WESTERN DIGITAL CORP
10-Q, 1997-11-07
COMPUTER STORAGE DEVICES
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<PAGE>   1
                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                     --------------------------------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]     Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended September 27, 1997.

                                       OR

[ ]     Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from to

                          Commission file number 1-8703

                           WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
          ------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                      DELAWARE                      95-2647125
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          (State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. Employer
          incorporation or organization)            Identification No.)

          8105 Irvine Center Drive
          Irvine, California                        92618
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

        REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER INCLUDING AREA CODE (714) 932-5000


                                       N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed since last report.

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

        Number of shares outstanding of Common Stock, as of October 24, 1997 is
87,289,174.


<PAGE>   2
                           WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
                                      INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PAGE NO.
                                                                                       --------
<S>       <C>       <C>                                                                <C>

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

          Item 1.   Financial Statements

                    Consolidated Statements of Income - Three-Month Periods
                    Ended September 28, 1996 and September 27, 1997................          3

                    Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 28, 1997 and
                    September 27, 1997.............................................          4

                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three-Month Periods
                    Ended September 28, 1996 and September 27, 1997................          5

                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.....................          6

          Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                    Condition and Results of Operations............................          7

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

          Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...............................         12

          Signatures...............................................................         13

          Exhibit Index............................................................         14
</TABLE>


                                       2
<PAGE>   3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements


                           WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                                                              -------------------------------
                                                               SEPT. 28,            SEPT. 27,
                                                                    1996                 1997
                                                              ----------           ----------
<S>                                                           <C>                  <C>       

Revenues, net......................................           $  883,115           $1,090,164
Costs and expenses:
     Cost of revenues..............................              770,226              929,105
     Research and development......................               34,260               42,302
     Selling, general and administrative...........               42,860               46,694
                                                              ----------           ----------
         Total costs and expenses..................              847,346            1,018,101
                                                              ----------           ----------
Operating income...................................               35,769               72,063
Interest and other income..........................                2,911                2,588
                                                              ----------           ----------
Income before income taxes.........................               38,680               74,651
Provision for income taxes.........................                5,802               11,944
                                                              ----------           ----------
Net income.........................................           $   32,878           $   62,707
                                                              ==========           ==========
Earnings per common and common
     equivalent share (Note 2):
         Primary...................................           $      .36           $      .67
                                                              ==========           ==========
         Fully diluted.............................           $      .35           $      .67
                                                              ==========           ==========
Common and common equivalent shares used 
     in computing per share amounts:
         Primary...................................               92,604               93,613
                                                              ==========           ==========
         Fully diluted.............................               93,648               93,960
                                                              ==========           ==========
</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                       3
<PAGE>   4
                           WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               JUNE 28,             SEPT. 27,
                                                                   1997                  1997
                                                              ----------           ----------
<S>                                                           <C>                  <C>       

                                     ASSETS

Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents.....................           $  208,276           $  183,808
     Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
         accounts of $11,706 at June 28, 1997 and
         $12,520 at Sept. 27, 1997.................              545,552              567,929
     Inventories  (Note 4).........................              224,474              289,374
     Prepaid expenses..............................               39,593               36,033
                                                              ----------           ----------
         Total current assets......................            1,017,895            1,077,144
Property and equipment at cost, net................              247,895              291,201
Intangible and other assets, net...................               41,332               42,991
                                                              ----------           ----------
         Total assets..............................           $1,307,122           $1,411,336
                                                              ==========           ==========

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable..............................           $  417,984           $  476,171
     Accrued compensation..........................               59,227               32,208
     Accrued expenses..............................              176,494              163,499
                                                              ----------           ----------
         Total current liabilities.................              653,705              671,878
Deferred income taxes..............................               33,430               41,779
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Shareholders' equity:
     Preferred stock, $.01 par value;
         Authorized: 5,000 shares
         Outstanding:  None                                           --                   --
     Common stock, $.01 par value;
         Authorized:  225,000 shares
         Outstanding:  101,332 shares at June 29,
         1997 and at September 27, 1997                            1,013                1,013
     Additional paid-in capital....................              356,654              360,866
     Retained earnings.............................              488,066              550,773
     Treasury stock-common stock at cost;
         15,436 shares at June 28, 1997 and 14,073
         shares at Sept. 27, 1997  (Note 5)........             (225,746)            (214,973)
                                                              ----------           ---------- 
         Total shareholders' equity................              619,987              697,679
                                                              ----------           ----------
         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity           $1,307,122           $1,411,336
                                                              ==========           ==========  
</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                       4
<PAGE>   5
                           WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                 (IN THOUSANDS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                                                                   ------------------------------
                                                                   SEPT. 28,           SEPT. 27,
                                                                        1996                1997
                                                                   ---------           ---------
<S>                                                                <C>                 <C>       

