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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A. - Quarter Report: 2008 September (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
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 quarter ended September 30, 2008

or

 

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

For the Transition Period from              to             

Commission File Number: 0-29174

LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Canton of Vaud, Switzerland   None

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Logitech International S.A.

Apples, Switzerland

c/o Logitech Inc.

6505 Kaiser Drive

Fremont, California 94555

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(510) 795-8500

(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  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  ¨

(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)

  Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes  ¨    No  x

As of October 1, 2008, there were 178,448,329 shares of the Registrant’s share capital outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

Part I

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

    Item 1.

   Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)    3

    Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    24

    Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    41

    Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    44

Part II

   OTHER INFORMATION   

    Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    45

    Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    45

    Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    51

    Item 4.

   Submission of matters to a vote of security holders    52

    Item 6.

   Exhibit Index    54

Signatures

   55

Exhibits

  

In this document, unless otherwise indicated, references to the “Company” or “Logitech” are to Logitech International S.A., its consolidated subsidiaries and predecessor entities. Unless otherwise specified, all references to U.S. dollar, dollar or $ are to the United States dollar, the legal currency of the United States of America. All references to CHF are to the Swiss franc, the legal currency of Switzerland.

Logitech, the Logitech logo, and the Logitech products referred to herein are either the trademarks or the registered trademarks of Logitech. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Financial Statement Description    Page

•          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

   4

•         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September  30, 2008 and March 31, 2008

   5

•          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

   6

•          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

   7

•         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   8

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Six months ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (Unaudited)  

Net sales

   $ 664,707     $ 595,490     $ 1,173,418     $ 1,025,027  

Cost of goods sold

     436,633       379,536       771,772       664,287  
                                

Gross profit

     228,074       215,954       401,646       360,740  

Operating expenses:

        

Marketing and selling

     84,740       76,463       162,020       141,250  

Research and development

     33,351       30,939       66,610       59,704  

General and administrative

     29,620       28,149       62,929       55,471  
                                

Total operating expenses

     147,711       135,551       291,559       256,425  

Operating income

     80,363       80,403       110,087       104,315  

Interest income, net

     2,775       3,925       5,327       7,463  

Other expense, net

     (853 )     (65,023 )     (292 )     (63,704 )
                                

Income before income taxes

     82,285       19,305       115,122       48,074  

Provision for income taxes

     9,974       7,743       13,505       10,958  
                                

Net income

   $ 72,311     $ 11,562     $ 101,617     $ 37,116  
                                

Net income per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.41     $ 0.06     $ 0.57     $ 0.20  

Diluted

   $ 0.39     $ 0.06     $ 0.55     $ 0.20  

Shares used to compute net income per share:

        

Basic

     178,630       181,459       178,835       181,630  

Diluted

     183,509       188,293       184,154       188,699  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     September 30,
2008
    March 31,
2008
 
     (Unaudited)        
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 455,231     $ 482,352  

Short-term investments

     3,418       3,940  

Accounts receivable

     467,499       373,619  

Inventories

     323,673       245,737  

Other current assets

     68,138       60,668  
                

Total current assets

     1,317,959       1,166,316  

Property, plant and equipment

     105,244       104,461  

Goodwill

     218,776       194,383  

Other intangible assets

     31,460       21,730  

Other assets

     39,072       40,042  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,712,511     $ 1,526,932  
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 404,356     $ 287,001  

Accrued liabilities

     168,627       156,094  
                

Total current liabilities

     572,983       443,095  

Other liabilities

     126,345       123,793  
                

Total liabilities

     699,328       566,888  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Shares, par value CHF 0.25 - 191,606,620 issued and authorized and 50,000,000 conditionally authorized at September 30, 2008; 231,606,620 authorized, 60,661,860 conditionally authorized and 191,606,620 issued at March 31, 2008

     33,370       33,370  

Additional paid-in capital

     49,797       49,821  

Less shares in treasury, at cost, 13,158,291 at September 30, 2008 and 12,431,093 at March 31, 2008

     (373,580 )     (338,293 )

Retained earnings

     1,336,246       1,234,629  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (32,650 )     (19,483 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     1,013,183       960,044  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,712,511     $ 1,526,932  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Six months ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007  
     (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 101,617     $ 37,116  

Non-cash items included in net income:

    

Depreciation

     22,501       20,002  

Amortization of other intangible assets

     3,470       2,437  

Share-based compensation expense related to options and purchase rights

     11,710       9,935  

Write-down of investments

     979       67,419  

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

     (6,032 )     (8,285 )

Loss (gain) on cash surrender value of life insurance policies

     363       (567 )

Deferred income taxes and other

     3,434       (824 )

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

    

Accounts receivable

     (99,553 )     (103,992 )

Inventories

     (83,760 )     (40,810 )

Other assets

     (13,611 )     (4,938 )

Accounts payable

     118,930       120,026  

Accrued liabilities

     23,359       15,297  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     83,407       112,816  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (25,047 )     (29,917 )

Purchases of short-term investments

     —         (379,793 )

Sales of short-term investments

     —         425,879  

Proceeds from sale of investment

     —         11,308  

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (31,832 )     —    

Premiums paid on cash surrender value life insurance policies

     (427 )     (238 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (57,306 )     27,239  
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Repayment of short-term debt

     —         (11,739 )

Purchases of treasury shares

     (76,017 )     (93,562 )

Proceeds from sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights

     22,355       25,324  

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

     6,032       8,285  
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (47,630 )     (71,692 )
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (5,592 )     828  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (27,121 )     69,191  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     482,352       196,197  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 455,231     $ 265,388  
                

Supplemental cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 138     $ 7  

Income taxes paid

   $ 6,548     $ 4,403  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Registered shares    Additional
paid-in
capital
    Treasury shares     Retained
earnings
   Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
    Total  
     Shares    Amount      Shares     Amount         

March 31, 2007

   191,606    $ 33,370    $ 72,779     9,364     $ (217,073 )   $ 995,606    $ (40,158 )   $ 844,524  

Net income

   —        —        —       —         —         37,116      —         37,116  

Cumulative translation adjustment

   —        —        —       —         —         —        13,968       13,968  

Minimum pension liability adjustment

   —        —        —       —         —         —        306       306  

Deferred hedging losses

   —        —        —       —         —         —        (2,365 )     (2,365 )
                         

Total comprehensive income

                      49,025  
                         

Adjustment for the adoption of FASB

                   

Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48)

   —        —        —       —         —         8,314      —         8,314  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

   —        —        5,453     —         —         —        —         5,453  

Purchase of treasury shares

   —        —        3,466       (93,562 )          (93,562 )

Sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights

   —        —        (27,256 )   (2,510 )     52,580       —        —         25,324  

Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and stock purchase plan

   —        —        9,893     —         —         —        —         9,893  
                                                         

September 30, 2007

   191,606    $ 33,370    $ 60,869     10,320     $ (258,055 )   $ 1,041,036    $ (28,249 )   $ 848,971  
                                                         

March 31, 2008

   191,606    $ 33,370    $ 49,821     12,431     $ (338,293 )   $ 1,234,629    $ (19,483 )   $ 960,044  

Net income

   —        —        —       —         —         101,617      —         101,617  

Cumulative translation adjustment

   —        —        —       —         —         —        (13,772 )     (13,772 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment

   —        —        —       —         —         —        148       148  

Unrealized gain on investment

   —        —        —       —         —         —        457       457  
                         

Total comprehensive income

                      88,450  
                         

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

   —        —        6,527     —         —         —        —         6,527  

Purchase of treasury shares

   —        —        2,603       (76,017 )          (76,017 )

Sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights

   —        —        (18,375 )   (1,876 )     40,730       —        —         22,355  

Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and stock purchase plan

   —        —        11,824     —         —         —        —         11,824  
                                                         

September 30, 2008

   191,606    $ 33,370    $ 49,797     13,158     $ (373,580 )   $ 1,336,246    $ (32,650 )   $ 1,013,183  
                                                         

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1 — The Company

Logitech International S.A. is a global leader in peripherals for personal computers and other digital platforms, developing and marketing innovative products in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, interactive gaming and wireless devices. For the PC, the Company’s products include mice, trackballs, keyboards, gaming controllers, multimedia speakers, headsets, webcams and 3D control devices. For digital music devices, the Company’s products include speakers and headphones. For gaming consoles, the Company offers a range of controllers and other accessories. In addition, Logitech offers wireless music solutions for the home, advanced remote controls for home entertainment systems and a PC-based video security solution for a home or small business. The Company generates revenues from sales of its products to a worldwide network of retail distributors and resellers and to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). The Company’s sales to its retail channels comprise the large majority of its revenues.

Logitech was founded in Switzerland in 1981, and Logitech International S.A. has been the parent holding company of Logitech since 1988. Logitech International S.A. is a Swiss holding company with its registered office in Apples, Switzerland, which conducts its business through subsidiaries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Shares of Logitech International S.A. are listed on both the Nasdaq Global Select Market, under the trading symbol LOGI, and the SIX Swiss Exchange, under the trading symbol LOGN.

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Logitech and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and therefore do not include all the information required for non-condensed financial statements. They should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain prior year financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no impact on previously reported net income.

In the opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Operating results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 2009 or any future periods.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on March 31. Interim quarters are thirteen-week periods, each ending on a Friday. For purposes of presentation, the Company has indicated its quarterly periods as ending on the month end.

 

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Changes in Significant Accounting Policies

Effective April 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy and requires expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The impact of adopting SFAS 157 was not material to our consolidated financial statements.

The Company also adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities – including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”) as of April 1, 2008. SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates. The Company did not elect the fair value option for any financial assets and liabilities existing at April 1, 2008 which had not previously been carried at fair value. Therefore, the adoption of SFAS 159 has not impacted our consolidated financial statements. Any future transacted financial assets or liabilities will be evaluated for the fair value election as prescribed by SFAS 159.

There have been no other substantial changes in our significant accounting policies during the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the Company in the future, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R will significantly change the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, contingencies, acquisition costs, in-process research and development and restructuring costs. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and, as such, we will adopt this standard for any future acquisitions beginning in fiscal year 2010, except that resolution of certain tax contingencies and adjustments to valuation allowances related to business combinations, which previously were adjusted to goodwill, will be adjusted to income tax expense for all such adjustments after April 1, 2009, regardless of the date of the original business combination.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-2 permits a one-year deferral in applying the measurement provisions of SFAS 157 to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in an entity’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The Company will adopt FSP 157-2 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. We are currently evaluating the impact FSP 157-2 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset when the Market for that Asset is not Active, (“FSP 157-3”). FSP 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in an inactive market and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP 157-3 is effective immediately and was adopted by the Company as of October 1, 2008. The impact of adopting FSP 157-3 will not be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). This Statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt SFAS 161 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, and we are evaluating the disclosure impact.

 

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In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”). The objective of this FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS 141R. This FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt FSP 142-3 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 and is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of FSP 142-3 may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP for nongovernmental entities. SFAS 162 is effective 60 days following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of SFAS 162 on its consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 — Net Income per Share

The computations of basic and diluted net income per share for the Company were as follows (in thousands except per share amounts):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Six months ended
September 30,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Net income

   $ 72,311    $ 11,562    $ 101,617    $ 37,116

Weighted average shares - basic

     178,630      181,459      178,835      181,630

Effect of potentially dilutive stock options and stock purchase plan

     4,879      6,834      5,319      7,069
                           

Weighted average shares - diluted

     183,509      188,293      184,154      188,699
                           

Net income per share - basic

   $ 0.41    $ 0.06    $ 0.57    $ 0.20

Net income per share - diluted

   $ 0.39    $ 0.06    $ 0.55    $ 0.20

Share equivalents attributable to outstanding stock options of 4,997,925 and 1,608,700 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and 4,635,060 and 2,695,900 for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price of the Company’s shares, and therefore their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Employee equity share options, non-vested shares and similar equity instruments granted by the Company are treated as potential shares in computing diluted net income per share. Diluted shares outstanding include the dilutive effect of in-the-money options which is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount that the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the award becomes deductible are assumed to be used to

 

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repurchase shares. The following table presents the effect of in-the-money employee stock options treated as potential shares in computing diluted earnings per share (in thousands except per share amounts):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Six months ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

In-the-money employee stock options treated as potential shares

     11,943       15,933       12,635       15,485  

Percentage of basic weighted average shares outstanding

     6.7 %     8.8 %     7.1 %     8.5 %

Average share price

   $ 25.77     $ 27.22     $ 27.63     $ 27.05  

The following table illustrates the dilution effect of stock options granted and exercised (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Six months ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Basic weighted average shares outstanding as of September 30

   178,630     181,459     178,835     181,630  

Stock options granted

   146     89     452     698  

Stock options canceled, forfeited, or expired

   (101 )   (191 )   (276 )   (239 )
                        

Net options granted

   45     (102 )   176     459  

Grant dilution (1)

   0.0 %   -0.1 %   0.1 %   0.3 %

Stock options exercised

   492     1,054     1,544     2,319  

Exercise dilution (2)

   0.3 %   0.6 %   0.9 %   1.3 %

 

(1) The percentage of grant dilution is computed based on net options granted as a percentage of basic weighted average shares outstanding.

