SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 26, 1999
Commission file number: 0-21154
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
North Carolina 56-1572719
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4600 Silicon Drive
Durham, North Carolina 27703
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(919) 313-5300
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. [ X] Yes [ ] No
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, par value
$0.0025 per share, as of October 14, 1999 was 29,499,599.
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 26, 1999
INDEX
Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION --------
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 26, 1999
(unaudited) and June 27, 1999.....................................3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three
months ended September 26, 1999 and September 27, 1998
(unaudited).......................................................4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months
ended September 26, 1999 and September 27, 1998 (unaudited).......5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)............6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations..............................11
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risk..........15
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................16
SIGNATURES...............................................................17
EXHIBIT LIST.............................................................18
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CREE RESEARCH, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
September 26, June 27,
1999 1999
------------- ----------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $41,226 $42,506
Marketable securities 3,727 6,145
Accounts receivable, net 16,900 16,285
Inventories 4,060 3,977
Deferred income taxes 296 296
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 571 558
------------- ----------
Total current assets 66,780 69,767
Property and equipment, net 77,575 69,884
Patent and license rights, net 1,798 1,731
Deferred income taxes 2,827 2,827
Other assets 125 8
============= ==========
Total assets $ 149,105 $ 144,217
============= ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, trade $5,406 $ 7,487
Accrued salaries and wages 2,043 819
Other accrued expenses 3,691 1,239
------------- ----------
Total current liabilities 11,140 9,545
Long term liabilities:
Long term liability 30 --
Deferred income taxes 4,650 4,650
------------- ----------
Total long term liabilities 4,680 4,650
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01; 3,000 shares -- --
authorized at September 26, 1999 and June 27,
1999; none issued and outstanding
Common stock, par value $0.0025; 60,000 shares 74 73
authorized at September 26, 1999 and June 27,
1999; shares issued and outstanding 29,500
and 29,258 at September 26, 1999 and June 27,
1999, respectively
Additional paid-in-capital 112,180 111,136
Retained earnings 21,031 18,813
------------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity 133,285 130,022
============= ==========
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 149,105 $ 144,217
============= ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of the consolidated financial statements.
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CREE RESEARCH, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
------------------------------
September 26, September 27,
1999 1998
------------- -------------
Revenue:
Product revenue, net $ 18,257 $ 10,720
Contract revenue, net 1,791 1,559
------------- -------------
Total revenue 20,048 12,279
Cost of revenue:
Product revenue, net 9,498 5,415
Contract revenue, net 1,136 1,207
-------------- -------------
Total cost of revenue 10,634 6,622
Gross profit 9,414 5,657
Operating expenses:
Research and development 931 806
Sales, general and Administrative 1,927 1,218
Other expense 101 269
-------------- -------------
Income from operations 6,455 3,364
Interest income, net 569 115
-------------- -------------
Income before income taxes 7,024 3,479
Income tax expense 2,388 1,113
-------------- -------------
Net income 4,636 2,366
============== =============
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Unrealized holding gain (loss) (2,418) --
============== =============
Comprehensive income 2,218 2,366
============== =============
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.09
============== =============
Diluted $ 0.15 $ 0.09
============== =============
Shares used in per share calculation:
Basic 29,337 25,840
============== =============
Diluted 31,214 26,498
============== =============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
the consolidated financial statements.
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CREE RESEARCH, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
--------------------------------
September 26, September 27,
1999 1998
-------------- --------------
Operating activities:
Net income $4,636 $ 2,366
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,009 1,140
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 43 511
Amortization of patent rights 32 28
Purchase of marketable trading securities -- (234)
Loss (gain) on marketable trading -- 67
securities
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (615) (1,217)
Inventories (83) (706)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (130) 595
Accounts payable, trade (2,081) (2,452)
Accrued expenses 3,707 1,119
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 7,518 1,217
-------------- --------------
Investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (9,744) (4,006)
Proceeds from sale of property and -- 10
equipment
Purchase of patent rights (99) (91)
-------------- --------------
Net cash used in investing activities (9,843) (4,087)
-------------- --------------
Financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of long term -- 1,281
debt
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,045 159
Repurchase of common stock -- (3,214)
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by financing 1,045 (1,774)
activities
-------------- --------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents $(1,280) $(4,644)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period $42,506 $17,680
-------------- --------------
End of period $41,226 $13,036
============== ==============
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts -- $ 112
capitalized -------------- --------------
Cash paid for income taxes $ 63 $ 164
============== ==============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
the consolidated financial statements.
