q309_10-q.htm
 






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 June 4, 2009

OR


o
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 1-10658

Micron Technology, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
75-1618004
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
   
8000 S. Federal Way, Boise, Idaho
83716-9632
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
(208) 368-4000


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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer x
Accelerated Filer o
Non-Accelerated Filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock as of July 9, 2009 was 846,844,650.
 



 
 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
Quarter Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
 
                         
                         
Net sales
  $ 1,106     $ 1,498     $ 3,501     $ 4,392  
Cost of goods sold
    999       1,450       4,110       4,382  
Gross margin
    107       48       (609 )     10  
                                 
Selling, general and administrative
    80       116       272       348  
Research and development
    162       170       508       513  
Restructure
    19       8       58       29  
Goodwill impairment
    --       --       58       463  
Other operating (income) expense, net
    92       (21 )     121       (86 )
Operating loss
    (246 )     (225 )     (1,626 )     (1,257 )
                                 
Interest income
    6       15       20       68  
Interest expense
    (37 )     (21 )     (102 )     (62 )
Other non-operating income (expense), net
    (3 )     --       (15 )     (7 )
      (280 )     (231 )     (1,723 )     (1,258 )
                                 
Income tax (provision) benefit
    2       (13 )     (15 )     (16 )
Equity in net losses of equity method investees, net of tax
    (45 )     --       (106 )     --  
Noncontrolling interests in net (income) loss
    33       8       97       (1 )
Net loss
  $ (290 )   $ (236 )   $ (1,747 )   $ (1,275 )
                                 
Loss per share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.36 )   $ (0.30 )   $ (2.22 )   $ (1.65 )
Diluted
    (0.36 )     (0.30 )     (2.22 )     (1.65 )
                                 
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
                               
Basic
    813.3       772.8       786.5       772.4  
Diluted
    813.3       772.8       786.5       772.4  













See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
1

 
MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions except par value)
(Unaudited)

As of
 
June 4,
2009
   
August 28,
2008
 
             
Assets
           
Cash and equivalents
  $ 1,306     $ 1,243  
Short-term investments
    --       119  
Receivables
    750       1,032  
Inventories
    999       1,291  
Other current assets
    73       94  
Total current assets
    3,128       3,779  
Intangible assets, net
    355       364  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    7,536       8,811  
Equity method investments
    306       84  
Other assets
    339       392  
Total assets
  $ 11,664     $ 13,430  
                 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 1,037     $ 1,111  
Deferred income
    183       114  
Equipment purchase contracts
    233       98  
Current portion of long-term debt
    372       275  
Total current liabilities
    1,825       1,598  
Long-term debt
    2,752       2,451  
Other liabilities
    260       338  
Total liabilities
    4,837       4,387  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
    2,130       2,865  
                 
Common stock, $0.10 par value, authorized 3,000 shares, issued and outstanding 846.8 and 761.1 shares, respectively
    85       76  
Additional capital
    6,841       6,566  
Accumulated deficit
    (2,203 )     (456 )
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
    (26 )     (8 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    4,697       6,178  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 11,664     $ 13,430  















See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
2

 
MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
Nine months ended
 
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities
           
Net loss
  $ (1,747 )   $ (1,275 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    1,648       1,528  
Provision to write down inventories to estimated market values
    603       77  
Noncash restructure charges
    157       7  
Equity in net losses of equity method investees, net of tax
    106       --  
Goodwill impairment
    58       463  
(Gain) loss from disposition of equipment, net
    55       (70 )
Loss on write-down of Aptina imaging assets
    53       --  
Noncontrolling interests in net income (loss)
    (97 )     1  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease in receivables
    224       11  
(Increase) decrease in inventories
    (311 )     2  
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (6 )     (48 )
Increase (decrease) in deferred income
    71       (4 )
Other
    35       83  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    849       775  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
    (439 )     (1,809 )
Acquisition of equity method investment
    (408 )     --  
Increase in restricted cash
    (57 )     --  
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (6 )     (259 )
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities
    130       529  
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment
    13       175  
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
    --       24  
Other
    86       51  
Net cash used for investing activities
    (681 )     (1,289 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities
               
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
    (592 )     (92 )
Repayments of debt
    (373 )     (653 )
Payments on equipment purchase contracts
    (127 )     (348 )
Cash paid for capped call transactions
    (25 )     --  
Proceeds from debt
    716       507  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of costs
    276       4  
Cash received from noncontrolling interests
    24       295  
Proceeds from equipment sale-leaseback transactions
    4       92  
Other
    (8 )     (9 )
Net cash used for financing activities
    (105 )     (204 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents
    63       (718 )
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period
    1,243       2,192  
Cash and equivalents at end of period
  $ 1,306     $ 1,474  
                 
Supplemental disclosures
               
Income taxes paid, net
  $ (14 )   $ (24 )
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
    (87 )     (59 )
Noncash investing and financing activities:
               
Equipment acquisitions on contracts payable and capital leases
    305       404  


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of presentation:  Micron Technology, Inc. and its subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Company”) manufacture and market DRAM, NAND Flash memory, CMOS image sensors and other semiconductor components.  The Company has two reportable segments, Memory and Imaging.  The Memory segment’s primary products are DRAM and NAND Flash memory products and the Imaging segment’s primary product is CMOS image sensors.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated results of operations and cash flows.

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53-week period ending on the Thursday closest to August 31.  The Company’s fiscal 2009 contains 53 weeks and the Company’s fiscal 2008, which ended on August 28, 2008, contained 52 weeks.  All period references are to the Company’s fiscal periods unless otherwise indicated.  These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 28, 2008.

Risks and uncertainties:  The Company’s liquidity is highly dependent on average selling prices for its products and the timing of capital expenditures, both of which can vary significantly from period to period.  Depending on conditions in the semiconductor memory market, the Company’s cash flows from operations and current holdings of cash and investments may not be adequate to meet the Company’s needs for capital expenditures and operations.  Historically, the Company has used external financing to fund these needs.  Due to conditions in the credit markets, it may be difficult to obtain financing on terms acceptable to the Company.  The Company has significantly reduced its capital expenditures for 2009.  In addition, the Company is considering further financing alternatives, continuing to limit capital expenditures and implementing further cost reduction initiatives.

Recently issued accounting standards:  In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“SFAS No. 167”), which (1) replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary in a variable interest entity with an approach that is primarily qualitative (2) requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and (3) requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities.  The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 167 effective at the beginning of 2011.  The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 167 will have on its financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement).”  FSP No. APB 14-1 requires that issuers of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner such that interest cost will be recognized at the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate in subsequent periods.  The Company is required to adopt FSP No. APB 14-1 effective at the beginning of 2010.  Upon adoption, the Company will retrospectively account for its $1.3 billion of 1.875% convertible senior notes issued in May, 2007 under the provisions of FSP No. APB 14-1.  The Company estimates that the initial carrying value of its $1.3 billion convertible senior notes would have been approximately $400 million lower under FSP No. APB 14-1.  This difference of approximately $400 million would be accreted to interest expense over the approximate seven-year term of the notes and the Company estimates that this will result in additional interest expense in the first year of the notes of approximately $45 million increasing to approximately $70 million per year in the last year of the notes, excluding the effects of capitalized interest.  The Company is continuing to evaluate the full impact the adoption of FSP No. APB 14-1 will have on its financial statements.


 
4

 


In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations(“SFAS No. 141(R)”), which establishes the principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination (1) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, (2) recognizes and measures goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and (3) determines what information to disclose.  The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 141(R) effective at the beginning of 2010.  The impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will depend on the nature and extent of business combinations occurring after the beginning of 2010.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51.”  SFAS No. 160 requires that (1) noncontrolling interests be reported as a separate component of equity, (2) net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be separately identified in the statement of operations, (3) changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling interest be accounted for as equity transactions, and (4) any retained noncontrolling equity investment upon the deconsolidation of a subsidiary be initially measured at fair value.  The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 160 effective at the beginning of 2010.  SFAS No. 160 must be applied prospectively except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which must be applied retrospectively.  The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on its financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.”  Under SFAS No. 159, the Company may elect to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value on an instrument by instrument basis, subject to certain restrictions.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 effective at the beginning of 2009.  The Company did not elect to measure any existing items at fair value upon the adoption of SFAS No. 159.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.”  SFAS No. 157 (as amended by subsequent FSP’s) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 effective at the beginning of 2009 for financial assets and financial liabilities.  The adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.  The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 157 for all other assets and liabilities effective at the beginning of 2010 and is evaluating the impact the adoption will have on its financial statements.


Supplemental Balance Sheet Information

Receivables
 
June 4,
2009
   
August 28,
2008
 
             
Trade receivables (net of allowance of $5 and $2, respectively)
  $ 601     $ 741  
Income and other taxes
    24       43  
Other
    125       248  
    $ 750     $ 1,032  

As of June 4, 2009 and August 28, 2008, other receivables included amounts due from Intel Corporation (“Intel”) of $61 million and $71 million, respectively, related to NAND Flash product design and process development activities.  As of June 4, 2009 and August 28, 2008, other receivables also included $39 million and $75 million, respectively, due from settlement of litigation (an additional $39 million of the settlement receivable was included as other noncurrent assets as of August 28, 2008).  Other receivables as of August 28, 2008 also included $58 million due from settlements of pricing adjustments with certain suppliers.


 
5

 


Inventories
 
June 4,
2009
   
August 28,
2008
 
             
Finished goods
  $ 286     $ 444  
Work in process
    596       671  
Raw materials and supplies
    117       176  
    $ 999     $ 1,291  

The Company’s results of operations for the second and first quarters of 2009 included charges of $234 million and $369 million, respectively, to write down the carrying value of work in process and finished goods inventories of memory products (both DRAM and NAND Flash) to their estimated market values.  For the fourth, second and first quarters of 2008, the Company recorded charges for inventory write-downs of $205 million, $15 million and $62 million, respectively.

Intangible Assets
                       
                         
   
June 4, 2009
   
August 28, 2008
 
   
Gross
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Gross
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
                         
Product and process technology
  $ 437     $ (174 )   $ 577     $ (320 )
Customer relationships
    127       (46 )     127       (35 )
Other
    28       (17 )     29       (14 )
    $ 592     $ (237 )   $ 733     $ (369 )

During the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, the Company capitalized $82 million and $33 million, respectively, for product and process technology with weighted-average useful lives of 9 years and 10 years, respectively.

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $18 million and $58 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, and $20 million and $60 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively.  Annual amortization expense for intangible assets is estimated to be $69 million for 2009, $66 million for 2010, $62 million for 2011, $54 million for 2012 and $49 million for 2013.

Property, Plant and Equipment
 
June 4,
2009
   
August 28,
2008
 
             
Land
  $ 99     $ 99  
Buildings
    4,496       3,829  
Equipment
    12,483       13,591  
Construction in progress
    54       611  
Software
    270       283  
      17,402       18,413  
Accumulated depreciation
    (9,866 )     (9,602 )
    $ 7,536     $ 8,811  

Depreciation expense was $487 million and $1,571 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, and $493 million and $1,467 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively.

The Company, through its IM Flash joint venture, has an unequipped wafer manufacturing facility in Singapore that has been idle since it was completed in the first quarter of 2009.  The Company has depreciated the facility since it was completed and its net book value was $633 million as of June 4, 2009.  Utilization of the facility is dependent upon market conditions, including, but not limited to, worldwide market supply of, and demand for, semiconductor products, availability of financing, agreement between the Company and its joint venture partner and the Company’s operations, cash flows and alternative capacity utilization opportunities.  (See “Consolidated Variable Interest Entities – IM Flash” note.)

As part of a restructure plan initiated in 2009 to shut down 200mm manufacturing operations at its Boise, Idaho facilities, the Company recorded impairment charges of $7 million and $150 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.  In connection therewith, assets with a carrying value of $27 million (original acquisition cost of $704 million) were classified as held for sale and included in other noncurrent assets as of June 4, 2009.  (See “Restructure” note.)

6

Goodwill

As of August 28, 2008, other noncurrent assets included goodwill of $58 million, all of which related to the Company’s Imaging segment.  In the second quarter of 2009, the Company wrote off the $58 million of Imaging goodwill based on the results of its test for impairment.  In the second quarter of 2008, the Company wrote off the $463 million of goodwill relating to its Memory segment based on the results of its test for impairment.

SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at a reporting unit level.  The Company has determined that its reporting units are its Memory and Imaging segments based on its organizational structure and the financial information that is provided to and reviewed by management.  The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred.  Goodwill is tested for impairment using a two-step process.  In the first step, the fair value of a reporting unit is compared to its carrying value.  If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit, the second step of the impairment test is performed in order to determine the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill.  If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, goodwill is deemed impaired and is written down to the extent of the difference.

In the second quarter of 2009, the Company’s Imaging segment experienced a severe decline in sales, margins and profitability due to a significant decline in demand as a result of the downturn in global economic conditions.  The drop in market demand resulted in significant declines in average selling prices and unit sales.  Due to these market and economic conditions, the Company’s Imaging segment and its competitors experienced significant declines in market value.  As a result, the Company concluded that there were sufficient factual circumstances for interim impairment analyses under SFAS No. 142.  Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2009, the Company performed an assessment of goodwill for impairment.

In the first step of the impairment analysis, the Company performed valuation analyses utilizing both income and market approaches to determine the fair value of its reporting units.  Under the income approach, the Company determined the fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk of the Imaging segment and the rate of return an outside investor would expect to earn.  Estimated future cash flows were based on the Company’s internal projection models, industry projections and other assumptions deemed reasonable by management.  Under the market-based approach, the Company derived the fair value of its Imaging segment based on revenue multiples of comparable publicly-traded peer companies.  In the second step of the impairment analysis, the Company determined the implied fair value of goodwill for the Imaging segment by allocating the fair value of the segment to all of its assets and liabilities in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the price paid to acquire it was the fair value.

Based on the results of the Company’s assessment of goodwill for impairment, it was determined that the carrying value of the Imaging segment exceeded its estimated fair value as of the end of the second quarter of 2009.  Therefore, the Company performed a preliminary second step of the impairment test to estimate the implied fair value of goodwill.  The preliminary analysis indicated that there would be no remaining implied value attributable to goodwill in the Imaging segment and accordingly, the Company wrote off the $58 million of goodwill associated with its Imaging segment in the second quarter of 2009.  In the third quarter of 2009, the Company finalized the second step of the impairment analysis and the results confirmed that there was no implied value attributable to goodwill in the Imaging segment.

Equity Method Investments

The Company has a partnering arrangement with Nanya Technology Corporation (“Nanya”) pursuant to which the Company and Nanya jointly develop process technology and designs to manufacture stack DRAM products.  Each party generally bears its own development costs and the Company’s development costs in the near term are expected to exceed Nanya’s development costs by a significant amount.  In addition, the Company has transferred and licensed certain intellectual property related to the manufacture of stack DRAM products to Nanya and licensed certain intellectual property from Nanya.  As a result, the Company is to receive an aggregate of $207 million from Nanya through 2010.  The Company recognized $25 million and $79 million of license revenue in net sales from this agreement in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, and since May 2008 through June 4, 2009, has recognized $115 million of cumulative license revenue.  In addition, the Company expects to receive royalties in future periods from Nanya for sales of stack DRAM products manufactured by or for Nanya.

7

The Company has also partnered with Nanya in investments in two Taiwan DRAM memory companies:  Inotera Memories, Inc. (“Inotera”) and MeiYa Technology Corporation (“MeiYa”).  As of June 4, 2009, the ownership of Inotera was held 35.6% by Nanya, 35.5% by the Company and the balance was publicly held.  As of June 4, 2009, the ownership of MeiYa was held 50% by Nanya and 50% by the Company.

The Company has concluded that both Inotera and MeiYa are variable interest entities as defined in FIN 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities – an interpretation of ARB No. 51,” because of the Inotera and MeiYa supply agreements with Micron and Nanya.  Nanya and the Company are considered related parties under the provisions of FIN 46(R).  The Company reviewed several factors to determine whether it is the primary beneficiary of Inotera and MeiYa, including the size and nature of the entities’ operations relative to Nanya and the Company, nature of the day-to-day operations and certain other factors.  Based on those factors, the Company determined that Nanya is most closely associated with, and therefore the primary beneficiary of, Inotera and MeiYa.  The Company accounts for its interests using the equity method of accounting and does not consolidate these entities.

Inotera and MeiYa each have fiscal years that end on December 31.  The Company recognizes its share of Inotera’s and MeiYa’s quarterly earnings or losses for the calendar quarter that ends within the Company’s fiscal quarter.  This results in the recognition of the Company’s share of earnings or losses from these entities for a period that lags the Company’s fiscal periods by approximately two months.

Inotera:  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company acquired a 35.5% ownership interest in Inotera, a publicly-traded entity in Taiwan, from Qimonda AG (“Qimonda”) for $398 million.  The interest in Inotera was acquired for cash, a portion of which was funded from loan proceeds of $200 million received by the Company from Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, an affiliate of Nanya, and $85 million received from Inotera.  The loans were recorded at their fair values, which reflect an aggregate discount of $31 million from their face amounts.  This aggregate discount was recorded as a reduction of the Company’s basis in its investment in Inotera.  The Company also capitalized $10 million of costs and other fees incurred in connection with the acquisition.  As a result of the above transactions, total consideration for the Company’s equity investment in Inotera was $377 million.  The Company estimated that, as of the date of acquisition, its proportionate share of Inotera’s equity was approximately $250 million higher than the Company’s total consideration of $377 million.  Substantially all of this difference will be amortized over the estimated five-year weighted-average remaining useful life of Inotera’s production equipment and facilities as of the acquisition date (the “Inotera Amortization”).  (See “Debt” note.)

In connection with the acquisition of the shares in Inotera, the Company and Nanya entered into a supply agreement with Inotera (the “Supply Agreement”) pursuant to which Inotera will sell trench and stack DRAM products to the Company and Nanya.  In addition, Inotera charges the Company and Nanya for a portion of the costs associated with its underutilized capacity.  The Company has rights and obligations to purchase up to 50% of Inotera’s wafer production capacity.  Inotera’s actual wafer production will vary from time to time based on market and other conditions and its trench production capacity is expected to transition to the Company’s stack process technology.  The pricing formula in the Supply Agreement is based on manufacturing costs and margins associated with the resale of purchased DRAM products.  Under the Supply Agreement, the Company will purchase 50% of Inotera’s aggregate trench DRAM production (less the trench DRAM products sold to Qimonda pursuant to a separate supply agreement between Inotera and Qimonda (the “Qimonda Supply Agreement”)) and 50% of the aggregate stack DRAM production.  Under the Qimonda Supply Agreement, Qimonda was obligated to purchase trench DRAM products resulting from wafers started for it by Inotera through July 2009 in accordance with a ramp down schedule specified in the Qimonda Supply Agreement.  In the second quarter of 2009, Qimonda filed for bankruptcy and defaulted on its obligations to purchase products from Inotera.