 

(2) The percentage of exercise dilution is computed based on options exercised as a percentage of weighted average shares outstanding.

Note 4 — Fair Value Measurements

As described in Note 2, the Company adopted SFAS 157 affective April 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 establishes the following three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

 

   

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

 

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The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value as of September 30, 2008, classified by the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

 

       Level 1      Level 2      Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents

     $ 455,231      $ —        $ —  

Short-term investments

       —          —          3,418

Foreign exchange derivative assets

       220          
                          

Total assets at fair value

     $ 455,451      $ —        $ 3,418
                          

Foreign exchange derivative liabilities

     $ 488      $ —        $ —  
                          

Total liabilities at fair value

     $ 488      $ —        $ —  
                          

Notes 5 and 14 describe the inputs and valuation techniques used to determine fair value.

Note 5 — Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank demand deposits and time deposits. The time deposits have terms of less than 40 days. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which is equivalent to fair value.

The Company’s short-term investments portfolio as of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008 consisted of auction rate securities collateralized by residential and commercial mortgages. The short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and reported at estimated fair value. Auction rate securities generally have maturity dates greater than 10 years, with interest rates that typically reset through an auction every 28 days. All our short-term investments as of September 30, 2008 have maturity dates in excess of 10 years. Since August 2007, auctions for these investments have failed. Consequently, the investments are not currently liquid and the Company will not be able to realize the proceeds, if any, from these investments until a future auction of these investments is successful or a buyer is found outside of the auction process.

The fair value of our short-term investments is determined by estimating the values of the underlying collateral using published mortgage indices or interest rate spreads for comparably-rated collateral and applying discounted cash flow or option pricing methods to the estimated collateral value. The mortgage indices and spreads are adjusted for factors such as the issuance date of the auction rate security and the rating of the underlying assets. In addition, inputs to the valuation methods include factors such as the timing and amount of cash flow streams, the default risk underlying the collateral, discount rates, and overall capital market liquidity. Under SFAS 157, such adjustments indicate the inputs fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the change in fair value of the Company’s short-term investments during the six months ended September 30, 2008:

 

Balance as of March 31, 2008

   $ 3,940  

Unrealized loss

     (576 )
        

Balance as of June 30, 2008

     3,364  

Unrealized loss

     (403 )

Unrealized gain

     457  
        

Balance as of September 30, 2008

   $ 3,418  
        

The par value of our short-term investments portfolio at September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008 was $47.5 million. The unrealized loss recorded in other income, net during the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 related to the other-than-temporary decline in the estimated fair value of these investments due to continuing declines in the residential mortgage markets. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded an unrealized gain of $0.5 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss, due to an increase in the fair value of certain short-term investments. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had not recognized any unrealized gains or losses related to its short-term investments in other comprehensive income.

 

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Note 6 — Acquisitions

In August 2008, the Company acquired the Ultimate Ears companies (“Ultimate Ears”), a privately held group of companies that offers a range of earphones for portable-music enthusiasts as well as a line of custom-fit in-ear monitors for music professionals. The acquisition is part of the Company’s strategy to expand its portfolio of digital audio products, providing more options for portable music listening.

Total consideration paid was $34.3 million, which includes $0.5 million in transaction costs. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Ultimate Ears for $33.8 million, including a $6.9 million holdback provision relating to potential indemnification claims, of which $1.8 million has been recorded as a liability in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and $5.1 million has been held in escrow. The holdback provision has been included as part of the purchase price allocation below.

The acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the total consideration was allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Fair values were determined by Company management based on information available at the date of acquisition. The results of operations of Ultimate Ears were included in Logitech’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition, and were not material to the Company’s reported results.

The preliminary allocation of total consideration, including transaction costs, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value of Ultimate Ears was as follows (in thousands):

 

     August 19, 2008     Estimated Life

Tangible assets acquired

   $ 4,182    

Intangible assets acquired

    

Existing technology

     5,900     4 years

Patents and core technology

     1,900     4 years

Trademark/trade name

     2,900     5 years

Customer relationships and other

     2,500     5 years

Goodwill

     24,393     —  
          
     41,775    

Liabilities assumed

     (2,236 )  

Deferred tax liability, net

     (5,235 )  
          

Total consideration

   $ 34,304    
          

The existing technology of Ultimate Ears relates to the technical components used in the in-ear monitors and earplugs. The value of the technology was determined based on the present value of estimated expected cash flows attributable to the technology. The patents and core technology represent awarded patents, filed patent applications and core architectures used in Ultimate Ears’ current and planned future products. Trademark/trade name relates to the Ultimate Ears brand names. The value of the patents, core technology and trademark/trade name was estimated by capitalizing the estimated profits saved as a result of acquiring or licensing the asset. Customer relationships and other relates to Ultimate Ears’ existing customer base, valued based on projected discounted cash flows generated from customers in place. The intangible assets acquired are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The goodwill associated with the acquisition is not subject to amortization and is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The deferred tax liability relates to the acquired intangible assets which are also not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

 

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Note 7 — Balance Sheet Components

The following provides the components of certain balance sheet amounts (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2008
    March 31,
2008
 

Accounts receivable:

    

Accounts receivable

   $ 602,423     $ 504,406  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (2,809 )     (2,497 )

Allowance for returns

     (21,705 )     (21,099 )

Cooperative marketing arrangements

     (46,078 )     (41,516 )

Customer incentive programs

     (53,328 )     (49,341 )

Price protection

     (11,004 )     (16,334 )
                
   $ 467,499     $ 373,619  
                

Inventories:

    

Raw materials

   $ 64,527     $ 46,315  

Work-in-process

     —         13  

Finished goods

     259,146       199,409  
                
   $ 323,673     $ 245,737  
                

Other current assets:

    

Tax and VAT refund receivables

   $ 29,276     $ 23,882  

Deferred taxes

     19,136       18,961  

Prepaid expenses and other

     19,726       17,825  
                
   $ 68,138     $ 60,668  
                

Property, plant and equipment:

    

Plant and buildings

   $ 31,783     $ 33,815  

Equipment

     126,846       123,104  

Computer equipment

     45,549       47,027  

Computer software

     56,292       51,552  
                
     260,470       255,498  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (175,810 )     (167,153 )
                
     84,660       88,345  

Construction-in-progress

     17,465       12,866  

Land

     3,119       3,250  
                
   $ 105,244     $ 104,461  
                

Other assets:

    

Deferred taxes

   $ 19,324     $ 22,618  

Cash surrender value of life insurance contracts

     13,134       12,793  

Deposits and other

     6,614       4,631  
                
   $ 39,072     $ 40,042  
                

Accrued liabilities:

    

Accrued marketing expenses

   $ 30,207     $ 30,764  

Accrued personnel expenses

     48,009       52,895  

Income taxes payable - current

     13,196       15,051  

Accrued freight and duty

     18,180       13,969  

Other accrued liabilities

     59,035       43,415  
                
   $ 168,627     $ 156,094  
                

Long-term liabilities:

    

Income taxes payable - non-current

   $ 99,188     $ 95,013  

Obligation for management deferred compensation

     14,069       14,934  

Other long-term liabilities

     13,088       13,846  
                
   $ 126,345     $ 123,793  
                

 

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Note 8 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s goodwill account during the six months ended September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

Balance as of March 31, 2008

   $ 194,383

Additions

     24,393
      

Balance as of September 30, 2008

   $ 218,776
      

Additions to goodwill were related to our acquisition of Ultimate Ears during the three months ended September 30, 2008. The Company intends to fully integrate Ultimate Ears’ business into its existing operations, and discrete financial information for Ultimate Ears will not be maintained. Accordingly, the acquired goodwill will be evaluated for impairment at the total enterprise level. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test during its fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred.

The Company’s acquired other intangible assets subject to amortization were as follows (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2008    March 31, 2008
     Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Carrying
Amount
   Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Carrying
Amount

Trademark/tradename

   $ 24,223    $ (17,820 )   $ 6,403    $ 21,385    $ (16,896 )   $ 4,489

Technology

     45,323      (23,178 )     22,145      37,523      (20,911 )     16,612

Customer contracts

     4,818      (1,906 )     2,912      2,318      (1,689 )     629
                                           
   $ 74,364    $ (42,904 )   $ 31,460    $ 61,226    $ (39,496 )   $ 21,730
                                           

During the six months ended September 30, 2008, changes in the gross carrying value of other intangible assets related to our acquisition of Ultimate Ears and foreign currency translation adjustments.

For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, amortization expense for other intangible assets was $1.9 million and $1.2 million. For the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, amortization expense for other intangible assets was $3.5 million and $2.4 million. The Company expects that amortization expense for the six-month period ending March 31, 2009 will be $3.6 million, and annual amortization expense for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 will be $7.6 million, $7.4 million, $6.6 million and $4.3 million; and $2.0 million in total thereafter.

Note 9 — Financing Arrangements

The Company had several uncommitted, unsecured bank lines of credit aggregating $126.6 million at September 30, 2008. There are no financial covenants under these lines of credit with which the Company must comply. At September 30, 2008, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under these lines of credit.

Note 10 — Shareholders’ Equity

Share Capital

The Company’s nominal share capital is CHF 47,901,655, consisting of 191,606,620 shares with a par value of CHF 0.25 each, all of which were issued and 13,158,291 of which were held in treasury as of September 30, 2008.

 

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Pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors was previously authorized to increase the share capital of the Company through the issuance of up to 40,000,000 shares. This authorization expired in July 2008.

In September 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation which decreased the conditional capital reserved for potential issuance on the exercise of rights granted under the Company’s employee equity incentive plans from 60,661,860 shares to 25,000,000 shares. The Board of Directors determined that the reduced amount of conditional capital was adequate to cover employee equity incentives without impacting the ability of the Company to maintain employee equity incentive plans.

In September 2008, the shareholders also approved the creation of conditional capital representing the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares to cover any conversion rights under a future convertible bond issuance. The Company has no present intention to issue convertible bonds. However, this conditional capital was created in order to provide financing flexibility for future expansion, investments or acquisitions.

Share Repurchases

During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company had the following approved share buyback programs in place (in thousands):

 

Date of Announcement

   Approved
Buyback
Amount
   Expiration
Date
   Completion Date    Amount
Remaining

June 2007

   $ 250,000    June 2010    —      $ 128,871

May 2006

   $ 250,000    June 2009    February 2008    $ —  

In addition, in September 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new share buyback program, which authorizes the Company to invest up to $250 million to purchase its own shares. The September 2008 program is subject to the approval of the Swiss Takeover Board and will begin after the Company completes its current share buyback program of $250 million.

During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company repurchased shares under its share buyback programs as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended September 30, (1)    Six months ended September 30, (1)

Date of Announcement

   2008    2007    2008    2007
   Shares    Amount    Shares    Amount    Shares    Amount    Shares    Amount

June 2007

   1,051    $ 27,000    —      $ —      2,603    $ 76,017    —      $ —  

May 2006

   —        —      1,526    $ 41,559          3,466    $ 93,562
                                               
   1,051    $ 27,000    1,526    $ 41,559    2,603    $ 76,017    3,466    $ 93,562
                                               

 

(1)

Represents the amount in U.S. dollars, calculated based on exchange rates on the repurchase dates.

Note 11 — Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is defined as the total change in shareholders’ equity during the period other than from transactions with shareholders. Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income, a component of shareholders’ equity.

 

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Comprehensive income for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Six months ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Net income

   $ 72,311     $ 11,562     $ 101,617     $ 37,116  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (12,389 )     9,442       (13,772 )     13,968  

Minimum pension liability adjustment

     44       —         148       306  

Unrealized gain on investment

     457       —         457       —    

Deferred realized hedging gains (losses)

     —         (1,537 )     —         (2,365 )
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 60,423     $ 19,467     $ 88,450     $ 49,025  
                                

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2008
    March 31,
2008
 

Cumulative translation adjustment

   $ (24,188 )   $ (10,416 )

Unrealized gain on investment

     457       —    

Pension liability adjustments

     (8,919 )     (9,067 )
                
   $ (32,650 )   $ (19,483 )
                

Note 12 — Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Share Purchase Plans and Stock Option Plans

As of September 30, 2008, the Company offers the 2006 Employee Share Purchase Plan (Non-U.S.) (“2006 ESPP”), the 1996 Employee Share Purchase Plan (U.S.) (“1996 ESPP”), and the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. Shares issued to employees as a result of purchases or exercises under these plans are generally issued from shares held in treasury.

The Company follows the accounting provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-based Payment (“SFAS 123R”), for share-based awards granted to employees and directors including stock options and share purchases under the 2006 ESPP and 1996 ESPP. The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense and related tax benefit recognized in accordance with SFAS 123R for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands).

