UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-4298
COHU, INC.
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.
As of June 30, 2002, the Registrant had 20,787,313 shares of its $1.00 par value common stock outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COHU, INC.INDEXFORM 10-QJUNE 30, 2002
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Item 1.
COHU, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(in thousands, except par value)
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COHU, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(Unaudited)(in thousands, except per share amounts)
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COHU, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(Unaudited)(in thousands)
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COHU, INC.NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSJune 30, 2002
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Item 2.
COHU, INC.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANACIAL CONDITIONAND RESULTS OF OPERATIONSJune 30, 2002
This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements including expectations of market conditions, challenges and plans, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by that statute. The words “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify such statements. Such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed herein and, in particular, under the caption “Trends, Risks and Uncertainties” that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Cohu’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon Cohu’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires Cohu to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, Cohu evaluates its estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, income taxes, warranty obligations and contingencies and litigation. Cohu bases its estimates on historical experience and current developments and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Cohu believes the following critical accounting policies, that are more fully described in the Cohu Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, affect the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Cohu generally recognizes revenue upon shipment and title passage for established products (i.e. those that have previously satisfied customer acceptance requirements) that provide for full payment tied to shipment. Revenue for products that have not previously satisfied customer acceptance requirements or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable is recognized upon customer acceptance. Cohu maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of Cohu’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Cohu provides for the estimated costs ofproduct warranties in the period sales are recognized. Cohu’s warranty obligation is affected by historical product shipment levels, product performance and material and labor costs incurred in correcting product performance problems. Should product performance, material usage or labor repair costs differ from Cohu’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required. Cohu records valuation reserves on its inventoryfor estimated excess and obsolete inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future product demand and market conditions. If future product demand or market conditions are less or more favorable than those projected by management, changes to inventory reserves may be required. At June 30, 2002, Cohu assessed the need for a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets. Cohu believes it is more likely than not that all such assets will be realized and as a result no valuation allowance was recorded. Should Cohu determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to operations in the period such determination was made. At December 31, 2001, Goodwill and other intangible assets were evaluated for impairment using undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets as required by FASB Statement No. 121. We concluded that there was no impairment loss at December 31, 2001. Cohu is required to reassess goodwill impairment in 2002 using the methodology prescribed by FASB Statement No. 142. FASB No. 142 requires that a transitional goodwill impairment test be performed as of January 1, 2002 and completed by June 30, 2002. Cohu did not recognize any goodwill impairment as a result of performing this transitional test. FASB No. 142 also requires that goodwill be tested for impairment on an annual basis and more frequently in certain circumstances. The Company evaluated the other intangible assets for impairment at June 30, 2002 under FASB Statement No. 144, and concluded there was no impairment loss.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cohu’s primary business activity involves the development, manufacture, marketing and servicing of test handling equipment for the global semiconductor industry. Demand for Cohu’s products can change significantly from period to period as a result of numerous factors including, but not limited to, changes in global economic conditions, supply and demand for semiconductors, changes in semiconductor manufacturing capacity and processes and competitive product offerings. Due to these and other factors, Cohu’s historical results of operations, including the periods described herein, may not be indicative of future operating results.
Second Quarter 2002 Compared to Second Quarter 2001
Although our sales have increased in each of the last three consecutive calendar quarters, Cohu continued to be impacted by the downturn in the semiconductor equipment industry that began in late 2000. Our net sales increased 31% to $38.3 million in 2002 compared to net sales of $29.3 million in 2001. Sales of semiconductor test handling equipment in 2002 increased 43% from the 2001 period and accounted for 82% of consolidated net sales in 2002 versus 74% in 2001. Sales of television cameras and other equipment accounted for 11% of net sales in 2002 and decreased 13% while the combined sales of metal detection and microwave equipment increased 11%.
Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 40.2% in 2002 from 25.9% in 2001 primarily as a result of higher margins in the semiconductor equipment business. Within the semiconductor equipment segment, margins increased in 2002 primarily as a result of increased business volume and decreased provisions for excess and obsolete inventory. Cohu computes the majority of its excess and obsolete inventory reserve requirements using a one-year inventory usage forecast. During the second quarter of 2001, we recorded charges totaling approximately $4.6 million for excess and obsolete inventory primarily as a result of declines in customer forecasts that negatively impacted our forecasted inventory usage. While we believe our reserves for excess and obsolete inventory are adequate to cover our exposures at June 30, 2002, reductions in customer forecasts may require additional charges to operations that could negatively impact our gross margin in future periods. Conversely, if our forecasted inventory usage is lower than our actual usage, reductions to our inventory reserve requirements may result in credits to cost of sales that could favorably impact gross margin in future periods. Our gross margin in the third quarter of 2002 will be lower than both the first and second quarter 2002 gross margin due to a less favorable product sales mix and, to a lesser extent, lower average product selling prices due to increased competitive pricing pressure. Unless we are able to introduce new, lower cost products or significantly reduce the cost of existing products, we believe these factors will also negatively impact our gross margin in periods beyond the third quarter.
Research and development expense (“R&D”) as a percentage of net sales was 21.9% in 2002, compared to 22.7% in 2001, increasing in absolute dollars from $6.6 million in 2001 to $8.4 million in 2002. The increase in R&D was primarily the result of higher R&D labor costs as a result of the Automated Systems acquisition completed in July 2001. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense as a percentage of net sales decreased to 16.7% in 2002 from 22.9% in 2001 primarily as a result of the increase in business volume. SG&A expense in 2001 includes $0.5 million of goodwill amortization offset by a $0.4 million reduction in the allowance for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense. Interest income was $0.7 million and $1.1 million in 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decline in interest income was due to lower interest rates. The provision (benefit) for income taxes expressed as a percentage of pre-tax income was 37.8% in the second quarter of 2002 and (38.9)% in 2001. As a result of the factors set forth above, the net loss was $2.8 million in 2001 compared to net income of $0.8 million 2002.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2002 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2001
Our net sales decreased 4% to $69.9 million in 2002 compared to net sales of $73.0 million in 2001. Sales of semiconductor test handling equipment in 2002 decreased 2% from the 2001 period and accounted for 80% of consolidated net sales in 2002 versus 78% in 2001. Sales of television cameras and other equipment accounted for 12% of net sales in 2002 and decreased 24% while the combined sales of metal detection and microwave equipment increased 13%.
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Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 39.2% in 2002 from 26.1% in 2001 primarily as a result of higher margins in the semiconductor equipment business. Within the semiconductor equipment segment, margins increased in 2002 primarily as a result of a reduction in provisions for excess and obsolete inventory. During 2001, we recorded charges totaling approximately $8.8 million for excess and obsolete inventory primarily as a result of declines in customer forecasts that negatively impacted our forecasted inventory usage.
Research and development expense as a percentage of net sales was 22.8% in 2002, compared to 20.6% in 2001, increasing from $15.1 million to $16.0 million primarily due to higher R&D labor costs as a result of the Automated Systems acquisition. SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales decreased to 17.9% in 2002 from 18.1% in 2001 primarily as a result of the reduction in the allowance for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense of $0.4 million. SG&A expense in 2001 includes $0.5 million of goodwill amortization offset by a $0.4 million reduction in the allowance for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense. Interest income was $1.5 million and $2.4 million in 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decline in interest income was due to lower interest rates. The provision (benefit) for income taxes expressed as a percentage of pre-tax income was 45.1% for the first six months of 2002 and (38.4)% in 2001. As a result of the factors set forth above, the net loss was $4.2 million in 2001 compared to net income of $0.2 million in 2002.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company’s net cash flows provided by operating activities in the first six months of 2002 totaled $5.7 million. The major components of cash flows provided by operating activities were net income of $0.2 million, the net change in current assets and liabilities totaling $3.3 million and depreciation and amortization of $2.2 million. Net cash used for investing activities included $14.0 million for the purchase of short-term investments, less sales and maturities, and purchases of property, plant and equipment and other assets of $0.6 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.5 million. Cash provided by financing activities included $2.6 million received from the issuance of stock upon the exercise of stock options offset by $2.1 million for the payment of dividends. The Company had $5 million available under its bank line of credit and working capital of $153.3 million at June 30, 2002. Working capital at June 30, 2002 includes a $9.2 million note receivable due March 31, 2003 that is in default. It is anticipated that present working capital and available borrowings under the line of credit will be sufficient to meet the Company’s operating requirements for at least the next twelve months.