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CREE RESEARCH, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Basis of Presentation
The balance sheet as of September 26, 1999, the statements of operations for the
three month periods ended September 26, 1999 and September 27, 1998, and the
statements of cash flows for the three months ended September 26, 1999 and
September 27, 1998 have been prepared by the Company and have not been audited.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the
financial position, results of operations and cash flows at September 26, 1999,
and all periods presented, have been made. The balance sheet at June 27, 1999
has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these condensed financial
statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
thereto included in the Company's fiscal 1999 Form 10-K. The results of
operations for the period ended September 26, 1999 are not necessarily
indicative of the operating results that may be attained for the entire fiscal
year.
Accounting Policies
Fiscal Year
The Company's fiscal year is a 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Sunday in
the month of June. Accordingly, all quarterly reporting reflects a 13 week
period in fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999. The Company's current fiscal year extends
from June 28, 1999 through June 25, 2000.
Investments
Investments are accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 115 "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and
Equity Securities" (SFAS No. 115). This statement requires certain securities to
be classified into three categories:
(a) Securities Held-to-Maturity- Debt securities that the entity has the
positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at
amortized cost.
(b) Trading Securities- Debt and equity securities that are bought and held
principally for the purpose of selling in the near term are reported at
fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.
(c) Securities Available-for-Sale- Debt and equity securities not
classified as either securities held-to-maturity or trading securities
are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded
from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders'
equity.
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As of September 26, 1999, the Company's short-term investments consisted of
common stock holdings of Microvision, Inc. ("MVIS"). The Company purchased
268,600 common shares in a private equity transaction in May 1999 at a price of
$16.75 per share. In August 1999, MVIS filed a registration statement for the
Company's sale of these shares; however, Cree has agreed not to sell the shares
until at least January 6, 2000. Since the Company is currently restricted from
trading these shares and management views this transaction as an investment, the
shares are accounted for as "available for sale" securities under SFAS 115.
Therefore unrealized gains or losses are excluded from earnings and reported as
a separate component of shareholders' equity.
As of September 27, 1998, the Company's short-term investments consisted of
common stock holdings in C3, Inc ("C3"), the majority of which were bought in
November 1997. The Company also acquired additional shares of C3 in September
1998 and acquired 24,601 shares directly from C3 pursuant to the exercise of an
option in January 1997. This investment was treated for accounting purposes as a
trading security, with net realized and unrealized gains and losses included in
net earnings. All common shares of C3 held by Cree were subsequently sold during
fiscal 1999. Realized gains on shares of C3 stock sold during fiscal 1999 by the
Company were $140,000. This amount was recorded as other income.
As of September 27, 1998, the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") had
promised to indemnify the Company for losses of up to $450,000 for the net
difference between the aggregate cash consideration paid by Cree for the shares
of C3 common stock and the cash proceeds received by Cree upon the sale of C3
common shares. At September 27, 1998, the Company had recorded a $450,000
receivable from the CEO (included in net accounts receivable) based upon this
agreement for the net realized and unrealized losses on this investment. Since
Cree sold its shares of C3 for a net gain, the indemnity has been terminated
with no payments becoming due. Net unrealized losses on shares of C3 stock
offset by the unrealized gain on shares acquired from C3 directly were $233,000
at September 27, 1998.
Long Term Debt
In November 1997, the Company entered into a term loan with a commercial bank
for up to $10,000,000 to finance the purchase and upfit of the new main facility
in Durham, North Carolina. Approximately $2,950,000 was disbursed under the loan
to finance the initial purchase of the facility with the remaining proceeds
disbursed on a monthly basis based on actual expenditures incurred. The loan,
which was collateralized by the purchased property and subsequent upfits,
accrued interest at a fixed rate of 8% and carried customary covenants,
including the maintenance of a minimum tangible net worth and other
requirements. As of September 27, 1998 the entire $10,000,000 loan was
outstanding, including a current portion of $69,000 and a long term amount of
$9,931,000. On February 17, 1999, the entire $10,000,000 indebtedness was repaid
with proceeds received from a public stock offering.
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During the three months ended September 27, 1998, the Company capitalized
interest on funds used to construct property, plant and equipment in connection
with the facility. Interest capitalized for the three months ended September 27,
1998, was $84,000.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined
under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories consist of the
following:
September 26, June 27,
1999 1999
------------- -------------
(in thousands)
Raw materials $ 1,352 $ 1,290
Work-in-progress 1,193 1,675
Finished goods 1,515 1,012
------------- -------------
Total Inventory $ 4,060 $ 3,977
============= =============
Research and Development Accounting Policy
The Company contracts with the U.S. government for many of its current research
and development efforts. By entering into these contracts, the Company has most
of its research and product development costs funded by the U.S. government. The
contract funding may be based on a cost-plus or a cost-share arrangement.