 

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     Three months ended
September 30,
   Six months ended
September 30,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Cost of goods sold

   $ 669    $ 636    $ 1,400    $ 1,340
                           

Share-based compensation expense included in gross profit

     669      636      1,400      1,340
                           

Operating expenses:

           

Marketing and selling

     1,989      1,699      3,838      3,645

Research and development

     1,147      741      2,109      1,507

General and administrative

     2,018      1,415      4,364      3,443
                           

Share-based compensation expense included in operating expenses

     5,154      3,855      10,311      8,595
                           

Total share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and employee stock purchases

     5,823      4,491      11,711      9,935

Tax benefit

     1,241      1,662      2,198      2,631
                           

Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and employee stock purchases, net of tax

   $ 4,582    $ 2,829    $ 9,513    $ 7,304
                           

Share-based compensation expense per share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.03    $ 0.02    $ 0.05    $ 0.04

Diluted

   $ 0.02    $ 0.02    $ 0.05    $ 0.04

As of September 30, 2008 and 2007, $0.8 million and $0.7 million of share-based compensation cost was capitalized to inventory. As of September 30, 2008, total compensation cost related to non-vested stock options not yet recognized was $37.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 34 months on a weighted-average basis.

The fair value of employee stock options granted and shares purchased under the Company’s employee purchase plans was estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing valuation model applying the following assumptions:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Six Months Ended September 30,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     Purchase Plans     Stock Option Plans     Purchase Plans     Stock Option Plans  

Dividend yield

   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %

Expected life

   6 months     6 months     3.7 years     3.7 years     6 months     6 months     3.7 years     3.7 years  

Expected volatility

   41 %   33 %   35 %   30 %   45 %   33 %   34 %   35 %

Risk-free interest rate

   1.96 %   4.97 %   2.97 %   4.84 %   2.38 %   4.97 %   2.31 %   4.46 %

The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and future expectations of dividend payouts. The Company has not paid dividends since 1996.

The expected option life represents the weighted-average period the stock options or purchase offerings are expected to remain outstanding. The expected life is based on historical settlement rates, which the Company believes are most representative of future exercise and post-vesting termination behaviors.

Expected share price volatility is based on historical volatility using daily prices over the term of past options or purchase offerings. The Company considers historical share price volatility as most representative of future stock option volatility. The risk-free interest rate assumptions are based upon the implied yield of U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues appropriate for the term of the Company’s stock options or purchase offerings.

 

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The following table represents the expected forfeiture rates and the weighted average grant-date fair values of options granted:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Six Months Ended September 30,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     Purchase Plans     Stock Option Plans     Purchase Plans     Stock Option Plans  

Expected forfeitures

     0 %     0 %     7 %     7 %     0 %     0 %     7 %     7 %

Weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted

   $ 7.01     $ 7.01     $ 7.39     $ 8.16     $ 7.94     $ 7.01     $ 7.87     $ 9.28  

The Company uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and records share-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.

A summary of activity under the stock option plans is as follows (exercise prices are weighted averages):

 

     Three Months ended September 30,    Six Months ended September 30,
     2008    2007    2008    2007
     Number     Exercise
Price
   Number     Exercise
Price
   Number     Exercise
Price
   Number     Exercise
Price

Outstanding, beginning of year

   17,032,530     $ 18    18,172,071     $ 13    17,952,376     $ 17    18,875,722     $ 12

Granted

   145,500     $ 25    89,000     $ 27    452,000     $ 28    698,000     $ 28

Exercised

   (492,052 )   $ 9    (1,053,894 )   $ 9    (1,543,650 )   $ 10    (2,319,159 )   $ 9

Cancelled or expired

   (101,125 )   $ 26    (191,248 )   $ 19    (275,873 )   $ 24    (238,634 )   $ 19
                                   

Outstanding, end of year

   16,584,853     $ 18    17,015,929     $ 13    16,584,853     $ 18    17,015,929     $ 13
                                   

Exercisable, end of year

   10,356,802     $ 12    11,056,631     $ 10    10,356,802     $ 12    11,056,631     $ 10
                                   

The total pretax intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $7.8 million and $20.4 million and the tax benefit realized for the tax deduction from options exercised during those periods was $2.6 million and $4.8 million. The total pretax intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $29.2 million and $42.4 million and the tax benefit realized for the tax deduction from options exercised during those periods was $7.8 million and $10.4 million.

Defined Contribution Plans

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have defined contribution employee benefit plans covering all or a portion of their employees. Contributions to these plans are discretionary for certain plans and are based on specified or statutory requirements for others. The charges to expense for these plans for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $2.0 million and $2.3 million and during the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $4.3 million and $4.0 million.

Defined Benefit Plans

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries sponsor defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of their employees. Retirement benefits are provided based on employees’ years of service and earnings, or in accordance with applicable employee benefit regulations. The Company’s practice is to fund amounts sufficient to meet the requirements set forth in the applicable employee benefit and tax regulations.

 

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The net periodic benefit cost for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Six months ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Service cost

   $ 614     $ 519     $ 1,248     $ 1,029  

Interest cost

     373       236       758       468  

Expected return on plan assets

     (383 )     (291 )     (779 )     (577 )

Amortization of net transition obligation

     1       1       2       2  

Recognized net actuarial loss

     112       34       227       69  
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 717     $ 499     $ 1,456     $ 991  
                                

Note 13 — Income Taxes

The Company is incorporated in Switzerland but operates in various countries with differing tax laws and rates. Further, a portion of the Company’s income before taxes and the provision for income taxes are generated outside of Switzerland. For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the income tax provision was $10.0 million and $7.7 million based on effective income tax rates of 12.1% and 40.1%. For the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the income tax provision was $13.5 million and $11.0 million based on effective income tax rates of 11.7% and 22.8%. The decrease in the income tax rate for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 was primarily due to the higher other-than-temporary decline in the estimated fair value of the Company’s short-time investment recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, and changes in the Company’s geographic mix of pre-tax income.

On October 3, 2008, The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which contains the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008, was signed into law by the U.S. Government. Under the Act, the research tax credit was retroactively extended for amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2007 and before January 1, 2010. The Company is currently in the process of analyzing the impact of the new law and will recognize the benefit, if any, in the third quarter of the current fiscal year.

As of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits under FASB Interpretation No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”) was $105.7 million and $101.5 million, of which $93.4 million and $89.1 million would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in income tax expense. As of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, the Company had approximately $9.7 million and $8.8 million of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

The Company files Swiss and foreign tax returns. For all these tax returns, the Company is generally not subject to tax examinations for years prior to 1999.

Although timing of the resolution or closure on audits is highly uncertain, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits would materially change in the next 12 months.

Note 14 — Derivative Financial Instruments – Foreign Exchange Hedging

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the short-term effects of foreign currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency receivables or payables and to provide against exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to its subsidiaries’ forecasted inventory purchases. These forward contracts generally mature within one to three months. The Company may also enter into foreign exchange swap contracts to economically extend the terms of its foreign exchange forward contracts.

 

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The gains or losses on foreign exchange forward contracts are recognized in earnings based on the change in fair value. These gains or losses offset the transaction losses or gains recognized in earnings on the foreign currency receivables or payables or the forecasted inventory purchases. Prior to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, forward contracts related to forecasted inventory purchases were accounted for as cash flow hedges and gains or losses on the contracts were deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss until the inventory purchases were sold, at which time the gains or losses were reclassified to cost of goods sold.

The notional amounts of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at September 30, 2008 and 2007 relating to foreign currency receivables or payables were $15.0 million and $8.2 million. There were no outstanding forward contracts related to forecasted inventory purchases at September 30, 2008. The notional amount of such forward contracts outstanding at September 30, 2007 was $48.6 million. The notional amounts of foreign exchange swap contracts outstanding at September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $19.1 million and $20.4 million. The notional amount represents the future cash flows under contracts to purchase foreign currencies.

The fair value of our foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign exchange swap contracts is determined based on quoted foreign exchange forward rates. Under SFAS 157, quoted foreign exchange forward rates are observable inputs that are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value of our foreign exchange derivative assets as of September 30, 2008 was $0.2 million. Fair value of our foreign exchange derivative liabilities as of September 30, 2008 was $0.5 million.

Net gains recognized into cost of goods sold during the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 were $1.3 million and $1.1 million. Net losses recognized into cost of goods sold during the three and six months ended September 30, 2007 were $0.3 million and $0.3 million. Unrealized net losses on forward contracts outstanding at September 30, 2008 were $0.3 million.

Note 15 — Commitments and Contingencies

At September 30, 2008, fixed purchase commitments for capital expenditures amounted to $18.8 million, and primarily related to commitments for manufacturing equipment, tooling, computer software and computer hardware. Also, the Company has commitments for inventory purchases made in the normal course of business to original design manufacturers, contract manufacturers and other suppliers. At September 30, 2008, fixed purchase commitments for inventory amounted to $256.0 million, which are expected to be fulfilled by March 31, 2009. The Company also had other commitments totaling $45.4 million for consulting services, marketing arrangements, advertising and other services. Although open purchase orders are considered enforceable and legally binding, the terms generally allow the Company the option to reschedule and adjust its requirements based on the business needs prior to delivery of goods or performance of services.

The Company has guaranteed the purchase obligations of some of its contract manufacturers and original design manufacturers to certain component suppliers. These guarantees generally have a term of one year and are automatically extended for one or more years as long as a liability exists. The amount of the purchase obligations of these manufacturers varies over time, and therefore the amounts subject to Logitech’s guarantees similarly vary. At September 30, 2008, the amount of outstanding guaranteed purchase obligations was approximately $1.9 million. The maximum potential future payments under two of the three guarantee arrangements is limited to $2.8 million. The other guarantee is limited to purchases of specified components from the named supplier. The Company does not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these guarantee arrangements.

Logitech International S.A., the parent holding company, has guaranteed certain contingent liabilities of various subsidiaries related to specific transactions occurring in the normal course of business. The maximum amount of the guarantees was $2.3 million as of September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, no amounts were outstanding under these guarantees.

 

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Logitech indemnifies some of its suppliers and customers for losses arising from matters such as intellectual property rights and product safety defects, subject to certain restrictions. The scope of these indemnities varies, but in some instances, includes indemnification for damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors, and the bylaws of our subsidiaries contain similar indemnification obligations to our agents. No amounts have been accrued for indemnification provisions at September 30, 2008. The Company does not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under its indemnification arrangements.

In December 2006, the Company acquired Slim Devices, Inc., a privately held company specializing in network-based audio systems for digital music. The purchase agreement provides for a possible performance-based payment, payable in the first calendar quarter of 2010. The performance-based payment is based on net revenues from the sale of products and services in calendar year 2009 derived from Slim Devices’ technology. The maximum performance-based payment is $89.5 million, and no payment is due if the applicable net revenues total $40 million or less. The total performance-based payment, if any, will be recorded in goodwill and will not be known until the end of calendar year 2009.

In November 2007, the Company acquired WiLife, Inc., a privately held company that manufactures PC-based video cameras for self-monitoring a home or a small business. The purchase agreement provides for a possible performance-based payment, payable in the first calendar quarter of 2011. The performance-based payment is based on net revenues attributed to WiLife during calendar year 2010. No payment is due if the applicable net revenues total $40 million or less. The maximum performance-based payment is $64.0 million. The total performance-based payment amount, if any, will be recorded in goodwill and will not be known until the end of calendar year 2010.

The Company is involved in a number of lawsuits and claims relating to commercial matters that arise in the normal course of business. The Company believes these lawsuits and claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them. However, there can be no assurances that its defenses will be successful, or that any judgment or settlement in any of these lawsuits would not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company’s accruals for lawsuits and claims as of September 30, 2008 were not material.

Note 16 — Segment Information

The Company operates in one operating segment, which is the design, manufacturing and marketing of personal peripherals for personal computers and other digital platforms. Geographic net sales information in the table below is based on the location of the selling entity. Long-lived assets, primarily fixed assets, are reported below based on the location of the asset.

Retail and OEM net sales to unaffiliated customers by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Six months ended
September 30,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

EMEA

   $ 309,815    $ 280,616    $ 512,878    $ 459,749

Americas

     233,818      222,889      436,767      396,664

Asia Pacific

     121,074      91,985      223,773      168,614
                           

Total net sales

   $ 664,707    $ 595,490    $ 1,173,418    $ 1,025,027
                           

No single country other than the United States represented more than 10% of the Company’s total consolidated net sales for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. One customer group represented 15% of net sales in the three and six months ended September 30, 2008. The same customer group represented 17% and 16% of net sales in the three and six months ended September 30, 2007.

 

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Net sales by product family were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Six months ended
September 30,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Retail - Pointing Devices

   $ 180,466    $ 155,490    $ 327,845    $ 265,143

Retail - Keyboards & Desktops

     108,694      114,500      202,628      196,089

Retail - Audio

     116,812      123,628      200,030      216,694

Retail - Video

     70,290      64,469      127,478      111,744

Retail - Gaming

     39,030      35,726      69,540      57,928

Retail - Remotes

     28,924      24,628      55,863      40,070

OEM

     120,491      77,049      190,034      137,359
                           

Total net sales

   $ 664,707    $ 595,490    $ 1,173,418    $ 1,025,027
                           

Long-lived assets by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2008
   March 31,
2008

EMEA

   $ 17,248    $ 20,386

Americas

     40,712      36,122

Asia Pacific

     51,179      50,330
             

Total long-lived assets

   $ 109,139    $ 106,838
             

Long-lived assets in China, the United States and Switzerland each represented more than 10% of the Company’s total consolidated long-lived assets at September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008.