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net income .........................................          $  32,878           $  62,707
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided by operating activities:
       Depreciation and amortization ....................             14,998              21,960
       Changes in assets and liabilities:
         Accounts receivable ............................            (32,481)            (22,377)
         Inventories ....................................             (3,660)            (64,900)
         Prepaid expenses ...............................             (1,491)              3,560
         Accounts payable, accrued compensation
           and accrued expenses .........................             49,143              18,173
         Other assets ...................................                905                 282
         Deferred income taxes ..........................               (194)              8,349
                                                                   ---------           ---------
            Net cash provided by operating activities ...             60,098              27,754
                                                                   ---------           ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Decrease in short-term investments .................             23,651                  --
     Capital expenditures, net ..........................            (48,984)            (63,034)
     Increase in other assets ...........................             (7,438)             (4,173)
                                                                   ---------           ---------
            Net cash used for investing activities ......            (32,771)            (67,207)
                                                                   ---------           ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit ...              4,946               7,542
     Proceeds from ESPP shares issued ...................              4,378               7,443
     Repurchase of common stock .........................             (8,552)                 --
                                                                   ---------           ---------
            Net cash provided by financing activities ...                772              14,985
                                                                   ---------           ---------

     Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents             28,099             (24,468)

     Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period .....            182,565             208,276
                                                                   ---------           ---------
     Cash and cash equivalents, end of period ...........          $ 210,664           $ 183,808
                                                                   =========           =========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:

Cash paid during the period for income taxes ............          $   3,777           $   9,904
</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                       5
<PAGE>   6
                           WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.      The accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1
        of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's
        Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997.

2.      Primary and fully diluted earnings per share amounts are based upon the
        weighted average number of shares and dilutive common stock equivalents
        for each period presented.

3.      In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
        Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per
        Share" (SFAS No. 128). This statement is effective for both interim and
        annual periods ending after December 15, 1997, and replaces the
        presentation of "primary" earnings per share with "basic" earnings per
        share and the presentation of "fully diluted" earnings per share with
        "diluted" earnings per share. Earlier application is not permitted. When
        adopted, all previously reported earnings per common share amounts must
        be restated based on the provisions of the new standard. Pro forma basic
        and diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with SFAS No.
        128 is provided below:

                                                       THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                                                       -------------------------
                                                        SEPT. 28,      SEPT. 27,
                                                             1996           1997
                                                       ----------     ----------


        Basic earnings per share...................    $      .38     $      .72
                                                       ==========     ==========

        Diluted earnings per share.................    $      .36     $      .67
                                                       ==========     ==========

4.      Inventories comprised the following:

                                                         JUNE 28,      SEPT. 27,
                                                             1997           1997
                                                       ----------     ----------
        (in thousands)

        Finished goods.............................    $  137,762     $  166,513
        Work in process............................        56,352         67,741
        Raw materials and component parts..........        30,360         55,120
                                                       ----------     ----------
                                                       $  224,474     $  289,374
                                                       ==========     ==========

5.      During the quarter ended September 27, 1997, the Company distributed
        701,661 and 661,254 shares of its common stock in connection with the
        Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") and common stock option exercises
        (including tax benefit), respectively, for $15.0 million.

