mpwr20160330_10q.htm

 



UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q


 

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number: 000-51026

 


Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 

Delaware

77-0466789

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

79 Great Oaks Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95119

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip code)

 

  (408) 826-0600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes      No  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes      No  

 

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  ☒

Accelerated filer           

Non-accelerated filer  ☐  

Smaller reporting company  ☐

 

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

 

There were 40,291,092 shares of the registrant’s common stock issued and outstanding as of May 2, 2016.

 



 

 
 

 

  

MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

3

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

3

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

4

 

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

5

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

6

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

19

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

25

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

25

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

26

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

26

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

26

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

42

 

 
2

 

 

 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par value)

(unaudited) 

 

   

March 31,

2016

   

December 31,

2015

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 77,808     $ 90,860  

Short-term investments

    173,693       144,103  

Accounts receivable, net

    28,836       30,830  

Inventories

    62,318       63,209  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    2,909       2,926  

Total current assets

    345,564       331,928  

Property and equipment, net

    66,527       65,359  

Long-term investments

    5,353       5,361  

Goodwill

    6,571       6,571  

Acquisition-related intangible assets, net

    4,540       5,053  

Deferred tax assets, net

    663       672  

Other long-term assets

    17,894       16,341  

Total assets

  $ 447,112     $ 431,285  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 15,731     $ 13,487  

Accrued compensation and related benefits

    9,552       9,812  

Accrued liabilities

    20,040       19,984  

Total current liabilities

    45,323       43,283  

Income tax liabilities

    3,114       2,941  

Other long-term liabilities

    16,689       16,545  

Total liabilities

    65,126       62,769  

Commitments and contingencies

               

Stockholders' equity:

               

Common stock and additional paid-in capital, $0.001 par value; shares authorized: 150,000; shares issued and outstanding: 40,236 and 39,689 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively

    276,450       265,763  

Retained earnings

    103,362       101,287  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    2,174       1,466  

Total stockholders’ equity

    381,986       368,516  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 447,112     $ 431,285  

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

 

 

MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per-share amounts)

(unaudited)  

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Revenue

  $ 84,512     $ 73,538  

Cost of revenue

    39,002       33,855  

Gross profit

    45,510       39,683  

Operating expenses:

               

Research and development

    17,321       16,038  

Selling, general and administrative

    17,768       17,518  

Litigation expense

    45       270  

Total operating expenses

    35,134       33,826  

Income from operations

    10,376       5,857  

Interest and other income, net

    543       642  

Income before income taxes

    10,919       6,499  

Income tax provision

    344       536  

Net income

  $ 10,575     $ 5,963  
                 

Net income per share:

               

Basic

  $ 0.26     $ 0.15  

Diluted

  $ 0.25     $ 0.15  

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

               

Basic

    40,028       39,105  

Diluted

    41,646       40,596  
                 

Cash dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.20     $ 0.20  

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. 

 

 
4

 

 

MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited) 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Net income

  $ 10,575     $ 5,963  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

               

Change in unrealized losses on auction-rate securities, net of $0 tax in 2016 and 2015

    (8 )     5  

Change in unrealized gains/losses on other available-for-sale securities, net of $0 tax in 2016 and 2015

    218       31  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    498       249  

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax

    708       285  

Comprehensive income

  $ 11,283     $ 6,248  

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. 

 

 
5

 

 

MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited) 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 
                 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net income

  $ 10,575     $ 5,963  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets

    3,320       3,621  

Loss on sales of property and equipment

    58       -  

Gains on investments, net

    (131 )     (105 )

Deferred taxes, net

    11       -  

Stock-based compensation expense

    8,979       9,219  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    1,998       286  

Inventories

    851       (12,467 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    (181 )     362  

Accounts payable

    3,342       6,902  

Accrued liabilities

    344       3,339  

Income tax liabilities

    (26 )     187  

Accrued compensation and related benefits

    (270 )     (1,626 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    28,870       15,681  

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Property and equipment purchases

    (5,346 )     (4,703 )

Purchases of short-term investments

    (66,803 )     (59,617 )

Proceeds from sales of short-term investments

    37,353       34,389  

Contributions to employee deferred compensation plan, net

    (1,030 )     (2,176 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (35,826 )     (32,107 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    464       1,292  

Proceeds from shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan

    1,285       1,121  

Repurchases of common shares

    -       (10,405 )

Dividends and dividend equivalents paid

    (7,974 )     (5,859 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (6,225 )     (13,851 )

Effect of change in exchange rates

    129       (23 )

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (13,052 )     (30,300 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    90,860       126,266  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ 77,808     $ 95,966  

Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information:

               

Cash paid for taxes and interest

  $ 349     $ 242  

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:

               

Liability accrued for property and equipment purchases

  $ 840     $ 1,522  

Liability accrued for dividends and dividend equivalents

  $ 8,700     $ 8,459  

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
6

 

 

MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

  

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (the “Company” or “MPS”) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in accordance with these accounting principles, rules and regulations. The information in this report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016 or for any other future periods.

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

There have been no changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

  

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which changes how entities account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards, including the accounting for excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies, forfeitures, statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification of excess tax benefits in the statements of cash flows. The standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The manner of application varies by the different provisions of the guidance, with certain provisions applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective approach, while others are applied prospectively. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which requires entities to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheets for substantially all leases with a lease term greater than 12 months, including leases currently accounted for as operating leases. The standard requires modified retrospective adoption and will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard’s core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date. The standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

 

 
7

 

  

2. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Stock Plan

 

The Board of Directors adopted the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) in April 2013, and the stockholders approved it in June 2013. In October 2014, the Board of Directors approved certain amendments to the 2014 Plan. The 2014 Plan became effective on November 13, 2014 and provides for the issuance of up to 5.5 million shares. The 2014 Plan will expire on November 13, 2024. As of March 31, 2016, 4.0 million shares remained available for future issuance. 

