely eliminated, but merely reduced.  If the regulations are adopted as currently proposed, they would not have a material impact on our fourth quarter results because they would only be in effect for a portion of the quarter.  They may, however, potentially have a significant adverse impact on our gross margins and net income (loss) in 2007, although we do not have the facts necessary to estimate its magnitude at this time.  We are also exploring alternatives for restructuring our operations in the PRC in order to mitigate the impact of these regulations if and when they are adopted.   We will not know the exact impact of any restructuring or the amount of time that it might take to accomplish until toward the end of this year.

Cash from operations could be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those set forth below under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Outstanding contractual obligations as of September 30, 2006 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less Than
1 Year

 

1 - 3 Years

 

3 - 5 Years

 

More Than
5 Years

 

Long-term debt

 

$

7,253

 

$

450

 

$

1,003

 

$

900

 

$

4,900

 

Operating leases

 

4,721

 

664

 

1,387

 

1,519

 

1,151

 

Total

 

$

11,974

 

$

1,114

 

$

2,390

 

$

2,419

 

$

6,051

 

 

We lease certain office space, manufacturing facilities and property under long-term operating leases expiring at various dates through March 2013. Total rent payments under these operating leases were approximately $0.8 million and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

29




 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Instruments — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (“SFAS 155”). SFAS 155 amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”) and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” (“SFAS 140”). SFAS 155 allows entities the option of applying fair value accounting to certain hybrid financial instruments in their entirety if they contain embedded derivatives that would otherwise require bifurcation under SFAS 133. SFAS 155 will be effective for us as of January 1, 2007. We are currently assessing the impact that SFAS 155 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting For Uncertain Tax Positions — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. It prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after Decemeber 15, 2006. We are currently assessing the impact of the adoption that FIN 48 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the EITF on Issue No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation) (“ EITF 06-3”). EITF 06-3 includes any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer and may include, but is not limited to, sales, use, value added, and some excise taxes. EITF 06-3 concludes that the presentation of taxes on either a gross (included in revenues and costs) or a net (excluded from revenues) basis is an accounting policy decision that should be disclosed. In addition, for any such taxes that are reported on a gross basis, a company should disclose the amounts of those taxes in interim and annual financial statements for each period for which an income statement is presented if those amounts are significant. The provisions of EITF 06-3 should be applied to financial reports for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006, with earlier adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the impact of the adoption that EITF 06-3 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 provides a new single authoritative definition of fair value and provides enhanced guidance for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities and requires additional disclosures related to the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS 157 is effective for us as of January 1, 2008. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of SFAS 157 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires balance sheet recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of pension and postretirement benefit plans. Under SFAS 158, actuarial gains and losses, prior service costs or credits, and any remaining transition assets or obligations that have not been recognized under previous accounting standards must be recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity, net of tax effects, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost. In addition, the measurement date and the date at which plan assets and the benefit obligation are measured, are required to be the company’s fiscal year-end. SFAS 158 is effective for us as of December 31, 2007, except for the measurement date provisions, which are effective December 31, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 158 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides interpretative guidance on how public companies quantify financial statement misstatements. There have been two common approaches used to quantify such errors. Under an income statement approach, the “roll-over” method, the error is quantified as the amount by which the current year income statement is misstated. Alternatively, under a balance sheet approach, the “iron curtain” method, the error is quantified as the cumulative amount by which the current year balance sheet is misstated. In SAB 108, the SEC established an approach that requires quantification of financial statement misstatements based on the effects of the misstatements on each of the company’s financial statements and the related financial statement disclosures. This model is commonly referred to as a “dual approach” because it requires quantification of errors under both the roll-over and iron curtain methods. SAB 108 is effective for us as of January 1, 2007. The adoption of SAB 108 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Exposure

We operate in the United States and manufacture in China. The substantial majority of our sales to date have been made and continue to be made in U.S. dollars. Substantially all of our expenses from our China operations are incurred in the Chinese Renminbi. As a result, currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Chinese Renminbi could cause foreign currency transaction gains or losses that we would recognize in the period incurred.

In July 2005, China uncoupled the Renminbi from the U.S. dollar and began to let it float in a narrow band against a basket of foreign currencies. The move revalued the Renminbi by 2.1% against the U.S. dollar; however, it is uncertain what further adjustments will follow. Since the Renminbi-U.S. dollar exchange rate floats, the Renminbi could appreciate relative to the U.S. dollar.

We expect our international revenue and expenses to continue to be denominated largely in U.S. dollars. We also believe that our China operations will likely expand in the future as our business continues to grow. As a result, we anticipate that we may experience increased exposure to the risks of fluctuating currencies and may choose to engage in currency hedging activities to reduce these risks. However, we cannot be certain that any such hedging activities will be effective, or available to us at commercially reasonable rates.

Interest Rate Risk

Cash and cash equivalents earning interest and certain investments are subject to interest rate fluctuations. The following table sets forth the probable impact of a 10% change in interest rates (in thousands):

Instrument

 

Balance as of
September 30, 2006

 

Current
Interest
Rate

 

Projected Annual
Interest
Income/(Expense)

 

Pro Forma 10%
Interest Rate
Decline
Income/(Expense)

 

Pro Forma 10%
Interest Rate
Increase
Income/(Expense)

 

Cash

 

$

6,591

 

0.50

%

$

33

 

$

30

 

$

36

 

Cash equivalents

 

3,996

 

5.21

 

208

 

187

 

229

 

Investments

 

11,254

 

4.49

 

505

 

455

 

556

 

Long-term debt

 

(7,150

)

5.42

 

(388

)

(349

)

(426

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

358

 

$

323

 

$

395

 

 

Equity Risk

We maintain minority investments in private and publicly traded companies. These investments are reviewed for other than temporary declines in value on a quarterly basis. Reasons for other than temporary declines in value include whether the related company would have insufficient cash flow to operate for the next twelve months, significant changes in the operating performance and changes in market conditions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we recorded a $0.7 million unrealized gain in other comprehensive income to write up our investment in the common stock of Finisar Corporation. As of September 30, 2006, the minority investments we continue to hold amounted to $3.7 million.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that the our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

(b) No change in our internal control over financial reporting was made during the quarter ended September 30, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time we may be involved in judicial or administrative proceedings concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect that any of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operation.

