SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 24, 2000
Commission file number: 0-21154
CREE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
North Carolina 56-1572719
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4600 Silicon Drive
Durham, North Carolina 27703
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(919) 313-5300
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. [ X] Yes [ ] No
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock, $0.0025 par
value per share, as of October 17, 2000 was 35,708,296.
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CREE, INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 24, 2000
INDEX
Page No.
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 24, 2000
(unaudited) and June 25, 2000 3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended
September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999 (unaudited) 4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months
ended September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999 (unaudited) 5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations 12
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risk 16
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 17
Item 2. Changes in Securities 17
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 17
SIGNATURES 18
2
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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CREE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
September 24, June 25,
2000 2000
------------- ----------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 34,123 $ 103,843
Short-term investments held to maturity 206,094 142,461
Marketable securities 16,215 15,842
Accounts receivable, net 19,992 12,406
Interest receivable 5,826 3,893
Inventories 10,564 9,320
Deferred income taxes 139 --
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,741 1,254
----------- ----------
Total current assets 296,694 289,019
Property and equipment, net 157,615 137,118
Long-term investments held to maturity 9,936 41,965
Deferred income taxes 10,624 10,624
Patent and license rights, net 2,373 2,324
Other assets 25,721 5,152
----------- ----------
Total assets $ 502,963 $ 486,202
=========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, trade $ 11,705 $ 14,204
Accrued salaries and wages 4,429 3,133
Other accrued expenses 10,142 5,725
----------- ----------
Total current liabilities 26,276 23,062
Long term liabilities:
Long term liability 400 --
----------- ----------
Total long term liabilities 400 --
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01; -- --
3,000 shares authorized at September 24,
2000 and June 25, 2000; none issued
and outstanding
Common stock, par value $0.0025; 88 88
60,000 shares authorized at September 24,
2000 and June 25, 2000; shares issued and
outstanding 35,517 and 35,348 at September
24, 2000 and June 25, 2000, respectively
Additional paid-in-capital 417,357 415,716
Deferred compensation expense (1,604) (1,755)
Retained earnings 60,811 48,156
Accumulated other comprehensive (365) 935
income (loss), net of tax
----------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity 476,287 463,140
----------- ----------
Total liabilities and $ 502,963 $ 486,202
shareholders' equity =========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
consolidated financial statements.
3
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CREE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
-------------------------------------
September 24, September 26,
2000 1999
--------------- ---------------
Revenue:
Product revenue, net $ 34,311 $ 18,248
Contract revenue, net 3,331 2,613
--------------- ---------------
Total revenue 37,642 20,861
Cost of revenue:
Product revenue, net 14,489 9,496
Contract revenue, net 2,587 1,888
--------------- ---------------
Total cost of revenue 17,076 11,384
Gross profit 20,566 9,477
Operating expenses:
Research and development 2,101 931
Sales, general and administrative 3,957 2,056
Other expense -- 101
--------------- ---------------
Income from operations 14,508 6,389
Other non-operating expense 88 --
Interest income, net 4,783 553
--------------- ---------------
Income before income taxes 19,203 6,942
Income tax expense 6,548 2,388
--------------- ---------------
Net income 12,655 4,554
=============== ===============
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.36 $ 0.15
=============== ===============
Diluted $ 0.34 $ 0.14
=============== ===============
Shares used in per share calculation:
Basic 35,406 31,185
=============== ===============
Diluted 37,630 33,163
=============== ===============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
consolidated financial statements.