Note 17 — Subsequent Event

On November 3, 2008, Logitech acquired SightSpeed Inc. (“SightSpeed”), a Berkeley, California-based privately held company, for approximately $30 million in cash. SightSpeed is an award-winning provider of high-quality Internet video communication services.

 

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

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding current and future general economic conditions, consumer demands for our products, our current or future revenue mix, potential promotional actions, the financial condition of our suppliers and customers, or our anticipated costs and expenses. Forward-looking statements also include, among others, those statements including the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes” and similar language. These forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. You should carefully review the risks described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K that we file in fiscal year 2009 and our fiscal year 2008 Form 10-K, which was filed on May 30, 2008, in which we discuss our business in greater detail. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to the forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.

Overview of Our Company

Logitech is a global leader in peripherals for personal computers and other digital platforms. We develop and market innovative products in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, video security, interactive gaming and wireless devices.

For the PC, our products include mice, trackballs, keyboards, gaming controllers, multimedia speakers, headsets, webcams, and 3D control devices. For digital music devices, our products include speakers and headphones. For gaming consoles, we offer a range of controllers and other accessories. In addition, we offer wireless music solutions for the home, advanced remote controls for home entertainment systems and a PC-based video security solution for a home or small business.

We sell our products to a network of distributors and resellers (“retail”) and to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). Our worldwide retail network includes wholesale distributors, consumer electronics retailers, mass merchandisers, specialty electronics stores, computer and telecommunications stores, value-added resellers and online merchants. Our sales to our retail channels were 83.8% and 86.6% of our net sales for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. The large majority of our revenues are derived from sales of our products for use by consumers, with sales of our products for use by businesses amounting to a small part of our revenues.

Our markets are extremely competitive and are characterized by short product life cycles, rapidly changing technology, evolving customer demands, and aggressive promotional and pricing practices. In order to remain competitive, we believe continued investment in product research and development is critical to driving innovation with new and improved products and technologies. We are committed to identifying and meeting current and future customer trends with an innovative product portfolio, as well as increasing the value of the Logitech brand from a competitive, channel partner and consumer experience perspective. We believe innovation and product quality are important to gaining market acceptance and strengthening market leadership.

 

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Over the last several years, we have expanded and improved our supply chain operations, invested in product development and marketing, delivered innovative new products and pursued new market opportunities. We have significantly broadened our product offerings and the markets in which we sell. Our product expansion has been primarily organic, but we have also grown as a result of a limited number of acquisitions that expanded our business into new product categories. We are developing new opportunities in emerging markets, while leveraging the growth remaining in our mature markets.

Summary of Financial Results

During the three months ended September 30, 2008, our net sales increased 12% to $664.7 million, with growth of 32% in the Asia Pacific region, 10% in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) region and 5% in the Americas, reflecting the slowing economic conditions in the United States. For the six months ended September 30, 2008, net sales increased 14% to $1,173.4 million, with growth of 33% in Asia Pacific, 12% in EMEA and 10% in the Americas. Net sales of all product lines except audio increased during the six months ended September 30, 2008, although sales of keyboards and desktops, as well as audio products, declined in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared with the prior year. Our gross margin in the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 decreased to 34.3% and 34.2% as compared with 36.3% and 35.2% in the prior fiscal year, due to a higher proportion of OEM sales in 2008 and increased labor and material input costs. Net income for the six months ended September 30, 2008 increased to $101.6 million compared with $37.1 million in the prior fiscal year, which included an unrealized loss of $67.4 million related to an other-than-temporary decline in the estimated fair value of our short-term investments.

Trends in Our Business

We have a large and varied portfolio of product lines, grouped in several product families. We believe that increases or decreases in the retail sales level of a product family are primarily the result of the innovation we have designed into the product, customer acceptance of the product line, the popularity of the digital platforms the product line relates to, and the price points at which products are available. Historically, sales of individual product lines rise and fall over time, and we expect these types of trends to continue.

Most of our revenue comes from sales to our retail channels, which resell to consumers. As a result, our customers’ demand for our products depends on their reactions to current economic conditions, as well as trends in consumer confidence and consumer spending. In recent years, we have grown our total Company sales despite economic downturns in specific countries or regions. However, in the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008, our U.S. customers decreased their inventory purchases below our expectations, in reaction to the general slowdown in U.S. consumer demand. We believe it is likely that this decline in demand will continue in the U.S., and may expand to affect European and possibly Asia Pacific consumers. Therefore we have decreased our targets for growth in sales and operating income for fiscal year 2009 from the targets we had established prior to the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

Trends in our OEM sales are closely related to trends in the OEM customers’ products with which they are sold. Recently, our OEM sales have been growing faster than our retail sales, due to the sales of microphones for use with particular game titles for gaming consoles. These sales are tied to the title distributor agreeing to distribute our microphone with their game, and to the popularity of the particular game title. We believe future OEM growth depends on the development and popularity of new titles or products, and the manufacturers’ decision to combine our products with theirs, none of which is assured to occur. Our OEM sales of computer mice, which have historically comprised most of our OEM sales, have been growing more slowly in recent years. We believe this trend is due to the growing popularity of notebook and smaller form factor PCs, which manufacturers typically do not sell with mice. Consequently, we expect the trend of slowing OEM mice sales to continue.

Retail seasonality has traditionally characterized our business, and we expect will continue to do so. Our sales are typically highest during our third fiscal quarter (October to December), due primarily to the increased demand for our products during the year-end holiday buying season, and lowest in the first fiscal quarter (April to June), before new products are introduced. Therefore quarterly sales and financial performance trends are most meaningful when compared with the same quarter of the preceding year,

 

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rather than the sequential quarter. In addition, a significant portion of our quarterly retail sales has historically occurred in the last month of the quarter. This lack of sales linearity increases the difficulty of predicting quarterly revenue and profits, and adjusting operating expenses and production quickly to align with sales volumes. We are working with our customers to improve forecasts of consumer and product demand in order to increase sales linearity throughout each quarter.

Although our financial results are reported in U.S. dollars, more than half of our sales are made in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, such as the Euro, Chinese renminbi yuan and Japanese yen. Our product costs are primarily in Chinese yuan and U.S. dollars, and our operating expenses are incurred in over 30 different currencies. Our pricing strategy generally includes, among other factors, raising or lowering selling prices in other currencies to avoid disparity with U.S. dollar prices and to respond to currency-driven competitive pricing actions. Although over time we attempt to adjust prices to reflect currency movements, our financial results could be significantly affected in the short term by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

Our gross margins vary with the mix of products sold, competitive activity, product life cycle, new product introductions, unit volumes, commodity and supply chain costs, geographic sales mix, and the complexity and functionality of new product introductions. Changes in consumer demand affect the need for us to undertake promotional efforts, such as cooperative marketing arrangements, customer incentive programs or price protection, which alters our product gross margins. In addition, our suppliers’ reactions to current uncertain economic conditions could result in supply shortages or price increases that negatively impact our gross margins. In recent years, we have managed our commodity and supply chain costs and our promotional efforts to maintain or improve our gross margins. We believe a significant global economic slowdown would make improving or maintaining our current gross margin levels difficult to sustain.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires the Company to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

We consider an accounting estimate critical if it: (i) requires management to make judgments and estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain; and (ii) is important to an understanding of Logitech’s financial condition and operating results.

We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the Company in the future, actual results could differ from those estimates. Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

There have been no significant changes during the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 to the nature of the critical accounting estimates disclosed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R will significantly change the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, contingencies, acquisition costs, in-process research and development and restructuring costs. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and, as such, we will

 

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adopt this standard for any future acquisitions beginning in fiscal year 2010, except that resolution of certain tax contingencies and adjustments to valuation allowances related to business combinations, which previously were adjusted to goodwill, will be adjusted to income tax expense for all such adjustments after April 1, 2009, regardless of the date of the original business combination.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-2 permits a one-year deferral in applying the measurement provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”) to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in an entity’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We will adopt FSP 157-2 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. We are currently evaluating the impact FSP 157-2 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset when the Market for that Asset is not Active, (“FSP 157-3”). FSP 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in an inactive market and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP 157-3 is effective immediately and was adopted by the Company as of October 1, 2008. The impact of adopting FSP 157-3 will not be material to our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). This Statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt SFAS 161 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, and we are evaluating the disclosure impact.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”). The objective of this FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS 141R. This FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt FSP 142-3 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 and we are currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of FSP 142-3 may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP for nongovernmental entities. SFAS 162 is effective 60 days following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of SFAS 162 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2007

Net Sales

Net sales by channel and product family for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,       
             2008                    2007            Change %  

Net sales by channel:

        

Retail

   $ 544,216    $ 518,441    5 %

OEM

     120,491      77,049    56 %
                

Total net sales

   $ 664,707    $ 595,490    12 %
                

Net sales by product family:

        

Retail - Pointing Devices

   $ 180,466    $ 155,490    16 %

Retail - Keyboards & Desktops

     108,694      114,500    (5 %)

Retail - Audio

     116,812      123,628    (6 %)

Retail - Video

     70,290      64,469    9 %

Retail - Gaming

     39,030      35,726    9 %

Retail - Remotes

     28,924      24,628    17 %

OEM

     120,491      77,049    56 %
                

Total net sales

   $ 664,707    $ 595,490    12 %
                

Logitech’s pointing devices product family includes our mice, trackballs and other pointing devices. Keyboards and desktops include cordless and corded keyboards and desktops. Audio includes speakers and headset products for the PC, the home, and mobile entertainment platforms and wireless music systems; video is comprised of PC webcams and WiLife video security monitoring systems; gaming includes console and PC gaming peripherals; and remotes is comprised of our advanced remote controls.

Retail sales growth for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 was primarily driven by strong contributions from pointing devices and video. OEM sales were higher as a result of increased sales of our microphones for singing games. Sales growth benefited from favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, and was constrained by the challenging retail environment as compared with the prior fiscal year.

Approximately 54% of the Company’s sales were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar in the three months ended September 30, 2008. If foreign currency exchange rates in the three months ended September 30, 2008 had been the same as in the three months ended September 30, 2007, our total sales increase would have been 9%. However the benefit does not consider the impact that currency fluctuations had on our pricing strategy, which may result in selling prices in one currency being raised or lowered over time to avoid disparity with U.S. dollar prices and to respond to currency-driven competitive pricing actions.

Retail Pointing Devices. Retail sales of our pointing devices increased 16% and units increased 21% in the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. The growth was primarily attributable to sales of our cordless mice, with sales increasing by 25% and units by 26%. The primary growth drivers were our V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for notebooks, V450 Cordless Laser Mouse for notebooks and our new V550 Nano Cordless Mouse. The LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse and the MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse also made a strong contribution during the quarter. Sales of corded mice increased 14% and units increased 21% primarily due to an increase in sales of our notebook mice.

Retail Keyboards and Desktops. Sales of keyboards and desktops decreased 5% and units decreased 1% during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 as compared with the same quarter last year. Cordless desktop sales decreased 14% with units decreasing 7%, primarily due to lower sales of our Cordless Desktop Wave as compared with the prior year. However, this decrease was partially offset by increased sales of our Cordless Desktop MX 5500 and our Cordless Desktop EX 100. Cordless keyboard sales increased 58% compared with the prior year, primarily due to increased sales of diNovo Mini, our cordless mini-keyboard optimized for controlling PC entertainment.

 

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Retail Audio. Retail audio sales declined 6% with units remaining flat, primarily due to lower PC and iPod speaker sales. PC speaker sales decreased 15% during the quarter ended September 30, 2008, as compared with the same quarter in the prior fiscal year, primarily attributable to weakness in our product line due to product transitions, as well as softness in the Americas region. Sales of our iPod speakers decreased 6% primarily due to lower sales of our PureFi Anywhere speakers as compared with the prior year. PC headset sales grew 11%, driven by our new ClearChat PC Wireless headset. Our ClearChat Pro and ClearChat Comfort USB headsets also contributed to the growth in headset sales during the quarter. Sales of our Streaming Media Systems more than doubled compared with the prior year, with the introduction of Squeezebox Boom, our all-in-one network music player which was launched during the quarter.

Retail Video. Video sales increased 9% and units increased 3% during the quarter compared with last year, primarily attributable to sales of our WiLife video monitoring products. Sales of our high-end webcam, the QuickCam Pro 9000, as well as two of our webcams from our lower-price segment, the QuickCam Connect for Skype and Communicate MP, increased during the quarter, but were partially offset by a decline in sales of our QuickCam Communicate STX webcam.

Retail Gaming. Retail sales of our gaming products increased 9% while units decreased 8% in the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. PC gaming sales increased 2% primarily due to higher sales of our G15 gaming keyboard as compared with the prior year. Console gaming sales increased 40% primarily attributable to a strong demand for our steering wheels, led by our new GT Driving Force Wheel which started shipping in the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

Retail Remotes. Retail remote sales increased 17% with units increasing 49% during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 as compared with the prior year, primarily driven by continued strong demand for our Harmony One remote control.

