GARMIN LTD (GRMN) FY 2023 MD&A

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

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations focuses on and is intended to clarify the results of our operations, certain changes in our financial position, liquidity, capital structure and business developments the fiscal years ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and a year-to-year comparison of these two fiscal years. This discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, the other related information including, but not limited to, the audited consolidated financial statements (including the notes thereto), the description of our business, all as set forth in this Form 10-K, as well as the risk factors discussed above in Item 1A. Discussion regarding our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021 and a year-to-year comparison between the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 can be found in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

As previously noted, the discussion set forth below, as well as other portions of this Form 10-K, contain statements concerning potential future events. Readers can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of such verbs as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes”, or similar verbs or conjugations of such verbs. If any of our assumptions on which the statements are based prove incorrect or should unanticipated circumstances arise, our actual results could materially differ from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The differences could be caused by a number of factors or combination of factors including, but not limited to, those discussed above in Item 1A. Readers are strongly encouraged to consider those factors when evaluating any such forward-looking statement. Except as may be required by law, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K.

Garmin’s fiscal year is a 52-53 week period ending on the last Saturday of the calendar year. Fiscal year 2023 contained 52 weeks and fiscal years 2022 and 2021 contained 53 weeks and 52 weeks, respectively. Unless otherwise stated, all years and dates refer to the Company’s fiscal year and fiscal periods. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this document to "we", "us", "our", "the Company" and similar terms refer to Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries.

Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts set forth in the tables are in thousands, except per share data.

Overview

The Company is a leading worldwide provider of wireless devices, many of which feature Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin is organized in the five operating segments of fitness, outdoor, aviation, marine, and auto OEM. These operating segments represent our reportable segments. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), allocates resources and assesses performance of each operating segment individually.

Business Environment Update

A number of headwinds including high inflation and interest rates affected the economic environment and consumer behaviors during 2023. Additionally, while our global supply chain is routinely subject to component shortages, increased lead times, cost fluctuations, and logistics constraints, certain of these factors have at times been further amplified by the recent business environment. The nature and degree of effects of the business environment over time remain uncertain. Refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing our Company.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

General

Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The presentation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to customer sales programs and incentives, product returns, bad debts, inventories, investments, goodwill, intangible assets, income taxes, warranty obligations, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Refer to Note 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for our significant accounting policies related to our critical accounting estimates.

Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits

We recognize liabilities associated with uncertain income tax positions, including those related to transfer pricing, based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. We recognize the tax benefits from an uncertain tax position only if payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be not required or it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are measured based on the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement.

Assessing uncertain tax positions requires significant judgment, including the evaluation of unique facts and circumstances and the interpretation of laws and regulations, especially the assessment of pricing analyses that may produce various ranges of outcomes. Variations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could materially impact our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Terms and Characteristics

Net Sales

Our net sales are primarily generated through sales to our retail partners, dealer and distributor network, installation and repair shops, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), our online webshop (garmin.com), subscriptions for connected services, and our own retail stores. Refer to the Revenue Recognition discussion in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We aim to achieve a quick turnaround on orders we receive from our retail, dealer, and distributor customers. Certain arrangements with OEM customers are entered into at the beginning of an aircraft, boat, or vehicle life cycle with the intent to fulfill customer purchasing requirements for the entire production life, although there are generally no firm volume commitments, and sales are therefore generated on an order-by-order basis. As a result, we do not believe backlog information is material to the understanding of our business.

Net sales are subject to seasonal fluctuation. Typically, sales of our consumer products are highest in the fourth quarter due to increased demand during the holiday buying season, and, to a lesser extent, in the second quarter due to increased demand during the spring and summer season. Sales of our consumer products are also influenced by the timing of the release of new products. Our aviation and auto OEM products do not experience much seasonal variation but are more influenced by the timing of aircraft certifications, regulatory mandates, auto program manufacturing, and the release of new products when the initial demand is typically the strongest.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Raw material costs are our most significant component of cost of goods sold. Our existing practice of performing the design and manufacture of our products in-house has enabled us to source components from different suppliers and, where possible, to redesign our products to leverage lower-cost or more readily available components.

