UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
   
þ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 27, 200826, 2009
OR
   
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-4298
COHU, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
   
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 95-1934119
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
12367 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway, California
(Address of principal executive offices)
 92064-6817
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (858) 848-8100
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
   
Title of Each Class Name of Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par valueThe NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Preferred Share Purchase Rights, $1.00 par value
 The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yeso Noþ
     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yeso Noþ
     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. Yesþ Noo
     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 (§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). Yeso Noo
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of thisForm 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.þ
      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated fileroAccelerated filerþ Non-accelerated filero
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting companyo
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yeso Noþ
     The aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was approximately $230,000,000$140,000,000 based on the closing stock price as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC as of June 27, 2008.26, 2009. Shares of common stock held by each officer and director and by each person or group who owns 5% or more of the outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such persons or groups may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
     As of January 24, 200923, 2010 the Registrant had 23,343,79623,547,538 shares of its $1.00 par value common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
     Portions of the Proxy Statement for Cohu, Inc.’s 20092010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 12, 2009,11, 2010, and to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after registrant’s fiscal year ended December 27, 2008,26, 2009, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.
 
 

 


 

COHU, INC.
FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 27, 200826, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
       
    Page
    
   2 
   9 
 14
Unresolved Staff CommentsItem 2.  15 
   15 
Legal Proceedings4. 15
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  1615 
     
PART II    
   16 
   18 
   19 
 27
Item 8.  28 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data9. 29
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure  2928 
   2928 
   3130 
     
PART III    
   3130��
   3130 
   3130 
   3130 
   3130 
     
PART IV    
   3231 
Signatures  6362 
 EX-21
 EX-23
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2

 


The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report onForm 10-K. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements including expectations of market conditions, challenges and plans, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by that statute. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, including estimates and projections about our industries. Statements concerning financial position, business strategy, and plans or objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may cause actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth in this Annual Report onForm 10-K under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors”. The forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the time they are made and do not necessarily reflect management’s outlook at any other point in time. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or for any other reason. However, readers should carefully review the risk factors set forth in other reports or documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) after the date of this Annual Report.
PART I
Item 1. Business.
Cohu, Inc. (“Cohu”, “we”, “our” and “us”) was incorporated under the laws of California in 1947, as Kalbfell Lab, Inc. and commenced active operations in the same year. Our name was changed to Kay Lab in 1954. In 1957, Cohu was reincorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware as Cohu Electronics, Inc. and in 1972, our name was changed to Cohu, Inc.
We have three reportable segments as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, (“Statement No. 131”).Our three segments are:segments: semiconductor equipment, television camerasmicrowave communication systems and microwave communications. In May 2006, we sold substantially all the assets of FRL, Incorporated (“FRL”), which comprised our metal detection equipment segment. As a result of the divestiture of FRL, we are reporting FRL as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. All information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K covers results from our continuing operations.
video cameras. Our semiconductor equipment segment is comprised of our wholly owned subsidiarysubsidiaries Delta Design, Inc. (“Delta”), which and Rasco GmbH (“Rasco”). Delta develops, manufactures and sells pick-and-place semiconductor test handlers, burn-in related equipment and thermal sub-systems to semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors throughout the world. On December 9, 2008, we added to our semiconductor equipment segment through the acquisition of Rasco GmbH (“Rasco”). Rasco, headquartered near Munich, Germany, develops, manufactures and sells gravity-feed and striptest-in-strip semiconductor test handling equipment used in final test operations by semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors. See Note 3Our microwave communication systems segment is comprised of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein. Our television camera segment (“Electronics Division”) designs, manufactures and sells closed circuit television cameras and systems to original equipment manufacturers, contractors and government agencies. Our other reportable segment,our wholly owned subsidiary Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”), designs,. BMS develops, manufactures and sells microwave communications equipment to government agencies, law enforcement and public safety organizations, unmanned air vehicle program contractors, television broadcasters, equipment manufacturersentertainment companies, professional sports teams and government agencies.other commercial entities. Our video camera segment (“Electronics Division”) develops, manufactures and sells a wide selection of video cameras and related products, specializing in video solutions for security, surveillance and traffic monitoring. Customers for these products are distributed among security, surveillance, traffic control/management, scientific imaging and machine vision.
Sales by reportable segment, expressed as a percentage of total consolidated net sales, for the last three years were as follows:
                        
 2008 2007 2006 2009 2008 2007 
Semiconductor equipment  76%  84%  84%  70%  76%  84%
Television cameras  9%  7%  7%
Microwave communications  15%  9%  9%  20%  15%  9%
Video cameras  10%  9%  7%
              
  100%  100%  100%  100%  100%  100%
              
Additional financial information on industry segments for each of the last three years is included in Note 86, “Segment and Related Information” in part IV, Item 15(a) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.this Form 10-K.

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Semiconductor Equipment
We are a worldwide supplier of semiconductor test handling systems, burn-in equipment and thermal sub-systems. Our semiconductor equipment companies develop, manufacture, sell and service a broad line of equipment capable of handling a wide range of integrated circuit packages. Test handlers are electromechanical systems used to automate testing of the packaged integrated circuit in the “back end”“backend” of the semiconductor manufacturing process. Testing determines the quality and performance of the integrated circuit prior to shipment to customers. Testers are designed to verify the performance of the integrated circuit, such as microprocessors, logic, DRAM or mixed signal devices. Handlers are engineered to thermally condition and present for testing the packages that protect the micro-circuitry within the integrated circuit. The majority of test handlers use either pick-and-place, gravity-feed or gravity-feedtest-in-strip technologies. The integrated circuit package type normally determines the appropriate handling approach. Gravity-feed handling is the preferredpredominant solution for temperature testing of small outline leaded and non-leaded packages, as well as for packages with leads on only two sides. In gravity-feed handlers, integrated circuits are unloaded from plastic tubes, metal magazines or a bowl at the top of the machine and flow through the system, from top to bottom, propelled by the force of gravity. After testing, the integrated circuits are sorted and reloaded into tubes, magazines or tape for additional process steps or for shipment.
Integrated circuits with leads on all four sides, such as the quad flat pack or with balls or pads on the bottom or sides of the package, such as ball grid array packages and quad flat no-lead packages as well as certain low profile integrated circuits with leads on two sides, such as the thin small outline package, are predominately handled in pick-and-place systems. Pick-and-place handlers, use robotic mechanisms to move integrated circuits from waffle-like trays and place them in precision transport boats or carriers for processing through the system. After testing, integrated circuits are sorted and reloaded into designated trays, based on test results.
Test-in-strip handlers test integrated circuits in strips or panels prior to the final singulation step in the semiconductor manufacturing process flow and are typically used for high-parallel testing of non-memory integrated circuit devices. Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) modules generate a physical stimuli for testing of sensor integrated circuits typically used in the automotive and consumer electronics industry.
To ensure the quality, of the integrated circuits produced, semiconductor manufacturers typically test integrated circuits at hot and/or cold temperatures, which can accelerate failures. Our test handler products are designed to provide a precisely controlled test environment typically over the range of -60 degrees Celsius to +160+175 degrees Celsius. In recent years, the performance and speed of certain integrated circuits has increased, resulting in a substantial increase in the amount of heat that is generated within these high performance integrated circuits during the test process. This heat is capable of damaging or destroying the integrated circuit and can result in speed downgrading, when devices self-heat and fail to successfully test at their maximum possible speed. Device yields are extremely important and speed grading directly affects the selling price of the integrated circuit and the profitability of the semiconductor manufacturer. In addition to temperature capability, other key factors in the design of test handlers are cost, handling speed, flexibility, parallel test capability, system size and reliability.
Delta provides thermal sub-systems for use in advanced burn-in applications. These thermal sub-systems maintain and control the temperature of the integrated circuit during the burn-in testing process. Burn-in equipment is used in semiconductor manufacturing for quality control purposes. The burn-in process is used to stressstresses devices for detection of early failures (infant mortality) prior to distribution. The burn-in process is also used by semiconductor manufacturers to develop reliability models of newly introduced devices. The objective of reliability testing is to determine a device’s fault-free operation and estimated useful life by exposing the device to various electrical and thermal conditions that impact its performance.
Our products are complex, electromechanical systems, that are used in high-volume production environments and many are in service twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week. Customers continuously strive to increase the utilization of their production test equipment and expect high reliability from test handling and burn-in equipment. The availability of trained technical support personnel is an important competitive factor in the marketplace. Our semiconductor equipment companies deploy service engineers worldwide, often within customer production facilities, who work with customer personnel to maintain, repair and continuously improve the performance of our equipment.

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Our Semiconductor Equipment Products
We offer products for the pick-and-place, gravity-feed, and strip semiconductor test handler, and burn-in markets. We currently sell the following products in the semiconductor equipment market:
Pick-and-place

The DeltaCastleis a pick-and-place test handler capable of thermally conditioning devices from - -60 degrees Celsius to +160 degrees Celsius. The Castle can position from one to nine devices for testing. Its large thermal soak chamber provides a continuous flow of thermally conditioned devices to the test site allowing the handler to process parts at high speed when running at temperature. The Castle incorporates an innovative vertical tray storage system that saves space on the test floor by minimizing the handler’s footprint.
Delta’sSummitseries of pick-and-place handlers are designed to meet the requirements of manufacturers of microprocessors and other high speed, high power integrated circuits. The Summit handlers are designed around Delta’s proprietary thermal control technology. The Summit PTC, or Passive Thermal Control, and ATC, or Active Thermal Control, models are designed to dissipate the heat generated during test and maintain the desired temperature of the device being tested.
The DeltaEDGE™ is a pick-and-place handler that combines an economical design with a small footprint and fast index time (processing speed of the contactor placement mechanism). TheEDGE™ handler is designed to meet the needs of integrated circuit manufacturers and subcontractors who test at ambient and hot temperatures.
The DeltaMATRiXis a high performance pick-and-place handler thatcapable of thermally conditioning devices from -60 degrees Celsius to +175 degrees Celsius. It provides increased productivity in several dimensions of performance: up to three times higher throughput and four times higher parallelism than our previous generation products, and active thermal control per test site. With an adjustable test site configuration, customers can reuse existing load-boards, including boardsthose made for gravity handlers. The system also provides flexibility with field upgradeable options including a chamberless tri-temperature test site and auto contactor cleaning.
Delta’sSummitseries of pick-and-place thermal handlers are designed to meet the requirements of manufacturers of microprocessors, graphic processors and other high speed, high power integrated circuits. The Summit handlers incorporate Delta’s proprietary thermal control technology. The Summit PTC, or Passive Thermal Control, and ATC, or Active Thermal Control, models dissipate the heat generated during test enabling the integrated circuit to be tested successfully at its maximum speed and performance.
The DeltaPyramidis the next generation thermal handler providing high throughput / high parallel test capabilities for microprocessors and graphics processing units. The system is highly configurable and is capable of adapting to various customer requirements ranging from small netbook microprocessor testing up to high-end server product testing.
Gravity-Feed

Rasco’sSO1x00is a high throughput gravity-feed platform that provides an economical solution for testing up to 8 devices in parallel. These handlers can be configured for tube-to-tube or metal magazine input and output, and ambient-hot or tri-temperature testing. These handlerstesting and are easily kit-able for a wide range of ICintegrated circuit packages.
Rasco’sSO2x00is a modular platform that offers a reliable solution for testing small ICintegrated circuit packages and up to 8 devices in parallel. The base platform can be configured with various input and output modules: tube, metal magazine, bowl, bulk, tape &and reel, and an optional laser marking unit. These handlers can be configured to ambient-hot or tri-temperature testing. The single, configurable platform is a competitive differentiator for these handlers.
Test-on-stripTest-in-strip

Rasco’sSO3000, test-on-striptest-in-strip handler, can plungeprocess an entire strip at once or index the strip for singlesingle/multiple device testing. The system has tri-temperature capability, accommodates either stacked or slotted input/output media and can be configured with optional, automated vision alignment.
Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”)
Rasco’sSO7000MEMS series are modules that generate a physical stimuli for testing of sensor integrated circuits typically used in the automotive (tire pressure, airbag sensors) and consumer electronics (tilt, motion and light sensors) industries. The SO7000 modules are stand-alone units that can be integrated into Delta’s or Rasco’s pick-and-place, test-in-strip, or gravity-feed handlers.
Burn-in

Delta’sVTS300, is an automated burn-in system that is capable of processing numerous low power circuits simultaneously. The VTS300 supports asynchronous loading and unloading of devices without system interruption to transform the burn-in process from a traditional batch-oriented process to a more efficient continuous-flow process.

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Thermal Sub-Systems

Delta has developed custom thermal sub-systems that incorporate our proprietary thermal control technology which are used by integrated circuit manufacturers to facilitatein high performance burn-in and system level test. These thermal sub-system products maintain and control the temperature of the integrated circuit during the testing process.
Spares
Delta and Rasco provide consumable and non-consumable items that are used to maintain, sustain or otherwise enable purchased equipment to meet or exceed its performance, availability and production requirements.

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Tooling (kits)

Delta and Rasco also design and manufacture a wide range of device dedication kits that enable their handler products to process different semiconductor packages.
Validation and Characterization
Delta’sETC 2000is used in engineering and device characterization applications. The ETC 2000 conditions semiconductors to desired test temperature and maintains temperature set point by efficiently dissipating the heat generated during device test.
Delta’sETC 3000is used inour next generation engineering and device characterization applications and offers high performance thermal control.system. The ETC 3000 features fast and accurate thermal control technology for high precision device characterization of high-power logic devices.
Both the ETC 2000devices such as microprocessors and graphics processing units. The ETC 3000 useuses the same thermal control technology as the SummitPyramid handler.
Sales by Product Line

In December, 2008 we purchased Rasco, which expanded our product line to include gravity-feed and test-in-strip semiconductor test handling equipment. During the three-year periodyear ended December 27, 2008,26, 2009, sales of our semiconductor equipment segment were distributed as follows: semiconductor test handler systems comprised approximately 46% of Delta’s sales,— 24%; thermal sub-systems approximately 18%and burn-in equipment — 8%; and spares, tooling (kits) and service contributing the remaining 36%— 68%. During the same three-year period Delta’s semiconductor test handler system sales were comprised of approximately 99%76% pick-and-place handlers with the balance attributed to gravity-feed products.
Television Cameras
The Electronics Division has developed, manufactured and sold closed circuit television or CCTV cameras, equipment and systems for over 50 years. The customer base for these products is distributed among machine vision, traffic control and management, scientific imaging and security/surveillance markets. The current product line consists of a broad array of indoor and outdoor CCTV cameras and camera control equipment. Our primary products are high-performance, high-resolution cameras that meet the most demanding performance requirements and are resistant to harsh environments. To support its camera products, the Electronics Division offers accessories including monitors, lenses and camera test equipment.
Microwave Communications
BMS designs,develops, manufactures and sells microwave communications equipment, antenna systems and associated equipment. These products are used in the transmission of video, audio and telemetry. Applications for these microwave data-links include electronic news gathering, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), law enforcement, and security and surveillance.surveillance and electronic news gathering. Customers for BMS’ products include television broadcasters, entertainment companies, professional sports teams, government agencies, law enforcement and public safety organizations, and unmanned air vehicle program contractors, television broadcasters, entertainment companies, professional sports teams and other commercial entities.
Video Cameras
The Electronics Division has developed, manufactured and sold closed circuit video or CCTV cameras, equipment and systems for over 50 years. The customer base for these products is distributed among traffic control and management, scientific imaging, security/surveillance and machine vision. The product line consists of a wide selection of video cameras and related products, specializing in video solutions for security, surveillance and traffic monitoring. Its products are high-performance, high-resolution cameras that meet the most demanding performance requirements and are resistant to harsh environments. To support its camera products, the Electronics Division also offers accessories including monitors, lenses and camera test equipment.

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Customers
Semiconductor Equipment

Our customers include semiconductor manufacturers and subcontractors that perform test services for semiconductor manufacturers. Repeat sales to existing customers represent a significant portion of our sales.
We rely on a limited number of customers for a substantial percentage of our net sales. In 2008, Intel, Advanced Micro Devices and Texas Instruments accounted for 30 %, 15 %, and 6 %, respectively,During the last three years, two customers from our semiconductor equipment segment have comprised 10% or greater of our consolidated net sales. In 2007, Intel, Advanced Micro Devices and Texas Instruments accounted for 27%, 28%, and 8%, respectively, of our consolidated net sales. In 2006, Intel, Advanced Micro Devices and Texas Instruments accounted for 25%, 23%, and 15%, respectively, of our consolidated net sales. sales as follows:
             
  2009 2008 2007
   
Intel  30%  30%  27%
Advanced Micro Devices  11%  15%  28%
The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders by these or other significant customers, including reductions due to market, economic or competitive conditions or the outsourcing of final integrated circuit test to subcontractors that are not our customers would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and as a result, we believe that our customer concentration is a significant business risk.
Television CamerasMicrowave Communications

Our customer base in the television camera industry segmentfor microwave communications equipment is diverse and includes end-users, government agencies, original equipment manufacturers,law enforcement and public safety organizations, unmanned air vehicle program contractors, television broadcasters, entertainment companies, professional sports teams and value-added resellersother commercial entities throughout the world. No single customer of this segment accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated net sales in 2009, 2008 2007 or 2006.2007.

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Microwave CommunicationsVideo Cameras

Our customer base for microwave communications equipmentin the video camera industry segment is also diverse and includes end-users, government agencies, original equipment manufacturers, contractors and end-users throughout the world.value-added resellers. No single customer of this segment accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated net sales in 2009, 2008 2007 or 2006. In 2006 our microwave communications contract with the United Arab Emirates Armed Services (“UAE”) was accepted and paid and, as a result, we recognized approximately $7.9 million in revenue which in 2006 represented 32% of our microwave communications equipment segment sales and 3% of our consolidated net sales.2007.
Sales and Marketing
We market our products worldwide through a combination of a direct sales force and independent sales representatives. In geographic areas where we believe there is sufficient sales potential, we generally employ our own personnel. We maintainThe U.S. sales officesoffice for theour semiconductor equipment business in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts; Austin, Texas andbusinesses is located at Delta’s Poway, California facility. In 1993, a foreign subsidiary was formed in Singapore to handle the sales and service of our test handling products to customers located in Southeast Asia. In 1995, a branch of the Singapore sales and service subsidiary was opened in Taipei, Taiwan. Historically our sales in Europe were made primarily through independent sales representatives; however, due toAs a result of our acquisition of Rasco in December 2008 we now have a direct sales force in Europe. Sales in Japan and Korea are made primarily through independent sales representatives.
Competition
Semiconductor Equipment

The semiconductor equipment industry is intensely competitive and is characterized by rapid technological change and demanding worldwide service requirements. Significant competitive factors include product performance, price, reliability, customer support and installed base of products. While we are a leading worldwide supplier of semiconductor test handling equipment, we face substantial competition and there are a large number of competitors for a relatively small worldwide market. The Japanese and Korean markets for test handling equipment are large and represent a significant percentage of the worldwide market. During each of the last fivethree years our sales to Japanese and Korean customers, who have historically purchased test handling equipment from Asian suppliers, have represented less than 5%10% of our total sales. Some of our current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and customer support capabilities and offer more extensive product offerings than Cohu. To remain competitive we believe we will require significant financial resources to offer a broad range of products, maintain customer support and service centers worldwide and to invest in research and development of new products. Failure to introduce new products in a timely manner or the introduction by competitors of products with actual or perceived advantages could result in a loss of competitive position and reduced sales of existing products. No assurance can be given that we will continue to compete successfully in the U.S. or throughout the world.

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Television Camera and Microwave Communications and Video Camera
Our products in the television camera and microwave communications and video camera segments are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world, where competition is on the basis of price, product performance and integration with customer requirements, service, product quality and reliability. Many of our competitors are divisions or segments of large, diversified companies with substantially greater financial, engineering, marketing, manufacturing and customer support capabilities than Cohu. No assurance can be given that we will continue to compete successfully in these market segments.
Backlog
At December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, ourOur backlog of unfilled orders for products, by segment, at December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, was as follows:
                
(in millions) 2008 2007  2009 2008 
Backlog by segment:
 
Semiconductor equipment $19.7 $35.3  $59.9 $19.7 
Television cameras 5.0 5.9 
Microwave communications 21.9 18.3  15.4 21.9 
Video cameras 3.8 5.0 
          
Total consolidated backlog $46.6 $59.5  $79.1 $46.6 
          

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Backlog is generally expected to be shipped within the next twelve months. Our backlog at any point in time may not be representative of actual sales in any future period due to the possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules, cancellation of orders, potential delays in product shipments, difficulties in obtaining parts from suppliers, failure to satisfy customer acceptance requirements and the inability to recognize revenue under accounting requirements. CertainFurthermore, many orders are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the customer with limited or no penalty. A reduction in backlog during any particular period could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. There is no significant seasonal aspect to our business.
Manufacturing and Raw Materials
Our manufacturing operations are currently located in Poway, California (BMS, Delta and Electronics Division),; Tijuana, B.C. Mexico (Delta), near Manila, in; Laguna, the Philippines (Delta), near Frankfurt; Kolbermoor, Germany (Rasco); and Kemel, Germany (BMS) and Munich (Rasco), in Germany. We currently rely on two manufacturing models in our businesses.. Our television camera and microwave communications and video camera businesses primarily rely on anperform internal assembly, final integration and test. Rasco relies on contract manufacturers for sub-assemblies while performing final integration and test in their Kolbermoor facility and Delta is in the process of transitioning its internal handler manufacturing model while, during 2008, Delta began to transition to an outsourced integration model withutilizing contract manufacturers. We expect outsourcing to improve our ability to manage costs in a cyclical market, drive downreduce inventory costs and exposure, improve our responsiveness to customer demand and place us closer to our customers.improve gross margin.
Many of the components and subassemblies we utilize are standard products, although certain items are made to our specifications. Certain components, particularly in our semiconductor equipment businesses, are obtained or are available from a limited number of suppliers. We seek to reduce our dependence on sole and limited source suppliers, however in some cases the complete or partial loss of certain of these sources could have a material adverse effect on our operations while we attempt to locate and qualify replacement suppliers.
Patents and Trademarks
Our proprietary technology is protected by various intellectual property laws including patents, licenses, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. In addition, we believe that, due to the rapid pace of technological change in the semiconductor equipment industry and our other business segments, the successful manufacture and sale of our products also depend upon our experience, technological know-how, manufacturing and marketing skills and speed of response to sales opportunities. In the absence of patent protection, we would be vulnerable to competitors who attempt to copy or imitate our products or processes. We believe our intellectual property has value and we have in the past and will in the future take actions we deem appropriate to protect such property from misappropriation. However, there can be no assurance such actions will provide meaningful protection from competition. Protecting our intellectual property rights or defending against claims brought by other holders of such rights, either directly against us or against customers we have agreed to indemnify, would likely be expensive and time consuming and could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

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Research and Development
Certain of the markets in which we compete, particularly the semiconductor equipment industry, are characterized by rapid technological change. Research and development activities are carried on in our various subsidiaries and division and are directed toward development of new products and equipment, as well as enhancements to existing products and equipment. Our total research and development expense was $32.0 million in 2009, $38.1 million in 2008 and $38.3 million in 2007 and $39.1 million in 2006.2007.
We work closely with our customers to make improvements to our existing products and in the development of new products. We expect to continue to invest heavily in research and development and must manage product transitions successfully as introductions of new products could adversely impact sales of existing products.
Environmental Laws
Our business is subject to numerous federal, state, local and international environmental laws. On occasion, we have been notified by local authorities of instances of noncompliance with local and/or state environmental laws. We believe we are in compliance with applicable federal, state, local and international regulations. Compliance with foreign, federal, state and local laws which have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment hasand the prevention of climate change have not had a material effect and is not expected to have a material effect upon the capital expenditures, results of operations or our competitive position. However, future changes in regulations may require expenditures that could adversely impact earnings in future years.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following sets forth the names, ages, positions and offices held by all executive officers of Cohu as of February 12, 2009.2010. Executive Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors, until their successors are appointed.
       
Name Age Position
Cohu:
      
James A. Donahue  6061  President &and Chief Executive Officer
Jeffrey D. Jones  4748  Vice President, Finance &and Chief Financial Officer
       
Delta Design:Cohu wholly owned subsidiaries:
      
James G. McFarlane  5859  Senior Vice President — Delta Design
Roger J. Hopkins  5960  Vice President, Sales and Service Delta — Rasco
James P. Walsh  3940  Vice President, Manufacturing — Delta Design
Mr. Donahue has been employed by Delta Design since 1978 and has been President of Delta Design since May, 1983. In October, 1999, Mr. Donahue was named to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Cohu and was appointed to Cohu’s Board of Directors. In June, 2000, Mr. Donahue was promoted to Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Jones has been employed byjoined Delta Design sincein 2005 as Vice President Finance. In November, 2007, Mr. Jones was named to the position of Vice President, Finance &and Chief Financial Officer of Cohu. Prior to joining Delta Design, Mr. Jones, was a consultant from 2004 to June, 2005 and Vice President and General Manager of the Systems Group at SBS Technologies, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of embedded computer products, from 1998 to 2003.
Mr. McFarlane has been employed by Delta Design since 1989. He was Director of Engineering from 1992 to 1998 and was promoted to Vice President of Engineering in 1998. In 2000, Mr. McFarlane was promoted to Senior Vice President.
Mr. Hopkins has been employed by Delta Design since April 2008 as Vice President, Sales and Service. Prior to joining Delta, from January, 2003 until April, 2008 Mr. Hopkins was the Asian and Western Regional Manager at Aetrium, Incorporated, a supplier of ICsemiconductor test handlers and semiconductor reliability test systems. Additionally, Mr. Hopkins worked as Delta’s Director of Sales from April, 2001 until December, 2002.
Mr. Walsh has been employed by Delta Design since 2004. In October, 2007, Mr. Walsh was promoted to Vice President, Manufacturing. Prior to joining Delta Design, Mr. Walsh was a consultant from 2003 to June, 2004, and held various positions at Asymtek (a subsidiary of Nordson Corporation) a maker of automated dispensing equipment for the semiconductor industry from 1994 to 2003.