The Company’s results of operations for the third quarter of 2009 include a loss of $43 million for the Company’s share of Inotera’s loss for the first calendar quarter of 2009.  The Company’s results of operations for the first nine months of 2009 includes losses of $99 million for the Company’s share of Inotera’s losses from the acquisition date through the first calendar quarter of 2009.  The losses recorded by the Company in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 are net of $15 million and $23 million, respectively, of amortization of the basis difference referred to above as the Inotera Amortization.  During the third quarter of 2009, the Company received $50 million from Inotera pursuant to the terms of a technology transfer agreement.  As of June 4, 2009, the carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in Inotera was $236 million and is included in equity method investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  As of June 4, 2009, the Company had recorded $18 million to accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for cumulative translation adjustments on its investment in Inotera.  Based on the closing trading price of Inotera’s shares on June 4, 2009, the estimated market value of the Company’s shares in Inotera was approximately $618 million.

Pursuant to the Company’s obligations under the Supply Agreement, the Company recorded $15 million and $66 million of charges in cost of goods sold in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 related to underutilized capacity.  As of June 4, 2009, accounts payable and other accrued expenses included $33 million of amounts payable to Inotera.  As of June 4, 2009, the Company’s maximum exposure to loss on its investment in Inotera equaled the $254 million recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet for its investment in Inotera.  In addition, the Company may incur further losses in connection with its obligations under the Supply Agreement to purchase up to 50% of Inotera’s wafer production and for charges for Inotera’s underutilized capacity.

8

MeiYa:  In the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company and Nanya formed MeiYa to manufacture stack DRAM products and sell such products exclusively to the Company and Nanya.  As of June 4, 2009 and August 28, 2008, the carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in MeiYa was $70 million and $84 million, respectively, and is included in the consolidated balance sheets under the caption of equity method investments.  As of June 4, 2009, the Company had recorded $8 million to accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for cumulative translation adjustments on its investment in MeiYa.  In the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, the Company recognized losses of $2 million and $7 million, respectively, for its share of MeiYa’s results of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended March 31, 2009, respectively.  In addition, during the first quarter of 2009, the Company received $50 million from MeiYa, half of which was accounted for as a technology transfer fee and half as a reduction of the Company’s investment in MeiYa.  The Company recognized $3 million and $10 million of licensing fee revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.  As of June 4, 2009, the Company had deferred income of $11 million related to the technology transfer fee.  As of June 4, 2009, accounts payable and accrued expenses includes $51 million to reimburse MeiYa for technology transfer fees, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s technology transfer agreement with Inotera, under which the Company received $50 million during the third quarter of 2009.  In connection with the purchase of its ownership interest in Inotera, the Company entered into a series of agreements with Nanya pursuant to which both parties ceased future funding of, and resource commitments to, MeiYa.  As of June 4, 2009, the Company’s maximum exposure to loss on its MeiYa investment equaled the $78 million recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet for its investment in MeiYa.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
 
June 4,
2009
   
August 28,
2008
 
             
Accounts payable
  $ 483     $ 597  
Customer advances
    169       130  
Salaries, wages and benefits
    151       244  
Payable to equity method investees
    86       --  
Income and other taxes
    38       27  
Other
    110       113  
    $ 1,037     $ 1,111  

As of June 4, 2009 and August 28, 2008, customer advances included $167 million and $129 million, respectively, for the Company’s obligation through December 2010 to provide certain NAND Flash memory products to Apple Inc. (“Apple”) pursuant to a prepaid NAND Flash supply agreement.  An additional $83 million related to this obligation was included in other noncurrent liabilities as of August 28, 2008.  As of June 4, 2009 and August 28, 2008, other accounts payable and accrued expenses included $23 million and $16 million, respectively, for amounts due to Intel for NAND Flash product design and process development and licensing fees pursuant to a research and development cost-sharing arrangement.  (See “Equity Method Investments” note.)


 
9

 


Debt
 
June 4,
2009
   
August 28,
2008
 
             
Convertible senior notes payable, interest rate of 1.875%, due June 2014
  $ 1,300     $ 1,300  
TECH credit facility, effective interest rates of 4.1% and 5.0% , respectively, net of discount of $2 million and $3 million, respectively, due in periodic installments through May 2012
    573       597  
Capital lease obligations, weighted-average imputed interest rate of 6.6%, due in monthly installments through February 2023
    564       657  
Convertible senior notes payable, interest rate of 4.25%, due October 2013
    230       --  
EDB notes payable, interest rate of 5.4%, due February 2012
    207       --  
Nan Ya Plastics notes payable, effective imputed interest rate of 12.1%, net of discount of $21 million, due November 2010
    179       --  
Convertible subordinated notes payable, interest rate of 5.6%, due April 2010
    70       70  
Notes payable, weighted-average effective interest rates of 9.5% and 1.6%, respectively, due in periodic installments through July 2015
    1       102  
      3,124       2,726  
Less current portion
    (372 )     (275 )
    $ 2,752     $ 2,451  

As of June 4, 2009, notes payable and capital lease obligations above included an aggregate of $289 million, denominated in Singapore dollars, at a weighted-average interest rate of 5.5%.

On April 15, 2009, the Company issued $230 million of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due October 15, 2013 (the “4.25% Senior Notes”).  Issuance costs for the 4.25% Senior Notes totaled $7 million.  The initial conversion rate for the 4.25% Senior Notes is 196.7052 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount, equivalent to approximately $5.08 per share of common stock, and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the indenture for the 4.25% Senior Notes.  Holders of the 4.25% Senior Notes may convert them at any time prior to October 15, 2013.  If there is a change in control, as defined in the indenture, in certain circumstances the Company may pay a make-whole premium by increasing the conversion rate to holders that convert their 4.25% Senior Notes in connection with such make-whole changes in control.  The Company may not redeem the 4.25% Senior Notes prior to April 20, 2012.  On or after April 20, 2012, the Company may redeem for cash all or part of the 4.25% Senior Notes if the closing price of its common stock has been at least 135% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days during a 30 consecutive trading day period.  The redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium equal to the present value of the remaining interest payments from the redemption date to the date of maturity of the 4.25% Senior Notes.  Upon a change in control or a termination of trading, the Company may be required to repurchase for cash all or a portion of the 4.25% Senior Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.

On February 23, 2009, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with the Singapore Economic Development Board (“EDB”) enabling the Company to borrow up to $300 million Singapore dollars at 5.38%.  The terms of the loan agreement require the Company to use the proceeds from any borrowings under the agreement to make equity contributions to its joint venture subsidiary, TECH Semiconductor Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“TECH”).  The loan agreement further requires that TECH use the proceeds from the Company’s equity contributions to purchase production assets and meet certain production milestones related to the implementation of advanced process manufacturing.  The loan contains a covenant that limits the amount of indebtedness TECH can incur without approval from the EDB.  The loan is collateralized by the Company’s shares in TECH up to a maximum of 66% of TECH’s outstanding shares.  The Company drew $150 million Singapore dollars under the facility on February 27, 2009 and another $150 million Singapore dollars on June 2, 2009 (aggregate of $207 million U.S. dollars as of June 4, 2009), which is due in February 2012 with interest payable quarterly.

In the first quarter of 2009, in connection with its purchase of a 35.5% interest in Inotera, the Company entered into a two-year, variable-rate term loan with Nan Ya Plastics and received loan proceeds of $200 million.  Under the terms of the loan agreement, interest is payable quarterly at LIBOR plus 2%.  The interest rate resets quarterly and was 2.7% per annum as of June 4, 2009.  The Company recorded the debt in the first quarter of 2009 net of a discount of $28 million, which is recognized as interest expense over the life of the loan, based on an imputed interest rate of 12.1%.  The loan is collateralized by a first priority security interest in the Inotera shares owned by the Company (approximate carrying value of $261 million as of June 4, 2009).  (See “Equity Method Investments” note.)

10

Also in the first quarter of 2009, in connection with its purchase of a 35.5% interest in Inotera, the Company entered into a six-month, variable-rate term loan with Inotera and received loan proceeds of $85 million, which was repaid with accrued interest in the third quarter of 2009.  The Company imputed an interest rate of 11.6% and recorded the debt net of a discount of $3 million, which was recognized as interest expense over the term of the loan.  (See “Equity Method Investments” note.)

Several of the Company’s credit facilities, one of which was modified during the second quarter of 2009, have covenants which require the Company to maintain minimum levels of tangible net worth and cash and investments.  As of June 4, 2009, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants.

Contingencies

The Company has accrued a liability and charged operations for the estimated costs of adjudication or settlement of various asserted and unasserted claims existing as of the balance sheet date, including those described below.  The Company is currently a party to other legal actions arising out of the normal course of business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

In the normal course of business, the Company is a party to a variety of agreements pursuant to which it may be obligated to indemnify the other party.  It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these types of agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement.  Historically, payments made by the Company under these types of agreements have not had a material effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company is involved in the following patent, antitrust and securities matters.

Patent Matters:  As is typical in the semiconductor and other high technology industries, from time to time, others have asserted, and may in the future assert, that the Company’s products or manufacturing processes infringe their intellectual property rights.  In this regard, the Company is engaged in litigation with Rambus, Inc. (“Rambus”) relating to certain of Rambus’ patents and certain of the Company’s claims and defenses.  Lawsuits between Rambus and the Company are pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Germany, France, and Italy.  On January 9, 2009, the Delaware Court entered an opinion in favor of the Company holding that Rambus had engaged in spoliation and that the twelve Rambus patents in the suit were unenforceable against the Company.  Rambus subsequently appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  That appeal is pending.  In the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, trial on a patent phase of the case has been stayed pending resolution of Rambus' appeal of the Delaware spoliation decision or further order of the California Court.

On March 6, 2009, Panavision Imaging, LLC filed suit against the Company and Aptina Imaging Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company (“Aptina”), in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.  The complaint alleges that certain of the Company and Aptina’s image sensor products infringe four Panavision Imaging U.S. patents and seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

 On March 24, 2009, Accolade Systems LLC filed suit against the Company and Aptina in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging that certain of the Company and Aptina’s image sensor products infringe one Accolade Systems U.S. patent.  The complaint seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

On July 24, 2006, the Company filed a declaratory judgment action against Mosaid Technologies, Inc. (“Mosaid”) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking, among other things, a court determination that fourteen Mosaid patents are invalid, not enforceable, and/or not infringed.  On July 25, 2006, Mosaid filed a lawsuit against the Company and others in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of nine Mosaid patents.  On August 31, 2006, Mosaid filed an amended complaint adding three additional Mosaid patents.  On January 31, 2009, the Company and Mosaid agreed to dismiss the litigation, granting the Company a license under certain Mosaid patents, and transferring certain Company patents to Mosaid.

Among other things, the above lawsuits pertain to certain of the Company’s SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RLDRAM and image sensor products, which account for a significant portion of net sales.


 
11

 


The Company is unable to predict the outcome of assertions of infringement made against the Company and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss.  A court determination that the Company’s products or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others could result in significant liability and/or require the Company to make material changes to its products and/or manufacturing processes.  Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Antitrust Matters:  At least sixty-eight purported class action price-fixing lawsuits have been filed against the Company and other DRAM suppliers in various federal and state courts in the United States and in Puerto Rico on behalf of indirect purchasers alleging price-fixing in violation of federal and state antitrust laws, violations of state unfair competition law, and/or unjust enrichment relating to the sale and pricing of DRAM products during the period from April 1999 through at least June 2002.  The complaints seek joint and several damages, trebled, in addition to restitution, costs and attorneys’ fees.  A number of these cases have been removed to federal court and transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California for consolidated pre-trial proceedings.  On January 29, 2008, the Northern District of California court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ second amended consolidated complaint.  Plaintiffs subsequently filed a motion seeking certification for interlocutory appeal of the decision.  On February 27, 2008, plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint.  On June 26, 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit agreed to consider plaintiffs’ interlocutory appeal.

In addition, various states, through their Attorneys General, have filed suit against the Company and other DRAM manufacturers.  On July 14, 2006, and on September 8, 2006 in an amended complaint, the following Attorneys General filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California:  Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  Thereafter, three states, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Texas, voluntarily dismissed their claims.  The remaining states filed a third amended complaint on October 1, 2007.  Alaska, Delaware, Kentucky, and Vermont subsequently voluntarily dismissed their claims.  The amended complaint alleges, among other things, violations of the Sherman Act, Cartwright Act, and certain other states’ consumer protection and antitrust laws and seeks joint and several damages, trebled, as well as injunctive and other relief.  Additionally, on July 13, 2006, the State of New York filed a similar suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.  That case was subsequently transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California for pre-trial purposes.  The State of New York filed an amended complaint on October 1, 2007.  On October 3, 2008, the California Attorney General filed a similar lawsuit in California Superior Court, purportedly on behalf of local California government entities, alleging, among other things, violations of the Cartwright Act and state unfair competition law.

Three purported class action DRAM lawsuits also have been filed against the Company in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, Canada, on behalf of direct and indirect purchasers, alleging violations of the Canadian Competition Act.  The substantive allegations in these cases are similar to those asserted in the DRAM antitrust cases filed in the United States.  Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification was denied in the British Columbia and Quebec cases in May and June 2008, respectively.  Plaintiffs subsequently filed an appeal of each of those decisions.  Those appeals are pending.

In February and March 2007, All American Semiconductor, Inc., Jaco Electronics, Inc., and the DRAM Claims Liquidation Trust each filed suit against the Company and other DRAM suppliers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California after opting-out of a direct purchaser class action suit that was settled.  The complaints allege, among other things, violations of federal and state antitrust and competition laws in the DRAM industry, and seek joint and several damages, trebled, as well as restitution, attorneys’ fees, costs and injunctive relief.

On October 11, 2006, the Company received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking information regarding an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) into possible antitrust violations in the “Static Random Access Memory” or “SRAM” industry.  In December 2008, the Company was informed that the DOJ closed its investigation of the SRAM industry.


 
12

 


Subsequent to the issuance of subpoenas to the SRAM industry, a number of purported class action lawsuits have been filed against the Company and other SRAM suppliers.  Six cases have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California asserting claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that purchased SRAM directly from various SRAM suppliers during the period from November 1, 1996 through December 31, 2005.  Additionally, at least 74 cases have been filed in various U.S. district courts asserting claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that indirectly purchased SRAM and/or products containing SRAM from various SRAM suppliers during the time period from November 1, 1996 through December 31, 2006.  In September 2008, a class of direct purchasers was certified, and plaintiffs were granted leave to amend their complaint to cover Pseudo-Static RAM or “PSRAM” products as well.  The complaints allege price fixing in violation of federal antitrust laws and state antitrust and unfair competition laws and seek treble monetary damages, restitution, costs, interest and attorneys’ fees.  On March 19, 2009, the Company executed settlement agreements with both the direct purchaser class and the purported indirect purchaser class.  If approved by the Court, the agreements would resolve the pending U.S. class action SRAM litigation against the Company and release the Company from those claims.

Three purported class action SRAM lawsuits also have been filed against the Company in Canada, on behalf of direct and indirect purchasers, alleging violations of the Canadian Competition Act.  The substantive allegations in these cases are similar to those asserted in the SRAM cases filed in the United States.

In addition, three purported class action lawsuits alleging price-fixing of Flash products have been filed in Canada, asserting violations of the Canadian Competition Act.  These cases assert claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that purchased Flash memory directly and indirectly from various Flash memory suppliers.

On May 5, 2004, Rambus filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California (San Francisco County) against the Company and other DRAM suppliers.  The complaint alleges various causes of action under California state law including conspiracy to restrict output and fix prices of Rambus DRAM (“RDRAM”) and unfair competition.  Trial is currently scheduled to begin in September 2009.  The complaint seeks joint and several damages, trebled, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and a permanent injunction enjoining the defendants from the conduct alleged in the complaint.

The Company is unable to predict the outcome of these lawsuits and investigations and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss.  The final resolution of these alleged violations of antitrust laws could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Securities Matters:  On February 24, 2006, a putative class action complaint was filed against the Company and certain of its officers in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho alleging claims under Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.  Four substantially similar complaints subsequently were filed in the same Court.  The cases purport to be brought on behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company’s stock during the period February 24, 2001 to February 13, 2003.  The five lawsuits have been consolidated and a consolidated amended class action complaint was filed on July 24, 2006.  The complaint generally alleges violations of federal securities laws based on, among other things, claimed misstatements or omissions regarding alleged illegal price-fixing conduct.  The complaint seeks unspecified damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses.  On December 19, 2007, the Court issued an order certifying the class but reducing the class period to purchasers of the Company’s stock during the period from February 24, 2001 to September 18, 2002.

In addition, on March 23, 2006, a shareholder derivative action was filed in the Fourth District Court for the State of Idaho (Ada County), allegedly on behalf of and for the benefit of the Company, against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors.  The Company also was named as a nominal defendant.  An amended complaint was filed on August 23, 2006 and subsequently dismissed by the Court.  Another amended complaint was filed on September 6, 2007.  The amended complaint is based on the same allegations of fact as in the securities class actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho and alleges breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment, and insider trading.  The amended complaint seeks unspecified damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits, equitable and injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses.  The amended complaint is derivative in nature and does not seek monetary damages from the Company.  However, the Company may be required, throughout the pendency of the action, to advance payment of legal fees and costs incurred by the defendants.  On January 25, 2008, the Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the second amended complaint without leave to amend.  On March 10, 2008, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court.  That appeal is pending.

The Company is unable to predict the outcome of these cases and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss.  A court determination in any of these actions against the Company could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

13

Shareholders’ Equity

Issuance of common stock: On April 15, 2009, the Company issued 69.3 million shares of common stock for $4.15 per share in a public offering.  The Company received net proceeds of $276 million after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs of $12 million.

