Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x

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

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended June 28, 2008

 

 

 

or

 

 

o

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

 

 

 

For the transition period from             to            

 

Commission file number 001-33170

 

 

NETLIST, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

95-4812784

State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization

 

Identification No.)

 

51 Discovery, Irvine, CA 92618

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(949) 435-0025

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer      o

 

Accelerated filer      o

 

Non-accelerated filer      o

 

Smaller reporting company      x

 

 

 

 

(Do not check if a smaller

 

 

 

 

 

 

reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date:

 

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

19,855,411 shares outstanding at July 31, 2008

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 2008

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 28, 2008 and December 29, 2007

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

Item 4T.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

2



Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

 

 

June 28,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

11,243

 

$

7,182

 

Restricted cash

 

2,000

 

 

Investments in marketable securities

 

11,595

 

15,573

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

6,441

 

12,034

 

Inventories

 

8,331

 

3,333

 

Income taxes receivable

 

903

 

708

 

Deferred taxes

 

3,899

 

3,464

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

975

 

392

 

Total current assets

 

45,387

 

42,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

7,907

 

8,191

 

Deferred taxes

 

1,620

 

1,065

 

Long-term investments in marketable securities

 

974

 

7,814

 

Other assets

 

556

 

600

 

Total assets

 

$

56,444

 

$

60,356

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

4,952

 

$

6,697

 

Revolving line of credit

 

5,662

 

4,872

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

547

 

740

 

Current portion of deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction

 

118

 

118

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

2,618

 

2,872

 

Total current liabilities

 

13,897

 

15,299

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

397

 

638

 

Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction, net of current portion

 

167

 

226

 

Total liabilities

 

14,461

 

16,163

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

20

 

20

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

68,724

 

68,109

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(26,734

)

(23,899

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(27

)

(37

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

41,983

 

44,193

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

56,444

 

$

60,356

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

18,429

 

$

12,811

 

$

31,533

 

$

50,349

 

Cost of sales(1)

 

15,770

 

18,734

 

25,743

 

50,823

 

Gross profit (loss)

 

2,659

 

(5,923

)

5,790

 

(474

)

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development(1)

 

1,716

 

1,478

 

3,292

 

2,545

 

Selling, general and administrative(1)

 

3,310

 

3,845

 

6,778

 

7,549

 

Total operating expenses

 

5,026

 

5,323

 

10,070

 

10,094

 

Operating loss

 

(2,367

)

(11,246

)

(4,280

)

(10,568

)

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net

 

104

 

162

 

343

 

114

 

Other income (expense), net

 

23

 

4

 

(68

)

5

 

Total other income, net

 

127

 

166

 

275

 

119

 

Loss before provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(2,240

)

(11,080

)

(4,005

)

(10,449

)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

11

 

(3,864

)

(1,170

)

(3,864

)

Net loss

 

$

(2,251

)

$

(7,216

)

$

(2,835

)

$

(6,585

)

Net loss per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.37

)

$

(0.14

)

$

(0.34

)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

19,855

 

19,653

 

19,839

 

19,638

 

 


(1)  Amounts include stock-based compensation expense as follows:

 

Cost of sales

 

$

48

 

$

44

 

$

62

 

$

108

 

Research and development

 

62

 

19

 

85

 

65

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

265

 

231

 

472

 

449

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(2,835

)

$

(6,585

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,054

 

568

 

Amortization of deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction

 

(59

)

(59

)

Deferred income taxes

 

(990

)

(4,394

)

Impairment of long-lived asset

 

 

257

 

Loss on inventory adjustments

 

 

6,012

 

Stock-based compensation

 

619

 

622

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

5,593

 

16,414

 

Inventories

 

(4,998

)

7,438

 

Income taxes receivable

 

(195

)

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(583

)

303

 

Other assets

 

44

 

(592

)

Accounts payable

 

(1,745

)

(7,273

)

Income taxes payable

 

 

(525

)

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

(254

)

(596

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

(4,349

)

11,590

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of property and equipment

 

(770

)

(4,248

)

Repayment of note receivable from stockholder

 

 

1

 

Purchase of investments in marketable securities

 

(6,672

)

(43,481

)

Proceeds from maturities and sales of investments in marketable securities

 

17,500

 

24,800

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

10,058

 

(22,928

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings on lines of credit

 

49,490

 

61,880

 

Payments on lines of credit

 

(48,700

)

(76,311

)

Borrowings on debt

 

 

290

 

Payments on debt

 

(434

)

(658

)

Increase in restricted cash

 

(2,000

)

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants

 

 

161

 

Reversal of unrealized excess tax benefit from exercise of warrants

 

(4

)

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,648

)

(14,638

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

4,061

 

(25,976

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

7,182

 

30,975

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

11,243

 

$

4,999

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

June 28, 2008

 

Note 1—Description of Business

 

Netlist designs and manufactures high performance memory subsystems for the server, high performance computing and communications markets. The Company’s solutions are targeted at applications where memory plays a key role in meeting system performance requirements.

 

Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Form 10-Q and Article 8 of SEC Regulation S-X. These financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 29, 2007, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2008.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they contain all normal recurring accruals and adjustments that, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries as of June 28, 2008 and December 29, 2007, the consolidated results of its operations for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, and the consolidated cash flows for the six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future interim periods.

 

Fiscal Year

 

The Company operates under a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. For fiscal 2008, the Company’s fiscal year end is scheduled to be January 3, 2009 and will consist of 53 weeks. Each of the Company’s first three quarters in a fiscal year is comprised of 13 weeks.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates made by management include, among others, provisions for uncollectible receivables and sales returns, warranty liabilities, valuation of inventories, recoverability of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation expense and realization of deferred tax assets. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company’s revenues primarily consist of product sales of high performance memory subsystems to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). Revenues also include sales of excess inventories to distributors and other users of memory integrated circuits (“ICs”) totaling approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, during the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and approximately $0.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

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The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (“SAB 104”). Under the provisions of SAB 104, the Company recognizes revenues when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, product delivery and acceptance have occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

 

The Company generally uses customer purchase orders and/or contracts as evidence of an arrangement. Delivery occurs when goods are shipped for customers with FOB Shipping Point terms and upon receipt for customers with FOB Destination terms, at which time title and risk of loss transfer to the customer. Shipping documents are used to verify delivery and customer acceptance. The Company assesses whether the sales price is fixed or determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund. Customers are generally allowed limited rights of return for up to 30 days, except for sales of excess inventories, which contain no right-of-return privileges. Estimated returns are provided for at the time of sale based on historical experience or specific identification of an event necessitating a reserve. The Company offers a standard product warranty to its customers and has no other post-shipment obligations. The Company assesses collectibility based on the creditworthiness of the customer as determined by credit checks and evaluations, as well as the customer’s payment history.

 

A portion of the Company’s international shipments are made to third-party inventory warehouses, or hubs, and the Company recognizes revenue when the inventory is pulled from the hub for use in production by the customer. The Company receives a report from the customer on a daily basis indicating the inventories pulled from a hub for use by the customer, and performs a daily reconciliation of inventories shipped to and pulled by the customer to those inventories reflected on the customer’s reports to ensure that sales are recognized in the appropriate periods.

 

All amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are classified as revenues, while all costs incurred by the Company for shipping and handling are classified as cost of sales.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term investments with original maturities of 90 days of less.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash represents amounts pledged as collateral on an outstanding letter of credit.

