UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[ √ ] |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018
OR
[ ] |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number 001-04298
COHU, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
95-1934119 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) |
|
12367 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway, California |
92064-6817 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (858) 848-8100
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☑ Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
As of July 30, 2018 the Registrant had 28,889,265 shares of its $1.00 par value common stock outstanding.
COHU, INC.
FORM 10-Q
JUNE 30, 2018
Part I |
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Item 1. |
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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets June 30, 2018 (unaudited) and December 30, 2017 |
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Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |
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Item 2. |
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
24 |
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Item 3. |
31 |
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Item 4. |
32 |
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Part II |
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Item 1. |
33 |
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Item 1A. |
33 |
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Item 2. |
45 |
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Item 3. |
45 |
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Item 4. |
45 |
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Item 5. |
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Item 6. |
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47 |
COHU, INC. |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
(in thousands, except par value) |
June 30, | December 30, | |||||||
2018 | 2017 * | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 127,008 | $ | 134,286 | ||||
Short-term investments |
23,865 | 21,329 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
91,451 | 71,125 | ||||||
Inventories |
63,136 | 62,085 | ||||||
Other current assets |
10,986 | 8,613 | ||||||
Total current assets |
316,446 | 297,438 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
33,537 | 34,172 | ||||||
Goodwill |
64,765 | 65,613 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net |
14,499 | 16,748 | ||||||
Other assets |
6,524 | 6,486 | ||||||
$ | 435,771 | $ | 420,457 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
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Current liabilities: |
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Short-term borrowings |
$ | 3,160 | $ | 3,108 | ||||
Current installments of long-term debt |
1,185 | 1,280 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
41,373 | 37,556 | ||||||
Accrued compensation and benefits |
16,272 | 20,178 | ||||||
Accrued warranty |
4,402 | 4,280 | ||||||
Deferred profit |
1,709 | 6,608 | ||||||
Income taxes payable |
3,905 | 2,159 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
14,542 | 10,098 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
86,548 | 85,267 | ||||||
Accrued retirement benefits |
18,581 | 18,544 | ||||||
Noncurrent deferred gain on sale of facility |
9,504 | 10,233 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
3,138 | 2,921 | ||||||
Noncurrent income tax liabilities |
6,297 | 6,270 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
4,094 | 4,575 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
3,146 | 3,556 | ||||||
Stockholders' equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, none issued |
- | - | ||||||
Common stock, $1 par value; 60,000 shares authorized, 28,883 shares issued and outstanding in 2018 and 28,489 shares in 2017 |
28,883 | 28,489 | ||||||
Paid-in capital |
128,248 | 127,663 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
168,040 | 150,726 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(20,708 | ) | (17,787 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders' equity |
304,463 | 289,091 | ||||||
$ | 435,771 | $ | 420,457 |
* Derived from December 30, 2017 audited financial statements |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME |
(Unaudited) |
(in thousands, except per share amounts) |
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
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June 30, |
June 24, |
June 30, |
June 24, |
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2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
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Net sales |
$ | 99,817 | $ | 93,866 | $ | 194,967 | $ | 174,963 | ||||||||
Cost and expenses: |
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Cost of sales |
58,316 | 56,736 | 113,915 | 105,577 | ||||||||||||
Research and development |
11,051 | 9,466 | 22,826 | 19,242 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
16,652 | 16,020 | 34,415 | 30,480 | ||||||||||||
86,019 | 82,222 | 171,156 | 155,299 | |||||||||||||
Income from operations |
13,798 | 11,644 | 23,811 | 19,664 | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
318 | 142 | 554 | 243 | ||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before taxes |
14,116 | 11,786 | 24,365 | 19,907 | ||||||||||||
Income tax provision |
2,468 | 1,078 | 4,595 | 2,436 | ||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
11,648 | 10,708 | 19,770 | 17,471 | ||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations |
- | (278 | ) | - | (278 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 11,648 | $ | 10,430 | $ | 19,770 | $ | 17,193 | ||||||||
Income per share: |
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Basic: |
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Income from continuing operations |
$ | 0.40 | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.64 | ||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations |
- | (0.01 | ) | - | (0.01 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 0.40 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.63 | ||||||||
Diluted: |
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Income from continuing operations |
$ | 0.39 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.61 | ||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations |
- | (0.01 | ) | - | (0.01 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 0.39 | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.60 | ||||||||
Weighted average shares used in computing income per share: |
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Basic |
28,893 | 27,708 | 28,747 | 27,343 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
29,651 | 28,725 | 29,591 | 28,488 | ||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared per share |
$ | 0.06 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.12 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
COHU, INC. |
(Unaudited) |
(in thousands) |
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
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June 30, |
June 24, |
June 30, |
June 24, |
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2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
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Net income |
$ | 11,648 | $ | 10,430 | $ | 19,770 | $ | 17,193 | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |
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Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(6,814 | ) | 3,359 | (2,960 | ) | 7,405 | ||||||||||
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits |
114 | (59 | ) | 41 | (128 | ) | ||||||||||
Change in unrealized gain/loss on investments |
8 | - | (2 | ) | 1 | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
(6,692 | ) | 3,300 | (2,921 | ) | 7,278 | ||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
$ | 4,956 | $ | 13,730 | $ | 16,849 | $ | 24,471 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
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(Unaudited) |
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(in thousands) |
Six Months Ended |
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June 30, |
June 24, |
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2018 |
2017 |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net income |
$ | 19,770 | $ | 17,193 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
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Loss on disposal of microwave communications equipment business |
- | 278 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
4,874 | 4,339 | ||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
3,617 | 3,476 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
486 | (986 | ) | |||||
Adjustment to contingent consideration liability |
428 | - | ||||||
Changes in other accrued liabilities |
(294 | ) | 308 | |||||
Changes in other assets |
(322 | ) | 90 | |||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets |
40 | (21 | ) | |||||
Changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding effects from acquisitions: |
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Accounts receivable |
(21,289 | ) | (23,106 | ) | ||||
Inventories |
(1,396 | ) | (9,557 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable |
3,853 | 7,034 | ||||||
Other current assets |
(2,432 | ) | (1,773 | ) | ||||
Income taxes payable |
1,728 | 822 | ||||||
Deferred profit |
(3,653 | ) | (610 | ) | ||||
Accrued compensation, warranty and other liabilities |
505 | (279 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
5,915 | (2,792 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities, excluding effects from acquisitions: |
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Purchases of short-term investments |
(27,374 | ) | (20,477 | ) | ||||
Sales and maturities of short-term investments |
24,838 | 30,657 | ||||||
Cash paid for Kita, net of cash received |
- | (11,716 | ) | |||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(1,860 | ) | (2,415 | ) | ||||
Cash received from sale of fixed assets |
4 | 109 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(4,392 | ) | (3,842 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Issuance (repurchases) of common stock, net |
(2,638 | ) | 4,420 | |||||
Cash dividends paid |
(3,484 | ) | (3,221 | ) | ||||
Payment of contingent consideration for Kita |
(823 | ) | - | |||||
Repayments of long-term debt |
(686 | ) | (840 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
(7,631 | ) | 359 | |||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(1,170 | ) | 2,702 | |||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(7,278 | ) | (3,573 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
134,286 | 96,045 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 127,008 | $ | 92,472 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
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Cash paid for income taxes |
$ | 2,608 | $ | 3,761 | ||||
Inventory capitalized as property, plant and equipment |
$ | 149 | $ | 122 | ||||
Dividends declared but not yet paid |
$ | 1,733 | $ | 1,673 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment purchases included in accounts payable |
$ | 166 | $ | 348 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
1. |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation
Our fiscal years are based on a 52- or 53-week period ending on the last Saturday in December. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 30, 2017, has been derived from our audited financial statements at that date. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2018, (also referred to as “the second quarter, of fiscal 2018” and “the first six months of fiscal 2018”) and June 24, 2017, (also referred to as “the second quarter of fiscal 2017” and “the first six months of fiscal 2017”) are unaudited. However, in management’s opinion, these financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring items) necessary to provide a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2018, were comprised of 13 and 26 weeks, respectively. The three- and six-month periods ended June 24, 2017, were comprised of 13 and 25 weeks, respectively.
Our interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for the full year. For a better understanding of Cohu, Inc. and our financial statements, we recommend reading these interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with our audited financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2017, which are included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the following notes to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements, Cohu, Inc. is referred to as “Cohu”, “we”, “our” and “us”.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade accounts receivable. We invest in a variety of financial instruments and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure with any one issuer.
Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million at both June 30, 2018 and December 30, 2017. Our customers include semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors throughout many areas of the world. While we believe that our allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate and represents our best estimate at June 30, 2018, we will continue to monitor customer liquidity and other economic conditions, which may result in changes to our estimates regarding collectability.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or net realizable value. Cost includes labor, material and overhead costs. Determining market value of inventories involves numerous estimates and judgments including projecting average selling prices and sales volumes for future periods and costs to complete and dispose of inventory. As a result of these analyses, we record a charge to cost of sales in advance of the period when the inventory is sold when estimated net realizable values are below our costs.
Inventories by category were as follows (in thousands):
June 30, |
December 30, |
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2018 |
2017 |
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Raw materials and purchased parts |
$ | 28,810 | $ | 27,918 | ||||
Work in process |
23,691 | 25,130 | ||||||
Finished goods |
10,635 | 9,037 | ||||||
Total inventories |
$ | 63,136 | $ | 62,085 |
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment is calculated principally on the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of thirty to forty years for buildings, five to fifteen years for building improvements and three to ten years for machinery, equipment and software. Land is not depreciated.
Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following (in thousands):
June 30, |
December 30, |
|||||||
2018 |
2017 |
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Land and land improvements |
$ | 7,971 | $ | 8,017 | ||||
Buildings and building improvements |
14,173 | 13,779 | ||||||
Machinery and equipment |
45,990 | 45,333 | ||||||
68,134 | 67,129 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(34,597 | ) | (32,957 | ) | ||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
$ | 33,537 | $ | 34,172 |
Segment Information
We applied the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 280, Segment Reporting, (“ASC 280”), which sets forth a management approach to segment reporting and establishes requirements to report selected segment information quarterly and to report annually entity-wide disclosures about products, major customers and the geographies in which the entity holds material assets and reports revenue. An operating segment is defined as a component that engages in business activities whose operating results are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker and for which discrete financial information is available. Based on the provisions of ASC 280, we have determined that our identified operating segments, which are Digital Test Handlers (DTH), Analog Test Handlers (ATH) and Integrated Test Solutions (ITS), qualify for aggregation under ASC 280 due to similarities in their customers, their economic characteristics, and the nature of products and services provided. As a result, we report in one segment, semiconductor equipment.
Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Long-lived Assets
We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. We estimated the fair values of our reporting units primarily using the income approach valuation methodology that includes the discounted cash flow method, taking into consideration the market approach and certain market multiples as a validation of the values derived using the discounted cash flow methodology. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on customer forecasts, industry trade organization data and general economic conditions.
We conduct our annual impairment test as of October 1st of each year, and have determined there was no impairment as of October 1, 2017 as we determined that the estimated fair values of our reporting units exceeded their carrying values on that date. Other events and changes in circumstances may also require goodwill to be tested for impairment between annual measurement dates. As of June 30, 2018, we do not believe that circumstances have occurred that indicate impairment of our goodwill is more-likely-than-not. In the event we determine that an interim goodwill impairment review is required in a future period, the review may result in an impairment charge, which would have a negative impact on our results of operations.
Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
Foreign Remeasurement and Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities of our wholly owned foreign subsidiaries that use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency are re-measured using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, except for nonmonetary assets, such as inventories and property, plant and equipment, which are re-measured using historical exchange rates. Revenues and costs are re-measured using average exchange rates for the period, except for costs related to those balance sheet items that are re-measured using historical exchange rates. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are recognized as incurred. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized foreign exchange gains of $3.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in our condensed consolidated statements of income. During the three and six months ended June 24, 2017, we recognized foreign exchange losses of $1.2 million and $2.5 million in our condensed consolidated statements of income, respectively. Certain of our foreign subsidiaries have designated the local currency as their functional currency and, as a result, their assets and liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date, while revenue and expenses are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. Cumulative translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the financial statements are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
Share-Based Compensation
We measure and recognize all share-based compensation under the fair value method. Our estimate of share-based compensation expense requires a number of complex and subjective assumptions including our stock price volatility, employee exercise patterns (expected life of the options) and related tax effects. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based awards represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made are reasonable and appropriate, changes in assumptions could materially impact our reported financial results.
