<PAGE> 1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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 JULY 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 0-6920
APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 94-1655526
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(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
3050 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, California 95054-3299
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Address of principal executive offices (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (408) 727-5555
-------------------------
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 the issuer's common stock as of July 27, 1997:
182,285,084
<PAGE> 2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------------ ----------------------
July 27, July 28, July 27, July 28,
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 1997 1996 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $1,057,241 $1,115,424 $2,793,879 $3,283,859
Cost of products sold 558,345 583,448 1,509,310 1,713,792
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross margin 498,896 531,976 1,284,569 1,570,067
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering 143,880 128,262 392,345 363,532
Marketing and selling 81,191 82,882 222,427 240,751
General and administrative 60,569 64,758 179,794 169,133
Bad debt expense 16,318 - 16,318 -
Acquired in-process research and
development - - 59,500 -
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income from operations 196,938 256,074 414,185 796,651
Income from litigation settlement 80,000 - 80,000 -
Interest expense 4,851 4,812 15,586 14,897
Interest income 15,038 8,839 43,193 28,265
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income from consolidated companies
before taxes 287,125 260,101 521,792 810,019
Provision for income taxes 100,494 91,035 203,453 283,506
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Income from consolidated companies 186,631 169,066 318,339 526,513
Equity in net income/(loss) of joint venture - - - -
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income $ 186,631 $ 169,066 $ 318,339 $ 526,513
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings per share $ 0.98 $ 0.92 $ 1.70 $ 2.86
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Average common shares and equivalents 189,609 183,359 187,770 183,780
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</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
2
<PAGE> 3
APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 27, Oct. 27,
(In thousands) 1997 1996
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<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 213,064 $ 403,888
Short-term investments 890,659 633,744
Accounts receivable, net 942,306 822,384
Inventories 608,988 478,552
Deferred income taxes 285,066 281,586
Other current assets 105,436 72,915
---------- ----------
Total current assets 3,045,519 2,693,069
Property, plant and equipment, net 967,181 919,038
Other assets 236,719 25,880
---------- ----------
Total assets $4,249,419 $3,637,987
---------- ----------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable $ 21,001 $ 77,522
Current portion of long-term debt 10,681 22,640
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 994,293 791,897
Income taxes payable 205,388 43,168
--------- ----------
Total current liabilities 1,231,363 935,227
Long-term debt 228,095 275,485
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities 116,362 56,850
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 1,575,820 1,267,562
---------- ----------
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock 1,823 1,802
Additional paid-in capital 752,217 763,376
Retained earnings 1,917,903 1,599,564
Cumulative translation adjustments 1,656 5,683
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity 2,673,599 2,370,425
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $4,249,419 $3,637,987
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</TABLE>
* Amounts as of July 27, 1997 are unaudited. Amounts as of October 27, 1996
were obtained from the October 27, 1996 audited financial statements.
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
3
<PAGE> 4
APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
------------------------------
July 27, July 28,
(In thousands) 1997 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 318,339 $ 526,513
Adjustments required to reconcile net income
to cash provided by operations:
Bad debt expense 16,318 -
Acquired in-process research & development 59,500 -
Deferred taxes 1,280 (1,064)
Depreciation and amortization 162,540 103,921
Equity in net income/(loss) of joint venture - -
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of amounts acquired:
Accounts receivable (121,282) (181,203)
Inventories (109,784) (112,282)
Other current assets (27,684) 12,671
Other assets (2,736) (2,602)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 170,598 142,773
Income taxes payable 163,852 (85,028)
Other liabilities 10,022 13,383
--------- ---------
Cash provided by operations 640,963 417,082
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures, net of dispositions (183,937) (364,835)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (246,276) -
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments 460,899 494,599
Purchases of short-term investments (717,814) (559,848)
--------- ---------
Cash used for investing (687,128) (430,084)
---------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term debt activity, net (57,568) (33,422)
Long-term debt activity, net (57,365) 7,062
Common stock transactions, net (28,285) (7,092)
--------- ---------
Cash used for financing (143,218) (33,452)
--------- ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (1,441) (543)
--------- ---------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (190,824) (46,997)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 403,888 285,845
---------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 213,064 $ 238,848
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For the nine months ended July 27, 1997, cash payments for interest and income
taxes were $10,534 and $41,788, respectively. For the nine months ended July 28,
1996, cash payments for interest and income taxes were $12,053 and $345,779,
respectively.