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Employees
At December 27, 2008,26, 2009, we had approximately 1,1001,000 employees. Our employee headcount has fluctuated in the last five years primarily due to the volatile business conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that a great part of our future success will depend on our continued ability to attract and retain qualified employees. Competition for the services of certain personnel, particularly those with technical skills, is intense. There can be no assurance that we will be able to attract, hire, assimilate and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees.
Available Information
Our web site address iswww.cohu.com. We make available free of charge, on or through our web site, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other documents related to our corporate governance is also posted on our web site atwww.cohu.com/investors/corporategovernance. Information contained on our web site is not deemed part of this report.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Set forth below and elsewhere in this report onForm 10-K and in other documents we file with the SEC, are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report. Before deciding to purchase, hold or sell our common stock, you should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to the other cautionary statements and risks described elsewhere, and the other information contained, in this Annual Report onForm 10-K.10-K. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business. If any of these known or unknown risks or uncertainties actually occurs with material adverse effects on Cohu, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Current global economic conditions may have an impact on our business and financial condition in ways that we currently cannot predict.

Our operations and financial results depend on worldwide economic conditions and their impact on levels of business spending, which have deteriorated significantly in many countries and regions and may remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Uncertainties in the financial and credit markets have caused our customers to postpone deliveries of ordered systems and placement of new orders. Continued uncertainties may reduce future sales of our products and services. While we believe we have a strong customer base and have experienced strong collections in the past, if the current market conditions continue to deteriorate, we may experience increased collection times and greater write-offs, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow.
In addition, the recent tightening of credit markets and concerns regarding the availability of credit may make it more difficult for our customers to raise capital, whether debt or equity, to finance their purchases of capital equipment, including the products we sell. Delays in our customers’ ability to obtain such financing, or the unavailability of such financing, would adversely affect our product sales and revenues and therefore harm our business and operating results. We cannot predict the timing, duration of or effect on our business of the economic slowdown or the timing or strength of a subsequent recovery.
The semiconductor industry we serve is highly volatile and unpredictable.

Visibility into our markets is limited. Our operating results are substantially dependent on our semiconductor equipment business. This capital equipment business is in turn highly dependent on the overall strength of the semiconductor industry. Historically, the semiconductor industry has been highly cyclical with recurring periods of oversupply and excess capacity, which often have had a significant effect on the semiconductor industry’s demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type we manufacture and market. We anticipate that the markets for newer generations of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment may also be subject to similar cycles and severe downturns. Any significant reductions in capital equipment investment by semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors will materially and adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations. In addition, the volatile and unpredictable nature of semiconductor equipment demand has in the past and may in the future expose us to significant excess and obsolete and lower of cost or market inventory write-offs and reserve requirements. In 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006,2007, we recorded pre-tax inventory-related charges of approximately $4.4 million, $6.2 million, $4.6 million, and $10.0$4.6 million, respectively, primarily as a result of changes in customer forecasts.
We are exposed to risks associated with acquisitions and investments.

We have made, and may in the future make, acquisitions of, or significant investments in, businesses with complementary products, services and/or technologies. Acquisitions and investments involve numerous risks, including, but not limited to:
difficulties and increased costs in connection with integration of the personnel, operations, technologies and products of acquired businesses;
diversion of management’s attention from other operational matters;
the potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses;
lack of synergy, or the inability to realize expected synergies, resulting from the acquisition;
failure to commercialize purchased technology; and
the impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill that could result in significant charges to operating results in future periods.

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Additionally, such acquisitions or investments may result in immediate charges to operating results. On December 9, 2008 we closed our acquisition of Rasco and as required by FASB Interpretation No. 4, “Applicability of FASB Statement No. 2 to Business Combinations Accounted for by the Purchase Method”, the portion of the purchase price allocated to in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) was expensed immediately upon the closing of the acquisition and therefore, $2.6 million related to IPR&D was included as an operating expense in our results of operations for the year ended December 27, 2008.
Mergers, acquisitions and investments are inherently risky and the inability to effectively manage these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. At December 27, 2008 we had goodwill and purchased intangible assets balances of $60.8 million and $41.0 million, respectively.
A limited number of customers account for a substantial percentage of our net sales.

A small number of customers historically have been responsible for a significant portion of our net sales. In the year ended December 27, 2008, three customers of the semiconductor equipment segment accounted for 51 % (63% in 2007, and 63% in 2006) of our net sales. During the past five years, the percentage of our sales derived from each of these and other significant customers has varied greatly. Such variations are due to changes in the customers’ business and their purchase of products from our competitors. It is common in the semiconductor test handler industry for customers to purchase equipment from more than one equipment supplier, increasing the risk that our competitive position with a specific customer may deteriorate. No assurance can be given that we will continue to maintain our competitive position with these or other significant customers. Furthermore, we expect the percentage of our revenues derived from significant customers will vary greatly in future periods. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders by these or other significant customers as a result of competitive products, market conditions, outsourcing final semiconductor test to test subcontractors that are not our customers or other factors, would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers is likely to cause significant fluctuations in our future annual and quarterly operating results.
The semiconductor equipment industry in general and the test handler market in particular, is highly competitive.

The semiconductor test handler industry is intensely competitive and we face substantial competition from numerous companies throughout the world. The test handler industry, while relatively small in terms of worldwide market size compared to other segments of the semiconductor equipment industry, has an inordinately large number of participants resulting in intense competitive pricing pressures. Future competition may include companies that do not currently supply test handlers. The Japanese and Korean markets for test handling equipment are large and represent a significant percentage of the worldwide market. During the last five years we have had only limited sales to Japanese and Korean customers who have historically purchased test handling equipment from Asian suppliers. Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and customer support capabilities and offerprovide more extensive product offerings than Cohu.offerings. In addition, there are emerging semiconductor equipment companies that provide or may provide innovative technology incorporated in products that may compete successfully against our products. We expect our competitors to continue to improve the design and performance of their current products and introduce new products with improved performance capabilities. Our failure to introduce new products in a timely manner, the introduction by our competitors of products with perceived or actual advantages, or disputes over rights to use certain intellectual property or technology could result in a loss of our competitive position and reduced sales of, or margins on our existing products. We believe that competitive conditions in the semiconductor test handler market have intensified over the last several years. This intense competition has adversely impacted our product average selling prices and gross margins on certain products. If we are unable to reduce the cost of our existing products and successfully introduce new lower cost products we expect these competitive conditions to negatively impact our gross margin and operating results in the foreseeable future.

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Semiconductor equipment is subject to rapid technological change, product introductions and transitions may result in inventory write-offs and our new product development involves numerous risks and uncertainties.

Semiconductor equipment and processes are subject to rapid technological change. We believe that our future success will depend in part on our ability to enhance existing products and develop new products with improved performance capabilities. We expect to continue to invest heavily in research and development and must manage product transitions successfully, as introductions of new products, including the products obtained in our acquisitions, may adversely impact sales and/or margins of existing products. In

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addition, the introduction of new products by us or by our competitors, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers, the migration to new semiconductor testing methodologies and the custom nature of our inventory parts increases the risk that our established products and related inventory may become obsolete, resulting in significant excess and obsolete inventory exposure. This increased exposure resulted in significant charges to operations during each of the years in the three-year period ended December 27, 2008.26, 2009. Future inventory write-offs and increased inventory reserve requirements could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
The design, development, commercial introduction and manufacture of new semiconductor equipment is an inherently complex process that involves a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks include potential problems in meeting customer acceptance and performance requirements, integration of the equipment with other suppliers’ equipment and the customers’ manufacturing processes, transitioning from product development to volume manufacturing and the ability of the equipment to satisfy the semiconductor industry’s constantly evolving needs and achieve commercial acceptance at prices that produce satisfactory profit margins. The design and development of new semiconductor equipment is heavily influenced by changes in integrated circuit assembly, test and final manufacturing processes and integrated circuit package design changes. We believe that the rate of change in such processes and integrated circuit packages is accelerating. As a result of these changes and other factors, assessing the market potential and commercial viability of handling and burn-in test equipment is extremely difficult and subject to a great deal of risk. In addition, not all integrated circuit manufacturers employ the same manufacturing processes. Differences in such processes make it difficult to design standard test products that are capable of achieving broad market acceptance. As a result, we might not accurately assess the semiconductor industry’s future equipment requirements and fail to design and develop products that meet such requirements and achieve market acceptance. Failure to accurately assess customer requirements and market trends for new semiconductor test products may have a material adverse impact on our operations, financial condition and results of operations.
The transition from product development to the manufacture of new semiconductor equipment is a difficult process and delays in product introductions and problems in manufacturing such equipment are common. We have in the past and may in the future experience difficulties in manufacturing and volume production of our new equipment. In addition, as is common with semiconductor equipment, our after sale support and warranty costs have typically been significantly higher with new products than with our established products. Future technologies, processes and product developments may render our current or future product offerings obsolete and we might not be able to develop, introduce and successfully manufacture new products or make enhancements to our existing products in a timely manner to satisfy customer requirements or achieve market acceptance. Furthermore, we might not realize acceptable profit margins on such products.
Global economic conditions may have an impact on our business and financial condition in ways that we currently cannot predict.
Our operations and financial results depend on worldwide economic conditions and their impact on levels of business spending, which have deteriorated significantly in many countries and regions and may remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Continued uncertainties may reduce future sales of our products and services. While we believe we have a strong customer base and have experienced strong collections in the past, if the current market conditions deteriorate, we may experience increased collection times and greater write-offs, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow.

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In addition, the tightening of credit markets and concerns regarding the availability of credit may make it more difficult for our customers to raise capital, whether debt or equity, to finance their purchases of capital equipment, including the products we sell. Delays in our customers’ ability to obtain such financing, or the unavailability of such financing, would adversely affect our product sales and revenues and therefore harm our business and operating results. We cannot predict the timing, duration of or effect on our business of the economic slowdown or the timing or strength of a subsequent recovery.
A limited number of customers account for a substantial percentage of our net sales.
A small number of customers historically have been responsible for a significant portion of our net sales. In the year ended December 26, 2009, two customers of the semiconductor equipment segment accounted for 41% (45% in 2008, and 55% in 2007) of our net sales. During the past five years, the percentage of our sales derived from each of these and other significant customers has varied greatly. Such variations are due to changes in the customers’ business and their purchase of products from our competitors. It is common in the semiconductor test handler industry for customers to purchase equipment from more than one equipment supplier, increasing the risk that our competitive position with a specific customer may deteriorate. No assurance can be given that we will continue to maintain our competitive position with these or other significant customers. Furthermore, we expect the percentage of our revenues derived from significant customers will vary greatly in future periods. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders by these or other significant customers as a result of competitive products, market conditions, outsourcing final semiconductor test to test subcontractors that are not our customers or other factors, would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers is likely to cause significant fluctuations in our future annual and quarterly operating results.
We do not participate in the DRAM test handler market.
Pick-and-place handlers used in DRAM applications account for a significant portion of the worldwide test handler market. We do not participate in the DRAM market segment; therefore our total available sales market is limited.
If we cannot continue to develop, manufacture and market products and services that meet customer requirements for innovation and quality, our revenue and gross margin may suffer.

The process of developing new high technology products and services and enhancing existing products and services is complex, costly and uncertain, and any failure by us to anticipate customers’ changing needs and emerging technological trends accurately could significantly harm our market share and results of operations. In addition, in the course of conducting our business, we must adequately address quality issues associated with our products and services, including defects in our engineering, design and manufacturing processes, as well as defects in third-party components included in our products. In order to address quality issues, we work extensively with our customers and suppliers and engage in product testing to determine the cause of quality problems and to determine appropriate solutions. Finding solutions to quality issues can be expensive and may result in additional warranty, replacement and other costs, adversely affecting our profits. In addition, quality issues can impair our relationships with new or existing customers and adversely affect our reputation, which could lead to a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We utilize contract manufacturers and changes to those relationships, expected or unexpected, may result in delays or disruptions that could cause us to lose revenue and damage our customer relationships.

Our reliance on contract manufacturers gives us less control over the manufacturing process and exposes us to significant risks, including limited control over capacity, late delivery, quality and costs. In addition, it is time consuming and costly to qualify and implement additional contract manufacturer relationships. Therefore, if we should fail to effectively manage our contract manufacturer relationships or if one or more of them should experience delays, disruptions or quality control problems in our manufacturing operations, or if we had to change or add additional contract manufacturers or contract manufacturing sites, our ability to ship products to our

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customers could be delayed. Also, the addition of manufacturing locations or contract manufacturers may increase the complexity of our supply chain management. We cannot be certain that existing or future contract manufacturers will be able to manufacture our products on a timely and cost-effective basis, or to our quality and performance specifications. If our contract manufacturers are unable to meet our manufacturing requirements in a timely manner, our ability to ship products and to realize the related revenues when anticipated could be materially affected.
We have taken remedial measures to address slowdowns in the semiconductor equipment industry that may affect our ability to be competitive.

In response to the weak business conditions in the back-end semiconductor equipment industry, we have recently taken actions to reduce costs and conserve cash, including headcount reductions, pay cuts, suspension of matching contribution to our 401(k) plan, reduced work hours and mandatory time off. Each of these measures could have long-term effects on our business by reducing our pool of technical talent, decreasing or slowing improvements in our products and making it more difficult for us to respond to our customer’s needs.
Our backlog is limited and may not accurately reflect future business activity.

Our order backlog has historically represented approximately three months of business, however, at times it has been significantly in excess of revenue recognized in the following quarter. Due to the possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules, cancellation of orders, potential delays in product shipments, difficulties in obtaining inventory parts from suppliers, failure to satisfy customer acceptance requirements and the inability to recognize revenue under accounting requirements, our backlog at any point in time may not be representative of sales in any future period. Furthermore, many orders are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the customer with limited or no penalty. A reduction in backlog during any particular period could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our backlog at December 27, 2008, may not be a reliable indicator of revenues in future periods due to delayed delivery dates or customer requested changes to delivery schedules, order cancellations and delays in recognizing revenue due to accounting requirements.
The cyclical nature of the semiconductor equipment industry places enormous demands on our employees, operations and infrastructure.

The semiconductor equipment industry is characterized by dramatic and sometimes volatile changes in demand for its products. Changes in product demand result from a number of factors including the semiconductor industry’s continually changing and unpredictable capacity requirements and changes in integrated circuit design and packaging. Sudden changes in demand for semiconductor equipment have a significant impact on our operations. Typically, we reduce and increase our workforce, particularly in manufacturing, based on customer demand for our products. These changes in workforce levels place enormous demands on our employees, operations and infrastructure since newly hired personnel rarely possess the expertise and level of experience of current employees. Additionally, these transitions divert management time and attention from other activities and adversely impact employee morale. We have in the past and may in the future experience difficulties, particularly in manufacturing, in training and recruiting the large number of additions to our workforce. The volatility in headcount and business levels, combined with the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, may require that we invest substantial amounts in new operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. We may not be able to successfully adjust our systems, facilities and production capacity to meet our customers’ changing requirements. The inability to meet such requirements will have an adverse impact on our business, financial position and results of operations.
We do not participate in the DRAM test handler market.

Pick-and-place handlers used in DRAM applications account for a significant portion of the worldwide test handler market. We do not participate in the DRAM market segment; therefore our total available sales market is limited.
We are exposed to the risks of operating a global business.

We are a global corporation with offices and subsidiaries in certain foreign locations to support our sales and services to the global semiconductor industry and, as such, we face risks in doing business abroad that we do not face domestically. Certain aspects inherent in transacting business internationally could negatively impact our operating results, including:
costs and difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;
unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
difficulties in enforcing contractual and intellectual property rights;

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longer payment cycles;
local political and economic conditions;
potentially adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on repatriating earnings and the threat of “double taxation”; and
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which can affect demand and increase our costs.
Additionally, managing geographically dispersed operations presents difficult challenges associated with organizational alignment and infrastructure, communications and information technology, inventory control, customer relationship management, terrorist threats and related security matters and cultural diversities. If we are unsuccessful in managing such operations effectively, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
Compliance with regulations may impact sales to foreign customers.

Certain products and services that we offer require compliance with United States export and other regulations. Compliance with complex U.S. laws and regulations that apply to our international sales activities increases our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions and could expose us or our employees to fines and penalties. These laws and regulations include import and export requirements and U.S. laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to governmental officials. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines, criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees, prohibitions on the conduct of our business and damage to our reputation. Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors or agents will not violate our policies, or that our policies will be effective in preventing all potential violations. Any such violations could include prohibitions on our ability to offer our products and services to one or more countries, and could also materially damage our reputation, our brand, our international expansion efforts, our ability to attract and retain employees, our business and our operating results. Further, defending against claims of violations of these laws and regulations, even if we are successful, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses.
Failure of critical suppliers to deliver sufficient quantities of parts in a timely and cost-effective manner could adversely impact our operations.

We use numerous vendors to supply parts, components and subassemblies for the manufacture of our products. It is not always possible to maintain multiple qualified suppliers for all of our parts, components and subassemblies. As a result, certain key parts may be available only from a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers. In addition, suppliers may cease manufacturing certain components that are difficult to replace without significant reengineering of our products. On occasion, we have experienced problems in obtaining adequate and reliable quantities of various parts and components from certain key suppliers. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted if we do not receive sufficient parts to meet our requirements in a timely and cost effective manner.
We cannot provide assurance that we will continue to declare dividends at all or in any particular amounts.

We intend to continue to pay quarterly dividends subject to capital availability and periodic determinations by our Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interests of our stockholders. Our dividend policy may be affected by, among other items, our views on potential future capital requirements, including those related to research and development, creation and expansion of sales distribution channels, investments and acquisitions, legal risks and stock repurchases.
Third parties may violate our proprietary rights or accuse us of infringing upon their proprietary rights.

We rely on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to establish and maintain proprietary rights in our technology and products. Any of our proprietary rights may expire due to patent life, or be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. In addition, from time to time, we receive notices from third parties regarding patent or copyright claims. Any such claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to license the infringed technology or to substitute similar non-infringing technology, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

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A majority of our revenues are generated from exports to foreign countries, primarily in Asia, that are subject to economic and political instability and we compete against a number of Asian test handling equipment suppliers.

During the year ended December 27, 2008, 64.6% of our total net sales were exported to foreign countries, including 72.0% of the sales in the semiconductor equipment segment. The majority of our export sales are made to destinations in Asia. Political or economic instability, particularly in Asia, may adversely impact the demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type we manufacture and market. In addition, we face intense competition from a number of Asian suppliers that have certain advantages over U.S. suppliers, including us. These advantages include, among other things, proximity to customers, favorable tariffs and affiliation with significantly larger organizations. In addition, changes in the amount or price of semiconductors produced in Asia could impact the profitability or capital equipment spending programs of our foreign and domestic customers.
The loss of key personnel could adversely impact our business.

Certain key personnel are critical to our business. Our future operating results depend substantially upon the continued service of our key personnel, many of whom are not bound by employment or non-competition agreements. Our future operating results also depend in significant part upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, manufacturing, technical, engineering, marketing, sales and support personnel. Competition for qualified personnel, particularly those with technical skills, is intense, and we cannot ensure success in attracting or retaining qualified personnel. In addition, the cost of living in the San Diego, California area, where the majority of our personnel are located, is very high and we have had difficulty in recruiting prospective employees from other locations. There may be only a limited number of persons with the requisite skills and relevant industry experience to serve in these positions and it may become increasingly difficult for us to hire personnel over time. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the loss of any of our key employees, by the failure of any key employee to perform in his or her current position, or by our inability to attract and retain skilled employees.
Compliance with regulations may impact sales to foreign customers.
Certain products and services that we offer require compliance with United States export and other regulations. Compliance with complex U.S. laws and regulations that apply to our international sales activities increases our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions and could expose us or our employees to fines and penalties. These laws and regulations include import and export requirements, the U.S. State Department International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and U.S. laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to governmental officials. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines, criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees, prohibitions on the conduct of our business and damage to our reputation. Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors or agents will not violate our policies, or that our policies will be effective in preventing all potential violations. Any such violations could include prohibitions on our ability to offer our products and services to one or more countries, and could also materially damage our reputation, our brand, our international expansion efforts, our ability to attract and retain employees, our business and our operating results. Further, defending against claims of violations of these laws and regulations, even if we are successful, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses.
We are exposed to the risks of operating a global business.
We are a global corporation with offices and subsidiaries in certain foreign locations to support our sales and services to the global semiconductor industry and, as such, we face risks in doing business abroad that we do not face domestically. Certain aspects inherent in transacting business internationally could negatively impact our operating results, including:
costs and difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;
unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
difficulties in enforcing contractual and intellectual property rights;
longer payment cycles;
local political and economic conditions;
potentially adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on repatriating earnings and the threat of “double taxation”; and
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which can affect demand and increase our costs.
Additionally, managing geographically dispersed operations presents difficult challenges associated with organizational alignment and infrastructure, communications and information technology, inventory control, customer relationship management, terrorist threats and related security matters and cultural diversities. If we are unsuccessful in managing such operations effectively, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
We utilize contract manufacturers and changes to those relationships, expected or unexpected, may result in delays or disruptions that could cause us to lose revenue and damage our customer relationships.
Our non-semiconductor equipment businesses have generated losses or minimal profits.

We develop, manufacturereliance on contract manufacturers gives us less control over the manufacturing process and sell products used in closed circuit televisionexposes us to significant risks, including limited control over capacity, late delivery, quality and microwave communications applications. These products are sold in highly competitive markets and many competitors are segments of large, diversified companies with substantially greater financial, engineering, marketing, manufacturing and customer support capabilities than Cohu.costs. In addition, there are smaller companies that provideit is time consuming and costly to qualify and implement additional contract manufacturer relationships. Therefore, if we should fail to effectively manage our contract manufacturer relationships or if one or more of them should experience delays, disruptions or quality control problems, or if we had to change or add additional contract manufacturers or contract manufacturing sites, our ability to ship products to our customers could be delayed. Also, the addition of manufacturing locations or contract manufacturers may provide innovative technology in products that may compete favorably against our own products. We have seen a significant decline inincrease the operating resultscomplexity of our television camera business over the last several years with increasing losses and thesupply chain management. We cannot be certain that existing or future prospects of this business remain uncertain. We may notcontract manufacturers will be able to continuemanufacture our products on a timely and cost-effective basis, or to compete successfullyour quality and performance specifications. If our contract manufacturers are unable to meet our manufacturing requirements in these businesses.a timely manner, our ability to ship products and to realize the related revenues when anticipated could be materially affected.

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Failure of critical suppliers to deliver sufficient quantities of parts in a timely and cost-effective manner could adversely impact our operations.
We use numerous vendors to supply parts, components and subassemblies for the manufacture of our products. It is not always possible to maintain multiple qualified suppliers for all of our parts, components and subassemblies. As a result, certain key parts may be available only from a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers. In addition, suppliers may cease manufacturing certain components that are difficult to replace without significant reengineering of our products. On occasion, we have experienced problems in obtaining adequate and reliable quantities of various parts and components from certain key suppliers. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted if we do not receive sufficient parts to meet our requirements in a timely and cost effective manner.
New accountingWe are exposed to risks associated with acquisitions and tax rules will impact our future operating results.investments.

A change in accounting standards or a change in existing taxation rules can
We have a significant effect on our reported results. New accounting pronouncements and taxation rules and varying interpretations of accounting pronouncements have occurredmade, and may occur in the future. These new accounting pronouncementsfuture make, acquisitions of, or significant investments in, businesses with complementary products, services and/or technologies. Acquisitions and taxation rules mayinvestments involve numerous risks, including, but not limited to:
difficulties and increased costs in connection with integration of the personnel, operations, technologies and products of acquired businesses;
diversion of management’s attention from other operational matters;
the potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses;
lack of synergy, or the inability to realize expected synergies, resulting from the acquisition;
failure to commercialize purchased technology; and
the impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill that could result in significant charges to operating results in future periods.
Mergers, acquisitions and investments are inherently risky and the inability to effectively manage these risks could materially and adversely affect our reportedbusiness, financial condition and results of operations. At December 26, 2009 we had goodwill and net purchased intangible assets balances of $61.8 million and $35.5 million, respectively.
Third parties may violate our proprietary rights or accuse us of infringing upon their proprietary rights.
We rely on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to establish and maintain proprietary rights in our technology and products. Any of our proprietary rights may expire due to patent life, or be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. In addition, from time to time, we receive notices from third parties regarding patent or copyright claims. Any such claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses. In the wayevent of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to license the infringed technology or to substitute similar non-infringing technology, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
A majority of our revenues are generated from exports to foreign countries, primarily in Asia, that are subject to economic and political instability and we conductcompete against a number of Asian test handling equipment suppliers.
The majority of our business.export sales are made to destinations in Asia. Political or economic instability, particularly in Asia, may adversely impact the demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type we manufacture and market. In addition, we face intense competition from a number of Asian suppliers that have certain advantages over U.S. suppliers, including us. These advantages include, among other things, proximity to customers, favorable tariffs and affiliation with significantly larger organizations. In addition, changes in the amount or price of semiconductors produced in Asia could impact the profitability or capital equipment spending programs of our foreign and domestic customers.
The occurrence of natural disasters in Asia may adversely impact our operations and sales.
Our Asian sales and service headquarters is located in Singapore and the majority of our sales are made to destinations in Asia. In addition, we have an operation in the Philippines that fabricates certain component parts used in our products. These regions are known for being vulnerable to natural disasters and other risks, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and fires, which at times have disrupted the local economies. A significant earthquake, tsunami or other geological event could materially affect our operating results. We are not insured for most losses and business interruptions of this kind, and do not presently have redundant, multiple site capacity in the event of a natural disaster. In the event of such disaster, our business would suffer.