Retail Regional Performance. Sales in our Asia Pacific and EMEA regions increased 35% and 8%, with units increasing 17% and 13% during the quarter as compared with the prior year. Sales in our Americas region declined 11% and units declined 4%. Our Asia Pacific region achieved double-digit growth in all product lines, led by remotes, pointing devices and audio products. Sales growth in the EMEA region was driven primarily by growth in our remotes, pointing devices and video product lines. The decline in sales in the Americas was primarily attributable to lower demand for our audio products, keyboards and desktops, partially offset by an increase in sales of our gaming peripherals as compared with the prior year. The disparity between sales growth and unit growth was primarily due to product mix and foreign currency fluctuations in the Asia Pacific and EMEA regions.

OEM. Sales of OEM products increased 56% and units increased 31% during the quarter as compared with the same period last year, primarily due to the continued success of our microphones for singing games for Playstation 3, Wii and Xbox 360. Sales of embedded video modules for notebooks also made a strong contribution to our growth in OEM.

 

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Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,        
             2008                     2007             Change  

Net sales

   $ 664,707     $ 595,490     12 %

Cost of goods sold

     436,633       379,536     15 %
                  

Gross profit

   $ 228,074     $ 215,954     6 %
                  

Gross margin

     34.3 %     36.3 %  

Gross profit consists of net sales, less cost of goods sold which includes materials, direct labor and related overhead costs, costs of manufacturing facilities, costs of purchasing components from outside suppliers, distribution costs and write-down of inventories.

Gross profit increased 6% in dollars but declined as a percentage of revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decline was primarily due to a combination of higher labor and material input costs, higher freight costs and an increase of OEM in the product mix.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,        
             2008                     2007             Change  

Marketing and selling

   $ 84,740     $ 76,463     11 %

% of net sales

     13 %     13 %  

Research and development

     33,351       30,939     8 %

% of net sales

     5 %     5 %  

General and administrative

     29,620       28,149     5 %

% of net sales

     4 %     5 %  
                  

Total operating expenses

   $ 147,711     $ 135,551     9 %
                  

Marketing and Selling

Marketing and selling expense consists of personnel and related overhead costs, corporate and product marketing, promotions, advertising, trade shows, customer and technical support and facilities costs.

Marketing and selling expenses increased 11% in the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year primarily due to increased personnel costs related to headcount additions during the last twelve months. Personnel costs increased 20% as compared with the quarter ended September 30, 2007 primarily due to the addition of the WiLife product marketing group, as well as the continued growth in the worldwide marketing groups and regional sales and marketing organizations. In addition, merchandising expenses and information technology costs also increased during the quarter as compared with the prior year. The impact of year-over-year exchange rate changes on translation of foreign currency marketing and selling expenses to our U.S. dollar financial statements, particularly from the stronger Swiss franc relative to the U.S. dollar, also contributed to the increase.

 

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Research and Development

Research and development expense consists of personnel and related overhead costs, contractors and outside consultants, supplies and materials, equipment depreciation and facilities costs, all associated with the design and development of new products and enhancements of existing products.

The increase in research and development expense reflects our commitment to continued investment in research and development initiatives, particularly in our video, control devices and remotes product lines. Personnel costs increased 7% during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 as compared with the same quarter last year due to headcount additions in the last twelve months. An increase in information technology costs also contributed to the increase in research and development expense. The impact of year-over-year exchange rate changes on translation of foreign currency research and development expenses to our U.S. dollar financial statements, particularly from the stronger Swiss franc and Taiwanese dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, also contributed to the increase.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel and related overhead and facilities costs for the finance, information systems, executive, human resources and legal functions.

General and administrative expense increased 5% primarily as a result of an increase in personnel expenses. Personnel expenses increased 11% during the quarter due to salary increases and promotions during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, as well as higher stock compensation expenses year over year. The impact of year-over-year exchange rate changes on translation of foreign currency general and administrative expenses to our U.S. dollar financial statements, particularly from the stronger Swiss franc and Euro relative to the U.S. dollar, also contributed to the increase. Due to the Company’s efforts to control the growth of general and administrative expenses, the percentage of general and administrative costs grew at a slower rate than the Company’s net sales grew.

Interest Income, Net

Interest income and expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,        
             2008                     2007             Change  

Interest income

   $ 2,777     $ 3,940     (30 %)

Interest expense

     (2 )     (15 )   87 %
                  

Interest income, net

   $ 2,775     $ 3,925     (29 %)
                  

Interest income was lower for the three months ended September 30, 2008 despite higher invested balances due to significantly lower interest rates as compared with the prior year.

 

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Other Expense, Net

Other income and expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,        
             2008                     2007             Change  

Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net

   $ (220 )   $ 1,722     (113 %)

Write-down of investments

     (403 )     (67,419 )   (99 %)

Other, net

     (230 )     674     (134 %)
                  

Other expense, net

   $ (853 )   $ (65,023 )   (99 %)
                  

During the quarter ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, we recorded an unrealized loss of $0.4 million and $67.4 million related to the other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of our short-term investments. The decrease in foreign exchange gains during the three months ended September 30, 2008 was primarily due to a gain in the prior fiscal year on a closed Euro forward contract.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes and effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
             2008                     2007          

Provision for income taxes

   $ 9,974     $ 7,743  

Effective income tax rate

     12.1 %     40.1 %

The provision for income taxes consists of income and withholding taxes. Logitech operates in multiple jurisdictions and its profits are taxed pursuant to tax laws of these jurisdictions. The Company’s effective income tax rate may be affected by changes in tax laws or interpretations of tax laws in any given jurisdiction, utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, changes in geographical mix of income and expense, and changes in management’s assessment of matters such as the ability to realize deferred tax assets.

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 included a $1.2 million and $1.7 million tax benefit related to share-based compensation expense.

The decrease in the effective tax rate to 12.1% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared with 40.1% in the same period in the prior fiscal year is primarily due to a higher other-than-temporary decline in the estimated fair value of our short-term investments in the prior year, and changes in the Company’s geographic mix of pre-tax income.

On October 3, 2008, The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which contains the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008, was signed into law by the U.S. Government. Under the Act, the research tax credit was retroactively extended for amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2007 and before January 1, 2010. We are currently in the process of analyzing the impact of the new law and will recognize the benefit, if any, in the third quarter of the current fiscal year.

 

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Six Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with Six Months Ended September 30, 2007

Net Sales

Net sales by channel and product family for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six months ended September 30,       
             2008                    2007            Change %  

Net sales by channel:

        

Retail

   $ 983,384    $ 887,668    11 %

OEM

     190,034      137,359    38 %
                

Total net sales

   $ 1,173,418    $ 1,025,027    14 %
                

Net sales by product family:

        

Retail - Pointing Devices

   $ 327,845    $ 265,143    24 %

Retail - Keyboards & Desktops

     202,628      196,089    3 %

Retail - Audio

     200,030      216,694    (8 %)

Retail - Video

     127,478      111,744    14 %

Retail - Gaming

     69,540      57,928    20 %

Retail - Remotes

     55,863      40,070    39 %

OEM

     190,034      137,359    38 %
                

Total net sales

   $ 1,173,418    $ 1,025,027    14 %
                

Retail sales growth for the six months ended September 30, 2008 was primarily attributable to strong contributions from pointing devices, video products and remotes. OEM sales were higher as a result of continued demand for our microphones for singing games. We achieved strong sales growth in spite of a very challenging retail environment as compared with the prior fiscal year.

Approximately 52% of the Company’s sales were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar in the six months ended September 30, 2008. Net sales growth benefited from favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations during the six months ended September 30, 2008. If foreign currency exchange rates in the six months ended September 30, 2008 had been the same as in the six months ended June 30, 2007, our total sales increase would have been 11%. However the benefit does not consider the impact that currency fluctuations had on our pricing strategy, which may result in selling prices in one currency being raised or lowered over time to avoid disparity with U.S. dollar prices and to respond to currency-driven competitive pricing actions.

Retail Pointing Devices. Retail sales and units of our pointing devices increased 24% in the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. Sales of cordless mice increased 38% and units increased 39%, primarily driven by sales of our V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for notebooks, our VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks and our V450 Nano Cordless Mouse for Notebooks. Sales of corded mice increased 14% and units increased 20% primarily due to an increase in sales of our notebook mice.

Retail Keyboards and Desktops. Sales of keyboards and desktops increased 3% and units increased 6% during the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same period last year. The growth in sales was primarily driven by sales of our Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution, our Cordless Desktop EX 100 and our cordless mini-keyboard, the diNovo Mini, partially offset by lower sales of two of our Cordless Desktops, the MX 3200 Laser and the MX 5000 Laser.

Retail Audio. Retail audio sales declined 8% with a 6% decrease in units. The decline was primarily due to lower PC speaker sales which decreased 17% during the six months ended September 30, 2008, compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year, primarily attributable to weakness in our product line due to product transitions. Sales of our iPod speakers increased 2% primarily due to strong contributions from our PureFi Anywhere and our PureFi Dream speakers. PC headset sales grew 12%, driven by our new ClearChat Pro and ClearChat Comfort USB headsets.

 

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Retail Video. Video sales increased 14% and units increased 2% during the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with last year, primarily attributable to sales of our WiLife video monitoring products. Sales of our high-end webcam, the QuickCam Pro 9000, as well as two of our webcams from our lower-price segment, the QuickCam Connect for Skype and Communicate MP, increased during the quarter, but were partially offset by a decline in sales of our QuickCam Communicate STX webcam.

Retail Gaming. Retail sales of our gaming peripherals increased 20% while units decreased 12% in the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. PC gaming sales increased 9% primarily due to sales of our G15 gaming keyboard and our G25 racing wheel. Console gaming sales increased 51% primarily attributable to strong demand for our new GT Driving Force Wheel which started shipping in the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

Retail Remotes. Retail remote sales increased 39% and units increased 60% during the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same period in the prior year, primarily driven by strong sales of our new Harmony One remote control.

Retail Regional Performance. We achieved double-digit retail growth in our Asia Pacific and EMEA regions while sales in our Americas region remained flat during the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same period last year. Sales in our Asia Pacific region increased 38% and units increased 20%, driven by double-digit growth in all product lines. Sales in the EMEA region increased 12% with units increasing 10%, led by solid contributions from sales of remotes and pointing devices. In the Americas region sales remained flat and units increased 3% compared with the prior year. Sales in the audio and keyboards and desktops product lines in the Americas region declined 22% and 10%, but this decline was partially offset by sales growth in our remotes, gaming and video product lines. The disparity between sales growth and unit growth in the Asia Pacific region was primarily due to product mix and foreign currency fluctuations.

OEM. Sales of OEM products increased 38% and units increased 22% during the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same period last year, primarily due to the continued success of our microphones for singing games for Playstation 3, Wii and Xbox 360.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six months ended September 30,        
             2008                     2007             Change  

Net sales

   $ 1,173,418     $ 1,025,027     14 %

Cost of goods sold

     771,772       664,287     16 %
                  

Gross profit

   $ 401,646     $ 360,740     11 %
                  

Gross margin

     34.2 %     35.2 %  

Gross profit increased 11% in dollars but declined as a percentage of revenue primarily due to a combination of higher labor and material input costs, higher freight costs and an increase in OEM in the product mix in the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same period last year.

 

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Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six months ended September 30,        
             2008                     2007             Change  

Marketing and selling

   $ 162,020     $ 141,250     15 %

% of net sales

     14 %     14 %  

Research and development

     66,610       59,704     12 %

% of net sales

     6 %     6 %  

General and administrative

     62,929       55,471     13 %

% of net sales

     5 %     5 %  
                  

Total operating expenses

   $ 291,559     $ 256,425     14 %
                  

Marketing and Selling

Marketing and selling expenses increased 15% in the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year primarily due to increased personnel costs related to headcount additions during the last twelve months to support higher retail sales levels. Personnel costs increased 20% compared with the six months ended September 30, 2007 primarily due to the addition of the WiLife product marketing group, as well as the continued growth in the worldwide marketing groups and regional sales and marketing organizations. In addition, merchandising expenses and information technology costs also increased during the period compared with the prior year. The impact of year-over-year exchange rate changes on translation of foreign currency marketing and selling expenses to our U.S. dollar financial statements, particularly from the stronger Euro and Swiss franc relative to the U.S. dollar, also contributed to the increase.

Research and Development

The increase in research and development expense of 12% was primarily related to our continued investment in research and development initiatives, particularly in the video, remotes and control devices product lines. The highest contributor to the increase in research and development expenses was personnel costs, increasing at 10%, primarily due to headcount additions during the last 12 months. Information technology costs also increased during the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with the prior year. The impact of year-over-year exchange rate changes on translation of foreign currency research and development expenses to our U.S. dollar financial statements, particularly from the stronger Swiss franc and Taiwanese dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, also contributed to the increase.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expense increased 13% primarily as a result of an increase in personnel expenses, depreciation expense and hardware and software maintenance expenses. Personnel costs increased 15% during the six months ended September 30, 2008 due to salary increases and promotions during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, as well as higher stock compensation expenses compared with the prior year. The impact of year-over-year exchange rate changes on translation of foreign currency general and administrative expenses to our U.S. dollar financial statements, particularly from the stronger Swiss franc and Euro relative to the U.S. dollar, also contributed to the increase.