TRENDS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The semiconductor industry we serve is highly volatile and unpredictable.
Cohu’s operating results are substantially dependent on our semiconductor equipment business. This capital equipment business is in turn highly dependent on the overall strength of the semiconductor industry. Historically, the semiconductor industry has been highly cyclical with recurring periods of oversupply and excess capacity, which often have had a significant effect on the semiconductor industry’s demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type manufactured and marketed by Cohu. We anticipate that the markets for newer generations of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment may also be subject to similar cycles and severe downturns, such as those experienced in 1996, 1998 and late 2000, continuing throughout 2001 and 2002. Reductions in capital equipment investment by semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors will materially and adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations. In addition, the volatile and unpredictable nature of semiconductor equipment demand has in the past and may in the future expose us to significant excess and obsolete inventory write-offs and reserve requirements. In the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company recorded pretax inventory related charges of approximately $16 million primarily as a result of changes in customer forecasts.
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TRENDS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES (cont.)
A limited number of customers account for a substantial percentage of our net sales.
We rely on a limited number of customers for a substantial percentage of our net sales. In 2001, three customers of the semiconductor equipment segment accounted for 45% (48% in 2000 and 43% in 1999) of our net sales. One customer alone in 2001 accounted for 34% of our net sales. This customer represented approximately 42% of our net sales during the first six months of 2002. During the past five years, the percentage of Cohu’s sales derived from each of these and other significant customers has varied greatly. Such variations are due to changes in the customer’s business and their purchase of products from our competitors. It is common in the IC test handler industry for customers to purchase equipment from more than one equipment supplier, increasing the risk that our competitive position with a specific customer may deteriorate. No assurance can be given that we will continue to maintain our competitive position with these or other significant customers. Furthermore, we expect the percentage of our revenues derived from significant customers will vary greatly in future periods. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders by these or other significant customers as a result of competitive products, market conditions, outsourcing final IC test to test subcontractors that are not our customers or other factors, would adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers may cause significant fluctuations in our future annual and quarterly operating results.
The semiconductor equipment industry in general, and the test handler market in particular, is highly competitive.
The semiconductor test handler industry is intensely competitive and we face substantial competition from numerous companies throughout the world. Future competition may include companies that do not currently supply test handlers. The Japanese and Korean markets for test handling equipment are large and represent a significant percentage of the worldwide market. During the last five years we have had limited sales to Japanese and Korean customers who have historically purchased test handling equipment from Asian suppliers. Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and customer support capabilities and offer more extensive product offerings than Cohu. In addition, there are smaller, emerging semiconductor equipment companies that provide or may provide innovative technology incorporated in products that may compete favorably against those of Cohu. We expect our competitors to continue to improve the design and performance of their current products and introduce new products with improved performance capabilities. Our failure to introduce new products in a timely manner, the introduction by our competitors of products with perceived or actual advantages, or disputes over rights of Cohu or our competitors to use certain intellectual property or technology could result in a loss of our competitive position and reduced sales of or margins on our existing products. We believe that competitive conditions in the semiconductor test handler market have intensified over the last several years. This intense competition has adversely impacted our product average selling prices and gross margins. If we are unable to reduce the cost of our existing products and successfully introduce new lower cost products we expect these competitive conditions to negatively impact our gross margin and operating results for the foreseeable future.
We are exposed to risks associated with acquisitions.
Cohu has made, and may in the future make, acquisitions of, or significant investments in, businesses with complementary products, services and/or technologies. In July 2001, Cohu acquired the assets of the Automated Systems business from Schlumberger Technologies, Inc. for $14.3 million in cash. A significant portion of the purchase price was allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including, but not limited to: 1) difficulties and increased costs in connection with integration of the personnel, operations, technologies and products of acquired businesses; 2) diversion of management’s attention from other operational matters; 3) the potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses; 4) lack of synergy, or the inability to realize expected synergies, resulting from the acquisition; 5) failure to commercialize purchased
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technology; and 6) the impairment of acquired intangible assets, including goodwill, that could result in significant charges to operating results in future periods. In addition, such acquisitions or investments may result in immediate charges to operating results. Mergers and acquisitions are inherently risky and the inability to effectively manage these risks could materially and adversely affect Cohu’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have taken and expect to continue to take remedial measures to address the slowdown in the semiconductor equipment industry that may affect our ability to be competitive.
