VICOR CORP - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

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1.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or the year ending December 31, 2021. The balance sheet at December 31, 2020 presented herein has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed by the Company with the SEC on March 1, 2021 (“2020 Form

2.

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (determined using the method) or net realizable value. Fixed production overhead is allocated to the inventory cost per unit based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. Abnormal production costs, including fixed cost variances from normal production capacity, if any, are charged to cost of revenues in the period incurred. All shipping, handling and customs (e.g., tariff) costs incurred in connection with the sale of products are included in cost of revenues.

3.

March 31, 2021		Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Estimated Fair Value
U.S. Treasury Obligations		$	95,716			$	3			$	—			$	95,719
Failed Auction Security			3,000				—				459				2,541
December 31, 2020		Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Estimated Fair Value
U.S. Treasury Obligations		$	70,172			$	—			$	8			$	70,164
Failed Auction Security			3,000				—				483				2,517

		Cost				Estimated Fair Value
U.S. Treasury Obligations:
Maturities greater than three months but less than one year		$	95,716			$	95,719
		$	95,716			$	95,719
		Cost				Estimated Fair Value
Failed Auction Security:
Due in twenty to forty years		$	3,000			$	2,541

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As of March 31, 2021, there was insufficient observable auction rate security market information available to determine the fair value of the Failed Auction Security using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. As such, the Company’s investment in the Failed Auction Security was deemed to require valuation using Level 3 inputs. Management, after consulting with advisors, valued the Failed Auction Security using analyses and pricing models similar to those used by market participants (i.e., buyers, sellers, and the broker-dealers responsible for execution of the Dutch auction pricing mechanism by which each issue’s interest rate was set). Management utilized a probability weighted discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model to determine the estimated fair value of this security as of March 31, 2021. The major assumptions used in preparing the DCF model were similar to those described in Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2020 Form

Balance at the beginning of the period		$	2,517
Credit gain on available-for-sale security included in Other income (expense), net			1
Gain included in Other comprehensive income			23
Balance at the end of the period		$	2,541

Balance at the beginning of the period		$	227
Payments			(46	)
Balance at the end of the period		$	181

5.

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
		Brick Products				Advanced Products				Total
Direct customers, contract manufacturers and non-stocking distributors		$	43,808			$	29,057			$	72,865
Stocking distributors, net of sales allowances			10,547				4,138				14,685
Non-recurring engineering			104				1,071				1,175
Royalties			—				53				53
Other			—				18				18
		$	54,459			$	34,337			$	88,796
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
		Brick Products				Advanced Products				Total
Direct customers, contract manufacturers and non-stocking distributors		$	35,739			$	14,767			$	50,506
Stocking distributors, net of sales allowances			9,622				3,062				12,684
Non-recurring engineering			156				37				193
Other			—				18				18
		$	45,517			$	17,884			$	63,401

		March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				Change
Accounts receivable		$	47,697			$	40,999			$	6,698
Short-term deferred revenue and customer prepayments			(6,008	)			(7,309	)			1,301
Long-term deferred revenue			(653	)			(733	)			80
Deferred expenses			1,726				1,650				76
Sales allowances			(1,253	)			(597	)			(656	)

6.

7.

8.

The tax benefit is based on the estimated annual effective tax rate for the year, which includes estimated federal, state and foreign income taxes on the Company’s projected income.

The benefit for income taxes and the effective income tax rates were as follows (dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had a valuation allowance of approximately $37,856,000 against all net domestic deferred tax assets, for which realization cannot be considered more likely than not at this time. Management assesses the need for the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers all positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and past financial performance. While recent positive operating results, as a result of increases in bookings, caused the Company to be in a cumulative income position as of March 31, 2021, the Company faces uncertainties in forecasting its operating results due to the continued impact of the pandemic on the Company’s supply chain, certain process issues with the production of Advanced Products and the unpredictability in certain markets. This operating uncertainty also makes it difficult to predict the availability and utilization of tax benefits over the next several years. As a result, management has concluded, at this time, it is more likely than not the Company’s net domestic deferred tax assets will not be realized, and a full valuation allowance against all net domestic deferred tax assets was still warranted as of March 31, 2021. The valuation allowance against these deferred tax assets may require adjustment in the future based on changes in the mix of temporary differences, changes in tax laws, and operating performance. If the positive quarterly earnings and increases in bookings continue, and the Company’s concerns about industry uncertainty and world events, including the impact of the pandemic on the Company’s supply chain, and process issues with the production of Advanced Products are resolved, and the amount of tax benefits the Company is able to utilize to the point that the Company believes future taxable income can be more reliably forecasted, the Company may release all or a portion of the valuation allowance in the near-term. Certain state tax credits, though, will likely never be released by the valuation allowance. If and when the Company determines the valuation allowance should be released (i.e., reduced), the adjustment would result in a tax benefit reported in that period’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, the effect of which would be an increase in reported net income.

9.