Capped call transactions:  Concurrent with the offering of the 4.25% Senior Notes on April 15, 2009, the Company entered into capped call transactions (the “2009 Capped Calls”) that have an initial strike price of approximately $5.08 per share, subject to certain adjustments, which was set to equal initial conversion price of the 4.25% Senior Notes.  The 2009 Capped Calls have a cap price of $6.64 per share and cover an approximate combined total of 45.2 million shares of common stock, and are subject to standard adjustments for instruments of this type.  The 2009 Capped Calls are intended to reduce the potential dilution upon conversion of the 4.25% Senior Notes.  If, however, the market value per share of the common stock, as measured under the terms of the 2009 Capped Calls, exceeds the applicable cap price of the 2009 Capped Calls, there would be dilution to the extent that the then market value per share of the common stock exceeds the cap price.  The 2009 Capped Calls expire in October and November of 2012.  The Company paid approximately $25 million to purchase the 2009 Capped Calls which was recorded as a charge to additional capital.


Fair Value Measurements

SFAS No. 157 establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (referred to as Level 1), observable inputs other than Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly (referred to as Level 2) and unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value of assets or liabilities (referred to as Level 3).

Fair value measurements on a recurring basis: Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 4, 2009 were as follows:

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Total
 
                   
Money market(1)
  $ 1,061     $ --     $ 1,061  
Certificates of deposit(2)
    --       216       216  
Marketable equity investments(3)
    11       --       11  
    $ 1,072     $ 216     $ 1,288  
                         
(1)Included in cash and equivalents
 
(2)$185 million included in cash and equivalents and $31 million included in other noncurrent assets
 
(3)Included in other noncurrent assets
 

Level 2 assets are valued using observable inputs in active markets for similar assets or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs.  During the first quarter of 2009, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment of $7 million for marketable equity instruments.

Fair value measurements on a nonrecurring basis: As of June 4, 2009, non-marketable equity investments of $7 million were valued using Level 3 inputs.  In the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, the Company identified events and circumstances that indicated the fair value of certain non-marketable equity investments sustained an other-than-temporary declines in value and recognized charges of $5 million and $8 million, respectively, to write down the carrying values of these investments to their estimated fair values.  The fair value measurements were determined using market multiples derived from industry-comparable companies which were classified as Level 3 inputs as they were unobservable and required management’s judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such investments.


 
14

 


During the first quarter of 2009, the Company recorded loans with Nan Ya Plastics and Inotera at fair value because the stated interest rates were substantially lower than the prevailing rates for loans with comparable terms and collateral and for borrowers with similar credit ratings.  In the third quarter of 2009, the Company repaid the loan to Inotera.  During the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded other noncurrent contractual liabilities at fair values of $36 million (net of $39 million of discounts) based on prevailing rates for comparable obligations.  The fair values of these obligations were determined based on discounted cash flows using inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from or corroborated with observable market data, as well as significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), including interest rates based on published rates for transactions involving parties with similar credit ratings as the Company.  (See “Debt” note.)


Equity Plans

As of June 4, 2009, the Company had an aggregate of 196.2 million shares of its common stock reserved for issuance under various equity plans, of which 128.4 million shares were subject to outstanding stock awards and 67.8 million shares were available for future grants.  Awards are subject to terms and conditions as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Stock options:  The Company granted 0.3 million and 21.1 million stock options during the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, with weighted-average grant-date fair values per share of $2.70 and $1.67, respectively.  The Company granted 0.4 million and 6.9 million stock options during the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively, with weighted-average grant-date fair values per share of $2.67 and $2.54, respectively.

The fair values of option awards were estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  The Black-Scholes model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable and requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility and estimated option life.  The expected volatilities utilized by the Company were based on implied volatilities from traded options on the Company’s stock and on historical volatility.  The expected lives of options granted in 2009 were based, in part, on historical experience and on the terms and conditions of the options.  The expected lives of options granted prior to 2009 were based on the simplified method provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The risk-free interest rates utilized by the Company were based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant.  No dividends were assumed in the Company’s estimated option values.  Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model are presented below:

   
Quarter ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
 
                         
Average expected life in years
    5.02       4.25       4.91       4.25  
Weighted-average expected volatility
    71 %     48 %     73 %     46 %
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate
    1.9 %     2.5 %     1.9 %     2.9 %

Restricted stock:  The Company awards restricted stock and restricted stock units (collectively, “Restricted Awards”) under its equity plans.  During the third quarter of 2008, the Company granted 0.6 million and 0.1 million shares of service-based and performance-based Restricted Awards, respectively.  During the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, the Company granted 1.9 million and 4.2 million shares, respectively, of service-based Restricted Awards, and 1.7 million and 1.4 million shares, respectively, of performance-based Restricted Awards.  The weighted-average grant-date fair values per share were $4.40 for Restricted Awards granted during the first nine months of 2009, and $7.56 and $8.42 for Restricted Awards granted during the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively.


 
15

 


Stock-based compensation expense:  Total compensation costs for the Company’s equity plans were as follows:

   
Quarter ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
 
                         
Stock-based compensation expense by caption:
                       
Cost of goods sold
  $ 4     $ 4     $ 12     $ 11  
Selling, general and administrative
    4       6       12       18  
Research and development
    4       4       10       11  
    $ 12     $ 14     $ 34     $ 40  
                                 
Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:
                               
Stock options
  $ 7     $ 7     $ 22     $ 19  
Restricted stock
    5       7       12       21  
    $ 12     $ 14     $ 34     $ 40  

As of June 4, 2009, $85 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested awards was expected to be recognized through the third quarter of 2013, resulting in a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.  Stock-based compensation expense in the above presentation does not reflect any significant income taxes, which is consistent with the Company’s treatment of income or loss from its U.S. operations.  (See “Income Taxes” note.)


Restructure

In response to a severe downturn in the semiconductor memory industry and global economic conditions, the Company initiated restructure plans in 2009 primarily attributable to the Company’s Memory segment.  In the first quarter of 2009, IM Flash, a joint venture between the Company and Intel, terminated its agreement with the Company to obtain NAND Flash memory supply from the Company’s Boise facility, reducing the Company’s NAND Flash production by approximately 35,000 200mm wafers per month.  In addition, the Company and Intel agreed to suspend tooling and the ramp of NAND Flash production at IM Flash’s Singapore wafer fabrication facility.  In the second quarter of 2009, the Company announced that it would phase out all remaining 200mm wafer manufacturing operations at its Boise, Idaho by the end of 2009.  Excluding any gains or additional losses from disposition of equipment, the Company expects to incur additional restructure costs through the end of 2009 of approximately $7 million, comprised primarily of severance and other employee related costs.  The following table summarizes restructure charges (credits) resulting from the Company’s 2009 restructure activities:

   
Quarter ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
June 4,
2009
   
June 4,
2009
 
             
Write-down of equipment
  $ 7     $ 150  
Severance and other termination benefits
    11       50  
Gain from termination of NAND Flash supply agreement
    --       (144 )
Other
    1       2  
    $ 19     $ 58  

During the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, the Company made cash payments of $18 million and $51 million, respectively, for severance and other termination benefits.  As of June 4, 2009, $7 million of restructure costs, primarily related to severance and other termination benefits, remained unpaid and were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses.  In connection with the termination of the NAND Flash memory supply agreement with IM Flash, in the first quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a receivable from Intel of $208 million that was settled in the second quarter of 2009.

Under a previous restructure plan initiated in the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded charges of $8 million and $29 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively, for severance and other employee-related costs and to write down certain facilities to their fair values.

16


Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net

Other operating (income) expense for the third quarter of 2009 included a loss of $53 million to write down the carrying value of certain long-lived assets classified as held for sale in connection with the Company’s sale of a majority interest in its Aptina imaging solutions business.  Other operating (income) expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 included losses of $12 million and $55 million, respectively, on disposals of semiconductor equipment and losses of $28 million and $25 million, respectively, from changes in currency exchange rates.  Other operating (income) expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 included gains of $13 million and $70 million, respectively, on disposals of semiconductor equipment.  Other operating (income) expense for the first nine months of 2008 included a gain of $38 million for receipts from the U.S. government in connection with anti-dumping tariffs received in the first quarter of 2008 and losses of $33 million from changes in currency exchange rates.  (See “Aptina Imaging Corporation” note.)


Income Taxes

Income taxes for 2009 and 2008 primarily reflect taxes on the Company’s non-U.S. operations and U.S. alternative minimum tax.  The Company has a valuation allowance for its net deferred tax asset associated with its U.S. operations.  The benefit for taxes on U.S. operations in 2009 and 2008 was substantially offset by changes in the valuation allowance.


Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares and stock rights outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effects of stock options and convertible notes.  Potential common shares that would increase earnings per share amounts or decrease loss per share amounts are antidilutive and are therefore excluded from earnings per share calculations.  Antidilutive potential common shares that could dilute basic earnings per share in the future were 271.2 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 and 223.8 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008.

   
Quarter ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
 
                         
Net loss available to common shareholders
  $ (290 )   $ (236 )   $ (1,747 )   $ (1,275 )
                                 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    813.3       772.8       786.5       772.4  
                                 
Loss per share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.36 )   $ (0.30 )   $ (2.22 )   $ (1.65 )
Diluted
    (0.36 )     (0.30 )     (2.22 )     (1.65 )


Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive loss for the third quarter of 2009 was ($309) million and included ($22) million, net of tax, from the change in cumulative translation adjustments for the Company’s equity method investments and $3 million, net of tax, of unrealized gains on investments. Comprehensive loss for the first nine months of 2009 was ($1,765) million and included ($26) million, net of tax, from the change in cumulative translation adjustments for the Company’s equity method investments and $7 million, net of tax, of unrealized gains on investments.  Comprehensive loss for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 was ($244) million and ($1,282) million, respectively, and included ($8) million and ($7) million net of tax, respectively, of unrealized losses on investments.



 
17

 


Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

NAND Flash joint ventures with Intel (“IM Flash”):  The Company has formed two joint ventures with Intel (IM Flash Technologies, LLC formed January 2006 and IM Flash Singapore LLP formed February 2007) to manufacture NAND Flash memory products for the exclusive benefit of the partners.  IMFT and IMFS are each governed by a Board of Managers, with Micron and Intel initially appointing an equal number of managers to each of the boards.  The number of managers appointed by each party adjusts depending on the parties’ ownership interests.  These ventures will operate until 2016 but are subject to prior termination under certain terms and conditions.  IMFT and IMFS are aggregated as IM Flash in the following disclosure due to the similarity of their ownership structure, function, operations and the way the Company’s management reviews the results of their operations.  At inception and through June 4, 2009, the Company owned 51% and Intel owned 49% of IM Flash.

IM Flash is a variable interest entity as defined by FIN 46(R) because all costs of IM Flash are passed to the Company and Intel through purchase agreements.  IM Flash is dependent upon the Company and Intel for any additional cash requirements.  The Company and Intel are also considered related parties under the provisions of FIN 46(R).  As a result, the primary beneficiary of IM Flash is the entity that is most closely associated with IM Flash.  The Company considered several factors to determine whether it or Intel is most closely associated with IM Flash, including the size and nature of IM Flash’s operations relative to the Company and Intel, and which entity had the majority of economic exposure under the purchase agreements.  Based on those factors, the Company determined that it is most closely associated with IM Flash and is therefore the primary beneficiary.  Accordingly, the financial results of IM Flash are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and all amounts pertaining to Intel’s interests in IM Flash are reported as noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries.  (See “Business and Significant Accounting Policies” note.)

IM Flash manufactures NAND Flash memory products based on NAND Flash designs developed by the Company and Intel and licensed to the Company.  Product design and other research and development (“R&D”) costs for NAND Flash are generally shared equally between the Company and Intel.  As a result of reimbursements received from Intel under a NAND Flash R&D cost-sharing arrangement, the Company’s R&D expenses were reduced by $26 million and $83 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, and $34 million and $116 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively.

IM Flash sells products to the joint venture partners generally in proportion to their ownership at long-term negotiated prices approximating cost.  IM Flash sales to Intel were $195 million and $728 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, and $280 million and $744 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively.  As of June 4, 2009 and August 28, 2008, IM Flash had receivables from Intel primarily for sales of NAND Flash products of $124 million and $144 million, respectively.  In addition, as of June 4, 2009 and August 28, 2008, the Company had receivables from Intel of $61 million and $71 million, respectively, related to NAND Flash product design and process development activities.  As of June 4, 2009 and August 28, 2008, IM Flash had payables to Intel of $1 million and $4 million, respectively, for various services.

Under the terms of a wafer supply agreement, the Company manufactured wafers for IM Flash in its Boise, Idaho facility.  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company and Intel agreed to discontinue production of NAND flash memory for IM Flash at the Boise facility.  Pursuant to the terms of the termination agreement, the Company received $208 million from Intel in the second quarter of 2009.  Also in the first quarter of 2009, IM Flash substantially completed construction of a new 300mm wafer fabrication facility structure in Singapore and the Company and Intel agreed to suspend tooling and the ramp of production at this facility.

IM Flash distributed $119 million and $582 million to Intel in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, and $124 million and $606 million to the Company in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.  IM Flash distributed $92 million to Intel in the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, and $95 million to the Company in the third quarter and first nine months of 2008.  In the first nine months of 2009, Intel contributed $24 million and the Company contributed $25 million to IM Flash.  In the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, Intel contributed $103 million and $295 million, respectively, to IM Flash and the Company contributed $108 million and $308 million, respectively, to IM Flash.  The Company’s ability to access IM Flash’s cash and marketable investment securities ($145 million as of June 4, 2009) to finance the Company’s other operations is subject to agreement by the joint venture partners.


 
18

 


Total IM Flash assets and liabilities included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

As of
 
June 4,
2009
   
August 28,
2008
 
             
Assets
           
Cash and equivalents
  $ 145     $ 393  
Receivables
    143       169  
Inventories
    152       225  
Other current assets
    4       14  
Total current assets
    444       801  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    3,559       3,998  
Other assets
    64       58  
Total assets
  $ 4,067     $ 4,857  
                 
Liabilities
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 99     $ 166  
Deferred income
    139       67  
Equipment purchase contracts
    --       18  
Current portion of long-term debt
    6       5  
Total current liabilities
    244       256  
Long-term debt
    67       38  
Other liabilities
    4       5  
Total liabilities
  $ 315     $ 299  
                 
Amounts exclude intercompany balances that are eliminated in consolidation of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. IMFT and IMFS are aggregated as IM Flash in this disclosure due to the similarity of their ownership structure, function, operations and the way the Company’s management reviews the results of their operations.
 

The creditors of IM Flash have recourse only to the assets of IM Flash and do not have recourse to any other assets of the Company.

MP Mask Technology Center, LLC (“MP Mask”):  In 2006, the Company formed a joint venture, MP Mask, with Photronics, Inc. (“Photronics”) to produce photomasks for leading-edge and advanced next generation semiconductors.  At inception and through June 4, 2009, the Company owned 50.01% and Photronics owned 49.99% of MP Mask.  The Company purchases a substantial majority of the reticles produced by MP Mask pursuant to a supply arrangement.  In connection with the formation of the joint venture, the Company received $72 million in 2006 in exchange for entering into a license agreement with Photronics, which is being recognized over the term of the 10-year agreement.  As of June 4, 2009, deferred income and other noncurrent liabilities included an aggregate of $50 million related to this agreement.  MP Mask made distributions to both the Company and Photronics of $5 million and $10 million each in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.

MP Mask is a variable interest entity as defined by FIN 46(R) because all costs of MP Mask are passed on to the Company and Photronics through purchase agreements and MP Mask is dependent upon the Company and Photronics for any additional cash requirements.  The Company and Photronics are also considered related parties under the provisions of FIN 46(R).  As a result, the primary beneficiary of MP Mask is the entity that is most closely associated with MP Mask.  The Company considered several factors to determine whether it or Photronics is more closely associated with the joint venture.  The most important factor was the nature of the joint venture’s operations relative to the Company and Photronics.  Based on those factors, the Company determined that it most closely associated with the joint venture and therefore it is the primary beneficiary.  Accordingly, the financial results of MP Mask are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and all amounts pertaining to Photonics’ interest in MP Mask are reported as noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries.  (See “Business and Significant Accounting Policies” note.)


 
19

 


Total MP Mask assets and liabilities included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

As of
 
June 4,
2009
   
August 28,
2008
 
             
Current assets
  $ 20     $ 27  
Noncurrent assets (primarily property, plant and equipment)
    103       121  
Current liabilities
    10       11  
                 
Amounts exclude intercompany balances that are eliminated in consolidation of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
 

The creditors of MP Mask have recourse only to the assets of MP Mask and do not have recourse to any other assets of the Company.

In 2008, the Company completed the construction of a facility to produce photomasks and sold the facility to Photronics under a build to suit lease agreement, with quarterly payments through January 2013.  On May 19, 2009, the Company and Photronics entered into an agreement whereby the Company repurchased the facility from Photronics for $50 million and leased the facility to Photronics under an operating lease providing for quarterly lease payments aggregating $41 million through October 2014.


TECH Semiconductor Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Since 1998, the Company has participated in TECH Semiconductor Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“TECH”), a semiconductor memory manufacturing joint venture in Singapore among the Company, Canon Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Company (“HP”).  The financial results of TECH are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and all amounts pertaining to Canon Inc. and HP are reported as noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries.

In the second quarter of 2009, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with the EDB that enabled the Company to borrow up to $300 million Singapore dollars at 5.38%.  The Company is required to use the proceeds from any borrowings under the facility to make equity contributions to TECH.  On February 27, 2009, the Company drew $150 million Singapore dollars under the facility and used the proceeds to purchase 85.1 million shares of TECH for $99 million.  On June 2, 2009, the Company drew the remaining $150 million Singapore dollars under the facility and purchased an additional 282.0 million shares of TECH for $99 million.  As a result, the Company’s interest in TECH increased from approximately 73% to approximately 76% by the February 2009 share purchase and to approximately 83% by the June 2009 share purchase.  As a result of the share purchases, the Company reduced noncontrolling interests by $69 million.  Because the cost of the noncontrolling interest acquired was below carrying value, the Company’s carrying value for TECH’s property, plant and equipment was also reduced $69 million.  (See “Debt” note.)

TECH’s cash and marketable investment securities ($175 million as of June 4, 2009) are not anticipated to be available to finance the Company’s other operations.  As of June 4, 2009, TECH had $573 million outstanding under a credit facility which is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of TECH (carrying value of approximately $1,532 million as of June 4, 2009) and contains covenants that, among other requirements, establish certain liquidity, debt service coverage and leverage ratios, and restrict TECH’s ability to incur indebtedness, create liens and acquire or dispose of assets.  As of June 4, 2009, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.  The Company has guaranteed approximately 73% of the outstanding amount of the facility, with the Company’s obligation increasing to 100% of the outstanding amount of the facility upon the occurrence of certain conditions.