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CREE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
--------------------------------
September 24, September 26,
2000 1999
--------------- ---------------
Operating activities:
Net income $ 12,655 $ 4,554
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 4,128 2,076
Loss on disposal of property and equipment -- 43
Amortization of patent rights 15 32
Purchase of marketable trading securities (5,028) --
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities 5,837 --
Gain on marketable trading securities (1,182) --
Deferred income taxes 1,479 (118)
Tax benefits associated with stock options 4,500 2,520
Amortization of deferred compensation 151 68
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and interest receivable (9,519) (1,083)
Inventories (1,244) (74)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (2,626) (11)
Accounts payable, trade (2,499) (1,484)
Accrued expenses (1,166) 1,593
--------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 5,501 8,116
--------------- ---------------
Investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (24,626) (9,773)
Purchase of securities held to maturity (50,613) --
Proceeds from securities held to maturity 19,010 --
Purchase of patent rights (64) (98)
Increase in other long-term assets (20,569) (171)
--------------- ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities (76,862) (10,042)
--------------- ---------------
Financing activities:
Net repayments of long term debt -- (48)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,641 1,072
--------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,641 1,024
--------------- ---------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $ (69,720) $ (902)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period $ 103,843 $ 42,545
--------------- ---------------
End of period $ 34,123 $ 41,643
=============== ===============
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes -- $ 63
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
consolidated financial statements.
5
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CREE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Basis of Presentation
The balance sheet as of September 24, 2000, the statements of operations for the
three month periods ended September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999, and the
statements of cash flows for the three months ended September 24, 2000 and
September 26, 1999 have been prepared by the Company and have not been audited.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the
financial position, results of operations and cash flows at September 24, 2000,
and all periods presented, have been made. The balance sheet at June 25, 2000
has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these condensed financial
statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
thereto included in the Company's fiscal 2000 Form 10-K. The results of
operations for the period ended September 24, 2000 are not necessarily
indicative of the operating results that may be attained for the entire fiscal
year.
Accounting Policies
Business Combination
On May 1, 2000 the Company acquired Nitres, Inc. in a business combination
accounted for as a pooling of interests. Nitres, Inc., became a wholly owned
subsidiary (Cree Lighting Company) of the Company through the exchange of
1,847,746 shares of the Company's common stock for all of the outstanding stock
of Nitres, Inc. In addition, the Company assumed outstanding stock options and
warrants, which after adjustment for the exchange represented a total of 152,223
options and warrants to purchase shares of Cree's common stock. All prior period
consolidated financial statements have been restated to include the results of
operations, financial position and cash flows of Nitres, Inc., as though Nitres,
Inc. had been a part of the Company for all periods presented.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cree, Inc., and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cree Lighting Company ("Cree Lighting"), Cree
Research FSC, Inc., Cree Funding LLC, Cree Employee Services Corporation and
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Cree Technologies, Inc. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications
Certain 2000 amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have
been reclassified to conform to the 2001 presentation. These reclassifications
had no effect on previously reported net income or shareholders' equity.
Fiscal Year
The Company's fiscal year is a 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Sunday in
the month of June. Accordingly, all quarterly reporting reflects a 13 week
period in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000. The Company's current fiscal year extends
from June 26, 2000 through June 24, 2001.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of unrestricted cash accounts and highly
liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when
purchased.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term
investments, available for sale securities, accounts and interest receivable,
accounts payable, debt, and other liabilities approximate fair value at
September 24, 2000 and June 25, 2000.
Investments
Investments are accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 115 (SFAS 115) "Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities". This statement requires certain securities to be
classified into three categories:
(a) Securities Held-to-Maturity- Debt securities that the entity has the
positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at
amortized cost.
(b) Trading Securities- Debt and equity securities that are bought and
held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term are
reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in
earnings.
(c) Securities Available-for-Sale- Debt and equity securities not
classified as either securities held-to-maturity or trading securities
are reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses excluded
from earnings and reported as a separate component of shareholders'
equity.
7
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As of September 24, 2000, the Company's short-term investments held to maturity
included $206.1 million consisting of $156.5 million in high-grade corporate
bonds, $20.0 million in government securities, and $29.6 million in a closed end
mutual fund investing in high grade corporate securities that mature within one
year. The Company purchased the investments with a portion of the proceeds from
its public stock offering in January 2000. The Company has the intent and
ability to hold these securities until maturity; therefore, they are accounted
for as "securities held-to-maturity" under SFAS 115. The securities are reported
on the balance sheet at amortized cost, as a short-term investment with unpaid
interest included in interest receivable.