6.      In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to fairly state
        the results of operations for the three-month periods ended September
        28, 1996 and September 27, 1997 have been made. All such adjustments are
        of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote
        disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in
        accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been
        condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
        Securities and Exchange Commission. These consolidated financial
        statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
        statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report
        on Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7
THE INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDES FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.
WHEN USED IN THIS REPORT, THE WORDS "ANTICIPATES," "BELIEVES," "EXPECTS,"
"INTENDS," "FORECASTS," "PLANS," "FUTURE," "STRATEGY," OR WORDS OF SIMILAR
IMPORT ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. OTHER STATEMENTS OF
THE COMPANY'S PLANS AND OBJECTIVES MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED TO BE FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS. SUCH STATEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES WHICH
COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE EXPRESSED IN THE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. READERS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON
THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE HEREOF. THE
COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLISH REVISED FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE DATE HEREOF OR TO REFLECT THE
OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS. READERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY REVIEW AND
CONSIDER THE VARIOUS DISCLOSURES MADE BY THE COMPANY TO ADVISE INTERESTED
PARTIES OF CERTAIN RISKS AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT THE COMPANY'S
BUSINESS AND OPERATING RESULTS, INCLUDING THE DISCLOSURES MADE UNDER THE CAPTION
"MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS" IN THIS REPORT, AS WELL AS THE COMPANY'S OTHER PERIODIC REPORTS ON
FORMS 10-K, 10-Q AND 8-K FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

Unless otherwise indicated, references herein to specific years and quarters are
to the Company's fiscal years and fiscal quarters.

ITEM 2.

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table expresses selected amounts obtained from the Company's
consolidated statements of income as a percentage of net revenues:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                                                      ------------------------------------
                                                      SEPT. 28,      JUNE 28,    SEPT. 27,
                                                           1996          1997         1997
                                                      ---------    ----------    ---------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>           <C>   

Revenues, net......................................      100.0%        100.0%       100.0%
Cost of revenues...................................       87.2%         82.5%        85.2%
                                                      ---------    ----------    ---------
Gross profit margin................................       12.8%         17.5%        14.8%
Research and development expense...................        3.9%          3.7%         3.9%
Selling, general and administrative expense........        4.9%          4.5%         4.3%
                                                      ---------    ----------    ---------
Operating income...................................        4.0%          9.3%         6.6%
Interest and other income..........................         .3%           .3%          .2%
                                                      ---------    ----------    ---------
Income before income taxes.........................        4.3%          9.6%         6.8%
Provision for income taxes.........................         .6%          1.5%         1.0%
                                                      ---------    ----------    ---------
Net income.........................................        3.7%          8.1%         5.8%
                                                      =========    ==========    =========
</TABLE>


Consolidated sales were $1.1 billion in the first quarter of 1998, an increase
of 23% and 1% over the first quarter of prior year and the immediately preceding
quarter, respectively. The growth in revenues stemmed from 29% and 2% increases
in hard drive unit shipments over the corresponding quarter of the prior year
and the immediately preceding quarter, respectively. The higher volume was
partially offset by a decline in the average selling prices of hard drive
products.


                                       7
<PAGE>   8
The improvement in gross profit margin over the corresponding period of the
prior year was primarily the result of incremental sales of the Company's
enterprise storage products, which have higher average gross profit margins than
the Company's desktop storage products. The decrease in gross profit margin from
the immediately preceding quarter was primarily due to greater price competition
in the current quarter, particularly with the Company's low-capacity desktop
storage products. Also, the gross profit margin was somewhat impacted by higher
manufacturing costs associated with extending the life of thin film head
technology in desktop storage products.

Research and development ("R&D") expense for the current quarter was $42.3
million, an increase of $8.0 million and $2.1 million over the first quarter of
the prior year and the immediately preceding quarter, respectively. The increase
in absolute dollars spent from the corresponding period of the prior year is
primarily associated with higher expenditures to support the development of
mobile and desktop hard drives. The increase from the immediately preceding
quarter is primarily due to higher spending related to the development of hard
drives for the enterprise storage market.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense for the first quarter of
1998 was $46.7 million, an increase of $3.8 million over the corresponding
quarter of the prior year and a decrease of $2.3 million from the immediately
preceding quarter. The increase from the first quarter of 1997 is attributable
to incremental selling, marketing and other related expenses in support of the
higher revenue levels. The decrease, as a percentage of revenues and in absolute
dollars spent, from the immediately preceding quarter stems from lower expenses
for the Company's pay-for-performance and profit sharing plans. SG&A expenses
declined as a percentage of revenues from the first quarter of 1997 primarily as
a result of the higher revenue base.