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
4
<PAGE> 5
APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 27, 1997
(IN THOUSANDS)
1) Basis of Presentation
In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated condensed financial
statements included herein have been prepared on a consistent basis with the
October 27, 1996 audited consolidated financial statements and include all
material adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary
to fairly present the information set forth therein. These interim financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the October 27, 1996 audited
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those
amounts.
2) Acquisitions
During the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company acquired two companies
(Opal, Inc. and Orbot Instruments, Ltd.) in separate transactions for
approximately $293 million, consisting primarily of cash. Opal, Inc.
("Opal") is a supplier of CD-SEM (critical dimension scanning electron
microscope) systems for use in semiconductor manufacturing. Orbot
Instruments, Ltd. ("Orbot") supplies wafer and reticle inspection systems
for use in the production of semiconductors. The acquisitions were completed
by the early part of January 1997, and have been accounted for using the
purchase method of accounting; accordingly, the Company's consolidated
results of operations since the acquisition dates include the operating
results of Opal and Orbot.
In connection with the acquisitions, the Company incurred a $59.5 million
pre-tax charge, or $0.32 per share after tax in the first quarter of fiscal
1997, for acquired in-process research and development. With the exception
of this charge, the Company's results of operations for the nine months
ended July 27, 1997 were not materially affected by the acquisitions. As of
July 27, 1997, the Company had approximately $207 million of net intangible
assets (see note 6) and $46 million of deferred tax liabilities that
resulted from the acquisitions. With the exception of these items, the
Company's financial condition as of July 27, 1997 has not been materially
affected by the acquisitions.
The Company's pro-forma net sales, income from operations, net income and
earnings per share for the nine months ended July 27, 1997 and July 28,
1996, assuming the acquisitions occurred at the beginning of such periods,
would not have been materially different from the actual amounts reported
for such periods.
5
<PAGE> 6
3) Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share has been computed using the weighted average number of
common shares and equivalents outstanding during the period.
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128 (SFAS 128), "Earnings Per Share,"
which the Company is required to adopt in the first quarter of fiscal 1998.
Under the requirements of SFAS 128, primary earnings per share will be
replaced by basic earnings per share and the dilutive effect of stock
options will be excluded from its calculation. Upon adoption of SFAS 128,
the Company's basic earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 1997
and 1996 are expected to be $1.03 and $0.94, respectively, and $1.76 and
$2.93 for the nine months ended July 27, 1997 and July 28, 1996,
respectively. For companies with potentially dilutive securities such as
outstanding stock options, fully diluted earnings per share will be replaced
with diluted earnings per share. These amounts are not expected to differ
from the primary earnings per share amounts currently reported by the
Company.
4) Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company enters into derivative financial instruments such as forward
exchange contracts to hedge certain firm commitments denominated in foreign
currencies and currency option contracts to hedge certain anticipated, but
not yet committed, transactions expected to be denominated in foreign
currencies. The terms of the currency instruments used are consistent with
the timing of the committed or anticipated transactions being hedged. The
purpose of the Company's foreign currency management activity is to protect
the Company from the risk that eventual cash flows from foreign currency
denominated transactions may be adversely affected by changes in exchange
rates. Gains and losses on forward exchange contracts and options are
deferred and recognized in income when the related transactions being hedged
are recognized. If the underlying transaction being hedged fails to occur,
or occurs prior to the maturity of the financial instrument, the Company
immediately recognizes the gain or loss on the associated financial
instrument. Forward exchange contracts that have been marked to market are
included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the Company's
consolidated balance sheet. Premiums paid for currency options are not
material. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for
trading or speculative purposes.
5) Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined
on a first-in, first- out (FIFO) basis. The components of inventories are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 27, 1997 October 27, 1996
------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Customer service spares $193,735 $182,320
Systems raw materials 80,822 70,959
Work-in-process 217,462 140,964
Finished goods 116,969 84,309
-------- --------
$608,988 $478,552
======== ========
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE> 7
6) Other Assets
The components of other assets are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 27, 1997 October 27, 1996
------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Purchased technology, net $192,721 $ -
Goodwill, net 13,906 -
Other 30,092 25,880
-------- --------
$236,719 $ 25,880
======== ========
</TABLE>
Purchased technology and goodwill are presented at cost, net of accumulated
amortization, and are being amortized using the straight-line method over
their estimated useful lives of eight years. The Company periodically
analyzes these assets to determine whether an impairment in carrying value
has occurred. The Company does not believe that an impairment has occurred
to date.
7) Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
The components of accounts payable and accrued expenses are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 27, 1997 October 27, 1996
------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Accounts payable $305,557 $192,607
Compensation and benefits 171,034 170,881
Installation and warranty 191,213 187,873
Other 326,489 240,536
-------- --------
$994,293 $791,897
======== ========
</TABLE>
8) Early Retirement of Debt
During the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company repaid its unsecured
senior notes prior to their scheduled maturities. The noteholders received
approximately $56 million, representing principal, accrued interest and
prepayment charges, on December 19, 1996. The prepayment charge was not
material.
9) Bad Debt Expense
During the third quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company determined that its
outstanding accounts receivable balance from Thailand-based Submicron
Technology PCL ("SMT") might not be collectible. Therefore, the Company
repossessed systems previously sold to SMT and recorded $16.3 million of bad
debt expense.
10) Litigation Settlement
During the third quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company settled certain
outstanding litigation with Novellus Systems, Inc. In connection with this
settlement, the Company received $80 million in damages from Novellus for
past patent infringement. Novellus is also required to pay ongoing royalties
for certain system shipments subsequent to the date of the settlement. The
Company does not expect these royalties to have a material effect on its
future results of operations.
7
<PAGE> 8
APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ACQUISITIONS
During the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company acquired Opal, Inc.
("Opal") and Orbot Instruments, Ltd. ("Orbot") in separate transactions for
approximately $293 million, consisting primarily of cash. Opal is a supplier of
CD-SEM (critical dimension scanning electron microscope) systems for use in
semiconductor manufacturing. Orbot supplies wafer and reticle inspection systems
for use in the production of semiconductors. These acquisitions marked the
Company's entry into the metrology and inspection semiconductor equipment
markets. The acquisitions were completed by the early part of January 1997, and
have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting; accordingly,
the Company's consolidated results of operations since the acquisition date
include the operating results of Opal and Orbot. In connection with the
acquisitions, the Company recorded a one-time, pre-tax charge of $59.5 million,
or $0.32 per share after tax in the first quarter of fiscal 1997, for acquired
in-process research and development. With the exception of this charge, the
acquisitions did not materially affect the Company's results of operations for
the nine months ended July 27, 1997.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
During the latter half of the Company's fiscal 1996, the semiconductor industry
experienced a slowdown during which sharply lower memory device prices and
excess production capacity caused the Company's customers to reduce their
purchases of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and push out delivery of
previously ordered systems. This slowdown affected the Company's results of
operations for the four most recent fiscal quarters. The Company believes the
low point of its business cycle occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996,
during which $683 million of new orders were received. The Company's new order
levels have increased in each of the last three fiscal quarters, and net sales
have increased in each of the last two fiscal quarters. The Company expects new
orders and net sales to increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997. New
orders and net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 approached the record
levels achieved in the first half of fiscal 1996.
8
<PAGE> 9
New orders of $1,240 million were received during the third quarter of fiscal
1997, versus new orders of $1,014 million in the second quarter of fiscal 1997.
