NETLIST INC - Quarter Report: 2009 October (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 quarterly period ended October 3, 2009

 

or

 

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

 

For the transition period from             to            

 

Commission file number 001-33170

 

 

NETLIST, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

51 Discovery, Suite 150

Irvine, CA 92618

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(949) 435-0025

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o No o

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

 

19,855,411 shares outstanding at October 31, 2009

 

 

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NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 2009

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3
Item 1.	Financial Statements	3
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 3, 2009 (unaudited) and January 3, 2009 (audited)	3
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008	4
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008	5
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	30
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	30
Item 4T.	Controls and Procedures	30
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION	30
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	30
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	31
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	31
Item 5.	Other Information	31
Item 6.	Exhibits	31

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except par value)

 

		(unaudited)			(audited)
		October 3,			January 3,
		2009			2009
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	11,501		$	15,214
Investments in marketable securities		3,115			5,199
Accounts receivable, net		2,732			1,917
Inventories		1,886			1,829
Income taxes receivable		—			1,880
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		636			761
Total current assets		19,870			26,800
Property and equipment, net		5,202			6,939
Long-term investments in marketable securities		1,742			960
Other assets		252			234
Total assets		$	27,066		$	34,933
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	1,969		$	1,786
Current portion of long-term debt		115			474
Current portion of deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction		118			118
Income taxes payable		78			—
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		3,093			2,083
Total current liabilities		5,373			4,461
Long-term debt, net of current portion		77			130
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction, net of current portion		19			108
Total liabilities		5,469			4,699
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value - 90,000 shares authorized; 19,855 shares issued and outstanding		20			20
Additional paid-in capital		70,611			69,383
Accumulated deficit		(49,010		)	(39,113		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(24		)	(56		)
Total stockholders’ equity		21,597			30,234
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	27,066		$	34,933

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,			October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008			2009			2008
Net sales		$	6,446		$	28,876		$	11,781		$	60,409
Cost of sales(1)		4,879			26,832			10,507			52,575
Gross profit		1,567			2,044			1,274			7,834
Operating expenses:
Research and development(1)		1,975			1,651			5,619			4,943
Selling, general and administrative(1)		2,115			3,364			6,170			10,142
Total operating expenses		4,090			5,015			11,789			15,085
Operating loss		(2,523		)	(2,971		)	(10,515		)	(7,251		)
Other income:
Interest (expense) income, net		(25		)	38			75			381
Other income (expense), net		4			13			134			(55		)
Total other income (expense), net		(21		)	51			209			326
Loss before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(2,544		)	(2,920		)	(10,306		)	(6,925		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(458		)	4,502			(409		)	3,332
Net loss		$	(2,086	)	$	(7,422	)	$	(9,897	)	$	(10,257	)
Net loss per common share:
Basic and diluted		$	(0.11	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.50	)	$	(0.52	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted		19,855			19,855			19,855			19,845

 

(1)  Amounts include stock-based compensation expense as follows:
Cost of sales		$	146		$	44		$	213		$	106
Research and development		156			55			262			140
Selling, general and administrative		329			263			753			735

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

		Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(9,897	)	$	(10,257	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,710			1,779
Amortization of deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction		(89		)	(89		)
Deferred income taxes		—			3,275
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		(118		)	17
Stock-based compensation		1,228			981
Provision for bad debts		—			258
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(815		)	(3,973		)
Inventories		(57		)	(1,099		)
Income taxes receivable		1,880			113
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		126			(510		)
Other assets		(18		)	(229		)
Accounts payable		183			(1,459		)
Income taxes payable		78			—
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		1,010			(512		)
Net cash used in operating activities		(4,779		)	(11,705		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(89		)	(1,077		)
Proceeds from sales of equipment		342			—
Purchase of investments in marketable securities		(10,837		)	(6,677		)
Proceeds from maturities and sales of investments in marketable securities		12,170			19,600
Net cash provided by investing activities		1,586			11,846
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on line of credit		12,784			78,999
Payments on line of credit		(12,784		)	(71,630		)
Payments on debt		(520		)	(607		)
Increase in restricted cash		—			(2,000		)
Reversal of unrealized excess tax benefit from exercise of warrants		—			(4		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(520		)	4,758
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(3,713		)	4,899
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		15,214			7,182
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	11,501		$	12,081
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Reclassification of other assets to property and equipment		$	—		$	281
Purchase of assets under capital lease		$	108		$	—
Unrealized gains (losses) from investments in marketable securities		$	32		$	(277	)