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Our financial and operating results may vary and may fall below analysts’ estimates, which may cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Our operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to:
timing and amount of orders from customers and shipments to customers;
inability to recognize revenue due to accounting requirements;
inventory writedowns;
inability to deliver solutions as expected by our customers; and
intangible and deferred tax asset writedowns.
timing and amount of orders from customers and shipments to customers;
inability to recognize revenue due to accounting requirements;
inventory writedowns;
inability to deliver solutions as expected by our customers; and
intangible and deferred tax asset writedowns.
Due to these factors or other unanticipated events, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results may not be reliable indicators of our future performance. In addition, from time to time our quarterly financial results may fall below the expectations of the securities and industry analysts who publish reports on our company or of investors in general. This could cause the market price of our stock to decline, perhaps significantly.

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We have experienced significant volatility in our stock price.

A variety of factors may cause the price of our stock to be volatile. In recent years, the stock market in general, and the market for shares of high-technology companies in particular, including ours, have experienced extreme price fluctuations, which have often been unrelated to the operating performance of affected companies. During the last three years the price of our common stock has ranged from $9.13$7.00 to $29.48.$23.70. The price of our stock may be more volatile than the stock of other companies due to, among other factors, the unpredictable and cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, our significant customer concentration, intense competition in the test handler industry, our limited backlog making earnings predictability difficult and our relatively low daily stock trading volume. The market price of our common stock is likely to continue to fluctuate significantly in the future, including fluctuations related and unrelated to our performance.
The occurrence of natural disasters in Asia and geopolitical instability caused by terrorist attacks and threats may adversely impact our operations and sales.

Our Asian sales and service headquarters is located in Singapore and the majority of our sales are made to destinations in Asia. In addition, we have an operation in the Philippines that fabricates certain component parts used in our products. These regions are known for being vulnerable to natural disasters and other risks, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, floods and Avian (bird) flu, which at times have disrupted the local economies. A significant earthquake, tsunami or other geological event could materially affect our operating results. We are not insured for most losses and business interruptions of this kind, and do not presently have redundant, multiple site capacity in the event of a natural disaster. In the event of such disaster, our business would suffer.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

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Item 2. Properties.
Certain information concerning our principal properties at December 27, 2008,26, 2009, identified by business segment is set forth below:
         
  Approximate  
Location Sq. Footage Ownership
Poway, California (1) (2) (3) (4)  338,000  Owned
Chandler, ArizonaKolbermoor, Germany (1)  10,00040,000  Owned
Tyngsborough, MassachusettsCalamba City, Laguna, Philippines (1)  6,00037,000  Leased
Singapore (1)  13,00024,000  Leased
Calamba City, Laguna, PhilippinesChandler, Arizona (1)  27,00010,000  LeasedOwned
Heidenrod — Kemel, Germany (3)  5,000  Leased
Kolbermoor, Germany (1)40,000Owned
 
(1) Semiconductor equipment
 
(2) TelevisionVideo cameras
 
(3) Microwave Communications
 
(4) Cohu Corporate offices
In addition to the locations listed above, we lease other properties primarily for sales and service offices in various locations including Austin, Texas, San Jose, California, and Taipei, Taiwan.locations. We believe our facilities are suitable for their respective uses and are adequate for our present needs.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We previously disclosed that in May 2007 our Broadcast Microwave Services subsidiaryBMS received a subpoena from a grand jury seated in the Southern District of California, requesting the production of certain documents related to BMS’ export of microwave communications equipment. BMS completed production of documents responsive to the request in September 2007 and has fully cooperated. We also disclosed that on April 30, 2009, BMS hasreceived a letter from the U. S. Department of State requesting that BMS provide certain information related to their review of this matter. Based upon their review of the information provided, the U.S. Department of State informed us, during the third quarter of 2009, that they believed BMS did not been informedobtain the required licenses for the export of certain products and services. The U. S. Department of State requested that BMS apply for commodity jurisdiction rulings to determine if certain products are subject to export controls, obtain export licenses as required and engage an independent third party to conduct an export compliance audit. On January 15, 2010, BMS provided the U.S. Department of State with the results of the export compliance audit and an update on the status of export licenses and commodity jurisdiction rulings. On January 20, 2010, BMS received notification from the U.S. Department of State that they were closing the case without taking action to impose a civil penalty, while reserving the right to reopen the case if it is a targetlater determined that circumstances warrant the initiation of an investigation. As of the date of this report, it is premature to assess whether this matter will have any impact on the BMS business or results of operations.administrative proceedings.
In addition to the above matter, from time-to-time we are involved in various legal proceedings, examinations by various tax authorities and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our businesses. Although the outcome of such legal proceedings, claims and examinations cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe any such matters exist at this time that will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of our operations.

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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None.

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PART II
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
(a) Market Information
Cohu, Inc. stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “COHU”.
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market during the last two years.
                                
 2008 2007  Fiscal 2009 Fiscal 2008
 High Low High Low  High Low High Low
First Quarter $20.52 $13.27 $20.90 $18.11  $12.37 $7.05 $20.52 $13.27 
Second Quarter $18.90 $16.13 $23.01 $18.51  $10.48 $7.00 $18.90 $16.13 
Third Quarter $19.10 $14.31 $23.70 $17.79  $13.94 $8.22 $19.10 $14.31 
Fourth Quarter $16.65 $9.13 $20.75 $14.11  $14.19 $10.80 $16.65 $9.13 
Holders
At February 10, 2009,2010, Cohu had 715676 stockholders of record.
Dividends
We have paid consecutive quarterly dividends since 1977 and expect to continue doing so. The declaration and payment of future dividends are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and availability of cash resources. Cash dividends, per share, declared in 20072009 and 2008 were as follows:
            
Fiscal 2007 
 Fiscal 2009 Fiscal 2008 
First quarter $0.06  $0.06 $0.06 
Second quarter 0.06  $0.06 $0.06 
Third quarter 0.06  $0.06 $0.06 
Fourth quarter 0.06  $0.06 $0.06 
        
Total $0.24  $0.24 $0.24 
        
     
Fiscal 2008    
First quarter $0.06 
Second quarter  0.06 
Third quarter  0.06 
Fourth quarter  0.06 
    
Total $0.24 
    
We intend to continue to pay quarterly dividends subject to capital availability and periodic determinations by our Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interests of our stockholders. Our dividend policy may be affected by, among other items, our views on potential future capital requirements, including those related to research and development, investments and acquisitions, legal risks and stock repurchases.

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Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes information with respect to equity awards under Cohu’s equity compensation plans at December 27, 2008:26, 2009(in thousands, except per share amounts):
            
 Number of securities            
 Number of securities available for future Number of securities
 to be issued upon Weighted average issuance under equity Number of securities Weighted average available for future
 exercise of exercise price of compensation plans to be issued upon exercise price of issuance under equity
 outstanding outstanding options, (excluding securities exercise of outstanding outstanding options, compensation plans
 options, warrants and warrants and rights reflected in column (a)) options, warrants and warrants and rights (excluding securities
Plan category rights (a) (1) (b) (2) (c) rights (a) (1) (b) (2) reflected in column (a)) (c)
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 2,446 $15.91  1,570(3) 3,376 $12.87  2,201(3)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders        
    
 2,446 $15.91 1,570  3,376 $12.87 2,201 
    
 
(1) Includes options and restricted stock units (RSUs) outstanding under Cohu’s equity incentive plans, as no stock warrants or other rights were outstanding as of December 27, 2008.26, 2009.
 
(2) The weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights does not take RSUs into account as RSUs have a de minimus purchase price.
 
(3) Includes 506,567370,339 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the Cohu 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
For further details regarding Cohu’s equity compensation plans, see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements4, “Employee Benefit Plans”, included in Part IV.IV, Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K.

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Comparative Stock Performance Graph
The information contained in this Stock Performance Graph section shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act except to the extent that Cohu specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the common stock of Cohu for the last five fiscal years with the cumulative total return on a Peer Group Index and a NASDAQ Market Index over the same period (assuming the investment of $100 in Cohu’s common stock, Peer Group Index and NASDAQ Market Index on December 31, 2003January 1, 2005 and reinvestment of all dividends). The Peer Group Index set forth on the Performance Graph is the index for Hemscott, Inc., Industry Group 834 “Semiconductor Equipment/Material”. Industry Group 834 is comprised of approximately 4560 publicly-held semiconductor equipment and other related companies. Historical stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG COHU,
INC., NASDAQ MARKET INDEX, SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT &
MATERIALS
                         
  2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Cohu, Inc. $100  $124  $111  $86  $68  $80 
NASDAQ Index $100  $102  $113  $125  $75  $109 
Peer Group $100  $105  $118  $113  $60  $87 

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  2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Cohu, Inc. $100  $98  $122  $109  $84  $68 
Peer Group $100  $78  $83  $93  $88  $47 
Nasdaq $100  $108  $111  $122  $134  $79 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Cohu’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Part IV, Item 1515(a) and with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in Part II, Item 7. As a result of the divestiture of FRL, we are reporting FRL as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the sale of FRL. In December, 2008, we purchased Rasco. The results of Rasco’s operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since that date. In March, 2007, we purchased Tandberg Television AVS GmbH (“AVS”). The results of AVS’ operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since that date. In May 2006, we sold substantially all the assets of FRL, Incorporated (“FRL”), which comprised our metal detection equipment segment. As a result of the divestiture of FRL, we are reporting FRL as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. In March, 2006, we purchased certain intellectual property, fixed assets, inventory and a customer contract of Unisys’ Unigen operation.operation (“Unigen”). The results of Unigen’s operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since that date.
                                        
Years Ended, Dec. 27 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Dec. 31  Dec. 26 Dec. 27 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 
(in thousands, except per share data) 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:  
Net sales $199,659 $241,389 $270,106 $231,382 $169,913  $171,261 $199,659 $241,389 $270,106 $231,382 
                      
Income (loss) from continuing operations (1) $(5,443) $8,021 $18,626 $34,255 $17,238  $(28,168) $(5,443) $8,021 $18,626 $34,255 
                      
Net income (loss) (1) $(5,443) $7,978 $17,681 $33,974 $16,703  $(28,168) $(5,443) $7,978 $17,681 $33,974 
                      
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share — basic $(0.23) $0.35 $0.82 $1.56 $0.80  $(1.20) $(0.23) $0.35 $0.82 $1.56 
                      
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share — diluted $(0.23) $0.34 $0.81 $1.51 $0.78  $(1.20) $(0.23) $0.34 $0.81 $1.51 
                      
Net income (loss) per common share — basic $(0.23) $0.35 $0.78 $1.55 $0.78  $(1.20) $(0.23) $0.35 $0.78 $1.55 
                      
Net income (loss) per common share — diluted $(0.23) $0.34 $0.77 $1.50 $0.76  $(1.20) $(0.23) $0.34 $0.77 $1.50 
                      
Cash dividends per share, paid quarterly $0.24 $0.24 $0.24 $0.22 $0.20  $0.24 $0.24 $0.24 $0.24 $0.22 
                      
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:  
Total consolidated assets $344,169 $340,379 $326,339 $306,977 $250,768  $330,118 $344,169 $340,379 $326,339 $306,977 
Working Capital $155,589 $234,345 $225,520 $206,295 $174,493  $139,597 $155,589 $234,345 $225,520 $206,295 
 
(1) On January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of FASB Statement No. 123R which requires the measurementbegan to measure and recognition ofrecognize all share-based compensation underbased on the fair value method. Total share-based compensation recorded in the years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008, December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006 under FASB Statement No. 123R was approximately $3.4 million, $3.9 million, $4.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively. No share-based compensation expense was recorded in the yearsyear ended December 31, 20042005. The year ended December 26, 2009 includes a charge of $19.6 million for an increase in the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. The year ended December 27, 2008 includes a charge for excess inventory of $5.5 million at Delta and 2005.a charge of $2.6 million for acquired in-process research and development from the acquisition of Rasco.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
OVERVIEW
Cohu operates in three business segments. Our primary business activity involvesis the development, manufacture, marketing, sale and servicing of test handling and burn-in related equipment and thermal sub-systems for the global semiconductor industry.industry through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Delta Design, Inc. and Rasco GmbH. This business is significantly dependent on capital expenditures by semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors, which in turn areis dependent on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors that areis subject to significant cyclical trends in demand. Like other companies in the backend semiconductor equipment industry, our primary business has been severely impacted by the global economic crisis. Consumer and business confidence has decreased dramatically, resulting in lower sales of electronic products and sharply reduced demand for semiconductors and semiconductor equipment.trends. We expect that the semiconductor equipment industry will continue to be cyclical and volatile in part because consumer electronics, rather than personal computers, are now the principal end market for integrated circuits. Demand for consumer electronic productscircuits, is a highly dynamic industry and demand is difficult to accurately predictpredict. Our other businesses produce mobile microwave communications equipment (Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc.) and product life cycles are becoming shorter. Integrated circuitvideo cameras and accessories (Cohu Electronics Division).
Like other suppliers of test and assembly (“backend”) semiconductor equipment, our primary business has been severely impacted by the global recession and the dramatic decrease in consumer and business confidence that has resulted in lower sales of electronic products and sharply reduced demand for semiconductors and semiconductor equipment. Orders for backend semiconductor equipment were weak throughout the first three quarters of 2008 and declined further in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, as the worldwide decline in semiconductor sales created significant idle production capacity at integrated device manufacturers are unwilling(IDMs) and test subcontractors. During 2009, orders for device kits, spares and equipment upgrades, while lower than in 2008, were not as severely impacted as test handler systems, in part because semiconductor manufacturers frequently adjust production in response to absorbhighly dynamic demand from their customers, particularly for consumer electronics applications.
During the carrying costslast three quarters of excess capacity,2009 we saw improvement in semiconductor equipment orders. According to the global trade organization, Semiconductor Equipment and as a result, delay placing largeMaterials International (SEMI), orders for backend semiconductor equipment bottomed out in February 2009 and then increased for nine consecutive months before leveling-off in December. The recent trend is positive but orders remain well below the last peak levels of 2006.
Operating results in our semiconductor equipment business during the fourth quarter of 2009 were in-line with equipment suppliers until businessour expectations and benefitted from the improving conditions are favorable. Changes in the semiconductor electronics, computerequipment industry. The order momentum that began in the third quarter of 2009 continued to build through the fourth quarter as orders increased 25% sequentially and telecommunications industries,were broad based across many products, customers and geographies. The increasing order demand has been accompanied by requests for short delivery lead times as well as rapidly shifting global economic conditions,customers that have hadresisted adding capacity during the recession struggle to keep pace with delivery requirements to their customers. As a result, we are under pressure to accelerate our deliveries and have ramped production of new products in our California factory. Our plan to transfer production of certain handlers to Asia-based contract manufacturers will continue, however, we are increasing production of certain products in California beyond our original plan in order to have a significant impact onmeet the results of operationsdelivery requirements of our primary business.customers.
ConditionsInventory exposure is common in the semiconductor equipment industry were difficult during fiscal 2008. This already challenging environment for semiconductor equipment has been further impacted bydue to the global economic crisis. Customers for backend semiconductor equipment have suspended capital spending for new equipment and reduced purchases of spares and non-essentials. Current visibility innarrow customer base, the backend semiconductor industry is limited and we expect business conditions to remain difficult, at least for the next several quarters. Through this downturn, we plan to continue to invest in new product development and key initiatives to improve gross margin and operating performance that will benefit the results of operations of our primary business when industry conditions improve. In response to these weak business conditions, we have taken actions to reduce costs and conserve cash, including headcount reductions, pay cuts, suspensioncustom nature of the company’s matching contribution to our 401(k) plan, reduced work hoursproducts we provide and mandatory time off.
On December 9, 2008 we completed the acquisition of Rasco. Through this acquisition we combine Delta, a leading supplier of logic pick and place IC test handlers with Rasco, a leading supplier of gravity feed handlers. This expands ourshortened product life cycles that are caused by rapid changes in semiconductor test handling product line total available market, extends our market leadership in IC test, expands our customer base, broadens our product and technology offerings and further strengthens our global sales and service network.
manufacturing technology. Our operating results in the last three years have been impacted by charges to cost of sales related to excess, obsolete and lower of cost or market inventory issues. These charges totaled approximately $20.8$15.2 million during the three-year period ended December 27, 2008 (approximately $6.2 million in the year ended December 27, 2008)26, 2009 and were primarily the result of decreases or frequent changes in customer forecasts competitive conditions in the test handler industry and, to a lesser extent, changes in our sales product mix. Exposure related to inventories is common in the semiconductor equipment industry due to the narrow customer base, the custom nature of the products and inventory and the shortened product life cycles caused by rapid changes in semiconductor manufacturing technology. Increased competition, particularly in the last several years, has also negatively impacted our gross margins on certain products and we believe it is likely these conditions will exist for the foreseeable future.
Our non-semiconductor equipment businesses have comprised approximately 18%22% of our consolidated revenues during the last three years (30% for the year ended December 26, 2009). Our microwave communications business develops, manufactures and have not seensells microwave communications equipment, antenna systems and associated equipment. These products are used in the same drop-off in business as our semiconductor equipment business.transmission of video, audio and telemetry. Applications for these microwave data-links include unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”), public safety, security, surveillance and electronic news gathering. Customers infor these products are government agencies, public safety organizations, UAV program contractors, television broadcasters and other commercial entities. During 2009 our microwave communications and television camera business are primarily government and military in nature and the buying cycles are typically longer that in the commercial market place. During fiscal 2007, our television camera and microwave communications businesses underperformed and we implemented strategies which we believed would help improve the profitability of these businesses. These initiatives included the introduction of new products and a strategic acquisition. During fiscal 2008 we saw improved sales,achieved record operating income as a result of higher sales volume and orders within our microwave equipment operation. Duringimproved gross margins realized primarily through product redesign programs initiated in 2008 BMS achieved record sales and order backlog. Whileto reduce the net operating resultscost of our television camera business have continued to underperform during fiscal 2008, customer interest is strong for new products developed for the high-end security and surveillance markets and we anticipate that order levels will increase in the future.certain systems.

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Our video camera business was profitable during 2009 as a result of higher gross margin and the implementation of cost reduction measures. This business provides a wide selection of video cameras and related products, specializing in video solutions for security, surveillance and traffic monitoring. Customers for these products are distributed among security, surveillance, traffic control/management, scientific imaging and machine vision.
Our management team uses several performance metrics to manage our various businesses. These metrics which tend tomainly focus on near-term forecasts due to the limited ordershort-term nature of our backlog in our businesses,and include (i) order bookingsorders and backlog for the most recently completed quarter and the forecast for the next quarter; (ii) inventory levels and related excess exposures typically based on the forecast for the next twelve month’s forecast;months; (iii) gross margin and other operating expense trends; (iv) cash flow; (v) industry data and trends noted in various publicly available sources; and (v)(vi) competitive factors and information. Due to the short-term nature of our order backlog that historically has represented about three months of business and the inherent volatility of the semiconductor equipment business, our past performance is frequently not indicative of future near term operating results or cash flows.
Application of Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience, forecasts and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, however actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our financial statements. Some of our accounting policies require us to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our most critical accounting estimates that are more fully described in our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008, that we believe are the most important to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and condition and require complex management judgment include:
  revenue recognition, including the deferral of revenue on sales to customers, which impacts our results fromof operations;
 
  estimation of valuation allowances and accrued liabilities, specifically product warranty, inventory reserves and allowance for doubtful accounts,bad debts, which impact gross margin or operating expenses;
 
  the recognition and measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and unrecognized tax benefits and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, which impact our tax provision;
 
  the assessment of recoverability of long-lived assets including goodwill and other intangible assets, which primarily impacts gross margin or operating expenses if we are required to record impairments of assets or accelerate their depreciation; and
 
  the valuation and recognition of share-based compensation, which impacts gross margin, research and development expense, and selling, general and administrative expense.
Below, we discuss these policies further, as well as the estimates and judgments involved. We also have other policies that we consider key accounting policies; however, these policies typically do not require us to make estimates or judgments that are difficult or subjective.
Share-based Compensation:On January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-based Payment”, (“Statement No. 123R”) and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, (“SAB No. 107”) requiring the measurement and recognition of all share-based compensation under the fair value method. During fiscal 2006, we began recognizing share-based compensation, under Statement No. 123R, for all awards granted in fiscal 2006 and for the unvested portion of previous award grants based on each award’s grant date fair value. We implemented Statement No. 123R using the modified prospective transition method. Under this transition method our financial statements and related information presented pertaining to periods prior to our adoption of Statement No. 123R, have not been adjusted to reflect the fair value of share-based compensation expense.
We estimate the fair value of each share-based award on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Option valuation models, including Black-Scholes, require the input of highly subjective assumptions, and changes in the assumptions used can materially affect the grant date fair value of an award. These assumptions include the risk-free rate of interest, expected dividend yield, expected volatility, and the expected life of the award. The risk-free rate of interest is based on the U.S. Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term of the award. Expected dividends are based primarily on historical factors related to our common stock. Expected volatility is based on historic, weekly stock price observations of our common stock during the period immediately preceding the share-based award grant that is equal in length to the award’s expected term. We believe that historical volatility is the best estimate of future volatility and utilize historical option exercise data for estimating the expected life of awards. Statement No. 123R also requires that estimated forfeitures be included as a part of the grant date estimate. We used historical data to estimate expected employee behaviors related to option exercises and forfeitures.

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At December 27, 2008, excluding a reduction for forfeitures, we had approximately $2.0 million and $4.0 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock units which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.3 years and 2.4 years, respectively.
Revenue Recognition:We generally recognize revenue upon shipment and title passage for established products (i.e., those that have previously satisfied customer acceptance requirements) that provide for full payment tied to shipment. Revenue for products that have not previously satisfied customer acceptance requirements or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable is recognized upon customer acceptance. For arrangements containing multiple elements, the revenue relating to the undelivered elements is deferred at estimated fair value until delivery of the deferred elements.
Accounts ReceivableReceivable::We maintain an allowance for doubtful accountsbad debts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

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Warranty:We provide for the estimated costs of product warranties in the period sales are recognized. Our warranty obligation estimates are affected by historical product shipment levels, product performance and material and labor costs incurred in correcting product performance problems. Should product performance, material usage or labor repair costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.
Inventory:The valuation of inventory requires us to estimate obsolete or excess inventory as well as inventory that is not of saleable quality. The determination of obsolete or excess inventory requires us to estimate the future demand for our products. The demand forecast is a direct input in the development of our short-term manufacturing plans. We record valuation reserves on our inventory for estimated excess and obsolete inventory and lower of cost or market concerns equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future product demand, market conditions and product selling prices. If future product demand, market conditions or product selling prices are less than those projected by management or if continued modifications to products are required to meet specifications or other customer requirements, increases to inventory reserves may be required which would have a negative impact on our gross margin.
Income Taxes:We estimate our liability for income taxes based on the various jurisdictions where we conduct business. This requires us to estimate our (i) current tax exposure;taxes; (ii) temporary differences that result from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes and (iii) unrecognized tax benefits. Temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities that are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. The net deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based upon all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Establishing, reducing or increasing a valuation allowance in an accounting period generally results in an increase or decrease in tax expense in the statement of operations. We must make significant judgments to determine the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, unrecognized tax benefits and any valuation allowance to be recorded against net deferred tax assets. Our gross deferred tax asset balance as of December 27, 200826, 2009 was $27.6approximately $30.0 million, with a valuation allowance of $4.3 million for state tax credit and loss carryforwards. Theapproximately $24.9 million. Our deferred tax assets consist primarily of reserves and accruals that are not yet deductible temporary differencesfor tax and tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards.
Goodwill, OtherPurchased Intangible Assets and Other Long-lived assets:Assets:At December 27, 2008, finite intangible assets other than goodwill were evaluated for impairment using undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets as required by FASB Statement No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, (“Statement No. 144”), and we concluded there was no impairment loss.
We are required to assess goodwill impairment using the methodology prescribed by FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, (“Statement No. 142”). Under the provisions prescribed in Statement No. 142 we evaluate goodwill for impairment annually and if any events occurwhen an event occurs or circumstances change that suggestindicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Our annual testing date is October 1. We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the related operations.reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment. We estimateimpairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. We estimated the fair values of our reporting units primarily using the income approach valuation methodology that includes the discounted cash flowsflow method, taking into consideration the market approach and certain market multiples as a validation of reporting units.the values derived using the discounted cash flow methodology. Forecasts of future cash flowflows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses. The financialexpenses, based primarily on customer forecasts, industry trade organization data and creditgeneral economic conditions. We conduct our annual impairment test as of October 1 of each year, and have determined there to be no impairment. There were no events or circumstances from the date of our assessment through December 26, 2009 that would impact this conclusion. In a future period, should an event occur that leads us to determine that an interim goodwill impairment review is required, the facts and estimates utilized at that time may differ resulting in an impairment charge which could have a significant negative impact on our operating results.
Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market volatility directly impacts ourvalue of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair valuevalue.