The increase in new orders is primarily the result of strengthening demand from
logic and microprocessor device manufacturers for the Company's advanced
technologies, including 0.25 micron capable production systems, and selected
strategic investments by DRAM manufacturers. In addition, orders for foundry
capacity investments in the Asia-Pacific region have accelerated. North America
(primarily the United States) new orders increased to $507 million in the third
quarter of fiscal 1997 from $406 million in the second quarter of fiscal 1997;
order levels in Europe and Japan were flat, at $135 million and $220 million,
respectively, versus orders of $136 million and $221 million, respectively, in
the second quarter of fiscal 1997; Korea orders decreased to $59 million from
$66 million; and Asia-Pacific (Taiwan, China and Southeast Asia) orders
increased to $319 million from $185 million. Backlog at July 27, 1997 increased
to $1,648 million, from $1,485 at April 27, 1997.
The Company's net sales for the three and nine months ended July 27, 1997
decreased 5.2 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively, from the corresponding
periods of fiscal 1996 as a result of the aforementioned slowdown. Sales by
region as a percentage of total sales were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
July 27, July 28, July 27, July 28,
1997 1996 1997 1996
-------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
North America 42% 29% 39% 33%
Europe 12% 9% 16% 15%
Japan 18% 26% 16% 23%
Korea 7% 21% 8% 15%
Asia-Pacific 21% 15% 21% 14%
</TABLE>
The Company's gross margin for the three and nine months ended July 27, 1997 was
47.2 percent and 46.0 percent, respectively, compared to 47.7 percent and 47.8
percent for the corresponding periods of fiscal 1996. The decreases can be
attributed primarily to reduced business volume and product pricing pressures
resulting from the slowdown in the Company's business discussed earlier. The
Company's gross margin of 47.2 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 1997
increased from 46.0 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 1997 and 44.5
percent in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 due to an increase in business
volume, a continued focus on manufacturing material cost reductions and
manufacturing efficiencies. For these same
9
<PAGE> 10
reasons, management expects the Company's gross margin to increase slightly in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997.
Excluding bad debt expense and acquired in-process research and development,
operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three and nine months
ended July 27, 1997 were 27.0 percent and 28.4 percent, respectively, versus
24.7 percent and 23.6 percent for the corresponding periods of fiscal 1996. The
increases are primarily attributable to reduced business volume and increased
research and development costs for 300mm wafer technology. Research and
development spending is expected to increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal
1997 as the Company continues to invest heavily in its 300mm product development
programs.
Significant operations of the Company are conducted in foreign currencies,
primarily Japanese yen. Forward exchange and currency option contracts are
purchased to hedge certain existing firm commitments and foreign currency
denominated transactions expected to occur during the next year. Gains and
losses on hedge contracts are deferred and recognized in income when the related
transactions being hedged are recognized. Because the impact of movements in
currency exchange rates on foreign exchange and currency option contracts
generally offsets the related impact on the underlying items being hedged, these
financial instruments are not expected to subject the Company to risks that
would otherwise result from changes in currency exchange rates. Exchange gains
and losses did not have a significant effect on the Company's results of
operations for any of the periods presented.
During the third quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company determined that its
outstanding accounts receivable balance from Thailand-based Submicron Technology
PCL ("SMT") might not be collectible. Therefore, the Company repossessed systems
previously sold to SMT and recorded $16.3 million of bad debt expense.
During the third quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company settled certain outstanding
litigation with Novellus Systems, Inc. In connection with this settlement, the
Company received $80 million in damages from Novellus for past patent
infringement. Novellus is also required to pay ongoing royalties for certain
system shipments subsequent to the date of the settlement. The Company does not
expect these royalties to have a material effect on its future results of
operations.