As of September 24, 2000, the Company's long-term investments held to maturity
consisted of $9.9 million in high-grade corporate bond holdings that mature
after September 24, 2001. The Company purchased the corporate bonds with a
portion of the proceeds from the public stock offering in January 2000. The
Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities until maturity;
therefore, they are accounted for as "securities held-to-maturity" under SFAS
115. The securities are reported on the balance sheet at amortized cost, as a
long-term held to maturity investment with unpaid interest included in interest
receivable if interest is due in less than 12 months, and as a long-term other
asset if interest is due in more than 12 months.
At September 24, 2000, and September 26, 1999, the Company held a short-term
equity investment in common stock of Microvision, Inc. ("MVIS"). The Company
purchased 268,600 common shares in a private equity transaction in May 1999 at a
price of $16.75 per share, or $4.5 million. Pursuant to an agreement signed
March 17, 2000, the Company committed to increase its equity position in MVIS by
investing an additional $12.5 million in MVIS common stock. This additional
investment was completed on April 13, 2000, when the Company purchased 250,000
shares at a price of $50.00 per share. In June 2000, 162,600 MVIS shares were
sold for $6.3 million, with a gain on sale recognized for $3.6 million. The
Company has also purchased other securities for investment purposes. Management
views these transactions as investments, and the shares are accounted for as
"available for sale" securities under SFAS 115. Therefore unrealized gains or
losses are excluded from earnings and are recorded in other comprehensive
income, net of tax.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company purchased and sold
marketable trading securities that resulted in the Company recording a realized
gain on the sale of stock of $1.2 million.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined
under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories consist of the
following:
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September 24, June 25,
2000 2000
--------------- ------------
(in thousands)
Raw materials $ 2,339 $ 2,415
Work-in-process 3,396 3,094
Finished goods 4,829 3,811
--------------- ------------
Total Inventories $ 10,564 $ 9,320
=============== ============
Research and Development
The U.S. Government provides funding through research contracts for several of
the Company's current research and development efforts. The contract funding may
be based on either a cost-plus or a cost-share arrangement. The amount of
funding under each contract is determined based on cost estimates that include
direct costs, plus an allocation for research and development, general and
administrative and the cost of capital expenses. Cost-plus funding is determined
based on actual costs plus a set percentage margin. For the cost-share
contracts, the actual costs are divided between the U.S. government and the
Company based on the terms of the contract. The government's cost share is then
paid to the Company. Activities performed under these arrangements include
research regarding silicon carbide and gallium nitride materials. The contracts
typically require the submission of a written report that documents the results
of such research.
The revenue and expense classification for contract activities is based on the
nature of the contract. For contracts where the Company anticipates that funding
will exceed direct costs over the life of the contract, funding is reported as
contract revenue and all direct costs are reported as costs of contract revenue.
For contracts under which the Company anticipates that direct costs will exceed
amounts to be funded over the life of the contract, costs are reported as
research and development expenses and related funding as an offset of those
expenses. The following table details information about contracts for which
direct expenses exceed funding by period as included in research and development
expenses:
Three months ended
----------------------------------
September 24, September 26,
2000 1999
--------------- --------------
(in thousands)
Net research and development costs $ 136 $ 40
Government funding 347 67
--------------- --------------
Total direct costs incurred $ 483 $ 107
=============== ==============
9
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Significant Sales Contract
In July 2000, the Company entered into a new Purchase Agreement with Osram Opto
Semiconductors GmbH & Co. ("Osram"), pursuant to which Osram agreed to purchase
and the Company is obligated to ship certain quantities of both the standard
brightness and the high brightness LED chips and silicon carbide wafers through
September 2001.