Net interest and other income for the current quarter was $2.6 million, a
decrease of $.3 million and $.9 million from the first quarter of the prior year
and the immediately preceding quarter, respectively. The decreases are primarily
the result of lower average cash and cash equivalent balances in the current
quarter.

The Company's effective tax rate of 15%, 15% and 16% recorded in the first
quarter of the prior year, the immediately preceding quarter and the current
quarter, respectively, results primarily from the earnings of certain
subsidiaries which are taxed at substantially lower tax rates as compared with
United States statutory rates and changes in the deferred tax asset valuation
allowance. The higher tax rate during the first quarter of 1998 reflects a
change in earnings mix among the Company's subsidiaries operating in various tax
jurisdictions.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

At September 27, 1997, the Company had $183.8 million in cash and cash
equivalents as compared to $208.3 million at June 28, 1997. Net cash provided by
operating activities was $27.8 million for the current quarter. Cash flows from
earnings, depreciation and amortization, and an increase in total liabilities
were partially offset by cash used to fund higher accounts receivable and
inventory balances. Another significant use of cash during the current quarter
was capital expenditures of $63.0 million, which were incurred primarily to
support increased production of hard drives and related components. Partially
offsetting this use of cash was $15.0 million received in connection with stock
option exercises (including tax benefit) and ESPP purchases.

The Company has an $150 million revolving credit agreement with certain
financial institutions extending through April 2000. This facility is intended
to meet short-term working capital requirements which may arise from time to
time. The Company believes that its current cash balances combined with cash
flow from operations and its revolving credit agreement will be sufficient to
meet its working capital needs for the foreseeable future. However, the
Company's ability to sustain its favorable working capital position is dependent
upon a number of factors that are discussed below and in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997 under the heading "Risk
Factors Affecting the Company and/or the Hard Drive Industry."

RISK FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPANY AND/OR THE HARD DRIVE INDUSTRY

The Company's business is subject to a number of risks, trends and
uncertainties, some of which are related to the hard drive industry in general
and others related more specifically to Western Digital. As a result of the
risks and uncertainties described below as well as other risks presented
elsewhere in this report, there can be 


                                       8
<PAGE>   9
no assurance that the Company will continue to be successful or maintain its
market position. Some of these factors have affected the Company's operating
results in the past, and all of these factors could affect its future operating
results. The Company does not expect that the successful elements which all came
together in 1997 represent a consistent reliable trend which can be expected to
continue in the future. The disk drive business remains challenging and
cyclical.

Rapid Technological Change and Product Development

The information storage industry is characterized by rapid technological
developments, short product life cycles and competitive pressures, including
price erosion. This business environment results in rapid erosion of gross
margins on specific hard drive products. The demands of hard drive customers for
greater storage capacity and higher performance have led to short product life
cycles which require the Company to constantly develop and introduce new drive
products on a cost effective and timely basis. The availability of research and
development funds to support the rapid technological change depends upon the
Company's revenues and profitability, and reductions in such expenditures could
impair the Company's ability to innovate and compete.

The Company experiences fluctuations in manufacturing yields that can materially
affect the Company's operations, particularly in the start-up phase of new
products or new manufacturing processes. With the continued pressures to shorten
the time required to introduce new products, the Company must accelerate
production learning curves to shorten the time to achieve acceptable
manufacturing yields and costs. The Company's future is therefore dependent upon
its ability to develop new products, to qualify these new products with its
customers, to successfully introduce these products to the market on a timely
basis, and to commence volume production to meet customer demands. If not
carefully planned and executed, the introduction of new products may adversely
affect sales of existing products and increase risk of inventory obsolescence. A
delay in the introduction or production of more cost-effective and/or more
advanced products also can result in lower sales and smaller gross margins.
Because of rapid technological changes, the Company anticipates that sales of
older products will decline as in the past and that sales of new products will
continue to account for a significant portion of its sales in the future.
Failure of the Company to execute its strategy of achieving time-to-market in
sufficient volume with new products, or any delay in introduction of advanced
and cost effective products, could result in significantly lower revenue and
gross margins. The Company can give no assurance that it will continue to be
successful in the development, marketing and production of new products in
response to technological change or evolving industry standards.