We have taken and will continue to assess the need to take remedial measures to address the slowdown in the market for our products. In particular, we have reduced our workforce, delayed salary increases, reduced senior executives pay, implemented furloughs and reduced our expense budgets. These measures have reduced our expenses in the face of decreased revenues due to decreased or cancelled customer orders. However, each of these measures could have long-term effects on our business by reducing our pool of technical talent, decreasing or slowing improvements in our products, and making it more difficult for us to respond to customers.
Semiconductor equipment is subject to rapid technological change, product introductions and transitions may result in inventory write-offs and our new product development involves numerous risks and uncertainties.
Semiconductor equipment and processes are subject to rapid technological change. We believe that our future success will depend in part on our ability to enhance existing products and develop new products with improved performance capabilities. We expect to continue to invest heavily in research and development and must manage product transitions successfully, as introductions of new products could adversely impact sales or margins of existing products. In addition, the introduction of new products, by Cohu or by our competitors, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers, the migration to new IC test handling methodologies and the custom nature of our inventory parts increases the risk that our established products and related inventory may become obsolete resulting in significant excess and obsolete inventory exposure. This increased exposure resulted in significant charges to operations during the third and fourth quarters of 2000 and the first three quarters of 2001. Future inventory write-offs and increased inventory reserve requirements could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
The design, development, commercial introduction and manufacture of new semiconductor test handling equipment is an inherently complex process that involves a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks include potential problems in meeting customer performance requirements, integration of the test handler with other suppliers’ equipment and the customers’ manufacturing processes, transitioning from product development to volume manufacturing and the ability of the equipment to satisfy the semiconductor industry’s constantly evolving needs and achieve commercial acceptance at prices that produce satisfactory profit margins. The design and development of new test handling equipment is heavily influenced by changes in integrated circuit (IC) assembly, test and final manufacturing processes and IC package design changes. We believe that the rate of change in such processes and IC packages is accelerating. As a result of these changes and other factors, assessing the market potential and commercial viability of new IC test handling equipment is extremely difficult and subject to a great deal of risk. In addition, not all IC manufacturers employ the same manufacturing processes. Differences in such processes make it difficult to design standard semiconductor test handler products that are capable of achieving broad market acceptance. As a result, we might not accurately assess the semiconductor industry’s future test handler requirements and fail to design and develop products that meet such requirements and achieve market acceptance. Failure to accurately assess customer requirements and market trends for new semiconductor test handler products may have a material adverse impact on our operations, financial condition and results of operations.
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The transition from product development to the manufacture of new semiconductor equipment is a difficult process and delays in product introductions and problems in manufacturing such equipment are common. We have in the past and may in the future experience difficulties in manufacturing and volume production of our new test handlers. In addition, our after sale support and warranty costs have been significantly higher with new test handlers than with our established products. Future technologies, processes and product developments may render our current or future product offerings obsolete and we might not be able to develop, introduce and successfully manufacture new products or make enhancements to our existing products in a timely manner to satisfy customer requirements or achieve market acceptance. Furthermore, we might not realize acceptable profit margins on such products.
Our backlog is limited and may not accurately reflect future business activity.
Our order backlog has historically represented approximately three months of revenue and as a result our visibility of future business activity is limited. Our revenues in the quarters ended December 31, 2001, March 31 and June 30, 2002 were, however, significantly lower than our backlog at the end of the preceding quarter. Due to the possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules, cancellation of orders, potential delays in product shipments, difficulties in obtaining inventory parts from suppliers, failure to satisfy customer acceptance requirements and the inability to recognize revenue under new accounting requirements, our backlog at any point in time may not be representative of sales in any future period. Furthermore, all orders are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the customer with limited penalty. A reduction in backlog during any particular period could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, backlog at June 30, 2002 may not be a reliable indicator of revenues in future periods due to customer requested changes to delivery schedules, order cancellations and delays in recognizing revenue due to accounting requirements.
The cyclical nature of the semiconductor equipment industry places enormous demands on our employees, operations and infrastructure.