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We believe that our flexible production model allows our factories to experience relatively low costs of manufacturing. In general, products manufactured in Taiwan have been our highest volume products. Our manufacturing labor costs historically have been lower in Taiwan and China than in other locations.

Shipping and handling costs associated with the transportation and delivery of our products are included in cost of goods sold. Such costs fluctuate due to a number of factors, including market pricing and the mix of modes of transportation we utilize.

Sales price variability, including that which is associated with foreign currency fluctuations, has had and can be expected to have an effect on our gross profit. Our consolidated gross margin, representing gross profit as a percentage of net sales, is dependent on segment mix, and to a lesser extent, product mix within each segment.

Advertising Expense

Our advertising expenses consist primarily of costs for media advertising, cooperative advertising with our retail partners, point of sale displays, and sponsorships.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Our selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of:

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information systems and infrastructure costs;

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salaries for sales, marketing and product support personnel;

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salaries and related costs for executives and administrative personnel;

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marketing, and other brand building costs;

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finance and legal costs;

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human resource costs;

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travel and related costs; and

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occupancy and other overhead costs.

Research and Development

The majority of our research and development costs represent engineering personnel costs, costs of test equipment and components used in product and prototype development, and outside product development costs.

We are committed to increasing the level of innovative design and development of new products as we strive for expanded ability to serve our existing consumer and aviation markets as well as new auto OEM programs and new markets for active lifestyle products.

Results of Operations

The Company announced an organization realignment in January 2023, which combined the consumer auto operating segment with the outdoor operating segment. As a result, the Company’s operating segments, which also represent its reportable segments, are fitness, outdoor, aviation, marine, and auto OEM. Results for the 53-week and 52-week periods ended December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively, have been recast to conform to current period presentation. This change had no effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations.

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The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of net sales during the periods shown (the table may not foot due to rounding):

The table below sets forth our results of operations through operating income for each of our five reportable segments. The Company’s CODM primarily uses operating income as the measure of profit or loss to assess segment performance and allocate resources. Operating income represents net sales less costs of goods sold and operating expenses. Net sales are directly attributed to each segment. Most costs of goods sold and the majority of operating expenses are also directly attributed to each segment, while certain other costs of goods sold and operating expenses are allocated to the segments in a reasonable manner considering the specific facts and circumstances of the expenses being allocated. For each line item in the table below, the total of the reportable segments’ amounts equals the amount in the consolidated statements of income.

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Net Sales

Net sales increased 8% in fiscal year 2023 when compared to the year-ago period. Total unit sales increased approximately 8% to 16.2 million units in 2023 from 15.0 million units in 2022. Outdoor revenue represented the largest portion of our revenue mix at 32% in 2023, compared to 36% in 2022.

The increase in fitness revenue was driven by sales growth across all product categories. Aviation revenue increased primarily due to growth in OEM product categories. The increase in marine revenue was driven by contributions from newly acquired JL Audio, partially offset by declines in multiple product categories. Auto OEM revenue increased primarily due to increased shipments of domain controllers. Outdoor revenue decreased primarily due to declines in sales of adventure watches during the first quarter of 2023.

Gross Profit

Gross profit dollars in fiscal year 2023 increased 7%, primarily due to the increase in net sales compared to the year-ago period as described above. Consolidated gross margin was relatively flat when compared to the year-ago period.

The fitness and outdoor gross margin increases of 350 basis points and 110 basis points, respectively, were primarily attributable to favorable freight costs. The aviation gross margin increase of 170 basis points was primarily attributable to lower warranty costs. Gross margin remained relatively flat within the marine segment. The auto OEM gross margin decrease of 870 basis points was primarily attributable to unfavorable product mix.

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Operating Expense

Total operating expense increased 8% in absolute dollars and was relatively flat as a percent of revenue in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022.