 

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Interest Income, Net

Interest income and expense for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six months ended September 30,        
             2008                     2007             Change  

Interest income

   $ 5,457     $ 7,548     (28 %)

Interest expense

     (130 )     (85 )   (53 %)
                  

Interest income, net

   $ 5,327     $ 7,463     (29 %)
                  

Interest income was lower for the six months ended September 30, 2008 despite higher invested balances due to significantly lower interest rates as compared with the prior year.

Other Expense, Net

Other income and expense for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six months ended September 30,        
             2008                     2007             Change  

Foreign currency exchange gains, net

   $ 1,171     $ 2,953     (60 %)

Write-down of investments

     (979 )     (67,419 )   (99 %)

Other, net

     (484 )     762     (164 %)
                  

Other expense, net

   $ (292 )   $ (63,704 )   (100 %)
                  

During the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, we recorded an unrealized loss of $1.0 million and $67.4 million related to an other-than-temporary decline in the estimated fair value of our short-term investments. The decrease in foreign exchange gains during the six months ended September 30, 2008 was primarily due to a gain in the prior fiscal year on a closed Euro forward contract.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes and effective tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six months ended September 30,  
             2008                     2007          

Provision for income taxes

   $ 13,505     $ 10,958  

Effective income tax rate

     11.7 %     22.8 %

The provision for income taxes for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 included a $2.2 million and $2.6 million tax benefit related to share-based compensation expense.

The decrease in the effective tax rate to 11.7% during the six months ended September 30, 2008 compared with 22.8% in the same period in the prior fiscal year is primarily due to a higher other-than-temporary decline in the estimated fair value of the Company’s short-time investments in the prior year, and changes in the Company’s geographic mix of pre-tax income.

On October 3, 2008, The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which contains the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008, was signed into law by the U.S. Government. Under the Act, the research tax credit was retroactively extended for amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2007 and before January 1, 2010. We are currently in the process of analyzing the impact of the new law and will recognize the benefit, if any, in the third quarter of the current fiscal year.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Balances, Available Borrowings, and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2008, net working capital was $745.0 million, compared with $723.2 million at March 31, 2008. The increase in working capital from March 31, 2008 was primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable and inventories, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable.

During the six months ended September 30, 2008, operating activities generated cash of $83.4 million. Our largest source of operating cash flows was cash collections from our customers. We used $57.3 million in investing activities during the period, $31.8 million of which was paid for our acquisition of Ultimate Ears, net of cash acquired, and $25.0 million was for capital expenditures for manufacturing equipment, leasehold improvements, tooling costs and computer hardware and software purchases. Net cash used in financing activities was $47.6 million. We used $76.0 million during the six months ended September 30, 2008 to repurchase shares under our share buyback program while the exercise of stock options provided $22.4 million.

At September 30, 2008, we had cash and cash equivalents of $455.2 million and short-term investments of $3.4 million. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which is equivalent to fair value. Short-term investments are carried at fair value, determined by estimating the value of the underlying collateral using published mortgage indices or interest rate spreads for comparably rated collateral and applying discounted cash flow or option pricing methods to the estimated value. The Company considers the inputs used to measure the fair value of its short-term investments as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, as described in Note 4 of our consolidated financial statements. Due to continued disruptions in the U.S. credit market, we recorded a $1.0 million impairment loss related to the other-than-temporary decline in the fair value of our short-term investments during the six months ended September 30, 2008. Further changes in the fair value of our short-term investments would not materially affect our liquidity or capital resources.

The Company has credit lines with several European and Asian banks totaling $126.6 million as of September 30, 2008. As is common for businesses in European and Asian countries, these credit lines are uncommitted and unsecured. Despite the lack of formal commitments from the banks, we believe that these lines of credit will continue to be made available because of our long-standing relationships with these banks. At September 30, 2008, we had no outstanding borrowings under these lines of credit. There are no financial covenants under these facilities.

The Company has financed its operating and capital requirements primarily through cash flow from operations and, to a lesser extent, from capital markets and bank borrowings. Our normal short-term liquidity and long-term capital resource requirements are provided from three sources: cash flow generated from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand, and borrowings, as needed, under our credit facilities.

Based upon our available cash balances and credit lines, and the trend of our historical cash flow generation, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund operations for the foreseeable future.

 

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Cash Flow from Operating Activities

The following table presents selected financial information and statistics as of September 30, 2008 and 2007 (dollars in thousands):

 

     September 30,
     2008    2007

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 467,499    $ 425,052

Inventories

     323,673      263,396

Working capital

     744,976      615,055

Days sales in accounts receivable (DSO) (1)

     63 days      64 days

Inventory turnover (ITO) (2)

     5.4x      5.8x

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 83,407    $ 112,816

 

(1)

DSO is determined using ending accounts receivable as of the most recent quarter-end and net sales for the most recent quarter.

 

(2)

ITO is determined using ending inventories and annualized cost of goods sold (based on the most recent quarterly cost of goods sold).

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $83.4 million as compared with $112.8 million in the prior year, primarily due to higher ending inventory. DSO for the quarter improved by 1 day compared with the same period last year. Inventory turnover deteriorated compared with the prior year primarily due to slower sales than planned late in the quarter in the Americas region. Typical payment terms require customers to pay for product sales generally within 30 to 60 days; however, terms may vary by customer type, by country and by selling season. Extended payment terms are sometimes offered to a limited number of customers during the second and third fiscal quarters. The Company does not modify payment terms on existing receivables, but may offer discounts for early payment.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Cash flows from investing activities during the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six months ended September 30,  
             2008                     2007          

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

   $ (25,047 )   $ (29,917 )

Purchases of short-term investments

     —         (379,793 )

Sales of short-term investments

     —         425,879  

Proceeds from sale of investment

     —         11,308  

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (31,832 )     —    

Premiums paid on cash surrender value life insurance policies

     (427 )     (238 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   $ (57,306 )   $ 27,239  
                

Our purchases of plant and equipment during the six months ended September 30, 2008 were principally for computer hardware and software purchases, machinery and equipment and normal expenditures for tooling. In August 2008, the Company acquired the Ultimate Ears companies for $31.8 million, net of cash acquired of $0.2 million and including $0.5 million in transaction costs.

Our purchases of plant and equipment during the six months ended September 30, 2007 were principally for machinery and equipment for two new production and manufacturing facilities, including the new surface mount technology factory in China, leasehold improvements for a new office facility in Switzerland, computer hardware and software purchases, and normal expenditures for tooling.

We no longer invest in the auction rate securities which generated the purchase and sale activity in the six months ended September 30, 2007. In April 2007, we received $11.3 million from the sale in March 2007 of our investment in Anoto Group AB.

 

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Cash Flow from Financing Activities

The following tables present information on our cash flows from financing activities, including information on our share repurchases during the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands except per share amounts):

 

     Six months ended September 30,  
             2008                     2007          

Repayment of short-term debt

   $ —       $ (11,739 )

Purchases of treasury shares

     (76,017 )     (93,562 )

Proceeds from sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights

     22,355       25,324  

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

     6,032       8,285  
                

Net cash used in financing activities

   $ (47,630 )   $ (71,692 )
                
     Six months ended September 30,  
     2008     2007  

Number of shares repurchased

     2,603       3,466  

Value of shares repurchased

   $ 76,017     $ 93,562  

Average price per share

   $ 29.20     $ 26.99  

During the six months ended September 30, 2008, we repurchased 2.6 million shares for $76.0 million under the Company’s June 2007 buyback program. The sale of shares upon exercise of options pursuant to the Company’s stock plans realized $22.4 million. In addition, cash of $6.0 million was provided by tax benefits recognized on the exercise of share-based payment awards.

During the six months ended September 30, 2007, we repaid short-term debt borrowings of $11.7 million. We also repurchased 3.5 million shares for $93.6 million under the buyback program announced in May 2006. The sale of shares upon exercise of options pursuant to the Company’s stock plans realized $25.3 million during the first six months of fiscal year 2008. In addition, cash of $8.3 million was provided by tax benefits from the exercise of share-based payment awards.

Cash Outlook

We have financed our operations and capital requirements primarily through cash flow from operations and, to a lesser extent, capital markets and bank borrowings. Our working capital requirements and capital expenditures may increase to support future expansion of Logitech operations. Future acquisitions or expansion of our operations may be significant and may require the use of cash.

In June 2007, we announced the approval by our Board of Directors of a new share buyback program authorizing the repurchase of up to $250 million of our shares. The approved amount remaining under the June 2007 program at September 30, 2008 was $128.9 million. We plan to continue repurchasing shares under this program.

In September 2008, our Board of Directors approved a new share buyback program, which authorizes the Company to invest up to $250 million to purchase its own shares. The September 2008 program is subject to the approval of the Swiss Takeover Board and will begin after we complete our current share buyback program of $250 million.

In addition, on November 3, 2008 Logitech acquired SightSpeed Inc. (“SightSpeed”), a Berkeley, California-based privately held company, for approximately $30 million in cash.

We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, cash flow generated from operations, and available borrowings under our bank lines of credit will be sufficient to fund capital expenditures and working capital needs for the foreseeable future.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

As of September 30, 2008, the Company’s outstanding contractual obligations and commitments included: (i) equipment financed under capital leases, (ii) facilities leased under operating lease commitments, (iii) purchase commitments and obligations and (iv) long-term liabilities for income taxes payable.

We expect to continue making capital expenditures in the future to support product development activities and ongoing and expanded operations. At September 30, 2008, fixed purchase commitments for capital expenditures amounted to $18.8 million, and primarily related to commitments for manufacturing equipment, tooling, computer software and computer hardware. We also have commitments for inventory purchases made in the normal course of business to original design manufacturers, contract manufacturers and other suppliers. At September 30, 2008, fixed purchase commitments for inventory amounted to $256.0 million, which are expected to be fulfilled by March 31, 2009. We also had other commitments of $45.4 million for consulting, marketing arrangements, advertising and other services. Although open purchase commitments are considered enforceable and legally binding, the terms generally allow us the option to reschedule and adjust our requirements based on business needs prior to the delivery of the purchases.

In December 2006, we acquired Slim Devices, Inc., a privately held company specializing in network-based audio systems for digital music. The purchase agreement provides for a possible performance-based payment, payable in the first calendar quarter of 2010. The performance-based payment is based on net revenues from the sale of products and services in calendar year 2009 derived from Slim Devices’ technology. The maximum performance-based payment is $89.5 million, and no payment is due if the applicable net revenues total $40 million or less. The total performance-based payment, if any, will be recorded in goodwill and will not be known until the end of calendar year 2009.

In November 2007, we acquired WiLife, Inc., a privately held company that manufactures PC-based video cameras for self-monitoring a home or a small business. The purchase agreement provides for a possible performance-based payment, payable in the first calendar quarter of 2011. The performance-based payment is based on net revenues attributed to WiLife during calendar year 2010. No payment is due if the applicable net revenues total $40 million or less. The maximum performance-based payment is $64.0 million. The total performance-based payment amount, if any, will be recorded in goodwill and will not be known until the end of calendar year 2010.

At September 30, 2008, we had $99.2 million in non-current income taxes payable, including interest and penalties, related to our FIN 48 income tax liability. At this time, we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the period in which a cash settlement will be made with the tax authorities.

For further detail about our contractual obligations and commitments, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has not entered into any transactions with unconsolidated entities whereby we have financial guarantees, subordinated retained interests, derivative instruments or other contingent arrangements that expose us to material continuing risks, contingent liabilities, or any other obligation under a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the Company.

Guarantees

The Company has guaranteed the purchase obligations of some of its contract manufacturers and original design manufacturers to certain component suppliers. These guarantees generally have a term of one year and are automatically extended for one or more years as long as a liability exists. The amount of the purchase obligations of these manufacturers varies over time, and therefore the amounts subject to the

 

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Company’s guarantees similarly varies. At September 30, 2008, the amount of outstanding guaranteed purchase obligations was approximately $1.9 million. The maximum potential future payments under two of the three guarantee arrangements is limited to $2.8 million in total. The other guarantee is limited to purchases of specified components from the named supplier. Logitech International S.A., the parent holding company, has guaranteed certain contingent liabilities of various subsidiaries related to specific transactions occurring in the normal course of business. The maximum amount of the guarantees was $2.3 million as of September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, no amounts were outstanding under these guarantees. We do not believe, based on historical experience and information available as of the date of this report, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under any of the Company’s guarantee arrangements.