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measurement through our weighted average cost of capital that we use to determine our discount rate and through our stock price that we use to determine our market capitalization. During times of volatility, significant judgment must be applied to determine whether credit or stock price changes are a short-term swing or a longer-term trend. We did not recognize any goodwill impairment as a result of performing this annual test in 2008 and subsequent to October 1, 2008, we do not believe there have been any events or circumstances that would require us to perform an interim goodwill impairment review.
Contingencies:We are subject to certain contingencies that arise in the ordinary course of our businesses. In accordance with FASB Statement No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”, (“Statement No. 5”) webusinesses which require us to assess the likelihood that future events will confirm the existence of a loss or an impairment of an asset. If a loss or asset impairment is probable as defined in Statement No. 5 and the amount of the loss or impairment is reasonably estimable, we accrue a charge to operations in the period such conditions become known.
Share-based Compensation:Share-based compensation expense related to stock options is recorded based on the fair value of the award on its grant date which we estimate using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards is calculated based on the market price of our common stock on the grant date, reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on our common stock prior to vesting of the restricted stock unit.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:PronouncementsIn December 2007,
For a description of accounting changes and recent accounting pronouncements, including the FASB issued Statement No. 141 (Revised 2007), “Business Combinations", (“Statement No. 141R”), which establishes principlesexpected dates of adoption and requirements for the reporting entity in a business combination, including recognition and measurement in the financial statements of the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, andestimated effects, if any, non-controlling interest in the acquiree. This statement also establishes disclosure requirements to enable financial statement users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. Statement No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Statement No. 141R will become effective for our fiscal year beginning in 2009. We expect Statement No. 141R will have an impact on our consolidated financial statements, when effective, but the nature and magnitudesee Note 1, “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Part IV, Item 15(a) of the specific effects will depend upon the nature, terms and size of the acquisitions we consummate after the effective date of the revised standard.
We adopted FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, (“Statement No. 157”) on December 30, 2007, the first day of fiscal year 2008. Statement No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a methodology for measuring fair value, and expands the required disclosure for fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, which amends Statement No. 157 by delaying its effective date by one year for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. Therefore, beginning on December 30, 2007, this standard applies prospectively to new fair value measurements of financial instruments and recurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities. On December 28, 2008, the beginning of our 2009 fiscal year, the standard will also apply to all other fair value measurements. See Note 13, “Fair Value Measurements”, of the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein for additional information.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, (“Statement No. 159”). Statement No. 159 expands the use of fair value measurement by permitting entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. This statement is effective for us on December 30, 2007, the first day of our 2008 fiscal year. We have not elected to measure any items at fair value under Statement No. 159 and, as a result, Statement No. 159 did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51”, (“Statement No. 160”). Statement No. 160 requires that ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, and the amount of consolidated net income, be clearly identified, labeled, and presented in the consolidated financial statements. It also requires, once a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary be initially measured at fair value. Sufficient disclosures are required to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. It is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and requires retrospective adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests. All other requirements shall be applied prospectively. We are currently assessing the impact that Statement No. 160 may have on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption in fiscal year 2009.

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In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”, (“Statement No. 161”). Statement No. 161 expands the current disclosure requirements of FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and requires that companies must now provide enhanced disclosures on a quarterly basis regarding how and why the entity uses derivatives, how derivatives and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133 and how derivatives and related hedged items affect the company’s financial position, performance and cash flows. Statement No. 161 is effective prospectively for periods beginning after November 15, 2008. As we do not currently enter into any derivative or hedging instruments we do not expect that Statement No. 161 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon our adoption in fiscal year 2009.Form 10-K.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes certain operating data from continuing operations as a percentage of net sales forin each of the three-year period.last three years.
             
  2008 2007 2006
   
Net sales  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Cost of sales  (67.5)  (67.4)  (65.6)
             
Gross margin  32.5   32.6   34.4 
Research and development  (19.1)  (15.9)  (14.5)
Selling, general and administrative  (18.3)  (15.0)  (13.7)
Acquired in-process research and development  (1.3)      
Gain on sale of facilities        1.1 
             
Income (loss) from operations  (6.2)%  1.7%  7.3%
             
In May, 2006, we sold our metal detection equipment business, FRL. Subsequent to the sale, the operating results of FRL are being presented as discontinued operations and the consolidated financial statements for all prior periods have been reclassified accordingly. Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion and amounts provided in the “Results of Operations” section and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K relate to continuing operations only.
             
  2009 2008 2007
Net sales  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Cost of sales  (69.4)  (67.5)  (67.4)
             
Gross margin  30.6   32.5   32.6 
Research and development  (18.7)  (19.1)  (15.9)
Selling, general and administrative  (20.7)  (18.3)  (15.0)
Acquired in-process research and development     (1.3)   
             
Income (loss) from operations  (8.8)%  (6.2)%  1.7%
             
In December 2008, we purchased Rasco. The results of Rasco’s operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since that date. As required by FASB Interpretation No. 4, "Applicability of FASB Statement No. 2 to Business Combinations Accounted for by the Purchase Method”, theThe portion of the purchase price allocated to in-process research and development (“IPR&D&D”) was expensed immediately upon the closing of the acquisition and therefore, $2.6 million related to IPR&D was included as an operating expense in our results of operations for the year ended December 27, 2008.
20082009 Compared to 20072008
Net Sales
OurDuring 2009, our consolidated net sales decreased 17 % to $199.7were approximately $171.3 million, in 2008, compared to net salesa decrease of $241.4 million in 2007.14.2% from the prior year. Sales of semiconductor equipment in 2008 decreased 25.1% from the comparable 2007 period21.1% to $120.0 million and accounted for 76.2%70.1% of consolidated net sales in 2009 versus 84.1%76.2% in 2007. The decrease in sales of2008. Sales recorded by our semiconductor equipment was a resultsegment during 2009 include twelve months of weak conditionssales activity for Rasco. Total semiconductor equipment sales generated by Rasco, during 2009, were approximately $18.5 million. As noted in the “Overview” above, worldwide demand for semiconductors was dramatically reduced due to the global recession resulting in significant idle capacity for semiconductor manufacturers and lower demand for semiconductor equipment industry, particularlywhich impacted our sales in 2009. During the second half of fiscal 20082009 demand increased for semiconductor test handlers, device kits, spares, equipment upgrades and repairs, as overall global economic conditions deteriorated. Additionally, 2007 sales of our semiconductor equipment business benefittedcustomers adjusted their production to respond to increased demand from the recognition of approximately $17.4 million in net deferred revenue related to a certain semiconductor equipment product, on which customer acceptance was obtained in fiscal 2007.
Sales of television cameras accounted for 9.2% of net sales in 2008 and increased 12.2% when compared to the same period of 2007. The primary cause of this increase in sales was a result of demand for our specialty surveillance camera products and price increases. Additionally, 2008 sales of our television camera business benefitted from the recognition of approximately $0.5 million in net deferred revenue.their customers.
Sales of microwave communications equipment accounted for 14.6%approximately $34.1 million or 19.9% of consolidated net sales in 2008 and increased 33.0%2009, an increase of 16.7% when compared to 2007.2008. The increase in sales of our microwave communications business during fiscal 20082009 was primarily attributablea result of increased product shipments to demand for our products in surveillanceunmanned air vehicle program contractors and military applications andinternational customers within the public safety sector. Additionally, 2009 sales included the recognition of approximately $1.7$4.6 million in incrementalrevenue previously deferred in accordance with our revenue recognition policy.

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Sales of video cameras accounted for 10.0% of consolidated net sales recognizedin 2009 and decreased $1.1 million or 6.2% when compared 2008. The decreased sales in 2009 were a result of delayed funding for certain state and local government projects as a result of our March 30, 2007 acquisition of AVS.the economic recession. Additionally, 2008video camera sales of our microwave communications equipment businessin 2008 benefitted from the recognition of approximately $2.5$0.5 million in previously deferred revenue.revenue upon the receipt of customer acceptance on a contract with a government subcontractor.

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Gross Margin
Gross margin consists of net sales less cost of sales. Cost of sales consists primarily of the cost of materials, assembly and test labor, and overhead from operations. Our gross margin can fluctuate due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the mix of products sold;sold, product support costs;costs, inventory reserve adjustments;adjustments, and utilization of manufacturing capacity. Our gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, wasdecreased to 30.6% in 2009 from 32.5% in 2008 and 32.6% in 2007. In 2006 we recorded a charge to cost of sales of approximately $4.6 million for excess and obsolete inventory as a result of a declinelower sales volume in customer forecasts for a burn-in system, acquiredour semiconductor equipment segment and increased costs from Unisys’ Unigen operation (“Unigen”).the initial production of next generation handler products in our California plant. During fiscal 2008 we sold certain of this inventory and our gross margin was favorably impacted by approximately $4.5 million.million when we sold certain inventory for a semiconductor burn-in system that had been previously reserved due to a decline in customer forecasts.
Our gross margin has been impacted by charges to cost of sales related to excess, obsolete and lower of cost or market inventory issues and higher warranty costs associated with certain test handlers.issues. We compute the majority of our excess and obsolete inventory reserve requirements using a forward one-year inventory usage forecast. During 20082009 and 2007,2008, we recorded net charges to cost of sales of approximately $6.2$4.4 million and $4.6$6.2 million, respectively, for excess and obsolete inventory. While we believe our reserves for excess and obsolete inventory and lower of cost or market concerns are adequate to cover our known exposures at December 27, 2008,26, 2009, reductions in customer forecasts or continued modifications to products, as a result of our failure to meet specifications or other customer requirements, willmay result in additional charges to operations that could negatively impact our gross margin in future periods. Conversely, if our actual inventory usage is greater than our forecasted usage, our gross margin in future periods may be favorably impacted.
Research and Development Expense (“R&D Expense”)
R&D expense consists primarily of salaries and related costs of employees engaged in ongoing research, product design and development activities, costs of engineering materials and supplies, and professional consulting expenses. R&D expense in 2009 includes twelve months of costs for Rasco. During 2009 R&D expense as a percentage of net sales was 18.7% compared to 19.1% in 2008, decreasing from $38.1 million in 2008 to $32.0 million in 2009. During 2009, R&D spending was reduced by approximately $10.1 million primarily within our semiconductor equipment business through cost control measures. Additionally, as our new pick-in-place test handler systems began to make the transition into production we incurred lower labor and material costs associated with product development. These reductions were partially offset by $4.0 million in incremental R&D expense that resulted from the acquisition of Rasco.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense (“SG&A Expense)
SG&A expense consists primarily of salaries and benefit costs of employees, commission expense for independent sales representatives, product promotion and costs of professional services. SG&A expense in 2009 includes twelve months of costs for Rasco. SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales increased to 20.7% in 2009, from 18.3% in 2008 yet decreased, in absolute dollars, to $35.5 million in 2009 from $36.6 million in 2008. During 2009 SG&A spending, across all our segments was reduced by approximately $6.6 million primarily as a result of lower business volume and through cost control measures implemented in response to the global economic crisis which included head count and pay reductions and suspension of the matching contribution to our 401(k) plan. These reductions were partially offset by $5.5 million in incremental SG&A expense resulting from the acquisition of Rasco.
Interest and other, net
Interest and other, net was approximately $1.3 million and $5.5 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our interest income was lower in 2009 due to a decrease in our cash and investment balances as a result of the Rasco acquisition which occurred in December, 2008 and lower short-term interest rates.

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Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes expressed as a percentage of pre-tax income was 104.2% in 2009 and (20.2)% in 2008. The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 26, 2009 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets.
Companies are required to assess whether a valuation allowance should be recorded against their deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) based on the consideration of all available evidence, using a “more likely than not” realization standard. The four sources of taxable income that must be considered in determining whether DTAs will be realized are, (1) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences (i.e. offset of gross deferred tax assets against gross deferred tax liabilities); (2) taxable income in prior carryback years, if carryback is permitted under the tax law; (3) tax planning strategies and (4) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards.
In assessing whether a valuation allowance is required, significant weight is to be given to evidence that can be objectively verified. We have evaluated our DTAs each reporting period, including an assessment of our cumulative income or loss over the prior three-year period and future periods, to determine if a valuation allowance was required. A significant negative factor in our assessment was the possibility that Cohu would be in a three-year historical cumulative loss as of the end of 2009. This, combined with uncertain near-term market and economic conditions, reduced our ability to rely on projections of future taxable income in assessing the realization of our DTAs.
After a review of the four sources of taxable income described above and after considering the possibility of being in a three-year cumulative loss in the fourth quarter of 2009, with such cumulative loss confirmed with our fourth quarter 2009 results of operations, we recorded an increase in our valuation allowance on domestic DTAs, with a corresponding charge to our income tax provision, of approximately $19.6 million in the second quarter of 2009. Our valuation allowance on domestic DTAs at December 26, 2009 was approximately $24.9 million. The remaining gross deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance was not recorded are realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences. As the realization of DTAs is determined by tax jurisdiction, the significant deferred tax liability recorded as part of the 2008 acquisition of Rasco, a German corporation, was not a source of taxable income in assessing the realization of our DTAs in the U.S.
For a full reconciliation of our effective tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate and further explanation of our provision for income taxes, see Note 5, “Income Taxes”, included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
As a result of the factors set forth above, our net loss was $28.2 million in 2009, compared to a net loss of $5.4 million in 2008.
2008 Compared to 2007
Net Sales
Our net sales decreased 17% to $199.7 million in 2008, compared to net sales of $241.4 million in 2007. Sales of semiconductor equipment in 2008 decreased 25.1% from the comparable 2007 period and accounted for 76.2% of consolidated net sales versus 84.1% in 2007. The decrease in sales of semiconductor equipment was a result of weak conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry, particularly in the second half of 2008 as overall global economic conditions deteriorated. Additionally, 2007 sales of our semiconductor equipment business benefitted from the recognition of approximately $17.4 million in net deferred revenue related to a certain semiconductor equipment product, on which customer acceptance was obtained in 2007.
Sales of microwave communications equipment accounted for 14.6% of net sales in 2008 and increased 33.0% when compared to 2007. The increase in sales of our microwave communications business during 2008 was primarily attributable to demand for our products in surveillance and military applications and approximately $1.7 million in incremental sales recognized as a result of our March 30, 2007 acquisition of AVS. Additionally, 2008 sales of our microwave communications equipment business benefitted from the recognition of approximately $2.5 million in previously deferred revenue.
Sales of video cameras accounted for 9.2% of net sales in 2008 and increased 12.2% when compared to the same period of 2007. The primary cause of this increase in sales was a result of demand for our specialty surveillance camera products and price increases. Additionally, 2008 sales of our video camera business benefitted from the recognition of approximately $0.5 million in net deferred revenue.

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Gross Margin
Our gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, was 32.5% in 2008 and 32.6% in 2007. In 2006 we recorded a charge to cost of sales of approximately $4.6 million for excess and obsolete inventory as a result of a decline in customer forecasts for a semiconductor burn-in product. During 2008 we sold certain of this inventory and our gross margin was favorably impacted by approximately $4.5 million.
Our gross margin has been impacted by charges to cost of sales related to excess, obsolete and lower of cost or market inventory issues and higher warranty costs associated with certain test handlers. During 2008 and 2007, we recorded charges to cost of sales of approximately $6.2 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for excess and obsolete inventory.
Research and Development Expense
R&D expense as a percentage of net sales was 19.1% in 2008, compared to 15.9% in 2007, decreasing from $38.3 million in 2007 to $38.1 million in 2008. Decreased R&D expense in 2008 was primarily a result of decreased labor and material costs within our semiconductor equipment businesses of approximately $1.0 million, offset by an additional $0.5 million and $0.3 million of R&D related costs incurred by our microwave communications and televisionvideo camera businesses, respectively, resulting from the increased material costs associated with the design and development of new products and incremental costs associated with our March 30, 2007 acquisition of AVS.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense (“SG&A Expense”)
SG&A expense consists primarily of salaries and benefit costs of employees, commission expense for independent sales representatives, product promotion and costs of professional services. SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales was 18.3% in 2008, compared to 15.0% in 2007, increasing from $36.2 million in 2007 to $36.6 million in 2008. The increase in SG&A expense in 2008 was primarily a result of an additional $1.4 million of SG&A related costs incurred by our microwave communications business resulting primarily from increased sales commissions related to increased business volume, additional headcount, professional service costs and incremental expense associated with the March 30, 2007 acquisition of AVS. During 2008 administrative costs within our corporate organization increased $0.6 million. The increase in costs incurred by our microwave communications segment and corporate organization were offset by decreased costs within our semiconductor equipment segment of approximately $1.5 million. The decrease in costs incurred by our semiconductor equipment business is a result of decreased sales commissions and bad debt expense as a result of decreased business volume.
Interest Income
Interest income was approximately $5.5 million and $8.4 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease in interest income resulted from lower short-term interest rates and a decrease in our average cash and cash equivalents and investment balances. Additionally, during fiscal 2008 our interest income was negatively impacted by a loss of approximately $0.4 million recorded on the sale of short-term investments.
Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes expressed as a percentage of pre-tax income was (20.2%)(20.2)% in 2008 and 36.8% in 2007. The benefit for income taxes for the year ended December 27, 2008 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state taxes, research and development tax credits, settlement of prior year tax returns, IPR&D with no tax benefit and changes in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, by the effects of Statement No. 123Raccounting guidance that does not allow deferred tax benefits to be initially recognized on compensation expense related to incentive stock options and employee stock purchase plans and interest expense recorded on unrecognized tax benefits.

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Realization of our deferred tax assets is based upon the weight of all available evidence, including such factors as our recent earnings history and expected future taxable income. We believe that it is more likely than not that the majority of these assets will be realized; however, ultimate realization could be negatively impacted by market conditions or other factors not currently known or anticipated. If the current worldwide economic and financial crisis continues for an extended period of time, realization of our deferred tax assets will be jeopardized and this may require usInterest expense related to increase our valuation allowance with a significant charge to income tax expense in future periods. In accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, (“Statement No. 109”), net deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance, net of federal benefit, of approximately $4.3 million and $2.4 million was provided on our deferred tax assets at December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively, for state tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards that, in the opinion of management, are more likely than not to expire before we can use them.
Our unrecognized tax benefits excluding accrued interest, totaled approximately $4.6 million and $4.8 million at December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. If these unrecognized tax benefits are ultimately recognized, this amount, less the related federal benefit for state items of approximately $1.0 million and excluding any increase in our valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, would result in a reduction in our income tax expense and effective tax rate. We do not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change over the next 12 months.
We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, net of federal and state tax benefits, in income tax expense. Cohu had approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million accrued for the payment of interest at December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. Interest expense recognized in 2008 and 2007 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
In October, 2007 the Internal Revenue Service commenced a routine examination of our U.S. income tax return for 2005. This examination was substantially completed in 2008 and is expected to be finalized in 2009 without any material adjustments.
Other Items
As a result of the factors set forth above, our net loss was $5.4 million in 2008, compared to net income of $8.0 million in 2007.
2007 Compared to 2006
Net Sales
Our net sales decreased 10.6% to $241.4 million in 2007, compared to net sales of $270.1 million in 2006. Sales of semiconductor equipment in 2007 decreased 10.7% from the comparable 2006 period and accounted for 84.1% of consolidated net sales versus 84.2% in 2006. The primary cause of the decrease in sales of semiconductor equipment was a result of a decline in orders for our test handling and burn-in related equipment which began in the second half of 2006 and carried into 2007. Conditions in the back-end semiconductor equipment industry were generally weak in 2007. At Delta, these underlying and challenging industry dynamics were intensified by a sharp decline in orders for our highest-margin product, the Summit handler. The decline in semiconductor test handler and burn-in equipment orders was partially offset by the success of our new thermal sub-system that began shipping during 2007; however, this thermal sub-system has a much lower selling price and gross margin than our Summit test handler.
Sales of television cameras accounted for 6.8% of net sales in 2007 and decreased 10.7% when compared to the same period of 2006. The primary cause of this decrease in sales is a result of decreased demand for our traffic camera products in transportation related applications.
Sales of microwave communications equipment accounted for 9.1% of net sales in 2007 and decreased 10.1% when compared to 2006. During 2007 we saw an increase in demand for our microwave communications products primarily as a result of the acquisition of AVS in March 2007 and strong demand from government agencies, however, total sales recognized by this segment decreased in 2007 due to the recognition of approximately $7.9 million in revenue associated with our contract with the UAE that was accepted and paid in the third quarter of 2006.

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Gross Margin
Our gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 32.6% in 2007 from 34.4% in 2006. Our lower gross margin in 2007 was the result of lower margins in our semiconductor equipment business due to a change in product mix from our thermal test handlers to thermal sub-system products. Our thermal sub-system products have significantly lower gross margins than our thermal test handlers.
In addition to a shift in product mix, our gross margin has been impacted by charges to cost of sales related to excess, obsolete and lower of cost or market inventory issues and higher warranty costs associated with certain test handlers. During 2007 and 2006, we recorded net charges to cost of sales of approximately $4.6 million and $10.0 million, respectively, for excess and obsolete inventory. Approximately $4.6 million of the charge recorded during 2006 was a result of a decline in customer forecasts for a burn-in system, acquired from Unigen, which negatively impacted our forecasted inventory usage.
Research and Development Expense
R&D expense as a percentage of net sales was 15.9% in 2007, compared to 14.5% in 2006, decreasing from $39.1 million in 2006 to $38.3 million in 2007. Decreased R&D expense in 2007 was primarily a result of decreased labor and material costs within our semiconductor equipment and television camera businesses of approximately $1.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, offset by an additional $1.0 million of R&D related costs incurred by our microwave communications business resulting from the March 2007 acquisition of AVS, and other costs associated with new product development within that segment.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales was 15.0% in 2007, compared to 13.7% in 2006, decreasing from $37.1 million in 2006 to $36.2 million in 2007. The decrease in SG&A expense in 2007 was primarily a result of: a $2.2 million decline in costs incurred by our semiconductor equipment business resulting from lower business volume due to the weak business conditions that existed within the back-end semiconductor equipment industry during 2007; a $0.2 million decrease in costs incurred by our television camera business due to lower sales in 2007; and $0.5 million in decreased administrative costs within our corporate organization. These reductions were offset by an additional $1.9 million of SG&A related costs incurred by our microwave communications business resulting from the March 2007 acquisition of AVS, and increased legal costs.
Interest Income
Interest income was approximately $8.4 million and $6.7 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in interest income resulted from an increase in our average cash and cash equivalents and investment balances and higher interest rates.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes expressed as a percentage of pre-tax income was 36.8% in 2007 and 29.5% in 2006. The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 29, 2007 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to research and development tax credits, the effect of Statement No. 123R that does not allow deferred tax benefits to be recognized on compensation expense related to incentive stock options and employee stock purchase plans and an increase in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.
Other Items
In May, 2006, we sold the land and building previously used by our operations in Littleton, Massachusetts. The property was sold for $6.5 million in cash, less related costs, resulting in a net pretax gain of approximately $3.0 million that was recognized in 2006.
In May, 2006, we sold substantially all the assets of our metal detection equipment business, FRL. The disposition resulted in a loss of approximately $1.4 million that was recorded in 2006. Amounts incurred in 2007 related to the disposition were not significant.
As a result of the factors set forth above, our income from continuing operations was $8.0 million in 2007, compared to $18.6 million in 2006. Our net income was $8.0 million in 2007, compared to $17.7 million in 2006.

26


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our business is dependent on capital expenditures by semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors that are, in turn, dependent on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors. DemandWorldwide demand for semiconductors is cyclicalhas been dramatically reduced by the global recession resulting in significant idle capacity for semiconductor manufacturers and volatile. We havelower demand for semiconductor equipment. In response to lower demand for our semiconductor equipment, we implemented cost reduction programs aimed at aligning our ongoing operating costs with our currently expected revenues over the near term. These cost management initiatives include consolidating facilities, reductions to headcount and reduced spending. The cyclical and volatile nature of our industry makes estimates of future revenues, results of operations and net cash flows difficult.
Our primary historical source of liquidity and capital resources has been cash flow generated by operations. While we maintain a credit facility, we have not used this as a source of cash and do not intend to do so. We use cash to fund growth in our operating assets including accounts receivable and inventory, and to fund new products and product enhancements primarily through research and development.
Liquidity
Working Capital:The following summarizes our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and working capital:capital at December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008:
                                
 December 27, December 29, Percentage  Percentage
(in thousands) 2008 2007 Decrease Change  2009 2008 Decrease Change
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments $88,385 $170,118 $(81,733)  (48.0)% $84,906 $88,385 $(3,479)  (4)%
Working capital 155,589 234,345  (78,756)  (33.6)% $139,597 $155,589 $(15,992)  (10)%
Cash Flows
Operating Activities:Cash generated from operating activities consists of net income or loss, adjusted for non-cash expenses and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash items include depreciation and amortization; non-cash share-based compensation expense; and deferred income taxes. Our net cash flows provided from operating activities in 20082009 totaled $7.8$2.8 million compared to $33.8$7.8 million in 2007.2008. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to increased losses as a decrease in profitability in 2008 andresult of the global recession. Our net cash flows provided by operating activities were also impacted by changes in current assets and liabilities which included a decrease in accounts receivable and accounts payable of $20.9 million and $7.0 million, respectively and an increase in inventories of $7.9 million. Additionally, accrued compensation, warranty and other liabilities decreased $5.6 million in 2008. The decrease in accounts receivable was aas result of decreasedincreased business volume within our semiconductor equipment segment. The decrease in accounts payable and accrued compensation, warranty and other liabilities was primarily a result of decreased business volume and of the timing of cash payments primarily within our semiconductor equipment business. The increase in inventory was primarily a result of purchases made to meet manufacturing requirements for new products developed by our semiconductor equipment business and a sudden drop in demand insegment during the fourth quarter as a result of the global economic crisis.2009.
Investing Activities:Investing cash flows consist primarily of cash used for capital expenditures in support of our businesses, proceeds from investment maturities, asset disposals and divestitures, and cash used for purchases of investments and business acquisitions. Our net cash used forprovided from investing activities in 20082009 totaled $51.1$9.4 million and was primarily the result of $156.2$56.5 million in net proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments, offset by $122.5$44.6 million in cash used for purchases of short-term investments and the purchase of Rasco for $80.8 million, net.investments. We invest our excess cash, in an attempt to seek the highest available return while preserving capital, in short-term investments since excess cash is only temporarily available and may be required for a business-related purpose. The acquisition of Rasco was a strategic transaction to expand our semiconductor test handling product line total available market, extend our market leadershipExpenditures in IC test, expand our customer base, broaden our product and technology offerings and strengthen our global service network. Other expenditures in 20082009 included the purchases of property, plant and equipment of $3.9$2.5 million. The purchases of property, plant and equipment were primarily made to support activities in our semiconductor equipment and microwave communications business and consisted primarily of equipment used in engineering, manufacturing and related functions.
Financing Activities:Cash flows fromprovided by financing activities consist primarilyconsisted of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock under our stock optionequity incentive and employee stock purchase plans, which totaled $2.4$0.7 million during 2008.2009. We issue stock options and maintain an employee stock purchase plan as components of our overall employee compensation. Cash used in financing activities consisted of amounts distributed to our stockholders in the form of cash dividends. We declared and paid dividends totaling $5.6 million, or $0.24 per common share, during 2008.2009. On February 5, 2009,January 27, 2010, we announced a cash dividend of $0.06 per share on our common stock, payable on, April 24, 200923, 2010 to stockholders of record as of March 10, 2009.9, 2010. We intend to continue to pay quarterly dividends subject to capital availability and periodic determinations by our Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interests of our stockholders.