Advertising expense increased 3% in absolute dollars and was relatively flat as a percent of revenue when compared to the year-ago period. The absolute dollar increase was primarily attributable to increased media spend.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased 8% in absolute dollars and was relatively flat as a percent of revenue when compared to the year-ago period. The absolute dollar increase was primarily attributable to increased personnel-related expenses and information technology costs.

Research and development expense increased 8% in absolute dollars and was relatively flat as a percent of revenue compared to the year-ago period. The absolute dollar increase was primarily due to higher engineering personnel costs.

Operating Income

Total operating income increased 6% in absolute dollars and was relatively flat as a percent of revenue when compared to fiscal year 2022. The absolute dollar decreases in outdoor and marine operating income were more than offset by improved performance in fitness, aviation, and auto OEM.

Other Income (Expense)

The average interest rate returns on cash and investments during the 52-weeks ended December 30, 2023 and 53-weeks ended December 31, 2022 were 2.7% and 1.4%, respectively. Interest income increased primarily due to higher yields on fixed-income securities.

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Foreign currency gains and losses for the Company are driven by movements of a number of currencies in relation to the U.S. Dollar. The Taiwan Dollar is the functional currency of Garmin Corporation, the Euro is the functional currency of several subsidiaries, and the U.S. Dollar is the functional currency of Garmin (Europe) Ltd., although some transactions and balances are denominated in British Pounds. Other notable currency exposures include the Australian Dollar, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen, and Polish Zloty. The majority of the Company’s consolidated foreign currency gain or loss is typically driven by the significant cash and marketable securities, receivables and payables held in a currency other than the functional currency at a given legal entity.

The $26.4 million currency gain recognized in fiscal 2023 was primarily due to the U.S. Dollar weakening against the Polish Zloty and Euro, partially offset by the U.S. Dollar weakening at times during the year against the Taiwan Dollar. During this period, the U.S. Dollar weakened 12.3% against the Polish Zloty and 3.1% against the Euro, resulting in gains of $24.4 million and $8.8 million, respectively, partially offset by the U.S. Dollar weakening at times during the year against the Taiwan Dollar, resulting in a net loss of $5.1 million. The remaining net currency loss of $1.7 million was related to the impacts of other currencies, each of which was individually immaterial.

The $11.3 million currency loss recognized in fiscal 2022 was primarily due to the U.S. Dollar strengthening against the Australian Dollar, Polish Zloty, Chinese Yuan, Euro, Japanese Yen, and British Pound Sterling, partially offset by the U.S. Dollar strengthening against the Taiwan Dollar. During this period, the U.S. Dollar strengthened 6.4% against the Australian Dollar, 7.1% against the Polish Zloty, 8.5% against the Chinese Yuan, 5.4% against the Euro, 12.7% against the Japanese Yen, and 9.6% against the British Pound Sterling resulting in losses of $8.9 million, $6.0 million, $5.8 million, $5.1 million, $3.7 million, and $1.9 million, respectively, partially offset by the U.S. Dollar strengthening 9.7% against the Taiwan Dollar, resulting in a gain of $28.0 million. The remaining net currency loss of $7.9 million was related to the impacts of other currencies, each of which was individually immaterial.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

The Company recorded income tax benefit of $89.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, which included income tax benefit of $181.4 million recognized by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to the revaluation of Switzerland deferred tax assets and income tax benefit of $12.1 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to Auto OEM manufacturing tax incentives in Poland. The Company recorded income tax expense of $91.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which included income tax expense of $7.2 million recognized by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2022 related to the revaluation of Switzerland deferred tax assets.

Global taxing standards have evolved as a result of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) recommendations aimed at preventing perceived base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) by multinational corporations. The OECD issued a statement regarding a two-pillar solution which includes within “Pillar Two” a global minimum tax. Numerous countries have signed onto the OECD statement including Switzerland, the U.S., and the U.K. In 2023, Switzerland’s Federal Council passed legislation which would implement a federal minimum tax in Switzerland of 15% in 2024. Additionally, the Swiss canton of Schaffhausen has also passed legislation that would increase the cantonal corporate tax rate beginning in 2024 and result in a combined federal and cantonal statutory tax rate of approximately 15% in Switzerland. As a result of the increases in the combined Switzerland tax rates and the impact of implementation of global minimum tax requirements, we expect our effective tax rate to be higher in the future, beginning with the 2024 tax year, when compared to fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021.