The semiconductor equipment industry is characterized by dramatic and sometimes volatile changes in demand for its products. Changes in product demand result from a number of factors including the semiconductor industry’s ever changing and unpredictable capacity requirements and changes in IC design and packaging. Sudden changes in demand for semiconductor equipment have a significant impact on our operations. In response to a severe industry downturn in 1998, we reduced our total workforce by approximately 40%. During 1999, we increased our workforce by more than 50% as business conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry and our order backlog improved. In 2001, we reduced our workforce approximately 30% as a result of a downturn in the semiconductor equipment industry. Such radical changes in workforce levels place enormous demands on our employees, operations and infrastructure since newly hired personnel rarely possess the expertise and level of experience of current employees. Additionally, these transitions divert management time and attention from other activities. We have in the past and may in the future experience difficulties, particularly in manufacturing, in training and recruiting the large number of additions to our workforce. The volatility in headcount and business levels, combined with the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, may require that we invest substantial amounts in new operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. We may not be able to successfully adjust our systems, facilities and production capacity to meet our customers’ changing requirements. The inability to meet such requirements will have an adverse impact on our business, financial position and results of operations.
We have experienced a significant decline in gravity-feed test handler sales to DRAM customers.
Sales of gravity-feed IC test handlers used in DRAM testing represented a significant percentage of Cohu’s total semiconductor equipment related revenue during the period 1994 through 1998. Due to changes in IC package technology, gravity-feed handlers are no longer suitable for handling many types of DRAMs. As a result, we have
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seen a significant decline in sales of our gravity-feed test handler products that currently represent an insignificant percentage of our test handler revenues. Although pick-and-place IC handlers used in DRAM applications account for a significant portion of the worldwide IC handler market, Cohu’s market share in this segment is negligible. Gravity-feed handlers are used in numerous non DRAM applications and continue to represent a significant portion of the worldwide test handler market.
We are exposed to the risks of operating a global business.
Cohu has operations located in various parts of the world to support our sales and services to the global semiconductor industry. Managing geographically dispersed operations presents difficult challenges associated with, among other things, organizational alignment and infrastructure, communications and information technology, inventory control, customer relationship management and cultural diversities. In addition, maintaining these geographically dispersed locations is expensive. We may not be able to manage our multiple operations in a cost effective and efficient manner. If we are unsuccessful in managing such operations effectively, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
Failure of critical suppliers to deliver sufficient quantities of parts in a timely and cost-effective manner could adversely impact our operations.
We use numerous vendors to supply parts, components and subassemblies for the manufacture of our products. It is not always possible to maintain multiple qualified suppliers for all of our parts, components and subassemblies; as a result, certain key parts may be available only from a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers. In addition, suppliers may cease manufacturing certain components that are difficult to replace without significant reengineering of our products. On occasion, Cohu has experienced problems in obtaining adequate and reliable quantities of various parts and components from certain key suppliers. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted if we do not receive sufficient parts to meet our requirements in a timely and cost effective manner.
We are exposed to the risk that third parties may violate our proprietary rights or accuse us of infringing upon their proprietary rights.
Cohu relies on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to establish and maintain proprietary rights in our technology and products. Our reliance on protection provided by such laws, and our costs to prosecute and defend such rights have increased significantly as a result of the intellectual property we acquired in conjunction with the Automated Systems acquisition in July 2001. Any of our proprietary rights may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, and these rights may not provide significant competitive advantages. In addition, from time to time, we receive notices from third parties regarding patent or copyright claims. Any such claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources and cause Cohu to incur significant expenses. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against Cohu and our failure or inability to license the infringed technology or to substitute similar non-infringing technology, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
A majority of our revenues are generated from exports to foreign countries, primarily in Asia, that are subject to economic instability and we compete against a number of Asian test handling equipment suppliers.
During 2001, 51% of our total net sales were exported to foreign countries, including 64% of the sales in the semiconductor equipment segment. The majority of our export sales are made to destinations in Asia. Instability in global economic markets, particularly in Asia, may adversely impact the demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type manufactured and marketed by Cohu. In addition, we face intense competition from a number
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of Asian suppliers that have certain advantages over U.S. suppliers, including Cohu. These advantages include, among other things, proximity to customers, favorable tariffs and affiliation with significantly larger organizations. In addition, changes in the amount or price of semiconductors produced in Asia could impact the profitability or capital equipment spending programs of our foreign and domestic customers.