Indemnifications

The Company indemnifies certain of its suppliers and customers for losses arising from matters such as intellectual property rights and safety defects, subject to certain restrictions. The scope of these indemnities varies and may include indemnification for damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our officers and directors, and the bylaws of our subsidiaries contain similar indemnification obligations to our agents. No amounts have been accrued for indemnification provisions as of September 30, 2008. We do not believe, based on historical experience and information available as of the date of this report, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these indemnification arrangements.

 

ITEM 3. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. As a global concern, the Company faces exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. These exposures may change over time as business practices evolve and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial results.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk as it transacts business in multiple foreign currencies, including exposure related to anticipated sales, anticipated purchases and assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Logitech transacts business in over 30 currencies worldwide, of which the most significant to operations are the Euro, Chinese renminbi (“CNY”), British pound sterling, Japanese yen, Taiwanese dollar and Mexican peso. The functional currency of the Company’s operations is primarily the U.S. dollar. To a lesser extent, certain operations use the Euro, Swiss franc, Japanese yen or the local currency of the country as their functional currencies. Accordingly, unrealized foreign currency gains or losses resulting from the translation of net assets or liabilities denominated in foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar are accumulated in the cumulative translation adjustment component of other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

 

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The table below provides information about the Company’s underlying transactions that are sensitive to foreign exchange rate changes, primarily assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, where the net exposure is greater than $0.5 million at September 30, 2008. The table below represents the U.S. dollar impact on earnings of a 10% appreciation and a 10% depreciation of the functional currency as compared with the transaction currency (in thousands):

 

Functional Currency

   Transaction Currency    Net Exposed
Long (Short)
Currency
Position
    FX Gain (Loss)
From 10%
Appreciation of
Functional
Currency
    FX Gain (Loss)
From 10%
Depreciation of
Functional
Currency
 

U.S. dollar

   Chinese renminbi    $ 109,694     $ (9,972 )   $ 12,188  

Euro

   British pound sterling      26,565       (2,415 )     2,952  

Japanese yen

   U.S. dollar      (19,068 )     1,733       (2,119 )

Taiwanese dollar

   U.S. dollar      7,716       (701 )     857  

Mexican peso

   U.S. dollar      (7,027 )     639       (781 )

Euro

   Swiss franc      (4,148 )     377       (461 )

U.S. dollar

   Swiss franc      3,509       (319 )     390  

Euro

   Norwegian kroner      (1,219 )     111       (135 )

U.S. dollar

   Canadian dollar      (1,149 )     104       (128 )

U.S. dollar

   Euro      (1,038 )     94       (115 )

Euro

   Danish krone      (743 )     68       (83 )

Euro

   Utd. Arab Emir. Dirham      698       (63 )     78  
                           
      $ 113,790     $ (10,344 )   $ 12,643  
                           

Long currency positions represent net assets being held in the transaction currency while short currency positions represent net liabilities being held in the transaction currency.

The Company’s principal manufacturing operations are located in China, with much of its component and raw material costs transacted in CNY. However, the functional currency of its Chinese operating subsidiary is the U.S. dollar as its sales and trade receivables are transacted in U.S. dollars. To hedge against any potential significant appreciation of the CNY, the Company transferred a portion of its cash investments to CNY accounts. At September 30, 2008, net assets held in CNY totaled $109.7 million. The Company continues to evaluate the level of net assets held in CNY relative to component and raw material purchases and interest rates on cash equivalents.

From time to time, the Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the short-term effects of foreign currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency receivables or payables and to provide against exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to subsidiaries’ forecasted inventory purchases. These forward contracts generally mature within one to three months. The Company may also enter into foreign exchange swap contracts to economically extend the terms of its foreign exchange forward contracts. Gains or losses in fair value on forward contracts which offset translation losses or gains on foreign currency receivables or payables are recognized in earnings monthly and are included in other income (expense). Gains or losses in fair value on forward contracts related to forecasted inventory purchases are also recognized in earnings monthly and are included in cost of goods sold.

The notional amounts of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at September 30, 2008 were $15.0 million. The notional amounts of foreign exchange swap contracts outstanding at September 30, 2008 were $19.1 million. Unrealized net losses on the contracts at September 30, 2008 were $0.3 million.

If the U.S. dollar had appreciated by 10% compared with the foreign currencies in which we have forward or swap contracts, an unrealized gain of $1.8 million in our forward foreign exchange contract portfolio would have occurred. If the U.S. dollar had depreciated by 10% compared with the foreign currencies in which we have forward or swap contracts, a $2.2 million unrealized loss in our forward foreign exchange contract portfolio would have occurred.

 

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Interest Rates

Changes in interest rates could impact the Company’s anticipated interest income on its cash equivalents and short-term investments and interest expense on variable rate short-term debt. The Company prepared sensitivity analyses of its interest rate exposures to assess the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates. Based on the results of these analyses, a 100 basis point decrease or increase in interest rates from the September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008 period end rates would not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Logitech’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Disclosure controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed to reasonably assure that this information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we become involved in claims and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of our business. We are currently subject to several such claims and a small number of legal proceedings. We presently do not believe that the resolution of these claims and legal proceedings will have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Adverse general economic conditions may significantly harm our operating results.

The current deterioration of general economic conditions could be considerably deeper and longer than we expect, and could lead to reduced consumer demand for our products. This could significantly harm our operating results.

Continuing adverse economic conditions may also have the following negative effects on our operating results:

 

   

We may receive returns from our retailers of products in excess of our historical experience rate. If product returns are significantly greater than we estimate, our net sales may be negatively impacted.

 

   

We could have excess levels of inventory, which could result in our taking additional reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, which would negatively impact our operating results.

 

   

Our retail and OEM customers may delay payment of receivables, which could negatively impact our cash flow and cause us to record additional reserves for accounts receivable.

 

   

If a number of our customers or suppliers experience financial distress or bankruptcy, our sales could be lower than we anticipate.

Our operating results are difficult to predict and fluctuations in results may cause volatility in the price of our shares.

Our revenues and profitability are difficult to predict due to the nature of the markets in which we compete and for many other reasons, including the following:

 

   

Our operating results are highly dependent on the volume and timing of orders received during the quarter, which are difficult to forecast. Customers generally order on an as-needed basis and we typically do not obtain firm, long-term purchase commitments from our customers. As a result, our revenues in any quarter depend primarily on orders booked and shipped in that quarter.

 

   

A significant portion of our quarterly retail sales typically occurs in the last month of each quarter, further increasing the difficulty in predicting quarterly revenues and profitability.

 

   

We must incur a large portion of our costs in advance of sales orders, because we must plan research and production, order components, buy tooling equipment, and enter into development, sales and marketing, and other operating commitments prior to obtaining firm commitments from our customers. This makes it difficult for us to adjust our costs during the quarter in response to a revenue shortfall, which could adversely affect our operating results.

 

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Fluctuations in currency exchange rates can impact our revenues, expenses and profitability because we report our financial statements in U.S. dollars, whereas a significant portion of our revenues and expenses are in other currencies. We may seek to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations and currency-driven competitive pricing actions by lowering or raising selling prices in a currency in order to avoid disparity with U.S. dollar prices and to respond to such actions. These efforts may not be successful.

Because our operating results are difficult to predict, our results may be below the expectations of financial analysts and investors, which could cause the price of our shares to decline.

If we fail to successfully innovate in our current and emerging product categories, our business and operating results could suffer.

The personal peripherals industry is characterized by short product life cycles, frequent new product introductions, rapidly changing technology and evolving industry standards. As a result, we must continually innovate in our current and emerging product categories, introduce new products and technologies, and enhance existing products in order to remain competitive.

The success of our products depends on several factors, including our ability to:

 

   

identify new feature or product opportunities;

 

   

anticipate technology, market trends and consumer demands;

 

   

develop innovative and reliable new products and enhancements in a cost-effective and timely manner; and

 

   

distinguish our products from those of our competitors.

If we do not execute on these factors successfully, products that we introduce or technologies or standards that we adopt may not gain widespread commercial acceptance, and our business and operating results could suffer. In addition, if we do not continue to distinguish our products, particularly our retail products, through distinctive, technologically advanced features, designs, and services, as well as continue to build and strengthen our brand recognition and our access to distribution channels, our business could be harmed.

Our gross margins can vary significantly depending on multiple factors, which can result in unanticipated fluctuations in our operating results.

Our gross margins can vary due to consumer demand, competition, product life cycle, new product introductions, unit volumes, commodity and supply chain costs, geographic sales mix, foreign currency exchange rates, and the complexity and functionality of new product innovations. In particular, if we are not able to introduce new products in a timely manner at the product cost we expect, or if consumer demand for our products is less than we anticipate, or if there are product pricing, marketing and other initiatives by our competitors to which we need to react that lower our margins, then our overall gross margin will be less than we project.

In addition, our gross margins may vary significantly by product line, sales geography and customer type, as well as within product lines. When the mix of products sold shifts from higher margin product lines to lower margin product lines, to lower margin sales geographies, or to lower-margin products within product lines, our overall gross margins and our profitability may be adversely affected.

 

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The impact of these factors on gross margins can create unanticipated fluctuations in our operating results, which may cause volatility in the price of our shares.

If we do not compete effectively, demand for our products could decline and our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our industry is intensely competitive. It is characterized by short product life cycles, continual performance enhancements, and rapid adoption of technological and product advancements by competitors in our retail market, and price sensitivity in the OEM market. We continue to experience aggressive price competition and other promotional activities from our primary competitors and from less-established brands. From time to time we adjust prices or increase other promotional activities to improve our competitive position. We may also encounter more competition if any of our competitors decide to enter other markets in which we currently operate.

In addition, we have been expanding the categories of products we sell, and entering new markets, such as the market for programmable remote controls, streaming media devices and home or small business self-monitoring. As we do so, we are confronting new competitors, many of which have more experience in the categories or markets and have greater marketing resources and brand name recognition than we have. In addition, because of the continuing convergence of the markets for computing devices and consumer electronics, we expect greater competition in the future from well-established consumer electronics companies in our developing categories, as well as future ones we might enter. Many of these companies have greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources than we have.

We expect continued competitive pressure in both our retail and OEM business, including in the terms and conditions that our competitors offer customers, which may be more favorable than our terms and conditions and may require us to take actions to increase our customer incentive programs, which could impact our revenues and operating margins.

Pointing Devices, Keyboards and Desktops. Microsoft is our main competitor in the mice, keyboard and desktop product lines. Microsoft has significantly greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources, as well as greater name recognition and a larger customer base. We are also experiencing competition and pricing pressure for corded and cordless mice and desktops from less-established brands, in the lower-price bands, which could potentially impact our market share. The notebook peripheral category is also an area where we face aggressive pricing and promotions, as well as new competitors that have broader notebook product offerings than we do.

Video. Our competitors for PC Web cameras include Microsoft, Creative Labs and Philips. We are encountering aggressive pricing practices and promotions on a worldwide basis, which have impacted our revenues and margins. The worldwide market for PC webcams has also slowed over the last several quarters, and as a result, pricing practices and promotions by our competitors have become more aggressive.

Microsoft is a leading producer of operating systems and applications with which our mice, keyboards and webcams are designed to operate. As a result, Microsoft may be able to improve the functionality of its own peripherals to correspond with ongoing enhancements to its operating systems and software applications before we are able to make such improvements. This ability could provide Microsoft with significant lead-time advantages. In addition, Microsoft may be able to offer pricing advantages on bundled hardware and software products that we may not be able to offer.

Audio. Competitors in audio devices vary by product line. In the PC, mobile entertainment and communication platform speaker business, competitors include Plantronics and its Altec Lansing subsidiary, Creative Labs, and Bose Corporation. In the PC headset and microphone business, our main competitors include Plantronics and its Altec Lansing subsidiary. We have expanded our audio product portfolio to include network-based audio systems for digital music, an emerging market with several small competitors as well as larger established consumer electronics companies, like Sony and Philips.

 

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Gaming. Competitors for our interactive entertainment products include Intec, Pelican Accessories, Mad Catz and its Saitek subsidiary. Our controllers for PlayStation also compete against controllers offered by Sony.

Remotes. Our competitors for remotes include, among others, Philips, Universal Remote, Universal Electronics, RCA and Sony. We expect that the growth in recent years in consumer demand for personal peripheral devices for home entertainment systems will likely result in increased competition.

If we do not compete effectively, demand for our products could decline, our gross margin could decrease, we could lose market share and our revenues could decline.

If we do not successfully innovate and market products for notebook PCs, our business and results of operations may suffer.

We have historically targeted peripherals for the PC platform, a market that is dynamically changing as a result of the increasing popularity of notebook and mobile products over desktop PCs. In our OEM channel, this shift has adversely affected our sales of OEM mice, which are sold with name-brand desktop PCs. Our OEM mice sales have historically made up the bulk of our OEM sales, and our OEM sales accounted for 13% and 11% of total revenues during fiscal years 2008 and 2007. If the desktop PC market continues to experience slower growth or decline, and if we do not successfully diversify our OEM business, our OEM revenues could be adversely affected.