 
20

 


Aptina Imaging Corporation

On July 10, 2009, the Company sold a 65% interest in Aptina Imaging Corporation (“Aptina”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and a significant component of its Imaging segment, to Riverwood Capital (“Riverwood”) and TPG Capital (“TPG”).  Under the agreement, the Company received approximately $35 million in cash and retained a 35% minority stake in Aptina after Riverwood and TPG contributed significant debt-free capital to the independent, privately-held, company.  The Company also retained all cash held by Aptina and its subsidiaries.  The Company will account for its remaining interest in Aptina under the equity method.  The Company’s Imaging segment will continue to manufacture products for Aptina under a wafer supply agreement and will provide services to Aptina.  In the third quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a charge of $53 million, the estimated loss on the transaction, to write down certain Aptina intangible assets and property, plant and equipment to estimated fair values.


Segment Information

The Company’s reportable segments are Memory and Imaging.  The Memory segment’s primary products are DRAM and NAND Flash memory and the Imaging segment’s primary product is CMOS image sensors.  Subsequent to the sale of a 65% interest in Aptina, the Company’s Imaging segment will continue to manufacture products for Aptina under a wafer supply agreement and will provide services to Aptina.  Segment information reported below is consistent with how it is reviewed and evaluated by the Company’s chief operating decision makers and is based on the nature of the Company’s operations and products offered to customers.  The Company does not identify or report depreciation and amortization, capital expenditures or assets by segment.

   
Quarter ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
   
June 4,
2009
   
May 29,
2008
 
                         
Net sales:
                       
Memory
  $ 979     $ 1,327     $ 3,111     $ 3,917  
Imaging
    127       171       390       475  
Total consolidated net sales
  $ 1,106     $ 1,498     $ 3,501     $ 4,392  
                                 
Operating income (loss):
                               
Memory
  $ (149 )   $ (228 )   $ (1,430 )   $ (1,230 )
Imaging
    (97 )     3       (196 )     (27 )
Total consolidated operating loss
  $ (246 )   $ (225 )   $ (1,626 )   $ (1,257 )




 
21

 


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

The following discussion contains trend information and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements such as those made in “Overview” regarding the Company’s DRAM development costs relative to Nanya, royalty payments to be received from Nanya in future periods, Inotera's transition to the Company's stack process technology and anticipated margins and operating expenses for the Imaging segment in future periods; in “Net Sales” regarding production levels for the fourth quarter of 2009; in “Gross Margin” regarding the effects of production slowdowns on product costs for the fourth quarter of 2009 and future charges for inventory write-downs; in “Research and Development” regarding research and development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2009;in Stock-Based Compensation regarding future costs to be recognized; in “Restructure” regarding the remaining costs of restructure plans; in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” regarding capital spending in 2009 and 2010, future distributions from IM Flash to Intel and capital contributions to TECH; and in “Recently Issued Accounting Standards” regarding the impact from the adoption of new accounting standards.  The Company’s actual results could differ materially from the Company’s historical results and those discussed in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those identified in “PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION – Item 1A.  Risk Factors.”  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes and with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 28, 2008.  All period references are to the Company’s fiscal periods unless otherwise indicated.  The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53-week period ending on the Thursday closest to August 31.  The Company’s fiscal 2009, which ends on September 3, 2009, contains 53 weeks.  All production data reflects production of the Company and its consolidated joint ventures.


Overview

The Company is a global manufacturer of semiconductor devices, principally semiconductor memory products (including DRAM and NAND Flash) and CMOS image sensors.  The Company operates in two reportable segments:  Memory and Imaging.  Its products are used in a broad range of electronic applications including personal computers, workstations, network servers, mobile phones and other consumer applications including Flash memory cards, USB storage devices, digital still cameras, MP3/4 players and in automotive applications.  The Company markets its products through its internal sales force, independent sales representatives and distributors primarily to original equipment manufacturers and retailers located around the world.  The Company’s success is largely dependent on the market acceptance of a diversified portfolio of semiconductor products, efficient utilization of the Company’s manufacturing infrastructure, successful ongoing development of advanced process technologies and generation of sufficient return on research and development investments.

The Company has made significant investments to develop proprietary product and process technology that is implemented in its worldwide manufacturing facilities and through its joint ventures to enable the production of semiconductor products with increasing functionality and performance at lower costs.  The Company generally reduces the manufacturing cost of each generation of product through advancements in product and process technology such as its leading-edge line-width process technology and innovative array architecture.  The Company continues to introduce new generations of products that offer improved performance characteristics, such as higher data transfer rates, reduced package size, lower power consumption and increased memory density.  To leverage its significant investments in research and development, the Company has formed various strategic joint ventures under which the costs of developing memory product and process technologies are shared with its joint venture partners.  In addition, from time to time, the Company has also sold and/or licensed technology to other parties.  The Company is pursuing additional opportunities to recover its investment in intellectual property through partnering and other arrangements.

The semiconductor memory industry is experiencing a severe downturn due to a significant oversupply of products.  The downturn has been exacerbated by global economic conditions which have adversely affected demand for semiconductor memory products.  Average selling prices per gigabit for the Company’s DRAM and NAND Flash products for the first nine months of 2009 decreased 53% and 58%, respectively, compared to the first nine months of 2008.  Average selling prices per gigabit for the Company’s DRAM and NAND Flash products in 2008 were down 51% and 67%, respectively, compared to 2007 and down 63% and 85%, respectively, in 2008 compared to 2006.  These declines significantly outpaced the long-term historical pricing trend.  As a result of these market conditions, the Company and other semiconductor memory manufacturers have generally reported negative gross margins and substantial losses in recent periods.  In the first nine months of 2009, the Company reported a net loss of $1.7 billion after reporting a net loss of $1.6 billion for its entire fiscal 2008.


 
22

 


In response to adverse market conditions, the Company initiated restructure plans in 2009, primarily attributable to the Company’s Memory segment.  In the first quarter of 2009, IM Flash, a joint venture between the Company and Intel, terminated its agreement with the Company to obtain NAND Flash memory supply from the Company’s Boise facility, reducing the Company’s NAND Flash production by approximately 35,000 200mm wafers per month.  In addition, the Company and Intel agreed to suspend tooling and the ramp of NAND Flash production at IM Flash’s Singapore wafer fabrication facility.  In the second quarter of 2009, the Company announced that it will phase out all remaining 200mm wafer manufacturing operations at its Boise, Idaho, facility by the end of 2009.  The Company has also undertaken additional cost savings measures to increase its competitiveness, including reductions in executive and employee salary and bonuses, a continued hiring freeze, suspension of matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) employee savings plan, and reductions of other discretionary costs such as outside services, travel and overtime.

The state of the global economy and credit markets are also making it increasingly difficult for semiconductor memory manufacturers to obtain external sources of financing to fund their operations.  Although the Company believes that it is better positioned than some of its competitors, it faces challenges that require it to continue to make significant improvements in its competitiveness.  Additionally, the Company is considering further financing alternatives, continuing to limit capital expenditures and implementing further cost reduction initiatives.

DRAM joint ventures with Nanya Technology Corporation (“Nanya”): The Company has a partnering arrangement with Nanya Technology Corporation (“Nanya”) pursuant to which the Company and Nanya jointly develop process technology and designs to manufacture stack DRAM products.  Each party generally bears its own development costs and the Company’s development costs are expected to exceed Nanya’s development costs in the near term by a significant amount.  In addition, the Company has transferred and licensed certain intellectual property related to the manufacture of stack DRAM products to Nanya and licensed certain intellectual property from Nanya.  As a result, the Company is to receive an aggregate of $207 million from Nanya through 2010.  The Company recognized $25 million and $79 million of license revenue in net sales from this agreement in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, and from May 2008 through June 4, 2009 has recognized $115 million of cumulative license revenue.  In addition, the Company expects to receive royalties in future periods from Nanya for sales of stack DRAM products manufactured by or for Nanya.

The Company has also partnered with Nanya in investments in two Taiwan DRAM memory companies:  Inotera Memories, Inc. (“Inotera”) and MeiYa Technology Corporation (“MeiYa”).  As of June 4, 2009, the ownership of Inotera was held 35.6% by Nanya, 35.5% by the Company and the balance was publicly held.  As of June 4, 2009, the ownership of MeiYa was held 50% by Nanya and 50% by the Company.  The Company accounts for its interests using the equity method of accounting and does not consolidate these entities.

Inotera and MeiYa each have fiscal years that end on December 31.  As these fiscal years differ from that of the Company’s fiscal year, the Company recognizes its share of Inotera’s and MeiYa’s quarterly earnings or losses for the calendar quarter that ends within the Company’s fiscal quarter.  This results in the recognition of the Company’s share of earnings or losses from these entities for a period that lags the Company’s fiscal periods by approximately two months.

Inotera:  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company acquired a 35.5% ownership interest in Inotera, a publicly-traded entity in Taiwan, from Qimonda AG (“Qimonda”) for $398 million.  The interest in Inotera was acquired for cash, a portion of which was funded from loan proceeds of $200 million received by the Company from Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, an affiliate of Nanya, and $85 million received from Inotera.  The loans were recorded at their fair values, which reflect an aggregate discount of $31 million from their face amounts.  This aggregate discount was recorded as a reduction of the Company’s basis in its investment in Inotera.  The Company also capitalized $10 million of costs and other fees incurred in connection with the acquisition.  As a result of the above transactions, total consideration for the Company’s equity investment in Inotera was $377 million.


 
23

 


In connection with the acquisition of the shares in Inotera, the Company and Nanya entered into a supply agreement with Inotera (the “Supply Agreement”) pursuant to which Inotera will sell trench and stack DRAM products to the Company and Nanya.  In addition, Inotera charges the Company and Nanya for a portion of the costs associated with its underutilized capacity.  The Company has rights and obligations to purchase up to 50% of Inotera’s wafer production capacity.  Inotera’s actual wafer production will vary from time to time based on market and other conditions and its trench production capacity is expected to transition to the Company’s stack process technology.  The pricing formula in the Supply Agreement is based upon manufacturing costs and margins associated with the resale of purchased DRAM products.  Under the Supply Agreement, the Company will purchase 50% of Inotera’s aggregate trench DRAM production (less the trench DRAM products sold to Qimonda pursuant to a separate supply agreement between Inotera and Qimonda (the “Qimonda Supply Agreement”)) and 50% of the aggregate stack DRAM production.  Under the Qimonda Supply Agreement, Qimonda was obligated to purchase trench DRAM products resulting from wafers started for it by Inotera through July 2009 in accordance with a ramp down schedule specified in the Qimonda Supply Agreement.  In the second quarter of 2009, Qimonda filed for bankruptcy and defaulted on its obligations to purchase products from Inotera.  Pursuant to the Company’s obligations under the Supply Agreement, the Company recorded $15 million and $66 million of charges in cost of goods sold in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 related to underutilized capacity.

The Company’s results of operations for the third quarter of 2009 include a loss of $43 million for the Company’s share of Inotera’s loss for the first calendar quarter of 2009.  The Company’s results of operations for the first nine months of 2009 includes losses of $99 million for the Company’s share of Inotera’s losses from the acquisition date through the first calendar quarter of 2009.  As of June 4, 2009, the Company had recorded $18 million to accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for cumulative translation adjustments for its investment in Inotera.  During the third quarter of 2009, the Company received $50 million from Inotera pursuant to the terms of a technology transfer agreement.  As of June 4, 2009, the carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in Inotera was $236 million.

(See “Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Supplemental Balance Sheet Information – Equity Method Investments”)

Inventory Write-Downs: The Company’s results of operations for the second and first quarters of 2009 included charges of $234 million and $369 million, respectively, to write down the carrying value of work in process and finished goods inventories of memory products (both DRAM and NAND Flash) to their estimated market values.  For the fourth, second and first quarters of 2008, the Company recorded inventory charges of $205 million, $15 million and $62 million, respectively.

Aptina Imaging Business (“Aptina”):  On July 10, 2009, the Company sold a 65% interest in Aptina, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and a significant component of its Imaging segment, to Riverwood Capital (“Riverwood”) and TPG Capital (“TPG”).  Under the agreement, the Company received approximately $35 million in cash and retained a 35% minority stake in Aptina after Riverwood and TPG contributed significant debt-free capital to the independent, privately-held, company.  The Company also retained all cash held by Aptina and its subsidiaries.  The Company will account for its remaining interest in Aptina under the equity method.  The Company’s Imaging segment will continue to manufacture products for Aptina under a wafer supply agreement and will provide services to Aptina at its worldwide facilities.  The Company anticipates that pricing under the wafer supply agreement will generally result in lower gross margins than historically realized on sales of Imaging products to end customers.  The Company also anticipates that the sale of Aptina will significantly reduce the Imaging segment’s research and development costs and other operating expenses.  In the third quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a charge of $53 million, the estimated loss on the transaction, to write down Aptina intangible assets and property, plant and equipments to estimated fair values.



 
24

 


Results of Operations

   
Third Quarter
     
Second Quarter
     
Nine Months
   
   
2009
   
% of net sales
     
2008
   
% of net sales
     
2009
   
% of net sales
     
2009
   
% of net sales
     
2008
   
% of net sales
   
   
(amounts in millions and as a percent of net sales)
   
Net sales:
                                                                     
Memory
  $ 979       89   %   $ 1,327       89   %   $ 910       92   %   $ 3,111       89   %   $ 3,917       89   %
Imaging
    127       11   %     171       11   %     83       8   %     390       11   %     475       11   %
    $ 1,106       100   %   $ 1,498       100   %   $ 993       100   %   $ 3,501       100   %   $ 4,392       100   %
                                                                                           
Gross margin:
                                                                                         
Memory
  $ 104       11   %   $ (11 )     (1 ) %   $ (269 )     (30 ) %   $ (667 )     (21 ) %   $ (126 )     (3 ) %
Imaging
    3       2   %     59       35   %     2       2   %     58       15   %     136       29   %
    $ 107       10   %   $ 48       3   %   $ (267 )     (27 ) %   $ (609 )     (17 ) %   $ 10       0   %
                                                                                           
SG&A
  $ 80       7   %   $ 116       8   %   $ 90       9   %   $ 272       8   %   $ 348       8   %
R&D
    162       15   %     170       11   %     168       17   %     508       15   %     513       12   %
Restructure
    19       2   %     8       1   %     105       11   %     58       2   %     29       1   %
Goodwill impairment
    --       --         --       --         58       6   %     58       2   %     463       11   %
Other operating (income) expense, net
    92       8   %     (21 )     (1 ) %     20       2   %     121       3   %     (86 )     (2 ) %
Net income (loss)
    (290 )     (26 ) %     (236 )     (16 ) %     (751 )     (76 ) %     (1,747 )     (50 ) %     (1,275 )     (29 ) %

Net Sales

Total net sales for the third quarter of 2009 increased 11% as compared to the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to an 8% increase in Memory sales and a 53% increase in Imaging sales.  Both Memory and Imaging sales for the third quarter of 2009 reflect significant increases in sales volumes as compared to the second quarter of 2009.  Memory sales were 89% of total net sales for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to 92% and 89%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2009 and third quarter of 2008.  Total net sales for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 26% as compared to the third quarter of 2008 due to a 26% decrease in both Memory and Imaging sales.  Total net sales for the first nine months of 2009 decreased 20% as compared to the first nine months of 2008 due to a 21% decrease in Memory sales and an 18% decrease in Imaging sales.

In response to adverse market conditions, the Company began to shut down production of NAND for IM Flash at the Company’s Boise fabrication facility in the second quarter of 2009 and announced that it would shut down the remainder of its production at the Boise fabrication facility by the end of 2009.  In addition, the Company implemented production slowdowns at some of its manufacturing facilities during the third and second quarters of 2009.  Production of Memory and Imaging products in the third and second quarters of 2009 was affected by the ongoing shutdown of the Boise fabrication facility and slowdowns at other facilities.  The Company expects that production for the fourth quarter of 2009 will also be affected by these factors.  The Company will adjust utilization of 200mm wafer processing capacity as product demand varies.

The Company has formed partnering arrangements under which it has sold and/or licensed technology to other parties.  The Company recognized royalty and license revenue of $32 million in the third quarter of 2009, $33 million in the second quarter of 2009 and $10 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Memory:  Memory sales for the third quarter of 2009 increased 8% from the second quarter of 2009 as sales of DRAM products increased by 14% while sales of NAND Flash products were relatively unchanged.


 
25

 


Sales of DRAM products for the third quarter of 2009 increased from the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to an 18% increase in gigabit sales.  Overall average selling prices for DRAM for the third quarter of 2009 were relatively flat compared to the second quarter of 2009 as increases in average selling prices for both specialty DRAM products and DDR2 and DDR3 DRAM products were offset by the effect of a shift in product mix to a higher percentage of DDR2 and DDR3 DRAM products which generally realize lower selling prices per bit than specialty DRAM products.  Gigabit production of DRAM products increased approximately 15% for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the second quarter of 2009, primarily due to production efficiencies achieved through transitions to higher density, advanced geometry devices.  Sales of DDR2 and DDR3 DRAM products were 30% of the Company’s total net sales in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to 26% for the second quarter of 2009 and 29% for the third quarter of 2008.

The Company sells NAND Flash products in three principal channels: 1) to Intel Corporation (“Intel”) through its IM Flash consolidated joint venture at long-term negotiated prices approximating cost, 2) to original equipment manufacturers (“OEM’s”) and other resellers and 3) to retail customers.  Aggregate sales of NAND Flash products for the third quarter of 2009 were relatively unchanged from the second quarter of 2009 and represented 39% of the Company’s total net sales for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to 43% for the second quarter of 2009 and 37% for the third quarter of 2008.

Sales through IM Flash to Intel were $195 million for the third quarter of 2009, $215 million for the second quarter of 2009 and $280 million for the third quarter of 2008.  IM Flash sales to Intel were $728 million for the first nine months of 2009 and $744 million for the first nine months of 2008.  In the third quarter of 2009, average selling prices for IM Flash sales to Intel decreased significantly due to reduction in costs per gigabit of approximately 35%.  However, gigabit sales to Intel were 55% higher in the third quarter compared to the second quarter due to a 36% increase in gigabit production of NAND Flash products over the same period primarily due to the Company’s continued transition to higher density 34 nanometer (nm) NAND Flash products and other improvements in product and process technologies.