10
<PAGE> 11
Interest expense for the three and nine months ended July 27, 1997 was $4.9
million and $15.6 million, respectively, compared to $4.8 million and $14.9
million, respectively, for the corresponding periods of fiscal 1996. The
Company's interest-bearing obligations consist mainly of long-term debt bearing
interest at fixed rates. Therefore, fluctuations in interest expense from period
to period are primarily due to changes in the Company's average short-term debt
outstanding during these periods.
Interest income for the three and nine months ended July 27, 1997 was $15.0
million and $43.2 million, respectively, compared to $8.8 million and $28.3
million, respectively, for the corresponding periods of fiscal 1996. The
increases can be attributed primarily to higher average cash and investment
balances.
The Company's effective income tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 1997 was
35 percent, consistent with the rate for the three and nine months ended July
28, 1996. For the nine months ended July 27, 1997, the effective rate was higher
than the expected rate of 35 percent due to the non-deductible nature of the
$59.5 million acquisition related charge discussed above. Management anticipates
that the Company's effective income tax rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal
1997 will be 35 percent.
The Company's results of operations for the three and nine months ended July 27,
1997 are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.
11
<PAGE> 12
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's financial condition remained strong as of July 27, 1997, with a
ratio of current assets to current liabilities of 2.5:1, compared to 2.9:1 at
October 27, 1996. The Company had $1.1 billion of cash and short-term
investments as of July 27, 1997, slightly above the amount at the end of fiscal
1996.
The Company generated $641 million of cash from operations in the first nine
months of fiscal 1997. This resulted primarily from net income (plus non-cash
charges for bad debt expense, acquired in-process research and development,
depreciation and amortization) of $557 million, an increase in accounts payable
and accrued expenses of $171 million and an increase in income taxes payable of
$164 million, offset by increases in accounts receivable and inventories of $121
million and $110 million, respectively.
Cash used for investing activities of $687 million was primarily for
acquisitions ($246 million, net of cash acquired), net purchases of short-term
investments of $257 million and net property, plant and equipment acquisitions
of $184 million.
Cash used for financing activities of $143 million was primarily for net
short-term debt repayments and the early retirement of certain long-term debt.
Net cash outflows for stock transactions of $28 million include stock
repurchases of $78 million, offset partially by proceeds from stock issuances of
$50 million.
At July 27, 1997, the Company's principal sources of liquidity consisted of
$1,104 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, $194
million of unissued notes registered under the Company's medium-term note
program and $349 million of available credit facilities. During the second
quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company amended its $240 million line of credit
(included in available credit facilities discussed above) to extend the
expiration date to April 2001 from February 2000. The Company's liquidity is
affected by many factors, some of which are based on the normal on-going
operations of the business, and others of which relate to the uncertainties of
the industry and global economies. Although the Company's cash requirements will
fluctuate based on the timing and extent of these factors, management believes
that cash generated from operations, together with existing sources of
liquidity, will be sufficient to satisfy the Company's requirements for the next
twelve months. The Company may from time to time raise additional cash in the
debt and equity markets to better balance its capital structure or support
long-term business growth.
12
<PAGE> 13
Capital expenditures are expected to approximate $450 million in fiscal 1997, up
from the Company's estimate of $350 million in the second quarter of fiscal
1997. This increase can be attributed to significant planned facilities
expansion in Santa Clara, California, with the conversion of one building to a
dedicated 300mm development and applications center, and construction of an
additional applications laboratory facility. This expansion is expected to cost
the Company $430 million over the next two fiscal years. In addition, the
Company plans to double the size of its manufacturing facilities in Austin,
Texas, by completing construction of one building by the end of fiscal 1997, and
constructing another building during fiscal 1998. Estimated costs associated
with the new building are $45 million. Estimated capital expenditures also
include funds for the continuation and completion of other facilities
improvements and investments in demonstration and test equipment, information
systems and other capital equipment. The Company's estimated capital
expenditures are based on its anticipated needs, which change from time to time
as business conditions change.