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expenses as follows (in thousands): 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Cost of revenue

  $ 434     $ 242  

Research and development

    3,698       2,620  

Selling, general and administrative

    4,847       6,357  

Total

  $ 8,979     $ 9,219  

 

In the first quarter of 2016, Ms. Meera Rao retired from the Company as its Chief Financial Officer. As the service or performance conditions for certain of Ms. Rao’s unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) had not been satisfied at the time of her departure, the Company reversed previously accrued stock-based compensation expenses of approximately $2.9 million associated with the unvested shares and recorded a credit in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

RSUs

 

The Company’s RSUs include time-based RSUs, RSUs with performance conditions (“PSUs”), RSUs with market and performance conditions (“MPSUs”), and RSUs with market conditions (“MSUs”). Vesting of all awards requires continued service for the Company. In addition, vesting of awards with performance conditions or market conditions is subject to the achievement of pre-determined performance goals. A summary of RSU activity is presented in the table below (in thousands, except per share amounts): 

 

 

Time-Based

RSUs

   

Weighted-

Average Grant

Date Fair

Value Per

Share

 

PSUs and

MPSUs

     

Weighted-

Average Grant

Date Fair

Value Per

Share

 

MSUs

   

Weighted-

Average Grant

Date Fair

Value Per

Share

  Total    

Weighted-

Average Grant

Date Fair

Value Per

Share

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

    499     $ 40.75       1,933       $ 38.99       1,800     $ 23.57       4,232     $ 32.64  

Granted

    61     $ 58.98       1,013   (1 ) $ 39.50       -     $ -       1,074     $ 40.61  

Performance adjustment

    -     $ -       (97 (2 ) $ 42.77       -     $ -       (97 )   $ 42.77  

Released

    (71 )   $ 35.11       (421 )     $ 29.92       -     $ -       (492 )   $ 30.66  

Forfeited

    (14 )   $ 43.08       (125 )     $ 36.84       (180 )   $ 23.57       (319 )   $ 29.63  

Outstanding at March 31, 2016

    475     $ 43.87       2,303       $ 40.83       1,620     $ 23.57       4,398     $ 34.80  


(1)

Amount reflects the maximum number of PSUs and MPSUs that can be earned assuming the achievement of the highest level of performance conditions.

(2)

Amount reflects the number of PSUs and MPSUs that have not been earned or may not be earned based on management’s probability assessment at each reporting period.

 

The intrinsic value related to awards released for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $29.1 million and $25.6 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, the total intrinsic value of all outstanding awards was $279.8 million, based on the closing stock price of $63.64. As of March 31, 2016, unamortized compensation expense related to all outstanding awards was approximately $109.0 million with a weighted-average remaining recognition period of approximately 4.5 years. 

 

2016 Time-Based RSUs:

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Board of Directors granted 61,000 shares with service conditions to non-executive employees. The RSUs vest over four years, subject to continued employment with the Company.

 

 
8

 

  

2016 PSUs:

 

In February 2016, the Board of Directors granted 285,000 shares to the executive officers, which represent a target number of RSUs to be awarded based on the Company’s average two-year (2016 and 2017) revenue growth rate compared against the analog industry’s average two-year revenue growth rate as determined by the Semiconductor Industry Association (“2016 Executive PSUs”). The maximum number of 2016 Executive PSUs that an executive officer can earn is 300% of the target shares. 50% of the 2016 Executive PSUs will vest in the first quarter of 2018 if the pre-determined performance goals are met during the performance period and approved by the Compensation Committee. The remaining shares will vest over the following two years on a quarterly basis. Vesting is subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company. In March 2016, the Company cancelled 32,000 shares granted in February 2016 as a result of the departure of its Chief Financial Officer. Assuming the achievement of the highest level of performance goals, the total stock-based compensation cost for the 2016 Executive PSUs is approximately $30.0 million.

 

In February 2016, the Board of Directors granted 64,000 shares to certain non-executive employees, which represent a target number of RSUs to be awarded based on the Company’s 2017 revenue goals for certain regions or product line divisions, or the Company’s average two-year (2016 and 2017) revenue growth rate compared against the analog industry’s average two-year revenue growth rate as determined by the Semiconductor Industry Association (“2016 Non-Executive PSUs”). The maximum number of 2016 Non-Executive PSUs that an employee can earn is either 200% or 300% of the target shares, depending on the job classification of the employee. 50% of the 2016 Non-Executive PSUs will vest in the first quarter of 2018 if the pre-determined performance goals are met during the performance period and approved by the Compensation Committee. The remaining shares will vest over the following two years on an annual or quarterly basis. Vesting is subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company. Assuming the achievement of the highest level of performance goals, the total stock-based compensation cost for the 2016 Non-Executive PSUs is approximately $6.2 million.

 

The 2016 Executive PSUs and the 2016 Non-Executive PSUs contain a purchase price feature, which requires the employees to pay the Company $20 per share upon vesting of the shares. Shares that do not vest will not be subject to the purchase price payment. The Company determined the grant date fair value of the 2016 Executive PSUs and the 2016 Non-Executive PSUs using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions: stock price of $58.98, expected term of 2.6 years, expected volatility of 31.1% and risk-free interest rate of 0.9%. 

 

2015 MPSUs:

 

On December 31, 2015, the Board of Directors granted 127,000 shares to the executive officers and certain key employees, which represent a target number of RSUs to be awarded upon achievement of both market conditions and performance conditions (“2015 MPSUs”). The maximum number of 2015 MPSUs that an employee can earn is 500% of the target shares. The 2015 MPSUs consist of four separate tranches with various performance periods ending on December 31, 2019. The first tranche contains market conditions only, which require the achievement of five MPS stock price targets ranging from $71.36 to $95.57 over a four-year period. The second, third and fourth tranches contain both market conditions and performance conditions. Each tranche requires the achievement of five MPS stock price targets to be measured against a base price equal to the greater of: (1) the average closing stock price during the 20 consecutive trading days immediately before the start of the measurement period for that tranche, or (2) the closing stock price immediately before the start of the measurement period for that tranche. In addition, each of the second, third and fourth tranches requires the achievement of one of following six operating metrics:

 

 

1.