Technological advances in magnetic, optical or other technologies, or the
development of entirely new technologies, could result in the creation of
competitive products which have superior performance to and/or lower prices than
the Company's products. Companies such as TeraStor and Seagate are currently
developing optically assisted recording technologies; the initial products are
expected to be high capacity and high price, although cost effective per
gigabyte. The optically assisted recording approaches used by these two
companies are different at this time and have created some short term confusion
for the industry. Accordingly, the Company's strategy is to view optically
assisted recording as a valid solution at some point in time but to assume that
the hard drive technologies currently in use will serve the Company for the
foreseeable future. However, if the Company's assumption proves to be wrong, the
Company could be late in its integration of optically assisted recording
technology which could have an adverse effect on the Company's financial
position, results of operations or liquidity.

Highly Competitive Industry

The hard drive industry has been characterized by traditionally intense price
competition and price erosion over the life of any given hard drive product.
Although the merger between Seagate Technology, Inc. and Conner Peripherals,
Inc. in 1996 may have created some industry consolidation, the Company still
expects that price erosion in the hard drive market will continue for the
foreseeable future for various reasons. In general, the unit price for a given
product in all of the Company's markets decreases over time as increases in
industry supply and cost reductions occur and as technological advancements are
achieved. Cost reductions are primarily achieved as volume efficiencies are
realized, component cost reductions are achieved, experience is gained in
manufacturing the product and design enhancements are made. Competitive
pressures and customer expectations result in these cost improvements being
passed along as reductions in selling prices. At times, the rate of general
price decline is accelerated when some competitors lower prices to absorb excess
capacity, 


                                       9
<PAGE>   10
liquidate excess inventories, or attempt to gain market share. The competition
and continuing price erosion could adversely affect the Company's results of
operations in any given quarter, and such adverse effect often cannot be
anticipated until late in the quarter. The increasing price competition that
the Company experienced in the first quarter of 1998 has continued into the
second quarter and has expanded to higher capacity desktop storage products.

Fluctuating Product Demand

Demand for the Company's hard drive products depends on the demand for the
computer systems manufactured by its customers and storage upgrades to computer
systems, which in turn are affected by computer system product cycles, end user
demand for increased storage capacity, and prevailing economic conditions.
Although market research indicates total computer system unit shipments will
grow at an annual compounded rate of approximately 13% through fiscal year 2000,
near term demand may experience significant fluctuations. Such fluctuations have
in the past and may in the future result in deferral or cancellation of orders
for Western Digital products, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company.

The hard drive industry has also experienced seasonal fluctuations in demand.
The Company has historically experienced relatively flat demand in the first
quarter of the fiscal year as compared to the fourth quarter, while demand in
the second quarter has historically been much higher than in the first quarter.
Additionally, product shipments tend to be greatest in the third month of each
quarter, although this pattern may be affected by changes in customer
requirements, which are discussed below. To the extent this trend continues,
failure by the Company to adequately prepare itself for such fluctuations or to
complete shipments at the end of each quarter could adversely affect the
Company's operating results for that quarter.

Customer Concentration and Changing Customer Models

High purchase-volume customers for hard drives are concentrated within a small
number of OEMs, distribution channels and system integrators. While Western
Digital believes its relationships with its key customers are generally very
good, the concentration of sales to a relatively small number of major customers
represents a business risk that loss of one or more accounts could adversely
affect the Company's operating results. Western Digital's customers are
generally not obligated to purchase any minimum volume and are generally able to
terminate their relationship with the Company at will. If any such change
resulted in decreased demand for the Company's drives, whether by loss of or
delays in orders, the Company's operating results could be materially adversely
affected.