The Company is authorized to repurchase additional shares of its common stock in
the open market through February 1999 in amounts that are intended to
substantially offset the dilution resulting from its stock-based employee
benefit and incentive plans. The Company repurchased 1,327,000 shares of its
common stock during the first nine months of fiscal 1997, for a total cash
outlay of approximately $78 million.
13
<PAGE> 14
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
When used in this Management's Discussion and Analysis, the words "expect,"
"anticipate," "estimate" and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those
discussed below.
The semiconductor industry has historically been cyclical and subject to
unexpected periodic downturns associated with sudden changes in supply and
demand. Although the Company's new orders and net sales are improving, and the
semiconductor industry appears to be recovering from the slowdown experienced in
1996, the Company's ability to accurately predict the industry's cycles and
their effects on the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry is limited.
For this reason, the Company's expectation that new orders and net sales will
increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 may not be met. It is also
possible that the length and severity of future industry cycles could be much
different from those of previous cycles.
The Company believes it is entering a period of industry growth during which its
new orders, net sales and employee base are expected to increase. The Company's
ability to maximize the benefits of this growth opportunity is dependent upon,
among other things, the successful and timely acquisition/development of
sufficient manufacturing capacity to meet the needs of its customers and the
hiring and assimilation of an adequate number of qualified people.
The Company's new order levels in each of the last three fiscal quarters have
included a significant amount of strategic investments by DRAM manufacturers.
The DRAM market is still characterized by excess capacity and low device prices.
If DRAM customers decrease strategic investments in manufacturing equipment, the
Company's results of operations could be negatively affected.
The Company sells systems to, and provides services for, semiconductor
manufacturers located throughout the world. Each region in the global
semiconductor equipment market exhibits unique characteristics which cause
capital equipment investment patterns to vary from period to period. Although
international markets provide the Company with significant growth opportunities,
periodic economic downturns, trade balance issues, political instability and
fluctuations in interest and foreign currency exchange rates are all risks which
could affect global product and service demand. The Company actively manages its
exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates; however, there can be no
assurance that future changes in
14
<PAGE> 15
foreign currency exchange rates will not have a material effect on its results
of operations or financial condition.
The Company's backlog as of July 27, 1997 was $1,648 million, up from $1,485
million as of April 27, 1997 and $1,448 million as of January 26, 1997. The
Company schedules production of its systems based upon order backlog and
customer commitments. The backlog includes only those orders for which written
authorizations have been accepted and shipment dates within 12 months have been
assigned. Due to the potential for the cancellation of orders and changes in
customer delivery schedules, the Company's backlog at any particular date is not
necessarily indicative of actual sales for any succeeding period.
The Company has a number of programs in place to reduce the cost of
manufacturing its products and providing its services. These programs focus
primarily on improving manufacturing efficiencies and partnering with the
Company's suppliers to obtain materials at the lowest possible price. If the
Company's programs are not successful or results of the programs are not
achieved when anticipated, the Company's expected improvement in its gross
margin in the next fiscal quarter may not be attained. In addition, if the
Company is not able, for whatever reason, to maintain its gross margin at the
current level, its results of operations could be adversely affected.
The Company operates in a highly competitive industry characterized by
increasingly rapid technological changes. The Company's competitive advantage is
therefore primarily dependent on its ability to timely and successfully develop
new products, technologies, processes and services (including those for 300mm
wafers and 0.25 micron and below devices), as well as its ability to
successfully develop and/or penetrate new and existing markets and to ramp
production to meet customer demands. If the Company is unable, for whatever
reason, to introduce leading-edge products, technologies, processes and services
to the market in a timely manner, its results of operations could be adversely
affected.
The Company completed its acquisitions of Opal and Orbot during its first
quarter of fiscal 1997. These acquisitions marked the Company's entrance into
the metrology and inspection semiconductor manufacturing equipment market. To
date, the Company's results of operations have not been materially affected as a
result of the acquisitions, except for a one-time charge for acquired in-process
research and development. However, the Company expects the acquired companies to
contribute significantly to its results of operations in the future. If the
Company is not able to successfully integrate the operations of these newly
acquired companies or expand their customer bases, the Company's expectations of
its future results of operations may not be met. Also, to the extent that there
is an impairment, for whatever
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reason, in the value of intangible assets recorded in connection with the
acquisitions, the Company's results of operations could be adversely affected.