Successful implementation of full digital solutions vs. current analog topology for certain products.

 

2.

Successful implementation and adoption by a key player of an integrated, software-based, field-oriented-control with 3D hall sensor to motor driver.

 

3.

Successful implementation of certain advanced power analog processes.

 

4.

Successful design wins and achievement of a specific level of revenue with a global networking customer.

 

5.

Achievement of a specific level of revenue with a global electronics manufacturer.

 

6.

Achievement of a specific level of market share with certain core power products.

 

Subject to the employees’ continued employment with the Company, the 2015 MPSUs will fully vest on January 1, 2020 if the pre-determined individual market and performance goals in each tranche are met during the performance periods and approved by the Compensation Committee. In addition, the 2015 MPSUs contain post-vesting restrictions on sales of the vested shares by employees for up to two years.

 

 
9

 

  

The Company determined the grant date fair value of the 2015 MPSUs using a Monte Carlo simulation model with the following weighted-average assumptions: stock price of $61.35, expected volatility of 33.2%, risk-free interest rate of 1.3%, and an illiquidity discount of 7.8% to account for the post-vesting sales restrictions. In March 2016, the Company cancelled 13,000 shares of the 2015 MPSUs as a result of the departure of its Chief Financial Officer. Assuming the achievement of all of the required performance goals, the total stock-based compensation cost for the 2015 MPSUs is approximately $24.6 million as of March 31, 2016 to be recognized for each tranche as follows: $8.3 million for the first tranche, $4.5 million for the second tranche, $5.2 million for the third tranche, and $6.6 million for the fourth tranche.

 

For the first tranche, stock-based compensation expense is being recognized over four years even if the market conditions are not satisfied. For the second, third and fourth tranches, stock-based compensation expense for each tranche will be recognized over one to four years depending upon the number of the operating metrics management deems probable of achievement in each reporting period. As of March 31, 2016, based on management’s assessment, two of the six operating metrics were considered probable of being achieved during the performance period. Accordingly, the Company began recognizing stock-based compensation expense for the second and third tranches in the first quarter of 2016.

 

Stock Options

 

As of March 31, 2016, outstanding and vested options totaled 64,000 shares, with a weighted-average exercise price of $17.30, a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 1.4 years, and an aggregate intrinsic value of $3.0 million.

 

Total intrinsic value of options exercised was $1.1 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $0.5 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, there was no unamortized compensation expense.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)

  

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, 29,000 and 30,000 shares, respectively, were issued under the ESPP. As of March 31, 2016, 4.7 million shares were available for future issuance.

 

The intrinsic value of shares issued was $0.4 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. As of March 31, 2016, the unamortized expense was $0.2 million, which will be recognized through the third quarter of 2016. The Black-Scholes model was used to value the employee stock purchase rights with the following weighted-average assumptions: 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Expected term (years)

    0.5       0.5  

Expected volatility

    29.7 %     35.7 %

Risk-free interest rate

    0.4 %     0.1 %

Dividend yield

    1.4 %     1.2 %

 

Cash proceeds from the shares issued under the ESPP were $1.3 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

  

3. BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS

 

Inventories 

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):   

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Raw materials

  $ 12,147     $ 14,907  

Work in process

    20,373       21,177  

Finished goods

    29,798       27,125  

Total

  $ 62,318     $ 63,209  

  

 
10

 

 

Other Long-Term Assets

 

Other long-term assets consist of the following (in thousands): 

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Deferred compensation plan assets

  $ 15,317     $ 13,985  

Prepaid expense

    1,395       1,257  

Other

    1,182       1,099  

Total

  $ 17,894     $ 16,341  

 

Accrued Liabilities

 

Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):  

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Dividends and dividend equivalents

  $ 9,053     $ 8,675  

Deferred revenue and customer prepayments

    4,806       5,236  

Stock rotation reserve

    3,011       2,372  

Commissions

    865       763  

Warranty

    336       289  

Income tax payable

    280       465  

Sales rebate

    188       268  

Other

    1,501       1,916  

Total

  $ 20,040     $ 19,984  

  

A roll-forward of the warranty reserve is as follows (in thousands):  

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 289     $ 240  

Warranty provision for product sales

    85       74  

Unused warranty provision

    (38 )     (18 )

Balance at end of period

  $ 336     $ 296  

 

Other Long-Term Liabilities

 

Other long-term liabilities consist of the following (in thousands): 

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Deferred compensation plan liabilities

  $ 14,383     $ 14,147  

Dividend equivalents

    2,167       2,019  

Other

    139       379  

Total

  $ 16,689     $ 16,545  

  

 
11

 

 

4. GOODWILL AND ACQUISITION-RELATED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

 

There have been no changes in the balance of goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

Acquisition-related intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands): 

 

   

March 31, 2016

 
   

Gross Amount

   

Accumulated

Amortization

   

Net Amount

 

Subject to amortization:

                       

Know-how

  $ 1,018     $ (348 )   $ 670  

Developed technologies

    6,466       (2,596 )     3,870  

Total

  $ 7,484     $ (2,944 )   $ 4,540  

 

 

   

December 31, 2015

 
   

Gross Amount

   

Accumulated

Amortization

   

Net Amount

 

Subject to amortization:

                       

Know-how

  $ 1,018     $ (297 )   $ 721  

Developed technologies

    6,466       (2,134 )     4,332  

Total

  $ 7,484     $ (2,431 )   $ 5,053  

 

Amortization expense is recorded in cost of revenue in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and totaled $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2016, the estimated future amortization expense was as follows (in thousands): 

 

2016 (remaining nine months)

  $ 1,538  

2017

    2,051  

2018

    841  

2019

    110  

Total

  $ 4,540  

 

5. NET INCOME PER SHARE

  

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if outstanding securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, and calculated using the treasury stock method. Contingently issuable shares, including equity awards with performance conditions or market conditions, are considered outstanding common shares and included in the basic net income per share as of the date that all necessary conditions to earn the awards have been satisfied. Prior to the end of the contingency period, the number of contingently issuable shares included in the diluted net income per share is based on the number of shares, if any, that would be issuable under the terms of the arrangement at the end of the reporting period.