Aggregate sales of NAND Flash products to the Company’s OEM, resellers and retail customers were approximately 10% higher in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to a 13% increase in average selling prices, partially offset by a slight decrease in gigabit sales.  Average selling prices to the Company’s OEM and reseller customers in the third quarter of 2009 increased approximately 27% compared to the second quarter of 2009 while average selling prices of the Company’s Lexar brand, directed primarily at the retail market, were relatively unchanged.

Memory sales for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 26% from the third quarter of 2008 as sales of DRAM products decreased by 29% and sales of NAND Flash products decreased 23%.  The decrease in sales of DRAM products for the third quarter of 2009 from the third quarter of 2008 was primarily the result of a 55% decline in average selling prices mitigated by a 50% increase in gigabits sold.  Gigabit production of DRAM products increased 49% for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to production efficiencies from the Company’s improvements in product and process technologies.  The decrease in sales of NAND Flash products for the third quarter of 2009 from the third quarter of 2008 was primarily due to a 55% decline in average selling prices mitigated by a 71% increase in gigabits sold.  The significant increase in gigabit sales of NAND Flash products was primarily due to a 69% increase in production primarily as a result of the continued ramp of NAND Flash products at the Company’s 300mm fabrication facilities and transitions to higher density, advanced geometry devices.  The increase in NAND Flash production was achieved despite the shutdown of 200mm NAND Flash production, which began in the second quarter of 2009.

Memory sales for the first nine months of 2009 decreased 21% from the first nine months of 2008 as sales of DRAM products decreased by 27% and sales of NAND Flash products decreased 10%.  The decrease in sales of DRAM products for the first nine months of 2009 from the first nine months of 2008 was primarily the result of a 53% decline in average selling prices mitigated by a 46% increase in gigabits sold.  Gigabit production of DRAM products increased 49% for the first nine months of 2009 as compared to the first nine months of 2008, primarily due to production efficiencies from improvements in product and process technologies.  The decrease in sales of NAND Flash products for the first nine months of 2009 from the first nine months of 2008 was primarily due to a 58% decline in average selling prices mitigated by a 112% increase in gigabits sold.  The significant increase in gigabit sales of NAND Flash products was primarily due to a 94% increase in production primarily as a result of the continued ramp of NAND Flash products at the Company’s 300mm fabrication facilities and transitions to higher density, advanced geometry devices.  The increase in NAND Flash production was achieved despite the shutdown of 200mm NAND Flash production which began in the second quarter of 2009.


 
26

 


Imaging:  Imaging sales for the third quarter of 2009 increased 53% as compared to the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to a 51% increase in unit sales.  Imaging sales for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 decreased by 26% and 18%, respectively, from the corresponding periods of 2008 primarily due to decreased unit sales, particularly for products with 2-megapixel or lower resolution, and declines in average selling prices.  Demand for Imaging products in 2009 was adversely impacted by weakness in the mobile phone markets.  Imaging sales were 11% of the Company’s total net sales for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to 8% for the second quarter of 2009 and 11% for the third quarter of 2008.

Gross Margin

The Company’s overall gross margin percentage for the third quarter of 2009 improved to 10% from negative 27% for the second quarter of 2009, primarily due to an improvement in the gross margin for Memory as a result of cost reductions and the effect of selling products in the current quarter that were subject to inventory write-downs in previous quarters.  The Company’s overall gross margin percentage in the third quarter of 2009 improved from 3% for the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to an improvement in the gross margin for Memory partially offset by a decline in the gross margin for Imaging.  The Company’s overall gross margin percentage declined from essentially breakeven for the first nine months of 2008 to negative 17% for the first nine months of 2009 due to declines in the gross margins for both Memory and Imaging.  Production slowdowns and shutdowns implemented at some of the Company’s manufacturing facilities during the third and second quarters of 2009 adversely affected per gigabit costs of Memory products and per unit costs of Imaging products, and the continuation of these slowdowns is expected to have an adverse effect on product costs in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Memory:  The Company’s gross margin percentage for Memory products improved to 11% for the third quarter of 2009 from negative 30% for the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to significant improvements in the gross margins for both DRAM and NAND Flash products.  Gross margins for the third quarter of 2009 reflected significant cost reductions for DRAM and NAND Flash products and the effects of selling products in the current quarter that were subject to inventory write-downs in prior quarters, as discussed in more detail below.  Gross margins for Memory products for the third and second quarters of 2009 were also adversely affected by $39 million and $67 million, respectively, of costs associated with underutilized capacity primarily from Inotera and IM Flash’s Singapore facility.

The Company’s gross margins for Memory in 2009 and 2008 were impacted by charges to write down inventories to their estimated market values as a result of the significant decreases in average selling prices for both DRAM and NAND Flash products.  As charges to write down inventories are recorded in advance of when inventories are sold, gross margins in subsequent periods are higher than they otherwise would be.  The impact of inventory write-downs on gross margins for all periods reflects the period-end inventory write-down less the estimated net effect of prior period write-downs.  The effects of inventory write-downs on gross margin by period were as follows:


   
Third Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Nine Months
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(amounts in millions)
 
                               
Period-end inventory write-downs
  $ --     $ --     $ (234 )   $ (603 )   $ (77 )
Estimated effect of previous inventory write-downs
    242       21       277       676       85  
Net effect of inventory write-downs
  $ 242     $ 21     $ 43     $ 73     $ 8  
 
In future periods, the Company will be required to record additional inventory write-downs if estimated average selling prices of products held in finished goods and work in process inventories at a quarter-end date are below the manufacturing cost of those products.

The Company’s gross margin for NAND Flash products for the third quarter of 2009 improved from the second quarter of 2009, despite a 17% decrease in overall average selling prices per gigabit, primarily due to the effects of inventory write-downs and a 35% reduction in costs per gigabit.  The reduction in NAND Flash costs per gigabit was primarily due to lower manufacturing costs as a result of increased production of higher-density, advanced-geometry devices.  Gross margins on sales of NAND Flash products reflect sales of approximately half of IM Flash’s output to Intel at long-term negotiated prices approximating cost.


 
27

 


The Company’s gross margin for DRAM products for the third quarter of 2009 improved from the second quarter of 2009, primarily due to reductions in cost per gigabit partially offset by the 2% decrease in average selling prices per gigabit.  The Company’s DRAM costs per gigabit were 39% lower in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2009 (24% of which was due to the effects of previous inventory write-downs) due to production efficiencies achieved through transitions to higher-density, advanced-geometry devices.

The Company’s gross margin percentage for Memory products improved to 11% for the third quarter of 2009 from negative 1% for the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to improvements in the gross margins for NAND Flash products partially offset by slight declines in the gross margins for DRAM products.  Gross margins on NAND Flash products for the third quarter of 2009 improved from the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to per gigabit cost reductions of 66% partially offset by the 55% decline in overall average selling prices.  Declines in gross margins on sales of DRAM products for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2008 were primarily due to the 55% decline in average selling prices mitigated by per gigabit cost reductions of 52% (19% of which was due to the effects of previous inventory write-downs).

The Company’s gross margin percentage for Memory products declined from negative 3% for the first nine months of 2008 to negative 21% for the first nine months of 2009 primarily due to declines in the gross margin for DRAM products.  Declines in gross margins on sales of DRAM products for the first nine months of 2009 as compared to the first nine months of 2008 were primarily due to the 53% decline in average selling prices mitigated by per gigabit cost reductions.  The Company’s DRAM costs per gigabit were 34% lower in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008.  Gross margins on NAND Flash products for the first nine months of 2009 were approximately the same as for the first nine months of 2008 as the 58% decline in average selling prices was offset by per gigabit cost reductions.

Imaging:  The Company’s gross margin percentage for Imaging for the third quarter of 2009 remained approximately the same as for the second quarter of 2009 due to relatively stable average selling prices and production costs.  Imaging production costs for the third and second quarters of 2009 were adversely affected by production slowdowns implemented by the Company in response to reduced market demand.  The Company’s gross margin percentage for Imaging declined from 35% for the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to declines in average selling prices and increased costs due to production slowdowns.  The Company’s gross margin percentage for Imaging declined from 29% for the first nine months of 2008 to 15% for the first nine months of 2009 primarily due to declines in average selling prices mitigated by a shift in product mix to products with 3-megapixels or more, which realized higher margins.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 11% from the second quarter of 2009 due to lower bad debt expense and lower expenses as a result of the Company’s restructure initiatives.  SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 31% from the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to lower payroll expenses and other costs related to the Company’s restructure initiatives and lower legal expenses.  SG&A expenses for the first nine months of 2009 decreased 22% from the first nine months of 2008, primarily due to lower payroll expenses and other costs related to the Company’s restructure initiatives and lower legal expenses.  Future SG&A expense is expected to vary, potentially significantly, depending on, among other things, the number of legal matters that are resolved relatively early in their life-cycle and the number of matters that progress to trial.  SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales were as follows:

   
Third Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Nine Months
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales)
 
                               
Memory segment
    7 %     7 %     9 %     8 %     8 %
Imaging segment
    7 %     11 %     12 %     9 %     11 %
 
Research and Development

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses vary primarily with the number of development wafers processed, the cost of advanced equipment dedicated to new product and process development, and personnel costs.  Because of the lead times necessary to manufacture its products, the Company typically begins to process wafers before completion of performance and reliability testing.  The Company deems development of a product complete once the product has been thoroughly reviewed and tested for performance and reliability.  R&D expenses can vary significantly depending on the timing of product qualification as costs incurred in production prior to qualification are charged to R&D.

28

R&D expenses for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 4% from the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to decreases in development wafers processed.  R&D expenses for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 5% from the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to lower payroll costs from the Company’s cost reduction initiatives.  R&D expenses for the first nine months of 2009 were relatively unchanged from the first nine months of 2008, as decreases in costs of development wafers processed and lower payroll costs were offset by lower reimbursements under a NAND Flash R&D cost-sharing arrangement with Intel Corporation.  As a result of reimbursements received under this cost-sharing arrangement, R&D expenses were reduced by $26 million for the third quarter of 2009, $25 million for the second quarter of 2009, $34 million for the third quarter of 2008, $83 million for the first nine months of 2009 and $116 million for the first nine months of 2008.  The Company anticipates R&D expenses to approximate between $140 million to $150 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.  The Company expects that R&D expenses in future periods will be lower due to the sale in of a majority interest in Aptina in the fourth quarter of 2009.  R&D expenses as a percent of net sales were as follows:
 
   
Third Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Nine Months
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(R&D expenses as a percent of net sales)
 
                               
Memory segment
    13 %     10 %     15 %     13 %     10 %
Imaging segment
    25 %     20 %     42 %     27 %     23 %
 
The Company’s process technology R&D efforts are focused primarily on development of successively smaller line-width process technologies which are designed to facilitate the Company’s transition to next-generation memory products.   Additional process technology R&D efforts focus on advanced computing and mobile memory architectures and new manufacturing materials.  Product design and development efforts are concentrated on the Company’s 1 Gb and 2 Gb DDR2 and DDR3 products as well as high density and mobile NAND Flash memory (including multi-level cell technology) and specialty memory products.

Restructure

In response to a severe downturn in the semiconductor memory industry and global economic conditions, the Company initiated restructure plans in 2009 primarily attributable to the Company’s Memory segment.  In the first quarter of 2009, IM Flash, a joint venture between the Company and Intel, terminated its agreement with the Company to obtain NAND Flash memory supply from the Company’s Boise facility, reducing the Company’s NAND Flash production by approximately 35,000 200mm wafers per month.  In addition, the Company and Intel agreed to suspend tooling and the ramp of NAND Flash production at IM Flash’s Singapore wafer fabrication facility.  In the second quarter of 2009, the Company announced that it would phase out all remaining 200mm wafer manufacturing operations at its Boise, Idaho, facility by the end of 2009.  Excluding any gains or additional losses from disposition of equipment, the Company expects to incur additional restructure costs through the end of 2009 of approximately $7 million, comprised primarily of severance and other employee related costs.  The following table summarizes restructure charges (credits) resulting from the Company’s 2009 restructure activities:

   
Quarter ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
June 4,
2009
   
March 5,
2009
   
June 4,
2009
 
                   
Write-down of equipment
  $ 7     $ 87     $ 150  
Severance and other termination benefits
    11       17       50  
Gain from termination of NAND Flash supply agreement
    --       --       (144 )
Other
    1       1       2  
    $ 19     $ 105     $ 58  

Under a previous restructure plan initiated in the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded charges of $8 million and $29 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively, for severance and other employee-related costs and to write down certain facilities to their fair values.


 
29

 


Goodwill Impairment

In the second quarter of 2009, the Company’s Imaging segment experienced a severe decline in sales, margins and profitability due to a significant decline in demand as a result of the downturn in global economic conditions.  The drop in market demand resulted in significant declines in average selling prices and unit sales.  Due to these market and economic conditions, the Company’s Imaging segment and its competitors experienced significant declines in market value.  As a result, the Company concluded that there were sufficient factual circumstances for interim impairment analyses under SFAS No. 142.  Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2009, the Company performed an assessment of goodwill for impairment.  Based on the results, it was determined that the carrying value of the Imaging segment exceeded its estimated fair value as of the end of the Company’s second quarter of 2009.  Therefore, the Company performed a preliminary second step of the impairment test to estimate the implied fair value of goodwill.  The preliminary analysis indicated that there would be no remaining implied value attributable to goodwill in the Imaging segment and accordingly, the Company wrote off all $58 million of goodwill associated with its Imaging segment in the second quarter of 2009.  In the third quarter of 2009, the Company finalized the second step of the impairment analysis and the results confirmed that there was no implied value attributable to goodwill in the Imaging segment.  (See “Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Supplemental Balance Sheet Information – Goodwill.”)

In the second quarter of 2008, the Company wrote off all $463 million of its goodwill relating to its Memory segment based on the results of its test for impairment.

Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net

Other operating (income) expense for the third quarter of 2009 includes $53 million to write-down the carrying value of certain long-lived assets classified as held for sale in connection with the Company’s sale of a majority interest in its Aptina imaging solutions business. Other operating (income) expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 included losses of $12 million and $55 million, respectively, on disposals of semiconductor equipment and losses of $28 million and $25 million, respectively, from changes in currency exchange rates.  Other operating (income) expense for the second quarter of 2009 included losses of $29 million on disposals of semiconductor equipment.  Other operating (income) expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 included gains of $13 million and $70 million, respectively, on disposals of semiconductor equipment.  Other operating (income) expense for the first nine months of 2008 included a gain of $38 million for receipts from the U.S. government in connection with anti-dumping tariffs received in the first quarter of 2008 and losses of $33 million from changes in currency exchange rates.  (See “Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements –  Aptina Imaging Corporation.)

Income Taxes

Income taxes for 2009 and 2008 primarily reflect taxes on the Company’s non-U.S. operations and U.S. alternative minimum tax.  The Company has a valuation allowance for its net deferred tax asset associated with its U.S. operations.  The benefit for taxes on U.S. operations in 2009 and 2008 was substantially offset by changes in the valuation allowance.

Equity in Net Losses of Equity Method Investees

In connection with its DRAM partnering arrangements with Nanya, the Company has investments in two Taiwan DRAM memory companies accounted for as equity method investments:  Inotera and MeiYa.  Inotera and MeiYa each have fiscal years that end on December 31.  The Company recognizes its share of Inotera’s and MeiYa’s quarterly earnings or losses for the calendar quarter that ends within the Company’s fiscal quarter.  This results in the recognition of the Company’s share of earnings or losses from these entities for a period that lags the Company’s fiscal periods by approximately two months.  The Company recognized losses from these equity method investments of $45 million and $56 million, respectively, for the third and second quarters of 2009 and a loss of $106 million for the first nine months of 2009.  (See “Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Supplemental Balance Sheet Information – Equity Method Investments.”)


 
30

 


Noncontrolling Interests in Net (Income) Loss

Noncontrolling interests for 2009 and 2008 primarily reflects the share of income or losses of the Company’s TECH joint venture attributed to the noncontrolling interests in TECH.  On February 27, 2009, the Company purchased 85.1 million shares of TECH for $99 million.  On June 2, 2009, the Company purchased an additional 282.0 million shares of TECH for $99 million.  As a result, noncontrolling interests in TECH were reduced from approximately 27% to approximately 24% by the February 2009 share purchase and to approximately 17% by the June 2009 share purchase.  (See “Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – TECH Semiconductor Singapore Pte. Ltd.”)

Stock-Based Compensation

Total compensation cost for the Company’s equity plans for the third quarter of 2009, the second quarter of 2009 and third quarter of 2008 was $12 million, $13 million and $14 million, respectively.  Total compensation cost for the Company’s equity plans for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008 was $34 million and $40 million, respectively.  Stock compensation expenses fluctuate based on assessments of whether performance conditions will be achieved for the Company’s performance-based stock grants.  As of June 4, 2009, $85 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards was expected to be recognized through the third quarter of 2013.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 4, 2009, the Company had cash and equivalents and short-term investments totaling $1,306 million compared to $1,362 million as of August 28, 2008.  The balance as of June 4, 2009, included $145 million held at the Company’s IM Flash joint venture and $175 million held at the Company’s TECH joint venture.  The Company’s ability to access funds held by joint ventures to finance the Company’s other operations is subject to agreement by the joint venture partners.  Amounts held by TECH are not anticipated to be available to finance the Company’s other operations.

The Company’s liquidity is highly dependent on average selling prices for its products and the timing of capital expenditures, both of which can vary significantly from period to period.  Depending on conditions in the semiconductor memory market, the Company’s cash flows from operations and current holdings of cash and investments may not be adequate to meet the Company’s needs for capital expenditures and operations.  Historically, the Company has used external sources of financing to fund these needs.  Due to conditions in the credit markets, it may be difficult to obtain financing on terms acceptable to the Company.  The Company has significantly reduced its planned capital expenditures for 2009.  In addition, the Company is considering further financing alternatives, continuing to limit capital expenditures and implementing further cost reduction initiatives.

Operating activities:  Net cash provided from operating activities was $849 million in the first nine months of 2009 which reflected $616 million provided from the management of working capital and approximately $233 million generated from the production and sales of the Company’s products.  Specifically, the Company reduced the amount of working capital as of June 4, 2009 invested in inventories by $292 million and receivables by $224 million as compared to August 28, 2008.