On October 15, 2004, a purported securities class action lawsuit was filed in the United States Court for the Northern District of California, City of Harper Woods Employees Retirement System v. AXT, Inc. et al., No. C 04 4362 MJJ. The Court consolidated the case with a subsequent related case and appointed a lead plaintiff. On April 5, 2005, the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated complaint, captioned as Morgan v. AXT, Inc. et al., No. C 04 4362 MJJ. The lawsuit complaint names AXT, Inc. and our chief technology officer as defendants, and is brought on behalf of a class of all purchasers of our securities from February 6, 2001 through April 27, 2004. The complaint alleges that we announced financial results during this period that were false and misleading. No specific amount of damages is claimed. On September 23, 2005, the Court granted our motion to dismiss the complaint, with leave to amend. The lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint, which we have moved to dismiss. We believe that there are meritorious defenses against this litigation and intend to vigorously defend it. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation. Any unfavorable outcome of the litigation could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

On June 1, 2005, a lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, Zhao et al. v. American Xtal Technology, et al., No. R 605215713. The lawsuit complaint names as defendants AXT, Inc., our chief technology officer and one of our suppliers. The lawsuit is brought on behalf of two former employees and their minor child. The complaint alleges personal injury, general negligence, intentional tort, wage loss and other damages, including punitive damages, as a result of exposure of the child while in utero to high levels of gallium arsenide and methanol used in the production of gallium arsenide wafers. We believe that there are meritorious defenses against this litigation and intend to vigorously defend it. Our commercial general liability insurance carrier has agreed to fund our defense of the case, but has reserved the right to deny coverage, in whole or in part, in the future under selected policy provisions and applicable law. The plaintiffs have made an initial settlement demand within our insurance limits. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation. Any unfavorable outcome of the litigation could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

A description of the risk factors associated with our business is set forth below. There have been no material changes in these risk factors from the description previously disclosed in part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, other than the addition on page  of the risk factors marked with an asterisk (*). If any of the following risks actually occurs, it may materially harm our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow.  As a result, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.  Additional risks and uncertainties that are not yet identified or that we think are immaterial may also materially harm our business, operating results and financial condition and could result in a complete loss of your investment.

For ease of reference, we have divided these risks and uncertainties into the following general categories:

·                  Risks related to our general business;

·                  Risks related to international aspects of our business;

·                  Risks related to our financial results and capital structure;

·                  Risks related to our intellectual property; and

·                  Risks related to compliance and other legal matters.

Risks Related to Our General Business

Defects in our products could diminish demand for our products.

Our products are complex and may contain defects.  We have experienced quality control problems with many of our products,

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which caused customers to return products to us, reduce orders for our products, or both. Although our quality has improved, resulting in some increases in product sales, we believe that we continue to experience some reduction in orders as a result of our prior product quality problems.  If we continue to experience quality control problems, or experience these or other problems in new products, customers may cancel or reduce orders or purchase products from our competitors, we may be unable to maintain or increase sales to our customers and sales of our products could decline.  Defects in our products could cause us to incur higher manufacturing costs and suffer product returns and additional service expenses, all of which could adversely impact our operating results.

If new products developed by us contain defects when released, our customers may be dissatisfied and we may suffer negative publicity or customer claims against us, lose sales or experience delays in market acceptance of our new products.

Decreases in average selling prices of our products may reduce gross margins.

The market for compound semiconductor substrates is characterized by pressures on average selling prices resulting from factors such as increased competition or overcapacity.  We have experienced and expect to continue to experience price pressures on our products, and if average selling prices decline in the future, our revenue and gross margins could decline.  We may be unable to reduce the cost of our products sufficiently to offset the effect of lower selling prices and allow us to keep pace with competitive pricing pressures, and our margins could be adversely affected.

The loss of one or more of our key substrate customers would significantly hurt our operating results.

A small number of substrate customers have historically accounted for a substantial portion of our total revenue.  Our top five customers represented 35.6%, and 40.3% of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2006, respectively.  We expect that a significant portion of our future revenue will continue to be derived from a limited number of substrate customers.  Our customers are not obligated to purchase a specified quantity of our products or to provide us with binding forecasts of product purchases.  In addition, our customers may reduce, delay or cancel orders at any time without any significant penalty.  During the past year, we have experienced slower bookings, significant push-outs and cancellation of orders from some customers.  If we lose a major customer or if a customer cancels, reduces or delays orders, our revenue would decline.  In addition, customers that have accounted for significant revenue in the past may not continue to generate revenue for us in any future period.  Any delay in scheduled shipments of our products could cause revenue to fall below our expectations and the expectations of market analysts or investors, causing our stock price to decline.

Our results of operations may suffer if we do not effectively manage our inventory.

We must manage our inventory of component parts, work-in-process and finished goods effectively to meet changing customer requirements, while keeping inventory costs down and improving gross margins.  Some of our products and supplies have in the past and may in the future become obsolete while in inventory due to changing customer specifications, or become excess inventory due to decreased demand for our products and an inability to sell the inventory within a foreseeable period.  Furthermore, if current costs of production increase or sales prices drop below the standard prices at which we value inventory, we may need to take a charge for a reduction in inventory values.  We have in the past had to take inventory valuation and impairment charges.  Any future unexpected changes in demand or increases in costs of production that cause us to take additional charges for un-saleable, obsolete or excess inventory, or to reduce inventory values, could adversely affect our results of operations.

If we have low product yields, or if there is a deliberate sabotage of our products, the shipment of our products may be delayed and our operating results may be adversely impacted.

Our products are manufactured using complex technologies, and the number of usable substrates we produce can fluctuate as a result of many factors, including:

·                  impurities in the materials used;

·                  contamination of the manufacturing environment;

·                  substrate breakage;

·                  equipment failure, power outages or variations in the manufacturing process; and

·                  performance of personnel involved in the manufacturing process.

If our yields decrease, our revenue could decline if we are unable to produce needed product on time.  At the same time, our manufacturing costs could remain fixed, or could increase.  We have experienced product shipment delays and difficulties in

33




 

achieving acceptable yields on both new and older products, and delays and poor yields have adversely affected our operating results. We may experience similar problems in the future and we cannot predict when they may occur or their severity.  In particular, many of our manufacturing processes are new and are still being refined, which can result in lower yields.