The agreement calls for certain quantities of standard brightness and high
brightness LED chips to be delivered by month. In the event the Company is
unable to ship at least 85% of the cumulative quantity due to have been shipped
each month, Osram is entitled to liquidated damages of one percent per week of
the purchase price of the delayed product, subject to a maximum of ten percent
of the purchase price. If product shipments are delayed six weeks or more due to
circumstances within the Company's control, then in lieu of liquidated damages,
Osram may claim damages actually resulting from the delay up to forty percent of
the purchase price of delayed products.
The contract also gives Osram limited rights to defer shipments. For products to
be shipped in more than 24 weeks after initial notice, Osram can defer 30% and
25% of standard brightness and high brightness LEDs, respectively. For products
to be shipped in more than 12 weeks, but less than 24 weeks, Osram may defer 10%
of scheduled quantities for both standard brightness and high brightness LEDs.
In each case, Osram is required to accept all products within 90 days of the
original shipment date. In all other cases, Osram may reschedule shipments only
with the Company's mutual written agreement.
Additionally, the Purchase Agreement provides for higher per unit prices early
in the contract with reductions in unit prices being available as the cumulative
volume shipped increases. The higher prices were negotiated by the Company to
offset higher per unit costs expected earlier in the contract.
Income Taxes
The Company has established an estimated tax provision based upon an effective
rate of 34%. The estimated effective rate was based upon projections of income
for the fiscal year and the Company's ability to utilize remaining net operating
loss carryforwards and other tax credits. However, the actual effective rate may
vary depending upon actual pre-tax book income for the year or other factors.
Earnings Per Share
The Company presents earnings per share in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". SFAS No.
128 required the Company to change its method of computing, presenting and
disclosing earnings per share information.
10
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The following computation reconciles the differences between the basic and
diluted presentations:
Three months ended
----------------------------------
September 24, September 26,
2000 1999
--------------- --------------
(in thousands,
except per share data)
Basic:
Net income $ 12,655 $ 4,554
=============== ==============
Weighted average common shares 35,406 31,185
=============== ==============
Basic income per common share $ 0.36 $ 0.15
=============== ==============
Diluted:
Net income $ 12,655 $ 4,554
=============== ==============
Weighted average common shares-basic 35,406 31,185
Dilutive effect of stock options
and warrants 2,224 1,978
--------------- --------------
Weighted average common shares-diluted 37,630 33,163
=============== ==============
Diluted income per common share $ 0.34 $ 0.14
=============== ==============
Potential common shares that would have the effect of increasing diluted income
per share are considered to be antidilutive. In accordance with SFAS No. 128,
these shares were not included in calculating diluted income per share.
Accordingly, 765,000 and 476,000 shares for the three months ended September 24,
2000 and September 26, 1999, respectively, were not included in calculating
diluted income per share for the periods presented.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1998, The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 133
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"),
which is required to be adopted in years beginning after June 15, 1999. SFAS
133, as amended by SFAS 137 and SFAS 138, is effective for all fiscal quarters
of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. In the first quarter of fiscal
2001, the Company adopted SFAS 133. Because of the Company's minimal use of
derivatives, management does not anticipate that the adoption of the new
Statement will have a significant effect on earnings or the financial position
of the Company.
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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
Information set forth in this Form 10-Q, including Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains various
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. These statements
represent the Company's judgment concerning the future and are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual operating results and
financial position to differ materially. Such forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will,"
"anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," and "intend" or the
negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. The
Company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are further qualified
by important factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in our operating results,
production yields in our manufacturing processes, whether we can produce greater
quantities of high brightness blue and green LEDs, our dependence on a few
customers, whether new customers will emerge, whether we can develop, introduce
and create market demand for new products, whether we can ramp up manufacturing
production of new products to meet demand, whether we can manage our growth
effectively, assertion of intellectual property rights by others, adverse
economic conditions, and insufficient capital resources. See Exhibit 99.1 for
additional factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ.