The Company is currently involved in litigation regarding patents and other
intellectual property rights and could become involved in additional litigation
in the future. There can be no assurance about the outcome of current or future
litigation or patent infringement inquiries.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information, including the
forward-looking statements, contained in this Form 10-Q.
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PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In the first of two lawsuits filed by the Company, captioned Applied Materials,
Inc. v. Advanced Semiconductor Materials America, Inc. (ASMA), Epsilon
Technology, Inc. (doing business as ASM Epitaxy) and Advanced Semiconductor
Materials International N.V. (collectively "ASM") (case no. C-91-20061-RMW),
Judge William Ingram of the United States District Court for the Northern
District of California ruled on April 26, 1994 that ASM's Epsilon I epitaxial
reactor infringed three of the Company's United States patents and issued an
injunction against ASM's use or sale of the atmospheric versions of ASM Epsilon
I in the United States. On October 28, 1996, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit decided ASM's appeal of this decision, affirming the trial
court's judgment that one of the Company's patents is valid and infringed. A
further petition for certiorari by ASM to the United States Supreme Court was
denied. A permanent injunction is now effective which prohibits ASM's
manufacture, use and sale of its atmospheric epitaxial reactors in the United
States.
The trial of the Company's second patent infringement lawsuit against ASM,
captioned Applied Materials, Inc. v. ASM (case no. C-92-20643-RMW), was
concluded before Judge Whyte in May 1995. On November 1, 1995, the Court issued
its judgment holding that two of the Company's United States patents were valid
and infringed by reduced pressure versions of ASM's Epsilon I epitaxial
reactors. ASM appealed this decision. On December 17, 1996, the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected ASM's appeal, and affirmed the District
Court's ruling. A permanent injunction was entered on March 7, 1996, prohibiting
ASM's manufacture, use or sale of reduced pressure versions of its Epsilon I
epitaxial reactors within the United States. Trial in the District Court which
had been set for July 28, 1997 to determine ASM's liability, damages and
willfulness, for both case nos. C-91-20061-RMW and C-92-20643-RMW, has been
temporarily stayed.
In a separate lawsuit filed by ASM against the Company involving one patent
relating to the Company's single wafer epitaxial product line, captioned ASM
America, Inc. v. Applied Materials, Inc. (case no. C-93-20853-RMW), the Court
granted three motions for summary judgment in favor of the Company which
substantially eliminate the Company's liability on this patent. The Company's
counterclaims against ASM for inequitable conduct were denied by the Court on
April 11, 1997. A separate action severed from ASM's case, captioned ASM
America, Inc. v. Applied Materials, Inc. (case no. C-95-20169-RMW), involves one
United States patent which relates to the Company's Precision 5000 product. A
previously set trial
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date has been vacated; no trial date is currently scheduled. In these cases, ASM
seeks injunctive relief, damages and such other relief as the Court may find
appropriate.
Further, the Company has filed a Declaratory Judgment action against ASM,
captioned Applied Materials, Inc. v. ASM (case no. C-95-20003-RMW), requesting
that an ASM United States patent be held invalid and not infringed by the
Company's single wafer epitaxial product line. No trial date has been set. On
April 10, 1996, the Court denied ASM's motion for summary judgment and granted
the Company's motion for summary judgment finding several independent grounds
why the Company's reactors do not literally infringe ASM's patent. With this
ruling, the Company's liability has been substantially eliminated on this
patent. On July 7, 1996, ASM filed a lawsuit, captioned ASM America, Inc. v.
Applied Materials, Inc. (case no. C-95-20586-RMW), concerning alleged
infringement of a United States patent by susceptors in chemical vapor
deposition chambers. No trial date has been scheduled.