If there is deliberate sabotage of our products making them unfit for use by our customers, our products would be rejected, resulting in compensation costs paid to our customers, and possible disqualification.  This could lead to revenue loss and market share loss.

If we do not successfully develop new products to respond to rapidly changing customer requirements, our ability to generate revenue, obtain new customers, and retain existing customers may suffer.

Our success depends on our ability to offer new products and product features that incorporate leading technology and respond to technological advances.  In addition, our new products must meet customer needs and compete effectively on quality, price and performance.  The life cycles of our products are difficult to predict because the markets for our products are characterized by rapid technological change, changing customer needs and evolving industry standards.  If our competitors introduce products employing new technologies or performance characteristics, our existing products could become obsolete and unmarketable.  During the past three years, we have seen our competitors selling more substrates manufactured using a crystal growth technology similar to ours, which has eroded our technological differentiation.  Other companies, including Triquent, are actively developing substrate materials that could be used to manufacture devices that could provide the same high-performance, low-power capabilities as GaAs- and InP-based devices at competitive prices.  If these substrate materials or VGF-derived products are successfully developed and semiconductor device manufacturers adopt them, demand for our GaAs substrates could decline and our revenue could suffer.

The development of new products can be a highly complex process, and we may experience delays in developing and introducing new products.  Any significant delays could cause us to fail to timely introduce and gain market acceptance of new products.  Further, the costs involved in researching, developing and engineering new products could be greater than anticipated.  If we fail to offer new products or product enhancements or fail to achieve higher quality products, we may not generate sufficient revenue to offset our development costs and other expenses or meet our customers’ requirements.

Intense competition in the markets for our products could prevent us from increasing revenue and sustaining profitability.

The markets for our products are intensely competitive.  We face competition for our substrate products from other manufacturers of substrates, such as Freiberger Compound Materials, Hitachi Cable and Sumitomo Electric, from semiconductor device manufacturers that produce substrates for their own use, and from companies, such as Triquent, that are actively developing alternative materials to GaAs and marketing semiconductor devices using these alternative materials.  We believe that at least two of our major competitors are shipping high volumes of GaAs substrates manufactured using a technique similar to our VGF technique.  Other competitors may develop and begin using similar technology.  If we are unable to compete effectively, our revenue may not increase and we may be unable to become profitable.  We face many competitors that have a number of significant advantages over us, including:

·                  greater experience in the business;

·                  more manufacturing experience;

·                  extensive intellectual property;

·                  broader name recognition; and

·                  significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources.

Our competitors could develop new or enhanced products that are more effective than our products are.

The level and intensity of competition has increased over the past year and we expect competition to continue to increase in the future.  Competitive pressures caused by the current economic conditions have resulted in reductions in the prices of our products, and continued or increased competition could reduce our market share, require us to further reduce the prices of our products, affect our ability to recover costs and result in reduced gross margins.

In addition, new competitors have and may continue to emerge, such as a small crystal growing company established by a former employee of ours in China that is supplying ingots to the market.  While new competitors such as this company currently do not appear to be fully competitive, competition from sources such as this could increase, particularly if these competitors are able to obtain large capital investments.

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Demand for our products may decrease if our customers experience difficulty manufacturing, marketing or selling their products.

Our products are used as components in our customers’ products.  Accordingly, demand for our products is subject to factors affecting the ability of our customers to introduce and market their products successfully, including:

·                  the competition our customers face in their particular industries;

·                  the technical, manufacturing, sales and marketing and management capabilities of our customers;

·                  the financial and other resources of our customers; and

·                  the inability of our customers to sell their products if they infringe third-party intellectual property rights.

If demand for the end-user applications for which our products are used decreases, or our customers are unable to develop, market and sell their products, demand for our products will decrease.

The financial condition of our customers may affect their ability to pay amounts owed to us.

Many of our customers are facing business downturns that have reduced their cash balances and their prospects.  We frequently allow our customers to pay for products we ship to them within 30 to 120 days after delivery.  Subsequent to our shipping a product, some customers have been unable to make payments as due, reducing our cash balances and causing us to incur charges to allow for a possibility that some accounts might not be paid.  Customers may also be forced to file for bankruptcy.  If our customers do not pay their accounts when due, we will be required to incur charges that would reduce our earnings.

We purchase critical raw materials and parts for our equipment from single or limited sources, and could lose sales if these sources fail to fill our needs.

We depend on a limited number of suppliers for certain raw materials, components and equipment used in manufacturing our products, including key materials such as quartz tubing, polishing solutions and paralytic boron nitride.  Although several of these raw materials are purchased from suppliers in which we hold an ownership interest, we generally purchase these materials through standard purchase orders and not pursuant to long-term supply contracts and no supplier guarantees supply of raw materials or equipment to us.  If we lose any of our key suppliers, our manufacturing efforts could be significantly hampered and we could be prevented from timely producing and delivering products to our customers.  Prior to investing in our raw material joint ventures, we sometimes experienced delays obtaining critical raw materials and spare parts, including gallium, due to shortages of these materials and could experience such delays again in the future due to shortages of materials and may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of materials.  These shortages and delays could result in higher materials costs and cause us to delay or reduce production of our products.  If we have to delay or reduce production, we could fail to meet customer delivery schedules and our revenue and operating results could suffer.

We have made and may continue to make strategic investments in raw materials suppliers, which may not be successful and may result in the loss of all or part of our investment.

We have made investments through our five joint ventures in raw material suppliers in China, which provide us with opportunities to gain supplies of key raw materials that are important to our substrate business.  These affiliates each have a market beyond that provided by us.  We do not have influence over all of these companies, each of which is located in China, and in some we have made only a strategic, minority investment.  We may not be successful in achieving the financial, technological or commercial advantage upon which any given investment is premised, and we could end up losing all or part of our investment.

Our substrate products have a long qualification cycle that makes it difficult to plan our expenses and forecast our results.