Reported share-based compensation is classified, in the condensed consolidated interim financial statements, as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
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June 30, |
June 24, |
June 30, |
June 24, |
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2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
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Cost of sales |
$ | 162 | $ | 121 | $ | 283 | $ | 204 | ||||||||
Research and development |
395 | 262 | 744 | 578 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
1,391 | 1,376 | 2,590 | 2,694 | ||||||||||||
Total share-based compensation |
1,948 | 1,759 | 3,617 | 3,476 | ||||||||||||
Income tax benefit |
(126 | ) | (249 | ) | (440 | ) | (322 | ) | ||||||||
Total share-based compensation, net |
$ | 1,822 | $ | 1,510 | $ | 3,177 | $ | 3,154 |
Income (Loss) Per Share
Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted income (loss) per share includes the dilutive effect of common shares potentially issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of outstanding restricted stock and performance stock units and issuance of stock under our employee stock purchase plan using the treasury stock method. In loss periods, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the per share computations due to their anti-dilutive effect. For purposes of computing diluted income (loss) per share, stock options with exercise prices that exceed the average fair market value of our common stock for the period are excluded. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, options to issue approximately 3,000 and 19,000 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 24, 2017, options to issue approximately 46,000 and 152,000 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation, respectively.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
The following table reconciles the denominators used in computing basic and diluted income (loss) per share (in thousands):
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
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June 30, |
June 24, |
June 30, |
June 24, |
|||||||||||||
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
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Weighted average common shares |
28,893 | 27,708 | 28,747 | 27,343 | ||||||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities |
758 | 1,017 | 844 | 1,145 | ||||||||||||
29,651 | 28,725 | 29,591 | 28,488 |
Cohu has utilized the “control number” concept in the computation of diluted earnings per share to determine whether potential common stock instruments are dilutive. The control number used is income from continuing operations. The control number concept requires that the same number of potentially dilutive securities applied in computing diluted earnings per share from continuing operations be applied to all other categories of income or loss, regardless of their anti-dilutive effect on such categories
Adoption of New Revenue Accounting Standard
We adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), on December 31, 2017, the first day of our 2018 fiscal year. We elected to implement the new standard using the modified retrospective method of adoption which only applies to those contracts which were not completed as of December 31, 2017. Revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended June 30, 2018, have been accounted for using ASC 606 and the prior year quarter ended June 24, 2017 and year ended June 24, 2017, have not been adjusted. Upon adoption of ASC 606, we recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings of $1.1 million on December 31, 2017, which represents the impact of ASC 606 on our deferred revenue.
Material changes recorded in connection with the cumulative-effect adjustment were as follows (in thousands):
Balance at |
Adjustments |
Balance at |
||||||||||
December 30, |
due to adoption |
December 31, |
||||||||||
Financial Statement Line Item |
2017 |
of ASC 606 |
2017 |
|||||||||
Deferred profit |
$ | 6,608 | $ | (1,258 | ) | $ | 5,350 | |||||
Income taxes payable |
$ | 2,159 | $ | 201 | $ | 2,360 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
$ | 150,726 | $ | 1,057 | $ | 151,783 |
The adoption of ASC 606 had no impact to cash used in net operating, investing or financing activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The following table presents the amounts by which financial statement line items included in our condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and our condensed consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2018 were materially affected due to the adoption of ASC 606 (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 |
||||||||||||
Balances |
||||||||||||
without adoption |
Effect of |
|||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income |
As Reported |
of ASC 606 |
Change |
|||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 99,817 | $ | 99,556 | $ | 261 | ||||||
Income tax provision |
$ | 2,468 | $ | 2,213 | $ | 255 | ||||||
Net income |
$ | 11,648 | $ | 11,642 | $ | 6 | ||||||
Income per share: |
||||||||||||
Basic: |
$ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 | $ | (0.00 | ) | |||||
Diluted: |
$ | 0.39 | $ |
0.39 |
$ | (0.00 | ) |
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 |
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Balances |
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without adoption |
Effect of |
|||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income |
As Reported |
of ASC 606 |
Change |
|||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 194,967 | $ | 192,218 | $ | 2,749 | ||||||
Income tax provision |
$ | 4,595 | $ | 4,096 | $ | 499 | ||||||
Net income |
$ | 19,770 | $ | 17,520 | $ | 2,250 | ||||||
Income per share: |
||||||||||||
Basic: |
$ | 0.69 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.08 | ||||||
Diluted: |
$ | 0.67 | $ | 0.59 | $ | 0.08 |
Balances |
||||||||||||
without adoption |
Effect of |
|||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets* |
As Reported |
of ASC 606 |
Change |
|||||||||
Deferred profit |
$ | 1,709 | $ | 5,884 | $ | (4,175 | ) | |||||
Retained earnings |
$ | 168,040 | $ | 164,733 | $ | 3,307 |
* Balance sheet line items include the cumulative-effect adjustment recorded on December 31, 2017.
Under ASC 606 our revenue will continue to be recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation has been satisfied and transfer of control has occurred, typically, this occurs upon shipment of products to our customers. In certain instances, when customer payment terms provide that a minority portion of the equipment purchase price be paid only upon customer acceptance, recognition of revenue may occur sooner under ASC 606.
Revenue Recognition
Our net sales are derived from the sale of products and services and are adjusted for estimated returns and allowances, which historically have been insignificant. We recognize revenue when the obligations under the terms of a contract with our customers are satisfied; generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of our systems, non-system products or services. In circumstances where control is not transferred until destination or acceptance, we defer revenue recognition until such events occur.
Revenue for established products that have previously satisfied a customer’s acceptance requirements is generally recognized upon shipment. In cases where a prior history of customer acceptance cannot be demonstrated or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable and in the case of new products, revenue and cost of sales are deferred until customer acceptance has been received. Our post-shipment obligations typically include installation and standard warranties. The estimated fair value of installation related revenue is recognized in the period the installation is performed. Service revenue is recognized over time as we transfer control to our customer for the related contract or upon completion of the services if they are short-term in nature. Spares, contactor and kit revenue is generally recognized upon shipment.
Certain of our equipment sales have multiple performance obligations. These arrangements involve the delivery or performance of multiple performance obligations, and transfer of control of performance obligations may occur at different points in time or over different periods of time. For arrangements containing multiple performance obligations, the revenue relating to the undelivered performance obligation is deferred using the relative standalone selling price method utilizing estimated sales prices until satisfaction of the deferred performance obligation.
Unsatisfied performance obligations primarily represent contracts for products with future delivery dates and with an original expected duration of one year or less. As allowed under ASC 606, we have opted to not disclose unsatisfied performance obligations as these contracts have original expected durations of less than one year.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
We generally sell our equipment with a product warranty. The product warranty provides assurance to customers that delivered products are as specified in the contract (an “assurance-type warranty”). Therefore, we account for such product warranties under ASC 460, Guarantees (ASC 460), and not as a separate performance obligation.
The transaction price reflects our expectations about the consideration we will be entitled to receive from the customer and may include fixed or variable amounts. Fixed consideration primarily includes sales to customers that are known as of the end of the reporting period. Variable consideration includes sales in which the amount of consideration that we will receive is unknown as of the end of a reporting period. Such consideration primarily includes sales made to certain customers with cumulative tier volume discounts offered. Variable consideration arrangements are rare; however, when they occur, we estimate variable consideration as the expected value to which we expect to be entitled. Included in the transaction price estimate are amounts in which it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Variable consideration that does not meet revenue recognition criteria is deferred.
Our contracts are typically less than one year in duration and we have elected to use the practical expedient available in ASC 606 to expense cost to obtain contracts as they are incurred because they would be amortized over less than one year.
Accounts receivable represents our unconditional right to receive consideration from our customer. Payments terms do not exceed one year from the invoice date and therefore do not include a significant financing component. To date, there have been no material impairment losses on accounts receivable. There were no material contract assets or contract liabilities recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet in any of the periods presented.
On shipments where sales are not recognized, gross profit is generally recorded as deferred profit in our consolidated balance sheet representing the difference between the receivable recorded and the inventory shipped. At June 30, 2018, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $3.4 million, current deferred profit of $1.7 million and deferred profit expected to be recognized after one year included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities of $1.2 million. At December 30, 2017, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $10.4 million, current deferred profit of $6.6 million and deferred profit expected to be recognized after one year included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities of $0.8 million. Our balances at June 30, 2018, include a $1.1 million beginning retained earnings adjustment as result of our adoption of ASC 606 on the first day of fiscal 2018. The periodic change is primarily a result of increases and decreases in deferrals of revenue associated with product shipments made to our customers in accordance with our revenue recognition policy.
Net sales by type are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
|||||||
June 30, 2018 |
June 30, 2018 |
|||||||
Systems |
$ | 55,663 | $ | 110,568 | ||||
Non-systems |
44,154 | 84,399 | ||||||
Net sales |
$ | 99,817 | $ | 194,967 |
Revenue by geographic area based upon product shipment destination (in thousands):
Three months ended |
Six months ended |
|||||||
June 30, 2018 |
June 30, 2018 |
|||||||
China |
$ | 19,140 | $ | 39,383 | ||||
United States |
15,662 | 30,140 | ||||||
Malaysia |
13,048 | 24,857 | ||||||
Philippines |
9,916 | 20,462 | ||||||
Rest of the World |
42,051 | 80,125 | ||||||
Net sales |
$ | 99,817 | $ | 194,967 |
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
A small number of customers historically have been responsible for a significant portion of our net sales. Significant customer concentration information is as follows:
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
June 30, |
June 24, |
June 30, |
June 24, |
|||||||||||||
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
|||||||||||||
Customers individually accounting for more than 10% of net sales |
|
one |
|
one |
|
one |
|
one | ||||||||
Percentage of net sales |
11.3 | % | 20.7 | % | 10.6 | % | 20.4 | % |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balance totaled approximately $20.7 million and $17.8 million at June 30, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively, and was attributed to all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity and consists of, on an after-tax basis where applicable, foreign currency adjustments resulting from the translation of certain of our subsidiary accounts where the functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar and adjustments related to postretirement benefits. Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the first six months of fiscal 2018 and 2017 were not significant.
Retiree Medical Benefits
We provide post-retirement health benefits to certain executives and directors under a noncontributory plan. The net periodic benefit cost incurred during the first six months of fiscal 2018 and 2017 was not significant.
Discontinued Operations
In 2015, we sold all of the outstanding stock of our mobile microwave communication equipment segment, Broadcast Microwave Services (BMS), for $4.9 million in cash and up to $2.5 million of contingent cash consideration. Our decision to sell this non-core business resulted from management’s determination that they were no longer a strategic fit within our organization.
As part of the divestiture of BMS we recorded a contingent consideration receivable that was classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 3, “Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value” for additional information on the three-tier fair value hierarchy. The contingent consideration represented the estimated fair value of future payments we are due based on BMS achieving annual revenue targets in 2016 and 2017 as specified in the sale agreement. We determined the fair value of the contingent consideration using a Monte Carlo simulation model with changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration being recognized in discontinued operations. During 2017, BMS failed to meet the necessary revenue targets and the contingent consideration receivable was written-off. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts herein relate to continuing operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) – Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which provides additional guidance on the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs in the income statement and on the components eligible for capitalization. The amendments in this guidance require that an employer report the service cost component of the net periodic benefit costs in the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the period. The non-service-cost components of net periodic benefit costs are to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost components and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The guidance also allows for the capitalization of the service cost components, when applicable (i.e., as a cost of internally manufactured inventory or a self-constructed asset). The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments in this guidance are to be applied retrospectively. The adoption of ASU 2017-07 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business. It revises the definition of a business and provides a framework to evaluate when an input and a substantive process are present in an acquisition to be considered a business combination. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Restricted Cash. It requires that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory. ASU 2016-16 changes the timing of income tax recognition for an intercompany sale of assets excluding inventory. ASU 2016-16 requires the seller’s tax effects and the buyer’s deferred taxes to be recognized immediately upon the sale instead of deferring accounting for the income tax implications until the assets are sold to a third party or recovered through use. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within the year of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2016-16 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. It provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice in how they are classified in the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income to give companies the option to reclassify the income tax effects on items within accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from U.S. tax reform to retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing and have not yet determined the impact ASU 2018-02 may have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. It eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and requires an entity to recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This guidance is effective for annual and any interim impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. We do not expect this guidance to have any impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under this guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases defined under previous GAAP. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The new guidance must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition, and provides for certain practical expedients.
We commenced our assessment of Topic 842 during the second quarter of 2018 and developed a comprehensive project plan that includes evaluating Cohu’s lease portfolio, analyzing the standard's impact on various types of lease contracts and identifying reporting requirements of the new standard. We are in the process of identifying and implementing appropriate changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support lease accounting and disclosure under Topic 842. We are still completing our analysis on the impact this guidance will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but recognizing the lease liabilities and related right-of-use assets will have a material impact on our balance sheet.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
2. |
Business Acquisitions, Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets |
Kita
On January 4, 2017, we completed the acquisition of all the outstanding share capital of Kita Manufacturing Co., LTD. and Kita USA, Inc. (together “Kita”) (the “Acquisition”). Kita, headquartered in Osaka, Japan, and with operations in Attleboro, Massachusetts and Kyoto, Japan, designs, manufactures and sells spring probe pins used in final test contactors, probe cards, PCB test boards and connectors sold to customers worldwide. The acquisition of Kita was a strategic transaction to expand our total available market, extend our market leadership and broaden our product offerings. In connection with the Acquisition we incurred acquisition related costs, which were expensed to selling, general and administrative that totaled $0.2 million during the six months ended June 24, 2017. No acquisition related costs were incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2018.