 

The Company’s outstanding RSUs contain forfeitable rights to receive dividend equivalents, which are accumulated quarterly during the vesting periods of the restricted stock units and are payable to the employees when the awards vest. Dividend equivalents accumulated on the RSUs are forfeited if the employees do not fulfill their service requirement during the vesting periods. Accordingly, these awards are not treated as participating securities in the net income per share calculation. 

 

 
12

 

  

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per-share amounts): 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Numerator:

               

Net income

  $ 10,575     $ 5,963  
                 

Denominator:

               

Weighted-average outstanding shares used to compute basic net income per share

    40,028       39,105  

Effect of dilutive securities

    1,618       1,491  

Weighted-average outstanding shares used to compute diluted net income per share

    41,646       40,596  
                 

Net income per share:

               

Basic

  $ 0.26     $ 0.15  

Diluted

  $ 0.25     $ 0.15  

 

Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents were not material in any of the periods presented.

 

6. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

The Company operates in one reportable segment that includes the design, development, marketing and sale of high-performance power solutions for the communications, storage and computing, consumer and industrial markets. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its chief executive officer, who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company derives a majority of its revenue from sales to customers located outside North America, with geographic revenue based on the customers’ ship-to locations.

 

The Company sells its products primarily through third-party distributors, value-added resellers and directly to original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and electronic manufacturing service providers. The following table summarizes those customers with sales greater than 10% of the Company's total revenue:  

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Customer

 

2016

   

2015

 

Distributor A

    20 %     25 %

 

The following table summarizes those customers with accounts receivable balances greater than 10% of the Company’s total accounts receivable: 

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 

Customer

 

2016

   

2015

 

Distributor A

    20 %     28 %

Distributor B

    13 %     17 %

 

Both of the customers are third-party distributors. The Company’s agreements with these distributors were made in the ordinary course of business and may be terminated with or without cause by these distributors with advance notice. Although the Company may experience a short-term disruption in the distribution of its products and a short-term decline in revenue if its agreement with either of these distributors was terminated, the Company believes that such termination would not have a material adverse effect on its financial statements because it would be able to engage alternative distributors, resellers and other distribution channels to deliver its products to end customers within a few quarters following the termination of the agreement with the distributor.

 

 
13

 

  

The following is a summary of revenue by geographic regions (in thousands):  

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Country or Region

 

2016

   

2015

 

China

  $ 52,388     $ 45,802  

Taiwan

    8,855       11,029  

Korea

    7,093       4,245  

Europe

    6,985       5,115  

Southeast Asia

    4,338       3,739  

Japan

    2,650       1,885  

United States

    2,146       1,693  

Other

    57       30  

Total

  $ 84,512     $ 73,538  

 

The following is a summary of revenue by product family (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Product Family

 

2016

   

2015

 

DC to DC products

  $ 77,118     $ 66,297  

Lighting control products

    7,394       7,241  

Total

  $ 84,512     $ 73,538  

 

The following is a summary of long-lived assets by geographic regions (in thousands): 

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 

Country

 

2016

   

2015

 

China

  $ 42,187     $ 40,738  

United States

    41,459       40,405  

Bermuda

    11,111       11,624  

Other

    775       557  

Total

  $ 95,532     $ 93,324  

 

7. LITIGATION

 

The Company is a party to actions and proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation regarding its shareholders and its intellectual property, challenges to the enforceability or validity of its intellectual property, claims that the Company’s products infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, and employment matters. These proceedings often involve complex questions of fact and law and may require the expenditure of significant funds and the diversion of other resources to prosecute and defend. The Company defends itself vigorously against any such claims.

 

As of March 31, 2016, there were no material pending legal proceedings to which we were a party.

 

 
14

 

  

8. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments (in thousands):  

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Cash, cash equivalents and investments:

               

Cash

  $ 50,924     $ 58,217  

Money market funds

    26,884       31,640  

Certificates of deposit

    18,607       21,574  

U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds

    155,086       123,532  

Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes

    5,353       5,361  

Total

  $ 256,854     $ 240,324  

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Reported as:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 77,808     $ 90,860  

Short-term investments

    173,693       144,103  

Long-term investments

    5,353       5,361  

Total

  $ 256,854     $ 240,324  

  

The contractual maturities of the Company’s short-term and long-term available-for-sale investments are as follows (in thousands):  

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Due in less than 1 year

  $ 140,914     $ 110,898  

Due in 1 - 5 years

    32,779       33,205  

Due in greater than 5 years

    5,353       5,361  

Total

  $ 179,046     $ 149,464  

 

The following tables summarize the unrealized gain and loss positions related to the Company’s investments in marketable securities designated as available-for sale (in thousands):  

 

   

March 31, 2016

 
   

Adjusted Cost

   

Unrealized Gains

   

Unrealized Losses

   

Total Fair Value

   

Fair Value of

Investments in

Unrealized

Loss Position

 