Customers typically place orders with us for our substrate products three months to a year or more after our initial contact with them.  The sale of our products may be subject to delays due to our customers’ lengthy internal budgeting, approval and evaluation processes.  During this time, we may incur substantial expenses and expend sales, marketing and management efforts while the customers evaluate our products.  These expenditures may not result in sales of our products.  If we do not achieve anticipated sales in a period as expected, we may experience an unplanned shortfall in our revenue.  As a result, we may not be able to cover expenses, causing our operating results to vary.  In addition, if a customer decides not to incorporate our products into its initial design, we may not have another opportunity to sell products to this customer for many months or even years.  In the current competitive and

35




 

economic climate, the average sales cycle for our products has lengthened even further and is expected to continue to make it difficult to forecast our future sales accurately.  We anticipate that sales of any future substrate products will also have lengthy sales cycles and will, therefore, be subject to risks substantially similar to those inherent in the lengthy sales cycles of our current substrate products.

Risks Related to International Aspects of Our Business

* Changes in tariffs, import restrictions, export restrictions or other trade barriers may reduce gross margins.

We may incur increases in costs due to changes in tariffs, import restrictions, export restrictions, or other trade barriers, or unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; or unexpected changes in export license requirements, which may reduce our gross margins.

In September 2006, tax authorities in the People’s Republic of China, (“PRC”), announced their intention to impose customs duties on, and to reduce or eliminate refunds of value-added taxes that companies pay when they purchase, certain raw materials, including gallium and arsenic.  The combination of these actions could significantly increase our costs and impact our cash flows. Implementing regulations are not expected to be published before late November, and it is possible that these regulations will not be adopted or that changes will be made in their outline before adoption.  Lobbying efforts are being made to remove gallium and arsenic from the list of affected materials, but there is no way to know if these efforts will have any impact on the final form of the regulations.  There appears to be a possibility that the value-added tax refund on gallium will not be completely eliminated, but merely reduced.  If the regulations are adopted as currently proposed, they would not have a material impact on our fourth quarter results because they would only be in effect for a portion of the quarter.  They may, however, potentially have a significant adverse impact on our gross margins and net income (loss) in 2007, although we do not have the facts necessary to estimate its magnitude at this time.  We are also exploring alternatives for restructuring our operations in the PRC in order to mitigate the impact of these regulations if and when they are adopted.  We will not know the exact impact of any restructuring or the amount of time that it might take to accomplish until toward the end of this year.

* The possible imposition of additional duties and taxes on products that we export from the People’s Republic of China would have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and general financial condition

In September 2006, tax authorities in the PRC announced their intention to impose additional value added tax and export duties on a variety of products, including those containing gallium and arsenic.  Although we cannot be certain that such taxes will be imposed because the implementation of the underlying tax regulations has been postponed until late November 2006, such additional taxes would materially adversely affect our margins and results of operations.  In addition, given the fluid regulatory environment for such products, we cannot assure that additional taxes will not be imposed in the future, which would further adversely affect our business.

Our operating results depend in large part on continued customer acceptance of our substrate products manufactured in China and continued improvements in product quality.

We manufacture all of our products in China, and source most of our raw materials in China.  Accordingly, we continue to seek customer qualification of our China-manufactured products.  In addition, we have in the past experienced quality problems with our China-manufactured products.  Our previous quality problems caused us to lose market share to our competitors, as some customers reduced their orders from us until our surface quality was as good and consistent as that offered by competitors and customers allocated their requirements for compound semiconductor substrates across more competitors.  If we are unable to continue to achieve customer qualifications for our products, or if we again experience quality problems, customers may not increase purchases of our products, our China facility will become underutilized, and we will be unable to achieve expected revenue growth.  We may again lose sales of our products to competitors and experience loss of market share.  If we are unable to recover and retain our market share, we may be unable to grow our business.

Problems incurred by our joint ventures or venture partners could result in a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations

We have invested in five joint venture operations in China that produce products including 99.99% pure gallium (4N Ga), high purity gallium, arsenic, germanium, germanium dioxide, paralytic boron nitride (pBN) crucibles and boron oxide.  We purchase a portion of the materials produced by these ventures for our use and sell the remainder of their production to third parties.  Our ownership interest in these entities ranges from 25% to 83%.  We consolidate the three ventures in which we own a majority or controlling financial interest and employ equity accounting for the two joint ventures in which we have a 25% interest.  Several of these ventures occupy space within larger facilities owned and/or operated by one of the other venture partners. Several of these

36




 

venture partners are engaged in other manufacturing activities at or near the same facility.  In some facilities, we share access to certain functions, including water, hazardous waste treatment or air quality treatment.  If any of our joint venture partners in any of these five ventures experiences problems with its operations, disruptions of our joint venture operations could result, having a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operation of our joint ventures, and correspondingly on our financial condition or results of operations.

In addition, if any of our joint ventures or venture partners with which our joint ventures share facilities is deemed to have violated applicable laws, rules or regulations governing the use, storage, discharge or disposal of hazardous chemicals during manufacturing, research and development, or sales demonstrations, the operations of our joint ventures could be adversely affected and we could be subject to substantial liability for clean-up efforts, personal injury and fines or suspension or cessation of our joint venture operations as a result of the actions of the joint ventures or other venture partners.  Employees working for our joint ventures or any of the other venture partners could bring litigation against us as a result of actions taken at the joint venture or venture partner facilities, even though we are not directly controlling the operations, including actions for exposure to chemicals or other hazardous materials at the facilities of our joint ventures or the facilities of any venture partner that are shared by our joint ventures.  If litigation is brought against us, litigation is inherently uncertain and, while we would expect to defend ourselves vigorously, it is possible that our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be affected in any particular period by any litigation if brought against us, particularly if litigation with us, as a non-Chinese company, is deemed advantageous.  Even if we are not deemed responsible for the actions of the joint ventures or venture partners, litigation could be costly, time consuming to defend and divert management attention; in addition, pursuit of us could occur if we are deemed to be the most financially viable of the partners.

