LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR CORP (LSCC) FY 2024 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
Lattice develops technologies that we monetize through differentiated programmable logic semiconductor products, silicon-enabling products, system solutions, design services, and licenses. Lattice is the low power programmable leader. We solve customer problems across the network, from the Edge to the Cloud, in the growing communications, computing, industrial, automotive, and consumer markets. Our technology, long-standing relationships, and commitment to world-class support lets our customers quickly and easily unleash their innovation to create a smart, secure, and connected world.
Lattice has focused its strategy on delivering programmable logic products and related solutions based on low power, small size, and ease of use. We also serve our customers with IP licensing and various other services. Our product development activities include new proprietary products, advanced packaging, existing product enhancements, software development tools, soft IP, and system solutions for high-growth applications such as Edge AI, 5G infrastructure, platform security, and factory automation.
This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Part II, Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this report. Discussions of results for prior periods (fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022) are incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023.
Impact of Global Economic Activity on our Business
Increased financial market volatility, inflationary pressure, interest rate changes, recessionary concerns, uncertainty in the financial and banking industry, and geopolitical tension continue to impact business globally and may impact our operations by causing disruption to our labor markets and supply chains. The extent to which increased financial market volatility, inflationary pressures, global pandemics, and related uncertainty will impact our business activities will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time. Additionally, our business is impacted by the cyclic correction affecting the broader semiconductor industry, which has seen softened demand across our end markets.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
Critical accounting policies are those that are both most important to the portrayal of a company's financial condition and results of operations, and that require management's most difficult, subjective, and complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments affecting the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, knowledge of current conditions, and our beliefs of what could occur in the future considering available information. While we believe that our estimates, assumptions, and judgments are reasonable, they are based on information available when made, and because of the uncertainty inherent in these matters, actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis.
We believe the following accounting policies and the related estimates are critical in the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, and require management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments. See Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report for further information on the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
We recognize revenue upon satisfaction of performance obligations when control of promised goods or services has been transferred to our customers. We measure revenue based on the amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for products or services. For revenue recognized on both sales to distributors and related to royalties, the amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to receive is based on estimates that require assumptions and judgments relating to trends in recent and historical activity. See Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report for further information on our recognition of revenue. Sales to most distributors are made under terms allowing certain price adjustments upon sale to their end customers and limited rights of return of our products held in their inventory. The revenue recognized based on estimated price adjustments and stock rotation reserves may be materially different from the actual consideration received if the actual distributor price adjustments and stock rotation returns differ significantly from the historical trends used in the estimates.
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Inventories and Cost of Revenue
Inventories are stated at the lower of actual cost (determined using the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. We review and set standard costs quarterly to approximate current actual manufacturing costs. Our manufacturing overhead standards for product costs are calculated assuming full absorption of actual spending over actual costs. The valuation of inventory requires us to estimate excess or obsolete inventory. Material assumptions we use to estimate necessary inventory carrying value adjustments can be unique to each product and are based on specific facts and circumstances. In determining provisions for excess or obsolete products, we consider assumptions such as changes in business and economic conditions, projected customer demand for our products, and changes in technology or customer requirements. The creation of such provisions results in a write-down of inventory to net realizable value and a charge to Cost of revenue. If in any period we anticipate a change in assumptions such as future market or economic conditions to be less favorable than our previous estimates, additional inventory write-downs may be required and would be reflected in Cost of revenue, resulting in a negative impact to our gross margin in that period. If in any period we are able to sell inventories that had been written down to a level below the ultimate realized selling price in a previous period, related revenue would be recorded with a lower or no offsetting charge to Cost of revenue resulting in a net benefit to our gross margin in that period.
Accounting for Income Taxes
We are required to estimate our provision for income taxes and amounts ultimately payable or recoverable in numerous tax jurisdictions around the world. These estimates involve significant judgment and 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 the applicable year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the difference is expected to reverse.
Valuation allowances are provided to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that in management’s judgment is more-likely-than-not to be recoverable against future taxable income. The determination of a valuation allowance and when it should be released requires complex judgment. In assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets, we regularly evaluate both positive and negative evidence that may exist and consider whether it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. In determining the need to establish or maintain a valuation allowance, we consider the four sources of jurisdictional taxable income: (i) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences; (ii) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; (iii) taxable income in prior carryback year(s) if carryback is permitted under the tax law; and (iv) viable and prudent tax planning strategies.