Overview
Cree, Inc. is the world leader in developing and manufacturing semiconductor
materials and electronic devices made from silicon carbide ("SiC"). We recognize
product revenue at the time of shipment or in accordance with the terms of the
relevant contract. We derive the largest portion of our revenue from the sale of
blue and green light emitting diode ("LED") products. The Company offers LEDs at
two brightness levels -- high brightness blue and green products and standard
blue products. Our LED devices are utilized by end users for automotive
dashboard lighting, liquid crystal display ("LCD") backlighting, including
wireless handsets and other consumer products, indicator lamps, miniature white
lights, indoor signs and arena displays, outdoor full color displays, traffic
signals and other lighting applications.
The demand for high brightness products continued to be strong through the first
quarter. During the first quarter of fiscal 2001, revenues derived from high
brightness LED sales were greater than 80% of the total LED sales mix. The
increase in demand for high brightness products was due to strong demand from
customers. Unit shipments of the small-sized high brightness chips, designed for
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handset applications, more than doubled during the first quarter and represented
more than 15% of total LED volume in the first quarter of fiscal 2001.
We have continued to make improvements to output and yield. During the first
quarter of fiscal 2001, margins for high brightness LED products were strong due
to improvements in yield. During the remainder of fiscal 2001, we plan to focus
on reducing costs through higher production yields and from significantly higher
volumes as fixed costs are spread over a greater number of units.
We derive additional revenue from the sale of advanced materials made from SiC
that are used primarily for research and development for new semiconductor
applications. We also sell SiC crystals to Charles & Colvard ("C&C"), for use in
gemstone applications. The balance of our revenue is derived from government and
customer research contract funding. Under various programs, U.S. Government
entities further the development of our technology by funding our research and
development efforts.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 24, 2000 and September 26, 1999
Revenue. For the quarter ended September 24, 2000, the Company reported revenue
of $37.6 million reflecting an 80% increase in sales over the first quarter of
fiscal 2000. First quarter product revenue of $34.3 million, which includes
sales of light emitting diodes ("LEDs") and materials, increased 88% over the
first quarter of fiscal 2000. Higher product revenue was primarily the result of
LED revenue growth of 146% in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 as compared to
the same period in the prior year. Much of this growth was attributed to a 120%
increase in LED volumes over the comparable period with a substantially higher
mix of high brightness blue and green LED products. The increase in high
brightness unit volume was due to strong demand from customers and the
availability of additional capacity from our factory as a result of our facility
and equipment expansion and yield improvements. Average LED sales prices paid by
customers increased 12% in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 compared to the same
quarter in the prior year due to the shift in sales mix to the higher priced
high brightness LED products. During the first quarter of fiscal 2001, more than
80% of LED sales were attributed to the high brightness product. During the
comparable period in fiscal 2000, less than 34% of LED sales were from the high
brightness devices. The average sales price for the high brightness product
declined 5% and 2% in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 and 2000, respectively,
over the prior sequential quarter.
We expect that in order to increase market demand for all of our LED products,
we must continue to lower average sales prices, which is common to our industry.
However, we are targeting strong growth for our LED revenue in fiscal 2001 to
more than offset these lower prices with significantly higher volume, stemming
from strong customer demand and our continued capacity expansion and yield
improvements. We also plan to introduce a new ultra bright LED product targeted
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for the second half of fiscal 2001 that is expected to offer two times the
brightness of our high brightness devices. We believe this new product will
drive a portion of the demand, however; if we are unable to meet the
manufacturing ramp up of this product in the appropriate timeframe, revenue may
be lower than anticipated.
Wafer sales grew 53% in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 over the prior year.