 

Investments in Marketable Securities

 

The Company accounts for its investments in marketable securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities , and Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position SFAS No. 115-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. The Company’s investments in marketable securities have been classified and accounted for as available-for-sale based on management’s investment intentions relating to these securities. Available-for-sale securities are stated at market value based on market quotes. Unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). The Company follows the guidance provided by Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments , to assess whether its investments with unrealized loss positions are other than temporarily impaired. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other income (expense), net in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

The Company generally invests its excess cash in money market funds and in highly liquid debt instruments of United States (“U.S.”) municipalities, corporations, the U.S. government and its agencies and auction rate securities. All highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents; all investments with stated maturities of greater than three months are classified as investments in marketable securities.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, investments in marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and debt instruments. Effective December 30, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and expands required disclosures about fair value measurements. Pursuant to SFAS 157, other than for certain investments in auction rate securities (see Note 4), the fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities is determined based on “Level 1” inputs, which consist of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The Company believes that the carrying values of all other financial instruments approximate their current fair values due to their nature and respective durations.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on an average cost basis which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis and includes raw materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. At each balance sheet date, the Company evaluates its ending inventories for excess quantities and obsolescence. Among other factors, the Company considers historical demand and forecasted demand in relation to the inventory on hand, competitiveness of product offerings, market conditions and product life cycles when determining obsolescence and net realizable value. Provisions are made to reduce excess or obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable values. Once established, write-downs are considered permanent adjustments to the cost basis of the excess or obsolete inventories.

 

Warranties

 

The Company offers warranties generally ranging from one to three years to its customers, other than on sales of excess inventory, depending on the product and negotiated terms of purchase agreements. Such warranties require the Company to repair or replace defective product returned to the Company during the warranty period at no cost to the customer. The Company records an estimate for warranty-related costs at the time of sale based on, among other factors, its historical and estimated product return rates and expected repair or replacement costs. Such costs have historically been consistent between periods and in-line with management’s expectations. The Company’s warranty liability is included as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for equity issuances to non-employees in accordance with SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS 123”), and EITF Issue No. 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods and Services . All transactions in which goods or services are the consideration received for the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The measurement date used to determine the fair value of the equity instrument issued is the earlier of the date on which the third-party performance is complete or the date on which it is probable that performance will occur.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123R”), employee and director stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations includes (i) compensation expense for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of December 31, 2005 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the pro forma provisions of SFAS 123 and (ii) compensation expense for the share-based payment awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R. Given that stock-based compensation expense recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The estimated average forfeiture rates used by the Company are based on historical forfeiture experience and estimated future forfeitures.

 

The fair value of stock-based awards to employees and directors is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires subjective assumptions regarding future stock price volatility and expected time to exercise, along with assumptions about the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends, which affect the estimated fair values of the Company’s stock-based awards. The expected term of options granted is derived from historical data on employee exercises and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatilities of the common stock of comparable publicly traded companies based on the Company’s belief that it currently has limited historical data regarding the volatility of its stock price on which to base a meaningful estimate of expected volatility. The risk-free rate selected to value any particular grant is based on the U.S. Treasury rate that corresponds to the expected term of the grant effective as of the date of the grant. The expected dividends assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts. These factors could change in the future, affecting the determination of stock-based compensation expense in future periods.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS 109”). Under SFAS 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized to reflect the estimated future tax effects, calculated at currently effective tax rates, of future deductible or taxable amounts attributable to events that have been recognized on a cumulative basis in the consolidated financial statements. A valuation allowance related to a deferred tax asset is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”) on December 31, 2006, the first day of its fiscal 2007. FIN 48 seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement requirement for the financial statement recognition of a tax position that has been taken or is expected to be taken on a tax return and also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. Under FIN 48 the Company may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company’s operations in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) are subject to various political, geographical and economic risks and uncertainties inherent to conducting business in China. These include, but are not limited to, (i) potential changes in economic conditions in the region, (ii) managing a local workforce that may subject the Company to uncertainties or certain regulatory policies and (iii) changes in other policies of the Chinese governmental and regulatory agencies. Additionally, the Chinese government controls the procedures by which its local currency, the Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”), is converted into other currencies. If changes or restrictions in the conversion of RMB are instituted, the Company’s operations and operating results may be negatively impacted.

 

Foreign Currency Remeasurement

 

The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Local currency financial statements are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate for monetary assets and liabilities and the historical exchange rate for nonmonetary assets and liabilities. Expenses are remeasured using the average exchange rate for the period, except items related to nonmonetary assets and liabilities, which are remeasured using historical exchange rates. All remeasurement gains and losses are included in determining net income (loss).

 

Note 3—Supplemental Financial Information

 

Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

June 28,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Raw materials

 

$

3,579

 

$

1,878

 

Work in process

 

1,314

 

425

 

Finished goods

 

3,438

 

1,030

 

 

 

$

8,331

 

$

3,333

 

 

Warranty Liability

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to the warranty liability (in thousands):

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

353

 

$

298

 

Charged to costs and expenses

 

8

 

140

 

Usage

 

(70

)

(93

)

Ending balance

 

$

291

 

$

345

 

 

The warranty liability is included as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Facility Relocation Costs

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s accrual for facility relocation costs during the six months ended June 28, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

 

 

2008

 

Beginning balance

 

$

103

 

Charged to costs and expenses

 

 

Net payments

 

(46

)

Ending balance

 

$

57

 

 

The liability for facility relocation costs is included as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

The components of comprehensive loss, net of taxes, consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(2,251

)

$

(7,216

)

$

(2,835

)

$

(6,585

)

Other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in net unrealized loss on investments

 

68

 

(11

)

23

 

(7

)

Reclassification adjustment for net realized gain included in net loss

 

 

 

(13

)

 

Total comprehensive loss

 

$

(2,183

)

$

(7,227

)

$

(2,825

)

$

(6,592

)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss reflected on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets at June 28, 2008 and December 29, 2007 represents accumulated net unrealized losses on investments in marketable securities.

 

Computation of Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. The following table sets forth the computation of net loss per share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator: Net loss

 

$

(2,251

)

$

(7,216

)

$

(2,835

)

$

(6,585

)

Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

19,855

 

19,653

 

19,839

 

19,638

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

 

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.37

)

$

(0.14

)

$

(0.34

)

 

The following table sets forth all potentially dilutive common share equivalents, consisting of shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants computed using the treasury stock method, which have been excluded from the diluted net loss per share calculations above as their effect would be anti-dilutive for the periods then ended (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common share equivalents

 

867

 

1,414

 

868

 

1,660

 

 

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Major Customers

 

The Company’s product sales have historically been concentrated in a small number of customers. The following table sets forth sales to customers comprising 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues for the periods presented:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Customer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dell

 

60

%

48

%

66

%

41

%

Hewlett Packard

 

26

%

19

%

22

%

28

%

IBM

 

%

12

%

%

11

%

 

The Company’s accounts receivable are concentrated with two customers at June 28, 2008 representing approximately 65% and 18% of aggregate gross receivables. A significant reduction in sales to, or the inability to collect receivables from, a significant customer could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

 

Note 4—Fair Value Measurements

 

In accordance with SFAS 157, the following table details the fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s investments in marketable securities (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at June 28, 2008 Using

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

Significant Other

 

Significant

 

 

 

Fair Value at

 

Active Markets for

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

June 28,

 

Identical Assets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

 

 

2008

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in marketable securities

 

$

12,569

 

$

11,595

 

$

 

$

974

 

 

Fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs in the table above relate to the Company’s investments in auction rate securities.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the Company’s assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs (in thousands):

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

 

Transfers into Level 3

 

1,002

 

Unrealized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(28

)

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net

 

 

Ending balance

 

$

974

 

 

During the quarter ended June 28, 2008, the Company was able to liquidate at par value two of its marketable securities investments in AAA rated auction rate securities with a total purchased cost of $2.0 million. Accordingly, the Company reversed the cumulative unrealized loss on these investments of approximately $0.2 million that was previously recorded as of March 29, 2008.