The Acquisition has been accounted for in conformity with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations. The purchase price for Kita was funded primarily by cash reserves and consisted of the following (in thousands):
Cash paid to Kita shareholders |
$ | 15,000 | ||
Fair value of contingent consideration |
823 | |||
Total purchase price |
$ | 15,823 |
The contingent consideration represents the estimated fair value of future payments totaling up to $3.0 million we would be required to make as a result of Kita achieving annual revenue and EBITDA targets in 2017 and 2018 as specified in the purchase agreement for the Acquisition. The fair value of the contingent consideration recognized on the acquisition date and at June 30, 2018 was estimated by using the Monte Carlo simulation model. Adjustments to the fair value of contingent consideration are reflected in selling, general, and administrative expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. The contingent consideration payable has been classified as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 4 “Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value” for additional information on the three-tier fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the contingent consideration is recorded in our condensed consolidated balance sheets in current other accrued liabilities.
The following table presents the changes in fair value of contingent consideration during the year ended December 30, 2017, and the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 (in thousands):
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration |
||||
Balance, December 31, 2016 |
$ |
- |
||
Fair value of contingent consideration at acquisition date |
823 |
|||
Mark-to-market adjustments charged to expense |
1,423 |
|||
Impact of currency exchange | 7 | |||
Balance, December 30, 2017 |
2,253 |
|||
Mark-to-market adjustments charged to expense |
428 |
|
||
Settlement of contingent consideration | (1,500 | ) | ||
Impact of currency exchange |
99 |
|||
Balance, June 30, 2018 |
$ |
1,280 |
The Acquisition was nontaxable to Cohu and certain of the assets acquired, including goodwill and intangibles, will not be deductible for tax purposes. The acquired assets and liabilities of Kita were recorded at their respective fair values including an amount for goodwill which represented the difference between the Acquisition consideration and the fair value of the identifiable net assets and was allocated to our ITS operating segment.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Changes in the carrying value of goodwill during the year ended December 30, 2017, and the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
Goodwill |
||||
Balance, December 31, 2016 |
$ | 58,849 | ||
Additions, net |
2,654 | |||
Impact of currency exchange |
4,110 | |||
Balance, December 30, 2017 |
65,613 | |||
Impact of currency exchange |
(848 | ) | ||
Balance, June 30, 2018 |
$ | 64,765 |
Purchased intangible assets, subject to amortization are as follows (in thousands):
June 30, 2018 |
December 30, 2017 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Remaining |
||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted |
||||||||||||||||||||
Average |
||||||||||||||||||||
Gross |
Amort. |
Gross |
||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Amount |
Accum. Amort. |
Period (in years) |
Carrying Amount |
Accum. Amort. |
||||||||||||||||
Developed technology |
$ | 20,498 | $ | 13,721 | 2.9 | $ | 20,780 | $ | 12,623 | |||||||||||
Customer relationships |
7,836 | 5,281 | 2.5 | 7,934 | 4,838 | |||||||||||||||
Trade names |
6,084 | 1,187 | 11.7 | 6,185 | 972 | |||||||||||||||
Covenant not-to-compete |
318 | 48 | 8.5 | 313 | 31 | |||||||||||||||
Total intangible assets |
$ | 34,736 | $ | 20,237 | $ | 35,212 | $ | 18,464 |
Amortization expense related to intangible assets was approximately $1.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2017 and $2.1 million in the first six months of fiscal 2018 and 2017. Changes in the carrying values of these intangible assets are a result of the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
3. |
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value |
Our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments consisted primarily of cash and other investment grade securities. We do not hold investment securities for trading purposes. All short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value. Investment securities are exposed to market risk due to changes in interest rates and credit risk and we monitor credit risk and attempt to mitigate exposure by making high-quality investments and through investment diversification.
Gains and losses on investments are calculated using the specific-identification method and are recognized during the period in which the investment is sold or when an investment experiences an other-than-temporary decline in value. Factors that could indicate an impairment exists include, but are not limited to: earnings performance, changes in credit rating or adverse changes in the regulatory or economic environment of the asset. Gross realized gains and losses on sales of short-term investments are included in interest income. Realized gains and losses for the periods presented were not significant.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
Investments that we have classified as short-term, by security type, are as follows (in thousands):
June 30, 2018 |
||||||||||||||||
Gross |
Gross |
Estimated |
||||||||||||||
Amortized |
Unrealized |
Unrealized |
Fair |
|||||||||||||
Cost |
Gains |
Losses (1) |
Value |
|||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities (2) |
$ | 10,849 | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | $ | 10,845 | ||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
7,726 | - | 5 | 7,721 | ||||||||||||
Bank certificates of deposit |
3,750 | - | - | 3,750 | ||||||||||||
Government-sponsored enterprise securities |
994 | - | 1 | 993 | ||||||||||||
Foreign government security |
556 | - | - | 556 | ||||||||||||
$ | 23,875 | $ | 1 | $ | 11 | $ | 23,865 |
December 30, 2017 |
||||||||||||||||
Gross |
Gross |
Estimated |
||||||||||||||
Amortized |
Unrealized |
Unrealized |
Fair |
|||||||||||||
Cost |
Gains |
Losses (1) |
Value |
|||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities (2) |
$ | 12,784 | $ | 1 | $ | 6 | $ | 12,779 | ||||||||
U.S. treasury securities |
7,935 | - | 4 | 7,931 | ||||||||||||
Foreign government security |
619 | - | - | 619 | ||||||||||||
$ | 21,338 | $ | 1 | $ | 10 | $ | 21,329 |
(1) |
As of June 30, 2018, there were $14.7 million of investments in our portfolio in a loss position. As of December 30, 2017, the cost and fair value of investments with loss positions were approximately $13.2 million. We evaluated the nature of these investments, credit worthiness of the issuer and the duration of these impairments to determine if an other-than-temporary decline in fair value had occurred and concluded that these losses were temporary and we have the ability and intent to hold these investments to maturity. |
|
(2) | Corporate debt securities include investments in financial and other corporate institutions. No single issuer represents a significant portion of the total corporate debt securities portfolio. |
Effective maturities of short-term investments are as follows (in thousands):
June 30, 2018 |
December 30, 2017 |
|||||||||||||||
Amortized |
Estimated |
Amortized |
Estimated |
|||||||||||||
Cost |
Fair Value |
Cost |
Fair Value |
|||||||||||||
Due in one year or less |
$ | 23,319 | $ | 23,309 | $ | 21,338 | $ | 21,329 | ||||||||
Due after one year through three years |
556 | 556 | - | - | ||||||||||||
$ | 23,875 | $ | 23,865 | $ | 21,338 | $ | 21,329 |
Accounting standards pertaining to fair value measurements establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. When available, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of our investments, and they are included in Level 1. When quoted market prices are unobservable, we use quotes from independent pricing vendors based on recent trading activity and other relevant information, and they are included in Level 2.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
The following table summarizes, by major security type, our financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
Fair value measurements at June 30, 2018 using: |
||||||||||||||||
Total estimated |
||||||||||||||||
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
fair value |
|||||||||||||
Cash |
$ | 99,422 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 99,422 | ||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
- | 7,721 | - | 7,721 | ||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities |
- | 19,178 | - | 19,178 | ||||||||||||
Government-sponsored enterprise securities |
- | 994 | - | 994 | ||||||||||||
Money market funds |
- | 19,253 | - | 19,253 | ||||||||||||
Bank certificates of deposit |
- | 3,749 | - | 3,749 | ||||||||||||
Foreign government security |
- | 556 | - | 556 | ||||||||||||
$ | 99,422 | $ | 51,451 | $ | - | $ | 150,873 |
Fair value measurements at December 30, 2017 using: |
||||||||||||||||
Total estimated |
||||||||||||||||
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
fair value |
|||||||||||||
Cash |
$ | 100,850 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 100,850 | ||||||||
Corporate debt securities |
- | 22,014 | - | 22,014 | ||||||||||||
U.S. treasury securities |
- | 8,431 | - | 8,431 | ||||||||||||
Government-sponsored enterprise securities |
- | 1,496 | - | 1,496 | ||||||||||||
Money market funds |
- | 22,205 | - | 22,205 | ||||||||||||
Foreign government security |
- | 619 | - | 619 | ||||||||||||
$ | 100,850 | $ | 54,765 | $ | - | $ | 155,615 |
4. |
Employee Stock Benefit Plans |
Our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) is a broad-based, long-term retention program intended to attract, motivate, and retain talented employees as well as align stockholder and employee interests. Awards that may be granted under the program include, but are not limited to, non-qualified and incentive stock options, restricted stock units, and performance stock units. We settle employee stock option exercises, employee stock purchase plan purchases, and the vesting of restricted stock units, and performance stock units with newly issued common shares. At June 30, 2018, there were 1,203,313 shares available for future equity grants under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
Stock Options
Stock options may be granted to employees, consultants and directors to purchase a fixed number of shares of our common stock. The exercise prices of options granted are at least equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the dates of grant and options vest and become exercisable in annual increments that range from one to four years from the date of grant. Stock options granted under the 2015 Plan have a maximum contractual term of ten years. In the first six months of fiscal 2018 we did not grant any stock options and we issued 49,800 shares of our common stock on the exercise of options that were granted previously.
At June 30, 2018, we had 422,426 stock options exercisable and outstanding. These options had a weighted-average exercise price of $10.19 per share, an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $6.0 million and the weighted average remaining contractual term was approximately 4.0 years.
Restricted Stock Units
We grant restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees, consultants and directors. RSUs vest in annual increments that range from one to four years from the date of grant. Prior to vesting, RSUs do not have dividend equivalent rights, do not have voting rights and the shares underlying the RSUs are not considered issued and outstanding. New shares of our common stock will be issued on the date the RSUs vest net of the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements to be paid by us on behalf of our employees. As a result, the actual number of shares issued will be fewer than the actual number of RSUs outstanding at June 30, 2018.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
In the first six months of fiscal 2018 we awarded 284,808 RSUs and we issued 427,227 shares of our common stock on vesting of previously granted awards. At June 30, 2018, we had 808,093 RSUs outstanding with an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $19.8 million and the weighted average remaining vesting period was approximately 1.5 years.
Performance Stock Units
We also grant performance stock units (“PSUs”) to senior executives as a part of our long-term equity compensation program. The number of shares of common stock that will ultimately be issued to settle PSUs granted in 2018, 2017 and 2016 ranges from 25% to 200% of the number granted and is determined based on certain performance criteria over a three-year measurement period. For PSUs granted in 2015, the number of shares of common stock issued to settle PSUs granted is determined based on a two-year measurement period. The performance criteria for the PSUs are based on a combination of our annualized Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) for the performance period and the relative performance of our TSR compared with the annualized TSR of certain peer companies for the performance period. PSUs granted in 2018, 2017 and 2016 vest 100% on the third anniversary of their grant and PSUs granted in 2015 vest 50% on the second and third anniversary of their grant, respectively.
We estimated the fair value of the PSUs using a Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the derived service period. New shares of our common stock will be issued on the date the PSUs vest net of the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements to be paid by us on behalf of our employees. As a result, the actual number of shares issued will be fewer than the actual number outstanding at June 30, 2018.
In the first six months of fiscal 2018, we awarded 88,418 PSUs and we issued 40,640 shares of our common stock on vesting of previously granted awards. At June 30, 2018, we had 339,771 PSUs outstanding with an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $8.3 million and the weighted average remaining vesting period was approximately 1.6 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Cohu, Inc. 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“the Plan”) provides for the issuance of shares of our common stock. Under the Plan, eligible employees may purchase shares of Cohu common stock through payroll deductions at a price equal to 85 percent of the lower of the fair market value of Cohu common stock at the beginning or end of each 6-month purchase period, subject to certain limits. During the first six months of fiscal 2018, 41,694 shares of our common stock were sold to our employees under the Plan leaving 559,646 shares available for future issuance.
5. |
Income Taxes |
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we used the estimated effective tax rate (“ETR”) expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year in computing our tax provision. The ETR on income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and June 24, 2017, was 17.5% and 9.1%, respectively, and 18.9% and 12.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 24, 2017, respectively. The tax provision on income from continuing operations in 2018 and 2017 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to foreign income taxed at different rates, changes in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance, state taxes and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits.