Going forward, we believe that investing in additional joint ventures will be important to remaining competitive in our marketplace and ensuring a supply of critical raw materials.  However, we may not be able to identify complementary joint venture opportunities or, even once opportunities are identified, we may not be able to reach agreement on the terms of the venture with the other venture partners.  Additional joint ventures could cause us to incur contingent liabilities or other expenses, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

Since all of our joint venture activity is expected to occur in China, these activities could subject us to a number of risks associated with conducting operations internationally, including:

·                  difficulties in managing geographically disparate operations;

·                  difficulties in enforcing agreements through non-U.S. legal systems;

·                  unexpected changes in regulatory requirements that may limit our ability to export the venture products or sell into particular jurisdictions or impose multiple conflicting tax laws and regulations;

·                  political and economic instability, civil unrest or war;

·                  terrorist activities that impact international commerce;

·                  difficulties in protecting our intellectual property rights, particularly in countries where the laws and practices do not protect proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws and practices of the United States;

·                  changing laws and policies affecting economic liberalization, foreign investment, currency convertibility or exchange rates, taxation or employment; and

·                  nationalization of foreign-owned assets, including intellectual property.

The impact of changes in global economic conditions on our customers may cause us to fail to meet expectations, which would negatively impact the price of our stock.

Our operating results can vary significantly based upon the impact of changes in global economic conditions on our customers.  The revenue growth and profitability of our business depends on the overall demand for our substrates, and we are particularly dependent on the market conditions for the wireless, solid-state illumination, fiber optics and telecommunications industries.  Because our sales are primarily to major corporate customers whose businesses fluctuate with general economic and business conditions, a softening of demand for products that use our substrates, caused by a weakening economy, may result in decreased revenue.  Customers may find themselves facing excess inventory from earlier purchases, and may defer or reconsider purchasing products due to the downturn in their business and in the general economy.

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We derive a significant portion of our revenue from international sales, and our ability to sustain and increase our international sales involves significant risks.

Our revenue growth depends in part on the expansion of our international sales and operations.  International sales represented 81% and 79% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and 75% and 80% of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  We expect that sales to customers outside the U.S., particularly sales to customers in Asia, will continue to represent a significant portion of our revenue.

Currently, an increasing percentage of our sales is to customers headquartered in Asia.  All of our manufacturing facilities and some of our suppliers are also located outside the U.S.  Managing our overseas operations presents challenges, including periodic regional economic downturns, trade balance issues, varying business conditions and demands, political instability, variations in enforcement of intellectual property and contract rights in different jurisdictions, differences in the ability to develop relationships with suppliers and other local businesses, changes in U.S. and international laws and regulations including U.S. export restrictions, fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates, the ability to provide sufficient levels of technical support in different locations, cultural differences, shipping delays and terrorist acts or acts of war, among other risks.  Many of these challenges are present in China, which represents a large potential market for semiconductor devices and where we anticipate significant opportunity for growth.  Global uncertainties with respect to:  (i) economic growth rates in various countries; (ii) sustainability of demand for electronics products; (iii) capital spending by semiconductor manufacturers; (iv) price weakness for certain semiconductor devices; and (v) political instability in regions where we have operations may also affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our dependence on international sales involves a number of risks, including:

·                  changes in tariffs, import restrictions, export restrictions, or other trade barriers;

·                  unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

·                  longer periods to collect accounts receivable;

·                  changes in export license requirements;

·                  political and economic instability;

·                  unexpected changes in diplomatic and trade relationships; and

·                  foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, except for sales to our Japanese and some Taiwanese customers, which are denominated in Japanese yen.  Thus, increases in the value of the U.S. dollar could increase the price of our products in non-U.S. markets and make our products more expensive than competitors’ products in these markets.

Also, denominating some sales in Japanese yen subjects us to fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen.  The functional currency of our Chinese subsidiary and joint ventures is the local currency.  We incur transaction gains or losses resulting from consolidation of expenses incurred in local currencies for these entities, as well as in translation of the assets and liabilities of their assets at each balance sheet date.  If we do not effectively manage the risks associated with international sales, our revenue, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Because of power shortages in China, we may have to temporarily close our China operations, which would adversely impact our ability to manufacture our products and meet customer orders, and would result in reduced revenue.

The Chinese government faced a power shortage over the summer of 2004 and reported that power demand in 24 provinces outstripped supply in peak periods during January to April of 2004.  Instability in electrical supply caused sporadic outages among residential and commercial consumers.  As a result, the Chinese government implemented tough measures in 2004 to ease the energy shortage.  Provinces imposed power brownouts during 2004 to reduce electricity demand, and some companies in Beijing were ordered to give their employees a week off to ease the pressure on power supply.  Plants, most of which are state-owned, were closed and reopened on a staggered schedule to reduce power consumption during the capital’s hottest months during 2004.  As a result, we closed most of our operations for a week in late July 2004 in conformance with this policy.  If we are required to make temporary closures of our subsidiary and joint venture operations at any time during the next year, we may be unable to manufacture our products, and would then be unable to meet customer orders except from inventory on hand.  As a result, our revenue could be adversely impacted, and our relationships with our customers could suffer, impacting our ability to generate future revenue.  In addition, if power is shut off at our Beijing subsidiary at any time, either voluntarily or as a result of unplanned brownouts, during certain phases of our manufacturing process including our crystal growth phase, the work in process may be ruined and rendered unusable, causing us to incur expense that will not be covered by revenue, and negatively impacting our cost of revenue and gross margins.

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Changes in China’s political, social and economic environment may affect our financial performance.

Our financial performance may be affected by changes in China’s political, social and economic environment.  The role of the Chinese central and local governments in the Chinese economy is significant.  Chinese policies toward economic liberalization, and laws and policies affecting technology companies, foreign investment, currency exchange rates and other matters could change, resulting in greater restrictions on our ability to do business and operate our manufacturing facilities in China.  Any imposition of surcharges or any increase in Chinese tax rates could hurt our operating results.  The Chinese government could revoke, terminate or suspend our license for national security and similar reasons without compensation to us.  If the government of China were to take any of these actions, we would be prevented from conducting all or part of our business.  Any failure on our part to comply with governmental regulations could result in the loss of our ability to manufacture our products in China.

China from time to time has experienced instances of civil unrest and hostilities.  Confrontations have occurred between the military and civilians.  Events of this nature could influence the Chinese economy, result in nationalization of foreign-owned operations such as ours, and negatively affect our ability to operate our facilities in China.