2726


Capital Resources
In June, 2008, we renewed our $5.0 million unsecured bank lineWe have a secured letter of credit bearing interest atfacility (the “Secured Facility”) under which Bank of America, N.A., has agreed to administer the bank’s prime rate. The lineissuance of letters of credit will expire in July, 2009,on behalf of Cohu and requires that we maintain specified minimum levels of net worth, limits the amount of our capital expenditures andsubsidiaries. The Secured Facility requires us to meet certainmaintain deposits of cash or other financial covenants. We are currentlyapproved investments, which serve as collateral, in compliance with these covenants. No borrowings wereamounts that approximate our outstanding atstandby letters of credit. As of December 27, 2008; however,26, 2009, we had approximately $1.3$0.1 million of the credit facility was allocated to standby letters of credit at December 28, 2008, leaving the balance of $3.7 million available for future borrowings.outstanding.
We expect that we will continue to make capital expenditures to support our business and we anticipate that present working capital and available borrowings under our line of credit will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements for at least the next twelve months.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations at December 27, 2008,26, 2009, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. This table excludes amounts already recorded on our balance sheet as current liabilities at December 27, 2008.26, 2009. Amounts excluded include our liability for unrecognized tax benefits that totaled approximately $4.6$4.9 million at December 27, 2008.26, 2009. We are currently unable to provide a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount or periods cash settlement of this liability may occur.
                        
            
Fiscal Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total
                            
(in thousands)       2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Thereafter Total
Non-cancelable operating leases $1,767 $835 $552 $99 $10 $3,263  $1,010 $1,039 $86 $79 $79 $ $2,293 
Purchase Commitments:Commitments to contract manufacturers and suppliers.From time to time, we enter into commitments with our vendorssuppliers to purchase inventory and contract manufacturers to provide manufacturing services for our products at fixed prices or in guaranteed quantities. During the normal course of business, we issue purchase orders with estimates of our requirements several months ahead of the delivery dates. However, our agreements with these suppliers usually allow us the option to reschedule or adjust our requirements based on our business needs. Typically purchase orders outstanding with delivery dates within 30 days are non-cancelable. We are not able to determine the aggregate amount of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations, as purchase orders may represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. Our purchase orders are based on our current manufacturing needs and are fulfilled by our vendors within relatively short time horizons. We typically do not have significant agreements for the purchase of raw materials or other goods specifying minimum quantities or set prices that exceed our expected requirements for the next threesix to twelve months.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements:During the ordinary course of business, we provide standby letters of credit instruments to certain parties as required. As of December 27, 2008,26, 2009, the maximum potential amount of future payments that we could be required to make under these standby letters of credit was approximately $1.3$0.1 million. No liability has been recorded in connection with these arrangements beyond those required to appropriately account for the underlying transaction being guaranteed. Based on historical experience and information currently available, we do not believe it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these arrangements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Investment and Interest rate risk.Rate Risk.
At December 27, 2008,26, 2009, our investment portfolio included short-term, fixed-income investment securities with a fair value of approximately $58.2$46.7 million. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will likely decline in value if interest rates increase. Our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if we are forced to sell securities that decline in market value due to changes in interest rates. As we classify our short-term securities as available-for-sale, no gains or losses are recognized due to changes in interest rates unless such securities are sold prior to maturity or declines in fair value are determined to be other-than-temporary. Due to the relatively short duration of our investment portfolio, an immediate ten percent change in interest rates (e.g. 3.00% to 3.30%) would have no material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
We evaluate our investments periodically for possible other-than-temporary impairment by reviewing factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient for anticipated recovery of market value. As of December 26, 2009 we evaluated our investments with loss positions and determined that these losses were temporary.

27


Foreign currency exchange risk.
We conduct business on a global basis and, asin a number of major international currencies. As such, we are potentially exposed to adverse as well as beneficial movements in foreign currency exchange rates. Except forThe majority of our subsidiaries located in Germany which conduct business in Euros, we generally conduct business, including sales to foreign customers,are denominated in U.S. dollars except for certain of our revenues that are denominated in Euros. Certain expenses incurred by our non-U.S. operations, such as employee payroll and benefits as well as some raw materials purchases and other expenses are denominated and paid in local currency.
We considered a result we have limited foreign currency exchange rate risk. The effect of an immediatehypothetical ten percent changeadverse movement in foreign exchange rates to the underlying exposures described above and believe that these hypothetical market movements would not have a material impacteffect on our consolidated financial condition orposition, results of operations.operations or cash flows.

28


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The information required by this Item is included in Part IV, Item 15(a).
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures —Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 27, 2008,26, 2009, the end of the period covered by this annual report.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting —Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework inInternal Control — Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework inInternal Control — Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 27, 2008.26, 2009.
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has also audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2008,26, 2009, as stated in their report which is included herein.

2928


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Cohu, Inc.
We have audited Cohu, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2008,26, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”)COSO criteria). Cohu, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Cohu, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2008,26, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Cohu, Inc. as of December 27, 200826, 2009 and December 29, 2007,27, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 27, 200826, 2009 of Cohu, Inc. and our report dated February 20, 200923, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP  
San Diego, California
February 20, 200923, 2010

3029


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting —There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 20082009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Information regarding Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant, is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) within 120 days after the close of fiscal 2008.2009.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Information regarding Executive Compensation is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of fiscal 2008.2009.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Information regarding Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of fiscal 2008.2009.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director IndependenceIndependence.
Information regarding Certain Relationships and Related Transactions is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of fiscal 2008.2009.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
Information regarding the Principal Accounting Fees and Services is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of fiscal 2008.2009.

3130


PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) The following documents are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 (1) Financial Statements
     The following Consolidated Financial Statements of Cohu, Inc., including the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page 33:32:
     All other financial statement schedules have been omitted because the required information is not applicable or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
     The exhibits listed under Item 15(b) hereof are filed with, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

3231


COHU, INC.
COHU, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par value)
                
 December 27, December 29,  December 26, December 27, 
 2008 2007  2009 2008 
ASSETS
  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents $30,194 $77,281  $38,247 $30,194 
Short-term investments 58,191 92,837  46,659 58,191 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for bad debts of $1,610 in 2008 and $1,555 in 2007 31,945 45,491 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for bad debts of $1,013 in 2009 and $1,610 in 2008 43,389 31,945 
Inventories:  
Raw materials and purchased parts 27,557 22,568  25,660 27,557 
Work in process 14,159 9,810  16,148 14,159 
Finished goods 11,598 9,787  10,620 11,598 
          
 53,314 42,165  52,428 53,314 
Deferred income taxes 16,270 18,832  3,703 16,270 
Other current assets 9,345 7,120  9,122 9,345 
Current assets of discontinued operations 5 28  2 5 
          
Total current assets 199,264 283,754  193,550 199,264 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:  
Land and land improvements 11,824 7,015  11,938 11,824 
Buildings and building improvements 28,341 23,538  29,538 28,341 
Machinery and equipment 33,522 32,312  36,875 33,522 
          
 73,687 62,865  78,351 73,687 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  (34,258)  (33,047)  (40,345)  (34,258)
          
Net property, plant and equipment 39,429 29,818  38,006 39,429 
Deferred income taxes 2,307 3,092   2,307 
Goodwill 60,820 16,377  61,764 60,820 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $7,150 in 2008 and $4,684 in 2007 40,993 6,695 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $11,648 in 2009 and $5,200 in 2008 35,483 40,993 
Other assets 887 172  866 887 
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations 469 471  449 469 
          
 $344,169 $340,379  $330,118 $344,169 
          
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable $11,720 $16,650  $22,600 $11,720 
Accrued compensation and benefits 9,867 11,230  10,715 9,867 
Accrued warranty 4,924 6,760  3,747 4,924 
Customer advances 2,636 3,361  1,046 2,636 
Deferred profit 4,434 4,868  5,322 4,434 
Income taxes payable 1,282 2,058  1,486 1,282 
Other accrued liabilities 8,678 4,324  8,903 8,678 
Current liabilities of discontinued operations 134 158  134 134 
          
Total current liabilities 43,675 49,409  53,953 43,675 
Other accrued liabilities 3,499 3,023  4,725 3,499 
Deferred income taxes 11,456 4,479  14,191 11,456 
Commitments and contingencies  
Stockholders’ equity:  
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, none issued      
Common stock, $1 par value; 60,000 shares authorized, 23,344 shares issued and outstanding in 2008 and 23,045 shares in 2007 23,344 23,045 
Common stock, $1 par value; 60,000 shares authorized, 23,547 shares issued and outstanding in 2009 and 23,344 shares in 2008 23,547 23,344 
Paid-in capital 61,076 54,940  64,847 61,076 
Retained earnings 193,985 204,997  160,193 193,985 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 7,134 486  8,662 7,134 
          
Total stockholders’ equity 285,539 283,468  257,249 285,539 
          
 $344,169 $340,379  $330,118 $344,169 
          
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

32


COHU, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
             
  Years ended 
  December 26,  December 27,  December 29, 
  2009  2008  2007 
   
Net sales $171,261  $199,659  $241,389 
Cost and expenses:            
Cost of sales  118,873   134,691   162,577 
Research and development  31,964   38,084   38,336 
Selling, general and administrative  35,519   36,612   36,188 
Acquired in-process research and development     2,577    
          
   186,356   211,964   237,101 
          
Income (loss) from operations  (15,095)  (12,305)  4,288 
Interest income  1,300   5,483   8,400 
          
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes  (13,795)  (6,822)  12,688 
Income tax provision (benefit)  14,373   (1,379)  4,667 
          
Income (loss) from continuing operations  (28,168)  (5,443)  8,021 
          
Discontinued operations (Note 12):            
Loss from discontinued metal detection equipment operation, before income taxes        (66)
Income tax benefit        (23)
          
Loss from discontinued operations        (43)
          
Net income (loss) $(28,168) $(5,443) $7,978 
          
             
Income (loss) per share:            
Basic:            
Income (loss) from continuing operations $(1.20) $(0.23) $0.35 
Loss from discontinued operations        (0.00)
          
Net income (loss) $(1.20) $(0.23) $0.35 
          
             
Diluted:            
Income (loss) from continuing operations $(1.20) $(0.23) $0.34 
Loss from discontinued operations        (0.00)
          
Net income (loss) $(1.20) $(0.23) $0.34 
          
Weighted average shares used in computing income (loss) per share:            
Basic  23,412   23,179   22,880 
Diluted  23,412   23,179   23,270 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

33


COHU, INC.
COHU, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONSSTOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except par value and per share amounts)
             
  Years ended 
  December 27,  December 29,  December 30, 
  2008  2007  2006 
   
Net sales $199,659  $241,389  $270,106 
Cost and expenses:            
Cost of sales  134,691   162,577   177,170 
Research and development  38,084   38,336   39,062 
Selling, general and administrative  36,612   36,188   37,089 
Acquired in-process research and development  2,577       
Gain on sale of facilities        (2,963)
          
   211,964   237,101   250,358 
          
Income (loss) from operations  (12,305)  4,288   19,748 
Interest income  5,483   8,400   6,678 
          
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes  (6,822)  12,688   26,426 
Income tax provision (benefit)  (1,379)  4,667   7,800 
          
Income (loss) from continuing operations  (5,443)  8,021   18,626 
          
             
Discontinued operations (Note 2):            
Loss from discontinued metal detection equipment operation, including loss on sale of approximately $1.4 million for the year ended December 30, 2006 before income taxes     (66)  (1,545)
Income tax benefit     (23)  (600)
          
Loss from discontinued operations     (43)  (945)
          
Net income (loss) $(5,443) $7,978  $17,681 
          
             
Income (loss) per share:            
Basic:            
Income (loss) from continuing operations $(0.23) $0.35  $0.82 
Loss from discontinued operations     (0.00)  (0.04)
          
Net income (loss) $(0.23) $0.35  $0.78 
          
             
Diluted:            
Income (loss) from continuing operations $(0.23) $0.34  $0.81 
Loss from discontinued operations     (0.00)  (0.04)
          
Net income (loss) $(0.23) $0.34  $0.77 
          
Weighted average shares used in computing income (loss) per share:            
Basic  23,179   22,880   22,588 
Diluted  23,179   23,270   22,934 
                     
              Accumulated    
  Common          other    
  stock  Paid-in  Retained  comprehensive    
  $1 par value  capital  earnings  income (loss)  Total 
   
Balance at December 30, 2006 $22,700  $46,825  $202,477  $(414) $271,588 
Decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits        42      42 
Components of comprehensive income (loss):                    
Net income        7,978      7,978 
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment           700   700 
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits, net of income taxes           123   123 
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of income taxes           77   77 
                    
Comprehensive income                  8,878 
Cash dividends — $0.24 per share        (5,500)     (5,500)
Exercise of stock options  222   2,953         3,175 
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan  83   1,170         1,253 
Shares issued for restricted stock units vested  65   (65)         
Repurchase and retirement of stock  (25)  (502)        (527)
Share-based compensation expense     4,078         4,078 
Tax benefit from equity awards     481         481 
   
Balance at December 29, 2007  23,045   54,940   204,997   486   283,468 
Components of comprehensive income (loss):                    
Net loss        (5,443)     (5,443)
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment           6,929   6,929 
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits, net of income taxes           102   102 
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of income taxes           (383)  (383)
                    
Comprehensive income                  1,205 
Cash dividends — $0.24 per share        (5,569)     (5,569)
Exercise of stock options  133   1,566         1,699 
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan  96   1,100         1,196 
Shares issued for restricted stock units vested  105   (105)         
Repurchase and retirement of stock  (35)  (461)        (496)
Share-based compensation expense     3,949         3,949 
Tax benefit from equity awards     87         87 
   
Balance at December 27, 2008  23,344   61,076   193,985   7,134   285,539 
Components of comprehensive income (loss):                    
Net loss        (28,168)     (28,168)
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment           1,538   1,538 
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits, net of income taxes           (444)  (444)
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of income taxes           434   434 
                    
Comprehensive loss                  (26,640)
Cash dividends — $0.24 per share        (5,624)     (5,624)
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan  136   992         1,128 
Shares issued for restricted stock units vested  102   (102)         
Repurchase and retirement of stock  (35)  (384)        (419)
Share-based compensation expense     3,378         3,378 
Tax deficiency from equity awards     (113)        (113)
   
Balance at December 26, 2009 $23,547  $64,847  $160,193  $8,662  $257,249 
   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

34


COHU, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYCASH FLOWS
(in thousands, except par value and per share amounts)thousands)
                     
              Accumulated    
  Common          other    
  stock  Paid-in  Retained  comprehensive    
  $1 par value  capital  earnings  income (loss)  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2005 $22,380  $37,717  $190,225  $(197) $250,125 
Components of comprehensive income (loss):                    
Net income        17,681      17,681 
Changes in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of income taxes           167   167 
                    
Comprehensive income                  17,848 
Cash dividends — $0.24 per share        (5,429)     (5,429)
Exercise of stock options  247   3,227         3,474 
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan  73   1,112         1,185 
Share-based compensation expense     3,559         3,559 
Tax benefit from stock options     1,210         1,210 
Adjustment to initially apply FASB Statement                   
No. 158, net of income taxes           (384)  (384)
   
Balance at December 30, 2006  22,700   46,825   202,477   (414)  271,588 
Adjustment to implement FIN 48        42      42 
Components of comprehensive income (loss):                    
Net income        7,978      7,978 
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment           700   700 
Adjustment to Statement No. 158 transition obligation, net of income taxes           123   123 
Changes in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of income taxes           77   77 
                    
Comprehensive income                  8,878 
Cash dividends — $0.24 per share        (5,500)     (5,500)
Exercise of stock options  222   2,953         3,175 
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan  83   1,170         1,253 
Shares issued for restricted stock units vested  65   (65)         
Repurchase and retirement of stock  (25)  (502)        (527)
Share-based compensation expense     4,078         4,078 
Tax benefit from equity awards     481         481 
   
Balance at December 29, 2007  23,045   54,940   204,997   486   283,468 
Components of comprehensive income (loss):                    
Net loss        (5,443)     (5,443)
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment           6,929   6,929 
Adjustment to Statement No. 158 transition                   
obligation, net of income taxes           102   102 
Changes in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of income taxes           (383)  (383)
                    
Comprehensive income                  1,205 
Cash dividends — $0.24 per share        (5,569)      (5,569)
Exercise of stock options  133   1,566         1,699 
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan  96   1,100         1,196 
Shares issued for restricted stock units vested  105   (105)         
Repurchase and retirement of stock  (35)  (461)        (496)
Share-based compensation expense     3,949         3,949 
Tax benefit from equity awards     87         87 
   
Balance at December 27, 2008 $23,344  $61,076  $193,985  $7,134  $285,539 
   
             
  Years ended 
  December 26,  December 27,  December 29, 
  2009  2008  2007 
    
Cash flows from continuing operating activities:            
Net income (loss) $(28,168) $(5,443) $7,978 
Loss from discontinued operations        43 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from continuing operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization  11,029   6,943   7,439 
Share-based compensation expense  3,378   3,949   4,078 
Deferred income taxes  17,360   1,573   1,154 
Increase in accrued retiree medical benefits  348   867   68 
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised     (87)  (481)
Loss on investment write-down  79   350    
Acquired in-process research and development     2,577    
Changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding effects from acquisitions and divestitures:            
Accounts receivable  (11,226)  20,878   4,764 
Inventories  708   (7,854)  6,829 
Accounts payable  10,757   (7,021)  8,638 
Other current assets  (522)  616   272 
Income taxes payable, including excess stock option exercise benefits  (514)  (2,758)  (263)
Customer advances  (1,590)  (725)  1,086 
Deferred profit  888   (434)  (4,973)
Accrued compensation, warranty and other liabilities  235   (5,588)  (2,824)
          
Net cash provided from continuing operating activities  2,762   7,843   33,808 
Cash flows from continuing investing activities, excluding effects from acquisitions and divestitures:            
Sales and maturities of short-term investments  56,458   156,196   182,978 
Purchases of short-term investments  (44,562)  (122,517)  (152,603)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment  (2,507)  (3,870)  (2,400)
Payment for purchase of Rasco, net of cash received     (80,823)   
Payment for purchase of AVS, net of cash received        (8,169)
Cash advances to discontinued operations, net     (22)  (147)
Other assets  42   (80)  (10)
          
Net cash provided from (used for) continuing investing activities  9,431   (51,116)  19,649 
Cash flows from continuing financing activities :            
Issuance of stock, net  709   2,399   3,901 
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised     87   481 
Cash dividends paid  (5,610)  (5,554)  (5,478)
          
Net cash used for continuing financing activities  (4,901)  (3,068)  (1,096)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  761   (746)  91 
          
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations  8,053   (47,087)  52,452 
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at beginning of year  30,194   77,281   24,829 
          
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at end of year $38,247  $30,194  $77,281 
          
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

35


COHU, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — CONTINUED
(in thousands)
             
  Years ended 
  December 27,  December 29,  December 30, 
  2008  2007  2006 
Cash flows from continuing operating activities:            
Net income (loss) $(5,443) $7,978  $17,681 
Loss from discontinued operations     43   945 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from continuing operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization  6,943   7,439   6,479 
Acquired in-process research and development  2,577       
Gain on sale of facilities        (2,963)
Loss on investment writedown  350       
Share-based compensation expense  3,949   4,078   3,559 
Deferred income taxes  1,573   1,154   (2,801)
Increase in accrued retiree medical benefits  867   68   81 
Excess tax benefit from equity compensation plans  (87)  (481)  (1,210)
Changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding effects from acquisitions and divestitures:            
Accounts receivable  20,878   4,764   (1,822)
Inventories  (7,854)  6,829   (2,577)
Other current assets  616   272   8 
Accounts payable  (7,021)  8,638   (4,245)
Income taxes payable, including excess stock option exercise benefits  (2,758)  (263)  1,123 
Customer advances  (725)  1,086   (535)
Deferred profit  (434)  (4,973)  (4,089)
Accrued compensation, warranty and other liabilities  (5,588)  (2,824)  2,830 
          
Net cash provided from continuing operating activities  7,843   33,808   12,464 
Cash flows from continuing investing activities, excluding effects from acquisitions and divestitures:            
Purchases of short-term investments  (122,517)  (152,603)  (110,330)
Sales and maturities of short-term investments  156,196   182,978   87,711 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment  (3,870)  (2,400)  (4,680)
Payment for purchase of Rasco, net of cash received  (80,823)      
Payment for purchase of AVS, net of cash received     (8,169)   
Payment for purchase of Unigen assets        (7,700)
Cash received from facility sale        6,239 
Cash received from disposition of discontinued operations, net        2,663 
Cash advances to discontinued operations, net  (22)  (147)  (580)
Other assets  (80)  (10)  37 
          
Net cash provided from (used for) continuing investing activities  (51,116)  19,649   (26,640)
Cash flows from continuing financing activities :            
Issuance of stock, net  2,399   3,901   4,659 
Excess tax benefit from equity compensation plans  87   481   1,210 
Cash dividends  (5,554)  (5,478)  (5,407)
          
Net cash provided from (used for) continuing financing activities  (3,068)  (1,096)  462 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  (746)  91    
          
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations  (47,087)  52,452   (13,714)
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at beginning of year  77,281   24,829   38,543 
          
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at end of year $30,194  $77,281  $24,829 
          
             
  Years ended 
  December 26,  December 27,  December 29, 
  2009  2008  2007 
    
Cash flows from discontinued operations:            
Cash used for operating activities of discontinued operations $  $(22) $(147)
Cash advances from continuing operations, net     22   147 
          
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations         
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at beginning of year         
          
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at end of year $  $  $ 
          
             
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:            
Cash paid (refunded) during the year for:            
Income taxes $(4,201) $(262) $3,668 
Inventory capitalized as capital assets $578  $855  $1,882 
Dividends declared but not yet paid $1,410  $1,398  $1,383 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

36


COHU, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — CONTINUED
(in thousands)
             
  Years ended 
  December 27,  December 29,  December 30, 
  2008  2007  2006 
Cash flows from discontinued operations:            
Cash used for operating activities of discontinued operations $(22) $(147) $(775)
Cash used for investing activities of discontinued operations        (9)
Cash advances from continuing operations, net  22   147   580 
          
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations        (204)
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at beginning of year        204 
          
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at end of year $  $  $ 
          
             
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:            
Cash paid (refunded) during the year for:            
Income taxes $(262) $3,668  $9,197 
Inventory capitalized as capital assets $855  $1,882  $508 
Dividends declared but not yet paid $1,398  $1,383  $1,362 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

37


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
  PrinciplesBasis of Consolidation PresentationThe consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and operating results of Cohu, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Cohu”, “we”, “our” and “us”)., through our wholly owned subsidiaries, is a provider of semiconductor test equipment, microwave communication systems and video cameras. Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cohu and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Financial Statement Preparation The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported amounts andin the disclosure of contingent amounts in our financial statements and the accompanying notes. These estimates include assessing the collectibility of accounts receivable, usage and recoverability of inventory and long-lived and deferred tax assets and incurrence of warranty costs. Actual results could differ from thosethese estimates.
 
  Fiscal YearOur fiscal years are based on a 52- or 53-week period ending on the last Saturday in December. Our current fiscal year ended on December 27, 200826, 2009 and consisted of 52 weeks. Our fiscal years ended December 29, 200727, 2008 and December 30, 200629, 2007 also consisted of 52 weeks.
In preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements, we have evaluated all subsequent events that occurred after December 26, 2009, for any financial statement accounting or disclosure impact, through February 23, 2010, the date our financial statements were issued.
 
  Risks and Uncertainties— We are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may significantly impact our future operating results. These risks and uncertainties are discussed under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Understanding these risks and uncertainties is integral to the review of our consolidated financial statements.
 
  Discontinued Operations— In May 2006, we sold our metal detection equipment business, FRL. Subsequent to the sale, the operating results of FRL are being presented as discontinued operations and all prior period financial statements have been reclassified accordingly.
Share-based Compensation— On January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of Statement No. 123R and SAB No. 107 requiring the measurement and recognition of all share-based compensation under the fair value method. During fiscal 2006, we began recognizing share-based compensation under Statement No. 123R for all awards granted during 2006 and for the unvested portion of previous award grants based on each award’s grant date fair value. Our estimate of share-based compensation expense requires a number of complex and subjective assumptions including our stock price volatility, employee exercise patterns (expected life of the options), future forfeitures and related tax effects. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based awards represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made are reasonable and appropriate, changes in assumptions could materially impact our reported financial results.
Income (Loss) Per ShareIncome (loss) per share is computed in accordance with FASB Statement No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”. Basic income (loss) per common share is computed usingby dividing net income (loss) by the weighted averageweighted-average number of common shares outstanding during eachthe reporting period. In loss years potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the per share computations due to their anti-dilutive effect. Diluted income (loss) per share includes the dilutive effect of common shares potentially issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of outstanding restricted stock units and issuance of restricted stock units.under our employee stock purchase plan using the treasury stock method. In loss periods, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the per share computations due to their anti-dilutive effect. For purposes of computing diluted income per share, stock options with exercise prices that exceed the average fair market value of our common stock for the period are excluded. For the yearsyear ended December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006 approximately 684,000 and 910,000 shares of our common stock respectively, were excluded from the computation. Had we reported net income instead of a net loss in 2008 approximately 1,505,000 shares of our common stock would have been excluded from the computation.computation

38


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  The following table reconciles the denominators used in computing basic and diluted income (loss) per share:
                        
(in thousands) 2008 2007 2006 2009 2008 2007 
Weighted average common shares outstanding 23,179 22,880 22,588  23,412 23,179 22,880 
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units  390 346    390 
              
 23,179 23,270 22,934  23,412 23,179 23,270 
              
  Had we reported net income instead of a net loss in 2008, approximately 192,000 shares of our common stock would have been included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments— Highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are comprised of money market funds, certificates of deposit and corporate debt securities. The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments. Investments with maturities greater than three months are classified as short-term investments. All of our short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. We manage our cash equivalents and short-term investments as a single portfolio of highly marketable securities. We have the ability and intent, if necessary, to liquidate any of our investments in order to meet the liquidity needs of our current operations during the next 12 months. Accordingly, investments with contractual maturities greater than one year from December 27, 200826, 2009 have been classified as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments —The carrying amounts of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate fair value due to the short maturities of these financial instruments.