On January 13, 1997, the Company filed a patent infringement suit against ASM,
captioned Applied Materials, Inc. v. ASM America, Inc., et al. (case no.
C-97-20045-RMW[EAI]), in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of California, regarding ASM's newly announced Epsilon 2000 reactor. No
trial date has been scheduled.
At the request of the Court, all matters pending between ASM and the Company
were recently submitted to court supervised mediation. Pending completion of the
mediation process, all proceedings in these matters have been temporarily
stayed.
In September 1994, General Signal Corporation filed a lawsuit against the
Company, captioned General Signal Corporation v. Applied Materials, Inc. (case
no. 94-461-JJF), in the United States District Court, District of Delaware.
General Signal alleges that the Company infringes five of General Signal's
United States patents by making, using, selling or offering for sale
multi-chamber wafer fabrication equipment, including the Company's Precision
5000 series machines, for example. General Signal seeks an injunction, multiple
damages and costs, including attorneys' fees and interest, and such other relief
as the court may deem appropriate. A previously scheduled trial date has been
vacated; no trial date is currently scheduled.
As a result of the Company's acquisition of Orbot Instruments, Ltd., the Company
is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned KLA Instruments Corporation v. Orbot
Instruments, Ltd. (case no. C-93-20886-JW), in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of California. KLA alleges that the Company infringes
one patent regarding equipment for the inspection of masks or reticles, and
seeks an injunction, damages and such other relief as the Court may find
appropriate. There has been some discovery, but no trial date has been
scheduled.
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On June 13, 1997, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Varian
Associates, Inc. captioned Applied Materials, Inc. v. Varian Associates, Inc.
(case no. C-97-20523-RMW), alleging infringement of several of the Company's
patents concerning physical vapor deposition ("PVD") technology. The complaint
was later amended on July 7, 1997 to include Novellus Systems, Inc. as a
defendant as a result of Novellus' acquisition of the Varian thin film PVD
business unit. The Company seeks damages for past infringement, a permanent
injunction, treble damages for willful infringement, pre-judgment interest and
attorneys fees. Varian answered the complaint denying all allegations and
counterclaiming for declaratory judgment of invalidity and unenforceability and
alleging conduct by Applied violative of the antitrust laws. On June 23, 1997,
Novellus filed a separate patent infringement lawsuit against the Company
captioned Novellus Systems, Inc. v. Applied Materials, Inc. (case no.
C-97-20551-EAI), alleging infringement by the Company of three patents
concerning PVD technology which were formerly owned by Varian. On July 8, 1997,
Varian filed a separate lawsuit against the Company captioned Varian Associates,
Inc. v. Applied Materials, Inc. (case no. C-97-20597-PVT), alleging a broad
range of conduct in violation of the federal antitrust law and state unfair
competition and unfair business practice statutes. Discovery has not yet
commenced in any of these actions. No trial dates have been set.
In the normal course of business, the Company from time to time receives and
makes inquiries regarding possible patent infringement. Management believes that
it has meritorious claims and defenses and intends to pursue these matters
vigorously.
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Item 5. Other Information
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the nine months ended July 27, 1997
and July 28, 1996, and for each of the last five fiscal years, was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended Fiscal Year
----------------- ---------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
July 27, July 28,
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- -----
16.78x 23.68x 20.14x 21.25x 13.37x 7.61x 3.63x
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ===== =====
</TABLE>
The Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the nine months ended July
27, 1997 was computed on a consistent basis with the ratio for 1996, as detailed
in Exhibit 12.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended October 27, 1996.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
a) A Report on Form 8-K was filed on August 12, 1997. The report
contained the Company's financial statements for the period ended
July 27, 1997, as attached to its earnings release dated August 12,
1997.
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SIGNATURE
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.
APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
September 5, 1997 By: \s\Gerald F. Taylor
------------------------------
Gerald F. Taylor
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
By: \s\Michael K. O'Farrell
------------------------------
Michael K. O'Farrell
Vice President and
Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
21