We have not adjusted our provisional tax estimates related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) that we recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017. Our accounting remains incomplete as of June 30, 2018 and will be refined and, if necessary, adjusted throughout 2018 as required by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) based on our ongoing analysis of data and tax positions along with new guidance from regulators and interpretations of the law.
Due to the complexity of the Tax Act’s global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) tax rules, we are continuing to evaluate this provision and the application of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, ("ASC 740"). Under GAAP, we are allowed to make an accounting policy election to either (i) treat taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current-period expense when incurred or (ii) factor such amounts into a company’s measurement of its deferred taxes. We have not yet decided on an accounting policy with respect to the new GILTI tax rules. Our net tax provision for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018 did not include any incremental amount of GILTI tax as we expect to utilize existing net operating losses, that have a full valuation allowance, to offset the impact of the GILTI inclusion.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
Our German subsidiaries income tax returns for 2012 to 2016 are currently under routine examination by tax authorities in Germany. We believe our financial statement accruals for income taxes are appropriate.
Other than for foreign currency exchange rate changes and the Kita acquisition, there was no material change to our unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest and penalties during the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and June 24, 2017.
6. |
Discontinued Operations |
In June 2015, we sold all of the outstanding stock of BMS for $4.9 million in cash and up to $2.5 million of contingent cash consideration. Our decision to sell this non-core business resulted from management’s determination that it was no longer a strategic fit within our organization. As part of the divestiture of BMS we recorded a long-term contingent consideration receivable that has been classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 3, “Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value” for additional information on the three-tier fair value hierarchy. The contingent consideration represents the estimated fair value of future payments we are due from the buyer should BMS achieve specified annual revenue targets in certain years as specified in the sale agreement. The periodic fair value of the contingent consideration is determined through the use of the Monte Carlo simulation model. Based on updated information the contingent consideration receivable was adjusted in the second quarter of 2017 and is included in the loss from sale of BMS.
7. |
Contingencies |
From time-to-time we are involved in various legal proceedings, examinations by various tax authorities and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. The outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain. While there can be no assurance, we do not believe at the present time that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our assets, financial position or results of operations.
8. |
Guarantees and Other Obligations |
Product Warranty
Our products are generally sold with warranty periods that range from 12 to 36 months following sale or acceptance. The product warranty promises customers that delivered products are as specified in the contract (an “assurance-type warranty”). Therefore, we account for such product warranties under ASC 460, and not as a separate performance obligation. Parts and labor are covered under the terms of the warranty agreement. The warranty provision is based on historical and projected experience by product and configuration.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
Changes in accrued warranty were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
June 30, |
June 24, |
June 30, |
June 24, |
|||||||||||||
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
|||||||||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | 4,916 | $ | 4,945 | $ | 4,848 | $ | 4,350 | ||||||||
Warranty expense accruals |
1,806 | 1,990 | 3,388 | 3,726 | ||||||||||||
Warranty payments |
(1,774 | ) | (1,865 | ) | (3,288 | ) | (3,056 | ) | ||||||||
Warranty liability assumed |
- | - | - | 50 | ||||||||||||
Balance at end of period |
$ | 4,948 | $ | 5,070 | $ | 4,948 | $ | 5,070 |
Accrued warranty amounts expected to be incurred after one year are included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. These amounts total $0.5 million at June 30, 2018, and $0.6 million at December 30, 2017.
Borrowings
Revolving Lines of Credit
We have credit agreements with multiple financial institutions in Japan under which they administer lines of credit on behalf of our wholly owned Kita subsidiary. The credit facilities renew monthly and provide Kita with access to working capital totaling up to $6.3 million and at June 30, 2018, total borrowings outstanding under the revolving lines of credit were $3.2 million. As these credit facility agreements renew monthly, they have been included in short-term borrowings in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The revolving lines of credit are denominated in Japanese Yen and, as a result, amounts disclosed herein will fluctuate because of changes in currency exchange rates.
Term Loans
We have long-term term loans from a series of Japanese financial institutions related to the expansion of Kita’s facility in Osaka, Japan. The loans are collateralized by the facility and land, carry interest rates ranging from 0.05% to 0.45%, and expire at various dates through 2034. At June 30, 2018 the aggregate amount outstanding was $5.3 million and $1.2 million of the term loans have been included in current installments of long-term debt in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of our debt approximates the carrying value at June 30, 2018. The term loans are denominated in Japanese Yen and, as a result, amounts disclosed herein will fluctuate because of changes in currency exchange rates.
Lines of Credit
We have one available line of credit, which provides one of our wholly owned subsidiaries with borrowings up to 2.0 million Swiss Francs. At June 30, 2018 and December 30, 2017, no amounts were outstanding under the line of credit.
9. |
Acquisition of Xcerra |
On May 8, 2018, we announced that we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of May 7, 2018, by and among Cohu, Xavier Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cohu (the “Merger Sub”) and Xcerra Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (“Xcerra”). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Xcerra (the “Merger”), with Xcerra continuing as the surviving corporation of the Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Cohu. At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), (a) each share of Xcerra’s common stock, par value $0.05 per share (“Xcerra Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than dissenting shares and shares held by Cohu, Merger Sub, Xcerra or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Cohu or Xcerra) will be converted into the right to receive (i) $9.00 in cash, without interest (the “Cash Consideration”), and (ii) 0.2109 of a validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of Cohu, par value $1.00 per share (“Cohu Common Stock”) (the “Stock Consideration” and, together with the Cash Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”) and (b) each outstanding Xcerra restricted stock unit (an “Xcerra RSU”) that either (i) will vest automatically according to its terms at the Effective Time, or (ii) is held by a member of the board of directors of Xcerra, will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration. All Xcerra RSUs not described in the preceding sentence that are outstanding and unvested at the Effective Time will be assumed by Cohu and converted into a restricted stock unit award representing that number of shares of Cohu Common Stock equal to the product of (A) the number of shares of Xcerra Common Stock represented by such Xcerra RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (B) the sum of (1) the Stock Consideration plus (2) the quotient of (x) the Cash Consideration divided by (y) the volume weighted average of the trading prices of Cohu Common Stock on each of the three consecutive trading days ending on the trading day that is one trading day prior to the date of the closing of the Merger.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
Immediately following the closing of the Merger, Cohu’s stockholders will own approximately 71% of the outstanding Cohu Common Stock, and Xcerra’s former stockholders will own approximately 29% of the outstanding Cohu Common Stock, based on the number of shares of Cohu and Xcerra Common Stock outstanding as of July 16, 2018. Cohu Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “COHU” and Xcerra Common Stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “XCRA.” Upon completion of the Merger, we expect to delist Xcerra Common Stock from NASDAQ.
The Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Cohu incurred $4.1 million of acquisition related costs for the Xcerra transaction in the first six months of 2018.
Each of Cohu and Xcerra is holding a special meeting of its stockholders (the “Cohu Special Meeting” and the “Xcerra Special Meeting,” respectively), each on August 30, 2018, in order to obtain the stockholder approvals necessary to consummate the Merger. At the respective special meetings, Xcerra will ask its stockholders to approve the Merger Agreement and Cohu will ask its stockholders to approve the issuance of shares of Cohu Common Stock in connection with the Merger to the extent such issuance would require approval under NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5635(a), which, subject to certain exceptions, generally requires stockholder approval prior to the issuance of common stock in connection with a merger to the extent such issuance would equal or exceed 20% of the issuer’s issued and outstanding common stock before such issuance (the “Stock Issuance Proposal”). Approval of the Stock Issuance Proposal by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Cohu Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at the Cohu Special Meeting, and approval of the Merger Agreement by the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Xcerra Common Stock are conditions to the consummation of the Merger. The obligations of Cohu, Merger Sub and Xcerra to complete the Merger are also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of several other conditions to the Merger set forth in the Merger Agreement and described in our joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on June 21, 2018, which was subsequently amended on July 26, 2018, and declared effective by the SEC on July 30, 2018.
Our Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement. Our stockholders will be asked to vote on the issuance of Cohu Common Stock in the Merger at the August 30, 2018 special stockholders meeting. The closing of the Merger is subject to the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock of Xcerra entitled to vote at the August 30, 2018 special stockholders meeting. With regulatory clearance recently granted in the United States and Germany, and no such clearance required in other jurisdictions, we expect to close the merger in early fourth quarter 2018, subject to shareholder approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The Merger Agreement contains certain customary termination rights, including, among others, (i) the right of either Cohu or Xcerra to terminate the Merger Agreement if Xcerra’s stockholders fail to adopt the Merger Agreement, or if Cohu’s shareholders fail to approve the issuance of Cohu Common Stock, (ii) the right of either party to terminate the Merger Agreement if the board of directors of the other party changes its recommendation, (iii) the right of Xcerra to terminate the Merger Agreement to accept a superior proposal (subject to the payment of a termination fee as described further below) (iv) the right of either Cohu or Xcerra to terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger has not occurred by November 7, 2018 (the “Termination Date”, but which the Merger Agreement provides that this date may be extended by either party to May 7, 2019 under certain circumstances) and (v) the right of either party to terminate the Merger Agreement due to a material breach by the other party of any of its representations, warranties or covenants, subject to certain conditions.
Cohu, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2018
The Merger Agreement provides for Xcerra to pay to Cohu a termination fee of $22.8 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated (i) by Cohu as a result of the Xcerra board of directors changing its recommendation that Xcerra stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement or if the Merger Agreement is terminated by Xcerra to accept a superior proposal; (ii) as a result of Xcerra stockholder approval not being obtained or the Merger not being consummated by the Termination Date, where a competing proposal was publicly disclosed and not publicly, irrevocably withdrawn prior to Xcerra stockholder meeting or the termination of the Merger Agreement as a result of the Merger not being consummated by the Termination Date, as applicable, and Xcerra subsequently consummates a competing proposal within twelve months of such termination or Xcerra enters into a definitive agreement for a competing proposal within such twelve month period and such competing proposal is subsequently consummated; or (iii) by Cohu if Xcerra is in breach of a representation, warranty or covenant that would cause the closing conditions to fail, and the breach cannot be cured within 20 calendar days, so long as Cohu has not materially breached the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement provides for Cohu to pay to Xcerra a termination fee of $22.8 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated by Xcerra (i) if Cohu is in breach of a representation, warranty or covenant that would cause the closing conditions to fail, and the breach cannot be cured within 20 calendar days, so long as Xcerra has not materially breached the Merger Agreement or (ii) if the Cohu board of directors changes its recommendation that the Cohu shareholders approve the issuance of Cohu Common Stock. The Merger Agreement further provides for Cohu to pay to Xcerra a termination fee of $45 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated by Xcerra if, upon the satisfaction of closing conditions and the expiration of a marketing period in connection with Cohu’s debt financing, Cohu fails to consummate the Merger within five business days following written notice from Xcerra to Cohu in the form described in the Merger Agreement.
Cohu has obtained debt financing commitments for the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, has committed to provide debt financing for a portion of the cash consideration payable pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. Cohu expects to enter into a term loan facility with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc with an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, and if cash on hand at Xcerra is not available at the closing of the Merger, a cash bridge facility, with an aggregate principal amount of up to $100.0 million, to finance a portion of the Merger cash consideration and pay related costs and expenses.
The foregoing description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Cohu’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 8, 2018.
Cohu, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
June 30, 2018
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements including expectations of market conditions, challenges and plans, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by that statute. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, including estimates and projections about our business and include, but are not limited to, statements concerning financial position, business strategy, and plans or objectives for future operations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may cause actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors”. The forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the time they are made, and do not necessarily reflect management’s outlook at any other point in time. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or for any other reason, however, readers should carefully review the risk factors set forth in other reports or documents we file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this Quarterly Report.
OVERVIEW
Cohu is a leading supplier of semiconductor test and inspection handlers, micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) test modules, test contactors and thermal subsystems used by global semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors. Our business is significantly dependent on capital expenditures by semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors, which in turn is dependent on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors that is subject to seasonal trends. We expect that the semiconductor equipment industry will continue to be seasonal in part because consumer electronics, automotive and mobility, the principal end markets for integrated circuits, are highly dynamic industries and demand has traditionally fluctuated with global consumer spending. In light of these conditions, our results can vary significantly year-over-year.
During the first six months of 2018, our net sales increased 11% from the corresponding period of 2017 driven by improved conditions in mobility, IoT (Internet of Things), automotive and industrial semiconductor markets and capturing new customers for semiconductor test handlers and test contactors, along with growth in sales of semiconductor inspection equipment. Customer test cell utilization and business conditions remain strong. We continue to see momentum in the automotive, IoT and industrial semiconductor markets and are optimistic about the prospects for our business due to the increasing ubiquity of semiconductors, the diminishing impact of parallel test, increasing semiconductor complexity and increasing quality demands from semiconductor customers. We are continuing our investment in new products and are focused on growing sales in our semiconductor test handling and test contactor businesses and expanding into the semiconductor inspection market.