Pursuant to each contract, the amount of funding is determined based on cost
estimates that include direct costs, plus an allocation for research and
development, general and administrative and the cost of capital expenses.
Cost-plus funding is determined based on actual costs plus a set percentage
margin. For the cost-share contracts, the actual costs are divided between the
U.S. government and the Company based on the terms of the contract. The
government's cost share is then funded to the Company. The contracts typically
require the submission of a written report that documents the results of such
research.
Funding on contracts under which the Company anticipates that funding will
exceed direct costs over the life of the contract is recorded as contract
revenue and related costs are reported as a cost of revenue. For contracts under
which the Company anticipates that direct costs will exceed amounts to be funded
over the life of the contract, direct costs are shown as research and
development expenses and related funding as an offset of those expenses. The
following table details information about contracts for which direct expenses
exceed funding by period as reflected in the statements of operations:
Three months ended
------------------------------
September 26, September 27,
1999 1998
------------- -------------
(in thousands)
Net research and development costs $ 40 $ --
Government funding 67 --
============= ============
Total direct costs incurred $ 107 $ --
============= ============
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Significant Sales Contract
In September 1996, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with Siemens AG
("Siemens"), pursuant to which Siemens agreed to purchase LED chips made with
the Company's gallium nitride-on-silicon carbide technology. In April 1997,
December 1997 and September 1998, contract amendments were executed that
provided for enhanced product specifications requested by Siemens and larger
volume requirements, respectively. In December 1998, the Purchase Agreement was
amended to provide for additional shipments of LED products through September
1999. The Purchase Agreement was subsequently assigned to an indirect subsidiary
of Siemens, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GMBH & Co. OHG ("Osram"), effective as of
January 1, 1999.
In August 1999, the Company entered into a new Purchase Agreement with Osram,
pursuant to which Osram agreed to purchase and the Company is obligated to ship
stipulated quantities of both the standard brightness and the high brightness
LED chips and silicon carbide wafers through September 2000.
The agreement calls for certain quantities of standard brightness and high
brightness LED chips to be delivered by month. In the event the Company is
unable to ship at least 85% of the cumulative quantity due to have been shipped
each month, Osram is entitled to liquidated damages of one percent per week of
the purchase price of the delayed product, subject to a maximum of ten percent
of the purchase price. If product shipments are delayed six weeks or more due to
circumstances within the Company's control, then in lieu of liquidated damages,
Osram may claim damages actually resulting from the delay up to forty percent of
the purchase price of delayed products.
The contract also gives Osram limited rights to defer shipments. For products to
be shipped in more than 24 weeks after initial notice, Osram can defer 30% and
20% of standard brightness and high brightness LEDs, respectively. For products
to be shipped in more than 12 weeks, but less than 24 weeks, Osram may defer 10%
of scheduled quantities for both standard brightness and high brightness LEDs.
Also, additional quantities of high brightness LEDs stipulated in the contract
may be deferred to the next quarter with 60 days notice at the election of
Osram. In all cases, Osram would be required to accept all products within 90
days of the original shipment date. Additionally, the Purchase Agreement
provides for higher per unit prices early in the contract with reductions in
unit prices being available as the cumulative volume shipped increases. The
higher prices were negotiated by the Company to offset higher per unit costs
expected earlier in the contract.
Depreciation
The Company has changed its depreciation policy to reflect lower useful lives on
new manufacturing equipment. The useful life has been reduced from 9 years to 5
years for all manufacturing equipment purchased since the beginning of fiscal
year 2000. In management's estimate, this new policy was necessary due to the
changes in estimated useful lives of new equipment caused by technology changes
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anticipated with the future development of larger diameter wafers. Based on
information available at this time, management estimates that the change in
policy may reduce the Company's fiscal 2000 net income by approximately $660,000
or $0.02 per share, but actual results may vary.
Income Taxes
The Company has established an estimated tax provision based upon an effective
rate of 34%. The estimated effective rate was based upon projections of income
for the fiscal year and the Company's ability to utilize remaining net operating
loss carryforwards and other tax credits. However, the actual effective rate may
vary depending upon actual pre-tax book income for the year or other factors.