37


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Concentration of Credit Risk —Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade accounts receivable. We invest in a variety of financial instruments and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure with any one issuer. Our customers include semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors and other customers located throughout many areas of the world. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally require no collateral.
 
  Inventories —Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a current average or first-in, first-out basis, or market. Cost includes labor, material and overhead costs. Determining market value of inventories involves numerous estimates and judgments including projecting average selling prices and sales volumes for future periods and costs to complete and dispose of inventory. As a result of these analyses, we record a charge to cost of sales in advance of the period when the inventory is sold when market values are below our costs. Charges to cost of sales for excess and obsolete inventories aggregated $4.4 million, $6.2 million, and $4.6 million in 2009, 2008 and $10.0 million in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. During fiscal 2008 we sold certain inventory that was reserved in 2006 and our gross margin was favorably impacted by approximately $4.5 million.
 
  Property, Plant and Equipment— Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment is calculated principally on the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of thirty to forty years for buildings, five to fifteen years for building improvements and three to ten years for machinery, equipment and software.
 
  On May 5, 2006, we completedGoodwill, Purchased Intangible Assets and Other Long-lived Assets— We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the salecarrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the landreporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and building previously used bythe carrying value. We estimated the fair values of our operations in Littleton, Massachusetts. The property was sold for $6.5 million inreporting units primarily using the income approach valuation methodology that includes the discounted cash less related costs, resulting inflow method, taking into consideration the market approach and certain market multiples as a validation of the values derived using the discounted cash flow methodology. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net pre-tax gain of approximately $3.0 million.sales and operating expenses, based primarily on customer forecasts, industry trade organization data and general economic conditions.
 
  Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Long-lived assets— Under Statement No. 142, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. We perform the requiredconduct our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 of each year, and have determined there to be no impairment in 2008 or 2007.for any of the periods presented. There were no events or circumstances from the date of our assessment through December 27, 200826, 2009 that would impact this conclusion.

39


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Separable long-livedLong-lived assets, that have finite lives are amortized over their useful lives andother than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the assets carrying amount and estimated fair value.

38


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Product Warranty— Product warranty costs are accrued in the period sales are recognized. Our products are generally sold with standard warranty periods, which differ by product, ranging from 12- to 36-months . Parts and labor are typically covered under the terms of the warranty agreement. Our warranty expense accruals are based on historical and estimated costs by product and configuration. From time-to-time we offer customers extended warranties beyond the standard warranty period. In those situations the revenue relating to the extended warranty is deferred at its estimated fair value and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period. Costs associated with our extended warranty contracts are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes —We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting dates. For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. Where applicable, associated interest has also been recognized and recorded, net of federal and state tax benefits, in income tax expense.
Contingencies and Litigation —We assess the probability of adverse judgments in connection with current and threatened litigation. We would accrue the cost of an adverse judgment if, in our estimation, the adverse outcome is probable and we can reasonably estimate the ultimate cost.
 
  Revenue RecognitionIn accordance withOur net sales are derived from the guidance provided by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 (“SAB No. 104”), wesale of products and services and are adjusted for estimated returns and allowances, which historically have been insignificant. We recognize revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, title and risk of loss have passed, delivery has occurred or the services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. Title and risk of loss generally pass to our customers upon shipment. In circumstances where either title or risk of loss pass upon destination or acceptance, we defer revenue recognition until such events occur.
 
  Revenue for established products that have previously satisfied a customer’s acceptance requirements and provide for full payment tied to shipment is generally recognized upon shipment and passage of title. In certain instances, customer payment terms may provide that a minority portion (e.g. 20%) of the equipment purchase price be paid only upon customer acceptance. In those situations, the majority portion (e.g. 80%) of revenue where payment is tied to shipment and the entire product cost of sale are recognized upon shipment and passage of title and the minority portion of the purchase price related to customer acceptance is deferred and recognized upon receipt of customer acceptance.
In cases where a prior history of customer acceptance cannot be demonstrated or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable and in the case of new products, revenue is deferred until customer acceptance has been received. Our post-shipment obligations typically include installation training services and standard warranties. The estimated fair value of installation related revenue is recognized in the period the installation is performed. Service revenue is recognized ratably over the period of the related contract. Spares and kit revenue is generally recognized upon shipment.
 
  Certain of our equipment sales are accounted for as multiple-element arrangements. A multiple-element arrangement is a transaction which may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services, or rights to use assets, and performance may occur at different points in time or over different periods of time. For arrangements containing multiple elements, the revenue relating to the undelivered elements is deferred at estimated fair value until delivery of the deferred elements.
 
  On shipments where sales are not recognized, gross profit is generally recorded as deferred profit in our consolidated balance sheet representing the difference between the receivable recorded and the inventory shipped. In certain instances where customer payments are received prior to product shipment, the customer’s payments are recorded as customer advances in our consolidated balance sheet. At December 26, 2009, we had total deferred revenue of approximately $20.2 million and deferred profit of $5.3 million. At December 27, 2008, we had total deferred revenue of approximately $6.7 million and deferred profit of $4.4 million. At December 29, 2007, we had total deferred revenue of approximately $9.2 million

39


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Advertising Costs —Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and deferred profit of $4.9 million.were not material for all periods presented.
 
  Product WarrantyShare-based CompensationProduct warranty costs are accrued in the period sales are recognized. Our products are generally sold with standard warranty periods, which differ by product, ranging from 12- to 36-months. PartsWe measure and labor are typically coveredrecognize all share-based compensation under the termsfair value method. Our estimate of share-based compensation expense requires a number of complex and subjective assumptions including our stock price volatility, employee exercise patterns (expected life of the warranty agreement. Our warranty expense accruals are based on historicaloptions), future forfeitures and estimated costs by product and configuration. From time-to-time we offer customers extended warranties beyondrelated tax effects. The assumptions used in calculating the standard warranty period. In those situations the revenue relating to the extended warranty is deferred at its estimated fair value of share-based awards represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period. Related costs are expensed as incurred.

40


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Income Taxes —In June 2006,application of management judgment. Although we believe the FASB issued FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes the recognition thresholdassumptions and measurement criteria for determining the tax benefit amounts to recognize in the financial statements. We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on December 31, 2006, the first day of our 2007 fiscal year (see Note 7).
We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting dates. For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained,estimates we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognizedmade are reasonable and appropriate, changes in theassumptions could materially impact our reported financial statements. Where applicable, associated interest has also been recognized and recorded, net of federal and state tax benefits, in income tax expense.
Contingencies and Litigation —We assess the probability of adverse judgments in connection with current and threatened litigation. We would accrue the cost of an adverse judgment if, in our estimation, the adverse outcome is probable and we can reasonably estimate the ultimate cost.results.
 
  Foreign Currency Translation —We follow FASB Statement No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation”, for both the translationAssets and remeasurementliabilities of balance sheet and statement of operations items into U.S. Dollars. Our foreignthose subsidiaries with the exception of our subsidiaries located in Germany,that use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of these subsidiariescurrency are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, except for nonmonetary assets, such as inventories and property, plant and equipment, which are translated using historical exchange rates. Revenues and costs are translated using average exchange rates for the period, except for costs related to those balance sheet items that are translated using historical exchange rates. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are recognized as incurred. Our subsidiaries located in Germany, acquired in December, 2008 and March, 2007, usedesignated the Euro as their functional currency and, as a result, their assets and liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date, while revenue and expenses are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. Cumulative translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the financial statements are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency gains and losses were not significant in any period and are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
  Derivative Instruments and Hedging ActivitiesDiscontinued OperationsFASB Statement No. 133, “In May 2006, we sold our metal detection equipment business, FRL. Subsequent to the sale, the operating results of FRL are being presented as discontinued operations.
Recent Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, requires, among other things, that all derivatives be recognized in the balance sheet at fair value and special accounting for hedging activities that meet certain criteria. We generally do not hold derivative instruments or engage in hedging activities.Pronouncements
 
  Fair ValueRecently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements— In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance entitled, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Financial InstrumentsGenerally Accepted Accounting Principles a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162”, which identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP. This new guidance is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The carrying amountsadoption of this guidance has changed how we reference various elements of GAAP when preparing our financial instruments, includingstatement disclosures, but did not have any impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate fair value due to the short maturities of these financial instruments.flows.
 
  Advertising Costs —Advertising costsIn May 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on subsequent events. The objective of this guidance is to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were not materialissued or are available to be issued. This new accounting guidance was effective for allinterim and annual periods presented.ending after June 15, 2009. The impact of adopting this new guidance had no effect on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. See “Basis of Presentation” above for the related disclosures.

40


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Recent Accounting Pronouncements —In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141 (Revised 2007), “Business Combinations”, (“Statement No. 141R”),new accounting guidance on business combinations which establishes principles and requirements for the reporting entity in a business combination, including recognition and measurement in the financial statements of the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. This statementguidance also establishes disclosure requirements to enable financial statement users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. Statement No. 141R applies prospectively toThese changes are effective on a prospective basis for all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Statement No. 141R will becomeThis guidance was effective for our fiscal year beginning in 2009. We2009 and we expect Statement No. 141Rthat it will have an impact on our consolidated financial statements, when effective, but the nature and magnitude of the specific effects will depend upon the nature, terms and size of the acquisitions we consummate after the effective datesubsequent to our adoption of the revised standard.new guidance.

41


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  We adopted FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, (“Statement No. 157”) on December 30, 2007, the first day of fiscal year 2008. Statement No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a methodology for measuring fair value, and expands the required disclosure for fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, which amends Statement No. 157 by delaying its effective date by one yearnew accounting guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures for non-financialnonfinancial assets and non-financialnonfinancial liabilities except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. Therefore,We applied the provisions of this new guidance to our financial statement disclosures beginning on December 30, 2007, this standard applies prospectively to new fair value measurementsin the first quarter of financial instruments and recurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities. On December 28, 2008, the beginning of our 2009 fiscal year, the standard will also apply to all other fair value measurements.2009. See Note 13, “Fair Value Measurements,3, “Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
 
  Recently Issued Accounting StandardsIn February 2007,June 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Optionnew accounting guidance on consolidation of variable interest entities, which include: (1) the elimination of the exemption for Financial Assetsqualifying special purpose entities, (2) a new approach for determining who should consolidate a variable-interest entity, and Financial Liabilities” (“Statement No. 159”). Statement No. 159 expands(3) changes to when it is necessary to reassess who should consolidate a variable-interest entity. This new guidance is effective as of the usebeginning of fair value measurement by permitting entities to choose to measure many financial instrumentsinterim and certain other items at fair valueannual reporting periods that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. This statement was effectivebegin after November 15, 2009, which for us onwould be December 30, 2007,27, 2009, the first day of our 20082010 fiscal year. Weyear and adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have not elected to measure any items at fair value under Statement No. 159 and, as a result, Statement No. 159 did not have anymaterial impact on our consolidated financial statements.position or results of operations.
 
  In December 2007,October 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interestsamended the guidance for allocating revenue to multiple deliverables in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“Statement No. 160”). Statement No. 160 requires that ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, and the amount of consolidated net income, be clearly identified, labeled, and presented in the consolidated financial statements. It also requires, once a subsidiarycontract. This new guidance is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary be initially measured at fair value. Sufficient disclosures are required to clearly identify and distinguish between the interestseffective as of the parent andfirst day of our 2011 fiscal year, with early adoption permitted. In accordance with the interestsamendment, companies can allocate consideration in a multiple element arrangement in a manner that better reflects the transaction economics. When vendor specific objective evidence or third party evidence for deliverables in an arrangement cannot be determined, companies will now be allowed to develop a best estimate of the noncontrolling owners. It is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008selling price to separate deliverables and requires retrospective adoptionallocate arrangement consideration using the relative selling price method. Additionally, use of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests. All other requirements shall be applied prospectively. We are currently assessing theresidual method has been eliminated. Adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact that Statement No. 160 may have on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption in fiscal year 2009.position or results of operations.
 
  In March 2008,October 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instrumentsnew accounting guidance for the accounting for certain revenue arrangements that include software elements. The new guidance amends the scope of pre-existing software revenue guidance by removing from the guidance non-software components of tangible products and Hedging Activities-an amendmentcertain software components of FASB Statement No. 133” (“Statement No. 161”). Statement No. 161 expands the current disclosure requirements of FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and requires that companies must now provide enhanced disclosures on a quarterly basis regarding how and why the entity uses derivatives, how derivatives and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133 and how derivatives and related hedged items affect the company’s financial position, performance and cash flows. Statement No. 161 istangible products. The new guidance will be effective prospectively for periodsrevenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after NovemberJune 15, 2008. As we do2010, and will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, however early adoption is permitted. Adoption of this new guidance is not currently enter into any derivative or hedging instruments we do not expect that Statement No. 161 willexpected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon our adoption in fiscal year 2009.position or results of operations.

4241


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2.Discontinued Operations
In May 2006, we sold substantially all the assets of our metal detection equipment business, FRL. Our decision to sell FRL resulted from management’s determination that this industry segment was no longer a strategic fit within our organization. We are currently attempting to sell our FRL facility in Los Banos, California and believe the current fair value of the property is in excess of its $0.5 million carrying value at December 27, 2008.
A summary of key financial information of our discontinued operations is as follows(in thousands):
             
  December 27,  December 29,  December 30, 
  2008  2007  2006 
   
Net sales $  $  $2,356 
          
             
Loss from operations $  $  $(158)
Loss on sale of metal detection equipment business     (66)  (1,387)
          
Loss from discontinued operations     (66)  (1,545)
Income tax benefit     (23)  (600)
          
Discontinued operations, net $  $(43) $(945)
          
3. Strategic Technology Transactions, Goodwill and OtherPurchased Intangible Assets
  Rasco
 
  On December 9, 2008, our wholly owned semiconductor equipment subsidiary, Delta Design, Inc., and certain subsidiaries of Delta acquired all of the outstanding share capital of Rasco GmbH, Rosenheim Automation Systems Corporation, and certain assets of Rasco Automation Asia (collectively “Rasco”). The results of Rasco’s operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since that date. Rasco, headquartered near Munich, Germany, designs,develops, manufactures and sells gravity-feed and strip semiconductor test handlers used in final test operations by semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors.
 
  The purchase price of this acquisition was approximately $81.6 million, and was funded primarily by cash reserves ($80.0 million), other acquisition costs ($1.6 million) and certain liabilities assumed ($18.6 million, which includes approximately $8.2 million of deferred tax liabilities and $3.7 million of contractual obligations to purchase inventory). The acquisition was considered a business in accordance with EITF 98-3, “Determining Whether a Nonmonetary Transaction Involves Receipt of Productive Assets or of a Businessand the total cost of the acquisition was allocated on a preliminary basis to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated respective fair values, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 141,Business Combinations, (“Statement No. 141”).values. The Rasco acquisition resulted in the recognition of a preliminary estimate of goodwill of approximately $41.3 million. The acquisition was nontaxable and certain of the assets acquired, including goodwill and intangibles, will generally not be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill has been assigned to our semiconductor equipment segment.

43


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Under the purchase method of accounting, the total estimated purchase price has been allocated to Rasco’s net tangible and intangible assets based on their estimated fair values as of December 9, 2008, the effective date of the acquisition. The table below represents a preliminary allocation of purchase price based on management’s internal evaluation to estimate their respective fair valuesthe acquired assets and assumed liabilities was as follows(in thousands):
     
Current assets $14,173 
Fixed assets  8,375 
Other assets  636 
Intangible assets  33,360 
In-process research and development (IPR&D)  2,400 
Goodwill  41,336 
    
Total assets acquired  100,280 
Liabilities assumed  (18,643)
    
Net assets acquired $81,637 
    
  The preliminary allocation of the other intangible assets is as follows:follows(in thousands):
        
 Estimated           
 Fair Value Estimated Average  Estimated Average 
Description (in thousands) Remaining Useful Life  Fair Value Remaining Useful Life 
Unpatented complete technology $26,300 8 years $26,300 7 years
Customer relationships 4,860 8 years 4,860 7 years
Trade name 2,200 Indefinite 2,200 Indefinite
      
 $33,360  $33,360 
      
  As required by FASB Interpretation No. 4, “Applicability of FASB Statement No. 2 to Business Combinations Accounted for byaccounting guidance effective at the Purchase Method”,time acquisition was completed, the portion of the purchase price allocated to IPR&D was expensed immediately upon the closing of the acquisition. Therefore, the $2.6 million charged to IPR&D was included as an expense in our results of operations for the year ended December 27, 2008. The amount of the IPR&D charge in our results of operations for the year ended December 27, 2008 increaseddiffers from $2.4 million at December 9, 2008the amount presented above solely due to the strengthening of the Euro against the US dollar during that period.U.S. dollar. Fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Euro, the functional currency of Rasco, impact the U.S. dollar value of the goodwill and intangible assets in our consolidated financial statements and, as a result, the future gross carrying value and amortization of the acquired intangible assets may differ from the amounts presented herein.
The primary areas of the purchase price allocation that have not been finalized relate to a pre-acquisition contingency related to contractual obligations to purchase inventory from suppliers and residual goodwill. Upon completion of the fair value assessment, Cohu anticipates that the ultimate purchase price allocation may differ from the preliminary assessment outlined above. Any changes to the initial estimates of the fair value of the assets and liabilities will be allocated to intangible assets (excluding IPR&D) or residual goodwill.

42


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Pro Forma Financial Information
 
  The unaudited financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations of Cohu and Rasco on a pro forma basis, as though the companies had been combined as of the beginning of each of the periods presented. The pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of each of the periods presented. The pro forma financial information for all periods presented also includes adjustments to, amortization charges for acquired intangible assets, adjustments to interest income, and related tax effects.

44


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  The pro forma financial information for the twelve months ended December 27, 2008 combines our results for that period, which include the results of Rasco subsequent to December 9, 2008, the date of acquisition. The pro forma financial information for the twelve months ended December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006 combines our historical results for that period with the historical results of Rasco.
The following table summarizes the unaudited pro forma financial information:
                                        
 Twelve Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
 December 27, December 29, December 30,  December 27, December 29, 
 2008 2007 2006  2008 2007 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) As Reported Pro Forma As Reported Pro Forma As Reported Pro Forma  As Reported Pro Forma As Reported Pro Forma 
Net sales $199,659 $242,761 $241,389 $287,242 $270,106 $330,467  $199,659 $242,761 $241,389 $287,242 
                      
Net income (loss) from continuing operations $(5,443) $(5,003) $8,021 $7,636 $18,626 $26,960  $(5,443) $(5,003) $8,021 $7,636 
                      
Basic net income (loss) per share from continuing operations $(0.23) $(0.22) $0.35 $0.33 $0.82 $1.19  $(0.23) $(0.22) $0.35 $0.33 
                      
Diluted net income (loss) per share from continuing operations $(0.23) $(0.22) $0.34 $0.33 $0.81 $1.18  $(0.23) $(0.22) $0.34 $0.33 
                      
  Tandberg Television AVS GmbH
 
  On March 30, 2007, we purchased Tandberg Television AVS GmbH (“AVS”). The results of AVS’ operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since that date. Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the effect of the acquisition was not material. AVS located near Frankfurt, Germany, designs, develops, manufactures and sells digital microwave transmitters, receivers and communications systems. This acquisition expandsexpanded our digital microwave communications solutions, especially in high definition broadcast television and public safety and law enforcement applications.
 
  The purchase price of this acquisition was approximately $8.2 million, and was funded primarily by our cash reserves ($8.0 million), other acquisition costs ($0.2 million) and certain AVS liabilities assumed ($2.3 million). The acquisition was considered a business in accordance with EITF 98-3, and the total cost of the acquisition was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated respective fair values, in accordance with Statement No. 141.values. The acquisition was nontaxable and certain of the assets acquired, including goodwill and intangibles, will not be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was assigned to our microwave communications segment. Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the effect of the acquisition was not material.

43


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  The allocation of purchase price to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities was as follows(in thousands):
     
Current assets $4,344 
Fixed assets  831 
Intangible assets  2,190 
Goodwill  3,140 
    
Total assets acquired  10,505 
Liabilities assumed  (2,336)
    
Net assets acquired $8,169 
    
  Amounts allocated to intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives of four years. Fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Euro, the functional currency of AVS, impact the U.S. dollar value of the goodwill and intangible assets in our consolidated financial statements and, as a result, future amortization of the acquired intangible assets may differ from the amounts presented below.herein.
Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment during the years ended December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 was as follows (in thousands):

45


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
             
  Semiconductor  Microwave  Total 
  Equipment  Communications  Goodwill 
 
Balance, December 29, 2007 $12,898  $3,479  $16,377 
Additions  41,336      41,336 
Impact of currency exchange  3,201   (94)  3,107 
          
Balance, December 27, 2008  57,435   3,385   60,820 
Additions         
Impact of currency exchange  883   61   944 
          
Balance, December 26, 2009 $58,318  $3,446  $61,764 
          
  PurchasedOur purchased intangible assets, subject to amortization, were as follows(in thousands):
                
 December 27, 2008 December 29, 2007                 
 Gross Carrying Accumulated Gross Carrying Accumulated  December 26, 2009 December 27, 2008 
 Amount Amortization Amount Amortization  Gross Carrying Accumulated Gross Carrying Accumulated 
   Amount Amortization Amount Amortization 
Unigen technology $7,020 $3,935 $7,020 $2,517  $7,020 $5,358 $7,020 $3,935 
KryoTech technology 1,950 1,950 1,950 1,730 
AVS technology 2,309 996 2,409 437  2,365 1,611 2,309 996 
Rasco Technology 34,433 269   
Rasco technology 35,257 4,679 34,433 269 
        ��         
 $45,712 $7,150 $11,379 $4,684  $44,642 $11,648 $43,762 $5,200 
                  
  The amounts included in the table above for the yearyears ended December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 exclude approximately $2.5 million and $2.4 million, respectively, related to the Rasco trade name which has an indefinite life and is not being amortized.
 
  Amortization expenseExpense related to purchased intangible assets, subject to amortization, was approximately $6.3 million in 2009 and was $2.5 million in both 2008 and 2007 and was $1.7 million in 2006.2007. As of December 27, 2008,26, 2009, we expect amortization expense in future periods to be as follows: 2009 — $6,284,000; 2010 — $6,284,000;$6,420,000; 2011 — $4,737,000;$4,911,000; 2012 — $4,303,000;$4,408,000; 2013 — $4,303,000;$4,408,000; 2014 — $4,408,000; and thereafter $12,651,000.
The changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by segment for the year ended December 27, 2008 was as follows(in thousands):$8,439,000.
                 
  December 29,      Other  December 27, 
  2007  Additions  Changes  2008 
   
Semiconductor equipment $12,898  $41,336  $3,201  $57,435 
Microwave communications  3,479      (94)  3,385 
             
  $16,377  $41,336  $3,107  $60,820 
             
Other changes consist of the impact of currency exchange rates.
4.Investments
Short-term investments by security type were as follows(in thousands):
                 
  2008 
      Gross  Gross  Estimated 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value 
   
Bank certificates of deposit $3,000  $11  $  $3,011 
Asset-backed securities  17,329      270   17,059 
Corporate debt securities  38,402   34   315   38,121 
             
  $58,731  $45  $585  $58,191 
             

4644


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3.Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments
As of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments consisted primarily of cash, corporate debt securities, government and government agency securities, money market funds and other investment grade securities. Such amounts are recorded at fair value. Investments that we have classified as short-term, by security type, are as follows (in thousands):
                 
  2009 
      Gross  Gross  Estimated 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses(1)  Value 
   
U.S. Treasury securities $5,492  $12  $  $5,504 
Corporate debt securities(2)
  24,055   102   7   24,150 
Municipal securities  9,045   15   8   9,052 
Government-sponsered enterprise securities  4,262   13      4,275 
Bank certificates of deposit  1,500         1,500 
Asset-backed securities  2,147   31      2,178 
             
  $46,501  $173  $15  $46,659 
             
                 
  2008 
      Gross  Gross  Estimated 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value 
   
Bank certificates of deposit $3,000  $11  $  $3,011 
Asset-backed securities  17,329      270   17,059 
Corporate debt securities (2)
  38,402   34   315   38,121 
             
  $58,731  $45  $585  $58,191 
             
 
                 
  2007 
      Gross  Gross  Estimated 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value 
   
Bank certificates of deposit $4,000  $  $  $4,000 
Asset-backed securities  33,807   36   37   33,806 
Corporate debt securities  48,167   85   64   48,188 
U.S. government agencies  1,798   9      1,807 
Government-sponsored enterprise securities  4,998   38      5,036 
             
  $92,770  $168  $101  $92,837 
             
(1)As of December 26, 2009, the cost and fair value of investments with loss positions was approximately $4.1 million. We evaluated the nature of these investments, credit worthiness of the issuer and the duration of these impairments to determine if an other-than-temporary decline in fair value had occurred and concluded that these losses were temporary and we have the ability and intent to hold these investments to maturity.
(2)Corporate debt securities include investments in financial, insurance, and other corporate institutions. No single issuer represents a significant portion of the total corporate debt securities portfolio.
  Contractual maturities of short-term investments at December 27, 2008,26, 2009, were as follows:
                
 Amortized Estimated  Amortized Estimated 
(in thousands) Cost Fair Value  Cost Fair Value 
Due in one year or less $28,073 $27,896  $29,809 $29,887 
Due after one year through two years 13,329 13,236  14,545 14,594 
Asset-backed securities not due at a single maturity date 17,329 17,059  2,147 2,178 
          
 $58,731 $58,191  $46,501 $46,659 
          

45


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Gross realized gains and losses on sales of short-term investments are included in interest income. During, the years ended December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 we had realized losses of approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million.million, respectively. Realized gains and losses infor the year ended December 29, 2007 and 2006 were not significant in either period.significant.
 