 

The recent disruptions in the credit market continue to adversely affect the market for auction rate securities, such that these securities generally remain illiquid. As of June 28, 2008, the Company held two investments in auction rate securities with a total purchased cost of $1.0 million. These two investments represent (i) a fully insured debt obligation of a municipality and (ii) a AAA rated debt obligation backed by pools of student loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. Given the insufficient observable market information available, the Company has valued these investments using assumptions including discounted cash flows, credit quality and expected duration. The Company is not currently able to predict how long these investments will remain illiquid, and as such, they have been classified as long-term investments in marketable securities in the accompanying unaudited

 

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condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not believe that the illiquidity of these investments will materially impact its ability to fund its working capital needs, capital expenditures or other business requirements. The Company has concluded that the unrealized losses on these investments, which totaled approximately $28,000 at June 28, 2008, are temporary because (i) the Company believes that the decline in market value and absence of liquidity that has occurred is due to general market conditions, (ii) the auction rate securities continue to be of a high credit quality and interest is paid as due and (iii) the Company has the intent and ability to hold these investments until a recovery in market value occurs.

 

The fair value of the Company’s investments in marketable securities could change significantly in the future and the Company may be required to record other-than-temporary impairment charges or additional unrealized losses in future periods.

 

Note 5—Credit Agreement

 

In May 2008, the Company executed the Ninth Amendment to its Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement (the “Ninth Amendment”). Among other things, the Ninth Amendment revised certain minimum profitability financial covenant requirements and also eliminated the Company’s previous minimum monthly book net worth financial covenant requirement. Additionally, the Company’s nonrevolving equipment financing line of credit was revised to allow the Company to borrow up to an additional maximum of $0.9 million to finance up to 80% of the cost of equipment purchases through the end of fiscal 2008. Principal on any of these additional borrowings is scheduled to be repaid in 42 equal monthly installments commencing January 1, 2009. Interest on the Company’s existing and future equipment line of credit advances is payable monthly at the prime rate. The Ninth Amendment is effective as of the beginning of the Company’s second quarter of 2008.

 

The following table presents details of interest expense related to borrowings on the line of credit, along with certain other applicable information (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Interest expense

 

$

26

 

$

159

 

$

86

 

$

549

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Outstanding borrowings on the line of credit

 

 

 

 

 

$

5,662

 

$

4,872

 

Borrowing availability under the line of credit

 

 

 

 

 

$

337

 

$

6,366

 

 

Any borrowings under the Company’s revolving and equipment lines of credit are collateralized by a general first priority lien against all of the Company’s assets, both tangible and intangible.

 

Note 6—Letters of Credit

 

In June 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with its bank to issue a commercial letter of credit (“LC”) up to $2 million to support purchases of inventory from a supplier. As part of this agreement, the Company is required to pledge cash as collateral for the full amount of the LC, and thus, as of June 28, 2008, $2 million is classified as restricted cash in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

Subsequently, in July 2008, the Company entered into a second similar agreement with its bank to issue another commercial LC up to $2 million to support inventory purchases from another supplier. This agreement also requires the Company to pledge cash as collateral for the full amount of the LC.

 

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Note 7—Long-Term Debt

 

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

June 28,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligations under capital leases

 

$

225

 

$

432

 

Equipment note payable to bank

 

678

 

872

 

Notes payable to others

 

41

 

74

 

 

 

944

 

1,378

 

Less current portion

 

(547

)

(740

)

 

 

$

397

 

$

638

 

 

Interest expense related to long-term debt is presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Interest expense

 

$

30

 

$

51

 

$

67

 

$

108

 

 

Note 8—Income Taxes

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s provision (benefit) for income taxes, along with the corresponding effective tax rates (in thousands, except percentages):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

$

11

 

$

(3,864

)

$

(1,170

)

$

(3,864

)

Effective tax rate

 

%

(35

)%

(29

)%

(37

)%

 

Under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting , the Company is required to adjust its effective tax rate each quarter to be consistent with the estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company is also required to record the tax impact of certain discrete items, unusual or infrequently occurring, including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, in the interim period in which they occur. In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year or a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The impact of such an exclusion could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter, based upon the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

 

The difference between the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended June 28, 2008 and the 35% federal statutory rate is primarily attributable to a change in annual projected pre-tax income and the tax benefit recorded in the prior quarter.

 

Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies

 

Federal Securities Class Action

 

Beginning in May 2007, the Company, certain of its officers and directors, and the Company’s underwriters were named as defendants in four purported class action shareholder complaints, two of which were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and two of which were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. These purported class action lawsuits were filed on behalf of persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s common stock pursuant or traceable to the Company’s November 30, 2006 Initial Public Offering (the “IPO”). The lawsuits were consolidated into a single action—Belodoff v. Netlist, Inc., Lead Case No. SACV07-677 DOC (MLGx)—which is currently pending in the Central District of California. Lead Plaintiff filed the Consolidated Complaint on November 5, 2007. Defendants filed their motions to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint on January 9, 2008. The motions to dismiss were taken under submission on April 28, 2008 and on May 30, 2008, the Court granted the defendants’ motions. However, plaintiffs were granted the right to amend their complaint and subsequently filed their First Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint on July 15, 2008. Generally, the Amended Complaint alleges that the Registration Statement issued by the Company in connection with the IPO contained untrue statements of material fact or omissions of material fact in violation of Sections 11 and 15 of Securities Act of 1933. The deadline for defendants to answer, move to dismiss or otherwise respond to the Amended Complaint is September 2, 2008. The Company believes that the allegations

 

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Table of Contents

 

lack merit and intends to vigorously defend all claims asserted. However, at this time, the Company is unable to form a professional judgment that an unfavorable outcome is either probable or remote, and it is not possible to assess whether or not the outcome of these proceedings will or will not have a material adverse effect on the Company. If an unfavorable outcome should eventually occur, the Company is not at this time able to estimate the amount or range of possible loss.

 

California Derivative Action

 

In August 2007, a derivative lawsuit was filed in California Superior Court for County of Orange—Smith v. Hong, Case No. 07CC01359—against certain of the Company’s officers and directors. This action contains factual allegations similar to those of the federal class action lawsuit described above, but the plaintiff in this case also asserts claims for violations of California’s insider trading laws, breaches of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, and unjust enrichment. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages, equitable and/or injunctive relief and disgorgement of all profits, benefits and other compensation obtained by the defendants. The defendants in this action have not responded to the complaint. Pursuant to a stipulation, the parties agreed to temporarily stay the action pending the ultimate decision on the defendants’ motions to dismiss in the federal securities class action. The parties also agreed that twenty days after the court in the federal securities class action issues a final ruling as to the motions to dismiss brought in that action, the parties will meet and confer regarding the time for defendants to respond to the complaint in this derivative action. The Company believes that the allegations lack merit and intends to vigorously defend all claims asserted. At this time, however, the Company is unable to form a professional judgment that an unfavorable outcome is either probable or remote. Moreover, if an unfavorable outcome should eventually occur, the Company is not at this time able to estimate the amount or range of possible loss. In addition, the Company has received correspondence from counsel for a purported shareholder requesting that the Company take actions to investigate and remedy alleged wrongdoing by unidentified former and current officers and/or directors based on allegations similar to those in the Smith v. Hong derivative case. The Company is evaluating its response to this request.