Money market funds

  $ 26,884     $ -     $ -     $ 26,884     $ -  

Certificates of deposit

    18,607       -       -       18,607       -  

U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds

    155,034       66       (14 )     155,086       45,602  

Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes

    5,570       -       (217 )     5,353       5,353  

Total

  $ 206,095     $ 66     $ (231 )   $ 205,930     $ 50,955  

 

   

December 31, 2015

 
   

Adjusted Cost

   

Unrealized Gains

   

Unrealized Losses

   

Total Fair Value

   

Fair Value of

Investments in

Unrealized

Loss Position

 

Money market funds

  $ 31,640     $ -     $ -     $ 31,640     $ -  

Certificates of deposit

    21,574       -       -       21,574       -  

U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds

    123,698       4       (170 )     123,532       110,720  

Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes

    5,570       -       (209 )     5,361       5,361  

Total

  $ 182,482     $ 4     $ (379 )   $ 182,107     $ 116,081  

 

 
15

 

 

9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS  

 

The following table details the fair value measurement of the financial assets (in thousands): 

 

   

Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2016

 
           

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

   

Significant Other Observable Inputs

   

Significant Unobservable

Inputs

 
   

Total

   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

 

Money market funds

  $ 26,884     $ 26,884     $ -     $ -  

Certificates of deposit

    18,607       -       18,607       -  

U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds

    155,086       -       155,086       -  

Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes

    5,353       -       -       5,353  

Mutual funds under deferred compensation plan

    9,505       9,505       -       -  

Total

  $ 215,435     $ 36,389     $ 173,693     $ 5,353  

 

   

Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2015

 
           

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

   

Significant Other Observable Inputs

   

Significant Unobservable

Inputs

 
   

Total

   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

 

Money market funds

  $ 31,640     $ 31,640     $ -     $ -  

Certificates of deposit

    21,574       -       21,574       -  

U.S. treasuries and government agency bonds

    123,532       -       123,532       -  

Auction-rate securities backed by student-loan notes

    5,361       -       -       5,361  

Mutual funds under deferred compensation plan

    8,279       8,279       -       -  

Total

  $ 190,386     $ 39,919     $ 145,106     $ 5,361  

 

The Company’s level 3 assets consist of government-backed student loan auction-rate securities, with interest rates that reset through a Dutch auction every 7 to 35 days and which became illiquid in 2008. The following table provides a rollforward of the fair value of the auction-rate securities (in thousands):  

 

Balance at January 1, 2016

  $ 5,361  

Change in unrealized loss included in other comprehensive income

    (8 )

Balance at March 31, 2016

  $ 5,353  

 

The Company determined the fair value of the auction-rate securities using a discounted cash flow model with the following assumptions: 

 

   

March 31,

2016

 

December 31,

2015

Time-to-liquidity (months)

    24       24  

Expected return

    2.5%       2.9%  

Discount rate

   4.0% - 7.0%    4.3% - 7.3%

  

 
16

 

 

10. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

 

The Company has a non-qualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan, which provides certain key employees, including executive management, with the ability to defer the receipt of compensation in order to accumulate funds for retirement on a tax deferred basis. The Company does not make contributions to the plan or guarantee returns on the investments. The Company is responsible for the plan’s administrative expenses. Participants’ deferrals and investment gains and losses remain as the Company’s liabilities and the underlying assets are subject to claims of general creditors. The following table summarizes the deferred compensation plan amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands): 

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Deferred compensation plan assets reported in:

               

Other long-term assets

  $ 15,317     $ 13,985  

Deferred compensation plan liabilities reported in:

               

Accrued compensation and related benefits

  $ 952     $ -  

Other long-term liabilities

    14,383       14,147  

Total

  $ 15,335     $ 14,147  

 

11. INCOME TAXES

 

The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $0.3 million, or 3.2% of pre-tax income. The effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily because foreign income was taxed at lower rates, and because of the benefit that the Company realized from the release of RSUs. In addition, the effective tax rate was impacted by changes in the valuation allowance.

 

The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.5 million, or 8.2% of pre-tax income. The effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily because foreign income was taxed at lower rates, and because of the benefit that the Company realized from stock option exercises, the release of RSUs and changes in the valuation allowance.

 

On July 27, 2015, in Altera Corp. v. Commissioner, the U.S. Tax Court issued an opinion related to the treatment of stock-based compensation expense in an intercompany cost-sharing arrangement. A final decision was issued in December 2015, and the IRS appealed the decision in February 2016. At this time, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has not withdrawn the requirement from its regulations to include stock-based compensation. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the status of the current regulations, questions related to the scope of potential benefits, and the risk of the Tax Court’s decision being overturned upon appeal, the Company has not recorded any adjustments as of March 31, 2016. The Company will continue to monitor developments related to this opinion and the potential impact on its financial statements.

 

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

 

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $12.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits, $2.8 million of which would affect its effective tax rate if recognized after considering the valuation allowance. At December 31, 2015, the Company had $12.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits, $2.7 million of which would affect its effective tax rate if recognized after considering the valuation allowance.

 

Uncertain tax positions relate to the allocation of income and deductions among the Company’s global entities and to the determination of the research and development tax credit. It is reasonably possible that over the next twelve-month period, the Company may experience increases or decreases in its unrecognized tax benefits. However, it is not possible to determine either the magnitude or the range of increases or decreases at this time.

 

The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in its income tax provision. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions, respectively, which were recorded in long-term income tax liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

 

 
17

 

   

12. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands): 

 

   

Unrealized Losses

on Auction-Rate

Securities

   

Unrealized Gains

(Losses) on Other

Available-for-Sale

Securities

   

Foreign Currency

Translation

Adjustments

   

Total

 

Balance as of January 1, 2016

  $ (209 )   $ (166 )   $ 1,841     $ 1,466  

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

    (8 )     220       498       710  

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

    -       (2 )     -       (2 )

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

    (8 )     218       498       708  

Balance as of March 31, 2016

  $ (217 )   $ 52     $ 2,339     $ 2,174  

 

The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income were recorded in interest and other income, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

13. STOCK REPURCHASE

 

In July 2013, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized the Company to repurchase up to $100 million in the aggregate of its common stock through June 30, 2015. In April 2015, the Board of Directors approved an extension of the program through December 31, 2015. The stock repurchase program expired as of December 31, 2015 with a remaining balance of $5.9 million. Shares were retired upon repurchase under the program.