Investing activities:  Net cash used by investing activities was $681 million in the first nine months of 2009, which included cash expenditures of $439 million for property, plant and equipment and cash expenditures of $408 million for the acquisition of a 35.5% interest in Inotera, partially offset by the net effect of maturities and purchases of marketable investment securities of $124 million.  A significant portion of the capital expenditures related to the ramp of IM Flash facilities and the 300mm conversion of manufacturing operations at TECH.  The Company believes that to develop new product and process technologies, support future growth, achieve operating efficiencies and maintain product quality, it must continue to invest in manufacturing technologies, facilities and capital equipment and research and development.  The Company expects that capital spending will be approximately $100 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 and approximately $700 million for 2010.  As of June 4, 2009, the Company had commitments of approximately $265 million for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, of which approximately one-half is expected to be paid within one year.

Financing activities:  Net cash used by financing activities was $105 million in the first nine months of 2009, which primarily reflects $592 million of distributions to joint venture partners, $373 million in debt payments and $127 million in payments on equipment purchase contracts, partially offset by $716 million in proceeds from borrowings and $276 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common stock.

31

On April 15, 2009, the Company issued 69.3 million shares of common stock for $4.15 per share in a registered public offering.  The Company received net proceeds of $276 million after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs of $12 million.

On April 15, 2009, the Company issued $230 million of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due October 15, 2013 (the “4.25% Senior Notes”).  The issuance costs associated with the 4.25% Senior Notes totaled $7 million. The initial conversion rate for the 4.25% Senior Notes is 196.7052 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 4.25% Senior Notes. This is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $5.08 per share of common stock. Holders of the 4.25% Senior Notes may convert them at any time prior to maturity, unless previously redeemed or repurchased.  The Company may not redeem the 4.25% Senior Notes prior to April 20, 2012.  On or after April 20, 2012, the Company may redeem for cash all or part of the 4.25% Senior Notes if the closing price of its common stock has been at least 135% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days during a 30 consecutive trading day period.

Concurrent with the offering of the 4.25% Senior Notes, the Company also entered into capped call transactions (the “2009 Capped Calls”) that have an initial strike price of approximately $5.08 per share, subject to certain adjustments, which was set to equal the initial conversion price of the 4.25% Senior Notes.  The 2009 Capped Calls have a cap price of $6.64 per share and cover an approximate combined total of 45.2 million shares of common stock, and are subject to standard adjustments for instruments of this type.  The 2009 Capped Calls are intended to reduce the potential dilution upon conversion of the 4.25% Senior Notes.  If, however, the market value per share of the common stock, as measured under the terms of the 2009 Capped Calls, exceeds the applicable cap price of the 2009 Capped Calls, there would be dilution to the extent that the then market value per share of the common stock exceeds the cap price.  The 2009 Capped Calls expire in October and November of 2012.  The Company paid approximately $25 million to purchase the 2009 Capped Calls.

On February 23, 2009, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with the Singapore Economic Development Board (“EDB”) enabling the Company to borrow up to $300 million Singapore dollars at 5.38%.  The terms of the agreement require the Company to use the proceeds from any borrowings under the agreement to make equity contributions to its joint venture subsidiary, TECH Semiconductor Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“TECH”).  The loan agreement further requires that TECH use the proceeds from the Company’s equity contributions to purchase production assets and meet certain production milestones related to the implementation of advanced process manufacturing.  The loan contains a covenant that limits the amount of indebtedness TECH can incur without approval from the EDB.  The loan is collateralized by the Company’s shares in TECH up to a maximum of 66% of TECH’s outstanding shares.  The Company drew $150 million Singapore dollars in the second quarter of 2009 and remaining $150 million Singapore dollars in the third quarter of 2009.  The total $300 million Singapore dollars outstanding ($207 million U.S. dollars as of June 4, 2009) is due in February 2012 with interest payable quarterly.

In the first quarter of 2009, in connection with its purchase of a 35.5% interest in Inotera, the Company entered into a two-year, variable rate term loan with Nan Ya Plastics and a six-month, variable rate term loan with Inotera.  On November 26, 2008, the Company received loan proceeds of $200 million from Nan Ya Plastics and $85 million from Inotera.  Under the terms of the loan agreements, interest is payable quarterly at LIBOR plus 2%.  The interest rates reset quarterly and were 2.7% per annum as of June 4, 2009.  The Company recorded the debt net of aggregate discounts of $31 million, which is recognized as interest expense over the respective lives of the loans, based on imputed interest rates of 12.1% for the Nan Ya Plastics loan and 11.6% for the Inotera loan.  The Nan Ya Plastics loan is collateralized by a first priority security interest in the Inotera shares owned by the Company (approximate carrying value of $261 million as of June 4, 2009).  The Company repaid the $85 million Inotera loan in the third quarter of 2009.

(See “Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Supplemental Balance Sheet Information – Debt.”)

Joint ventures:  In the first nine months of 2009, IM Flash distributed $582 million to Intel and the Company estimates that it will make additional distributions to Intel of approximately $180 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.  Timing of these distributions and any future contributions, however, is subject to market conditions and approval of the partners.

On February 27, 2009, the Company purchased 85.1 million shares of TECH for $99 million, increasing its interest in TECH from approximately 73% to approximately 76%.  On June 2, 2009, the Company purchased an additional 282.0 million shares of TECH for $99 million, increasing its interest in TECH from to approximately 83%. The Company expects to make additional capital contributions to TECH in 2009 and 2010 to support its transition to 50nm wafer processing.  The timing and amount of these contributions is subject to market conditions.

32

Contractual obligations:  As of June 4, 2009, contractual obligations for notes payable, capital lease obligations and operating leases were as follows:
 
   
Total
   
Remainder of 2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014 and thereafter
 
   
(amounts in millions)
 
Notes payable1
  $ 2,826     $ 34     $ 342     $ 453     $ 402     $ 34     $ 1,561  
Capital lease obligations1
    661       39       168       267       51       20       116  
Operating leases
    76       4       17       14       10       10       21  
                                                         
1 Includes interest
                                                       
 
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Concurrent with the with the offering of the 4.25% Senior Notes on April 15, 2009, the Company paid approximately $25 million for three capped call instruments that have an initial strike price of approximately $5.08 per share (the “2009 Capped Calls”).  The 2009 Capped Calls have a cap price of $6.64 per share and cover an aggregate of approximately 45.2 million shares of common stock.  The Capped Calls expire in October and November of 2012.  (See “Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Supplemental Balance Sheet Information – Equity Method Investments – Capped Call Transactions.”)


Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“SFAS No. 167”), which (1) replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary in a variable interest entity with an approach that is primarily qualitative (2) requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and (3) requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities.  The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 167 effective at the beginning of 2011.  The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 167 will have on its financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement).”  FSP No. APB 14-1 requires that issuers of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner such that interest cost will be recognized at the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate in subsequent periods.  The Company is required to adopt FSP No. APB 14-1 effective at the beginning of 2010.  Upon adoption, the Company will retrospectively account for its $1.3 billion of 1.875% convertible senior notes issued in May, 2007 under the provisions of FSP No. APB 14-1.  The Company estimates that the initial carrying value of its $1.3 billion convertible senior notes would have been approximately $400 million lower under FSP No. APB 14-1.  This difference of approximately $400 million would be accreted to interest expense over the approximate seven-year term of the notes and the Company estimates that this will result in additional interest expense in the first year of the notes of approximately $45 million increasing to approximately $70 million per year in the last year of the notes, excluding the effects of capitalized interest.  The Company is continuing to evaluate the full impact the adoption of FSP No. APB 14-1 will have on its financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations(“SFAS No. 141(R)”), which establishes the principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination (1) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, (2) recognizes and measures goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and (3) determines what information to disclose.  The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 141(R) effective at the beginning of 2010.  The impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will depend on the nature and extent of business combinations occurring after the beginning of 2010.


 
33

 


In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51.”  SFAS No. 160 requires that (1) noncontrolling interests be reported as a separate component of equity, (2) net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be separately identified in the statement of operations, (3) changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling interest be accounted for as equity transactions, and (4) any retained noncontrolling equity investment upon the deconsolidation of a subsidiary be initially measured at fair value.  The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 160 effective at the beginning of 2010.  SFAS No. 160 must be applied prospectively except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which must be applied retrospectively.  The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on its financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.”  Under SFAS No. 159, the Company may elect to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value on an instrument by instrument basis, subject to certain restrictions.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 effective at the beginning of 2009.  The Company did not elect to measure any existing items at fair value upon the adoption of SFAS No. 159.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.”  SFAS No. 157 (as amended by subsequent FSP’s) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 effective at the beginning of 2009 for financial assets and financial liabilities.  The adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.  The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 157 for all other assets and liabilities effective at the beginning of 2010 and is evaluating the impact the adoption will have on its financial statements.


Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures.  Estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, forecasted future events and various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Estimates and judgments may vary under different assumptions or conditions.  The Company evaluates its estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis.  Management believes the accounting policies below are critical in the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

Acquisitions and consolidations:  Determination and the allocation of the purchase price of acquired operations significantly influences the period in which costs are recognized.  Accounting for acquisitions and consolidations requires the Company to estimate the fair value of the individual assets and liabilities acquired as well as various forms of consideration given, which involves a number of judgments, assumptions and estimates that could materially affect the amount and timing of costs recognized.  The Company typically obtains independent third party valuation studies to assist in determining fair values, including assistance in determining future cash flows, appropriate discount rates and comparable market values.

Contingencies:  The Company is subject to the possibility of losses from various contingencies.  Considerable judgment is necessary to estimate the probability and amount of any loss from such contingencies.  An accrual is made when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset has been impaired and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  The Company accrues a liability and charges operations for the estimated costs of adjudication or settlement of asserted and unasserted claims existing as of the balance sheet date.

Goodwill and intangible assets:  The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate (including declines in selling prices for products) or a decision to sell or dispose of a reporting unit.  Goodwill is tested for impairment using a two-step process.  In the first step, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the unit.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered not impaired.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the second step of the impairment test must be performed in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.  Determining the implied fair value of goodwill requires valuation of all of the Company’s tangible and intangible assets and liabilities.  If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then the Company would record an impairment loss equal to the difference.

34

Determining when to test for impairment, the Company’s reporting units, the fair value of a reporting unit and the fair value of assets and liabilities within a reporting unit, requires judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions and determination of appropriate market comparables.  The Company bases fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain.  Actual future results may differ from those estimates.  In addition, judgments and assumptions are required to allocate assets and liabilities to reporting units.  In the second quarter of 2009, the Company wrote off all $58 million of its goodwill related to the Imaging segment based on the results of its test for impairment.  In the second quarter of 2008, the Company wrote off all $463 million of its goodwill relating to its Memory segment based on the results of its test for impairment.

The Company tests other identified intangible assets with definite useful lives and subject to amortization when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable by comparing the carrying amount to the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  The Company tests intangible assets with indefinite lives annually for impairment using a fair value method such as discounted cash flows.  Estimating fair values involves significant assumptions, especially regarding future sales prices, sales volumes, costs and discount rates.

Income taxes:  The Company is required to estimate its provision for income taxes and amounts ultimately payable or recoverable in numerous tax jurisdictions around the world.  Estimates involve interpretations of regulations and are inherently complex.  Resolution of income tax treatments in individual jurisdictions may not be known for many years after completion of any fiscal year.  The Company is also required to evaluate the realizability of its deferred tax assets on an ongoing basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires the assessment of the Company’s performance and other relevant factors when determining the need for a valuation allowance with respect to these deferred tax assets.  Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the Company’s ability to generate future taxable income.

Inventories:  Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market value and the Company recorded charges to write down the carrying value of inventories of memory products to their estimated market values of $234 million for the second quarter of 2009, $369 million for the first quarter of 2009 and $282 million in aggregate for 2008.  Cost includes labor, material and overhead costs, including product and process technology costs.  Determining market value of inventories involves numerous judgments, including projecting average selling prices and sales volumes for future periods and costs to complete products in work in process inventories.  To project average selling prices and sales volumes, the Company reviews recent sales volumes, existing customer orders, current contract prices, industry analysis of supply and demand, seasonal factors, general economic trends and other information.  When these analyses reflect estimated market values below the Company’s manufacturing costs, the Company records a charge to cost of goods sold in advance of when the inventory is actually sold.  Differences in forecasted average selling prices used in calculating lower of cost or market adjustments can result in significant changes in the estimated net realizable value of product inventories and accordingly the amount of write-down recorded.  For example, a 5% variance in the estimated selling prices would have changed the estimated market value of the Company’s semiconductor memory inventory by approximately $60 million at June 4, 2009.  Due to the volatile nature of the semiconductor memory industry, actual selling prices and volumes often vary significantly from projected prices and volumes and, as a result, the timing of when product costs are charged to operations can vary significantly.

U.S. GAAP provides for products to be grouped into categories in order to compare costs to market values.  The amount of any inventory write-down can vary significantly depending on the determination of inventory categories.  The Company’s inventories have been categorized as Memory products or Imaging products.  The major characteristics the Company considers in determining inventory categories are product type and markets.

Product and process technology:  Costs incurred to acquire product and process technology or to patent technology developed by the Company are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over periods currently ranging up to 10 years.  The Company capitalizes a portion of costs incurred based on its analysis of historical and projected patents issued as a percent of patents filed.  Capitalized product and process technology costs are amortized over the shorter of (i) the estimated useful life of the technology, (ii) the patent term or (iii) the term of the technology agreement.


 
35

 


Property, plant and equipment:  The Company reviews the carrying value of property, plant and equipment for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and/or disposition.  In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.  The estimation of future cash flows involves numerous assumptions which require judgment by the Company, including, but not limited to, future use of the assets for Company operations versus sale or disposal of the assets, future selling prices for the Company’s products and future production and sales volumes.  In addition, judgment is required by the Company in determining the groups of assets for which impairment tests are separately performed.

Research and development:  Costs related to the conceptual formulation and design of products and processes are expensed as research and development when incurred.  Determining when product development is complete requires judgment by the Company.  The Company deems development of a product complete once the product has been thoroughly reviewed and tested for performance and reliability.

Stock-based compensation:  Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair-value of the award and is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service period of the award.  For stock-based compensation awards with graded vesting that were granted after 2005, the Company recognizes compensation expense using the straight-line amortization method.  For performance-based stock awards, the expense recognized is dependent on the probability of the performance measure being achieved.  The Company utilizes forecasts of future performance to assess these probabilities and this assessment requires considerable judgment.

Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires considerable judgment, including estimating stock price volatility, expected option life and forfeiture rates.  The Company develops its estimates based on historical data and market information which can change significantly over time.  A small change in the estimates used can result in a relatively large change in the estimated valuation.  The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to value employee stock awards.  The Company estimates stock price volatility based on an average of its historical volatility and the implied volatility derived from traded options on the Company’s stock.

 
36

 


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

As of June 4, 2009, $2,363 million of the Company’s $3,124 million of debt was at fixed interest rates.  As a result, the fair value of the debt fluctuates based on changes in market interest rates.  The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt was $2,615 million as of June 4, 2009 and was $2,167 million as of August 28, 2008.  The Company estimates that as of June 4, 2009, a 1% decrease in market interest rates would change the fair value of the fixed-rate debt by approximately $64 million.  As of June 4, 2009, $761 million of the Company’s debt was at variable interest rates and an increase of 1% would increase annual interest expense by approximately $8 million.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

The information in this section should be read in conjunction with the information related to changes in the exchange rates of foreign currency in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”  Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

The functional currency for substantially all of the Company’s operations is the U.S. dollar.  The Company held cash and other assets in foreign currencies valued at an aggregate of U.S. $206 million as of June 4, 2009 and U.S. $425 million as of August 28, 2008.  The Company also had foreign currency liabilities valued at an aggregate of U.S. $731 million as of June 4, 2009, and U.S. $580 million as of August 28, 2008.  Significant components of the Company’s assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies were as follows (in U.S. dollar equivalents):

   
June 4, 2009
   
August 28, 2008
 
   
Singapore Dollars
   
Yen
   
Euro
   
Singapore Dollars
   
Yen
   
Euro
 
                                     
Cash and equivalents
  $ 13     $ 16     $ 6     $ 84     $ 130     $ 25  
Net deferred tax assets
    --       97       2       --       85       2  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (75 )     (140 )     (92 )     (105 )     (127 )     (61 )
Debt
    (289 )     (6 )     (4 )     (49 )     (108 )     (4 )
Other liabilities
    (6 )     (53 )     (40 )     (8 )     (45 )     (43 )

The Company estimates that, based on its assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar as of June 4, 2009, a 1% change in the exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar would result in foreign currency gains or losses of approximately U.S. $3 million for the Singapore dollar and U.S. $1 million for euro and the yen.  Historically, the Company has not used derivative instruments to hedge its foreign currency exchange rate risk.


Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decision regarding disclosure.

During the quarterly period covered by this report, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.



 
37

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

Patent Matters

On August 28, 2000, the Company filed a complaint against Rambus, Inc. (“Rambus”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware seeking monetary damages and declaratory and injunctive relief.  Among other things, the Company’s complaint (as amended) alleges violation of federal antitrust laws, breach of contract, fraud, deceptive trade practices, and negligent misrepresentation.  The complaint also seeks a declaratory judgment (a) that certain Rambus patents are not infringed by the Company, are invalid, and/or are unenforceable, (b) that the Company has an implied license to those patents, and (c) that Rambus is estopped from enforcing those patents against the Company.  On February 15, 2001, Rambus filed an answer and counterclaim in Delaware denying that the Company is entitled to relief, alleging infringement of the eight Rambus patents (later amended to add four additional patents) named in the Company’s declaratory judgment claim, and seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief.  In the Delaware action, the Company subsequently added claims and defenses based on Rambus’s alleged spoliation of evidence and litigation misconduct.  The spoliation and litigation misconduct claims and defenses were heard in a bench trial before Judge Robinson in October 2007.  On January 9, 2009, Judge Robinson entered an opinion in favor of the Company holding that Rambus had engaged in spoliation and that the twelve Rambus patents in the suit were unenforceable against the Company.  Rambus subsequently appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  That appeal is pending.