Much of this growth was attributed to a 121% increase in wafer volume over the
comparable period due to strong demand for silicon carbide materials by the
corporate and research communities. Overall, silicon carbide based material
sales declined by 2% in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 compared to the same
period of fiscal 2000. The decrease in revenue was attributable to lower
gemstone sales. During fiscal 2000, C&C announced lower sales and higher
inventory levels than anticipated. The Company agreed to allow C&C to reduce its
purchase commitments for calendar 2000. While C&C remains optimistic about
future business, we are targeting no revenue from gemstone materials in the
second half of fiscal 2001. We believe that strong demand from our LED business
will more than offset the reduction in gemstone sales. Contract revenue received
from U.S. Government agencies increased 27% during the first quarter of fiscal
2001 as compared to the same quarter in the prior year. The additional revenue
was anticipated as additional contract awards were received in late fiscal 2000
and in the first quarter of fiscal 2001.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased 117% to $20.6 million in the first quarter
of fiscal 2001. Compared to the prior year, gross margins increased to 55% from
45% of revenue due to the successful execution of cost reduction programs
combined with rising average sales prices for LEDs due to the shift in mix
toward higher priced high brightness products during this timeframe. Lower
product costs stem from higher throughput and manufacturing yield on LED and
materials products, thereby lowering the cost per unit. In recent quarters, we
have continued to be successful in reducing LED costs at a faster rate than
average sales prices. For the remainder of fiscal 2001, we plan to continue the
strategy of reducing costs through higher production yields and from
significantly greater volumes as fixed costs are spread over a greater number of
units.
Research and Development. Research and development expenses for the three months
ending September 24, 2000, increased 126% to $2.1 million from $0.9 million in
the comparable prior year period. This was due to increases in internal research
and development efforts for RF and microwave and optoelectronics programs. We
believe that research and development expenses will continue to grow during the
remainder of fiscal 2001 due to increased funding necessary to release future
products; however, as a percentage of revenue, these expenses are targeted to
remain relatively even.
Sales, General and Administrative. Sales, general and administrative expenses
for the three month period ended September 24, 2000 increased by 92% to $4.0
from $2.1 million in the same period in the prior year due primarily to the
general growth in our business and additional legal expenses. For the remainder
of fiscal 2001, we believe that total sales, general and administrative costs
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will continue to increase in connection with the growth of our business;
however, we believe that as a percentage of revenue they will remain constant or
possibly decline.
Other Expense. Other expense declined 100% to $0 in the first quarter from
$101,000 in the same period of the prior year as the Company took asset
write-offs during the first quarter of fiscal 2000.
Other Non-Operating Expense. Other non-operating expenses for the three-month
period ended September 24, 2000 was $88,000 compared to $0 in the prior year
period, due to additional costs associated with the acquisition of Nitres, Inc.
Interest Income, Net. Net interest income increased $4.2 million to $4.8 million
in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 compared to $0.6 million in the prior year
period. This was due to higher average cash balances being available in the
first quarter of fiscal 2001 as a result of the public stock offering completed
in January 2000. Higher interest rates in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 also
increased interest income.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2001 was
$6.5 million compared to $2.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2000. This
increase resulted from increased profitability during the first quarter of
fiscal 2001 over the same period of fiscal 2000. Our tax provision rate was 34%
for both periods.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have funded our operations to date through sales of equity, bank borrowings
and revenue from product and contract sales. As of September 24, 2000, we had
working capital of $270.4 million, including cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments of $240.2 million. Net cash provided by operations was
$5.5 million for the three months ended September 24, 2000 compared to $8.1
million that was generated during the comparative period in fiscal 2000. The
decrease was primarily attributable to the timing of payments made and received.
Accounts and interest receivable and other prepaid expenses increased $12.1
million due to increased product shipments combined with higher interest
receivable related to higher yielding securities balances and other timing in
the collection of invoices. Additional timing differences led to decreases of
$3.7 million in accounts payable and accrued expense balances.