Earnings Per Share
The Company presents earnings per share in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". SFAS No.
128 required the Company to change its method of computing, presenting and
disclosing earnings per share information. All prior period data presented has
been restated to conform to the provisions of SFAS No. 128.
The following computation reconciles the difference between the basic and
diluted presentations:
Three Months Ended
----------------------------------
September 26, September 27,
1999 1998*
------------- -------------
(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic:
Net income $ 4,636 $2,366
============= =============
Weighted average common shares 29,337 25,840
============= =============
Basic income per common share $0.16 $ 0.09
============= =============
Diluted:
Net income $ 4,636 $2,366
============= =============
Weighted average common shares-basic 29,337 25,840
Dilutive effect of stock options & 1,877 658
warrants
============= =============
Weighted average common shares-diluted 31,214 26,498
============= =============
Diluted income per common share $0.15 $ 0.09
============= =============
* Weighted average shares and per share amounts have been adjusted for the two
for one stock split effective July 26, 1999.
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Potential common shares that would have the effect of increasing diluted income
per share are considered to be antidilutive. In accordance with SFAS No. 128,
these shares were not included in calculating diluted income per share.
Accordingly, 476,000 and 1,040,000 shares for the three months ended September
26, 1999 and September 27, 1998, respectively, were not included in calculating
diluted income per share for the periods presented.
On July 13, 1999 the Company filed a Form 8-K announcing a two-for-one split of
its common stock. The stock split was effected by an amendment to the Company's
Articles of Incorporation that became effective at the close of business on July
26, 1999. With the effectiveness of the amendment, each issued and unissued
authorized share of common stock, $0.005 par value per share, was automatically
split into two whole shares of common stock, $0.0025 par value per share. On
July 30, 1999, the Company issued to each holder of record of common stock a
certificate evidencing the additional shares of common stock resulting from the
stock split. All references in this document to common stock and per common
share data have been adjusted to reflect the common stock split.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
Information set forth in this Form 10-Q, including Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains various
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. These statements
represent the Company's judgment concerning the future and are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual operating results and
financial position to differ materially. Such forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will,"
"anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," and "intend" or the
negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. The
Company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are further qualified
by important factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in our operating results,
production yields in our manufacturing processes, whether we can produce greater
quantities of high brightness blue and green LEDs, our dependence on a few
customers, whether new customers will emerge, whether we can develop, introduce
and create market demand for new products, whether we can manage our growth
effectively, assertion of intellectual property rights by others, adverse
economic conditions, and insufficient capital resources. See Exhibit 99.1 for
additional factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ.
Overview
Cree Research, Inc. is the world leader in developing and manufacturing
semiconductor materials and electronic devices made from silicon carbide
("SiC"). We derive the largest portion of our revenue from the sale of blue and
green light emitting diode ("LED") products. The Company offers LEDs at two
brightness levels -- high brightness blue and green products and standard blue
products. The high brightness products have now been integrated into our
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manufacturing facility for full production. During the first quarter of fiscal
2000, revenues derived from high brightness LED sales were greater than 50% of
the total LED sales mix. Historically, we have experienced low margins with many
new product introductions, and have continued to make improvements to output and
yield since the high brightness products were introduced in fiscal 1999. During
the first quarter of fiscal 2000, margins for the high brightness LED products
were reaching levels attained for the standard brightness product as
improvements in yield contributed to a 16% reduction in costs from the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1999. During the remainder of fiscal 2000, we plan to focus on
reducing costs through higher production yields and from higher volumes as fixed
costs are spread over a greater number of units.
We derive additional revenue from the sale of advanced materials made from SiC
that are used primarily for research and development. We also sell SiC crystals
to C3, which incorporates them in gemstone applications. The balance of our
revenue is derived from government and customer research contract funding. Under
various programs, U.S. Government entities provide funding to aid development of
our technology.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 26, 1999 and September 27, 1998
Revenue. For the quarter ended September 26, 1999, the Company reported revenue
of $20,048,000 reflecting a 63% increase in revenue over the first quarter of
fiscal 1999. First quarter product revenue of $18,257,000, which includes sales
of light emitting diodes ("LEDs") and materials, increased 70% over the first
quarter of fiscal 1999. Higher product revenue was primarily the result of LED
revenue growth of 92% in the first quarter of fiscal 2000 as compared to the
same period in the prior year. Much of this growth was attributed to a 121%
increase in LED volumes over the comparable period with a substantially higher
mix of high brightness blue and green LED products. During the first quarter of
fiscal 2000, revenue from high brightness chips surpassed revenues from our
standard brightness products. Average LED sales prices paid by customers
declined 15% in the first quarter of fiscal 2000 compared with the first quarter
of fiscal 1999. During the remaining quarters of fiscal 2000, average sales
prices for standard brightness and high brightness LED products are expected to
remain stable or decline slightly at a slowed pace from reductions experienced
in previous years. Management believes that increased volumes will offset any
decline in average LED sales prices during the remaining quarters of fiscal
2000.