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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NETLIST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

October 3, 2009

 

Note 1—Description of Business

 

Netlist, Inc. (the “Company” or “Netlist”) designs and manufactures high performance memory subsystems for the server, high performance computing and communications markets. The Company’s memory subsystems consist of dynamic random access memory integrated circuits, NAND flash memory, or NAND, and other components assembled on a printed circuit board. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Netlist’s solutions are targeted at applications where memory plays a key role in meeting system performance requirements. In 2007, the Company established a manufacturing facility in the People’s Republic of China, (the “PRC”), which became operational in July 2007 upon the successful qualification of certain key customers.

 

Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (the “US”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Form 10-Q and Article 8 of SEC Regulation S-X. These financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the US for complete financial statements. Therefore, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended January 3, 2009, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2009.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein as of October 3, 2009 are unaudited; however, they contain all normal recurring accruals and adjustments that, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries as of October 3, 2009 and January 3, 2009, the consolidated results of its operations for the three and nine months ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008, and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended October 3, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future interim periods.  We have evaluated subsequent events through November 3, 2009, the filing date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and determined that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the notes thereto other than as disclosed in the accompanying notes.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Netlist, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Fiscal Year

 

The Company operates under a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. For fiscal 2009, the Company’s fiscal year end is scheduled to be January 2, 2010 and will consist of 52 weeks. Each of the Company’s first three quarters in a fiscal year is comprised of 13 weeks.

 

Use of Estimates

 

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

 

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Revenue Recognition

 

The Company’s revenues primarily consist of product sales of high performance memory subsystems to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). Revenues also include sales of excess inventories to distributors and other users of memory integrated circuits (“ICs”) totaling approximately $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended October 3, 2009, and approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2008.

 

The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or the “Codification”) Topic 605.  Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenues when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, product delivery and acceptance have occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

Investments in Marketable Securities

 

The Company accounts for its investments in marketable securities in accordance with ASC Topic 320.  The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. The Company’s investments in marketable securities have been classified and accounted for as available-for-sale based on management’s investment intentions relating to these securities. Available-for-sale securities are stated at market value, and are generally based on market quotes, to the extent they are available. Unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable deferred taxes, are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other income, net in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

The Company generally invests its excess cash in domestic bank-issued certificates of deposit which carry federal deposit insurance, money market funds and in highly liquid debt instruments of US municipalities, corporations and the US government and its agencies. All highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents; all investments with stated maturities of greater than three months are classified as investments in marketable securities.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, investments in marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and debt instruments. Effective December 30, 2007, the Company adopted the requirements of ASC Topic 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US and expands required disclosures about fair value measurements.  Other than for

 

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certain investments in auction rate securities (see Note 4), the fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities is determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, or Level 1 inputs. The Company believes that the carrying values of all other financial instruments approximate their current fair values due to their nature and respective durations.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company evaluates the collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In cases where the Company is aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations subsequent to the original sale, the Company will record an allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company records allowances for doubtful accounts based primarily on the length of time the receivables are past due, the current business environment and its historical experience.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, investments in marketable securities, and accounts receivable.

 

The Company invests primarily in money market funds, certificates of deposit and high-credit quality debt instruments, including those issued by federal agencies whose credit is supported by the US government. Cash equivalents are maintained with high quality institutions, the composition and maturities of which are regularly monitored by management. Investments in marketable securities are generally in high-credit quality debt instruments with an active resale market. Such investments are made only in instruments issued or enhanced by high-quality institutions. The Company had $0.3 million of FDIC insured funds at October 3, 2009.  The Company has not incurred any credit risk losses related to these investments.

 

The Company’s trade accounts receivable are primarily derived from sales to OEMs in the computer industry. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and limits the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary, but generally requires no collateral. The Company believes that the concentration of credit risk in its trade receivables is moderated by its credit evaluation process, relatively short collection terms and the high level of credit worthiness of its customers. Reserves are maintained for potential credit losses, and such losses historically have not been significant and have been within management’s expectations.