In our retail channels, notebook PCs are sold by retailers without peripherals. We believe this creates opportunities to sell products to consumers to help make their devices more productive and comfortable. However, if we do not successfully innovate and market products designed for notebook PCs and other mobile devices, our business and results of operations could be harmed. In addition, the increasing popularity of notebook PCs may result in a decreased demand by consumers for keyboards and desktops, which could negatively affect our sales of these products.

If we do not continue to improve our product demand forecasting, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

We use our forecasts of product demand to make decisions regarding investments of our resources and production levels of our products. Although we receive forecasts from our customers, many are not obligated to purchase the forecasted demand. Also, actual sales volumes for individual products in our retail distribution channel can be volatile due to changes in consumer preferences and other reasons. In addition, our retail products have short product life cycles, so a failure to accurately predict high demand for a product can result in lost sales that we may not recover in subsequent periods, or higher product costs if we meet demand by paying higher costs for materials, production and delivery. We could also frustrate our customers and lose shelf space. Our failure to predict low demand for a product can result in excess inventory, lower cash flows and lower margins if we are required to reduce product prices in order to reduce inventories.

Over the past few years, we have rapidly and significantly expanded the number and types of products we sell, and the geographic markets in which we sell them, and we will endeavor to further expand our product portfolio and sales reach. The growth of our product portfolio and our sales markets has increased the difficulty of accurately forecasting product demand.

We have experienced large differences between our forecasts and actual demand for our products and expect differences to arise in the future. If we do not continue to improve the accuracy of our forecasts, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

 

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Our business depends in part on access to third-party platforms or technologies, and if the access is withdrawn, denied, or is not available on terms acceptable to us, or if the platforms or technologies change without notice to us, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

In recent years we have expanded our product portfolio to include products designed for use with third-party platforms such as the Apple iPod, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, and Nintendo Wii. The growth of our business is in part due to sales of these products. However, our business in these categories relies on our access to the platforms of third parties, which can be withdrawn, denied or not be available on terms acceptable to us.

Our access to third-party platforms may require paying a royalty, which lowers our product margins, or may otherwise be on terms that are not acceptable to us. In addition, the third-party platforms or technologies used to interact with our product portfolio can change without prior notice to us, which can result in our having excess inventory or lower margins.

If we are unable to access third-party platforms or technologies, or if our access is withdrawn, denied, or is not available on terms acceptable to us, or if the platforms or technologies change without notice to us, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our principal manufacturing operations and third-party contract manufacturers are located in China, which exposes us to risks associated with doing business in that country.

Our principal manufacturing operations and third-party contract manufacturers are located in China. Our manufacturing operations in Suzhou, China could be severely impacted by changes in the interpretation and enforcement of legal standards, by strains on China’s energy, transportation, communications, trade, public health and other infrastructures, by conflicts, embargoes, increased tensions or escalation of hostilities between China and Taiwan, and by other trade customs and practices that are dissimilar to those in the United States and Europe. Interpretation and enforcement of China’s laws and regulations continue to evolve and we expect differences in interpretation and enforcement to continue in the foreseeable future.

Further, we may be exposed to fluctuations in the value of the Chinese renminbi (“CNY”), the local currency of China. Significant future appreciation of the CNY could increase our component and other raw material costs, as well as our labor costs, and could adversely affect our financial results.

We purchase key components and products from a limited number of sources, and our business and operating results could be harmed if supply were delayed or constrained or if there were shortages of required components.

We purchase certain products and key components from a limited number of sources. If the supply of these products or key components, such as micro-controllers and optical sensors, were to be delayed or constrained, we may be unable to find a new supplier on acceptable terms, or at all, or our product shipments to our customers could be delayed, any of which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

Lead times for materials, components and products ordered by us or by our contract manufacturers can vary significantly and depend on factors such as contract terms, demand for a component, and supplier capacity. From time to time, we have experienced component shortages. We continue to experience extended lead times on semiconductors, such as micro-controllers and optical sensors, and base metals used in our products. Shortages or interruptions in the supply of components or subcontracted products, or our inability to procure these components or products from alternate sources at acceptable prices in a timely manner, could delay shipment of our products or increase our production costs, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

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If we do not successfully coordinate the worldwide manufacturing and distribution of our products, we could lose sales.

Our business requires us to coordinate the manufacture and distribution of our products over much of the world. We increasingly rely on third parties to manufacture our products, manage centralized distribution centers, and transport our products. If we do not successfully coordinate the timely manufacturing and distribution of our products, we may have insufficient supply of products to meet customer demand and we could lose sales, or we may experience a build-up in inventory.

We rely on commercial air freight carriers, ocean freight carriers, trucking companies and other transportation companies for the movement of our products. Consequently, our ability to ship products to our distribution centers could be adversely impacted by shortages in available cargo capacity. The logistics and supply chain infrastructure in China, where our products are manufactured, has not kept pace with the rapid expansion of China’s economy, resulting in periodic capacity constraints in the transportation of goods. If we are unable to secure cost-effective freight resources in a timely manner, we could incur incremental costs to expedite delivery, which could adversely affect our gross margins, and we could experience delays in bringing our products to market, resulting in lost product sales or the accumulation of excess inventory. Air, ocean and ground transportation costs remain under upward pressure primarily due to high fuel costs. Continued increases in the worldwide cost of fuel could result in higher transportation costs, which could adversely affect gross margins.

A significant portion of our quarterly retail orders and product deliveries generally occur in the last month of the fiscal quarter. This places pressure on our supply chain and could adversely impact our revenues and profitability if we are unable to successfully fulfill customer orders in the quarter.

We conduct operations in a number of countries and the effect of business, legal and political risks associated with international operations could significantly harm us.

We conduct operations in a number of countries. There are risks inherent in doing business in international markets, including:

 

   

difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;

 

   

compliance with laws and regulations, including environmental and tax laws, which vary from country to country and over time, increasing the costs of compliance and potential risks of non-compliance;

 

   

exposure to political and financial instability, leading to currency exchange losses and collection difficulties or other losses;

 

   

exposure to fluctuations in the value of local currencies;

 

   

difficulties or increased costs in establishing sales and distribution channels in unfamiliar markets, with their own market characteristics and competition, particularly in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia;

 

   

changes in value-added tax (“VAT”) or VAT reimbursement;

 

   

imposition of currency exchange controls; and

 

   

delays from customs brokers or government agencies.

Any of these risks could significantly harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

We may be unable to protect our proprietary rights. Unauthorized use of our technology may result in the development of products that compete with our products.

Our future success depends in part on our proprietary technology, technical know-how and other intellectual property. We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws, and confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions such as nondisclosure terms and licenses, to protect our intellectual property.

 

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We hold various United States patents and pending applications, together with corresponding patents and pending applications from other countries. It is possible that any patent owned by us will be invalidated, deemed unenforceable, circumvented or challenged, that the patent rights granted will not provide competitive advantages to us, or that any of our pending or future patent applications will not be granted. In addition, other intellectual property laws or our confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions may not adequately protect our intellectual property. Also, others may independently develop similar technology, duplicate our products, or design around our patents or other intellectual property rights. Unauthorized parties have copied and may in the future attempt to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Any of these events could significantly harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

Product quality issues could adversely affect our reputation and could impact our operating results.

The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing technology and evolving industry standards. To remain competitive, we must continually introduce new products and technologies. The products that we sell could contain defects in design or manufacture. Defects could also occur in the products or components that are supplied to us. There can be no assurance we will be able to detect and remedy all defects in the hardware and software we sell. Failure to do so could result in product recalls, product redesign efforts, lost revenue, loss of reputation, and significant warranty and other expenses to remedy.

Our effective tax rates may increase in the future, which could adversely affect our net income.

We operate in multiple jurisdictions and our profits are taxed pursuant to the tax laws of these jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate may be affected by changes in or interpretations of tax laws in any given jurisdiction, utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, changes in geographical allocation of income and expense, and changes in management’s assessment of matters such as the realizability of deferred tax assets. In the past, we have experienced fluctuations in our effective income tax rate. Our effective income tax rate in a given fiscal year reflects a variety of factors that may not be present in the succeeding fiscal year or years. There is no assurance that our effective income tax rate will not change in future periods. The amount of income taxes we pay could be subject to ongoing audits in various jurisdictions and a material assessment by a governing tax authority could affect our profitability. If our effective tax rate increases in future periods, our net income could be adversely affected.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Share Repurchases

The following table sets forth certain information related to purchases made by Logitech of its equity securities (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

     Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
             Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced

Programs
   Approximate
Dollar Value
of Shares
That May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the

Programs
                    
                    
                    

Period

      Average Price Paid Per Share      
            in USD                in CHF            

July, 2008

   —      $ —      CHF    —      —      $ 155,811

August, 2008

   470,000    $ 26.95    CHF 26.36    470,000      143,171

September, 2008

   581,000    $ 24.67    CHF 27.03    581,000      128,871
                  

Total

   1,051,000    $ 25.69    CHF 26.73    1,051,000   
                  

 

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During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we repurchased shares pursuant to our buyback program announced in June 2007 authorizing the purchase of an additional $250 million of our shares. The June 2007 program is in effect until the 2010 Annual General Meeting, unless concluded earlier or discontinued.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

We held our Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on September 10, 2008. At the meeting, our shareholders voted on the following nine proposals and cast their votes as follows:

Proposal 1: To approve the Annual Report, the Compensation Report, the consolidated financial statements and the statutory financial statements of Logitech International S.A. for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008

 

For

   

Against

   

Abstain

 

Non-Votes

69,106,697     28,640     2,036,334   —  
99.96 %   0.04 %   N/A   N/A

The proposal was approved.

Proposal 2: To carry forward all retained earnings of CHF 316,586,000 (US $310,570,866 based on exchange rates on June 30, 2008) without payment of a dividend

 

For

   

Against

   

Abstain

 

Non-Votes

67,686,368     3,349,876     135,427   —  
95.28 %   4.72 %   N/A   N/A

The proposal was approved.

Proposal 3: To decrease the conditional capital for employee equity incentive plans from an amount representing 60,661,860 shares to 25,000,000 shares

 

For

   

Against

   

Abstain

 

Non-Votes

64,923,527     165,145     1,218,882   4,864,117
99.75 %   0.25 %   N/A   N/A

The proposal was approved.

Proposal 4: To increase the shares available for issuance under the Company’s 1996 Employee Share Purchase Plan (U.S.) and the 2006 Employee Share Purchase Plan (Non-U.S.) by 4,000,000 shares

 

For

   

Against

   

Abstain

 

Non-Votes

65,629,114     489,269     189,171   4,864,117
99.26 %   0.74 %   N/A   N/A

The proposal was approved.

 

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Proposal 5: To authorize the creation of conditional capital representing the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares to cover any conversion rights under a future convertible bond issuance

 

For

   

Against

   

Abstain

   

Non-Votes

57,892,385     8,255,600     155,869     4,864,117
87.31 %   12.45 %   0.24 %   N/A

The proposal was approved.

Proposal 6: To approve the Logitech Management Performance Bonus Plan as it applies to Logitech executive officers

 

For

   

Against

   

Abstain

 

Non-Votes

50,113,384     20,523,784     532,103   —  
70.94 %   29.06 %   N/A   N/A

The proposal was approved.

Proposal 7: To release the members of the Board of Directors for liability for activities during fiscal year 2008

 

For

   

Against

   

Abstain

 

Non-Votes

59,430,052     471,170     200,060   —  
99.21 %   0.79 %   N/A   N/A

The proposal was approved.

Proposal 8: To elect nominees to the Board of Directors

 

Nominee

 

For

   

Against

   

Abstain

 

Non-Votes

Gerald Quindlen   68,927,867     327,573     1,914,231   —  
  99.53 %   0.47 %   N/A   N/A
Richard Laube   70,707,571     265,426     196,174   —  
  99.63 %   0.37 %   N/A   N/A
Matthew Bousquette   70,784,458     195,915     188,798   —  
  99.72 %   0.28 %   N/A   N/A

All of the above nominees were elected to Logitech’s Board of Directors. Each of our directors serves a three-year term, with the terms of the directors staggered so that not all directors are up for election in any one year. This is a recommended practice under the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance, in order to help ensure continuity among the Board.

The 3-year terms of office of Logitech directors Erh-Hsun Chang, Kee-Lock Chua, Sally Davis, Guerrino De Luca, Robert Malcolm and Monika Ribar continued after the meeting. Mr. Gary Bengier retired from the Board at the 2008 Annual General Meeting, after serving a total of six years on Logitech’s Board.

Proposal 9: To re-elect PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. as auditors

 

For

   

Against

   

Abstain

 

Non-Votes

70,877,194     195,171     96,806   —  
99.73 %   0.27 %   N/A   N/A

The proposal was approved.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  3.1    Articles of Incorporation of Logitech International S.A. as amended.
10.1    Logitech, Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan.
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1    Section 1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.**

 

** This exhibit is furnished herewith, but not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under that section. Such certifications will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we explicitly incorporate them by reference.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

 

/s/ Gerald P. Quindlen
Gerald P. Quindlen
President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Mark J. Hawkins
Mark J. Hawkins
Chief Financial Officer and U.S. Representative

November 4, 2008

 

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