LED shipments also increased as a result of the new Osram contract which calls
for a 44% increase in chip shipments over the previous agreement and extends the
Osram purchase commitment through the first quarter of fiscal 2001. While we
believe that Osram will continue to be our largest customer during fiscal 2000,
we expect that the percentage of revenue from this customer will decline as new
customers emerge in Asia and Europe. However, there can be no assurance that
revenue from new or existing customers will reduce the concentration of our
total revenues derived from the Osram contract.
-12-
Revenue attributable to sales of SiC materials was 46% higher in the first
quarter of fiscal 2000 than in the same period of fiscal 1999. The increased
revenue was due to significant contributions made by the gemstone products and
improvements in throughput and yield efficiency in wafer production. Gemstone
product sales have benefited from the added capacity provided under the C3
supply agreement. Wafer volume has also increased as the Company continues to be
successful in offering wafer products with lower defect densities, which enable
customers to conduct advanced research for microwave and power applications.
Contract revenue received from U.S. Government agencies increased 15% during the
first quarter of fiscal 2000 as compared to the same quarter in the prior year.
The additional revenue was anticipated as additional contract awards were
received in late fiscal 1999 and in the first quarter of fiscal 2000.
Gross Profit. The Company's gross margin was 47% for the three months ended
September 26, 1999 as compared to 46% for the same period in the prior year. The
sustained profitability stems from higher throughput and manufacturing yield on
LED and materials products, thereby lowering the cost per unit and successfully
matching or more than offsetting lower sales prices. The Company has also been
successful in growing LED revenue by lowering prices and raising the volume of
high brightness products. For the remainder of fiscal 2000, the Company plans to
continue the strategy of seeking to lower LED costs and expects that the
greatest cost saving benefits will be derived from greater volume and higher
yield efficiency on the high brightness products. Lower costs also have been
achieved on wafer products due to improved efficiency. Margins from gemstone
products have also improved due to higher yields.
Research and Development. Research and development expenses for the three months
ending September 26, 1999, increased 16% over the comparable prior year period.
This was due to increases in internal research and development efforts not
included in the scope of government contract funding. In addition, spending
under the MVIS contract was higher than funding received.
Sales, General and Administrative. Sales, general and administrative expenses
for the three month period ended September 26, 1999 increased by 58% over the
same period in the prior year due to increased costs to support the growth of
business. Overall as a percentage of revenue, S,G&A costs remain at 10% of
revenue in the first quarter compared to the first quarter of fiscal 1999. These
costs as a percentage of revenue are expected to remain comparable for the
remainder of fiscal 2000.
Other (Income) Expense. The Company continues to perform under an agreement with
C3 to sell equipment manufactured by the Company to C3 at cost plus a comparable
overhead allocation to those incurred from government contracts. The overhead
allocation was recorded as "other operating income"; however, the amount was
more than offset by unrelated asset writeoffs for both the first quarter of
fiscal 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Interest Income, Net. Net interest income increased by $454,000 in the first
quarter over the first quarter of fiscal 1999. This was due primarily to the
investment of cash proceeds from the public stock offering in February 1999. In
addition, a portion of the proceeds from the public stock offering were used to
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repay the $10,000,000 loan commitment in the third quarter of fiscal 1999;
therefore, no interest expense was incurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2000.
Interest expense incurred with the loan commitment was capitalized as a part of
the construction improvements made to the facility in fiscal 1999. When certain
manufacturing operations were moved to the new site in the first quarter of
fiscal 1999, portions of the interest associated with the completed work were
expensed. For the first quarter of 1999 total interest incurred was $196,000
with only $84,000 being eligible for capitalization, and therefore $112,000 was
expensed.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2000 was
$2,388,000 compared to $1,113,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1999. This
increase resulted from increased profitability during the first quarter of
fiscal 2000 over the same period of fiscal 1999.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by operations was $7,518,000 for the three months ended
September 26, 1999 compared with $1,217,000 generated during the comparative
period in fiscal 1999. The increase was primarily attributable to higher
profitability, and was supplemented by timing differences and the net increase
in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
The Company invested $9,843,000 in capital expenditures during the first three
months of fiscal 2000 compared to $4,087,000 during the same period in the prior
year. The majority of the increase in spending was due to new equipment
additions to increase manufacturing capacity in the crystal growth and epitaxy
areas. The Company also continues to expand facilities at the production site
near Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Cash provided by financing
activities during fiscal 2000 related to the receipt of $1,045,000 in proceeds
from the exercise of stock options from the Company's employee stock option
plan. The Company is presently reviewing capital requirements for fiscal 2000
and beyond and may seek additional financing alternatives in the future.