We may face additional risks as a result of the revaluation of the Chinese currency.

In July 2005, China agreed to a shift in Chinese currency policy.  It established a 2% revaluation of the renminbi and referenced the renminbi to a basket of currencies, with a daily trading band of +/-0.3%.  Depending on market conditions and the state of the Chinese economy, it is possible that China will make more adjustments in the future.  Over the next five to ten years, China may move to a managed float system, with opportunistic interventions.  This reserve diversification may negatively impact the United States dollar and U.S. interest rates, which, in turn, could negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.  The functional currency of our Chinese subsidiary, including our joint ventures, is the local currency; since most of our operations are conducted in China, most of our costs are incurred in Chinese currency, which subjects us to fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Chinese renminbi.  We incur transaction gains or losses resulting from consolidation of expenses incurred in local currencies for these subsidiaries, as well as in translation of the assets and liabilities of these assets at each balance sheet date.  These risks may be increased by the fluctuation and revaluation of the Chinese renminbi.  If we do not effectively manage the risks associated with this currency risk, our revenue, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected.

A reoccurrence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or the outbreak of a different contagious disease such as the Avian Flu may adversely impact our manufacturing operations and some of our key suppliers and customers.

All of our substrate manufacturing activities are conducted in China.  In addition, we acquire key raw materials, including gallium, from our joint ventures and other suppliers in China.  The 2003 SARS outbreak was most notable in China and a small number of cases were reported in 2004.  One employee at our LED production facility in China contracted SARS in late April 2003 prompting us to close the facility for ten days.  There was no significant impact to our ability to fill customer orders.  If there were to be another outbreak of SARS or a different contagious disease, such as Avian Flu, and if our employees contracted the disease, we might be required to temporarily close our manufacturing operations.  Similarly, if one of our key suppliers is required to close for an extended period, we might not have enough raw material inventory to continue manufacturing operations.  In addition, while we possess management skills among our China staff that enable us to maintain our manufacturing operations with minimal on-site supervision from our US-based staff, our business could also be harmed if travel to or from Asia and the United States is restricted or inadvisable, as it was during parts of 2003.  None of our substrate competitors is as dependent on manufacturing facilities in China as we are.  If our manufacturing operations were closed for a significant period, we could lose revenue and market share during that period, which would depress our financial performance and could be difficult to recapture.  Finally, if one of our key customers is required to close for an extended period, we might not be able to ship product to them, our revenue would decline and our financial performance would suffer.

Risks Related to Our Financial Results and Capital Structure

The compound semiconductor industry is cyclical and has experienced a downturn which has adversely impacted our operating results.

Our continuing business depends in significant part upon manufacturers of electronic and opto-electronic compound semiconductor devices, as well as the current and anticipated market demand for these devices and products using these devices.  As a supplier to the compound semiconductor industry, we are subject to the business cycles that characterize the industry.  The timing,

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length and volatility of these cycles are difficult to predict.  The compound semiconductor industry has historically been cyclical because of sudden changes in demand, the amount of manufacturing capacity and changes in the technology employed in compound semiconductors.  The rate of changes in demand, including end demand, is high, and the effect of these changes upon us occurs quickly, exacerbating the volatility of these cycles.  These changes have affected the timing and amounts of customers’ purchases and investments in new technology.  These industry cycles create pressure on our revenue, gross margin and net income (loss).

The industry has in the past experienced periods of oversupply that result in significantly reduced demand and prices for compound semiconductor devices and components, including our products, both as a result of general economic changes and overcapacity.  When these periods occur and our operating results and financial condition are adversely affected, oversupply creates pressure on our revenue, gross margins and net income (loss).  Inventory buildups in telecommunications products and slower than expected sales of computer equipment resulted in overcapacity and led to reduced sales by our customers, and therefore reduced purchases of our products.  During periods of weak demand such as those experienced historically, customers typically reduce purchases, delay delivery of products and/or cancel orders of component parts such as our products. Increased price competition has resulted, causing pressure on our net sales, gross margin and net income (loss).  We experienced cancellations, price reductions, delays and push-outs of orders, which have resulted in reduced revenue.  If the economic downturn occurred again, further order cancellations, reductions in order size or delays in orders could occur and would materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.  Actions to reduce our costs, such as those we have recently taken, may be insufficient to align our structure with prevailing business conditions.  We may be required to undertake additional cost-cutting measures, and may be unable to invest in marketing, research and development and engineering at the levels we believe are necessary to maintain our competitive position.  Our failure to make these investments could seriously harm our business.

During periods of increasing demand for compound semiconductor devices, we must have sufficient manufacturing capacity and inventory to meet customer demand, and must be able to attract, hire, train and retain qualified employees to meet demand.  If we are unable to effectively manage our resources and production capacity during an industry upturn, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to manage periodic contractions, we may utilize our cash balances and our existing cash and cash equivalentand investment balances could decline.

We anticipate that our existing cash resources will fund any anticipated operating losses and purchases of capital equipment, as well as provide adequate working capital for the next twelve months.  However, our liquidity is affected by many factors including, among others, the extent to which we pursue additional capital expenditures, the level of our production, and other factors related to the uncertainties of the industry and global economies.  If we fail to manage our contractions successfully we may draw down our cash reserves, which would adversely affect our operating results and financial condition, reduce our value and possibly impinge our ability to raise debt and equity funding in the future, at a time when we might be required to raise additional cash.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that events in the future will not require us to seek additional capital or, if required, that such capital would be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all.  As part of our effort to reduce costs, we may lose key staff, production resources and technology that we will need to grow when end markets recover.  These events could reduce our ability to grow profitably as markets recover.

Unpredictable fluctuations in our operating results could disappoint analysts or our investors, which could cause our stock price to decline.

We have not been able to sustain growth for any significant period in the last five years, and may not be able to return to historic growth levels in the current economic environment.  Our net loss in 2002 was the largest in our history and our losses continued during 2003, 2004, 2005, and the first two quarters of 2006. We recorded net income in the third quarter of 2006.