Xcerra Acquisition
On May 8, 2018, we announced that we entered into the Merger Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2018, by and between Cohu and Xcerra. At the effective time of the Merger, each share of Xcerra Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger will be converted into the right to receive $9.00 in cash, without interest, and .2109 of a validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Cohu Common Stock. We currently expect the Merger, which remains subject to stockholder approvals, and other customary closing conditions, to close in early fourth quarter 2018. Refer to Note 9, "Acquisition of Xcerra" herein for further information.
Application of Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience, forecasts and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, however actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our financial statements. Some of our accounting policies require us to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Our critical accounting estimates that we believe are the most important to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and condition and require complex management judgment include:
● |
revenue recognition, including the deferral of revenue on sales to customers, which impacts our results of operations; |
Cohu, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
June 30, 2018
● |
estimation of valuation allowances and accrued liabilities, specifically product warranty, inventory reserves and allowance for bad debts, which impact gross margin or operating expenses; |
● |
the recognition and measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, unrecognized tax benefits and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, which impact our tax provision; |
● |
the assessment of recoverability of long-lived assets including goodwill and other intangible assets, which primarily impacts gross margin or operating expenses if we are required to record impairments of assets or accelerate their depreciation or amortization; and |
● |
the valuation and recognition of share-based compensation, which impacts gross margin, research and development expense, and selling, general and administrative expense. |
Below, we discuss these policies further, as well as the estimates and judgments involved. We also have other policies that we consider key accounting policies; however, these policies typically do not require us to make estimates or judgments that are difficult or subjective.
Revenue Recognition: Our net sales are derived from the sale of products and services and are adjusted for estimated returns and allowances, which historically have been insignificant. We recognize revenue when the obligations under the terms of a contract with our customers are satisfied; generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of our systems, non-system products or services. In circumstances where control is not transferred until destination or acceptance, we defer revenue recognition until such events occur. Revenue for established products that have previously satisfied a customer’s acceptance requirements is generally recognized upon shipment. In cases where a prior history of customer acceptance cannot be demonstrated or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable and in the case of new products, revenue and cost of sales are deferred until customer acceptance has been received. Our post-shipment obligations typically include installation and standard warranties. The estimated fair value of installation related revenue is recognized in the period the installation is performed. Service revenue is recognized over time as the transfer of control is completed for the related contract or upon completion of the services if they are short-term in nature. Spares, contactor and kit revenue is generally recognized upon shipment. Certain of our equipment sales have multiple performance obligations. These arrangements involve the delivery or performance of multiple performance obligations, and transfer of control of performance obligations may occur at different points in time or over different periods of time. For arrangements containing multiple performance obligations, the revenue relating to the undelivered performance obligation is deferred using the relative standalone selling price method utilizing estimated sales prices until satisfaction of the deferred performance obligation. Unsatisfied performance obligations primarily represent contracts for products with future delivery dates and with an original expected duration of one year or less. As allowed under ASC 606, we have opted to not disclose unsatisfied performance obligations as these contracts have original expected durations of less than one year. We generally sell our equipment with a product warranty. The product warranty provides assurance to customers that delivered products are as specified in the contract (an “assurance-type warranty”). Therefore, we account for such product warranties under ASC 460, Guarantees (ASC 460), and not as a separate performance obligation. The transaction price reflects our expectations about the consideration we will be entitled to receive from the customer and may include fixed or variable amounts. Fixed consideration primarily includes sales to customers that are known as of the end of the reporting period. Variable consideration includes sales in which the amount of consideration that we will receive is unknown as of the end of a reporting period. Such consideration primarily includes sales made to certain customers with cumulative tier volume discounts offered. Variable consideration arrangements are rare; however, when they occur, we estimate variable consideration as the expected value to which we expect to be entitled. Included in the transaction price estimate are amounts in which it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The estimate is based on information available for projected future sales. Variable consideration that does not meet revenue recognition criteria is deferred. Accounts receivable represents our unconditional right to receive consideration from our customer. Payments terms do not exceed one year from the invoice date and therefore do not include a significant financing component. To date, there have been no material impairment losses on accounts receivable. There were no material contract assets or contract liabilities recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet in any of the periods presented. On shipments where sales are not recognized, gross profit is generally recorded as deferred profit in our consolidated balance sheet representing the difference between the receivable recorded and the inventory shipped.
Accounts Receivable: We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
Cohu, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
June 30, 2018
Inventory: The valuation of inventory requires us to estimate obsolete or excess inventory as well as inventory that is not of saleable quality. The determination of obsolete or excess inventory requires us to estimate the future demand for our products. The demand forecast is a direct input in the development of our short-term manufacturing plans. We record valuation reserves on our inventory for estimated excess and obsolete inventory and lower of cost or net realizable value concerns equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated realizable value based upon assumptions about future product demand, market conditions and product selling prices. If future product demand, market conditions or product selling prices are less than those projected by management or if continued modifications to products are required to meet specifications or other customer requirements, increases to inventory reserves may be required which would have a negative impact on our gross margin.
Income Taxes: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2017. Due to the timing of the enactment and the complexity involved in applying the provisions of the Tax Act, we have made reasonable estimates of the effects and recorded provisional amounts in our financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2017, and the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as provided for in SAB 118. As we collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS or other standard-setting bodies, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. Those adjustments may materially impact the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rate in the period in which the adjustments are made. The accounting for the tax effects of the enactment of the Tax Act will be completed in 2018.
We estimate our liability for income taxes based on the various jurisdictions where we conduct business. This requires us to estimate our (i) current taxes; (ii) temporary differences that result from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes and (iii) unrecognized tax benefits. Temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities that are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. The deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based upon all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Establishing, reducing or increasing a valuation allowance in an accounting period generally results in an increase or decrease in tax expense in the statement of operations. We must make significant judgments to determine the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, unrecognized tax benefits and any valuation allowance to be recorded against deferred tax assets. Our gross deferred tax asset balance as of June 30, 2018, was approximately $27.6 million, with a valuation allowance of approximately $21.7 million. Our deferred tax assets consist primarily of reserves and accruals that are not yet deductible for tax and tax credit and net operating loss carry-forwards.
Segment Information: We applied the provisions of ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, (“ASC 280”), which sets forth a management approach to segment reporting and establishes requirements to report selected segment information quarterly and to report annually entity-wide disclosures about products, major customers and the geographies in which the entity holds material assets and reports revenue. An operating segment is defined as a component that engages in business activities whose operating results are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker and for which discrete financial information is available. Based on the provisions of ASC 280, we have determined that our identified operating segments qualify for aggregation under ASC 280 due to similarities in their customers, their economic characteristics, and the nature of products and services provided. As a result, we report in one segment, semiconductor equipment.
Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Long-lived Assets: We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. We estimated the fair values of our reporting units primarily using the income approach valuation methodology that includes the discounted cash flow method, taking into consideration the market approach and certain market multiples as a validation of the values derived using the discounted cash flow methodology. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on customer forecasts, industry trade organization data and general economic conditions.
We conduct our annual impairment test as of October 1st of each year, and have determined there was no impairment as of October 1, 2017, as we determined that the estimated fair values of our reporting units exceeded their carrying values on that date. Other events and changes in circumstances may also require goodwill to be tested for impairment between annual measurement dates. As of June 30, 2018, we do not believe that circumstances have occurred that indicate impairment of our goodwill is more-likely-than-not. In the event we determine that an interim goodwill impairment review is required, in a future period, the review may result in an impairment charge, which would have a negative impact on our results of operations.
Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value.
Cohu, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
June 30, 2018
Warranty: We provide for the estimated costs of product warranties in the period sales are recognized. Our warranty obligation estimates are affected by historical product shipment levels, product performance and material and labor costs incurred in correcting product performance problems. Should product performance, material usage or labor repair costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.
Contingencies: We are subject to certain contingencies that arise in the ordinary course of our businesses which require us to assess the likelihood that future events will confirm the existence of a loss or an impairment of an asset. If a loss or asset impairment is probable and the amount of the loss or impairment is reasonably estimable, we accrue a charge to operations in the period such conditions become known.
Share-based Compensation: Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards is calculated based on the market price of our common stock on the grant date, reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on our common stock prior to vesting of the restricted stock unit. Share-based compensation on performance stock units with market-based goals is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of the grant. Share-based compensation expense related to stock options is recorded based on the fair value of the award on its grant date, which we estimate using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of accounting changes and recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects, if any, on our consolidated financial statements, see “Recent Accounting Pronouncements”, in Note 1 located in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes certain operating data as a percentage of net sales:
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
June 30, |
June 24, |
June 30, |
June 24, |
|||||||||||||
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
|||||||||||||
Net sales |
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
Cost of sales |
(58.4 | )% | (60.4 | )% | (58.4 | )% | (60.3 | )% | ||||||||
Gross margin |
41.6 | % | 39.6 | % | 41.6 | % | 39.7 | % | ||||||||
Research and development |
(11.1 | )% | (10.1 | )% | (11.7 | )% | (11.0 | )% | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
(16.7 | )% | (17.2 | )% | (17.7 | )% | (17.4 | )% | ||||||||
Income from operations |
13.8 | % | 12.3 | % | 12.2 | % | 11.3 | % |
Second Quarter of Fiscal 2018 Compared to Second Quarter of Fiscal 2017
Net Sales
Our consolidated net sales increased 6.3% to $99.8 million in 2018, compared to $93.9 million in 2017. In the second quarter of 2018 we continued to benefit from improved conditions in mobility, IoT (Internet of Things), automotive and industrial semiconductor markets and capturing new customers for semiconductor test handlers and test contactors, along with growth in sales of semiconductor inspection equipment. We continue to see momentum in the automotive, IoT and industrial semiconductor markets and are optimistic about the prospects for our business due to the increasing ubiquity of semiconductors, the diminishing impact of parallel test, increasing semiconductor complexity and increasing quality demands from semiconductor customers.
Gross Margin
Gross margin consists of net sales less cost of sales. Cost of sales consists primarily of the materials, assembly and test labor and overhead from operations. Our gross margin can fluctuate due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the mix and volume of products sold, product support costs, increases to inventory reserves or the sale of previously reserved inventory and utilization of manufacturing capacity. Our gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, was 41.6% in 2018 and 39.6% in 2017. As compared to 2017, gross margin in the second quarter of 2018 benefitted from the increase in business volume which enabled us to better leverage our fixed costs as well as favorable product mix. Gross margin in the second quarter of 2017 included a $0.5 million charge related to the amortization of purchase accounting inventory step-up adjustment recorded in connection with our acquisition of Kita. No amounts were expensed in 2018 as all inventory step-up amounts were amortized in 2017.
Cohu, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
June 30, 2018
Our gross margin can be impacted by charges to cost of sales related to excess, obsolete and lower of cost or net realizable value inventory issues. We compute the majority of our excess and obsolete inventory reserve requirements using a one-year inventory usage forecast. In the second quarter of 2018, we recorded charges to cost of sales of $0.2 million for excess and obsolete inventory. In the second quarter of 2017, we recorded charges of approximately $0.1 million. While we believe our reserves for excess and obsolete inventory and lower of cost or net realizable value concerns are adequate to cover known exposures at June 30, 2018, reductions in customer forecasts or continued modifications to products, as a result of our failure to meet specifications or other customer requirements, may result in additional charges to operations that could negatively impact our gross margin in future periods.
Research and Development Expense (“R&D Expense”)
R&D expense consists primarily of salaries and related costs of employees engaged in ongoing research, product design and development activities, costs of engineering materials and supplies and professional consulting expenses. R&D expense was $11.1 million in 2018 and $9.5 million in 2017 representing 11.1% and 10.1% of net sales, respectively. New product development programs resulted in increased R&D spending on labor and materials during the second quarter of 2018. In 2017 we received $0.3 million of cost reimbursements under a cost-sharing arrangement that reduced R&D expense. No cost reimbursements were received during the second quarter of 2018.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense (“SG&A Expense”)
SG&A expense consists primarily of salaries and benefit costs of employees, commission expense for independent sales representatives, product promotion and costs of professional services. SG&A expense was $16.7 million or 16.7% of net sales in 2018, compared to $16.0 million or 17.2% in 2017. Increased business volume in the second quarter of 2018 drove higher costs as compared to the prior year. Our SG&A expense continues to be impacted by fluctuations in the Swiss Franc and Euro against the U.S. Dollar. During the second quarter of 2018 the U.S. Dollar strengthened which resulted in the recognition of foreign currency transaction gain of $3.0 million. Conversely, in the second quarter of 2017 the U.S. Dollar weakened and resulted in the recognition of a loss of $1.2 million. Our SG&A expense has fluctuated due to costs incurred related to acquisitions. In the second quarter of 2018 we incurred $3.8 million of costs related to our pending acquisition of Xcerra. During the second quarter of 2017, acquisition costs were $0.1 million and related to our purchase of Kita. During the second quarter of 2018 we recorded a mark-to-market adjustment charge totaling $0.6 million related to the change in the fair value of the Kita contingent consideration liability.
