PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims which have arisen in the ordinary course of business such as, but not limited to, patent, employment, commercial and environmental matters. We believe that we have meritorious defenses against all pending claims and intend to vigorously contest them. While it is not possible to predict or determine the outcomes of any pending claims or to provide possible ranges of losses that may arise, we believe the potential losses associated with all of these actions are unlikely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
In addition to other information set forth in this Form
10-Q,
including the risk discussed below, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A: Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2019, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form
10-K
remain applicable to our business and many of these risks could be further increased due to the
COVID-19
pandemic.
The risks described in our Annual Report on Form
10-K
are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
The novel coronavirus
(COVID-19)
pandemic has impacted our business and could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity or cash flows.
The global outbreak of the novel strain of the coronavirus
(COVID-19)
has resulted in government authorities implementing numerous measures in an effort to contain the spread of the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, limitations on gatherings or social distancing requirements, quarantines,
orders, and business limitations and shutdowns. These measures have impacted our
operations and could disrupt our business, workforce and operations, as well as the operations of our customers, contract manufacturers and suppliers for an uncertain period of time. The
COVID-19
pandemic, and the numerous measures implemented by authorities in response, has adversely impacted our results of operations, including by increasing costs company-wide and decreasing demand in our Industrial Automation businesses, but we cannot accurately estimate the full extent of the impact for our 2020 financial results or to our future financial results.
The
COVID-19
pandemic has significantly increased economic uncertainty in our markets, which could result in a significant decrease in demand for our products for an uncertain period of time. In addition, restrictions on our access to manufacturing facilities or on our support operations or workforce, or similar limitations for our contractor manufacturers and suppliers, and restrictions or disruptions affecting transportation, such as reduced availability of transportation and increased border controls or closures, could limit our capacity to meet customer demand, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. The spread of
COVID-19
has caused us to modify our business practices, including implementing social distancing protocols, suspending employee travel, requiring most employees to work remotely, canceling physical participation in meetings, events and conferences, and extensively and frequently disinfecting our workspaces, and we may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, contract manufacturers and suppliers. These measures may not be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by the virus, and our ability to perform critical functions could be harmed. Due to the uncertainty regarding the duration, severity and business impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, as of April 1, 2020, we have suspended our stock repurchase program announced in January 2020. At this time, we do not know whether or when we will resume our 2020 repurchase plan or authorize future stock repurchase programs.
We are continuing to monitor the rapidly evolving situation regarding the
COVID-19
pandemic and its impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows. However, despite careful tracking, we are unable to accurately predict the full impact of
COVID-19,
which will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with accuracy, including, but not limited to, the duration and continued spread of the outbreak, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.
Trade regulations and restrictions could impact our ability to sell products to and support certain customers, which may materially adversely affect our sales and results of operations.
We are subject to U.S. laws and regulations that limit and restrict the export of some of our products and services and may restrict our transactions with certain customers, business partners and other persons. In certain circumstances, export control and economic sanctions regulations may prohibit the export of certain products, services and technologies, and in other circumstances we may be required to obtain an export license before exporting the controlled item. We must also comply with export restrictions and