We have experienced and may continue to experience significant fluctuations in our revenue and earnings.  Our quarterly and annual revenue and operating results have varied significantly in the past and may vary significantly in the future due to a number of factors, including:

·                  our ability to develop, manufacture and deliver high quality products in a timely and cost-effective manner;

·                  decline in general economic conditions or downturns in the industry in which we compete;

·                  fluctuations in demand for our products;

·                  expansion of our manufacturing capacity;

·                  expansion of our operations in China;

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·                  limited availability and increased cost of raw materials;

·                  the volume and timing of orders from our customers, and cancellations, push-outs and delays of customer orders once made;

·                  fluctuation of our manufacturing yields;

·                  decreases in the prices of our or our competitors’ products;

·                  costs incurred in connection with any future acquisitions of businesses or technologies; and

·                  increases in our expenses, including expenses for research and development.

Due to these factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful indicators of our future performance.  Over the past two years, our operating results have at times been below the expectations of securities analysts or investors.  If this occurs again in future periods, the price of our common stock could decline or fluctuate.

A substantial percentage of our operating expenses is fixed in the short term, and we may be unable to adjust spending to compensate for an unexpected shortfall in revenue.  As a result, any delay in generating revenue could cause our operating results to be below the expectations of market analysts or investors, which could also cause our stock price to fall.

We have adopted certain anti-takeover measures that may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us.

Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences and privileges of those shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders.  The rights of the holders of common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future.  The issuance of shares of preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock.  We have no present intention to issue additional shares of preferred stock.

We have adopted a preferred stock purchase rights plan intended to guard against certain takeover tactics.  The adoption of this plan was not in response to any proposal to acquire us, and the board is not aware of any such effort.  The existence of this plan could also have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock.  In addition, certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

In addition, provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a merger, acquisition or change of control of us, or changes in our management, including:

·                  the division of our board of directors into three separate classes, each with three-year terms;

·                  the right of our board to elect a director to fill a space created by a board vacancy or the expansion of the board;

·                  the ability of our board to alter our amended and restated bylaws;

·                  the requirement that only our board or the holders of at least 10% of our outstanding shares may call a special meeting of our stockholders.

Furthermore, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.  These provisions prohibit large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock, from consummating a merger or combination with a corporation unless:

·                  662/3 % of the shares of voting stock not owned by these large stockholders approve the merger or combination, or

·                  the board of directors approves the merger or combination or the transaction which resulted in the large stockholder owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock.

Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property

Intellectual property infringement claims may be costly to resolve and could divert management attention.

Other companies may hold or obtain patents on inventions or may otherwise claim proprietary rights to technology necessary to our business.  The markets in which we compete are comprised of competitors that in some cases hold substantial patent portfolios covering aspects of products that could be similar to ours.  We could become subject to claims that we are infringing patent,

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trademark, copyright or other proprietary rights of others.  For example, we have previously been involved in two separate lawsuits alleging patent infringement, and could in the future be involved in similar litigation.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, we may lose valuable assets or incur costly litigation.

We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademark and trade secret laws, non-disclosure agreements and other intellectual property protection methods to protect our proprietary technology.  However, we believe that, due to the rapid pace of technological innovation in the markets for our products, our ability to establish and maintain a position of technology leadership also depends on the skills of our development personnel. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property, third parties can develop products or processes similar to ours.  Our means of protecting our proprietary rights may not be adequate, and our competitors may independently develop similar technology, duplicate our products or design around our patents.  We believe that at least two of our competitors have begun to ship GaAs substrates produced using a process similar to our VGF technique.  Our competitors may also develop and patent improvements to the VGF technology upon which we rely, and thus may limit any exclusivity we enjoy by virtue of our patents or trade secrets.

It is possible that pending or future United States or foreign patent applications made by us will not be approved, that our issued patents will not protect our intellectual property, or that third parties will challenge the ownership rights or the validity of our patents.  In addition, the laws of some foreign countries may not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the United States and it may be more difficult to monitor the use of our intellectual property.  Our competitors may be able to legitimately ascertain non-patented proprietary technology embedded in our systems.  If this occurs, we may not be able to prevent the development of technology substantially similar to ours.

We may have to resort to costly litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or know-how or to determine their scope, validity or enforceability.  Enforcing or defending our proprietary technology is expensive, could cause us to divert resources and may not prove successful.  Our protective measures may prove inadequate to protect our proprietary rights, and if we fail to enforce or protect our rights, we could lose valuable assets.

For example, in the past we have been involved in litigation with Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (“SEI”) in Japan as well as interference actions in the United States.  We and SEI approved a settlement of this litigation during the fourth quarter of 2004 and the litigation was withdrawn and we abandoned the interference proceeding.  We made an initial payment of approximately $1.4 million and will have to pay ongoing royalties to SEI on certain of our products.

Risks Related to Compliance and Other Legal Matters

We need to continue to improve or implement our systems, procedures and controls and may not receive a favorable attestation report on our internal control systems by our independent registered public accounting firm.

The requirements adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, in response to the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, will require annual review and evaluation of our internal control systems, and an attestation of these systems by our independent registered public accounting firm beginning with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.  We are currently reviewing our internal control procedures and considering further documentation of these procedures that may be necessary.  We are currently evaluating the extent to which any of our joint ventures may also be required to comply, if at all.  We can give no assurances that our systems will satisfy these requirements of the SEC or, if required, that any of the systems of our joint ventures will meet these requirements, or that we will receive a favorable review and attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm.

In addition, the shift of our manufacturing operations to China has placed and continues to place a significant strain on our operations and management resources.  We have upgraded our inventory control systems and may implement additional systems relating to consolidation of our financial results, but continue to rely on certain manual processes in our operations and in connection with consolidation of our financial results.  If we fail to manage these changes effectively, our operations may be disrupted.

To manage our business effectively, we may need to implement additional and improved management information systems, further develop our operating, administrative, financial and accounting systems and controls, add experienced senior level managers, and maintain close coordination among our executive, engineering, accounting, marketing, sales and operations organizations.

If we fail to comply with environmental and safety regulations, we may be subject to significant fines or forced to cease our operations; in addition, we could be subject to suits for personal injuries caused by hazardous materials.