 

Other Obligations

 

During its normal course of business, the Company has made certain indemnities, commitments and guarantees under which it may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. These include (i) intellectual property indemnities to the Company’s customers and licensees in connection with the use, sales and/or license of Company products; (ii) indemnities to vendors and service providers pertaining to claims based on the negligence or willful misconduct of the Company; (iii) indemnities involving the accuracy of representations and warranties in certain contracts; (iv) indemnities to directors and officers of the Company to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware; and (v) certain real estate leases, under which the Company may be required to indemnify property owners for environmental and other liabilities, and other claims arising from the Company’s use of the applicable premises. The duration of these indemnities, commitments and guarantees varies and, in certain cases, may be indefinite. The majority of these indemnities, commitments and guarantees do not provide for any limitation of the maximum potential for future payments the Company could be obligated to make. Historically, the Company has not been obligated to make significant payments for these obligations, and no liabilities have been recorded for these indemnities, commitments and guarantees in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Note 10—Stock Options and Warrants

 

Common Stock Options

 

A summary of the Company’s common stock option activity as of and for the six months ended June 28, 2008 is presented below (shares in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Number of

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Shares

 

Price

 

Options outstanding at December 29, 2007

 

3,746

 

$

3.06

 

Options granted

 

665

 

1.64

 

Options exercised

 

 

 

Options cancelled

 

(313

)

2.60

 

Options outstanding at June 28, 2008

 

4,098

 

$

2.87

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table presents details of the assumptions used to calculate the weighted-average grant date fair value of common stock options granted by the Company:

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Expected term (in years)

 

5.4

 

5.4

 

Expected volatility

 

80

%

80

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

3.10

%

4.74

%

Expected dividends

 

 

 

Weighted-average grant date fair value per share

 

$

1.11

 

$

3.63

 

 

At June 28, 2008, the amount of unearned stock-based compensation currently estimated to be expensed from fiscal 2008 through fiscal 2012 related to unvested common stock options is approximately $3.1 million, net of estimated forfeitures. The weighted-average period over which the unearned stock-based compensation is expected to be recognized is approximately 2.5 years. If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested common stock options, the Company may be required to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unearned stock-based compensation expense. Future stock-based compensation expense and unearned stock-based compensation will increase to the extent that the Company grants additional common stock options or other equity awards.

 

Warrants

 

A summary of activity with respect to outstanding warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock as of and for the six months ended June 28, 2008 is presented below (shares in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Number of

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Shares

 

Price

 

Warrants outstanding at December 29, 2007

 

318

 

$

1.01

 

Warrants granted

 

 

 

Warrants exercised

 

(97

)

1.00

 

Warrants cancelled

 

(203

)

1.00

 

Warrants outstanding and exercisable at June 28, 2008

 

18

 

$

1.25

 

 

In February 2008, certain warrant holders exercised 300,000 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, whereby the Company issued approximately 97,000 shares of common stock pursuant to a net issue election and effectively received approximately 203,000 shares back from the warrant holders as consideration in lieu of cash for the exercised warrants. The 203,000 shares were forfeited on the exercise date.

 

Note 11—Segment and Geographic Information

 

The Company operates in one reportable segment: the design and manufacture of high-performance memory subsystems for the server, high-performance computing and communications markets. The Company evaluates financial performance on a Company-wide basis.

 

At June 28, 2008, approximately $4.0 million of the Company’s net long-lived assets were located outside the United States, primarily in the PRC.

 

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

 

Cautionary Statement

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Report. The information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is not a complete description of our business or the risks associated with an investment in our common stock. We urge you to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this Report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007 and subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which discuss our business in greater detail.

 

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Table of Contents

 

This Report, along with similar discussions in our other SEC filings, describes some of the important risks that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. You should carefully consider those risks, in addition to the other information in this Report and in our other filings with the SEC, before deciding to purchase, hold or sell our common stock.

 

This Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

 

Overview

 

We design, manufacture and sell high performance memory subsystems for the server, high performance computing and communications markets. Our memory subsystems consist of dynamic random access memory integrated circuits, or DRAM ICs, NAND and other components assembled on a printed circuit board, or PCB. We engage with our original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, customers from the earliest stages of new product definition, which provides us unique insight into their full range of system architecture and performance requirements. This close collaboration has also allowed us to develop a significant level of systems expertise. We leverage a portfolio of proprietary technologies and design techniques, including efficient planar design, alternative packaging techniques and custom semiconductor logic, to deliver memory subsystems with high memory density, small form factor, high signal integrity, attractive thermal characteristics and low cost per bit.

 

Consistent with the concentrated nature of the OEM customer base in our target markets, a small number of large customers have historically accounted for a significant portion of our net sales. Dell and Hewlett Packard represented approximately 66% and 22%, respectively, of our net sales for the six months ended June 28, 2008. Dell, Hewlett Packard and IBM represented approximately 41%, 28% and 11%, respectively, of our net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Net sales to some of our OEM customers include memory modules that are qualified by us directly with the OEM customer and sold to electronic manufacturing services providers, or EMSs, for incorporation into products manufactured exclusively for the OEM customer. These net sales to EMSs have historically fluctuated period by period as a portion of the total net sales to these OEM customers. Net sales to Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., an EMS that purchases memory modules from us for incorporation into products manufactured exclusively for Dell, represented approximately 18% of net sales to Dell for the six months ended June 28, 2008 and approximately 67% of net sales to Dell for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Net sales to Kingston Technology Company, Inc., and to International Systems Technology Co. Ltd., both EMSs that purchase memory modules from us for incorporation into products manufactured exclusively for IBM, represented approximately 34% and 25%, respectively, of net sales to IBM for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

Key Business Metrics

 

The following describes certain line items in our statements of operations that are important to management’s assessment of our financial performance:

Net Sales. Net sales consist primarily of sales of our high performance memory subsystems, net of a provision for estimated returns under our right of return policies, which generally range up to 30 days. We generally do not have long-term sales agreements with our customers. Although OEM customers typically provide us with non-binding forecasts of future product demand over specific periods of time, they generally place orders with us approximately two weeks in advance of scheduled delivery. Selling prices are typically negotiated monthly, based on competitive market conditions and the current price of DRAM ICs and NAND. Purchase orders generally have no cancellation or rescheduling penalty provisions. We often ship our products to our customers’ international manufacturing sites. All of our sales to date, however, are denominated in U.S. dollars. We also sell excess component inventory of DRAM ICs and NAND to distributors and other users of memory ICs. As compared to previous years, component inventory sales have significantly decreased as a percentage of net sales as a result of our efforts to diversify our customer base which has resulted in our ability to use components in a wider range of memory subsystems. We expect that component inventory sales will continue to represent a minimal portion of our net sales in future periods.

 

Cost of Sales. Our cost of sales includes the cost of materials, manufacturing costs, depreciation and amortization of equipment, inventory valuation provisions, stock-based compensation and occupancy costs and other allocated fixed costs. The DRAM ICs and NAND incorporated into our products constitute a significant portion of our cost of sales, and thus our cost of sales will fluctuate based on the current price of DRAM ICs and NAND. We attempt to pass through such DRAM IC and NAND cost fluctuations to our customers by frequently renegotiating pricing prior to the placement of their purchase orders. To the extent we are successful, a large majority of our product cost is variable, and thus our cost of sales and gross margin percentages may not be significantly impacted by changes in sales volume. However, the sales prices of our memory subsystems can also fluctuate due to competitive situations unrelated to the pricing of DRAM ICs and NAND, which will affect gross margins. The gross margin on our sales of excess

 

16



Table of Contents

 

component DRAM IC and NAND inventory is much lower than the gross margin on our sales of our memory subsystems. As a result, a decrease in DRAM IC and NAND inventory sales as a percentage of our overall sales would result in an improved overall gross margin. We assess the valuation of our inventories on a monthly basis and record a provision to cost of sales as necessary to reduce inventories to the lower of cost or net realizable value.