The hard drive industry is experiencing changes in its OEM customer ordering
models. The trend among the computer manufacturers using the "build-to-order"
model is to improve asset management capabilities while still meeting customer
requirements; therefore, Western Digital's customers are holding smaller
inventories of components such as hard drives. This JIT ordering model requires
the Company to maintain a certain base stock of product in a location adjacent
to its customers' manufacturing facilities. JIT ordering complicates the
Company's inventory management strategies and makes it increasingly difficult to
anticipate customer inventory pulling patterns and to balance manufacturing
plans with projected customer demand. The Company's failure to manage its
inventory in response to JIT demands could have a material adverse effect on its
financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Large OEMs are also considering or have implemented a "channel assembly" model
in which the OEM ships a minimal computer system to the dealer or assembler, and
component suppliers such as hard drive manufacturers are requested to ship parts
directly to the dealer for installation at its location. With this model,
fragmentation of manufacturing facilities exposes the Company to some risk of
inventory mismanagement by both the OEMs and the assembly houses. The shift
requires effective inventory management by the Company, and any increase in the
number of "ship to locations" may increase freight costs and the number of
accounts to be managed. Additionally, if the assemblers are not properly trained
in manufacturing processes, it could also increase the number of product returns
resulting from damage during assembly or improper installation. This model
requires proper alignment between the OEM and the Company and requires the
Company to retain more of its product in inventory. The Company is therefore
exposed to the increased risk of inventory obsolescence with the channel
assembly model as well as the JIT model. The Company's OEM customer
relationships have traditionally been strong, but a material negative change in
an OEM relationship could adversely affect demand for Western Digital products,
especially with the impact of these new models.


                                       10
<PAGE>   11
Development and Production of Drives with MR Recording Heads

The majority of the Company's hard drive products currently utilize conventional
thin film or metal-in-gap ("MIG") inductive head technologies. The Company
believes that magneto-resistive ("MR") heads, which enable higher capacity per
hard drive than conventional thin film or MIG inductive heads, have replaced
thin film and MIG inductive heads as the leading recording head technology. The
Company is shipping desktop and mobile products with MR head technology. As with
most new products, the Company anticipates that the new MR products will have
lower initial manufacturing yields and higher initial component costs than some
more mature products. Additionally, the Company expects to continue to
experience somewhat lower yields on products that utilize extended thin film
head technology. The Company is working to qualify the new MR products with its
customers and facilitate the transition from thin film and MIG head products to
MR head products. The Company has historically reduced its risk of inventory
obsolescence in part by utilizing its platform strategy of using common
components and supplies for different capacity products. Hard drive products
using MR heads require certain components and supplies that are unique to this
new technology. As a result, the transition to MR head technology decreases the
Company's flexibility to switch quickly from product capacity points with
decreasing demand to product capacity points with greater demand. This may
reduce inventory turns and increase the risk of inventory obsolescence during
the period of transition. Failure of the Company to successfully manufacture and
market products incorporating MR head technology in a timely manner and/or in
sufficient volume to meet customer requirements during 1998 could cause erosion
of the Company's market share and have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Dependence on Suppliers of Components

The Company is dependent on qualified suppliers for components, including
recording heads, head stack assemblies, media, and integrated circuits. A number
of the components used by the Company are available from a single or limited
number of outside suppliers. Some of these materials may periodically be in
short supply, and the Company has, on occasion, experienced temporary delays or
increased costs in obtaining these materials. Because the Company is less
vertically integrated than its competitors, an extended shortage of required
materials and supplies could have a more severe effect on the Company's revenues
and earnings as compared to its competition. The Company must allow for
significant lead times when procuring certain materials and supplies. The
Company has more than one available source for most of its required materials,
but where there is only one source of supply, the Company has entered into close
technical and manufacturing relationships, has access to more than one
manufacturing location in most instances, and believes that a second source
could be obtained over a period of time. However, no assurance can be given that
the Company's results of operations would not be adversely affected until a new
source could be secured.

Although the Company obtains headstack assemblies from several sources, the
supply of these components at the desired technology levels is a critical issue
for the Company as it plans to meet the anticipated demand for desktop storage
products. The Company believes that the supply of headstack assemblies at the
required level of technology and cost may continue to be a constraint, and a
continued shortage could adversely affect the Company's ability to meet
anticipated customer demand for its products.