5.Accounting standards pertaining to fair value measurements establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. When available, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of our investments, and they are included in Level 1. When quoted market prices are unobservable, we use quotes from independent pricing vendors based on recent trading activity and other relevant information.
The following table summarizes, by major security type, our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy(in thousands):
                 
  Fair value measurements at December 26, 2009 using: 
      Significant other  Significant    
  Quoted prices in  observable  unobservable    
  active markets  inputs  inputs  Total estimated 
  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3)  fair value 
Cash $12,371  $  $  $12,371 
U.S. Treasury securities  5,504         5,504 
Money market funds     22,751      22,751 
Corporate debt securities     26,525      26,525 
Municipal securities     9,052      9,052 
Government-sponsered enterprise securities     4,275      4,275 
Bank certificates of deposit     2,250      2,250 
Asset-backed securities     2,178      2,178 
             
  $17,875  $67,031  $  $84,906 
             
                 
  Fair value measurements at December 27, 2008 using: 
      Significant other  Significant    
  Quoted prices in  observable  unobservable    
  active markets  inputs  inputs  Total estimated 
  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3)  fair value 
Cash $8,893  $  $  $8,893 
Money market funds  21,301         21,301 
Bank certificates of deposit     3,011      3,011 
Corporate debt securities     38,121      38,121 
Asset-backed securities     17,059      17,059 
             
  $30,194  $58,191  $  $88,385 
             

46


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4. Employee Benefit Plans
  Retirement Plans— We have a voluntary defined contribution retirement 401(k) plan whereby we match contributions up to 4% of employee compensation. During 2009, to control costs and preserve cash in response to the global economic crisis, we temporarily suspended the matching contribution to our employee 401(k) plan. In both 2008 2007 and 20062007 our contributions to the plan were approximately $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively.million. Certain of our foreign employees participate in defined benefit pension plans. The related expense and benefit obligation of these plans were not significant for any period presented.
 
  Retiree Medical Benefits— We provide post-retirement health benefits to certain executives and directors under a noncontributory plan. The net periodic benefit cost was $192,000, $143,000$0.2 million, $0.2 million and $160,000$0.1 million in 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, respectively. We fund benefits as costs are incurred and as a result there are no plan assets.
 
  The weighted average discount rate used in determining the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was 5.8% in 2009, 6.2% in 2008 and 6.4% in 2007 and 5.75% in 2006. The weighted average discount rate used in determining the periodic benefit cost was 6.4% in 2008, 5.75% in 2007 and 5.5% in 2006.2007. Annual rates of increase of the cost of health benefits were assumed to be 8.5% for 2008.10.5% in 2009. These rates were then assumed to decrease 0.50% per year to 5.0% in 20152021 and remain level thereafter. A 1%one percent increase (decrease) in health care cost trend rates would increase (decrease) the 20082009 net periodic benefit cost by approximately $20,000$21,000 ($17,000) and the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation as of December 27, 2008,26, 2009, by approximately $286,000$393,000 ($240,000)330,000).

47


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  The following table sets forth the post-retirement benefit obligation to the funded status andof the accruedplan which approximates the liability recognizedwe have recorded in theour consolidated balance sheets.sheets:
         
(in thousands) 2008  2007 
 
Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation at beginning of year $1,850  $1,985 
Service cost  18   11 
Interest cost  127   111 
Actuarial (gain) loss  226   (184)
Benefits paid  (93)  (73)
       
Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation at end of year  2,128   1,850 
Plan assets at end of year      
       
Funded status  (2,128)  (1,850)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss  435   256 
       
Amount recognized prior to application of Statement No.158  (1,693)  (1,594)
Transition obligation  (435)  (256)
       
Accrued liability recognized in the consolidated balance sheet $(2,128) $(1,850)
       
         
(in thousands) 2009  2008 
 
Accumulated benefit obligation at beginning of year $2,128  $1,850 
Service cost  21   18 
Interest cost  132   127 
Actuarial loss  668   226 
Benefits paid  (110)  (93)
       
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year  2,839   2,128 
Plan assets at end of year      
       
Funded status $(2,839) $(2,128)
       
The total unrecognized net actuarial loss that will be amortized over the future service period, excluding the effect of income taxes, was approximately $1.1 million at December 26, 2009
  Deferred Compensation— The Cohu, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan allows certain of our officers to defer a portion of their current compensation. We have purchased life insurance policies on the participants with Cohu as the named beneficiary. Participant contributions, distributions and investment earnings and losses are accumulated in a separate account for each participant. At December 27, 200826, 2009 and December 29, 2007,28, 2008, the payroll liability to participants, included in accrued compensation and benefits in the consolidated balance sheet, was approximately $1.4$1.9 million and $2.6$1.4 million, respectively and the cash surrender value of the related life insurance policies included in other current assets was approximately $1.4$1.8 million and $2.5$1.4 million, respectively.
 
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan— The Cohu, Inc. 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“the Plan”) provides for the issuance of a maximum of 1,400,000 shares of our common stock. Under the Plan, eligible employees may purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions. The price paid for the common stock is equal to 85% of the fair market value of our common stock on specified dates. In 2009, 2008, and 2007, 136,228, 95,452 and 2006, 95,452, 83,108 and 73,338 shares, respectively, were issued under the Plan. At December 27, 2008,26, 2009, there were 506,567370,339 shares reserved for issuance under the Plan.

47


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Stock Options— Under our equity incentive plans, stock options may be granted to employees, consultants and outside directors to purchase a fixed number of shares of our common stock at prices not less than 100% of the fair market value at the date of grant. Options generally vest and become exercisable after one year or in four annual increments beginning one year after the grant date and expire five to ten years from the grant date. At December 27, 2008, 1,063,07126, 2009, 1,831,070 shares were available for future equity grants under the Cohu, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. We have historically issued new shares of Cohu common stock upon share option exercise.

48


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Stock option activity under our share-based compensation plans was as follows:
                                                
 2008 2007 2006 2009 2008 2007 
 Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg.
(in thousands, except per share data) Shares Ex. Price Shares Ex. Price Shares Ex. Price Shares Ex. Price Shares Ex. Price Shares Ex. Price
 
Outstanding, beginning of year 2,356 $15.97 2,430 $15.88 2,504 $15.66  2,193 $15.91 2,356 $15.97 2,430 $15.88 
Granted 113 $13.20 219 $15.98 298 $16.48  1,229 $7.45 113 $13.20 219 $15.98 
Exercised  (133) $12.77  (222) $14.31  (247) $14.06     (133) $12.77  (222) $14.31 
Canceled  (143) $17.74  (71) $17.96  (125) $16.56   (201) $12.94  (143) $17.74  (71) $17.96 
              
Outstanding, end of year 2,193 $15.91 2,356 $15.97 2,430 $15.88  3,221 $12.87 2,193 $15.91 2,356 $15.97 
              
  
Options exercisable at year end 1,764 $16.03 1,693 $15.83 1,529 $15.48  1,766 $16.40 1,764 $16.03 1,693 $15.83 
  The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during 2008 2007 and 20062007 was approximately $0.3 million, and $1.1 million, and $2.7 million, respectively. There were no options exercised during 2009. At December 27, 2008,26, 2009, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding, vested and expected to vest were each approximately $0.1$8.3 million and the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable was approximately $40,000.$0.2 million.
  Information about stock options outstanding at December 27, 200826, 2009 is as follows(options in thousands):
                     
  Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
      Approximate      
      Wt. Avg.      
Range of Number Remaining Wt. Avg. Number Wt. Avg.
Exercise Prices Outstanding Life (Years) Ex. Price Exercisable Ex. Price
   
$11.16 — $16.74  1,402   5.4  $14.39   1,059  $14.24 
$16.75 — $25.13  754   5.1  $18.03   668  $18.06 
$25.14 — $37.70  32   2.6  $28.99   32  $28.99 
$37.71 — $38.81  5   1.2  $38.81   5  $38.81 
                     
   2,193   5.2  $15.91   1,764  $16.03 
                     
                     
  Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
      Approximate      
      Wt. Avg.      
Range of Number Remaining Wt. Avg. Number Wt. Avg.
Exercise Prices Outstanding Life (Years) Ex. Price Exercisable Ex. Price
$7.32 – $10.98  1,219   9.2  $7.42     $ 
$10.99 – $16.49  1,227   5.0  $14.67   1,003  $14.74 
$16.50 – $24.75  739   4.1  $18.02   727  $18.02 
$24.76 – $37.14  31   1.7  $29.04   31  $29.04 
$37.15 – $38.81  5   0.2  $38.81   5  $38.81 
                     
   3,221   6.3  $12.87   1,766  $16.40 
                     
  Restricted Stock UnitsDuring 2006, we began issuingUnder our equity incentive plans, restricted stock units may be granted to certain employees, consultants and outside directors. Restricted stock units vest over either a one-year or a four-year period from the date of grant. Prior to vesting, restricted stock units do not have dividend equivalent rights, do not have voting rights and the shares underlying the restricted stock units are not considered issued and outstanding. Shares of our common stock will be issued on the date the restricted stock units vest.
Restricted stock unit activity under our share-based compensation plans was as follows:

48


                         
  2008 2007 2006
     Wt. Avg.     Wt. Avg.     Wt. Avg.
(in thousands, except per share data) Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Units Fair Value
 
Outstanding, beginning of year  373  $15.39   253  $15.56       
Granted  23  $16.63   210  $15.00   259  $15.56 
Vested  (105) $15.57   (65) $15.60       
Canceled  (38) $15.59   (25) $15.70   (6) $15.51 
                         
Outstanding, end of year  253  $15.40   373  $15.39   253  $15.56 
                         
COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested during 2008 and 2007 was approximately $1.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
Restricted stock unit activity under our share-based compensation plans was as follows:
                         
  2009 2008 2007
      Wt. Avg.     Wt. Avg.     Wt. Avg.
(in thousands, except per share data) Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Units Fair Value
 
Outstanding, beginning of year  253  $15.40   373  $15.39   253  $15.56 
Granted  11  $9.28   23  $16.63   210  $15.00 
Vested  (102) $15.30   (105) $15.57   (65) $15.60 
Canceled  (7) $14.74   (38) $15.59   (25) $15.70 
                         
Outstanding, end of year  155  $14.60   253  $15.40   373  $15.39 
                         
Share-based Compensation— We estimate the fair value of each share-based award on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Option valuation models, including Black-Scholes, require the input of highly subjective assumptions, and changes in the assumptions used can materially affect the grant date fair value of an award. These assumptions include the risk-free rate of interest, expected dividend yield, expected volatility, and the expected life of the award. The risk-free rate of interest is based on the U.S. Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term of the award. Expected dividends are based, primarily, on historical factors related to our common stock. Expected volatility is based on historic, weekly stock price observations of our common stock during the period immediately preceding the share-based award grant that is equal in length to the award’s expected term. We believe that historical volatility is the best estimate of future volatility. Expected life of the award is based on historical option exercise data. Estimated forfeitures are required to be included as a part of the grant date expense estimate. We used historical data to estimate expected employee behaviors related to option exercises and forfeitures.
Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards is calculated based on the market price of our common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on our common stock prior to vesting of the restricted stock unit.
The following weighted average assumptions were used to value share-based awards granted:
             
Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2009 2008 2007
 
Dividend yield 2.1% 1.6% 1.3%
Expected volatility 54.7% 53.5% 34.7%
Risk-free interest rate 0.8% 3.0% 4.9%
Expected term of options 0.5 years 0.5 years 0.5 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share $3.57 $4.65 $4.63
             
Employee Stock Options 2009 2008 2007
 
Dividend yield 3.1% 1.9% 1.5%
Expected volatility 45.0% 44.2% 38.9%
Risk-free interest rate 1.8% 2.5% 3.9%
Expected term of options 5.5 years 4.5 years 4.5 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share $2.41 $4.51 $5.34
             
Restricted Stock Units 2009 2008 2007
 
Dividend yield  2.5%  1.4%  1.6%

49


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reported share-based compensation is classified in the consolidated financial statements as follows:
             
(in thousands) 2009  2008  2007 
 
Cost of sales $347  $343  $437 
Research and development  1,145   1,189   1,173 
Selling, general and administrative  1,886   2,417   2,468 
          
Total share-based compensation  3,378   3,949   4,078 
Income tax benefit     (1,015)  (979)
          
Total share-based compensation, net of tax $3,378  $2,934  $3,099 
          
At December 26, 2009, excluding a reduction for forfeitures, we had approximately $3.4 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 3.0 years.
At December 26, 2009, excluding a reduction for forfeitures, we had approximately $2.3 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.5 years.
5. Share-based Compensation —We estimate the fair value of each share-based award on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model. To facilitate our adoption of Statement No. 123R, we applied the provisions of SAB No. 107 in developing our methodologies to estimate our Black-Scholes model inputs for certain options. Option valuation models, including Black-Scholes, require the input of highly subjective assumptions, and changes in the assumptions used can materially affect the grant date fair value of an award. These assumptions include the risk-free rate of interest, expected dividend yield, expected volatility, and the expected life of the award. The risk-free rate of interest is based on the U.S. Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term of the award. Expected dividends are based, primarily, on historical factors related to our common stock. Expected volatility is based on historic, weekly stock price observations of our common stock during the period immediately preceding the share-based award grant that is equal in length to the award’s expected term. We believe that historical volatility is the best estimate of future volatility. Expected life of the award is based on historical option exercise data. Statement No. 123R also requires that estimated forfeitures be included as a part of the grant date expense estimate. We used historical data to estimate expected employee behaviors related to option exercises and forfeitures.
Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards is calculated based on the market price of our common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on our common stock prior to vesting of the restricted stock unit.
The following weighted average assumptions were used to value share-based awards granted:Income Taxes
             
Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2008 2007 2006
Dividend yield  1.6%  1.3%  1.3%
Expected volatility  53.5%  34.7%  42.2%
Risk-free interest rate  3.0%  4.9%  4.7%
Expected term of options 0.5 years 0.5 years 0.5 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share $4.65  $4.63  $5.48 
 
Employee Stock Options 2008 2007 2006
Dividend yield  1.9%  1.5%  1.4%
Expected volatility  44.2%  38.9%  48.1%
Risk-free interest rate  2.5%  3.9%  4.7%
Expected term of options 4.5 years 4.5 years 4.5 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share $4.51  $5.34  $6.71 
 
Restricted Stock Units 2008 2007 2006
Dividend yield  1.4%  1.6%  1.4%
Significant components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows:
Reported share-based compensation is classified, in the consolidated financial statements, as follows:
             
(in thousands) 2009  2008  2007 
 
Current:            
Federal $(4,025) $(3,689) $2,497 
State  47   68   533 
Foreign  991   669   483 
          
Total current  (2,987)  (2,952)  3,513 
Deferred:            
Federal  17,285   64   1,097 
State  2,590   2,074   223 
Foreign  (2,515)  (565)  (166)
          
Total deferred  17,360   1,573   1,154 
          
  $14,373  $(1,379) $4,667 
          
             
(in thousands) 2008  2007  2006 
 
Cost of sales $343  $437  $389 
Research and development  1,189   1,173   959 
Selling, general and administrative  2,417   2,468   2,211 
          
Total share-based compensation  3,949   4,078   3,559 
Income tax benefit  (1,015)  (979)  (531)
          
Total share-based compensation, net of tax $2,934  $3,099  $3,028 
          
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes consisted of the following:
             
(in thousands) 2009  2008  2007 
 
Domestic $(8,430) $(4,806) $10,631 
Foreign  (5,365)  (2,016)  2,057 
          
Total $(13,795) $(6,822) $12,688 
          

50


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
At December 27, 2008, excluding a reduction for forfeitures, we had approximately $2.0 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.3 years.
At December 27, 2008, excluding a reduction for forfeitures, we had approximately $4.0 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.4 years.
6.Line of Credit
In June 2008, we renewed our $5.0 million unsecured bank line of credit bearing interest at the bank’s prime rate. The line of credit will expire in July, 2009, and requires that we maintain specified minimum levels of net worth, limits the amount of our capital expenditures and requires us to meet certain other financial covenants. We are currently in compliance with these covenants. No borrowingsDeferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were outstanding as of December 27, 2008 or December 29, 2007. At December 27, 2008, approximately $1.3 million of the credit facility was allocated to standby letters of credit, leaving the balance of $3.7 million available for future borrowings.
7.Income Taxes
Significant components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows:
             
(in thousands) 2008  2007  2006 
 
Current:            
Federal $(3,689) $2,497  $10,036 
State  68   533   571 
Foreign  669   483   (6)
          
Total current  (2,952)  3,513   10,601 
Deferred:            
Federal  64   1,097   (1,814)
State  2,074   223   (987)
Foreign  (565)  (166)   
          
Total deferred  1,573   1,154   (2,801)
          
  $(1,379) $4,667  $7,800 
          
         
(in thousands) 2009  2008 
 
Deferred tax assets:        
Inventory, receivable and warranty reserves $11,626  $13,224 
Net operating loss carryforwards  2,006   896 
Tax credit carryforwards  6,939   5,388 
Accrued employee benefits  2,321   1,876 
Deferred profit  1,589   1,555 
Stock-based compensation  1,764   1,349 
Acquisition basis differences  2,446   2,360 
Capitalized research expenses, accrued interest and other  462   96 
Book over tax depreciation  825   806 
       
Gross deferred tax assets  29,978   27,550 
Less valuation allowance  (24,890)  (4,328)
       
Total deferred tax assets  5,088   23,222 
Deferred tax liabilities:        
Gain on facilities sale  2,929   2,929 
Acquisition basis differences  12,239   12,760 
Prepaid and other  408   412 
       
Total deferred tax liabilities  15,576   16,101 
       
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) $(10,488) $7,121 
       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes consisted of the following:
Companies are required to assess whether a valuation allowance should be recorded against their deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) based on the consideration of all available evidence, using a “more likely than not” realization standard. The four sources of taxable income that must be considered in determining whether DTAs will be realized are, (1) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences (i.e. offset of gross deferred tax assets against gross deferred tax liabilities); (2) taxable income in prior carryback years, if carryback is permitted under the tax law; (3) tax planning strategies and (4) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards.
             
(in thousands) 2008  2007  2006 
 
Domestic $(4,806) $10,631  $25,566 
Foreign  (2,016)  2,057   860 
          
Total $(6,822) $12,688  $26,426 
          
In assessing whether a valuation allowance is required, significant weight is to be given to evidence that can be objectively verified. We have evaluated our DTAs each reporting period, including an assessment of our cumulative income or loss over the prior three-year period and future periods, to determine if a valuation allowance was required. A significant negative factor in our assessment was the possibility that Cohu would be in a three-year historical cumulative loss as of the end of fiscal 2009. This, combined with uncertain near-term market and economic conditions, reduced our ability to rely on projections of future taxable income in assessing the realization of our DTAs.
After a review of the four sources of taxable income described above and after considering the possibility of being in a three-year cumulative loss in the fourth quarter of 2009, with such cumulative loss confirmed with our fourth quarter 2009 results of operations, we recorded an increase in our valuation allowance on domestic DTAs, with a corresponding charge to our income tax provision, of approximately $19.6 million in the second quarter of 2009. Our valuation allowance on domestic DTAs at December 26, 2009 was approximately $24.9 million. The remaining gross deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance was not recorded are realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences. As the realization of DTAs is determined by tax jurisdiction, the significant deferred tax liability recorded as part of the 2008 acquisition of Rasco, a German corporation, was not a source of taxable income in assessing the realization of our DTAs in the U.S.

51


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
On November 6, 2009 the U. S. Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 was enacted providing for, among other things, the carryback of losses incurred in either 2008 or 2009 against income earned in any of the five prior years rather than two years as permitted under existing law. This increased the amount of tax we expect to recover via carryback by approximately $1.3 million and resulted in a credit to income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2009.
         
(in thousands) 2008  2007 
 
Deferred tax assets:        
Inventory, receivable and warranty reserves $13,224  $15,680 
Net operating and unrealized loss carryforwards  896   202 
Tax credit carryforwards  5,388   3,141 
Accrued employee benefits  1,876   2,200 
Deferred profit under SAB 104  1,555   1,874 
Stock-based compensation  1,349   998 
Acquisition basis differences  2,360   2,152 
Capitalized research expenses  96   122 
Book over tax depreciation  806   811 
       
Gross deferred tax assets  27,550   27,180 
Less valuation allowance  (4,328)  (2,411)
       
Total deferred tax assets  23,222   24,769 
Deferred tax liabilities:        
Gain on facilities sale  2,929   2,983 
Acquisition basis differences  12,760   4,001 
Prepaid and other expenses  412   340 
       
Total deferred tax liabilities  16,101   7,324 
       
Net deferred tax assets $7,121  $17,445 
       
The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the provision (benefit) for income taxes is as follows:
Realization of our deferred tax assets is based upon the weight of all available evidence, including such factors as our recent earnings history and expected future taxable income. We believe that it is more likely than not that the majority of these assets will be realized; however, ultimate realization could be negatively impacted by market conditions or other factors not currently known or anticipated. If the current worldwide economic and financial crisis continues for an extended period of time, realization of our deferred tax assets will be jeopardized and this may require us to increase our valuation allowance with a significant charge to income tax expense in future periods. In accordance with Statement No. 109, net deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance, net of federal benefit, of approximately $4.3 million and $2.4 million was provided on our deferred tax assets at December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively, for state tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards that, in the opinion of management, are more likely than not to expire before we can use them.
             
(in thousands) 2009  2008  2007 
 
Tax at U.S. 35% statutory rate $(4,828) $(2,388) $4,441 
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit  (1,051)  (296)  (118)
Export sales and manufacturing tax benefits        (71)
Settlement of prior year tax returns  (331)  (844)  (75)
Adjustments to prior year tax accounts  165   (156)  79 
Federal tax credits  (375)  (1,000)  (887)
Stock-based compensation on which no tax benefit provided  157   327   538 
Change in valuation allowance  20,562   1,917   795 
In process research and development charge with no tax benefit     902    
Foreign income taxed at different rates  (130)  (17)  (419)
Other, net  204   176   384 
          
  $14,373  $(1,379) $4,667 
          
State income taxes have been reduced by research tax credits totaling approximately $0.6 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
At December 26, 2009, we had state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $19.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, that expire in various tax years through 2029 or have no expiration date. We also have federal and state tax credit carryforwards at December 26, 2009 of approximately $2.5 million and $9.0 million, respectively, certain of which expire in various tax years beginning in 2014 or have no expiration date.
U.S. income taxes have not been provided on approximately $5.0 million of accumulated undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, as we currently intend to indefinitely reinvest these earnings in operations outside the U.S. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of tax that might be payable if some or all of such earnings were to be remitted.
On December 31, 2006, the first day of our 2007 year, we adopted new accounting guidance related to income taxes and, as a result, we recognized a decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and a decrease in deferred tax assets of approximately $0.4 million and a corresponding increase in the December 31, 2006 balance of retained earnings of approximately $42,000.

52


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A reconciliation of our gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
             
(in thousands) 2009  2008  2007 
 
Balance at beginning of year $4,562  $4,802  $3,692 
Gross additions based on tax positions related to the current year  964   761   1,031 
Gross additions (reductions) for tax positions of prior years  22   (60)  171 
Reductions as a result of settlements with tax authorities  (135)  (151)   
Reductions as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations  (527)  (790)  (92)
          
Balance at end of year $4,886  $4,562  $4,802 
          
If the unrecognized tax benefits at December 26, 2009 are ultimately recognized, approximately $2.5 million would result in a reduction in our income tax expense and effective tax rate. We do not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change over the next 12 months.
We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, net of federal and state tax benefits, in income tax expense. Cohu had approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million accrued for the payment of interest at December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, respectively. Interest expense recognized in 2009, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
In October 2007 the Internal Revenue Service commenced a routine examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax return for 2005. This examination was finalized in 2009 without any material adjustments. In 2009 the Internal Revenue Service commenced a routine examination of our 2006 to 2008 U.S. income tax returns that is expected to be completed in 2010. Our U.S. federal income tax returns for years after 2005 and various state returns for years after 2004 remain open to examination, subject to the statute of limitations.
6. The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the provision (benefit) for income taxes is as follows:Segment and Related Information
             
(in thousands) 2008  2007  2006 
 
Tax at U.S. 35% statutory rate $(2,388) $4,441  $9,249 
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit  (296)  (118)  160 
Export sales and manufacturing tax benefits     (71)  (1,003)
Settlement of prior year tax returns  (844)  (75)   
Adjustments to prior year tax accounts  (156)  79   83 
Federal tax credits  (1,000)  (887)  (1,147)
Stock-based compensation on which no tax benefit provided  327   538   713 
Change in valuation allowance  1,917   795   (168)
In-process research and development charge with no tax benefit  902       
Foreign income taxed at different rates  (17)  (419)  (307)
Other — net  176   384   220 
          
  $(1,379) $4,667  $7,800 
          
Our reportable segments are business units that offer different products and are managed separately because each business requires different technology and marketing strategies. Our three segments are: semiconductor equipment, microwave communications and video cameras. As discussed in Note 2, in December 2008, we purchased Rasco, which has been included in our semiconductor equipment segment since that date.
State income taxes have been reduced by research tax credits totaling approximately $833,000, $849,000 and $886,000 in 2008, 2007 and 2006 respectively.
At December 27, 2008, we had state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $9.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively, that expire in various tax years through 2028. We also have federal and state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $1.3 million and $7.8 million, respectively, certain of which expire in various tax years beginning in 2014.
U.S. income taxes have not been provided on approximately $4.4 million of accumulated undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, as we currently intend to reinvest these earnings in operations outside the U.S. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of tax that might be payable if some or all of such earnings were to be remitted.
We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on December 31, 2006, the first day of our 2007 fiscal year. As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, we recognized a decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $423,000, a decrease in deferred tax assets of approximately $381,000 and a corresponding increase in the December 31, 2006 balance of retained earnings of approximately $42,000.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows(in thousands):
         
  2008  2007 
   
Balance at beginning of year $4,802  $3,692 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year  761   1,031 
Additions (reductions) for tax positions of prior years  (60)  171 
Reductions as a result of settlements with tax authorities  (151)   
Reductions as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations  (790)  (92)
       
Balance at end of year $4,562  $4,802 
       
If the unrecognized tax benefits at December 27, 2008 are ultimately recognized, the amount of $4,562,000 less the related federal benefit for state items of approximately $985,000, and excluding any increase in our valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, would result in a reduction in our income tax expense and effective tax rate. We do not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change over the next 12 months.
We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, net of federal and state tax benefits, in income tax expense. Cohu had approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million accrued for the payment of interest at December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. Interest expense recognized in 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. We allocate resources and evaluate the performance of segments based on profit or loss from operations, excluding interest, corporate expenses and unusual gains or losses. Intersegment sales were not significant for any period.