 

Research and Development. Research and development expense consists primarily of employee and independent contractor compensation and related costs, stock-based compensation, computer-aided design software licenses, reference design development costs, patent-related fees, depreciation or rental of evaluation equipment, and occupancy and other allocated overhead costs. Also included in research and development expense are the costs of material and overhead related to the production of engineering samples of new products under development or products used solely in the research and development process. Our customers typically do not separately compensate us for design and engineering work involved in developing application-specific products for them. All research and development costs are expensed as incurred. We anticipate that research and development expenditures will increase in future periods as we seek to expand new product opportunities, increase our activities related to new and emerging markets and continue to develop additional proprietary technologies.

 

Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee salaries and related costs, stock-based compensation, independent sales representative commissions, professional services, promotional and other selling and marketing expenses, and occupancy and other allocated overhead costs. A significant portion of our selling efforts is directed at building relationships with OEMs and other customers and working through the product approval and qualification process with them. Therefore, the cost of material and overhead related to products manufactured for qualification is included in selling expenses. As we continue to service existing and penetrate new customers, we anticipate that our sales and marketing expenses will increase. We also anticipate that our general and administrative expenses related to accounting and legal expenses associated with our ongoing public reporting obligations will generally remain consistent during the remainder of fiscal 2008; however, beginning in fiscal 2009, we anticipate being subject to attestation services requirements with respect to our internal control over financial reporting, the result of which will increase such expenses in future periods.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. Our income tax provision (benefit) is based on the statutory federal tax rate of 35% and is typically impacted by state taxes and permanent book-tax differences.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. By their nature, these estimates and assumptions are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. We base our estimates on our historical experience, knowledge of current conditions and our beliefs of what could occur in the future considering available information. We review our estimates on an on-going basis. Actual results may differ from these estimates, which may result in material adverse effects on our operating results and financial position. We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the more significant assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

 

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenues in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition , or SAB 104. Under the provisions of SAB 104, we recognize revenues when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, product delivery and acceptance have occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

We generally use customer purchase orders and/or contracts as evidence of an arrangement. Delivery occurs when goods are shipped for customers with FOB Shipping Point terms and upon receipt for customers with FOB Destination terms, at which time title and risk of loss transfer to the customer. Shipping documents are used to verify delivery and customer acceptance. We assess whether the sales price is fixed or determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund.

 

Customers are generally allowed limited rights of return for up to 30 days, except for sales of excess inventories, which contain no right-of-return privileges. Estimated returns are provided for at the time of sale based on historical experience or specific identification of an event necessitating a reserve. We offer a standard product warranty to our customers and have no other post-shipment obligations. While these returns have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience similar return rates in the future. Any significant increase in product failure rates and the resulting product returns could have a material adverse effect on our operating results for the period or periods in which such returns materialize.

 

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Table of Contents

 

We assess collectibility based on the creditworthiness of the customer as determined by credit checks and evaluations, as well as the customer’s payment history. A portion of our international shipments are made to third party inventory warehouses, or hubs, and we recognize revenue when the inventory is pulled from the hub for use in production by the customer. We receive a report from the customer on a daily basis indicating the inventories pulled from a hub for use by the customer, and perform a daily reconciliation of inventories shipped to and pulled by the customer to those inventories reflected on the customer’s reports to ensure that sales are recognized in the appropriate periods. We have historically had good visibility into the inventories on-hand at hub locations and also what our customers intend to pull within each reporting period. However, if a customer does not pull our inventory from its hub in accordance with the schedule it originally provided to us, our predicted future revenues could vary from our forecasts and our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Additionally, since we own inventories that are physically located in hubs, our ability to effectively manage inventory levels may be impaired, causing our inventory turns to decrease, which would increase expenses associated with excess and obsolete inventories and negatively impact our cash flow.

 

All amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are classified as net sales, while all costs incurred by us for shipping and handling are classified as cost of sales.

 

Warranty Reserve. We offer warranties on our memory subsystems generally ranging from one to three years, depending on the product and negotiated terms of purchase agreements with our customers. Such warranties require us to repair or replace defective product returned to us during the warranty period at no cost to the customer. Our estimates for warranty-related costs are recorded at the time of sale based on historical and estimated future product return rates and expected repair or replacement costs. While such costs have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, unexpected changes in failure rates could have a material adverse impact on us, requiring additional warranty reserves, and adversely affecting our gross profit and gross margins.

 

Accounts Receivable. We perform credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and limit the amount of credit extended to our customers as deemed necessary, but generally require no collateral. We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. Generally, these credit losses have been within our expectations and the provisions established. However, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience credit loss rates similar to those we have experienced in the past.

 

Our accounts receivable are highly concentrated among a small number of customers, and a significant change in the liquidity or financial position of one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the collectibility of our accounts receivable, our liquidity and our future operating results.

 

Inventories. We value our inventories at the lower of the actual cost to purchase or manufacture the inventory or the net realizable value of the inventory. Cost is determined on an average cost basis which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis and includes raw materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and on order and record a provision for excess and obsolete inventories based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand and production requirements for the next three to six months. In addition, we consider changes in the market value of DRAM ICs and NAND in determining the net realizable value of our raw material inventory. Once established, any write downs are considered permanent adjustments to the cost basis of our inventories. A significant decrease in demand for our products could result in an increase in the amount of excess inventory quantities on hand. In addition, our estimates of future product demand may prove to be inaccurate, in which case we may have understated or overstated the provision required for excess and obsolete inventory. In the future, if our inventories are determined to be overvalued, we would be required to recognize additional expense in our cost of sales at the time of such determination. Likewise, if our inventories are determined to be undervalued, we may have over-reported our costs of sales in previous periods and would be required to recognize additional gross profit at the time such inventories are sold. In addition, should the market value of DRAM ICs and NAND decrease significantly, we may be required to lower our selling prices to reflect the lower cost of our raw materials. If such price decreases reduce the net realizable value of our inventories to less than our cost, we would be required to recognize additional expense in our cost of sales in the same period. Although we make every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of our forecasts of future product demand, any significant unanticipated changes in demand, technological developments or the market value of DRAM ICs and NAND could have a material effect on the value of our inventories and our reported operating results.

 

Long-Lived Assets. We review the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is determined based upon the forecasted undiscounted future net cash flows from the operations to which the assets relate, utilizing our best estimates, appropriate assumptions and projections at the time. These projected future cash flows may vary significantly over time as a result of increased competition, changes in technology, fluctuations in demand, consolidation of our customers and reductions in average selling prices. If the carrying value is determined not to be recoverable from future operating cash flows, the asset is deemed impaired and an impairment loss is recognized to the extent the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair market value of the asset.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Stock-Based Compensation. We account for equity issuances to non-employees in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation , and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods and Services . All transactions in which goods or services are the consideration received for the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The measurement date used to determine the fair value of the equity instrument issued is the earlier of the date on which the third-party performance is complete or the date on which it is probable that performance will occur.

 

On January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment , or SFAS 123R, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to our employees and directors based on estimated fair values. We adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective transition method, which requires the application of the accounting standard as of January 1, 2006, the first day of our fiscal year 2006. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, our consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of adopting SFAS 123R.