Foreign Manufacturing Risks

Western Digital products are currently manufactured in Singapore and Malaysia.
Although the manufacturing is performed by the Company's subsidiaries, the
Company is subject to certain risks associated with foreign manufacturing,
including obtaining requisite United States and foreign governmental permits and
approvals, currency exchange fluctuations, currency restrictions, political
instability, transportation delays, labor problems, trade restrictions, import,
export, exchange and tax controls and reallocations, and changes in tariff and
freight rates.

The Company has offset its primary foreign currency exposures through the use of
forward contracts. The Company expects that these forward contracts will
continue to offset the majority of its foreign currency commitments/exposures in
future periods.


                                       11
<PAGE>   12
Volatility of Stock Price

The Company's stock price, like other high-technology companies' stock prices,
is subject to wide fluctuations. The stock price volatility can be a response to
actual or anticipated variations in operating results, announcements of new
products or developments by the Company or its competitors, developments in
relationships with customers or suppliers and other events or factors. Even a
modest underperformance against the expectations of the investment community by
the Company can lead to a significant decline in the market price of the
Company's stock. Broad stock market fluctuations which may be unrelated to the
operating performance of the Company, may also adversely affect the market price
of the Company's stock.

Other Risk Factors

The Company's operating results have been and may in the future be subject to
significant periodic fluctuations as a result of a number of other factors.
These factors have included the timing of orders from and shipment of products
to major customers, product mix, pricing, delays in product development and/or
introduction to production, competing technologies, variations in product cost,
component availability due to single or limited sources of supply, foreign
exchange fluctuations, increased competition and general economics and industry
fluctuations, both foreign and domestic. The Company's future operating results
may also be adversely affected by an adverse judgment or settlement in the legal
proceedings in which the Company is currently involved. This statement should be
read in conjunction with "Part 1, Item 3. Legal Proceedings" included in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.  Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K.

        (a)     Exhibits:

                11      Computation of Per Share Earnings.

                27.1    Financial Data Schedule

        (b)     Reports on Form 8-K:

                None


                                       12
<PAGE>   13
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.



                                       WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Registrant




                                       /s/Duston Williams
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Duston M. Williams
                                       Senior Vice President
                                       and Chief Financial Officer


Date: November 7, 1997


                                       13
<PAGE>   14
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                             NUMBERED
NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION                                          PAGE
- ------                           -----------                                      ------------
<S>        <C>                                                                    <C>   

11         Computation of Per Share Earnings................................

27.1       Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>


                                       14

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11


                           WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

                        COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS

                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                                                              -------------------------------  
                                                               SEPT. 28,            SEPT. 27,
                                                                    1996                 1997
                                                              ----------           ----------
<S>                                                           <C>                  <C>       
PRIMARY

     Net income....................................           $   32,878           $   62,707
                                                              ==========           ==========

     Weighted average number of common
     shares outstanding during the period..........               87,488               86,742

     Incremental common shares attributable
     to outstanding options and ESPP
     contributions.................................                5,116                6,871
                                                              ----------           ----------

         Total shares..............................               92,604               93,613
                                                              ==========           ==========

     Net income per share..........................           $      .36           $      .67
                                                              ==========           ==========

FULLY DILUTED

     Net income....................................           $   32,878           $   62,707
                                                              ==========           ==========

     Weighted average number of common
     shares outstanding during the period..........               87,488               86,742

     Incremental common shares attributable
     to outstanding options and ESPP
     contributions.................................                6,160                7,218
                                                              ----------           ----------

         Total shares..............................               93,648               93,960
                                                              ==========           ==========

     Net income per share..........................           $      .35           $      .67
                                                              ==========           ==========
</TABLE>




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS AND BALANCE SHEETS OF WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM
10-Q FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-27-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                         183,808
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  580,449
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,520
<INVENTORY>                                    289,374
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,077,144
<PP&E>                                         475,071
<DEPRECIATION>                                 183,870
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,411,336
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          671,878
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           872
<OTHER-SE>                                     696,807
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,411,336
<SALES>                                      1,090,164
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,090,164
<CGS>                                          929,105
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  929,105
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                88,996
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   854
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,588
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 74,651
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,944
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             62,707
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    62,707
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .67
        

</TABLE>


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