Income Taxes
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, we used the estimated effective tax rate (“ETR”) expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year in computing our tax provision. The ETR on income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and June 24, 2017, was 17.5% and 9.1%, respectively. The tax provision on income from continuing operations in 2018 and 2017 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to foreign income taxed at different rates, changes in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance, state taxes and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits.
Other than for foreign currency exchange rate changes and the Kita Acquisition, there was no material change to our unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest and penalties during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and June 24, 2017.
Income from Continuing Operations and Net Income
As a result of the factors set forth above, our income from continuing operations and net income was $11.6 million in 2018, compared to $10.7 million in 2017. Including the impact of the disposal of our discontinued mobile microwave communication equipment business, our net income was $10.4 million in 2017.
First Six Months of Fiscal 2018 Compared to First Six Months of Fiscal 2017
Net Sales
Our consolidated net sales increased 11.4% to $195.0 million in 2018, compared to $175.0 million in 2017. Increased sales in the first six months of 2018 resulted from improved conditions in mobility, IoT (Internet of Things), automotive and industrial semiconductor markets and capturing new customers for semiconductor test handlers and test contactors, along with growth in sales of semiconductor inspection equipment.
Cohu, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
June 30, 2018
Gross Margin
Our gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 41.6% in 2018 from 39.7% in 2017. As compared to the prior year, gross margin in the first six months of 2018 benefitted from the increase in business volume which enabled us to better leverage our fixed costs as well as favorable product mix. Additionally, our gross margin in the first six months of 2018 benefited from the acceptance of our new Eclipse XTA as certain costs had been previously expensed to R&D during product development. During 2017, gross margin was negatively impacted by a purchase accounting inventory step-up adjustment as our cost of sales included $0.8 million of amortization recorded in connection with our acquisition of Kita. No amounts were expensed in 2018 as all inventory step-up amounts were amortized in 2017.
In the first six months of fiscal 2018 and 2017 we recorded charges to cost of sales of approximately $0.6 million and $0.2 million for excess and obsolete inventory, respectively.
R&D Expense
R&D expense was $22.8 million or 11.7% of net sales in 2018, compared to $19.2 million or 11.0% in 2017. New product development programs resulted in higher R&D labor and material expense in the first six months of 2018. Additionally, during 2017 R&D expense benefitted from $0.3 million of cost reimbursements received under a cost-sharing arrangement that we entered with a customer in the first quarter of 2016.
SG&A Expense
SG&A expense was $34.4 million or 17.7% of net sales in 2018, compared to $30.5 million or 17.4% in 2017. Increased business volume in the first six months of 2018 drove higher costs. Our SG&A expense also continues to be impacted by fluctuations in the Swiss Franc and Euro against the U.S. Dollar. During the first six months of 2018 the U.S. Dollar strengthened which resulted in the recognition of foreign currency transaction gains of $1.5 million. Conversely, in 2017 the U.S. Dollar weakened and, as a result, we recognized a loss of $2.5 million. Our SG&A expense has fluctuated due to costs incurred related to acquisitions. Costs incurred specifically related to our pending Xcerra acquisition in the first six months of 2018 totaled $4.1 million and during 2017 we recorded $0.2 million of costs related to the acquisition of Kita. During the first six months of 2018 mark-to-market adjustments related to the fair value of the Kita contingent consideration liability resulted in the recognition of $0.4 million.
Income Taxes
The ETR on income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 24, 2017, was 18.9% and 12.2%, respectively. The tax provision on income from continuing operations in 2018 and 2017 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to foreign income taxed at different rates, changes in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance, state taxes and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits.
Other than foreign currency exchange rate changes and the Kita Acquisition, there was no material change to our unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest and penalties during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and June 24, 2017.
Income from Continuing Operations and Net Income
As a result of the factors set forth above, our income from continuing operations and net income was $19.8 million in 2018 as compared to income from continuing operations of $17.5 million in 2017. Including the impact of the disposal of our discontinued mobile microwave communication equipment business, which included a loss of $0.3 million due to the write-off of the contingent consideration, our net income in the first six months of 2017 was $17.2 million.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary business is dependent on capital expenditures by semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors that are, in turn, dependent on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors. The seasonal and volatile nature of demand for semiconductor equipment, our primary industry, makes estimates of future revenues, results of operations and net cash flows difficult.
Our primary historical source of liquidity and capital resources has been cash flow generated by our operations and we manage our business to maximize operating cash flows as our primary source of liquidity. We use cash to fund growth in our operating assets and to fund new products and product enhancements primarily through research and development. As of June 30, 2018, $91.8 million of our cash and cash equivalents was held by our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds are needed for our operations in the U.S., we may be required to accrue and pay foreign or U.S. taxes if we repatriate these funds.
Cohu, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
June 30, 2018
Liquidity
Working Capital: The following summarizes our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and working capital:
June 30, |
December 30, |
Increase |
Percentage |
|||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
2018 |
2017 |
(Decrease) |
Change |
||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
$ | 150,873 | $ | 155,615 | $ | (4,742 | ) | (3.0 | )% | |||||||
Working capital |
$ | 229,898 | $ | 212,171 | $ | 17,727 | 8.4 | % |
Cash Flows
Operating Activities: Operating cash flows for the first six months of fiscal 2018 consisted of our net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses and changes in operating assets and liabilities. These adjustments include depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment, share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets deferred income taxes and a mark-to-market adjustment on the Kita contingent consideration. Our net cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of fiscal 2018 totaled $5.9 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was impacted by changes in current assets and liabilities and included increases in accounts receivable of $21.3 million, inventories of $1.4 million, other current assets of $2.4 million, accounts payable of $3.9 million, income taxes payable of $1.7 million and a decrease in deferred profit of $3.7 million. The increase in accounts receivable resulted from a sequential increase in product shipments and the timing of the resulting cash conversion cycle. The increase in inventory is a result of purchases made in anticipation of shipments scheduled to occur in the third quarter of 2018. Other current assets increased as a result of prepayments associated with employee benefit programs and insurance programs. The increase in accounts payable was driven by increased product shipments in the second quarter of 2018 and the timing of cash payments to our vendors and suppliers. The increase in income taxes payable is a result of income generated in the current year. Deferred profit decreased due to the recognition of sales that had been previously deferred in accordance with our revenue recognition policy.
Investing Activities: Investing cash flows consist primarily of cash used for capital expenditures in support of our businesses, proceeds from investment maturities, asset disposals and cash used for purchases of investments and business acquisitions. Net cash used in investing activities in the first six months of fiscal 2018 totaled $4.4 million. Investing activities in the first six months of fiscal 2018 were impacted by $27.4 million in cash used for purchases of short-term investments offset, in part, by $24.8 million in net proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments. We invest our excess cash, in an attempt to seek the highest available return while preserving capital, in short-term investments since excess cash is only temporarily available and may be required for a business related purpose. Additions to property, plant and equipment of $1.9 million were made to support the operating and development activities of our business.
Financing Activities: Cash flows from financing activities consist primarily of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock under our stock option and employee stock purchase plans and cash used to pay dividends to our stockholders. We issue restricted stock units and stock options and maintain an employee stock purchase plan as components of our overall employee compensation. In the first six months of fiscal 2018, cash used to settle the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements on behalf of our employees upon vesting of restricted and performance stock awards, net of proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options was $2.6 million. We paid dividends totaling $3.5 million, or $0.12 per common share and on July 31, 2018, Cohu's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share payable on October 19, 2018, to shareholders of record on August 24, 2018. Future quarterly dividends are subject to our cash liquidity, capital availability and periodic determinations by our Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interests of our stockholders. Furthermore, future quarterly dividends may be reduced from historical levels, or suspended, as a result of the Xcerra Merger. Total repayments of short-term borrowings and long-term debt during the first six months of fiscal 2018 totaled $0.7 million, additionally we made payments of $0.8 million to settle contingent consideration liabilities related to the acquisition of Kita in 2017.
Cohu, Inc.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
June 30, 2018
Capital Resources
We have credit agreements with multiple financial institutions in Japan under which they administer lines of credit on behalf of our wholly owned Kita subsidiary. The credit facilities renew monthly and provide Kita with access to working capital totaling up to $6.3 million. At June 30, 2018 total borrowings outstanding under the revolving lines of credit were $3.2 million. As these credit facility agreements renew monthly, they have been included in short-term borrowings in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We also have long-term term loans from a series of Japanese financial institutions totaling $5.3 million primarily related to the expansion of Kita’s facility in Osaka, Japan. The loans are collateralized by the facility and land. The loans carry interest rates ranging from 0.05% to 0.45% and expire at various dates through 2034. At June 30, 2018, $1.2 million of the term loans have been included in current installments of long-term debt in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The revolving lines of credit and term loans are denominated in Japanese Yen and, as a result, amounts will fluctuate as a result of changes in currency exchange rates.
We also have a credit agreement with a financial institution under which it administers a line of credit on behalf of our wholly owned Ismeca subsidiary. The agreement provides Ismeca with 2.0 million Swiss Francs of available credit and at June 30, 2018, no amounts were outstanding. We expect that we will continue to make capital expenditures to support our business and we anticipate that present working capital will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements for at least the next twelve months.
We have a secured letter of credit facility (the “Secured Facility”) under which Bank of America, N.A., has agreed to administer the issuance of letters of credit on our behalf. The Secured Facility requires us to maintain deposits of cash or other approved investments, which serve as collateral, in amounts that approximate our outstanding letters of credit and contains customary restrictive covenants. As of June 30, 2018, no amounts were outstanding under standby letters of credit under the Secured Facility.
Xcerra Acquisition
On May 7, 2018, Cohu entered into a Merger Agreement with Xcerra and Xavier Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cohu. Refer to Note 9, “Acquisition of Xcerra,” herein for further information. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG has committed to provide debt financing for a portion of the cash consideration payable pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. Cohu expects to enter into a term loan facility with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc with an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, and if cash on hand at Xcerra is not available at the closing of the Merger, a cash bridge facility, with an aggregate principal amount of up to $100.0 million, to finance a portion of the Merger cash consideration and pay related costs and expenses.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Contractual Obligations: Our significant contractual obligations consist of liabilities for debt, operating leases, unrecognized tax benefits, pensions, post-retirement benefits and warranties. These obligations have not changed materially from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2017.
Purchase Commitments: From time to time, we enter into commitments with our vendors and outsourcing partners to purchase inventory at fixed prices or in guaranteed quantities. We are not able to determine the aggregate amount of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations, as purchase orders may represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. Our purchase orders are based on our current manufacturing needs and are fulfilled by our vendors within relatively short time horizons. We typically do not have significant agreements for the purchase of raw materials or other goods specifying minimum quantities or set prices that exceed our expected requirements for the next three months.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements: During the ordinary course of business, we provide standby letters of credit instruments to certain parties as required. As of June 30, 2018, no amounts were outstanding under standby letters of credit.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Investment and Interest Rate Risk.
At June 30, 2018, our investment portfolio included short-term fixed-income investment securities with a fair value of approximately $23.9 million. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will likely decline in value if interest rates increase. Our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if we are forced to sell securities that decline in market value due to changes in interest rates. As we classify our short-term securities as available-for-sale, no gains or losses are recognized due to changes in interest rates unless such securities are sold prior to maturity or declines in fair value are determined to be other-than-temporary. Due to the relatively short duration of our investment portfolio, an immediate ten percent change in interest rates would have no material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
We evaluate our investments periodically for possible other-than-temporary impairment by reviewing factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient for anticipated recovery of market value. As of June 30, 2018, we had $14.7 million of investments with loss positions. We evaluated the nature of these investments, credit worthiness of the issuer and the duration of these impairments and concluded that these losses were temporary and we have the ability and intent to hold these investments to maturity.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk.
We have operations in several foreign countries and conduct business in the local currency in these countries. As a result, we have risk associated with currency fluctuations as the value of foreign currencies fluctuate against the U.S. dollar, in particular the Swiss Franc, Euro, Malaysian Ringgit, Chinese Yuan, Philippine Peso and Japanese Yen. These fluctuations can impact our reported earnings.
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates also impact the U.S. Dollar amount of our net investment in foreign operations. The assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the fiscal year-end balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are translated at an average exchange rate during the year which approximates the rates in effect at the transaction dates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. As a result of fluctuations in certain foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. Dollar as of June 30, 2018, compared to December 30, 2017, our stockholders’ equity decreased by $3.0 million.
Based upon the current levels of net foreign assets, a hypothetical 10% devaluation of the U.S. Dollar as compared to these currencies as of June 30, 2018 would result in an approximate $16.3 million positive translation adjustment recorded in other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Conversely, a hypothetical 10% appreciation of the U.S. Dollar as compared to these currencies as of June 30, 2018 would result in an approximate $16.3 million negative translation adjustment recorded in other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.