 

We currently use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock-based awards. While this model meets the requirements of SFAS 123R, the estimated fair values generated by it may not be indicative of the actual fair values of our stock-based awards as it does not consider certain factors important to those awards to employees, such as continued employment and periodic vesting requirements as well as limited transferability. The Black-Scholes model requires subjective assumptions regarding future stock price volatility and expected time to exercise, along with assumptions about the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends, all of which affect the estimated fair values of our stock-based awards. The expected term of options granted is derived from historical data on employee exercises and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatilities of the common stock of comparable publicly traded companies based on our belief that we currently have limited historical data regarding the volatility of our stock price on which to base a meaningful estimate of expected volatility. The risk-free rate selected to value any particular grant is based on the U.S. Treasury rate that corresponds to the expected term of the grant effective as of the date of the grant. The expected dividends assumption is based on our history and expectation of dividend payouts. We evaluate the assumptions used to value stock-based awards on a quarterly basis. If factors change and we employ different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense may differ significantly from what we have recorded in prior periods.

 

The value of the portion of stock-based awards that are ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in our financial statements. Given that stock-based compensation expense recognized in our financial statements is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested stock-based awards, we may be required to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unearned stock-based compensation expense. Future stock-based compensation expense and unearned stock-based compensation will increase to the extent that we grant additional stock-based awards.

 

Income Taxes. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying values and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability and establish a valuation allowance, when determined necessary, based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. If we operate at a loss for an extended period of time or are unable to generate sufficient future taxable income, or if there is a material change in the actual effective tax rates or time period within which the underlying temporary differences become taxable or deductible, we could be required to record a valuation allowance against all or a significant portion of our deferred tax assets which could substantially increase our effective tax rate for such period. Any significant changes in statutory tax rates or the amount of our valuation allowance could have a material effect on the value of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and our reported financial results. Additionally, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 , or FIN 48, on December 31, 2006, the first day of fiscal 2007. FIN 48 seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement requirement for the financial statement recognition of a tax position that has been taken or is expected to be taken on a tax return and also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. Under FIN 48 we may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold.

 

The application of tax laws and regulations is subject to legal and factual interpretation, judgment and uncertainty. Tax laws and regulations themselves are subject to change as a result of changes in fiscal policy, changes in legislation, the evolution of regulations and court rulings. Therefore, the actual liability for U.S. or foreign taxes may be materially different from our estimates, which could result in the need to record additional tax liabilities or potentially reverse previously recorded tax liabilities.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of operations data as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

100

%

100

%

100

%

100

%

Cost of sales

 

86

 

146

 

82

 

101

 

Gross profit (loss)

 

14

 

(46

)

18

 

(1

)

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

9

 

12

 

10

 

5

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

18

 

30

 

21

 

15

 

Total operating expenses

 

27

 

42

 

32

 

20

 

Operating loss

 

(13

)

(88

)

(14

)

(21

)

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

 

Other income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

Total other income, net

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(12

)

(86

)

(13

)

(21

)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

 

(30

)

(4

)

(8

)

Net loss

 

(12

)%

(55

)%

(9

)%

(13

)%

 

Three and Six Months Ended June 28, 2008 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

Net Sales, Cost of Sales and Gross Profit.

 

The following tables present net sales, cost of sales and gross profit for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Net sales

 

$

18,429

 

$

12,811

 

$

5,618

 

44

%

Cost of sales

 

15,770

 

18,734

 

(2,964

)

(16

)%

Gross profit (loss)

 

$

2,659

 

$

(5,923

)

$

8,582

 

145

%

Gross margin

 

14

%

(46

)%

61

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Net sales

 

$

31,533

 

$

50,349

 

$

(18,816

)

(37

)%

Cost of sales

 

25,743

 

50,823

 

(25,080

)

(49

)%

Gross profit (loss)

 

$

5,790

 

$

(474

)

$

6,264

 

1,322

%

Gross margin

 

18

%

(1

)%

19

%

 

 

 

Net Sales.  The overall decrease in our net sales during the six months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007 was primarily driven by the slower than expected growth in sales of certain of our flash and high density server modules, as well as a decline in net sales of memory subsystems used to control redundant arrays of independent disks, or RAIDs, as a result of certain key programs and designs nearing an end-of-life in 2008. The decrease in our net sales during this period was partially offset, however, by strong growth in our line of low-power fully buffered dual in-line memory modules, or FBDIMMs, which experienced a significant ramp in sales volumes to certain key OEM customers beginning in 2008.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The increase in net sales for the three months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 resulted primarily from increases of approximately (i) $10.7 million in net sales of our low-power FBDIMMs and (ii) $1.7 million in net sales of laptop personal computer memory subsystems. The above increases were partially offset by decreases of approximately (i) $2.7 million in net sales of memory subsystems used to control RAIDs and (ii) $4.3 million in net sales of certain high density memory modules for the server market and related applications.

 

The decrease in net sales for the six months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007 resulted primarily from decreases of approximately (i) $15.9 million in net sales of certain high density memory modules for the server market and related applications, (ii) $10.6 million in net sales of memory subsystems used to control RAIDs and (iii) $7.5 million in net sales of laptop personal computer memory subsystems. The above decreases were partially offset by an increase of approximately $16.3 million in net sales of our low-power FBDIMMs.

 

Sales of our component inventory to distributors and other users of memory ICs represented approximately 1% and 3% of net sales for the three months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively, and approximately 1% and 3% of net sales for the six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively. As compared to previous years, component inventory sales have significantly decreased as a percentage of net sales as a result of our efforts to diversify our customer base, which has resulted in our ability to use components in a wider range of memory subsystems.

 

Gross Profit and Gross Margin.  The increase in gross profit and gross margin for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 is substantially due to our gross losses in the 2007 periods presented, which primarily resulted from significant decreases in the market price of DRAM ICs during the first half of 2007. These price declines negatively impacted the valuation of our inventories, whereby we incurred losses in the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 of approximately $1.6 million and $6.0 million, respectively, which directly affected our gross margins for these periods. As compared to 2007, during the three and six months ended June 28, 2008, we generally experienced a stabilization of DRAM IC market prices, which contributed to a more normalized gross margin for these periods. However, as compared to the first quarter of 2008, during the three months ended June 28, 2008, we experienced a slight increase in the market price for DRAM ICs that we purchased during the period to fulfill certain customer orders. As a result of pre-established sales and pricing agreements, we were generally not able to pass these higher costs on to our customers, and thus our gross profit and gross margins were negatively affected for the 2008 periods presented. Nevertheless, in 2008 we have begun to realize certain benefits and cost savings of having transitioned a majority of our production manufacturing volume to our facility in the People’s Republic of China.

 

Should the market prices of DRAM ICs and/or NAND decline in future periods, or should our product sales mix shift more toward lower margin products, our gross profit, gross margin and overall operating results could be adversely affected.

 

Research and Development .

 

The following tables present research and development expenses for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Increase

 

Change

 

Research and development

 

$

1,716

 

$

1,478

 

$

238

 

16

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Increase

 

Change

 

Research and development

 

$

3,292

 

$

2,545

 

$

747

 

29

%

 

The increase in research and development expense in the three months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 resulted primarily from increases of approximately (i) $0.2 million in personnel-related expenses and (ii) $0.1 million in certain legal and professional services. The above increases were partially offset primarily by decreases of approximately $0.1 million in equipment-related expenses.

 

The increase in research and development expense in the six months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007 resulted primarily from increases of approximately (i) $0.7 million in personnel-related expenses, (ii) $0.1 million for certain engineering and design tools and related expenses and (iii) $0.1 million in legal and professional services. The above increases were partially offset primarily by decreases of approximately (i) $0.1 million in expenses related to product qualification testing, stock compensation and various allocated overhead expenses and (ii) $0.1 million in equipment-related expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The increases in personnel-related expenses are primarily attributable to an increase in the number of employees engaged in research and development activities since June 30, 2007, as well as compensation increases. The increases in legal and professional services are primarily a result of our increased activities in 2008 related to new product opportunities and new and emerging markets. The decreases in equipment-related expenses are due to impairment write-downs that we recorded in 2007 related to certain long-lived assets used in the product development process.