We continue to maintain a full valuation allowance against our state deferred tax assets due to insufficient income sources. We will continue to evaluate both positive and negative evidence in future periods to determine if we will realize the deferred tax assets. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable could be adjusted if sufficient positive evidence exists. We do not maintain a valuation allowance on a significant portion of our U.S. Federal deferred tax assets or in any foreign jurisdictions as we have concluded that it is more likely than not that we will realize those net deferred tax assets in the future periods.
As part of our regular financial review process, we also assess the likelihood that our tax reporting positions will ultimately be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. To the extent it is determined it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that some portion or all of a tax reporting position will ultimately not be recognized and sustained, a provision for unrecognized tax benefit is provided by either reducing the applicable deferred tax asset or accruing an income tax liability. Our judgment regarding the sustainability of our tax reporting positions may change in the future due to changes in U.S. or international tax laws and other factors. These changes, if any, may require material adjustments to the related deferred tax assets or accrued income tax liabilities and an accompanying reduction or increase in income tax expense which may result in a corresponding increase or decrease in net income in the period when such determinations are made. Accordingly, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 included $27.7 million of income tax benefits due to the expiration of statutes of limitations that reduced our uncertain tax positions. We recognize the tax impact of including certain foreign earnings in U.S. taxable income as a period cost.
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Results of Operations
Key elements of our Consolidated Statements of Operations, including as a percentage of revenue, are presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 509,401 | 100.0 | % | $ | 737,154 | 100.0 | % | $ | 660,356 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 340,400 | 66.8 | 514,670 | 69.8 | 452,050 | 68.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 159,302 | 31.3 | 159,770 | 21.7 | 135,767 | 20.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and, administrative | 116,942 | 23.0 | 137,244 | 18.6 | 122,076 | 18.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets | 3,479 | 0.7 | 3,478 | 0.5 | 3,778 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring | 12,291 | 2.4 | 1,908 | 0.3 | 2,551 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of acquired intangible assets | 13,929 | 2.7 | — | — | — | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition related | — | — | — | — | 511 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | $ | 34,457 | 6.8 | % | $ | 212,270 | 28.8 | % | $ | 187,367 | 28.4 | % |
Revenue
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 509,401 | $ | 737,154 | $ | 660,356 | (30.9 | )% | 11.6 | % |
Revenue decreased $227.8 million, or 31%, in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, primarily due to softer demand in industrial and automotive applications, telecommunications infrastructure deployments, and from continued inventory normalization by customers.
Revenue by End Market
We sell our products globally to a broad base of customers in three primary end market groups: Communications and Computing, Industrial and Automotive, and Consumer. Across our end markets, our products are increasingly used for AI-related applications, including device usage in AI-optimized servers in data centers, AI-enabled PCs, and AI-enabled robotics and ADAS systems, among others. We also provide IP licensing and services to these end markets.
Within these end markets, there are multiple drivers, including:
| • | Communications and Computing: data center servers and networking equipment, client computing platforms, and wireless and wireline communications infrastructure deployments, | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Industrial and Automotive: factory automation, robotics, automotive electronics, and industrial IoT, | |
| • | Consumer: smart home, prosumer, and other applications. |
The end market data we use is derived from data provided to us by our distributors and end customers. With a diverse base of customers who may manufacture end products spanning multiple end markets, the assignment of revenue to a specific end market requires the use of judgment. We also recognize certain revenue for which end customers and end markets are not yet known. We assign this revenue first to a specific end market using historical and anticipated usage of the specific products, if possible, and allocate the remainder to the end markets based on either historical usage for each product family or industry application data for certain product types.