A number of other suits involving Rambus are currently pending in Europe alleging that certain of the Company’s SDRAM and DDR SDRAM products infringe various of Rambus’ country counterparts to its European patent 525 068, including: on September 1, 2000, Rambus filed suit against Micron Semiconductor (Deutschland) GmbH in the District Court of Mannheim, Germany; on September 22, 2000, Rambus filed a complaint against the Company and Reptronic (a distributor of the Company’s products) in the Court of First Instance of Paris, France; on September 29, 2000, the Company filed suit against Rambus in the Civil Court of Milan, Italy, alleging invalidity and non-infringement.  In addition, on December 29, 2000, the Company filed suit against Rambus in the Civil Court of Avezzano, Italy, alleging invalidity and non-infringement of the Italian counterpart to European patent 1 004 956.  Additionally, on August 14, 2001, Rambus filed suit against Micron Semiconductor (Deutschland) GmbH in the District Court of Mannheim, Germany alleging that certain of the Company’s DDR SDRAM products infringe Rambus’ country counterparts to its European patent 1 022 642.  In the European suits against the Company, Rambus is seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief.  Subsequent to the filing of the various European suits, the European Patent Office (the “EPO”) declared Rambus’ 525 068 and 1 004 956 European patents invalid and revoked the patents.  The declaration of invalidity with respect to the ‘068 patent was upheld on appeal.  The original claims of the '956 patent also were declared invalid on appeal, but the EPO ultimately granted a Rambus request to amend the claims by adding a number of limitations.

On January 13, 2006, Rambus filed a lawsuit against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.  The complaint alleges that certain of the Company’s DDR2, DDR3, RLDRAM, and RLDRAM II products infringe as many as fourteen Rambus patents and seeks monetary damages, treble damages, and injunctive relief.  On June 2, 2006, the Company filed an answer and counterclaim against Rambus alleging among other things, antitrust and fraud claims.  The Northern District of California Court subsequently consolidated the antitrust and fraud claims and certain equitable defenses of the Company and other parties against Rambus in a jury trial that began on January 29, 2008.  On March 26, 2008, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Rambus on the Company’s antitrust and fraud claims.  On November 24, 2008, the Court granted partial summary judgment of infringement in favor of Rambus on one of the patent claims at issue in the case.  Trial on the patent phase of that case has been stayed pending resolution of Rambus’ appeal of the Delaware spoliation decision or further order of the California Court.

On July 24, 2006, the Company filed a declaratory judgment action against Mosaid Technologies, Inc. (“Mosaid”) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking, among other things, a court determination that fourteen Mosaid patents are invalid, not enforceable, and/or not infringed.  On July 25, 2006, Mosaid filed a lawsuit against the Company and others in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of nine Mosaid patents.  On August 31, 2006, Mosaid filed an amended complaint adding three additional Mosaid patents.  On January 31, 2009, the Company and Mosaid agreed to dismiss the litigation, granting the Company a license under certain Mosaid patents, and transferring certain Company patents to Mosaid.


 
38

 


On March 6, 2009, Panavision Imaging, LLC filed suit against the Company and Aptina Imaging Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company (“Aptina”), in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.  The complaint alleges that certain of the Company and Aptina’s image sensor products infringe four Panavision Imaging U.S. patents and seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

On March 24, 2009, Accolade Systems LLC filed suit against the Company and Aptina in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging that certain of the Company and Aptina’s image sensor products infringe one Accolade Systems U.S. patent.  The complaint seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

The Company is unable to predict the outcome of these suits.  A court determination that the Company’s products or manufacturing processes infringe the product or process intellectual property rights of others could result in significant liability and/or require the Company to make material changes to its products and/or manufacturing processes.  Any of the foregoing results could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Antitrust Matters

A number of purported class action price-fixing lawsuits have been filed against the Company and other DRAM suppliers.  Four cases have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California asserting claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that indirectly purchased DRAM and/or products containing DRAM from various DRAM suppliers during the time period from April 1, 1999 through at least June 30, 2002.  The complaints allege price fixing in violation of federal antitrust laws and various state antitrust and unfair competition laws and seek treble monetary damages, restitution, costs, interest and attorneys’ fees.  In addition, at least sixty-four cases have been filed in various state courts asserting claims on behalf of a purported class of indirect purchasers of DRAM.  Cases have been filed in the following states:  Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia, and also in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  The complaints purport to be on behalf of a class of individuals and entities that indirectly purchased DRAM and/or products containing DRAM in the respective jurisdictions during various time periods ranging from April 1999 through at least June 2002.  The complaints allege violations of the various jurisdictions’ antitrust, consumer protection and/or unfair competition laws relating to the sale and pricing of DRAM products and seek joint and several damages, trebled, as well as restitution, costs, interest and attorneys’ fees.  A number of these cases have been removed to federal court and transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco) for consolidated pre-trial proceedings.  On January 29, 2008, the Northern District of California Court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s second amended consolidated complaint.  Plaintiffs subsequently filed a motion seeking certification for interlocutory appeal of the decision.  On February 27, 2008, plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint.  On June 26, 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit agreed to consider plaintiffs’ interlocutory appeal.

Additionally, three cases have been filed against the Company in the following Canadian courts:  Superior Court, District of Montreal, Province of Quebec; Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ontario; and Supreme Court of British Columbia, Vancouver Registry, British Columbia.  The substantive allegations in these cases are similar to those asserted in the DRAM antitrust cases filed in the United States.  Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification was denied in the British Columbia and Quebec cases in May and June 2008 respectively.  Plaintiffs have filed an appeal of each of those decisions.  Those appeals are pending.


 
39

 


In addition, various states, through their Attorneys General, have filed suit against the Company and other DRAM manufacturers.  On July 14, 2006, and on September 8, 2006 in an amended complaint, the following Attorneys General filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California:  Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  Thereafter, three states, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Texas, voluntarily dismissed their claims.  The remaining states filed a third amended complaint on October 1, 2007.  Alaska, Delaware, Kentucky, and Vermont subsequently voluntarily dismissed their claims.  The amended complaint alleges, among other things, violations of the Sherman Act, Cartwright Act, and certain other states’ consumer protection and antitrust laws and seeks joint and several damages, trebled, as well as injunctive and other relief.  Additionally, on July 13, 2006, the State of New York filed a similar suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.  That case was subsequently transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California for pre-trial purposes.  The State of New York filed an amended complaint on October 1, 2007.  On October 3, 2008, the California Attorney General filed a similar lawsuit in California Superior Court, purportedly on behalf of local California government entities, alleging, among other things, violations of the Cartwright Act and state unfair competition law.

On February 28, 2007, February 28, 2007 and March 8, 2007, cases were filed against the Company and other manufacturers of DRAM in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by All American Semiconductor, Inc., Jaco Electronics, Inc. and DRAM Claims Liquidation Trust, respectively, that opted-out of a direct purchaser class action suit that was settled.  The complaints allege, among other things, violations of federal and state antitrust and competition laws in the DRAM industry, and seek joint and several damages, trebled, as well as restitution, attorneys’ fees, costs, and injunctive relief.

On October 11, 2006, the Company received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking information regarding an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) into possible antitrust violations in the “Static Random Access Memory” or “SRAM” industry.  In December 2008, the Company was informed that the DOJ closed its investigation of the SRAM industry.

Subsequent to the issuance of subpoenas to the SRAM industry, a number of purported class action lawsuits have been filed against the Company and other SRAM suppliers.  Six cases have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California asserting claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that purchased SRAM directly from various SRAM suppliers during the period from November 1, 1996 through December 31, 2005.  Additionally, at least 74 cases have been filed in various U.S. district courts asserting claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that indirectly purchased SRAM and/or products containing SRAM from various SRAM suppliers during the time period from November 1, 1996 through December 31, 2006.  In September 2008, a class of direct purchasers was certified, and plaintiffs were granted leave to amend their complaint to cover Pseudo-Static RAM or “PSRAM” products as well.  The complaints allege price fixing in violation of federal antitrust laws and state antitrust and unfair competition laws and seek treble monetary damages, restitution, costs, interest and attorneys’ fees.  On March 19, 2009, the Company executed settlement agreements with both the direct purchaser class and the purported indirect purchaser class.  If approved by the Court, the agreements would resolve the pending U.S. class action SRAM litigation against the Company and release the Company from those claims.

Three purported class action SRAM lawsuits also have been filed in Canada, on behalf of direct and indirect purchasers, alleging violations of the Canadian Competition Act.  The substantive allegations in these cases are similar to those asserted in the SRAM cases filed in the United States.

In addition, three purported class action lawsuits alleging price-fixing of Flash products have been filed in Canada, asserting violations of the Canadian Competition Act.  These cases assert claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that purchased Flash memory directly and indirectly from various Flash memory suppliers.

On May 5, 2004, Rambus filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California (San Francisco County) against the Company and other DRAM suppliers.  The complaint alleges various causes of action under California state law including a conspiracy to restrict output and fix prices of Rambus DRAM (“RDRAM”) and unfair competition.  Trial is currently scheduled to begin in September 2009.  The complaint seeks joint and several damages, trebled, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and a permanent injunction enjoining the defendants from the conduct alleged in the complaint.

40

The Company is unable to predict the outcome of these lawsuits and investigations.  The final resolution of these alleged violations of antitrust laws could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Securities Matters

On February 24, 2006, a putative class action complaint was filed against the Company and certain of its officers in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho alleging claims under Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.  Four substantially similar complaints subsequently were filed in the same Court.  The cases purport to be brought on behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company’s stock during the period February 24, 2001 to February 13, 2003.  The five lawsuits have been consolidated and a consolidated amended class action complaint was filed on July 24, 2006.  The complaint generally alleges violations of federal securities laws based on, among other things, claimed misstatements or omissions regarding alleged illegal price-fixing conduct or the Company’s operations and financial results.  The complaint seeks unspecified damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses.  On December 19, 2007, the Court issued an order certifying the class but reducing the class period to purchasers of the Company’s stock during the period from February 24, 2001 to September 18, 2002.

In addition, on March 23, 2006 a shareholder derivative action was filed in the Fourth District Court for the State of Idaho (Ada County), allegedly on behalf of and for the benefit of the Company, against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors.  The Company also was named as a nominal defendant.  An amended complaint was filed on August 23, 2006 and was subsequently dismissed by the Court.  Another amended complaint was filed on September 6, 2007.  The amended complaint is based on the same allegations of fact as in the securities class actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho and alleges breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment, and insider trading.  The amended complaint seeks unspecified damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits, equitable and injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses.  The amended complaint is derivative in nature and does not seek monetary damages from the Company.  However, the Company may be required, throughout the pendency of the action, to advance payment of legal fees and costs incurred by the defendants.  On January 25, 2008, the Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the second amended complaint without leave to amend.  On March 10, 2008, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court.  That appeal is pending.

The Company is unable to predict the outcome of these cases.  A court determination in any of these actions against the Company could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

(See “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”)


Item 1A.  Risk Factors

In addition to the factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, the following are important factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.

We have experienced dramatic declines in average selling prices for our semiconductor memory products which have adversely affected our business.

For the first nine months of 2009, average selling prices of DRAM and NAND Flash products decreased 53% and 58%, respectively, as compared to the first nine months of 2008.  For 2008, average selling prices of DRAM and NAND Flash products decreased 51% and 67%, respectively, as compared to 2007.  For 2007, average selling prices of DRAM and NAND Flash products decreased 23% and 56%, respectively, as compared to 2006.  Currently, and at times in the past, average selling prices for our memory products have been below our manufacturing costs.  We recorded aggregate inventory write-downs of $234 million for the second quarter of 2009, $369 million for the first quarter of 2009, $282 million in 2008 and $20 million in 2007 as a result of the significant decreases in average selling prices for our semiconductor memory products.  If the estimated market values of products held in finished goods and work in process inventories at a quarter-end date are below the manufacturing cost of these products, we recognize charges to cost of goods sold to write down the carrying value of our inventories to market value.  Future charges for inventory write-downs could be larger than the amounts recorded in 2009 and 2008.  If average selling prices for our memory products remain depressed or decrease faster than we can decrease per gigabit costs, as they recently have, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

41

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or obtain access to external financing necessary to fund our operations and make adequate capital investments.

Our cash flows from operations depend primarily on the volume of semiconductor memory sold, average selling prices and per unit manufacturing costs.  To develop new product and process technologies, support future growth, achieve operating efficiencies and maintain product quality, we must make significant capital investments in manufacturing technology, facilities and capital equipment, research and development, and product and process technology.  We currently estimate our capital spending to be approximately $100 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 and approximately $700 million for 2010.  Cash and investments of IM Flash and TECH are generally not available to finance our other operations.  In the past we have utilized external sources of financing when needed and access to capital markets has historically been very important to us.  As a result of the severe downturn in the semiconductor memory market, the downturn in general economic conditions, and the adverse conditions in the credit markets, it may be difficult to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us.  We significantly reduced our planned capital expenditures for 2009.  In addition, we are considering further financing alternatives, continuing to limit capital expenditures and implementing further cost-cutting initiatives.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows or find other sources of financing to fund our operations; make adequate capital investments to remain competitive in terms of technology development and cost efficiency; or access capital markets.  Our inability to do the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We may be unable to reduce our per gigabit manufacturing costs at the rate average selling prices decline.

Our gross margins are dependent upon continuing decreases in per gigabit manufacturing costs achieved through improvements in our manufacturing processes, including reducing the die size of our existing products.  In future periods, we may be unable to reduce our per gigabit manufacturing costs at sufficient levels to increase gross margins due to factors including, but not limited to, strategic product diversification decisions affecting product mix, the increasing complexity of manufacturing processes, changes in process technologies or products that inherently may require relatively larger die sizes.  Per gigabit manufacturing costs may also be affected by the relatively smaller production quantities and shorter product lifecycles of certain specialty memory products.  Production slowdowns that we implemented at some of our manufacturing facilities adversely affected per gigabit costs of Memory products during the third and second quarters of 2009.  We expect that our per gigabit costs for the fourth quarter of 2009 will also be affected by production slowdowns.

Consolidation of industry participants and governmental assistance may contribute to uncertainty in the semiconductor market and negatively impact our ability to compete.

The semiconductor industry is highly competitive and, despite historically high levels of overall demand, manufacturing capacity in the semiconductor industry exceeds demand.  Some of our competitors may try to enhance their capacity and lower their cost structure through consolidation.  In particular, the some governments are considering a wide range of proposals to assist some of our competitors.  In addition, significant declines in the average selling prices of DRAM and NAND Flash products as well as limited access to sources of financing have led to the deterioration in the financial condition of a number of industry participants.  Consolidation of industry competitors could put us at a competitive disadvantage.

Economic conditions may harm our business.

Economic and business conditions, including a continuing downturn in the semiconductor memory industry or the overall economy is having an adverse effect on our business.  Adverse conditions affect consumer demand for devices that incorporate our products such as personal computers, mobile phones, Flash memory cards and USB devices.  Reduced demand for our products could result in continued market oversupply and significant decreases in our selling prices.  A continuation of current conditions in credit markets would limit our ability to obtain external financing to fund our operations and capital expenditures.  In addition, we may experience losses on our holdings of cash and investments due to failures of financial institutions and other parties.  Difficult economic conditions may also result in a higher rate of losses on our accounts receivables due to credit defaults.  As a result, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.


 
42

 


The semiconductor memory industry is highly competitive.

We face intense competition in the semiconductor memory market from a number of companies, including Elpida Memory, Inc.; Hynix Semiconductor Inc.; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; SanDisk Corporation; Toshiba Corporation and from emerging companies in Taiwan and China, who have significantly expanded the scale of their operations.  Some of our competitors are large corporations or conglomerates that may have greater resources to withstand downturns in the semiconductor markets in which we compete, invest in technology and capitalize on growth opportunities.

Our competitors seek to increase silicon capacity, improve yields, reduce die size and minimize mask levels in their product designs.  The transitions to smaller line-width process technologies and 300mm wafers in the industry have resulted in significant increases in the worldwide supply of semiconductor memory and will likely lead to future increases.  Increases in worldwide supply of semiconductor memory also result from semiconductor memory fab capacity expansions, either by way of new facilities, increased capacity utilization or reallocation of other semiconductor production to semiconductor memory production.  We and several of our competitors have significantly increased production in recent periods through construction of new facilities or expansion of existing facilities.  Increases in worldwide supply of semiconductor memory, if not accompanied with commensurate increases in demand, would lead to further declines in average selling prices for our products and would materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our joint ventures and strategic partnerships involve numerous risks.

We have entered into partnering arrangements to manufacture products and develop new manufacturing process technologies and products.  These arrangements include our IM Flash NAND flash joint ventures with Intel, our DRAM joint ventures with Nanya, our TECH DRAM joint venture and our MP Mask joint venture with Photronics.  These strategic partnerships and joint ventures are subject to various risks that could adversely affect the value of our investments and our results of operations.  These risks include the following:

·  
our interests could diverge from our partners in the future or we may not be able to agree with partners on the amount, timing or nature of further investments in our joint venture;

·  
due to financial constraints, our partners may be unable to meet their commitments to us or our joint ventures and may pose credit risks for our transactions with them;

·  
the terms of our arrangements may turn out to be unfavorable;

·  
cash flows may be inadequate to fund increased capital requirements;

·  
we may experience difficulties in transferring technology to joint ventures;

·  
we may experience difficulties and delays in ramping production at joint ventures;

·  
these operations may be less cost efficient as a result of underutilized capacity; and

·  
political or economic instability may occur in the countries where our joint ventures and/or partners are located.

If our joint ventures and strategic partnerships are unsuccessful, our business, results of operations or financial condition may be adversely affected.

Our acquisition of a 35.5% interest in Inotera Memories, Inc. involves numerous risks.

In the first quarter of 2009, we acquired a 35.5% ownership interest in Inotera Memories, Inc., a Taiwanese DRAM memory manufacturer, for $398 million in cash.  As a result of this acquisition, we have rights and obligations to purchase 50% of the wafer production of Inotera.  Our acquisition of an interest in Inotera involves numerous risks including the following:

·  
Inotera’s ability to meet its ongoing obligations;

·  
charges to us resulting from underutilized capacity;

43

·  
difficulties in converting Inotera production from Qimonda’s trench technology to our stack technology;

·  
difficulties in obtaining financing for capital expenditures necessary to convert Inotera production to our stack technology;

·  
increasing debt to finance the acquisition;

·  
uncertainties around the timing and amount of wafer supply received;

·  
risks relating to our purchase of the Inotera shares and related agreements arising in connection with Qimonda’s bankruptcy proceedings;

·  
Inotera’s operations may become less cost efficient as a result of underutilized capacity;

·  
obligations during the technology transition period to procure product based on a competitor’s technology which may be difficult to sell and provide for product support due to our limited understanding of the technology;

·  
recognition in our results of operation of our share of potential Inotera losses; and

·  
the impact of on margins associated with our obligation to purchase product utilizing Qimonda’s trench technology at a relatively higher cost than other products manufactured by us and selling them potentially at a lower price than other products produced us.