The loss of key personnel could adversely impact our business.
Certain key personnel are critical to our business. Our future operating results depend substantially upon the continued service of our key personnel, many of whom are not bound by employment or non-competition agreements. Our future operating results also depend in significant part upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, manufacturing, technical, engineering, marketing, sales and support personnel. Competition for qualified personnel, particularly those with technical skills, is intense, and we cannot ensure success in attracting or retaining qualified personnel. There may be only a limited number of persons with the requisite skills and relevant industry experience to serve in these positions and it may be increasingly difficult for us to hire personnel over time. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the loss of any of our key employees, by the failure of any key employee to perform in his or her current position, or by our inability to attract and retain skilled employees.
Our non semiconductor equipment businesses have experienced little or no growth over the last five years.
We develop, manufacture and sell products used in closed circuit television, metal detection and microwave communications applications. These products are sold in highly competitive markets and many competitors are segments of large, diversified companies with substantially greater financial, engineering, marketing, manufacturing and customer support capabilities than Cohu. In addition, there are smaller companies that provide or may provide innovative technology incorporated in products that may compete favorably against those of Cohu. We have seen a decline in the operating results of these businesses over the last several years and the future prospects for certain of these businesses remain uncertain. We may not be able to continue to compete successfully in these businesses.
We have experienced increases in our electricity costs and we may be exposed to power shortages.
Cohu is a significant user of electricity. The state of California has deregulated the price of electricity. Deregulation combined with increases in the cost of generating electricity have resulted in a rise in Cohu’s electricity costs. Market forecasts predict significant increases in electricity prices in the future that will result in increased costs to Cohu that could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, our electricity costs have increased as a result of moving certain of our San Diego operations to a significantly larger facility in Poway, California in June 2001.
Power shortages have caused “blackouts” throughout California and San Diego County. In March 2001, Cohu’s operations were temporarily suspended as a result of a blackout. We currently do not have back-up generators or alternate sources of power in the event of a blackout. Further blackouts could result in our failure to meet customer delivery requirements damaging our reputation and resulting in lost revenue that would have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
New accounting rules may impact the timing of revenue recognition and operating results.
In December 1999, the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued SAB 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. Cohu adopted SAB 101 in the fourth quarter of 2000 and, as required, changed its method of revenue recognition in certain instances. As a result of this change, a cumulative effect adjustment was recorded in Cohu’s statement of income for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Further changes in revenue
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recognition practices resulting from initiatives by the FASB are possible. Such changes could result in additional adjustments to our results of operations that may be reflected in future periods.
We have experienced significant volatility in our stock price.
A variety of factors may cause the price of our stock to be volatile. In recent years, the stock market in general, and the market for shares of high-technology companies in particular, including ours, have experienced extreme price fluctuations, which have often been unrelated to the operating performance of affected companies. During the last three years the price of our common stock has ranged from a closing high of $61.75 to a closing low of $12.63. The price of our stock may be more volatile than other companies due to, among other factors, the unpredictable and cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, our significant customer concentration, intense competition in the IC test handler industry, our limited backlog making earnings predictability difficult and our relatively low daily stock trading volume. The market price of our common stock is likely to continue to fluctuate significantly in the future, including fluctuations related and unrelated to our performance.
Due to all the above and other factors, historical results may not be indicative of results of operations for any future period. In addition, certain matters discussed above are forward-looking statements that are subject to the risks and uncertainties noted herein and the other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or forecasted. Cohu undertakes no obligation to update the information, including the forward-looking statements, in this Form 10-Q.
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Item 3. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk.
Interest rate risk.
At June 30, 2002, our investment portfolio includes fixed-income securities with a fair value of approximately $38.6 million. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will decline in value if interest rates increase. Due to the relatively short duration of our investment portfolio, an immediate ten percent change (e.g. 3.00% to 3.30%) in interest rates would have no material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Foreign currency exchange risk.
We generally conduct business, including sales to foreign customers, in U.S. dollars and as a result we have limited foreign currency exchange rate risk. Monetary assets and liabilities of Cohu’s foreign operations are not significant. The effect of an immediate ten percent change in foreign exchange rates would not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Part II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
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Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
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.
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