The following are examples of end market applications for the fiscal years presented:
| Communications and Computing | Industrial and Automotive | Consumer |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless | Security and Surveillance | Cameras |
| Wireline | Machine Vision | Displays |
| Data Networking | Industrial Automation | Wearables |
| Server Computing | Robotics | Televisions |
| Client Computing | Automotive | Home Theater |
| Data Storage | Drones | Sound Systems |
| Cloud | Factory Automation | |
| Hyperscalers |
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The composition of our revenue by end market is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Communications and Computing | $ | 228,145 | 44.8 | % | $ | 257,536 | 34.9 | % | $ | 282,913 | 42.8 | % | (11.4 | )% | (9.0 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
| Industrial and Automotive | 236,949 | 46.5 | 433,482 | 58.8 | 319,398 | 48.4 | (45.3 | ) | 35.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 44,307 | 8.7 | 46,136 | 6.3 | 58,045 | 8.8 | (4.0 | ) | (20.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 509,401 | 100.0 | % | $ | 737,154 | 100.0 | % | $ | 660,356 | 100.0 | % | (30.9 | )% | 11.6 | % |
Revenue from the Communications and Computing end market decreased by 11% in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 primarily due to softer end market demand in telecommunications infrastructure deployments and from continued inventory normalization by customers, partially offset by stronger demand in data center applications.
Revenue from the Industrial and Automotive end market decreased by 45% in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, primarily due to softer end market demand and from continued inventory normalization by customers.
While we do not consider AI applications as a distinct end market, we expect AI-related revenue to grow over the next few years based on the growing pipeline of AI-related design wins. Our AI revenue is derived from applications across all three of our end market segments.
Revenue by Geography
We have a diverse base of customers where distributors represent a significant portion of our total revenue. Our revenue by geographical market is based on the ship-to location of our customers, which can vary from time to time. Revenue from Asia decreased in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 primarily due to the macroeconomic environment in the region, while revenue from the Americas and Europe decreased due to reduced demand in these regions for our products in the Industrial and Automotive end market.
The composition of our revenue by geography is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asia | $ | 332,747 | 65.3 | % | $ | 443,765 | 60.2 | % | $ | 464,904 | 70.5 | % | (25.0 | )% | (4.5 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
| Americas | 101,217 | 19.9 | 145,839 | 19.8 | 100,260 | 15.2 | (30.6 | ) | 45.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 75,437 | 14.8 | 147,550 | 20.0 | 95,192 | 14.3 | (48.9 | ) | 55.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 509,401 | 100.0 | % | $ | 737,154 | 100.0 | % | $ | 660,356 | 100.0 | % | (30.9 | )% | 11.6 | % |
Revenue from Customers
We sell our products to independent distributors and directly to customers. Distributors have historically accounted for a significant portion of our total revenue, and the distributors noted below individually accounted for more than 10% of our total revenue in certain periods covered by this report.
The composition of our revenue by customer is presented in the following table:
| % of Total Revenue | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Arrow | 33.3 | % | 31.6 | % | 28.5 | % | ||||||
| Weikeng | 31.2 | 20.5 | 30.3 | |||||||||
| Macnica | 11.2 | 10.8 | 9.7 | |||||||||
| Future | 3.5 | 12.6 | 8.3 | |||||||||
| Other distributors | 10.2 | 11.9 | 12.7 | |||||||||
| All distributors | 89.4 | 87.4 | 89.5 | |||||||||
| Direct customers | 10.6 | 12.6 | 10.5 | |||||||||
| Total revenue | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
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Gross margin
The composition of our gross margin, including as a percentage of revenue, is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 340,400 | $ | 514,670 | $ | 452,050 | ||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 66.8 | % | 69.8 | % | 68.5 | % |
Gross margin percentage decreased 300 basis points from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2024. Reduced margins were primarily due to an approximately $7.0 million one-time charge for expiring production materials, and changes in product mix between the periods presented. The expiring production materials were purchased on behalf of the company by the OSATs in anticipation of a supply constraint and are no longer expected to be used. We expect gross margin to increase in future periods due to the non-recurrence of the one-time charge.
Operating Expenses
Research and Development Expense
The composition of our Research and development expense, including as a percentage of revenue, is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 159,302 | $ | 159,770 | $ | 135,767 | (0.3 | )% | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of revenue | 31.3 | % | 21.7 | % | 20.6 | % |
Research and development expense includes headcount-related costs, including cash- and stock-based compensation and benefits, R&D equipment expenses, engineering wafers, licenses, and outside engineering services. These expenditures are for the design of new products, IP cores, processes, packaging, and software solutions.
The decrease in Research and development expense for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was due primarily to lower costs for outside services and R&D equipment expenses, partially offset by increased headcount-related costs and rent expense.