 

In February 2016, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program that authorized the Company to repurchase up to $50 million in the aggregate of its common stock through December 31, 2016. Shares are retired upon repurchase under the program.

 

The Company did not repurchase any shares for the three months ended March 31, 2016. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 0.2 million shares for a total of $10.4 million at an average price of $51.33.

 

14. DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

 

Cash Dividend Program

 

In June 2014, the Board of Directors approved a dividend program pursuant to which the Company intends to pay quarterly cash dividends on its common stock. Stockholders of record as of the last day of the quarter are entitled to receive the quarterly cash dividends when and if declared by the Board of Directors, which are generally payable on the 15th of the following month. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share for a total of $8.0 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share for a total of $7.9 million. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, accrued dividends totaled $8.0 million and $7.9 million, respectively.

 

The declaration of any future cash dividends is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business conditions, statutory requirements of Delaware law, compliance with the terms of future indebtedness and credit facilities and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant, as well as a determination that cash dividends are in the best interests of the stockholders. The Company anticipates that the cash used for future dividends will come from its current domestic cash and cash generated from ongoing U.S. operations. If cash held by the Company’s international subsidiaries is needed for the payment of dividends, the Company may be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes to repatriate the funds.

 

Cash Dividend Equivalent Rights

 

Under the Company’s stock plans, outstanding RSUs contain rights to receive cash dividend equivalents, which entitle employees who hold RSUs to the same dividend value per share as holders of common stock. The dividend equivalents are accumulated during the vesting periods of the RSUs and are payable to the employees when the awards vest. Dividend equivalents accumulated on the RSUs are forfeited if the employees do not fulfill their service requirement during the vesting periods. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, accrued dividend equivalents totaled $3.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively, which will be payable to the employees when the RSUs vest. 

 

 
18

 

 

 

 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that have been made pursuant to and in reliance on the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include among other things, statements concerning:

 

 

the above-average industry growth of product and market areas that we have targeted,

 

 

 

 

our plan to increase our revenue through the introduction of new products within our existing product families as well as in new product categories and families,

 

 

 

  

our belief that we may incur significant legal expenses that vary with the level of activity in each of our legal proceedings,

 

 

 

  

the effect that liquidity of our investments has on our capital resources,

 

 

 

  

the continuing application of our products in the communications, storage and computing, consumer and industrial markets, which account for a majority of our revenue,

 

 

 

  

estimates of our future liquidity requirements,

 

 

 

  

the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry,

 

 

 

  

protection of our proprietary technology,

 

 

 

  

near-term business outlook for the remainder of 2016 and beyond,

 

 

 

  

the factors that we believe will impact our ability to achieve revenue growth,

 

 

 

  

the percentage of our total revenue from various market segments,

 

 

 

  

our ability to identify, acquire and integrate acquisitions and achieve the anticipated benefits from such acquisitions,

 

 

 

  

our intention and ability to continue our stock repurchase program and pay future cash dividends, and

 

 

 

  

the factors that differentiate us from our competitors.

 

In some cases, words such as “would,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “predict,” “potential,” “targets,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “will,” the negative of these terms or other variations of such terms and similar expressions relating to the future identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on our current outlook, expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs and plans or objectives about our business and our industry. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include those set forth throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, in particular, in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” Except as required by law, we disclaim any duty to and undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information relating to existing conditions, future events or otherwise or to release publicly the results of any future revisions we may make to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers should carefully review future reports and documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any Current Reports on Form 8-K. 

 

 
19

 

 

The following management’s discussion and analysis should be read in connection with the information presented in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes for the three months ended March 31, 2016 included in this report and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Overview

 

We are a leading company in high performance power solutions. Founded in 1997, we design and provide small, highly energy efficient, easy-to-use power solutions for systems found in industrial applications, telecommunication infrastructure, cloud computing, automotive, and consumer applications. Our mission is to reduce total energy consumption in our customers' systems with green, practical, compact solutions. We believe that we differentiate ourselves by offering solutions that are more highly integrated, smaller in size, more energy efficient, more accurate with respect to performance specifications and, consequently, more cost-effective than many competing solutions. We plan to continue to introduce new products within our existing product families, as well as in new innovative product categories.

 

We operate in the cyclical semiconductor industry where there is seasonal demand for certain products. We are not and will not be immune from current and future industry downturns, but we have targeted product and market areas that we believe have the ability to offer above average industry performance.

 

We work with third parties to manufacture and assemble our integrated circuits (“ICs”). This has enabled us to limit our capital expenditures and fixed costs, while focusing our engineering and design resources on our core strengths.

 

Following the introduction of a product, our sales cycle generally takes a number of quarters after we receive an initial customer order for a new product to ramp up. Typical lead time for orders is fewer than 90 days. These factors, combined with the fact that orders in the semiconductor industry can typically be cancelled or rescheduled without significant penalty to the customer, make the forecasting of our orders and revenue difficult.

  

We derive most of our revenue from sales through distribution arrangements and direct sales to customers in Asia, where the products we produce are incorporated into end-user products. Our revenue from direct or indirect sales to customers in Asia was 89% and 91% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We derive a majority of our revenue from the sales of our DC to DC converter product family which serves the communications, storage and computing, consumer and industrial markets. We believe our ability to achieve revenue growth will depend, in part, on our ability to develop new products, enter new market segments, gain market share, manage litigation risk, diversify our customer base and successfully secure manufacturing capacity.