In the second quarter of 2009, Qimonda filed for bankruptcy and defaulted on its obligations to purchase trench products from Inotera under a supply agreement.  Pursuant to our obligations under a supply agreement with Inotera, we recorded $15 million and $51 million to cost of goods sold in the third and second quarters of 2009, respectively, for our obligations to Inotera under the supply agreement.

Our NAND Flash memory operations involve numerous risks.

As a result of severe oversupply in the NAND Flash market, our average selling prices of NAND Flash products decreased 58% for the first nine months of 2009 as compared to the first nine months of 2008 after decreasing 67% for 2008 as compared to 2007 and 56% for 2007 as compared to 2006.  As a result, we experienced negative gross margins on sales of our NAND Flash products in 2009 and 2008.  In the first quarter of 2009, we discontinued production of NAND flash memory for IM Flash at our Boise facility.  The NAND Flash production shutdown reduces IM Flash’s NAND flash production by approximately 35,000 200mm wafers per month.  In addition, we and Intel agreed to suspend tooling and the ramp of production of NAND Flash at IM Flash’s Singapore wafer fabrication plant.  A continuation of the challenging conditions in the NAND Flash market will materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may incur additional restructure charges or not realize the expected benefits of new initiatives to reduce costs across our operations.

In response to a severe downturn in the semiconductor memory industry and global economic conditions, we initiated restructure plans in 2009.  In the first quarter of 2009, our IM Flash joint venture between us and Intel terminated its agreement with us to obtain NAND Flash memory supply from our Boise facility, reducing our NAND Flash production by approximately 35,000 200mm wafers per month.  In addition, we and Intel agreed to suspend tooling and the ramp of NAND Flash production at IM Flash’s Singapore wafer fabrication facility.  In the second quarter of 2009, we announced that we will phase out all 200mm wafer manufacturing operations at our Boise, Idaho, facility by the end of 2009.  As a result of these actions, we recorded total restructure charges of $19 million and $105 million in the third and second quarters of 2009, respectively, and a net $66 million credit to restructure in the first quarter of 2009.  The net credit for the first quarter of 2009 includes a $144 million gain in connection with the termination of the NAND Flash supply agreement.  We expect to incur additional restructure costs through 2009 of approximately $7 million, comprised primarily of severance and other employee related costs.  As a result of these initiatives, we expect to lose production output, incur restructuring or other infrequent charges and we may experience disruptions in our operations, loss of key personnel and difficulties in delivering products timely.


 
44

 


An adverse determination that our products or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

On January 13, 2006, Rambus, Inc. (“Rambus”) filed a lawsuit against us in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.  Rambus alleges that certain of our DDR2, DDR3, RLDRAM, and RLDRAM II products infringe as many as fourteen Rambus patents and seeks monetary damages, treble damages, and injunctive relief.  The accused products account for a significant portion of our net sales.  On June 2, 2006, we filed an answer and counterclaim against Rambus alleging, among other things, antitrust and fraud claims.  Trial on the patent phase of that case has been stayed pending appeal of the Delaware spoliation decision or further order of the California court.  (See “Item 1.  Legal Proceedings” for additional details on this lawsuit and other Rambus matters pending in the U.S. and Europe.)

On March 6, 2009, Panavision Imaging LLC filed suit against the Company and Aptina Imaging Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.  The complaint alleges that certain of the Company and Aptina’s image sensor products infringe four Panavision Imaging U.S. patents and seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

On March 24, 2009, Accolade Systems LLC filed suit against the Company and Aptina in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging that certain of the Company and Aptina’s image sensor products infringe one Accolade Systems U.S. patent.  The complaint seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

We are unable to predict the outcome of assertions of infringement made against us.  A court determination that our products or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others could result in significant liability and/or require us to make material changes to our products and/or manufacturing processes.  Any of the foregoing results could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We have a number of patent and intellectual property license agreements.  Some of these license agreements require us to make one time or periodic payments.  We may need to obtain additional patent licenses or renew existing license agreements in the future.  We are unable to predict whether these license agreements can be obtained or renewed on acceptable terms.

An adverse outcome relating to allegations of anticompetitive conduct could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

A number of purported class action price-fixing lawsuits have been filed against us and other DRAM suppliers.  Numerous cases have been filed in various state and federal courts asserting claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that indirectly purchased DRAM and/or products containing DRAM from various DRAM suppliers during the time period from April 1, 1999 through at least June 30, 2002.  The complaints allege violations of the various jurisdictions’ antitrust, consumer protection and/or unfair competition laws relating to the sale and pricing of DRAM products and seek joint and several damages, trebled, restitution, costs, interest and attorneys’ fees.  A number of these cases have been removed to federal court and transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco) for consolidated pre-trial proceedings.  On January 29, 2008, the Northern District of California Court granted in part and denied in part our motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s second amended consolidated complaint.  The District Court subsequently certified the decision for interlocutory appeal.  On February 27, 2008, plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint.  On June 26, 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit agreed to consider plaintiffs’ interlocutory appeal.  (See “Item 1.  Legal Proceedings” for additional details on these cases and related matters.)

Various states, through their Attorneys General, have filed suit against us and other DRAM manufacturers alleging violations of state and federal competition laws.  The amended complaint alleges, among other things, violations of the Sherman Act, Cartwright Act, and certain other states’ consumer protection and antitrust laws and seeks damages, and injunctive and other relief.  On October 3, 2008, the California Attorney General filed a similar lawsuit in California Superior Court, purportedly on behalf of local California government entities, alleging, among other things, violations of the Cartwright Act and state unfair competition law.  (See “Item 1.  Legal Proceedings” for additional details on these cases and related matters.)

Three purported class action lawsuits alleging price-fixing of Flash products have been filed against us in Canada asserting violations of the Canadian Competition Act.  These cases assert claims on behalf of a purported class of individuals and entities that purchased Flash memory directly and indirectly from various Flash memory suppliers.  (See “Item 1.  Legal Proceedings” for additional details on these cases and related matters.)

45

On May 5, 2004, Rambus filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California (San Francisco County) against us and other DRAM suppliers.  The complaint alleges various causes of action under California state law including conspiracy to restrict output and fix prices of Rambus DRAM ("RDRAM"), and unfair competition.  The complaint seeks joint and several damages, trebled, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and a permanent injunction enjoining the defendants from the conduct alleged in the complaint.  Trial is currently scheduled to begin in September 2009.  (See “Item 1.  Legal Proceedings” for additional details on this case and other Rambus matters pending in the U.S. and Europe.)

We are unable to predict the outcome of these lawsuits.  An adverse court determination in any of these lawsuits alleging violations of antitrust laws could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Covenants in our debt instruments may obligate us to repay debt, increase contributions to our TECH joint venture and limit our ability to obtain financing.

Our ability to comply with the financial and other covenants contained in our debt may be affected by economic or business conditions or other events.  As of June 4, 2009, our 83% owned TECH Semiconductor Singapore Pte. Ltd., (“TECH”) subsidiary, had $573 million outstanding under a credit facility with covenants that, among other requirements, establish certain liquidity, debt service coverage and leverage ratios for TECH and restrict TECH’s ability to incur indebtedness, create liens and acquire or dispose of assets.  If TECH does not comply with these debt covenants and restrictions, this debt may be deemed to be in default and the debt declared payable.  There can be no assurance that TECH will be able to comply with its covenants.  Additionally, if TECH is unable to repay its borrowings when due, the lenders under TECH’s credit facility could proceed against substantially all of TECH’s assets.  We have guaranteed approximately 73% of the outstanding amount of TECH’s credit facility, and our obligation increases to 100% of the outstanding amount of the facility in April 2010.  If TECH’s debt is accelerated, we may not have sufficient assets to repay amounts due.  Existing covenant restrictions may limit our ability to obtain additional debt financing and to avoid covenant defaults we may have to pay off debt obligations and make additional contributions to TECH, which could adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.

An adverse outcome relating to allegations of violations of securities laws could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

On February 24, 2006, a number of purported class action complaints were filed against us and certain of our officers in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho alleging claims under Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.  The cases purport to be brought on behalf of a class of purchasers of our stock during the period February 24, 2001 to February 13, 2003.  The five lawsuits have been consolidated and a consolidated amended class action complaint was filed on July 24, 2006.  The complaint generally alleges violations of federal securities laws based on, among other things, claimed misstatements or omissions regarding alleged illegal price-fixing conduct.  The complaint seeks unspecified damages, interest, attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses.  On December 19, 2007, the Court issued an order certifying the class but reducing the class period to purchasers of our stock during the period from February 24, 2001 to September 18, 2002.  (See “Item 1.  Legal Proceedings” for additional details on these cases and related matters.)

We are unable to predict the outcome of these cases.  An adverse court determination in any of the class action lawsuits against us could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Products that fail to meet specifications, are defective or that are otherwise incompatible with end uses could impose significant costs on us.

Products that do not meet specifications or that contain, or are perceived by our customers to contain, defects or that are otherwise incompatible with end uses could impose significant costs on us or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.


 
46

 


Because the design and production process for semiconductor memory is highly complex, it is possible that we may produce products that do not comply with customer specifications, contain defects or are otherwise incompatible with end uses.  If, despite design review, quality control and product qualification procedures, problems with nonconforming, defective or incompatible products occur after we have shipped such products, we could be adversely affected in several ways, including the following:

·  
we may replace product or otherwise compensate customers for costs incurred or damages caused by defective or incompatible product, and

·  
we may encounter adverse publicity, which could cause a decrease in sales of our products.

Our debt level is higher than compared to historical periods.

We currently have a higher level of debt compared to historical periods.  As of June 4, 2009, we had $3.1 billion of debt. We may need to incur additional debt in the future. Our debt level could adversely impact us.  For example it could:

·  
make it more difficult for us to make payments on our debt;

·  
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations and other capital resources to debt service;

·  
limit our future ability to raise funds for capital expenditures, acquisitions, research and development and other general corporate requirements;

·  
increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and semiconductor memory industry conditions;

·  
expose us to fluctuations in interest rates with respect to that portion of our debt which is at variable rate of interest; and

·  
require us to make additional investments in joint ventures to maintain compliance with financial covenants.

Several of our credit facilities, one of which was modified during the second quarter of 2009, have covenants which require us to maintain minimum levels of tangible net worth and cash and investments.  As of June 4, 2009, we were in compliance with our debt covenants.  If we are unable to continue to be in compliance with our debt covenants, or obtain waivers, an event of default could be triggered, which, if not cured, could cause the maturity of other borrowings to be accelerated and become due and currently payable.

New product development may be unsuccessful.

We are developing new products that complement our traditional memory products or leverage their underlying design or process technology.  We have made significant investments in product and process technologies and anticipate expending significant resources for new semiconductor product development over the next several years.  The process to develop NAND Flash, Imaging and certain specialty memory products requires us to demonstrate advanced functionality and performance, many times well in advance of a planned ramp of production, in order to secure design wins with our customers.  There can be no assurance that our product development efforts will be successful, that we will be able to cost-effectively manufacture these new products, that we will be able to successfully market these products or that margins generated from sales of these products will recover costs of development efforts.

We may experience risks in connection with implementing Aptina’s new business structure.

On July 10, 2009, we sold a 65% interest in Aptina, our wholly-owned subsidiary and a component of the Imaging segment, to Riverwood Capital (“Riverwood”) and TPG Capital (“TPG”).  Under the agreement, we retained a 35% minority stake in Aptina.  We will account for its remaining interest in Aptina under the equity method and recognize our share of Aptina’s earnings or losses.  Our Imaging segment will continue to manufacture products for Aptina under a wafer supply agreement and will provide services to Aptina at its worldwide facilities.  We may incur significant costs to convert Imaging operations to a new business structure, operations could be disrupted and Aptina may lose key personnel.  If our efforts to restructure the Imaging business are unsuccessful, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

47

The future success of our Imaging foundry business is dependent on Aptina’s market success and customer demand.

In recent quarters, Aptina’s net sales and gross margins decreased due to declining demand and increased competition.  There can be no assurance that Aptina will be able to grow or maintain its market share or gross margins.  Any reduction in Aptina’s market share could adversely affect the operating results of our Imaging foundry business.  Aptina’s success depends on a number of factors, including:

·  
development of products that maintain a technological advantage over the products of our competitors;

·  
accurate prediction of market requirements and evolving standards, including pixel resolution, output interface standards, power requirements, optical lens size, input standards and other requirements;

·  
timely completion and introduction of new imaging products that satisfy customer requirements; and

·  
timely achievement of design wins with prospective customers, as manufacturers may be reluctant to change their source of components due to the significant costs, time, effort and risk associated with qualifying a new supplier.


We expect to make future acquisitions and alliances, which involve numerous risks.

Acquisitions and the formation of alliances such as joint ventures and other partnering arrangements, involve numerous risks including the following:

·  
difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies and products of acquired or newly formed entities;

·  
increasing capital expenditures to upgrade and maintain facilities;

·  
increasing debt to finance any acquisition or formation of a new business;

·  
difficulties in protecting our intellectual property as we enter into a greater number of licensing arrangements;

·  
diverting management’s attention from normal daily operations;

·  
managing larger or more complex operations and facilities and employees in separate geographic areas; and

·  
hiring and retaining key employees.

Acquisitions of, or alliances with, high-technology companies are inherently risky, and any future transactions may not be successful and may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are reported in U.S. dollars.  Across our multi-national operations, there are transactions and balances denominated in other currencies, primarily the Singapore dollar, euro and yen.  We recorded net losses from changes in currency exchange rates of $25 million for the first nine months of 2009 and of $25 million for 2008.  We estimate that, based on its assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar as of June 4, 2009, a 1% change in the exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar would result in foreign currency gains or losses of approximately U.S. $3 million for the Singapore dollar and $1 million for the euro and yen.  In the event that the U.S. dollar weakens significantly compared to the Singapore dollar, euro and yen, our results of operations or financial condition will be adversely affected.


 
48

 


We face risks associated with our international sales and operations that could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Sales to customers outside the United States approximated 83% of our consolidated net sales for the third quarter of 2009.  In addition, we have manufacturing operations in China, Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico and Singapore.  Our international sales and operations are subject to a variety of risks, including:

·  
currency exchange rate fluctuations;

·  
export and import duties, changes to import and export regulations, and restrictions on the transfer of funds;

·  
political and economic instability;

·  
problems with the transportation or delivery of our products;

·  
issues arising from cultural or language differences and labor unrest;

·  
longer payment cycles and greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable; and

·  
compliance with trade and other laws in a variety of jurisdictions.

These factors may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be limited.

We have significant net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.  We have provided significant valuation allowances against the tax benefit of such losses as well as certain tax credit carryforwards.  Utilization of these net operating losses and credit carryforwards is dependent upon us achieving sustained profitability.  As a consequence of prior business acquisitions, utilization of the tax benefits for some of the tax carryforwards is subject to limitations imposed by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and some portion or all of these carryforwards may not be available to offset any future taxable income.  The determination of the limitations is complex and requires significant judgment and analysis of past transactions.

If our manufacturing process is disrupted, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

We manufacture products using highly complex processes that require technologically advanced equipment and continuous modification to improve yields and performance.  Difficulties in the manufacturing process or the effects from a shift in product mix can reduce yields or disrupt production and may increase our per gigabit manufacturing costs.  Additionally, our control over operations at our IM Flash, TECH, Inotera, MeiYa and MP Mask joint ventures may be limited by our agreements with our partners.  From time to time, we have experienced minor disruptions in our manufacturing process as a result of power outages, improperly functioning equipment and equipment failures.  If production at a fabrication facility is disrupted for any reason, manufacturing yields may be adversely affected or we may be unable to meet our customers' requirements and they may purchase products from other suppliers.  This could result in a significant increase in manufacturing costs or loss of revenues or damage to customer relationships, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Disruptions in our supply of raw materials could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our operations require raw materials that meet exacting standards.  We generally have multiple sources of supply for our raw materials.  However, only a limited number of suppliers are capable of delivering certain raw materials that meet our standards.  Various factors could reduce the availability of raw materials such as silicon wafers, photomasks, chemicals, gases, lead frames and molding compound.  Shortages may occur from time to time in the future.  In addition, disruptions in transportation lines could delay our receipt of raw materials.  Lead times for the supply of raw materials have been extended in the past.  If our supply of raw materials is disrupted or our lead times extended, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.


 
49

 


We may be required to record impairment charges for long-lived assets.

We review the carrying value of long-lived assets (including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and/or disposition.  The semiconductor memory industry is experiencing a severe downturn which has adversely affected our revenues, margins and cash flows.  If business conditions continue to deteriorate, we may be required to negatively revise our estimated future cash flows related to the future use of assets, which could result in impairment charges to long-lived assets.  As of June 4, 2009, we had approximately $7,536 million of property, plant and equipment and $355 million of intangible asset that could be subject to impairment.  Any impairment charges recorded could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 
50

 


Item 2.  Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities, Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company acquired, as payment of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, 39,903 shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $4.61.  The Company retired the 39,903 shares in the third quarter of 2009.

Period
 
(a) Total number of shares purchased
   
(b) Average price paid per share
   
(c) Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
   
(d) Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
 
                         
March 6, 2009     –       April 9, 2009
    10,386     $ 4.07       N/A       N/A  
April 10, 2009      –       May 7, 2009
    1,250       4.63       N/A       N/A  
May 8, 2009         –       June 4, 2009
    28,267       4.80       N/A       N/A  
      39,903       4.61                  



 
51

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 
Exhibit
   
 
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
       
 
1.1
 
Note Underwriting Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2009, by and among Micron Technology, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representatives of the underwriters (1)
 
1.2
 
Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2009, by and among Micron Technology, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representatives of the underwriters (1)
 
3.1
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (2)
 
3.2
 
Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended (3)
 
4.1
 
Convertible Senior Note Indenture between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated as of April 15, 2009 (4)
 
4.2
 
Form of 4.25% Convertible Senior Note due October 15, 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto) (4)
 
10.1
 
Capped Call Confirmation (Reference No. SDB 1630322480), dated as of April 8, 2009, by and between Micron Technology, Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (1)
 
10.2
 
Capped Call Confirmation (Reference No. CGPWK6), dated as of April 8, 2009, by and between Micron Technology, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co International plc (1)
 
10.3
 
Capped Call Confirmation (Reference No. 325758), dated as of April 8, 2009, by and between Micron Technology, Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch (1)
 
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350
 
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350
_____________________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 8, 2009
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2001
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 2008
(4)
Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 15, 2009


 
52

 

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.


 
Micron Technology, Inc.                                                                 
 
(Registrant)
   
   
Date:  July 14, 2009
/s/ Ronald C. Foster                                                                
 
Ronald C. Foster
Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)