 

Inventories

 

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

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which generally range from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term.

 

Warranties

 

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

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for equity issuances to non-employees in accordance with ASC Topic 505.  All transactions in which goods or services are the consideration received for the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The measurement date used to determine the fair value of the equity instrument issued is the earlier of the date on which the third-party performance is complete or the date on which it is probable that performance will occur.

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 718, employee and director stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations is based on the estimated grant date fair value. Given that stock-based compensation expense recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations is based on awards ultimately vested and expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures.  Forfeitures must be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The estimated average forfeiture rates used by the Company are based on historical forfeiture experience and estimated future forfeitures.

 

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

 

Income Taxes

 

Under ASC Topic 270, the Company is required to adjust its effective tax rate each quarter to be consistent with the estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company is also required to record the tax impact of certain discrete items, unusual or infrequently occurring, including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, in the interim period in which they occur. In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year or a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The impact of such an exclusion could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter, based upon the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized to reflect the estimated future tax effects, calculated at currently effective tax rates, of future deductible or taxable amounts attributable to events that have been recognized on a cumulative basis in the consolidated financial statements. A valuation allowance related to a deferred tax asset is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

The Company adopted certain newly issued requirements of ASC Topic 740 on December 31, 2006, the first day of its 2007 fiscal year.  The new requirements sought to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes.  Additionally, the new guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement requirement for the financial statement recognition of a tax position that has been taken or is expected to be taken on a tax return and also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. As a result of the new guidance, the Company may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenditures are expensed in the period incurred.

 

Collaborative Arrangement

 

The Company has entered into a collaborative arrangement with a partner in order to develop products using certain of the Company’s propriety technology.  Under the arrangement, the development partner was granted a non-exclusive license to specified intellectual property.  Both the Company and the development partner provide engineering project management resources at their own expense.  The development partner is entitled to non-recurring engineering fees based upon the achievement of development milestones, and to a minimum portion of the Company’s purchasing allocations for the component, if prototype and production schedules are met.  Expenses incurred and paid to the development partner are included in research and development in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

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Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

ASC Topic 220 establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its components in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains or losses on investments.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

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

 

Foreign Currency Remeasurement

 

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

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic net income (loss) and diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential shares consist of dilutive shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants computed using the treasury stock method.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued an update to ASC Topic 105.  The Codification became the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The adoption of the Codification did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

Note 3—Supplemental Financial Information

 

Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

		October 3,			January 3,
		2009			2009
Raw materials		$	891		$	976
Work in process		126			111
Finished goods		869			742
		$	1,886		$	1,829

 

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Warranty Liability

 

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

 

		Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008
Beginning balance		$	277		$	353
Charged to costs and expenses		122			86
Usage		(155		)	(140		)
Ending balance		$	244		$	299

 

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

 

Facility Relocation Costs

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s accrual for facility relocation costs (in thousands):

 

		Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008
Beginning balance		$	80		$	103
Charged to costs and expenses		61			—
Net payments		(16		)	(54		)
Ending balance		$	125		$	49

 

In May 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease a portion of its headquarters facility to another tenant at a discount from the rent required under its lease commitment.  As a result, the Company recorded an additional facility relocation charge of approximately $61,000, which is included as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended October 3, 2009.

 

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

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

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

 

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,			October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008			2009			2008
Net loss		$	(2,086	)	$	(7,422	)	$	(9,897	)	$	(10,257	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Change in net unrealized loss on investments		(6		)	(287		)	32			(264		)
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gain included in net loss		—			—			—			(13		)
Total comprehensive loss		$	(2,092	)	$	(7,709	)	$	(9,865	)	$	(10,534	)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at October 3, 2009 and January 3, 2009, represents accumulated net unrealized losses on investments in marketable securities.

 

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Computation of Net Loss Per Share

 

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

 

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,			October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008			2009			2008
Numerator: Net loss		$	(2,086	)	$	(7,422	)	$	(9,897	)	$	(10,257	)
Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding		19,855			19,855			19,855			19,845
Net loss per share, basic and diluted		$	(0.11	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.50	)	$	(0.52	)

 

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

 

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		October 3,		September 27,		October 3,		September 27,
		2009		2008		2009		2008
Common share equivalents		600		919		420		902

 

The above common share equivalents would have been included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share had the Company reported net income for the periods then ended.