 

Selling, General and Administrative .

 

The following tables present selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Decrease

 

Change

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

$

3,310

 

$

3,845

 

$

(535

)

(14

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Decrease

 

Change

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

$

6,778

 

$

7,549

 

$

(771

)

(10

)%

 

The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense in the three months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 resulted primarily from decreases of approximately (i) $0.6 million in personnel-related expenses and (ii) $0.1 million in legal and professional fees. The above decreases are partially offset primarily by an increase of approximately $0.2 million in various allocated overhead expenses.

 

The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense in the six months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007 resulted primarily from decreases of approximately (i) $0.5 million in personnel-related expenses, (ii) $0.3 million in legal and professional fees, (iii) $0.2 million in commission and travel-related expenses and (iv) $0.1 million in product qualification, evaluation and advertising. The above decreases are partially offset primarily by an increase of approximately $0.3 million in various allocated overhead expenses, which include, but are not limited to, expenses for rent, insurance and depreciation.

 

The decreases in personnel-related expenses are primarily attributable to a decrease in the number of employees engaged in selling, general and administrative activities of approximately 29% since June 30, 2007. The decreases in legal and professional fees are primarily a result of the significant costs we incurred in 2007 to begin operating as a public company, including costs related to our initial documentation and assessment of internal control over financial reporting, as well as lower legal fees in 2008 related to current litigation matters since the majority of such expenses became reimbursable from our insurance carrier in the current year.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Other Income (Expense) .

 

The following tables present other income (expense) for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Interest income, net

 

$

104

 

$

162

 

$

(58

)

(36

)%

Other income (expense), net

 

23

 

4

 

19

 

475

%

Total other income, net

 

$

127

 

$

166

 

$

(39

)

(23

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Interest income, net

 

$

343

 

$

114

 

$

229

 

201

%

Other income (expense), net

 

$

(68

)

$

5

 

(73

)

(1,460

)%

Total other income, net

 

$

275

 

$

119

 

$

156

 

131

%

 

Net interest income for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 was comprised of interest income of approximately $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, partially offset by interest expense of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Net interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 was comprised of interest income of approximately $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, partially offset by interest expense of approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The decrease in interest income during 2008 as compared to 2007 was primarily due to our lower overall cash and investment balances on-hand during the current year. The decrease in interest expense during 2008 as compared to 2007 resulted primarily from our lower outstanding line of credit and debt balances during the current year.

 

Other expense, net, for the six months ended June 28, 2008 is primarily comprised of losses on certain foreign currency remeasurement transactions, partially offset by realized gains on the sale of certain investments in marketable securities.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes .

 

The following tables present the provision (benefit) for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Increase

 

Change

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

$

11

 

$

(3,864

)

$

3,875

 

(100

)%

Effective tax rate

 

%

(35

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Decrease

 

Change

 

Benefit for income taxes

 

$

(1,170

)

$

(3,864

)

$

2,694

 

(70

)%

Effective tax rate

 

(29

)%

(37

)%

 

 

 

 

 

Under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting , we are required to adjust our effective tax rate each quarter to be consistent with the estimated annual effective tax rate. We are also required to record the tax impact of certain discrete items, unusual or infrequently occurring, including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, in the interim period in which they occur. In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year or a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The impact of such an exclusion could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter, based upon the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

 

We recorded a provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 28, 2008. Our estimated effective tax benefit rate of approximately 0% for the three months June 28, 2008 was affected by a change in annual projected pre-tax income and the tax benefit from that recorded in the prior quarter.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily through issuances of equity and debt securities and cash generated from operations. We have also funded our operations with a revolving line of credit under our bank credit facility, from capitalized lease obligations, financing of receivables and from the sale and leaseback of our domestic manufacturing facility.

 

Working Capital and Cash and Marketable Securities

 

The following table presents working capital, cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities (in thousands):

 

 

 

June 28,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Working Capital

 

$

31,490

 

$

27,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents(1)

 

$

11,243

 

$

7,182

 

Restricted cash(1)

 

2,000

 

 

Short-term marketable securities(1)

 

11,595

 

15,573

 

Long-term marketable securities

 

974

 

7,814

 

 

 

$

25,812

 

$

30,569

 

 


(1) Included in working capital

 

Our working capital increased in the six months ended June 28, 2008 primarily as a result of (i) a combined increase in our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments in marketable securities balances of approximately $2.1 million due primarily to maturities and sales of certain long-term investments in marketable securities, (ii) a combined increase in our income taxes receivable and current deferred taxes of approximately $0.6 million and (iii) a combined decrease in our current liabilities of approximately $1.4 million.

 

Cash Provided and Used in the Six Months Ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

(4,349

)

$

11,590

 

Investing activities

 

10,058

 

(22,928

)

Financing activities

 

(1,648

)

(14,638

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4,061

 

$

(25,976

)

 

Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 28, 2008 was primarily a result of (i) our net loss for the period of approximately $2.8 million, and (ii) approximately $2.1 million in net cash used by changes in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by approximately $0.6 million in net non-cash operating expenses, primarily comprising depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes and stock-based compensation.

 

Accounts receivable decreased approximately $5.6 million during the six months ended June 28, 2008 primarily due to the overall decline in our net sales during 2008. During the same period, we were successful in collecting cash from sales to our customers substantially in accordance with our standard payment terms with those customers.

 

Inventories increased approximately $5.0 million during the six months ended June 28, 2008 primarily due to purchases of materials during the second quarter of 2008 to meet forecasted sales obligations. In the future, our inventory levels will continue to be determined based on, among other factors, (i) the level of customer orders received and overall demand, (ii) the stage at which our products are in their respective life cycles and (iii) competitive situations in the marketplace. We make efforts to balance such considerations against the risk of obsolescence or potentially excess inventory levels.

 

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Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was primarily a result of (i) approximately $3.0 million in net non-cash operating expenses, primarily comprising inventory adjustments, depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation and impairment of long-lived assets and (ii) approximately $15.2 million in net cash provided by changes in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by a net loss of approximately $6.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The changes in operating assets and liabilities which had a significant impact on cash provided by operating activities included (i) a decrease in accounts receivable of approximately $16.4 million, (ii) a decrease in inventories of approximately $7.4 million and (iii) a decrease in accounts payable of approximately $7.3 million. All such decreases in operating assets and liabilities were primarily due to the overall decline in the level of net sales and related operating activities during the first half of fiscal 2007 as compared to the second half of fiscal 2006.

 

Investing Activities. Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended June 28, 2008 was primarily a result of proceeds we received from maturities and sales of certain investments in marketable securities of approximately $17.5 million, partially offset by purchases of additional investments in marketable securities of approximately $6.7 million. We also used approximately $0.8 million in cash to purchase additional manufacturing equipment and other property and equipment.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was primarily a result of purchases of additional investments in marketable securities of approximately $43.5 million, partially offset by proceeds we received from maturities of certain investments in marketable securities of approximately $24.8 million. During the same period, we also used approximately $4.3 million in cash primarily to purchase equipment and leasehold improvements for our facilities in the People’s Republic of China and in Irvine, California.

 

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 28, 2008 was primarily a result of an increase in restricted cash balances in connection with our pledge of $2.0 million in cash as collateral for a letter of credit and repayments of approximately $0.4 million on our long term debt. This is partially offset by approximately $0.8 million in net proceeds we received during the period from borrowings on our outstanding revolving line of credit.