It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
OTHER INFORMATION |
Legal Proceedings. |
The information set forth above under Note7 contained in the "Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" of this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.
The risks described below may not be the only risks we face. Additional risks that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also impair our business operations. The risk factors set forth below with an asterisk (*) next to the title contain changes to the description of the risk factors associated with our business as previously disclosed in Item 1A to our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could suffer, and the trading price of our common stock and our market capitalization could decline.
* There can be no assurance that we will successfully complete our acquisition of Xcerra Corporation on the terms or timetable currently proposed or at all.
On May 8, 2018, we announced that we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of May 7, 2018, by and among Cohu, Xavier Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cohu (“Merger Sub”) and Xcerra Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (“Xcerra”). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the acquisition of Xcerra will be accomplished through a merger of Merger Sub with and into Xcerra (the “Merger”), with Xcerra surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cohu.
We currently anticipate that we will close the Merger in early fourth quarter 2018, but we cannot be certain when or if the conditions for the Merger will be satisfied or waived. We intend to hold a special meeting of our stockholders on August 30, 2018, to seek stockholder approval for the issuance of additional shares of Cohu common stock as consideration in the Merger. The Merger cannot be completed until the conditions are satisfied or waived, including receipt of our stockholders’ approval of the issuance of additional shares of Cohu common stock as consideration in the Merger, receipt of Xcerra’s stockholders’ approval of the Merger, and other customary closing conditions. While the regulatory and antitrust approvals have been achieved, satisfying the other conditions to the closing of the Merger may take longer than we expect. Any delay in completing the Merger could result in the failure to realize cost synergies projected to result from the Merger and other benefits that Cohu expects to achieve if we successfully complete the Merger within the expected timeframe and integrate the businesses.
* Litigation that has been, or may be, filed against Xcerra, Cohu and Merger Sub could prevent or delay the completion of the Merger or result in the payment of damages following completion of the Merger.
Xcerra and members of the Xcerra Board are presently, and Cohu, Merger Sub and members of the Cohu Board may in the future be parties, among others, to various claims and litigation related to the Merger, including putative stockholder class actions.
On July 23, 2018 and July 30, 2018, putative shareholder class action complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Xcerra and each member of the Xcerra Board, captioned Xinkang Shui v. Xcerra Corporation, et al., C.A. No. 1:18-cv-11529 and Waseem Khan v. Xcerra Corporation, et al., C.A. No. 1:18-cv-11592, respectively. The complaints allege, among other things, that Xcerra and each member of the Xcerra Board violated federal securities laws and regulations by soliciting stockholder votes in connection with the Merger through a proxy statement that purportedly omits material facts necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading. The complaint seeks, among other things, either to enjoin Xcerra from conducting the stockholder vote on the Merger unless and until the allegedly omitted material information is disclosed or, in the event the Merger is consummated, to recover damages.
Xcerra is reviewing the complaint and has not yet formally responded to it, but believes that the plaintiffs’ allegations are without merit and intends to defend against them vigorously. However, litigation is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance regarding the likelihood that Xcerra’s defense of the actions will be successful. Additional complaints containing substantially similar allegations may be filed in the future.
This litigation, and any other litigation, relating to the Merger could impact the likelihood of obtaining the required approval of the Xcerra stockholders and the Cohu stockholders. Moreover, litigation can be time consuming and expensive, can divert Cohu and Xcerra’s respective management’s attention away from their regular business, and, if adversely resolved against either Cohu, Xcerra or Merger Sub, could have a material adverse effect on their respective financial condition. Furthermore, should any litigation lead to the imposition of injunctive or other relief prohibiting, delaying or otherwise adversely affecting Cohu’s and/or Xcerra’s ability to complete the Merger on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and if a settlement or other resolution is not reached in such case, then such injunctive or other relief may prevent the Merger from becoming effective in a timely manner or at all.
* The failure to complete the Merger could have an adverse impact on the price of Cohu Common Stock as well as the future business and operating results of Cohu.
If the Merger is not completed, Cohu would be subject to a number of consequences that could adversely affect our business, results of operations and the price of Cohu Common Stock, including the following:
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we would not realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger, including among other things, increased operating efficiencies; |
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Cohu could be required to pay a termination fee of $22.8 million to Xcerra under certain circumstances, and Cohu could be required to pay the Financing Termination Fee of $45.0 million if the failure to complete the Merger related to a failure by Cohu to obtain financing; |
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significant costs in connection with the Merger that we will be unable to recover, including transaction, legal, employee-related and other costs; |
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potential loss of key personnel during the pendency of the Merger, as employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company; |
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Cohu will have been subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of its business, which could prevent us from making certain acquisitions or dispositions or pursuing certain business opportunities during the pendency of the Merger; |
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potential legal proceedings related to the Merger; |
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the failure of the Merger to be consummated could result in negative publicity and a negative impression of Cohu in the investment community; |
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disruptions to our business resulting from the announcement and pendency of the Merger, including any adverse changes in its relationships with customers, strategic partners, suppliers, licensees, other business partners and employees, may continue or intensify in the event the Merger is not consummated; |
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Cohu may not be able to take advantage of alternative business opportunities or effectively respond to competitive pressures; and |
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the trading price of Cohu Common Stock may decline to the extent that the current respective market price of our stock reflects an assumption that the Merger will be completed. |
The occurrence of any of these events, individually or in combination, could have a material adverse effect on Cohu’s results of operations or the trading price of Cohu Common Stock.
* We have incurred and will continue to incur significant transaction costs in connection with the Merger that could adversely affect our results of operations.
Whether or not we complete the Merger, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant transaction costs in connection with the Merger, including payment of certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger and related financing transactions. Additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the integration process. These could adversely affect our results of operations in the period in which such expenses are recorded or our cash flow in the period in which any related costs are actually paid. Furthermore, we expect to incur material restructuring and integration charges in connection with the Merger, which may adversely affect our operating results following the closing of the Merger in which such expenses are recorded or our cash flow in the period in which any related costs are actually paid. A delay in closing or a failure to complete the Merger could have a negative impact on our business. Cohu incurred $4.1 million of acquisition related costs for the Xcerra transaction in the first sixth months of 2018.
* We may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of the Merger or those benefits may take longer to realize than expected.
Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger will depend, to a large extent, on our ability to integrate Xcerra, which is a complex, costly and time-consuming process. The integration process may disrupt our business and, if implemented ineffectively, could restrict the realization of the full expected benefits. The failure to meet the challenges involved in the integration process and to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger could cause an interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, our operations and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the integration of Xcerra may result in material unanticipated problems, expenses, liabilities, competitive responses, and loss of customers, suppliers and other business relationships. Additional integration challenges include:
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difficulties entering new markets or manufacturing in new geographies where Cohu has no or limited direct prior experience; |
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successfully managing relationships with Cohu and Xcerra’s combined supplier and customer base; |
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coordinating and integrating independent research and development and engineering teams across technologies and product platforms to enhance product development while reducing costs; |
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coordinating sales and marketing efforts to effectively position the combined company’s capabilities and the direction of product development; |
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difficulties and significant costs in integrating the systems and processes of two companies with complex operations including multiple manufacturing sites; |
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the increased scale and complexity of Cohu’s operations resulting from the Merger; |
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Cohu’s ability to achieve the cost synergies contemplated by the proposed transaction within the expected time frame, and significant costs of integration and restructuring; |
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retaining key employees of Cohu and Xcerra; |
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obligations that Cohu will have to counterparties of Xcerra that arise as a result of the change in control of Xcerra; |
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the impact of litigation and potential liabilities we may be inheriting from Xcerra; and |
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diversion of management’s attention to integration matters. |
Many of these factors will be outside of our control and any one of them could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues, and diversion of management’s time and energy, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and result in us becoming subject to litigation. In addition, even if Xcerra is integrated successfully, the full anticipated benefits of the Merger may not be realized, including the synergies, cost savings or sales or growth opportunities that are anticipated. These benefits may not be achieved within the anticipated time frame, or at all. Further, additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the integration process. All of these factors could cause reductions in our earnings per share and decrease or delay the expected accretive effect of the Merger. As a result, it cannot be assured that the Merger will result in the realization of the full or any anticipated benefits.
* Uncertainty about the Merger may adversely affect Cohu’s and Xcerra’s businesses and relationships with customers or other counterparties, whether or not the Merger is completed.
Cohu is subject to risks in connection with the pendency of the Merger, including the pendency and outcome of any legal proceedings with respect to the Merger and of foregoing opportunities that Cohu might otherwise pursue absent the Merger. In addition, in response to the announcement of the Merger and regardless of whether the Merger is ultimately completed, Cohu’s and Xcerra’s respective existing or prospective customers, suppliers, business or strategic partners or other counterparties may:
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delay, defer or cease purchasing goods or services from or providing goods or services to either company; |
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delay or defer other decisions concerning, or refuse to extend credit to either company, as applicable; |
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cease further joint development activities; or |
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otherwise seek to change the terms on which they do business with either company, as applicable. |
While Cohu is attempting to address these risks through proactive communications with its existing and prospective customers, suppliers or joint development partners, such parties may be reluctant to continue to do business with Cohu or Xcerra, as applicable, due to the potential uncertainty about, among other things, product offerings and the support and service following the consummation of the Merger.
* The issuance of shares of our common stock in connection with the Merger, and any future offerings of securities by us, will dilute our shareholders’ ownership interest in the company.
The Merger will be financed in part by the issuance of additional shares of our common stock to shareholders of Xcerra, comprising approximately 29% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock, based on the number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock on July 16, 2018 and Xcerra’s estimated fully diluted shares of common stock outstanding on July 16, 2018. These issuances of additional shares of our common stock will dilute shareholders' ownership interest in our company, and shareholders will have a proportionately reduced ownership and voting interest in our company following the completion of the Merger.
* The Merger will result in changes to the Cohu Board that may affect the strategy and operations of the combined company as compared to that of Cohu and Xcerra as they currently exist.
If the Merger is completed, the composition of the Cohu Board will change. Upon completion of the Merger, the Cohu Board will include two new members selected from members of the Xcerra Board. There can be no assurance that the newly constituted Cohu Board will function effectively as a team and that there will not be any adverse effect on the combined company’s business as a result.
* If the Merger is completed, Xcerra may underperform relative to our expectations.
The business and financial performance of Xcerra are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Following completion of the Merger, we may not be able to maintain the growth rate, levels of revenue, earnings, or operating efficiency that we and Xcerra have achieved or might achieve separately. Any underperformance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
* Uncertainties underlie Cohu’s expectation that, relative to Cohu on a stand-alone basis, the Merger will be accretive to Cohu’s earnings per share after consummation of the Merger.
Cohu believes that, relative to Cohu on a stand-alone basis, the Merger will be accretive to Cohu’s earnings per share following the consummation of the Merger. However, Cohu cannot give any assurance that the Merger will be accretive to Cohu’s earnings per share. In addition to the uncertainties that underlie any financial forecast, Cohu will account for the Merger as an acquisition under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” or “ASC 805”. The total cost of the Merger will be allocated to the underlying identifiable net tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on their respective estimated fair values. Until the acquisition price and other factors are known, Cohu can only estimate the allocation of the acquisition price to the net assets acquired and the effect of the allocation on future results. That estimate could materially change.
* The use of cash and incurrence of substantial indebtedness in connection with the financing of the Merger may have an adverse impact on Cohu’s liquidity, limit Cohu’s flexibility in responding to other business opportunities and increase Cohu’s vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions.
The Merger will be financed in part by using Cohu’s cash on hand and the incurrence of indebtedness. As of June 30, 2018, Cohu had approximately $127.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, approximately $23.9 million of short-term investments, and approximately $8.4 million of total debt outstanding. In connection with the Merger, Cohu expects to enter into a term loan facility, with an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, and if cash on hand at Xcerra is not available at the closing of the Merger, a cash bridge facility, with an aggregate principal amount of up to $100.0 million, to finance a portion of the Merger cash consideration and pay related costs and expenses (the “Debt Financing”). The use of cash on hand and indebtedness to finance the acquisition will reduce Cohu’s liquidity and could cause Cohu to place more reliance on cash generated from operations to pay principal and interest on Cohu’s debt, thereby reducing the availability of Cohu’s cash flow for working capital, dividend and capital expenditure needs or to pursue other potential strategic plans. Cohu expects that the agreements it will enter into with respect to the Debt Financing will contain certain negative covenants, including limitations on Cohu’s ability to incur additional liens and indebtedness or to pay dividends and make certain investments. Cohu’s ability to comply with these negative covenants may be affected by events beyond its control. The indebtedness and these negative covenants will also have the effect, among other things, of limiting Cohu’s ability to obtain additional financing, if needed, limiting its flexibility in the conduct of its business and making Cohu more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse competitive and industry conditions. In addition, a breach of the negative covenants could result in an event of default with respect to the indebtedness, which, if not cured or waived, could result in the indebtedness becoming immediately due and payable and could have a material adverse effect on Cohu’s business, financial condition or operating results.