 

Major Customers

 

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

 

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		October 3,		September 27,		October 3,		September 27,
		2009		2008		2009		2008
Customer:
Dell		47	%	47	%	48	%	57	%
Hewlett Packard		18	%	47	%	10	%	34	%
Arrow Electronics		10	%	*	%	13	%	*	%

 

* less than 10% of net sales

 

The Company’s accounts receivable are concentrated with three customers at October 3, 2009, representing approximately 57% , 20% and 10% of aggregate gross receivables. A significant reduction in sales to, or the inability to collect receivables from a significant customer could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

 

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Note 4—Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table details the fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s investments in marketable securities (in thousands):

 

Fair Value Measurements at October 3, 2009 Using

Quoted Prices in

Significant Other

Significant

Fair Value at

Active Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

October 3,

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

2009

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Investments in marketable securities

$

4,857

$

3,882

$

—

$

975

 

Fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs in the table above relate to the Company’s investments in auction rate securities. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs used to estimate the fair value of assets or liabilities and are utilized to the extent that observable inputs are not available.

 

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

 

		Nine Months Ended
		October 3,
		2009
Beginning balance		$	960
Transfers into Level 3		—
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss		15
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net		—
Ending balance		$	975

 

Note 5—Investments in Marketable Securities

 

Investments in marketable securities consist of the following at October 3, 2009 (in thousands):

 

		October 3, 2009
					Net
		Amortized			Unrealized			Fair
		Cost			Gain (Loss)			Value
Federal agency notes and bonds		$	3,115		$	—		$	3,115
Corporate notes and bonds		766			1			767
Auction and variable floating rate notes		1,000			(25		)	975
		$	4,881		$	(24	)	$	4,857

 

Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments in marketable securities are determined using the specific identification method.  Net realized gains recorded during the nine months ended October 3, 2009 were not significant.

 

The following table provides the breakdown of investments in marketable securities with unrealized losses at October 3, 2009 (in thousands):

 

		October 3, 2009
		Continuous Unrealized Loss
		Less than 12 months						12 months or greater
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Value			Loss			Value			Loss
Federal agency notes and bonds		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Corporate notes and bonds		—			—			—			—
Auction and variable floating rate notes		—			—			975			(25		)
		$	—		$	—		$	975		$	(25	)

 

As of October 3, 2009, the Company held two investments that were in an unrealized loss position.

 

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Auction Rate Securities

 

The disruptions in the credit market over the past year continue to adversely affect the liquidity and overall market for auction rate securities. As of October 3, 2009, the Company held two investments in auction rate securities with a total purchased cost of $1.0 million. These two investments represent (i) a fully insured debt obligation of a municipality and (ii) Baa1 and A3 rated debt obligations backed by pools of student loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. Given the insufficient observable market inputs and related information available, the Company has classified its investments in auction rate securities within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company has estimated the fair value of these investments using a discounted cash flow model which included assumptions about the credit quality and expected duration of the investments, along with discount rates affected for the general lack of liquidity. These assumptions reflect the Company’s estimates about the reasonable assumptions market participants would likely use in valuing the investments, including assumptions about risk, developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

The Company does not believe that the current illiquidity of its investments in auction rate securities will materially impact its ability to fund its working capital needs, capital expenditures or other business requirements. The Company, however, remains uncertain as to when liquidity will return to the auction rate markets, whether other secondary markets will become available or when the underlying securities may be called by the issuer. Given these and other uncertainties, the Company’s investments in auction rate securities have been classified as long-term investments in marketable securities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of October 3, 2009. The Company has concluded that the estimated gross unrealized losses on these investments, which totaled approximately $25,000 at October 3, 2009, are temporary because (i) the Company believes that the absence of liquidity that has occurred is due to general market conditions, (ii) the auction rate securities held by the Company continue to be of a high credit quality and interest is paid as due and (iii) the Company has the intent and ability to hold these investments until a recovery in the market occurs.