53


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In October, 2007 the Internal Revenue Service commenced a routine examination of our U.S. income tax return for 2005. This examination was substantially completed in 2008 and is expected to be finalized in 2009 without any material adjustments.
8.Segment and Related Information
We have three reportable segments as defined by Statement No. 131. As discussed in Note 2, in May 2006, we sold substantially all the assets of FRL, which comprised our metal detection equipment segment and have presented financial information for this segment as discontinued operations. Our reportable segments are business units that offer different products and are managed separately because each business requires different technology and marketing strategies. Our semiconductor equipment segment, Delta and Rasco, develops, manufactures and sells semiconductor equipment to semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors throughout the world and accounted for 76% of net sales in 2008. Our television camera segment, Cohu Electronics, designs, manufactures and sells closed circuit television cameras and systems to original equipment manufacturers, contractors and government agencies and accounted for 9% of net sales in 2008. Our other reportable segment is a microwave communications equipment company, Broadcast Microwave Services, which accounted for 15% of net sales in 2008.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. We allocate resources and evaluate the performance of segments based on profit or loss from operations, excluding interest, corporate expenses and unusual gains or losses. Intersegment sales were not significant for any period.
Financial information by industry segment is presented below:
Financial information by industry segment is presented below:
                        
(in thousands) 2008 2007 2006  2009 2008 2007 
Net sales by segment:
  
Semiconductor equipment $152,136 $203,105 $227,399  $119,998 $152,136 $203,105 
Television cameras 18,299 16,315 18,280 
Microwave communications 29,224 21,969 24,427  34,093 29,224 21,969 
Video cameras 17,170 18,299 16,315 
              
Total consolidated net sales and net sales for reportable segments $199,659 $241,389 $270,106  $171,261 $199,659 $241,389 
              
Segment profit (loss):
  
Semiconductor equipment $(4,612) $11,382 $20,854  $(17,704) $(4,612) $11,382 
Television cameras  (1,242)  (1,730)  (916)
Microwave communications 242  (1,802) 810  5,868 242  (1,802)
Video cameras 773  (1,242)  (1,730)
              
Profit (loss) for reportable segments  (5,612) 7,850 20,748   (11,063)  (5,612) 7,850 
Other unallocated amounts:
  
Corporate expenses  (4,116)  (3,562)  (3,963)  (4,032)  (4,116)  (3,562)
Interest income 5,483 8,400 6,678  1,300 5,483 8,400 
Acquired in-process research and development  (2,577)      (2,577)  
Gain from sale of facilities   2,963 
              
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $(6,822) $12,688 $26,426  $(13,795) $(6,822) $12,688 
              
             
(in thousands) 2009  2008  2007 
 
Depreciation and amortization by segment deducted in arriving at profit (loss):
            
             
Semiconductor equipment $3,248  $3,088  $3,507 
Microwave communications  1,299   1,154   1,208 
Video cameras  227   184   218 
          
   4,774   4,426   4,933 
Intangible amortization  6,255   2,517   2,506 
          
Total depreciation and amortization for reportable segments $11,029  $6,943  $7,439 
          
Capital expenditures by segment:
            
Semiconductor equipment $1,911  $3,251  $2,231 
Microwave communications  454   1,181   2,005 
Video cameras  142   611   128 
          
Total consolidated capital expenditures $2,507  $5,043  $4,364 
          

54


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
             
(in thousands) 2008  2007  2006 
Depreciation and amortization by segment deducted in arriving at profit (loss):
            
             
Semiconductor equipment $3,088  $3,507  $4,233 
Television cameras  184   218   217 
Microwave communications  1,154   1,208   284 
          
   4,426   4,933   4,734 
Intangible amortization  2,517   2,506   1,745 
          
Total depreciation and amortization for reportable segments $6,943  $7,439  $6,479 
          
Capital expenditures by segment:
            
Semiconductor equipment $3,251  $2,231  $5,820 
Television cameras  611   128   152 
Microwave communications  1,181   2,005   738 
          
Total consolidated capital expenditures $5,043  $4,364  $6,710 
          
                        
(in thousands) 2008 2007 2006  2009 2008 2007 
Total assets by segment:
  
Semiconductor equipment $206,199 $111,787 $128,609  $216,818 $206,199 $111,787 
Television cameras 10,458 9,505 10,537 
Microwave communications 22,793 27,704 12,239  20,937 22,793 27,704 
Video cameras 10,082 10,458 9,505 
              
Total assets for reportable segments 239,450 148,996 151,385  247,837 239,450 148,996 
Corporate, principally cash and investments and deferred taxes 104,245 190,885 173,802  81,830 104,245 190,885 
Discontinued operations 474 498 1,152  451 474 498 
              
Total consolidated assets $344,169 $340,379 $326,339  $330,118 $344,169 $340,379 
              
Customers from the semiconductor equipment segment comprising 10% or greater of our consolidated net sales are summarized as follows:
            
             2009 2008 2007
 2008 2007 2006  
Intel  30%  27%  25%  30%  30%  27%
Advanced Micro Devices  15%  28%  23%  11%  15%  28%
Texas Instruments  6%  8%  15%
Net sales to customers, attributed to countries based on product shipment destination, were as follows:
             
(in thousands) 2008  2007  2006 
United States $70,659  $75,385  $64,724 
Singapore  22,442   69,276   56,756 
Malaysia  26,254   22,424   29,625 
Philippines  9,940   21,787   34,893 
China  26,650   17,074   32,927 
Costa Rica  6,064   3,593   7,642 
Other foreign countries  37,650   31,850   43,539 
          
Total $199,659  $241,389  $270,106 
          

55


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
             
(in thousands) 2009  2008  2007 
 
United States $57,935  $70,659  $75,385 
Singapore  18,148   22,442   69,276 
Malaysia  22,099   26,254   22,424 
China  21,076   26,650   17,074 
Rest of the World  52,003   53,654   57,230 
          
Total $171,261  $199,659  $241,389 
          
Geographic location of our property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets was as follows:
                
(in thousands) 2008 2007  2009 2008 
Property, plant and equipment:
  
United States $26,559 $27,735  $24,930 $26,559 
Asia (Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines) 2,705 1,133  3,188 2,705 
Germany 10,165 950  9,888 10,165 
          
Total, net $39,429 $29,818  $38,006 $39,429 
          
  
Goodwill and other intangible assets:
  
United States $20,287 $17,621  $18,904 $20,287 
Singapore 6,558   6,558 6,558 
Germany 74,968 5,451  71,785 74,968 
          
Total, net $101,813 $23,072  $97,247 $101,813 
          

55


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9.     Stockholder Rights Plan
7.Stockholder Rights Plan
In November, 1996, we adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan (“Rights Plan”) and declared a dividend distribution of one Preferred Stock Purchase Right (“Right”) for each share of common stock, payable to holders of record on December 3, 1996. Under the Rights Plan, each stockholder received one Right for each share of common stock owned. Each Right entitled the holder to buy one one-hundredth (1/100) of a share of Cohu’s Series A Preferred Stock for $90. As a result of the two-for-one stock split in September, 1999, each share of common stock was associated with one-half of a Right entitling the holder to purchase one two-hundredth (1/200) of a share of Series A Preferred Stock for $45. In November, 2006, we amended and restated our existing Rights Plan to extend its term to November 9, 2016 and make certain other changes. Pursuant to the amendment, to reflect the increase in the price of our common stock since the adoption of the Rights Plan, the exercise price of each Right was increased to $190. Consequently, each one-half of a Right entitles the holder to purchase one two-hundredth (1/200) of a share of Series A Preferred Stock for $95. The Rights are not presently exercisable and will only become exercisable following the occurrence of certain specified events. If these specified events occur, each Right will be adjusted to entitle its holder to receive, upon exercise, common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right, or each Right will be adjusted to entitle its holder to receive common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right, depending on the circumstances. The Rights expire on November 9, 2016, and we may redeem them for $0.001 per Right. The Rights do not have voting or dividend rights and, until they become exercisable, have no dilutive effect on our earnings per share.
10.     Commitments and Contingencies
8.Commitments and Contingencies
We lease certain of our facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Rental expense for the years 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007 was approximately $1.1 million, $1.7 million $1.6 million and $1.5$1.6 million, respectively. Future minimum lease payments at December 27, 2008 are:26, 2009 — $1,767,000; 2010 — $835,000; 2011 — $552,000; 2012 — $99,000; and 2013- $10,000, totaling $3,263,000.are as follows:
                             
(in thousands) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Thereafter Total
 
Non-cancelable operating leases $1,010  $1,039  $86  $79  $79  $  $2,293 
We previously disclosed that in May 2007 BMS received a subpoena from a grand jury seated in the Southern District of California, requesting the production of certain documents related to BMS’ export of microwave communications equipment. BMS completed production of documents responsive to the request in September 2007 and has fully cooperated. We also disclosed that on April 30, 2009, BMS hasreceived a letter from the U. S. Department of State requesting that BMS provide certain information related to their review of this matter. Based upon their review of the information provided, the U.S. Department of State informed us, during the third quarter of 2009, that they believed BMS did not been informedobtain the required licenses for the export of certain products and services. The U. S. Department of State requested that BMS apply for commodity jurisdiction rulings to determine if certain products are subject to export controls, obtain export licenses as required and engage an independent third party to conduct an export compliance audit. On January 15, 2010, BMS provided the U.S. Department of State with the results of the export compliance audit and an update on the status of export licenses and commodity jurisdiction rulings. On January 20, 2010, BMS received notification from the U.S. Department of State that they were closing the case without taking action to impose a civil penalty, while reserving the right to reopen the case if it is a targetlater determined that circumstances warrant the initiation of an investigation. As of the date of this report, it is premature to assess whether this matter will have any impact on the BMS business or results of operations.

56


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
administrative proceedings.
In addition to the above matter, from time-to-time we are involved in various legal proceedings, examinations by various tax authorities and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our businesses. Although the outcome of such legal proceedings, claims and examinations cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe any such matters exist at this time that will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of our operations.

56


11.    GuaranteesCOHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9.Guarantees
Changes in accrued warranty during the three-year period ended December 27, 200826, 2009 were as follows:
                        
(in thousands) 2008 2007 2006  2009 2008 2007 
Beginning balance $6,760 $8,118 $4,561  $4,924 $6,760 $8,118 
Warranty accruals 7,467 8,690 13,198  3,383 7,467 8,690 
Warranty payments  (10,215)  (10,198)  (9,670)  (4,560)  (10,215)  (10,198)
Warranty liability assumed 912 150 29   912 150 
              
Ending balance $4,924 $6,760 $8,118  $3,747 $4,924 $6,760 
              
During the ordinary course of business, we provide standby letters of credit instruments to certain parties as required. At December 27, 2008,26, 2009, the maximum potential amount of future payments that we could be required to make under these standby letters of credit was approximately $1.3$0.1 million. We have not recorded any liability in connection with these arrangements beyond that required to appropriately account for the underlying transaction being guaranteed. We do not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these arrangements.
12.    Comprehensive Income (Loss)
10.Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Our accumulated other comprehensive income totaled approximately $7.1$8.7 million and $0.5$7.1 million at December 27, 200826, 2009 and December 29, 2007,27, 2008, respectively, and was attributed to, net of income taxes where applicable, unrealized losses and gains on investments, adjustments resulting from the adoption of Statement No. 158 and foreign currency adjustments resulting from the translation of certain accounts into U.S. dollars where the functional currency is the Euro.Euro, unrealized losses and gains on investments and adjustments to accumulated postretirement benefit obligations.
A rollforward of amountsAmounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for 2008, 2007, and 2006, isare as follows:
                
                 Unrealized Foreign Accumulated 
 Unrealized Foreign Currency Accumulated Other  Investment Currency Other 
 Investment Gain Postretirement Translation Comprehensive  Gains and Postretirement Translation Comprehensive 
(in thousands) (Loss) Obligations Adjustments Income (Loss)  Losses Obligations Adjustments Income (Loss) 
Balance, December 31, 2005 $(197) $ $ $(197)
Fiscal 2006 activity 167  (384)   (217)
         
Balance, December 30, 2006  (30)  (384)   (414) $(30) $(384) $ $(414)
Fiscal 2007 activity 77 123 700 900  77 123 700 900 
                  
Balance, December 29, 2007 47  (261) 700 486  47  (261) 700 486 
Fiscal 2008 activity  (383) 102 6,929 6,648   (383) 102 6,929 6,648 
                  
Balance, December 27, 2008 $(336) $(159) $7,629 $7,134   (336)  (159) 7,629 7,134 
Fiscal 2009 activity 434  (444) 1,538 1,528 
                  
Balance, December 26, 2009 $98 $(603) $9,167 $8,662 
         
11.Related Party Transactions
James A. Donahue, President and CEO of Cohu, and Steven J. Bilodeau, a member of the Cohu Board of Directors, are both members of the Board of Directors of Standard Microsystems Corporation (“SMSC”), a customer of our semiconductor equipment segment. During 2009, 2008 and 2007, total sales to SMSC were approximately $1.0 million, $1.1 million, and $2.2 million, respectively.

57


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
13.    Fair Value Measurements
12.Discontinued Operations
In SeptemberMay 2006, we sold substantially all the FASB issued Statement No. 157, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and for interim periods within those years. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands the related disclosure requirements. This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. The statement indicates, among other things, that a fair value measurement assumes that the transactionassets of our metal detection equipment business, FRL. Our decision to sell an asset or transferFRL resulted from management’s determination that this industry segment was no longer a liability occursstrategic fit within our organization. We are currently attempting to sell our FRL facility in Los Banos, California and believe the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Statement No. 157 defines fair value based upon an exit price model.
We adopted Statement No. 157 on December 30, 2007, with the exception of the application of the statement to non-recurring nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities. Non-recurring nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities for which we have not applied the provisions of Statement No. 157 include those measured at fair value in goodwill impairment testing and those initially measured at fair value in a business combination.
Statement No. 157 establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability and are only used when there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following table provides the assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of December 27, 2008(in thousands):
                 
  Fair value measurements at December 27, 2008 using: 
      Significant other  Significant    
  Quoted prices in  observable  unobservable  Total estimated 
  active markets  inputs  inputs  fair value at 
  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3)  December 27, 2008 
 
Cash $8,893  $  $  $8,893 
Money market funds  21,301         21,301 
Bank certificates of deposit     3,011      3,011 
Corporate debt securities     38,121      38,121 
Asset-backed securities     17,059      17,059 
             
  $30,194  $58,191  $  $88,385 
             
When available, we use quoted market prices to determine thecurrent fair value of our investments, and they are includedthe property is in Level 1. When quoted market prices are unobservable, we use quotes from independent pricing vendors based on recent trading activity and other relevant information. These investments are included in Level 2 and primarily comprise our portfolioexcess of corporate debt securities, bank certificates of deposit and asset-backed securities.

58


COHU, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
its $0.5 million carrying value at December 26, 2009.
14.Related Party Transactions
James A. Donahue, President and CEO of Cohu, is a member of the Board of Directors of Standard Microsystems Corporation (“SMSC”), a customer of Delta. During 2008, 2007, and 2006, total sales to SMSC were approximately $1.1 million, $2.2 million, and $3.9 million, respectively.
15.13. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
                                                
Quarter First (a) Second (a) Third (a) Fourth (a) Year First (a) Second (a) Third (a) Fourth (a) Year
(in thousands, except per share data)  
 
Net sales: 2008 $58,409 $51,833 $48,016 $41,401 $199,659  2009 $36,582 $38,424 $44,062 $52,193 $171,261 
 2007 $53,368 $66,407 $64,490 $57,124 $241,389  2008 $58,409 $51,833 $48,016 $41,401 $199,659 
  
Gross profit: 2008 $20,807 $18,440 $17,558 $8,163 $64,968  2009 $7,395 $12,328 $16,217 $16,448 $52,388 
 2007 $19,665 $19,304 $20,605 $19,238 $78,812  2008 $20,807 $18,440 $17,558 $8,163 $64,968 
  
Income (loss) from continuing operations (c): 2008 $1,952 $174 $37 $(7,606) $(5,443)
Income (loss) from continuing operations (b): 2009 $(6,262) $(22,605) $(71) $770 $(28,168)
 2007 $1,716 $2,040 $2,235 $2,030 $8,021  2008 $1,952 $174 $37 $(7,606) $(5,443)
  
Net income (loss): 2008 $1,952 $174 $37 $(7,606) $(5,443) 2009 $(6,262) $(22,605) $(71) $770 $(28,168)
 2007 $1,691 $2,022 $2,235 $2,030 $7,978  2008 $1,952 $174 $37 $(7,606) $(5,443)
  
Net income (loss) per share (b): 
Net income (loss) per share (c): 
Basic:  
Income (loss) from continuing operations 2008 $0.08 $0.01 $0.00 $(0.33) $(0.23) 2009 $(0.27) $(0.97) $(0.00) $0.03 $(1.20)
 2007 $0.07 $0.09 $0.10 $0.09 $0.35  2008 $0.08 $0.01 $0.00 $(0.33) $(0.23)
  
Net income (loss) 2008 $0.08 $0.01 $0.00 $(0.33) $(0.23) 2009 $(0.27) $(0.97) $(0.00) $0.03 $(1.20)
 2007 $0.07 $0.09 $0.10 $0.09 $0.35  2008 $0.08 $0.01 $0.00 $(0.33) $(0.23)
Diluted:  
Income (loss) from continuing operations 2008 $0.08 $0.01 $0.00 $(0.33) $(0.23) 2009 $(0.27) $(0.97) $(0.00) $0.03 $(1.20)
 2007 $0.07 $0.09 $0.10 $0.09 $0.34  2008 $0.08 $0.01 $0.00 $(0.33) $(0.23)
  
Net income (loss) 2008 $0.08 $0.01 $0.00 $(0.33) $(0.23) 2009 $(0.27) $(0.97) $(0.00) $0.03 $(1.20)
 2007 $0.07 $0.09 $0.10 $0.09 $0.34  2008 $0.08 $0.01 $0.00 $(0.33) $(0.23)
 
(a) Each of the four quarters during 20082009 and 20072008 was comprised of 13 weeks.
 
(b) The sumsecond quarter of 2009 includes a charge of $19.6 million, for an increase in the four quarters may not agree to the year total due to rounding within a quarter.
(c)valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. The fourth quarter of 2008 includes a charge for excess inventory of $5.5 million at Delta and a charge of $2.6 million for acquired in-process research and development from the acquisition of Rasco.
(c)The sum of the four quarters may not agree to the year total due to rounding within a quarter.
16.14. Subsequent Event
On February 5, 2009, we announced that the Cohu Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per share cash dividend payable on April 24, 2009 to stockholders of record on March 10, 2009.
On January 27, 2010, we announced that the Cohu Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per share cash dividend payable on April 23, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2010.

5958


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Cohu, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cohu, Inc. as of December 27, 200826, 2009 and December 29, 2007,27, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 27, 2008.26, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the company’sCompany’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Cohu, Inc. at December 27, 200826, 2009 and December 29, 2007,27, 2008, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 27, 2008,26, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, Cohu, Inc. adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” effective December 31, 2006.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Cohu, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2008,26, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 20, 200923, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP  
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
San Diego, California
February 20, 200923, 2010

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Index to Exhibits
15. (b) The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated into, the 20082009 Cohu, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K:
   
Exhibit No. Description
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cohu, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) from the Cohu, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1999
   
3.1(a) Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cohu, Inc. incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Form S-8 filed June 30, 2000, Exhibit 4.1(a)
   
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cohu, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 1996
   
4.1 Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated November 10, 2006, between Cohu, Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent, incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2006, Exhibit 99.1
   
10.1 Performance goals and targets for 2008 Executive Officer bonus awardsCohu, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2008*May 13, 2009, Exhibit 10.1*
   
10.2Loan Agreement between Cohu, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A. dated June 18, 2008, incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 2008, Exhibit 99.1
10.3 Amended Cohu, Inc. 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2006, Exhibit 10.2*
   
10.410.3 Cohu, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended and restated) incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2008, Exhibit 10.1*
   
10.510.4 Form of stock option agreement for use with stock options granted pursuant to the Cohu, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K/A8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2007, Exhibit 10.1*August 7, 2006*
10.5Restricted stock unit agreement for use with resticted stock units granted pursuant to the Cohu, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2006*
   
10.6 Share Purchase and Transfer Agreement dated December 5, 2008 by and among Delta Design, Inc. (and certain of its subsidiaries) and Dover Electronic Technologies, Inc. (and certain of its subsidiaries), incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 11, 2008, Exhibit 10.1
   
10.7 Asset Purchase Agreement dated December 9, 2008 by and between a subsidiary of Delta Design, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of Dover Electronic Technologies, Inc., incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 11, 2008, Exhibit 10.2
   
10.8 Capital Equipment, Goods and Services Agreement, dated January 10, 2007, by and between Delta and Intel Corporation, incorporated by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2007, Exhibit 99.1
   
10.9 Corporate Purchase Option Agreement dated April 25, 2002 between Delta Design, Inc. and Texas Instruments Incorporated, incorporated by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2005, Exhibit 99.3
10.10Business Agreement and Addendum by and between Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. and Delta Design, Inc. incorporated by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 22, 2006, Exhibit 99.1

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Exhibit No.Description
10.11Form of stock option agreement for use with stock options granted pursuant to the Cohu, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2006*
10.12Restricted stock unit agreement for use with resticted stock units granted pursuant to the Cohu, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2006*
10.1310.10 Offer Letter dated April 24, 2008, by and between Delta Design, Inc. and Roger J. Hopkins incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2008, Exhibit 10.1*

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10.14Exhibit No.Description
10.11 Cohu, Inc. Retiree Health Benefits Agreement (as amended) incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2008, Exhibit 10.2*
   
10.1510.12 Cohu, Inc. Change in Control Agreement incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2008, Exhibit 10.3*
   
14 Cohu, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, incorporated herein by reference from the Cohu 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Exhibit 14
   
21 Subsidiaries of Cohu, Inc.
   
23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   
31.1 Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for James A. Donahue
   
31.2 Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Jeffrey D. Jones
   
32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for James A. Donahue
   
32.2 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Jeffrey D. Jones
 
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

6261


SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
     
 COHU, INC.
 
 
Date: February 23, 20092010 By /s//s/ James A. Donahue   
  James A. Donahue  
  President &and Chief Executive Officer  
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
     
Signature Title Date
 
/s/ Charles A. Schwan Chairman of the Board, February 23, 20092010
Charles A. Schwan
 Director  
     
/s/ James A. Donahue President &and Chief Executive Officer, February 23, 20092010
James A. Donahue
 Director (Principal Executive Officer)  
     
/s/ Jeffrey D. Jones Vice President, Finance &and Chief February 23, 20092010
Jeffrey D. Jones
 Financial Officer (Principal
Financial &and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Steven J. BilodeauDirectorFebruary 23, 2010
Steven J. Bilodeau
  
     
/s/ Harry L. Casari Director February 23, 20092010
Harry L. Casari
    
     
/s/ Robert L. Ciardella Director February 23, 20092010
Robert L. Ciardella
    
     
/s/ Harold Harrigian Director February 23, 20092010
Harold Harrigian
    

6362


COHU, INC.
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
                                        
 Additions   Additions  
 Additions (Reductions)   Additions (Reductions)  
 Balance at Not Charged Balance Balance at Not Charged Balance
 Beginning Charged (Credited) Deductions/ at End Beginning Charged (Credited) Deductions/ at End
Description of Year to Expense to Expense Write-offs of Year of Year to Expense to Expense Write-offs of Year
Allowance for doubtful accounts: 
Year ended December 29, 2007 $1,644 $15(1) $(92) $12 $1,555 
  
Allowance for doubtful accounts *: 
Year ended December 30, 2006 $1,258 $ $422 $36 $1,644 
Year ended December 29, 2007 $1,644 $15(1) $(92) $12 $1,555 
Year ended December 27, 2008 $1,555 $136(2) $68 $149 $1,610  $1,555 $136(2) $68 $149 $1,610 
  
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories *: 
Year ended December 30, 2006 $23,783(3) $1,508(4) $10,016 $4,904 $30,403(5)
Year ended December 26, 2009 $1,610 $10(3) $107 $714 $1,013 
 
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories: 
 
Year ended December 29, 2007 $30,403 $1,279(6) $4,556 $4,701 $31,537  $30,403 $1,279(4) $4,556 $4,701 $31,537 
 
Year ended December 27, 2008 $31,537 $1,512(7) $1,693(8) $4,449 $30,293  $31,537 $1,512(5) $1,693(7) $4,449 $30,293 
 
Year ended December 26, 2009 $30,293 $129(6) $4,439 $9,181 $25,680 
 
*Amounts exclude discontinued business (FRL) sold in May, 2006.
(1) Addition resulting from AVS acquisition in March, 2007.
 
(2) Includes $127 resulting from Rasco acquisition in December, 2008 and foreign currency impact.
 
(3) Includes $447 for lower of cost or market reserve.Changes in reserve balances resulting from foreign currency impact.
 
(4)Addition resulting from Unigen acquisition in March, 2006
(5)Includes $95 for lower of cost or market reserve.
(6) Addition resulting from AVS acquisition in March, 2007 and reclass from other reserves.
 
(7)(5) Addition resulting from Rasco acquisition in December, 2008 and foreign currency impact.
 
(8)(6)Changes in reserve balances resulting from foreign currency impact.
(7) Includes $4.5 million credited to expense for products sold in 2008 that were reserved in 2006.

6463