Although the Company from time to time evaluates potential acquisitions of and
investments in complementary businesses and anticipates continuing to make such
evaluations, the Company has no present commitments or agreements with respect
to the acquisition of or investment in another business other than its equity
interest in MVIS.
At September 27, 1998, the Company had a loan outstanding for $10,000,000 from a
commercial bank to finance portions of the upfit of the production facility. The
final draw to this loan was made during the first quarter of 1999 for
$1,281,000. The loan was subsequently paid off in the third quarter of fiscal
1999. The Company also committed $3,214,000 during the first quarter of fiscal
1999 to repurchase Company stock.
Impact of the Year 2000
State of Readiness
We have evaluated all of our internal software, embedded systems and products
against Year 2000 concerns and believe that our products and businesses will not
be substantially affected by the advent of the year 2000. We have completed a
Year 2000 compliance plan that included four phases: inventory, assessment,
-14-
remediation and testing. A detailed inventory of all computers and related
systems was completed and all critical upgrades were finished for all computers
that were non-Year 2000 compliant. All factory-dependent computers were also
tested and are Year 2000 compliant.
Although we cannot control whether and how third parties will address the Year
2000 issue, we have now contacted critical vendors and have been informed that
they have the ability to ensure smooth delivery of products without disruptions
caused by Year 2000 problems. Based on the responses of these vendors to our
survey, we believe that all vendors are either substantially Year 2000 compliant
or that any noncompliance will not have a material effect on our operations.
Costs
We do not believe that the costs associated with Year 2000 compliance have had a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial
condition. As of September 26, 1999, this project is complete.
Year 2000 risks
Although we believe that our planning efforts are adequate to address our Year
2000 concerns, there can be no assurance that we will not experience negative
consequences and material costs as a result of undetected errors or defects in
the technology used in our internal systems. Also, there is no assurance that
the systems of third parties on which we rely will be made compliant on a timely
basis. If realized, these risks could result in an adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
We believe that our greatest risk stems from the potential non-compliance of our
suppliers. We depend on a limited number of suppliers for certain raw materials,
components and equipment necessary for the manufacture of our products.
Accordingly, if those suppliers are unable to process or fill our orders or
otherwise interact with us because of Year 2000 problems, we could experience
material adverse effects to our business. While our critical suppliers have
informed us that they do not anticipate any disruption as a result of Year 2000
problems, we are investigating alternate sources of supply. As a consequence of
our dependence on limited sources of supply, we generally maintain a significant
inventory of certain critical materials and require suppliers to keep certain
amounts of inventory available for us. There can be no assurance that we will
have enough materials on hand to continue production without interruption in the
event one or more of our suppliers experiences Year 2000 problems that affect
its (their) ability to supply us. Any supply chain disruptions would affect our
ability to manufacture our products, which could result in material adverse
consequences to our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
No material changes in market risk have been identified during the most recent
quarter.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits:
10.1 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated August 24, 1999
10.2 Purchase Agreement between the Company and Osram Opto
Semiconductors GmbH & Co. dated August 30, 1999. (1)
27 Financial Data Schedule
99.1 Certain Business Risks and Uncertainties
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
On July 13, 1999 the Company filed a Form 8-K announcing a two-for-one
split of its common stock to be effective at the close of business on
July 26, 1999.
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(1) Confidential treatment of portions of this document is being requested
pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
Date: November 4, 1999
/s/ Cynthia B. Merrell
--------------------------------------------
Cynthia B. Merrell,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Authorized Officer and Chief Financial
and Accounting Officer)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
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10.1 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated August 24, 1999
10.2 Purchase Agreement between the Company and Osram Opto Semiconductors
GmbH & Co. dated August 30, 1999. (1)
27 Financial Data Schedule
99.1 Certain Business Risks and Uncertainties
- -------------------
(1) Confidential treatment of portions of this document is being requested
pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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