 

Other Investments in Marketable Securities

 

The Company maintains an investment portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. The Company invests in instruments that meet high quality credit standards, as specified in its investment policy guidelines. These guidelines generally limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issue, issuer or type of instrument. The fair value of the Company’s investments in marketable securities could change significantly in the future and the Company may be required to record other-than-temporary impairment charges or additional unrealized losses in future periods.

 

The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investments in marketable securities classified as available-for-sale at October 3, 2009 by contractual maturity (in thousands):

 

		October 3, 2009
		Amortized			Fair
		Cost			Value
Maturity
Less than one year		$	3,115		$	3,115
One to two years		766			767
Greater than two years*		1,000			975
		$	4,881		$	4,857

 

*	Comprised of auction rate securities which generally have reset dates of 90 days or less but final contractual maturity dates in excess of 15 years.

 

Note 6—Credit Agreement

 

The Company’s existing line of credit agreement and equipment line of credit agreement expired on August 31, 2009 and all borrowings were repaid to the bank.  Under the Company’s revolving line of credit agreement with its bank, the Company was able to borrow up to the greater of 85% of eligible accounts receivable plus the least of (i) a percentage of eligible inventory determined from time to time by the Company’s bank, (ii) 80% of the orderly liquidation value, as defined, of eligible inventories, and (iii) $1.0 million. Interest was payable monthly at the greatest of (i) the sum of prime rate plus 3%, (ii) LIBOR plus 6% or (iii) 8%.  The Company repaid all borrowings on the revolving line of credit in connection with the expiration of the revolving line of credit agreement.

 

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In connection with the prior revolving line of credit agreement, the Company was provided an equipment line of credit allowing it to borrow up to $3.9 million through January 3, 2009. The Company was required to repay the equipment advances in monthly installments of $32,440. Interest on the equipment advances was payable monthly, at the Company’s option, at the greater of (i) prime rate plus 3%, (ii) LIBOR plus 6% or (iii) 8%.  The Company repaid all borrowings on the equipment line in connection with the expiration of the credit agreement on August 31, 2009.

 

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

 

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,			October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008			2009			2008
Interest expense		$	34		$	94		$	46		$	180

 

		October 3,			January 3,
		2009			2009
Outstanding borrowings on the revolving line of credit		$	—		$	—
Borrowing availability under the revolving line of credit		$	—		$	1,701

 

On October 31, 2009, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement with another financial institution.  Under the credit agreement, the Company may borrow up to the lesser of (i) 80% of eligible accounts receivable, minus $1.0 million, or (ii) $5.0 million.  The credit agreement contains an overall sublimit of $2.5 million to collateralize the Company’s contingent obligations under letters of credit, foreign exchange contracts and cash management services.  Amounts outstanding under the overall sublimit reduce the amount available pursuant to the credit agreement.  This revolving credit agreement subjects the Company to certain affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants with respect to the Company’s liquidity and profitability.  Interest is payable monthly at either (i) prime plus 1.25%, as long as the Company maintains $8.5 million in revolving credit availability plus unrestricted cash on deposit with the financial institution, or (ii) prime plus 2.25%.  The credit agreement matures on October 30, 2010, at which time all advances and interest are due and payable.  Obligations under this revolving credit agreement are secured by a first priority lien on the Company’s tangible and intangible assets.

 

Note 7—Long-Term Debt

 

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

 

		October 3,			January 3,
		2009			2009
Obligations under capital leases		$	192		$	148
Equipment note payable to bank		—			450
Notes payable to others		—			6
		192			604
Less current portion		(115		)	(474		)
		$	77		$	130

 

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

 

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,			October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008			2009			2008
Interest expense		$	6		$	18		$	25		$	85

 

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Note 8—Income Taxes

 

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

 

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,			October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008			2009			2008
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		$	(458	)	$	4,502		$	(409	)	$	3,332
Effective tax rate		(18		)%	154		%	(4		)%	48		%

 

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

 

The Company evaluates whether a valuation allowance should be established against its deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard.

 

As of October 3, 2009, the Company has provided a full valuation allowance and no benefit has been recognized for net operating losses and other deferred tax assets due to uncertainty of future utilization.

 

The Company had unrecognized tax benefits at fiscal year-end January 3, 2009 of approximately $0.6 million.  The Company reduced its unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $0.5 million during the quarter as a result of a lapse in a federal statute of limitations.