Additionally, we initiated an intercompany transaction in 2020 which migrates ownership of certain intellectual property from Switzerland to the United States, which is the primary location of research, development, and executive management. At the end of this migration, a higher percentage of income will be recognized in the U.S.

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Net Income

As a result of the various factors noted above net income increased 32% to $1,289.6 million from $973.6 million in the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We primarily use cash flow from operations, and expect that future cash requirements may be used, to fund our capital expenditures, support our working capital requirements, pay dividends, fund share repurchases, and fund strategic acquisitions. We believe that our existing cash balances and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our short- and long-term projected working capital needs, capital expenditures, and other cash requirements.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities

As of December 30, 2023, we had approximately $3.1 billion of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Management invests idle or surplus cash in accordance with the investment policy, which has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The investment policy’s primary objectives are to preserve capital, maintain an acceptable degree of liquidity, and maximize yield within the constraint of low credit risk. Garmin’s average interest rate returns on cash and investments during fiscal 2023 and 2022 were 2.7% and 1.4%, respectively. The fair value of our securities varies from period to period due to changes in interest rates, in the performance of the underlying collateral, and in the credit performance of the underlying issuer, among other factors. See Note 4 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding marketable securities.

Cash Flows

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $1,376.3 million for fiscal 2023, compared to $788.3 million for fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily due to a lower use of cash on purchases of inventory, partially offset by a decrease in collections of accounts receivable in fiscal 2023 when compared to fiscal 2022.

Cash used in investing activities totaled $333.0 million for fiscal 2023, compared to $145.1 million for fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in cash used for acquisitions and a decrease in net redemptions of marketable securities in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. These were partially offset by a decrease in cash used for the purchase of property and equipment in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022.

Cash used in financing activities totaled $636.5 million for fiscal 2023, compared to $840.6 million for fiscal 2022. This decrease was primarily due to lower purchases of treasury shares under the share repurchase plan and lower cash dividend payments in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. Fiscal 2023 included four dividend payments compared to five dividend payments in fiscal 2022 due to the timing of dividend dates and our fiscal period end dates.

Uses of Cash

Operating Leases

The Company has lease arrangements for certain real estate properties, vehicles, and equipment. Leased properties are typically used for office space, distribution, and retail. As of December 30, 2023, the Company had fixed lease payment obligations of $163.3 million, with $34.7 million payable within 12 months.

Inventory Purchase Obligations

The Company obtains various raw materials and components for its products from a variety of third party suppliers. The Company’s inventory purchase obligations are primarily noncancelable. As of December 30, 2023, the Company had inventory purchase obligations of $666.0 million, with $512.0 million payable within 12 months.

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Other Purchase Obligations

The Company’s other purchase obligations primarily consist of noncancelable commitments for capital expenditures and other indirect purchases in connection with conducting our business. As of December 30, 2023, the Company had other purchase obligations of $361.3 million, with $209.8 million payable within 12 months.

Other Uses of Cash

Net cash outlays for income taxes exceeded income tax expense in each of the 2023 and 2022 fiscal years, partially due to the provisions of the 2017 United States Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which require us to capitalize certain research and development costs and amortize those costs on our U.S. tax returns over a period of five or fifteen years, depending on where the associated costs were incurred. Primarily as a result of these provisions, we expect net cash outlays for income taxes to again exceed income tax expense in fiscal 2024.

Additionally, while we expect our effective tax rate to be higher in fiscal 2024, when compared to fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021, we expect net cash outlays for income taxes in fiscal 2024 to be materially similar to net cash outlays for income taxes in fiscal 2023, primarily associated with our planned utilization of Switzerland deferred tax assets.