 

Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was primarily a result of approximately $14.4 million in net repayments on our outstanding revolving line of credit, along with net repayments of approximately $0.4 million on our long term debt.

 

Capital Resources

 

Under our revolving line of credit, we may borrow up to the greater of 85% of eligible accounts receivable plus the least of (i) a percentage of eligible inventory determined from time to time by our bank, (ii) 80% of the orderly liquidation value, as defined, of eligible inventories, and (iii) $1 million.

 

In May 2008, we executed a ninth amendment to our credit agreement, which is effective as of the beginning of our second fiscal quarter of 2008. Among other things, the amendment revised certain financial and other covenants of which we are required to comply. The amendment requires us to (i) limit capital expenditures under a defined annual cap, (ii) achieve certain minimum monthly profitability thresholds and (iii) maintain a minimum liquidity threshold as of the end of each month. Additionally, the amendment revised the interest rate on our borrowings on the revolving line of credit to fluctuate between the prime rate and prime plus 0.5% based our combined monthly account balance with the bank. Furthermore, under the amendment, our nonrevolving equipment financing line of credit was revised to allow us to borrow up to an additional maximum of $0.9 million to finance up to 80% of the cost of equipment purchases through the end of fiscal 2008. Principal on any of these additional borrowings is scheduled to be repaid in 42 equal monthly installments commencing January 1, 2009. Interest on our existing and future equipment line of credit advances is payable monthly at the prime rate.

 

The following table presents details of outstanding borrowings and availability under our lines of credit (in thousands):

 

 

 

June 28,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Outstanding borrowings on the line of credit

 

$

5,662

 

$

4,872

 

Outstanding borrowings on the equipment line of credit

 

$

678

 

$

872

 

Borrowing availability under the line of credit

 

$

337

 

$

6,366

 

Prime rate

 

5.0

%

7.25

%

 

Any borrowings under our revolving and equipment lines of credit are collateralized by a general first priority lien against all of our assets, both tangible and intangible.

 

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While we are currently in compliance with all of our financial covenants and expect to maintain compliance for the foreseeable future, we have in the past been in violation of one or more covenants. We cannot assure you that we will not violate one or more covenants in the future. If we were to be in violation of covenants under our credit agreement, our lender could choose to accelerate payment on all outstanding loan balances. There can be no assurance that we would be able to quickly obtain equivalent or suitable replacement financing in this event. If we were not able to secure alternative sources of funding, such acceleration would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition.

 

We have in the past utilized equipment leasing arrangements to finance certain capital expenditures. Equipment leases will continue to be a financing alternative that we may pursue in the future.

 

Letters of Credit

 

In June 2008, we entered into an agreement with our bank to issue a commercial letter of credit, or LC, up to $2 million to support purchases of inventory from a supplier. As part of this agreement, we are required to pledge cash as collateral for the full amount of the LC, and thus, as of June 28, 2008, $2 million is classified as restricted cash in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

Subsequently, in July 2008, we entered into a second similar agreement with our bank to issue another commercial LC up to $2 million to support inventory purchases from a supplier. This agreement also requires us to pledge cash as collateral for the full amount of the LC.

 

Investments in Marketable Securities

 

During the quarter ended June 28, 2008, we were able to liquidate at par value two of our marketable securities investments in AAA rated auction rate securities with a total purchased cost of $2.0 million and accordingly, we reversed the cumulative unrealized loss on these investments of approximately $0.2 million that was previously recorded as of March 29, 2008.

 

The recent disruptions in the credit market continue to adversely affect the market for auction rate securities, such that these securities generally remain illiquid. As of June 28, 2008, we held two investments in auction rate securities with a total purchased cost of $1.0 million. These two investments represent (i) a fully insured debt obligation of a municipality and (ii) a AAA rated debt obligation backed by pools of student loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. Given the insufficient observable market information available, we have valued these investments using assumptions including discounted cash flows, credit quality and expected duration. We are not currently able to predict how long these investments will remain illiquid, and as such, they have been classified as long-term investments in marketable securities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. We do not believe that the illiquidity of these investments will materially impact our ability to fund our working capital needs, capital expenditures or other business requirements. We have concluded that the unrealized losses on these investments, which totaled approximately $28,000 at June 28, 2008, are temporary because (i) we believe that the decline in market value and absence of liquidity that has occurred is due to general market conditions, (ii) the auction rate securities continue to be of a high credit quality and interest is paid as due and (iii) we have the intent and ability to hold these investments until a recovery in market value occurs.

 

The fair value of our investments in marketable securities could change significantly in the future and we may be required to record other-than-temporary impairment charges or additional unrealized losses in future periods.

 

We believe our existing cash and investment balances, borrowing availability under our bank credit facility, and the cash expected to be generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our levels of net sales, the timing and extent of expenditures to support research and development activities, the expansion of manufacturing capacity both domestically and internationally and the continued market acceptance of our products. We could be required, or may choose, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings. In addition, in connection with any future acquisitions, we may require additional funding which may be provided in the form of additional debt or equity financing or a combination thereof. These additional funds may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we do not have any undisclosed borrowings or debt, and we have not entered into any synthetic leases. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 3.                           Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

As a Smaller Reporting Company, we are not required to make any disclosure pursuant to this Item 3.

 

Item 4.                           Controls and Procedures

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 4T.                  Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (“Exchange Act”)) as of the end of our fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2008. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) Change in internal controls over financial reporting. During the fiscal quarter that ended June 28, 2008, there have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Inherent Limitations on Internal Control

 

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.                           Legal Proceedings

 

The information set forth in the sections entitled Federal Securities Class Action and California Derivative Action under Note 7 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I, Item I of this Report, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1A.                  Risk Factors

 

As a Smaller Reporting Company, we are not required to make any disclosure pursuant to this Item 1A. Please refer to the Risk Factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2008.

 

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

 

None.

 

Item 3.                           Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

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Table of Contents

 

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

 

(a) Our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders was held on May 28, 2008.

 

(b) At our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders elected each of the following nominees as directors, to serve on our Board of Directors until our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are elected and qualified (or their earlier resignation or removal). The vote for each director was as follows:

 

 

 

Votes
For

 

Votes
Withheld

 

Abstentions

 

Chun Ki Hong

 

11,409,006

 

697,781

 

7,748,624

 

Nam Ki Hong

 

11,730,681

 

376,106

 

7,748,624

 

Thomas F. Lagatta

 

11,255,174

 

851,613

 

7,748,624

 

Alan H. Portnoy

 

11,732,221

 

374,566

 

7,748,624

 

David M. Rickey

 

11,255,174

 

851,613

 

7,748,624

 

Preston Romm

 

11,255,174

 

851,613

 

7,748,624

 

 

Item 5.                           Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6.                          Exhibits

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Description of Document

 

 

 

3.1(1)

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Netlist, Inc.

 

 

 

3.2(1)

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Netlist, Inc.

 

 

 

31.1(2)

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as Amended.

 

 

 

31.2(2)

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as Amended.

 

 

 

32(3)

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and furnished herewith pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-8238.

 


(1)          Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number of the registration statement on Form S-1 of the registrant (No. 333-136735) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 2006.

 

(2)          Filed herewith.

 

(3)          The information in Exhibit 32 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act (including this Report), unless Netlist, Inc. specifically incorporates the foregoing information into those documents by reference.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: August 7, 2008

 

NETLIST, INC.

 

 

a Delaware corporation

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Chun K. Hong

 

 

Chun K. Hong

 

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and

 

 

Chairman of the Board

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)