 

Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies

 

Federal Securities Class Action

 

Beginning in May 2007, the Company, certain of its officers and directors, and the Company’s underwriters were named as defendants in four purported class action shareholder complaints, two of which were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and two of which were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. These purported class action lawsuits were filed on behalf of persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s common stock pursuant or traceable to the Company’s November 30, 2006 initial public offering (the “IPO”). The lawsuits were consolidated into a single action—Belodoff v. Netlist, Inc., Lead Case No. SACV07-677 DOC (MLGx)—which is currently pending in the Central District of California. Lead Plaintiff filed the Consolidated Complaint in November 2007. Defendants filed their motions to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint in January 2008. The motions to dismiss were taken under submission in April 2008 and on May 30, 2008, the Court granted the defendants’ motions. However, plaintiffs were granted the right to amend their complaint and subsequently filed their First Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint (“Amended Complaint”) in July 2008.  The defendants filed motions to dismiss the Amended Complaint in January 2009, and on April 17, 2009, the Court granted defendants’ motions to dismiss.  However, plaintiffs were again granted the right to amend their complaint.  Plaintiffs’ filed their Second Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint (“Second Amended Complaint”) in May 2009.  Generally, the Second Amended Complaint, like the preceding complaints, alleged that the Registration Statement issued by the Company in connection with the IPO contained untrue statements of material fact or omissions of material fact in violation of Sections 11 and 15 of Securities Act of 1933. Defendants filed motions to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint in June 2009.  The motions to dismiss were taken under submission in August 2009 and on September 1, 2009, the Court granted the defendants’ motions.  However, plaintiffs again were granted the right to amend their complaint.  In October 2009, following a voluntary mediation of the matter, which took place in December 2008, and subsequent good-faith settlement negotiations, the parties reached a tentative agreement in principle to settle the class action.  The parties are currently negotiating the essential terms and conditions of the proposed settlement to submit to the Court for preliminary approval.  Under the tentative settlement, plaintiffs and the class will dismiss all claims, with prejudice, in exchange for a cash payment of $2.6 million. The Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurers will pay the settlement amount in accordance with the Company’s insurance policies.  The parties will ask the court to stay all proceedings in the action, except as necessary to consummate the proposed settlement.  Despite the tentative agreement to settle this action, the Company believes that the allegations lack merit and, if necessary, intends to vigorously defend all claims asserted.  The Company makes no assurances at this time that the Court will grant approval of the proposed settlement terms or that the matter ultimately will be settled.

 

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California Derivative Action

 

In August 2007, a derivative lawsuit was filed in California Superior Court for County of Orange-Smith v. Hong, Case No. 07CC01359-against certain of the Company’s officers and directors. This action contains factual allegations similar to those of the federal class action lawsuit described above, but the plaintiff in this case asserts claims for violations of California’s insider trading laws, breaches of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, and unjust enrichment. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages, equitable and/or injunctive relief and disgorgement of all profits, benefits and other compensation obtained by the defendants. The defendants in this action have not responded to the complaint. Pursuant to a stipulation, the parties agreed to temporarily stay the action pending the ultimate decision on the defendants’ motions to dismiss in the federal securities class action.  In April 2009, following a voluntary mediation of the matter, which took place in December 2008, the parties reached a tentative agreement to settle the derivative action. In June 2009, the parties executed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement of Derivative Claims documenting the essential terms of the proposed settlement, and on June 26, 2009, the parties filed their joint motion for preliminary approval of the proposed settlement with the Court. The Court granted preliminary approval of the proposed settlement on July 27, 2009.  The final hearing on the proposed settlement is set for November 5, 2009. The Company makes no assurances at this time that the Court will grant final approval of the proposed settlement terms or that the matter ultimately will be settled.  Despite the pending settlement reached in this derivative action, the Company believes that the allegations lack merit.  In addition, the Company received correspondence from counsel for a purported shareholder requesting that the Company take actions to investigate and remedy alleged wrongdoing by unidentified former and current officers and/or directors based on allegations similar to those in the Smith v. Hong derivative case. The Company, through its Board of Directors, has evaluated and rejected this request.  The proposed settlement also is intended to resolve any remaining issues arising from this shareholder request.  Despite the pending settlement reached, the Company believes that the allegations raised in the shareholder request also lack merit.