We believe that investing in research and development is important to delivering innovative products to our customers. We expect research and development expense to increase in the future, but to decline as a percentage of revenue.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expense
The composition of our Selling, general, and administrative expense, including as a percentage of revenue, is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Selling, general, and administrative | $ | 116,942 | $ | 137,244 | $ | 122,076 | (14.8 | )% | 12.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of revenue | 23.0 | % | 18.6 | % | 18.5 | % |
Selling, general, and administrative expense includes costs for compensation and benefits related to selling, general, and administrative employees, commissions, depreciation, professional and outside services, trade show, and travel expenses.
The decrease in Selling, general, and administrative expense for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was due primarily to a reduction in stock compensation expense from the forfeiture of equity awards by departing executives and reduced headcount-related costs as we aligned resources to the lower level of business, partially offset by other costs such as outside services and legal expenses.
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Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets
The composition of our Amortization of acquired intangible assets, including as a percentage of revenue, is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets | $ | 3,479 | $ | 3,478 | $ | 3,778 | 0.0 | % | (7.9 | )% | ||||||||||
| Percentage of revenue | 0.7 | % | 0.5 | % | 0.6 | % |
Amortization of acquired intangible assets was flat for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023.
Restructuring
The composition of our Restructuring activity, including as a percentage of revenue, is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Restructuring | $ | 12,291 | $ | 1,908 | $ | 2,551 | 100+% | (25.2 | )% | |||||||||||
| Percentage of revenue | 2.4 | % | 0.3 | % | 0.4 | % |
Restructuring activity is generally comprised of expenses resulting from workforce reductions, cancellation of contracts, and consolidation of our facilities. Details of our restructuring plans and expenses incurred under them are discussed in Note 8 - Restructuring to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report.
Restructuring costs increased in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 primarily due to higher severance costs incurred under the Q3 2024 Plan as we aligned resources to the lower level of business.
Impairment of Acquired Intangible Assets
In connection with our acquisition of Mirametrix in November 2021 we recorded identifiable intangible assets related to existing technology, customer relationships, and trade name / trademarks. Our review of our strategic long-range plan completed at the end of fiscal 2024 concluded that the originally acquired Mirametrix intangible assets had limited future revenue potential due to a decline in customer demand, which we determined was an indicator of impairment. Our assessment of the fair value of these intangible assets concluded that they had been fully impaired as of December 28, 2024, and we recorded an impairment charge of $13.9 million for fiscal 2024 in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Interest Income (Expense), net
The composition of our Interest income (expense), net, including as a percentage of revenue, is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest income (expense), net | $ | 3,948 | $ | 2,041 | $ | (4,146 | ) | 93.4 | % | (149.2 | )% | |||||||||
| Percentage of revenue | 0.8 | % | 0.3 | % | (0.6 | )% |
The change in Interest income (expense) for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was driven by increased interest income, coupled with lower interest expense as we paid off the outstanding balance of our long-term debt during the third quarter of fiscal 2023.
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Other Income (Expense), net
The composition of our Other income (expense), net, including as a percentage of revenue, is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | (2,176 | ) | $ | 545 | $ | (1,109 | ) | 100+% | (149.1 | )% | |||||||||
| Percentage of revenue | (0.4 | )% | 0.1 | % | (0.2 | )% |
For fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, the change in Other income (expense), net was primarily due to a $2.0 million write-off of a non-recoverable cost-method investment, and to foreign currency effects.
Income Taxes
The composition of our Income tax (benefit) expense is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | % Change in | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | $ | (24,902 | ) | $ | (44,205 | ) | $ | 3,230 | (43.7 | )% | (100+)% |
Our Income tax (benefit) expense on worldwide income for fiscal 2024 includes $27.7 million of income tax benefits due to the expiration of statutes of limitations that reduced our uncertain tax positions, as well as federal tax credits, and stock-based compensation. The lower income tax benefit in fiscal 2024 was primarily due to the reduction in valuation allowance over the $56.9 million of U.S. Federal deferred tax assets in 2023. The income tax benefit from the release of a portion of the valuation allowance was partially offset by an increase in expense in fiscal 2023 as compared to fiscal 2022 primarily due to increased worldwide income and U.S. tax on foreign operations.
We updated our evaluation of the valuation allowance position in the United States through December 28, 2024. In making this evaluation, we considered our operating environment and estimates about our ability to generate taxable income in future periods within the United States. As a result of our consistent and continued profitability over the preceding three-year period and our expectations about generating sufficient U.S. Federal taxable income, we have determined that there is sufficient evidence that our U.S. Federal deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized.