10.

In 2011, in response to the filing of the Texas Action, the Company initiated IPRx proceedings at the USPTO challenging the validity of all claims that were asserted against the Company by SynQor. The current status of these proceedings is as follows. Regarding the ‘190 patent IPRx, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”) issued a decision on March 13, 2015, determining that certain claims were invalid and remanding the matter to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) of the USPTO for further proceedings. On February 20, 2019, the PTAB issued a decision finding that all of the remaining challenged claims were unpatentable. SynQor appealed that decision. On February 22, 2021, the Federal Circuit issued a decision in that appeal. In a ruling, the Federal Circuit vacated and remanded the PTAB’s decision, finding that the reasoning the PTAB had relied on in reaching its decision was precluded by certain prior PTAB rulings regarding the ‘290 and ‘702 patents. On April 7, 2021, the Company filed a petition for panel rehearing and rehearing of the Federal Circuit’s February 22, 2021 decision.

On August 30, 2017, the Federal Circuit issued rulings with regard to the IPRx proceedings for the ’021, ‘702 and ‘290 patents. With respect to the ‘021 patent, the Federal Circuit affirmed the PTAB’s determination that all of the challenged claims of the ‘021 patent were invalid. The Federal Circuit remanded the case to the PTAB for further consideration of the patentability of certain claims that had been added by amendment during the reexamination. On February 20, 2019, the PTAB issued a decision affirming the examiner’s rejections of all challenged claims. SynQor has filed an appeal of that decision in the Federal Circuit. That appeal has been stayed pending resolution of the pending appeal regarding the ‘190 patent IPRx. With respect to the ‘702 patent, the Federal Circuit affirmed the PTAB’s determination that all of the challenged claims of the ‘702 patent were patentable. With respect to the ‘290 patent, the Federal Circuit vacated the PTAB’s decision upholding the patentability of the ‘290 patent claims, and remanded the case to the PTAB for further consideration. On February 20, 2019, the PTAB issued a decision reversing its prior affirmance of the examiner’s of rejections with respect to the ‘290 patent, and entering rejections of all of the claims of the ‘290 patent. On May 20, 2019, as permitted by USPTO rules, SynQor requested the USPTO to reopen prosecution of this proceeding to address the new rejections made by the PTAB. On September 28, 2020, the examiner issued a decision reaffirming the PTAB’s rejection of all of the claims of the ‘290 patent. On March 18, 2021, SynQor appealed this decision to the PTAB, which appeal remains pending.

On January 23, 2018, the terms of the ‘190 patent, the ‘021 patent, the ‘702 patent and the ‘290 patent expired. As a consequence of these expirations, the Company cannot be liable under any of the SynQor patents for allegedly infringing activities occurring after that date. In addition, any amended claims that may issue as a result of any of the still-pending reexamination proceedings will have no effective term and cannot be the basis for any liability by the Company.

11.

The Company’s consolidated operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors that could materially and adversely affect revenues and profitability, including the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form for the year ended December 31, 2020. As a result of these and other factors, the Company may experience material fluctuations in future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis, which could materially and adversely affect its business, consolidated financial condition, and operating results, and the share price of its Common Stock. This document and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) include forward-looking statements regarding future events and the Company’s future results that are subject to the safe harbor afforded under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other safe harbors afforded under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections for the future performance of the Company and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words denoting uncertain, future events, such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “goal,” “if,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “prospective,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would,” as well as similar words and phrases, including the negatives of these terms, or other variations thereof. Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: our expectations that the Company has adequate resources to respond to financial and operational risks associated with the novel coronavirus and our ability to effectively conduct business during the pandemic; our ongoing development of power conversion architectures, switching topologies, materials, packaging, and products; the ongoing transition of our business strategically, organizationally, and operationally from serving a large number of relatively customers across diversified markets and geographies to serving a small number of relatively large volume customers; our intent to enter new market segments; the levels of customer orders overall and, in particular, from large customers and the delivery lead times associated therewith; anticipated new and existing customer wins; the financial and operational impact of customer changes to shipping schedules; the derivation of a portion of our sales in quarter from orders booked in the same quarter; our intent to expand the percentage of revenue associated with licensing our intellectual property to third parties; our plans to invest in expanded manufacturing capacity, including the expansion of our Andover facility and the introduction of new manufacturing processes, and the timing, location, and funding thereof; our belief that cash generated from operations together with our available cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund planned operational needs, capital equipment purchases, and planned construction, for the foreseeable future; our outlook regarding tariffs and the impact thereof on our business; our belief that we have limited exposure to currency risks; our intentions regarding the declaration and payment of cash dividends; our intentions regarding protecting our rights under our patents; and our expectation that no current litigation or claims will have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and estimates associated with prospective events and circumstances that may or may not be within our control and as to which there can be no assurance. Actual results could differ materially from those implied by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to those described above, as well as those described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form for the year ended December 31, 2020 under Part I, Item 1 — “Business,” under Part I, Item 1A — “Risk Factors,” under Part I, Item 3 — “Legal Proceedings,” and under Part II, Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and those described in this Quarterly Report on Form particularly under Part I, Item 2 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The discussion of our business contained herein, including the identification and assessment of factors that may influence actual results, may not be exhaustive. Therefore, the information presented should be read together with other documents we file with the SEC from time to time, including our Annual Reports on Form our Quarterly Reports on Form and our Current Reports on Form which may supplement, modify, supersede, or update the factors discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form Any forward-looking statement made in this Quarterly Report on Form is based on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of future events or developments, except as required by law.