 

Patent Claims

 

In May 2008, the Company initiated discussions with Google, Inc. regarding the Company’s claims that Google has infringed on a US patent assigned to the Company relating generally to “rank multiplication” in memory modules. On August 29, 2008, Google filed a declaratory judgment lawsuit against the Company in United States District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking a declaration that Google did not infringe on the Company’s patent, and that the Company’s patent is invalid. Google is not seeking any monetary damages. On November 18, 2008, the Company filed a counterclaim for infringement of the patent by Google. The Company expects to vigorously pursue its claim against Google and to vigorously defend against Google’s claim of invalidity.

 

On March 17, 2009, the Company filed a complaint for patent infringement against MetaRAM, Inc. for its infringement of one of the Company’s patents. On March 26, 2009, MetaRAM filed a complaint against the Company for patent infringement. The parties are currently discussing an amicable settlement of these claims.  If these discussions are unsuccessful, the Company expects to vigorously pursue its claim against MetaRAM and to vigorously defend against MetaRAM’s separate claim.

 

On September 22, 2009, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Inphi Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.  The suit alleges that Inphi is contributorily infringing and actively inducing the infringement of a US patent assigned to the Company which is directed to memory modules with load isolation and memory domain translation capabilities.  The Company is seeking damages and injunctive relief based on Inphi’s use of its patented technology.  Inphi has not yet answered the Company’s complaint.

 

Trade Secret Claim

 

On November 18, 2008, the Company filed a claim for trade secret misappropriation against Texas Instruments (TI) in Santa Clara County Superior Court, based in TI’s disclosure of confidential Company materials to the JEDEC standard-setting body.  On February 20, 2009, TI filed its answer.  The parties are currently engaged in settlement discussions.  If those discussions are unsuccessful, the Company expects to vigorously pursue its claims against TI.

 

Other Contingent Obligations

 

During its normal course of business, the Company has made certain indemnities, commitments and guarantees under which it may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. These include (i) intellectual property indemnities to the Company’s customers and licensees in connection with the use, sales and/or license of Company products; (ii) indemnities to vendors and service providers pertaining to claims based on the Company’s negligence or willful misconduct; (iii) indemnities involving the accuracy of representations and warranties in certain contracts; (iv) indemnities to directors and officers of the Company to the

 

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maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware; and (v) certain real estate leases, under which the Company may be required to indemnify property owners for environmental and other liabilities, and other claims arising from the Company’s use of the applicable premises. The duration of these indemnities, commitments and guarantees varies and, in certain cases, may be indefinite. The majority of these indemnities, commitments and guarantees do not provide for any limitation of the maximum potential for future payments the Company could be obligated to make. Historically, the Company has not been obligated to make significant payments for these obligations, and no liabilities have been recorded for these indemnities, commitments and guarantees in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Note 10—Stock Options and Warrants

 

Common Stock Options

 

A summary of the Company’s common stock option activity as of and for the nine months ended October 3, 2009 is presented below (shares in thousands):

 

				Weighted-
				Average
		Number of		Exercise
		Shares		Price
Options outstanding at January 3, 2009		4,281		$	2.64
Options granted		700		0.34
Options exercised		—		—
Options cancelled		(501	)	1.99
Options outstanding at October 3, 2009		4,480		$	2.35

 

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

 

		Nine Months Ended
		October 3,			September 27,
		2009			2008
Expected term (in years)		5.4			5.4
Expected volatility		111		%	80		%
Risk-free interest rate		2.94		%	3.12		%
Expected dividends		—			—
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share		$	0.28		$	1.13

 

At October 3, 2009, the amount of unearned stock-based compensation currently estimated to be expensed from fiscal 2009 through fiscal 2012 related to unvested common stock options is approximately $1.3 million, net of estimated forfeitures. The weighted-average period over which the unearned stock-based compensation is expected to be recognized is approximately 1.9 years. If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested common stock options, the Company may be required to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unearned stock-based compensation expense. Future stock-based compensation expense and unearned stock-based compensation will increase to the extent that the Company grants additional common stock options or other stock-based awards.