Most of the $76.9 million used in investing activities in the first quarter of
fiscal 2001 was related to the purchase of held to maturity investments. We also
invested $24.6 million in capital expenditures during the first quarter compared
to $9.8 million during the same period of the prior fiscal year. The majority of
spending for capital expenditures was due to new equipment additions in our
epitaxy, crystal growth, clean room, and package and test areas. The Company
also continues construction on the 125,000 square foot facility expansion at the
existing site that is scheduled to be completed by December 2000 and equipped
during the next few quarters. The investment in long-term assets of $20.6
million represents the investments in Xemod, Inc. and other companies. Cash
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provided by financing activities during fiscal 2001 related to the receipt of
$1.6 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options from the Company's
employee stock option plan and the exercise of outstanding stock warrants.
We may also issue additional shares of common stock for the acquisition of
complementary businesses or other significant assets. From time to time we
evaluate potential acquisitions of and investments in complementary businesses
and anticipate continuing to make such evaluations.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Quantitative Disclosures
As of September 24, 2000, the Company maintains investments in equity securities
that are treated for accounting purposes under SFAS 115 as "available for sale"
securities. These investments are carried at fair market value based on quoted
market prices of the investments as of September 24, 2000, with net unrealized
gains or losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of
stockholder's equity. These investments are subject to market risk of equity
price changes. Management views these stock holdings as investments; therefore,
the shares are accounted for as "available for sale" securities under SFAS 115.
The fair market value of these investments as of September 24, 2000, using the
closing sale price as of September 22, 2000 was $16.2 million.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company invested some of the
proceeds from its January 2000 public offering into other investments at fixed
interest rates that vary by security. No other material changes in market risk
were identified during the most recent quarter.
Qualitative Disclosures
Investments in the common stock of other public companies are subject to the
market risk of equity price changes. While the Company can not predict or manage
the future market price for such stock, management continues to evaluate its
investment position on an ongoing basis.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
On September 22, 2000 the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against
Nichia Corporation and Nichia America Corporation in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The lawsuit seeks enforcement
of a patent relating to gallium nitride-based semiconductor devices manufactured
using lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) technology, which permits the growth of
high quality gallium nitride-based materials useful in manufacturing certain
laser diodes and other devices. The patent was issued to North Carolina State
University in April 2000 and is licensed to Cree under a June 1999 agreement
pursuant to which Cree obtained rights to a number of LEO and related
techniques. In its complaint, Cree alleges that Nichia is infringing the patent
by, among other things, importing, selling and offering for sale in the United
States certain gallium nitride-based laser diodes covered by one or more claims
of the patent. The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction against infringement.
North Carolina State University is a co-plaintiff in the action.
Item 2. Changes in Securities
During the three months ended September 24, 2000, the Company issued 54,696
shares of its common stock to the holders of outstanding warrants upon the
exercise of such warrants in reliance on the exemption provided by section 4(2)
of the Securities Act of 1933 as a private placement. The exercise price for
47,000 warrants was $13.62. The exercise price for 7,696 warrants was $2.55;
however, these warrants were exercised on a net basis, and the Company received
no cash upon the issuance of the shares.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits:
10.1 Purchase Agreement between the Company and Osram Opto Semi-
conductors Gmbh & Co. dated July 27, 2000. (1)
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
27.2 Restated Financial Data Schedule
99.1 Certain Business Risks and Uncertainties
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the quarter
ended September 24, 2000.
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(1) Confidential treatment of portions of this document has been
requested pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 1, 2000
CREE, INC.
/s/ Cynthia B. Merrell
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Cynthia B. Merrell,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Authorized Officer and Chief Financial
and Accounting Officer)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
10.1 Purchase Agreement between the Company and Osram Opto Semi-
conductors Gmbh & Co. dated July 27, 2000. (1)
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
27.2 Restated Financial Data Schedule
99.1 Risk Factors
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(1) Confidential treatment of portions of this document has been
requested pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.