  

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements during the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to those disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

 
20

 

  

Results of Operations

 

The table below sets forth the data in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a percentage of revenue:   

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 
   

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Revenue

  $ 84,512       100.0

%

  $ 73,538       100.0

%

Cost of revenue

    39,002       46.1       33,855       46.0  

Gross profit

    45,510       53.9       39,683       54.0  

Operating expenses:

                               

Research and development

    17,321       20.5       16,038       21.8  

Selling, general and administrative

    17,768       21.0       17,518       23.8  

Litigation expense

    45       0.1       270       0.4  

Total operating expenses

    35,134       41.6       33,826       46.0  

Income from operations

    10,376       12.3       5,857       8.0  

Interest and other income, net

    543       0.6       642       0.8  

Income before income taxes

    10,919       12.9       6,499       8.8  

Income tax provision

    344       0.4       536       0.7  

Net income

  $ 10,575       12.5

%

  $ 5,963       8.1

%

 

Revenue

 

The following table shows our revenue by product family: 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

         

Product Family

 

2016

   

% of

Revenue

   

2015

   

% of

Revenue

   

Change

 
   

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

DC to DC products

  $ 77,118       91.3 %   $ 66,297       90.2 %     16.3 %

Lighting control products

    7,394       8.7 %     7,241       9.8 %     2.1 %

Total

  $ 84,512       100.0 %   $ 73,538       100.0 %     14.9 %

 

Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $84.5 million, an increase of $11.0 million, or 14.9%, from $73.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. This increase was due to higher sales of both DC to DC and lighting control products, as unit shipments increased 22% due to higher market demand with current customers and design wins with new customers, which was partially offset by a 6% decrease in average sales prices. Revenue from our DC to DC products was $77.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $10.8 million, or 16.3%, from the same period in 2015. This increase was primarily due to higher sales of our DC to DC converters and battery chargers, which were offset in part by lower sales of our Mini-Monsters products. Revenue from our lighting control products was $7.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $0.2 million, or 2.1%, compared with the same period in 2015. 

 

Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin

 

Cost of revenue primarily consists of costs incurred to manufacture, assemble and test our products, as well as warranty costs, inventory-related and other overhead costs, and stock-based compensation expenses. In addition, cost of revenue includes amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

         
   

2016

   

2015

   

Change

 
   

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Cost of revenue

  $ 39,002     $ 33,855       15.2 %

Cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue

    46.1 %     46.0 %        

Gross profit

  $ 45,510     $ 39,683       14.7 %

Gross margin

    53.9 %     54.0 %        

  

 
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Cost of revenue was $39.0 million, or 46.1% of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and $33.9 million, or 46.0% of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The $5.1 million increase in cost of revenue was primarily due to a 22% increase in unit shipments, partially offset by a 5% decrease in the average direct cost of units shipped.

 

Gross margin was 53.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with 54.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to increased sales of lower margin products and a larger write-down on inventory, partially offset by lower labor and overhead costs as a percentage of revenue.

 

When we record a write-down on inventory, it establishes a new, lower cost basis for that inventory, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances will not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses primarily consist of salary and benefit expenses, bonuses and stock-based compensation expenses for design and product engineers, expenses related to new product development and supplies, and facility costs.  

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

         
   

2016

   

2015

   

Change

 
   

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

R&D expenses

  $ 17,321     $ 16,038       8.0 %

As a percentage of revenue

    20.5 %     21.8 %        

 

R&D expenses were $17.3 million, or 20.5% of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and $16.0 million, or 21.8% of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The $1.3 million increase in R&D expenses was primarily due to an increase of $1.1 million in stock-based compensation expenses mainly associated with the performance and market-based equity awards, and an increase of $1.1 million in cash compensation expenses, which include salary, benefits and bonuses. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $0.7 million related to certain new product development expenses. Our R&D headcount was 512 employees as of March 31, 2016, compared with 482 employees as of March 31, 2015. 

 

Selling, General and Administrative

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses primarily include salary and benefit expenses, bonuses and stock-based compensation expenses for sales, marketing and administrative personnel, sales commissions, travel expenses, facilities costs, and professional service fees.  

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

         
   

2016

   

2015

   

Change

 
   

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

SG&A expenses

  $ 17,768     $ 17,518       1.4 %

As a percentage of revenue

    21.0 %     23.8 %        

 

SG&A expenses were $17.8 million, or 21.0% of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and $17.5 million, or 23.8% of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The $0.3 million increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to an increase of $1.4 million in stock-based compensation expenses mainly associated with the performance and market-based equity awards, an increase of $1.0 million in cash compensation expenses, which include salary, benefits and bonuses, an increase of $0.4 million in commission expenses due to higher revenue, and an increase of $0.1 million in advertising expenses. These increases were partially offset by a $2.9 million credit we recorded for the reversal of certain previously accrued stock-based compensation expenses (see below). Our SG&A headcount was 319 employees as of March 31, 2016, compared with 276 employees as of March 31, 2015.

 

In the first quarter of 2016, Ms. Meera Rao retired from the position of Chief Financial Officer. As the service or performance conditions for certain of Ms. Rao’s unvested restricted stock units had not been satisfied at the time of her departure, we reversed previously accrued stock-based compensation expenses of approximately $2.9 million associated with the unvested shares and recorded the credit in SG&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

 
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Litigation Expense

 

Litigation expense was $45,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The lower expense was due to decreased litigation activity.

 

Interest and Other Income, Net

 

Interest and other income, net, was $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to foreign currency exchange losses incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to foreign currency exchange gains recorded in the same period in 2015, partially offset by higher income related to the changes in the value of the employee deferred compensation plan assets. 

 

Income Tax Provision

 

The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $0.3 million, or 3.2% of pre-tax income. The effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily because foreign income was taxed at lower rates, and because of the benefit that we realized from the release of RSUs. In addition, the effective tax rate was impacted by changes in the valuation allowance.