 

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Warrants

 

A summary of activity with respect to outstanding warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock as of and for the nine months ended October 3, 2009 is presented below (shares in thousands):

 

				Weighted-
				Average
		Number of		Exercise
		Shares		Price
Warrants outstanding at January 3, 2009		18		$	1.25
Warrants granted		—		—
Warrants exercised		—		—
Warrants cancelled		—		—
Warrants outstanding and exercisable at October 3, 2009		18		$	1.25

 

Note 11—Segment and Geographic Information

 

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

 

At October 3, 2009, approximately $3.3 million of the Company’s net long-lived assets were located in the PRC.

 

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

 

Cautionary Statement

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Report. The information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is not a complete description of our business or the risks associated with an investment in our common stock. We urge you to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this Report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2009 and subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which discuss our business in greater detail.

 

The section entitled “Risk Factors” set forth in Part II, Item 1A of this Report, and similar discussions in our other SEC filings, describe some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. You should carefully consider those risks, in addition to the other information in this Report and in our other filings with the SEC, before deciding to purchase, hold or sell our common stock.

 

This Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” set forth in Part II, Item 1A of this Report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2009.  Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

 

Overview

 

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

 

Consistent with the concentrated nature of the OEM customer base in our target markets, a small number of large customers have historically accounted for a significant portion of our net sales. Dell, Hewlett Packard and Arrow Electronics represented approximately 48%, 10% and 13%, respectively, of our net sales for the nine months ended October 3, 2009. Dell and Hewlett Packard represented approximately 57% and 34%, respectively, of our net sales for the nine months ended September 27, 2008. Net sales to some of our OEM customers include memory modules that are qualified by us directly with the OEM customer and sold to electronic manufacturing services providers (“EMSs”) for incorporation into products manufactured exclusively for the OEM

 

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customer.  These net sales to EMSs have historically fluctuated period by period as a portion of the total net sales to these OEM customers. Net sales to Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., an EMS that purchases memory modules from us for incorporation into products manufactured exclusively for Dell, represented approximately 61% of net sales to Dell for the nine months ended October 3, 2009, and approximately 12% of net sales to Dell for the nine months ended September 27, 2008.

 

Key Business Metrics

 

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

 

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

 

Cost of Sales.  Our cost of sales includes the cost of materials, manufacturing costs, depreciation and amortization of equipment, inventory valuation provisions, stock-based compensation and occupancy costs and other allocated fixed costs. The DRAM ICs and NAND incorporated into our products constitute a significant portion of our cost of sales, and thus our cost of sales will fluctuate based on the current price of DRAM ICs and NAND. We attempt to pass through such DRAM IC and NAND cost fluctuations to our customers by frequently renegotiating pricing prior to the placement of their purchase orders. To the extent we are successful, a large majority of our product cost is variable, and thus our cost of sales and gross margin percentages may not be significantly impacted by changes in sales volume. However, the sales prices of our memory subsystems can also fluctuate due to competitive situations unrelated to the pricing of DRAM ICs and NAND, which affects gross margins. The gross margin on our sales of excess component DRAM IC and NAND inventory is much lower than the gross margin on our sales of our memory subsystems. As a result, a decrease in DRAM IC and NAND inventory sales as a percentage of our overall sales could result in an improved overall gross margin. We assess the valuation of our inventories on a monthly basis and record a provision to cost of sales as necessary to reduce inventories to the lower of cost or net realizable value.

 

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

 

Selling, General and Administrative.  Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee salaries and related costs, stock-based compensation, independent sales representative commissions, professional services, promotional and other selling and marketing expenses, and occupancy and other allocated overhead costs. A significant portion of our selling efforts is directed at building relationships with OEMs and other customers and working through the product approval and qualification process with them. Therefore, the cost of material and overhead related to products manufactured for qualification is included in selling expenses. As we continue to service existing and establish new customers, we anticipate that our sales and marketing expenses will increase. Beginning in fiscal 2010, we will be subject to attestation services requirements with respect to our internal control over financial reporting, the result of which will increase our legal and accounting expenses in future periods.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes.  Under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 270, we are required to adjust our effective tax rate each quarter to be consistent with the estimated annual effective tax rate.  We are also required to record the tax impact of certain discrete items, unusual or infrequently occurring, including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, in the interim period in which they occur.  In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year or a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate.  The impact of such an exclusion could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter, based upon the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

 

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