We are subject to federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations in all of our operating locations, including laws and regulations of China, such as laws and regulations related to the development, manufacture and use of our products, the

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operation of our facilities, and the use of our real property.  These laws and regulations govern the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous chemicals during manufacturing, research and development, and sales demonstrations.  If we fail to comply with applicable regulations, we could be subject to substantial liability for clean-up efforts, personal injury and fines or suspension or be forced to cease our operations, and/or suspend or terminate the development, manufacture or use of certain of our products, the use of our facilities, or the use of our real property, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In March 2001, we settled a claim made by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or Cal-OSHA, in an investigation primarily regarding impermissible levels of potentially hazardous materials in certain areas of our manufacturing facility in Fremont, California for $200,415, and during 2004 we were the target of press allegations and correspondence purportedly on behalf of current and/or former employees concerning our environmental compliance programs and exposure of our employees to hazardous materials.  In June 2005, a complaint was filed against us and a current and former officer, alleging personal injury, general negligence, intentional tort, wage loss and other damages, including punitive damages, as a result of exposure of plaintiffs, who are former employees of AXT, including a minor child in utero, to high levels of gallium arsenide in gallium arsenide wafers, and methanol.  There is a possibility that other current and/or former employees may bring additional litigation against us.  Although we have put in place engineering, administrative and personnel protective equipment programs to address these issues, our ability to expand or continue to operate our present locations could be restricted or we could be required to acquire costly remediation equipment or incur other significant expenses.  Existing or future changes in laws or regulations in the United States and China may require us to incur significant expenditures or liabilities, or may restrict our operations.  In addition, our employees could be exposed to chemicals or other hazardous materials at our facilities and we may be subject to lawsuits seeking damages for wrongful death or personal injuries allegedly caused by exposure to chemicals or hazardous materials at our facilities.

Litigation is inherently uncertain and while we would expect to defend ourselves vigorously, it is possible that our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be affected in any particular period by litigation pending and any additional litigation brought against us.

Existing or future litigation could result in significant judgments against us, or cause us to incur costly settlements.

In June 2005, a complaint was filed against us and a current and former officer, alleging personal injury, general negligence, intentional tort, wage loss and other damages, including punitive damages, as a result of exposure of plaintiffs, who are former employees of AXT, including a minor child in utero, to high levels of gallium arsenide in gallium arsenide wafers, and methanol.  In addition, we are defendants in an ongoing securities litigation matter.  Litigation is inherently uncertain and while we would expect to defend ourselves vigorously, it is possible that our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be affected in any particular period by litigation now pending and any additional litigation brought against us.  In addition, response to this litigation could divert management’s attention from our business and operations, causing our business and financial results to suffer.  We could incur defense or settlement costs in excess of the insurance covering these litigation matters, or that could result in significant judgments against us or cause us to incur costly settlements, in excess of our insurance limits.

Legislative actions, higher insurance costs and potential new accounting pronouncements are likely to cause our general and administrative expenses to increase and impact our future financial position and results of operations.

In order to comply with rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the SEC, as well as changes to listing standards adopted by the NASDAQ Stock Market, and accounting changes adopted affecting accounting for stock-based compensation, we may be required to increase our internal controls and hire additional personnel and outside legal, accounting and advisory services, all of which will cause our general and administrative costs to increase.  Insurers may increase premiums as a result of the high claims rates they incurred over the past year.  Changes in accounting rules, including legislative and other rules to account for employee stock options as a compensation expense among others, could materially increase the expense that we report under generally accepted accounting principles and adversely affect our operating results.

The effect of terrorist threats and actions on the general economy could decrease our revenue.

The United States continues to be on alert for terrorist activity.  The potential near- and long-term impact terrorist activities may have in regards to our suppliers, customers and markets for our products and the U.S. economy is uncertain.  There may be embargos of ports or products, or destruction of shipments or our facilities, or attacks that affect our personnel.  There may be other potentially adverse effects on our operating results due to a significant event that we cannot foresee.  Since we perform all of our manufacturing operations in China, and a significant portion of our customers are located outside of the Untied States, terrorist activity or threats against US-owned enterprise are a particular concern to us.

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If any of our facilities is damaged by occurrences such as fire, explosion, or natural disaster, we might not be able to manufacture our products.

The ongoing operation of our manufacturing and production facilities in China is critical to our ability to meet demand for our products.  If we are not able to use all or a significant portion of our facilities for prolonged periods for any reason, we would not be able to manufacture products for our customers.  For example, a fire or explosion caused by our use of combustible chemicals and high temperatures during our manufacturing processes could render some or all of our facilities inoperable for an indefinite period of time. Actions outside of our control, such as earthquakes or other natural disasters, could also damage our facilities, rendering them inoperable. If we are unable to operate our facilities and manufacture our products, we would lose customers and revenue and our business would be harmed.

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

None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

Item 5. Other Information

None

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Item 6. Exhibits

a. Exhibits

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

3.1(1)

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation

 

 

 

3.2(2)

 

Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock

 

 

 

3.3(3)

 

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws

 

 

 

3.4(4)

 

Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation

 

 

 

4.2(5)

 

Rights Agreement dated April 24, 2001 by and between AXT, Inc. and ComputerShare Trust Company, Inc.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


(1)             Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number filed with the SEC with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

(2)             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 14, 1999.

(3)             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 30, 2001.

(4)             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with SEC on August 5, 2004.

(5)             Incorporated by reference to the exhibit as of the same number as filed with the SEC in our Form 8-K on May 30, 2001.

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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.

 

AXT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: November 9, 2006

 

By:

 

/s/ Philip C. S. Yin

 

 

 

 

Philip C. S. Yin

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Wilson W. Cheung

 

 

 

 

Wilson W. Cheung

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

3.1(1)

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation

 

 

 

3.2(2)

 

Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock

 

 

 

3.3(3)

 

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws

 

 

 

3.4(4)

 

Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation

 

 

 

4.2(5)

 

Rights Agreement dated April 24, 2001 by and between AXT, Inc. and ComputerShare Trust Company, Inc.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


(1)             Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number filed with the SEC with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

(2)             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 14, 1999.

(3)             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 30, 2001.

(4)             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with SEC on August 5, 2004.

(5)             Incorporated by reference to the exhibit as of the same number as filed with the SEC in our Form 8-K on May 30, 2001.