We continue to maintain a full valuation allowance against our state deferred tax assets due to insufficient income sources. We will continue to evaluate both positive and negative evidence in future periods to determine if we will realize those deferred tax assets. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable could be adjusted if sufficient positive evidence exists. We do not maintain a valuation allowance in any foreign jurisdictions as we have concluded that it is more likely than not that we will realize those net deferred tax assets in the future periods. Details of our deferred tax assets and valuation allowance are discussed in Note 12 - Income Taxes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net income before net interest income (expense), income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and other items that are considered unusual or not representative of underlying trends of our business, including but not limited to: litigation expense outside the ordinary course of business, restructuring, transformation, and other charges, impairments, and other non-recurring charges, if applicable for the periods presented.
We believe that the exclusion of the items eliminated in calculating Adjusted EBITDA provides useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of our business. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and our Board of Directors. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation of, or as an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate similarly-titled non-GAAP financial measures differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a tool for comparison.
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There are a number of limitations related to the use of Adjusted EBITDA rather than net income, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Some of the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA include (i) Adjusted EBITDA does not properly reflect capital commitments to be paid in the future, and (ii) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the underlying assets may need to be replaced and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect these potential capital expenditures. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these expenses or any unusual or non-recurring items, as in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this presentation. Evaluation of our performance should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including our net income and other GAAP results.
A reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA, including as a percentage of revenue, is presented in the following table:
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, | December 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| GAAP Net income | $ | 61,131 | $ | 259,061 | $ | 178,882 | ||||||
| GAAP Net income margin | 12.0 | % | 35.1 | % | 27.1 | % | ||||||
| Interest (income) expense, net | (3,948 | ) | (2,041 | ) | 4,146 | |||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (24,902 | ) | (44,205 | ) | 3,230 | |||||||
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets | 3,479 | 3,478 | 3,778 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and other amortization | 34,502 | 30,562 | 25,225 | |||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation (1) | 53,718 | 71,952 | 58,429 | |||||||||
| Litigation expense (2) | 5,248 | 3,928 | 2,727 | |||||||||
| Restructuring, transformation, and other (3) | 16,786 | 1,952 | 3,062 | |||||||||
| Impairment of acquired intangible assets | 13,929 | — | — | |||||||||
| Other non-recurring charges | 2,023 | — | 739 | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 161,966 | $ | 324,687 | $ | 280,218 | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 31.8 | % | 44.0 | % | 42.4 | % |
| (1) | The adjustments for Stock-based compensation include related tax expenses. | |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Legal expenses associated with the defense of claims that are outside the ordinary course of business that were brought against the Company by Steven A.W. De Jaray, Perienne De Jaray and Darrell R. Oswalde. | |
| (3) | Restructuring, transformation, and other includes transformation charges of approximately $2.8 million for fiscal year 2024. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following sections discuss material changes in our financial condition from the end of fiscal 2023, including the effects of changes in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the effects of our credit arrangements and contractual obligations on our liquidity and capital resources. There continues to be uncertainty around the extent of market volatility, inflationary pressures, interest rate changes, recessionary concerns, uncertainty in the financial and banking industry, and geopolitical tension, which may impact our liquidity and working capital needs in future periods.
We have historically financed our operating and capital resource requirements through cash flows from operations, and from the issuance of long-term debt to fund acquisitions. Cash provided by or used in operating activities will fluctuate from period to period due to fluctuations in operating results, the timing and collection of accounts receivable, and required inventory levels, among other things.
We believe that our financial resources, including current cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operating activities, and our credit facilities, will be sufficient to meet our liquidity and working capital needs through at least the next 12 months. On September 1, 2022, we entered into our 2022 Credit Agreement, as described in Note 7 - Long-Term Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report. As of December 28, 2024, we did not have significant long-term commitments for capital expenditures. For further information on our cash commitments for operating lease liabilities, see Note 9 - Leases to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report.
In the future, we may continue to consider acquisition opportunities to further extend our product or technology portfolios and further expand our product offerings. In connection with funding capital expenditures, acquisitions, securing additional wafer supply, increasing our working capital, or other operations, we may seek to obtain equity or additional debt financing. We may also seek to obtain equity or additional debt financing if we experience downturns or cyclical fluctuations in our business that are more severe or longer than we anticipated when determining our current working capital needs.