* Because of high debt levels, Cohu may not be able to service its debt obligations in accordance with their terms after the completion of the Merger.
Cohu’s ability to meet its expense and debt service obligations contained in the agreements Cohu expects to enter into with respect to the Debt Financing will depend on Cohu’s future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, including potential changes in industry conditions, industry supply and demand balance, customer preferences, the success of Cohu’s products and pressure from competitors. In addition, Cohu is subject to interest rate risks, and continuing increases in interest rates will increase Cohu’s debt service obligations. Should Cohu’s revenues decline after the Merger, Cohu may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to pay its debt service obligations when due. If Cohu is unable to meet its debt service obligations after the Merger or should Cohu fail to comply with the covenants contained in the agreements governing its indebtedness, Cohu may be required to refinance all or part of its debt, sell important strategic assets at unfavorable prices, incur additional indebtedness or issue Cohu Common Stock or other equity securities. Cohu may not be able to, at any given time, refinance its debt, sell assets, incur additional indebtedness or issue equity securities on terms acceptable to Cohu, in amounts sufficient to meet Cohu’s needs or at all. If Cohu is able to raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities, such issuance would also result in dilution to Cohu’s stockholders. Cohu’s inability to service its debt obligations or refinance its debt could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial conditions or operating results after the Merger. In addition, Cohu’s debt obligations may limit its ability to make required investments in capacity, technology or other areas of its business, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial conditions or operating results.
* Cohu cannot provide assurance that it will be able to continue paying dividends at the current rate.
Cohu plans to continue its currently quarterly dividend practices following the Merger. However, Cohu stockholders may not receive the same dividends following the Merger for various reasons, including the following:
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as a result of the Merger and the issuance of shares of Cohu Common Stock in connection with the Merger, the total amount of cash required for Cohu to pay dividends at its current rate will increase; |
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Cohu may not have enough cash to pay such dividends due to Cohu’s cash requirements, capital spending plans, cash flow or financial position; |
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decisions on whether, when and in which amounts to make any future distributions will remain at all times entirely at the discretion of the Cohu Board, which reserves the right to change Cohu’s dividend practices at any time; |
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Rising interest rates, which increase Cohu’s debt service obligations; |
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Cohu may desire to retain cash to maintain or improve its credit ratings; and |
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the amount of dividends that Cohu’s subsidiaries may distribute to Cohu may be subject to restrictions imposed by state or foreign law, restrictions that may be imposed by state or foreign regulators, and restrictions imposed by the terms of any current or future indebtedness that these subsidiaries may incur. |
We are exposed to other risks associated with other acquisitions, investments and divestitures.
As part of our business strategy, we regularly evaluate investments in, or acquisitions of, complementary businesses, joint ventures, services and technologies, and we expect that periodically we will continue to make such investments and acquisitions in the future, such as our acquisition of Kita, which was completed on January 4, 2017. Acquisitions and investments involve numerous risks, including, but not limited to:
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difficulties and increased costs in connection with integration of the personnel, operations, technologies and products of acquired businesses; |
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increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our business; |
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the cost and risk of having to potentially develop new and unfamiliar sales channels for acquired businesses; |
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diversion of management’s attention from other operational matters; |
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the potential loss of key employees, customers or suppliers of Cohu or acquired businesses; |
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lack of synergy, or the inability to realize expected synergies, resulting from the acquisition; |
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potential unknown liabilities associated with the acquired businesses; |
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failure to commercialize purchased technology; |
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the impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill that could result in significant charges to operating results in future periods; and |
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challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences. |
We may decide to finance future acquisitions and investments through a combination of borrowings, proceeds from equity or debt offerings and the use of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. If we finance acquisitions by issuing convertible debt or equity securities, our existing stockholders may be diluted which could affect the market price of our stock.
Mergers, acquisitions and investments are inherently risky and the inability to effectively manage these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. At June 30, 2018, we had goodwill and net purchased intangible assets balances of $64.8 million and $14.5 million, respectively.
We are making investments in new products to enter new markets, which may adversely affect our operating results; these investments may not be successful.
Given the highly competitive and rapidly evolving technology environment in which we operate, we believe it is important to develop new product offerings to meet strategic opportunities as they evolve. This includes developing products that we believe are necessary to meet the future needs of the marketplace. We are currently investing in new product development programs to enable us to compete in the test contactor and wafer level package (WLP) probe and inspection markets, which includes a significant ongoing investment in our PANTHER platform. We expect to continue to make investments and we may at any time, based on product need or marketplace demand, decide to significantly increase our product development expenditures in these or other products. The cost of investments in new product offerings can have a negative impact on our operating results and PANTHER, for example, has not generated any material revenues for us. There can be no assurance that any new products we develop will be accepted in the marketplace or generate material revenues for us.
We are exposed to the risks of operating a global business.
We are a global corporation with offices and subsidiaries in certain foreign locations to manufacture our products, support our sales and services to the global semiconductor industry and, as such, we face risks in doing business abroad. Certain aspects inherent in transacting business internationally could negatively impact our operating results, including:
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costs and difficulties in staffing and managing international operations; |
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legislative or regulatory requirements and potential changes in or interpretations of requirements in the United States and in the countries in which we manufacture or sell our products; |
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trade restrictions, including treaty changes, sanctions and the suspension of export licenses; |
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compliance with and changes in import/export tariffs and regulations; |
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difficulties in enforcing contractual and intellectual property rights; |
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longer payment cycles; |
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local political and economic conditions; |
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potentially adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on repatriating earnings and the threat of “double taxation”; and |
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fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. Dollar, which can affect demand for our products and increase our costs. |
Additionally, managing geographically dispersed operations presents difficult challenges associated with organizational alignment and infrastructure, communications and information technology, inventory control, customer relationship management, terrorist threats and related security matters and cultural diversities. If we are unsuccessful in managing such operations effectively, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
* We have manufacturing operations in Asia. Any failure to effectively manage multiple manufacturing sites and to secure raw materials meeting our quality, cost and other requirements, or failures by our suppliers to perform, could harm our sales, service levels and reputation.
Our reliance on overseas manufacturers exposes us to significant risks including complex management, foreign currency, legal, tax and economic risks, which we may not be able to address quickly and adequately. In addition, it is time consuming and costly to qualify overseas supplier relationships. If we should fail to effectively manage overseas manufacturing operations, or if one or more of them should experience delays, disruptions or quality control problems, or if we had to change or add additional manufacturing sites, our ability to ship products to our customers could be delayed. Also, the addition of overseas manufacturing locations increases the demands on our administrative and operations infrastructure and the complexity of our supply chain management. If our overseas manufacturing locations are unable to meet our manufacturing requirements in a timely manner, our ability to ship products and to realize the related revenues when anticipated could be materially affected.
Our suppliers are subject to the fluctuations in general economic cycles, and global economic conditions may impact their ability to operate their business. They may also be impacted by possible import, export, tariff and other trade barriers, increasing costs of raw materials, labor and distribution, resulting in demands for less attractive contract terms or an inability for them to meet our requirements or conduct their own businesses. The performance and financial condition of a supplier may cause us to alter our business terms or to cease doing business with a particular supplier, or change our sourcing practices generally, which could in turn adversely affect our own business and financial condition.
Failure of critical suppliers to deliver sufficient quantities of parts in a timely and cost-effective manner could adversely impact our operations.
We use numerous vendors to supply parts, components and subassemblies for the manufacture of our products. It is not always possible to maintain multiple qualified suppliers for all of our parts, components and subassemblies. As a result, certain key parts may be available only from a single supplier (“sole source”) or a limited number of suppliers. In addition, suppliers may significantly raise prices or cease manufacturing certain components (with or without advance notice to us) that are difficult to replace without significant reengineering of our products. On occasion, we have experienced problems in obtaining adequate and reliable quantities of various parts and components from certain key or sole source suppliers. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted if we do not receive sufficient parts to meet our requirements in a timely and cost effective manner.
The semiconductor industry we serve is seasonal, volatile and unpredictable.
Visibility into our markets is limited. The semiconductor equipment business is highly dependent on the overall strength of the semiconductor industry. Historically, the semiconductor industry has been seasonal with recurring periods of oversupply and excess capacity, which often have had a significant effect on the semiconductor industry’s demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type we manufacture and market. We anticipate that the markets for newer generations of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment will also be subject to similar cycles and severe downturns. Any significant reductions in capital equipment investment by semiconductor integrated device manufacturers and test subcontractors will materially and adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations. In addition, the seasonal, volatile and unpredictable nature of semiconductor equipment demand has in the past and may in the future expose us to significant excess and obsolete and lower of cost or net realizable value inventory write-offs and reserve requirements. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recorded pre-tax inventory-related charges of approximately $1.1 million, $1.1 million, and $2.4 million, respectively, primarily because of changes in customer forecasts.
Due to the nature of our business, we need continued access to capital, which if not available to us or if not available on favorable terms, could harm our ability to operate or expand our business.
Our business requires capital to finance accounts receivable and product inventory that is not financed by trade creditors when our business is expanding. If cash from available sources is insufficient or cash is used for unanticipated needs, we may require additional capital sooner than anticipated.
We believe that our existing sources of liquidity, including cash resources and cash provided by operating activities will provide sufficient resources to meet our working capital and cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. In the event we are required, or elect, to raise additional funds, we may be unable to do so on favorable terms, or at all, and may incur expenses in raising the additional funds and increase our interest rate exposure, and any future indebtedness could adversely affect our operating results and severely limit our ability to plan for, or react to, changes in our business or industry. We could also be limited by financial and other restrictive covenants in credit arrangements, including limitations on our borrowing of additional funds and issuing dividends. If we choose to issue new equity securities, existing stockholders may experience dilution, or the new equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of common stock. If we cannot raise funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements. Any inability to raise additional capital when required could have an adverse effect on our business and operating results.
The semiconductor equipment industry is intensely competitive.
The semiconductor test handler industry is intensely competitive and we face substantial competition from numerous companies throughout the world. The test handler industry, while relatively small in terms of worldwide market size compared to other segments of the semiconductor equipment industry, has several participants resulting in intense competitive pricing pressures. Future competition may include companies that do not currently supply test handlers. Some of our competitors are part of larger corporations that have substantially greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and customer support capabilities and provide more extensive product offerings. In addition, there are emerging semiconductor equipment companies that provide or may provide innovative technology incorporated in products that may compete successfully against our products. We expect our competitors to continue to improve the design and performance of their current products and introduce new products with improved performance capabilities. Our failure to introduce new products in a timely manner, the introduction by our competitors of products with perceived or actual advantages, or disputes over rights to use certain intellectual property or technology could result in a loss of our competitive position and reduced sales of, or margins on our existing products. Intense competition has adversely impacted our product average selling prices and gross margins on certain products. If we are unable to reduce the cost of our existing products and successfully introduce new lower cost products, then we expect that these competitive conditions would negatively impact our gross margin and operating results in the foreseeable future.
In addition, with the acquisition of Kita in 2017, we increased our investments in our test contactor business, and announced significant growth targets for the business over the next several years. The test contactor market is fragmented, with many entrenched regional players, and subject to intense price competition and high customer support requirements. We believe that customer support and responsiveness and an ability to consistently meet tight deadlines is critical to our success. If we are unable to reduce the cost of our test contactor products, while also meeting customer support requirements and deadlines, then we expect that these competitive conditions would negatively impact our gross margin and operating results in the foreseeable future.
Semiconductor equipment is subject to rapid technological change, product introductions and transitions which may result in inventory write-offs, and our new product development involves numerous risks and uncertainties.
Semiconductor equipment and processes are subject to rapid technological change. We believe that our future success will depend in part on our ability to enhance existing products and develop new products with improved performance capabilities. We expect to continue to invest heavily in research and development and must manage product transitions successfully, as introductions of new products, including the products obtained in our acquisitions, may adversely impact sales and/or margins of existing products. In addition, the introduction of new products by us or by our competitors, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers, the migration to new semiconductor testing methodologies and the custom nature of our inventory parts increases the risk that our established products and related inventory may become obsolete, resulting in significant excess and obsolete inventory exposure. This exposure resulted in charges to operations during each of the years in the three-year period ended December 30, 2017. Future inventory write-offs and increased inventory reserve requirements could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
The design, development, commercial introduction and manufacture of new semiconductor equipment is an inherently complex process that involves a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks include potential problems in meeting customer acceptance and performance requirements, integration of the equipment with other suppliers’ equipment and the customers’ manufacturing processes, transitioning from product development to volume manufacturing and the ability of the equipment to satisfy the semiconductor industry’s constantly evolving needs and achieve commercial acceptance at prices that produce satisfactory profit margins. The design and development of new semiconductor equipment is heavily influenced by changes in integrated circuit assembly, test and final manufacturing processes and integrated circuit package design changes. We believe that the