The Brick Products category largely consists of our broad and well-established families of integrated power converters, incorporating multiple conversion stages, used in conventional power systems architectures. Given the growth profiles of the markets we serve with our Advanced Products line and our Brick Products line, our strategy involves a transition in organizational focus, emphasizing investment in our Advanced Products line and targeting high growth market segments with a high-volume operational model, while maintaining a profitable business in the mature market segments we serve with our Brick Products line with a operational model.

Our quarterly consolidated operating results can be difficult to forecast and have been subject to significant fluctuations. We plan our production and inventory levels based on management’s estimates of customer demand, customer forecasts, and other information sources. Customer forecasts, particularly those of OEM, ODM, and contract manufacturing customers to which we supply Advanced Products in high volumes, are subject to scheduling changes on short notice, contributing to operating inefficiencies and excess costs. In addition, external factors such as supply chain uncertainties, which are often associated with the cyclicality of the electronics industry, regional macroeconomic and trade-related circumstances, and events (most recently evidenced by the pandemic), have caused our operating results to vary meaningfully. Our quarterly gross margin as a percentage of net revenues may vary, depending on production volumes, average selling prices, average unit costs, the mix of products sold during that quarter, and the level of importation of raw materials subject to tariffs. Our quarterly operating margin as a percentage of net revenues also may vary with changes in revenue and product level profitability, but our operating costs are largely associated with compensation and related employee costs, which are not subject to sudden or significant changes.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization designated the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (i.e., a health emergency requiring coordinated action by the governments of effected countries). On January 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the entire United States, thereby facilitating a nationwide public health response. On March 11, 2020, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, an indication of its global severity. Governments worldwide have responded with measures intended to contain the further spread of including mandatory closures of businesses, schools, and organizations.

On March 23, 2020, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ordered businesses closed and prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people, extending the Commonwealth’s emergency declaration made on March 10, 2020. Our headquarters and primary manufacturing facility are located in Massachusetts. However, the Company is designated as essential by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, given our role in supporting industrial sectors considered “critical infrastructure.” As such, we have continued to operate at, or close to, full manufacturing capacity, although there can be no assurance we will be able to continue to operate at such levels of manufacturing capacity.

As of the date of this report, while we have seen a small increase in cases again recently, cases are below the levels experienced in the December through January time frame, and absenteeism has declined since the December through January time frame. The productivity of our factory may be reduced if quarantine rates increase or if the number of employees diagnosed with requires further implementation of restrictive health and safety measures, including factory closure. We continue to operate with three shifts in our factory, and, with few exceptions, our engineering, sales, and administrative personnel are working from the Company’s offices.

We are monitoring the rapidly changing circumstances, and may take additional actions to address risks as they evolve. Because much of the potential negative impact of the pandemic is associated with risks outside of our control, we cannot estimate the extent of such impact on our financial or operational performance, or when such impact might occur.

We are exposed to a variety of market risks, including changes in interest rates affecting the return on our cash and cash equivalents, our short-term investments and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. As our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments consist principally of cash accounts, money market securities, and U.S. Treasury securities, which are short-term in nature, we believe our exposure to market risk on interest rate fluctuations for these investments is not significant. As of March 31, 2021, our long-term investment portfolio, recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Long-term investments, net”, consisted of a single auction rate security with a par value of $3,000,000, purchased through and held in custody by a broker-dealer affiliate of Bank of America, N.A., that has experienced failed auctions (the “Failed Auction Security”) since February 2008. While the Failed Auction Security is Aaa/AA+ rated by major credit rating agencies, collateralized by student loans and guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, continued failure to sell at its periodic auction dates (i.e., reset dates) could negatively impact the carrying value of the investment, in turn leading to impairment charges in future periods. Periodic changes in the fair value of the Failed Auction Security attributable to credit loss (i.e., risk of the issuer’s default) are recorded through earnings as a component of “Other income (expense), net”, with the remainder of any periodic change in fair value not related to credit loss (i.e., temporary carrying value adjustments) recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income”, a component of Stockholders’ Equity. Should we conclude a decline in the fair value of the Failed Auction Security is other than temporary, such losses would be recorded through earnings as a component of “Other income (expense), net”. We do not believe there was an “other-than-temporary” decline in value in this security as of March 31, 2021.