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Liquidity
Cash and cash equivalents
| (In thousands) | December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 136,291 | $ | 128,317 | $ | 7,974 | 6.2 | % |
As of December 28, 2024, we had Cash and cash equivalents of $136.3 million, of which approximately $71.2 million in Cash and cash equivalents was held by our foreign subsidiaries. We manage our global cash requirements considering, among other things, (i) available funds among our subsidiaries through which we conduct business, (ii) the geographic location of our liquidity needs, and (iii) the cost to access international cash balances. The repatriation of non-US earnings may require us to withhold and pay foreign income tax on dividends. This should not result in our recording significant additional tax expense as we have accrued expense based on current withholding rates. As of December 28, 2024, we could access all cash held by our foreign subsidiaries without incurring significant additional expense.
The net increase in Cash and cash equivalents of $8.0 million between December 30, 2023 and December 28, 2024 was primarily driven by cash flows from the following activities:
Operating activities — Cash provided by operating activities results from net income adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in assets and liabilities. Cash provided by operating activities was $140.9 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $269.6 million in fiscal 2023. This decrease of $128.7 million was primarily driven by a decrease of $159.8 million provided by operating activities, partially offset by $31.1 million of net changes in working capital, primarily in Accounts receivable and Inventories.
Investing activities — Investing cash flows consist primarily of transactions related to capital expenditures and payments for software and intellectual property licenses. Net cash used by investing activities in fiscal 2024 was $37.7 million compared to $33.3 million in fiscal 2023.
Financing activities — Financing cash flows consist primarily of activity on our long-term debt, repurchases of common stock, tax payments related to the net share settlement of restricted stock units, and proceeds from the exercise of options to acquire common stock. Net cash used by financing activities in fiscal 2024 was $94.5 million compared to $253.7 million in fiscal 2023. This $159.2 million decrease was due to the following activities. During fiscal 2024, we had no balance outstanding on our long-term debt, while during fiscal 2023 we made discretionary payments totaling $130.0 million on revolving loans under the 2022 Credit Agreement. We repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of common stock for $67.0 million in fiscal 2024 compared to repurchases of approximately 1.2 million shares of common stock for $80.0 million in fiscal 2023. Payments for tax withholdings on vesting of RSUs partially offset by employee exercises of stock options used net cash flows of $27.5 million in fiscal 2024, a decrease of approximately $16.2 million from the net $43.7 million used in fiscal 2023.
Accounts receivable, net
| (In thousands) | December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounts receivable, net | $ | 81,060 | $ | 104,373 | $ | (23,313 | ) | (22.3 | )% | |||||||
| Days sales outstanding | 63 | 56 | 7 |
Accounts receivable, net as of December 28, 2024 decreased by approximately $23.3 million, or approximately 22%, compared to December 30, 2023. This decrease was due to lower revenue shipments as well as the timing of when our customers want our products. We calculate Days sales outstanding on the basis of a 365-day year as Accounts receivable, net at the end of the quarter divided by sales during the quarter annualized and then multiplied by 365.
Inventories
| (In thousands) | December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inventories | $ | 103,410 | $ | 98,826 | $ | 4,584 | 4.6 | % | ||||||||
| Days of inventory on hand | 207 | 175 | 32 |
Inventories as of December 28, 2024 increased $4.6 million, or approximately 5%, compared to December 30, 2023 primarily as a result of product buildup ahead of new product ramps and from softer demand as customers continue to normalize their own inventories. Days of inventory on hand increased over the period due to lower revenue.
The Days of inventory on hand ratio compares the inventory balance at the end of a quarter to the cost of sales in that quarter. We calculate Days of inventory on hand on the basis of a 365-day year as Inventories at the end of the quarter divided by Cost of sales during the quarter annualized and then multiplied by 365.
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Credit Arrangements
On September 1, 2022, we entered into our 2022 Credit Agreement. The details of this arrangement are described in Note 7 - Long-Term Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report. As of December 28, 2024, we had no used or unused credit arrangements beyond the secured revolving loan facility described in the 2022 Credit Agreement.
Share Repurchase Program
See "Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities" under Part II, Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about the share repurchase program.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The information contained under the heading "New Accounting Pronouncements" in Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report is incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 7.