 

The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.5 million, or 8.2% of pre-tax income. The effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily because foreign income was taxed at lower rates, and because of the benefit that we realized from stock option exercises, the release of RSUs and changes in the valuation allowance.

 

On July 27, 2015, in Altera Corp. v. Commissioner, the U.S. Tax Court issued an opinion related to the treatment of stock-based compensation expense in an intercompany cost-sharing arrangement. A final decision was issued in December 2015, and the IRS appealed the decision in February 2016. At this time, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has not withdrawn the requirement from its regulations to include stock-based compensation. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the status of the current regulations, questions related to the scope of potential benefits, and the risk of the Tax Court’s decision being overturned upon appeal, we have not recorded any adjustments as of March 31, 2016. We will continue to monitor developments related to this opinion and the potential impact on our financial statements.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

 

   

March 31,

2016

   

December 31,

2015

 
   

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 77,808     $ 90,860  

Short-term investments

    173,693       144,103  

Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

  $ 251,501     $ 234,963  

Percentage of total assets

    56.3 %     54.5 %
                 

Total current assets

  $ 345,564     $ 331,928  

Total current liabilities

    (45,323 )     (43,283 )

Working capital

  $ 300,241     $ 288,645  

 

As of March 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of $77.8 million and short-term investments of $173.7 million, compared with cash and cash equivalents of $90.9 million and short-term investments of $144.1 million as of December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, $44.0 million of cash and cash equivalents and $72.9 million of short-term investments were held by our international subsidiaries. If these funds are needed for our operations in the U.S., we may be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes to repatriate these funds. However, our intent is to indefinitely reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to fund the U.S. operations.

 

 
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The significant components of our working capital are cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets, reduced by accounts payable, accrued compensation and related benefits, and other accrued liabilities. As of March 31, 2016, we had working capital of $300.2 million, compared with working capital of $288.6 million as of December 31, 2015. The $11.6 million increase in working capital was due to a $13.6 million increase in current assets, partially offset by a $2.0 million increase in current liabilities. The increase in current assets was primarily due to an increase in short-term investments, partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The increase in current liabilities was primarily due to an increase in accounts payable.

 

Summary of Cash Flows 

 

The following table summarizes our cash flow activities: 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 
   

(in thousands)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 28,870     $ 15,681  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (35,826 )     (32,107 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (6,225 )     (13,851 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    129       (23 )

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

  $ (13,052 )   $ (30,300 )

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, net cash provided by operating activities was $28.9 million, primarily due to our net income adjusted for certain non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation, and a net increase of $6.1 million from the changes in our operating assets and liabilities. The increase in accounts payable was primarily driven by increased inventory and capital asset purchases to meet future growth. The decrease in accounts receivable was primarily driven by lower shipments during the quarter. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, net cash provided by operating activities was $15.7 million, primarily due to our net income adjusted for certain non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation, and a net decrease of $3.0 million from the changes in our operating assets and liabilities. The increase in inventories was primarily due to an increase in strategic wafer and die bank inventories as well as an increase in finished goods necessary to meet future growth. The increase in accounts payable was primarily driven by increased inventory and capital asset purchases to meet future growth. 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, net cash used in investing activities was $35.8 million, primarily due to net purchases of investments of $29.5 million, purchases of property and equipment of $5.3 million, and net contributions to the employee deferred compensation plan of $1.0 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, net cash used in investing activities was $32.1 million, primarily due to net purchases of investments of $27.4 million and purchases of property and equipment of $4.7 million.

 

During the first quarter of 2016, we completed the purchase of a previously leased manufacturing facility in Chengdu, China for approximately $1.6 million. In addition, in 2015, our Board of Directors approved a plan to spend up to $17 million to purchase additional office space in China in 2016 and beyond to accommodate future growth. No related purchases or commitments were made in the first quarter of 2016.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, net cash used in financing activities was $6.2 million, primarily reflecting $8.0 million used to pay dividends to our stockholders and dividend equivalents to our employees who hold RSUs, partially offset by $1.7 million of cash proceeds from stock option exercises and issuance of shares through our employee stock purchase plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, net cash used in financing activities was $13.9 million, primarily reflecting $10.4 million used in repurchases of our common stock pursuant to our stock repurchase program and $5.9 million used to pay dividends to our stockholders and dividend equivalents to our employees who hold RSUs, partially offset by $2.4 million of cash proceeds from stock option exercises and issuance of shares through our employee stock purchase plan.

 

In July 2013, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized us to repurchase up to $100 million in the aggregate of our common stock. The program expired on December 31, 2015. In February 2016, our Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program that authorized us to repurchase up to $50 million in the aggregate of our common stock through December 31, 2016. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we did not repurchase any shares. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we repurchased a total of 0.2 million shares for $10.4 million, at an average price of $51.33 per share.

 

 
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In June 2014, our Board of Directors approved a dividend program pursuant to which we intend to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock, beginning in July 2014. In addition, outstanding RSU awards contain rights to receive dividend equivalents, which entitle employees who hold RSUs to the same dividend value per share as holders of common stock. The dividend equivalents are accumulated quarterly during the vesting periods of the RSUs and are payable to the employees when the awards vest. Dividend equivalents accumulated on the RSUs are forfeited if the employees do not fulfill their service requirement during the vesting periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we paid dividends and dividend equivalents totaling $8.0 million.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we paid dividends and dividend equivalents totaling $5.9 million.

 

Although cash requirements will fluctuate based on the timing and extent of many factors such as those discussed above, we believe that cash generated from operations, together with the liquidity provided by existing cash balances and short-term investments, will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements for the next 12 months. We anticipate the cash used for future dividends, dividend equivalents and the stock repurchase program will come from our current domestic cash and cash generated from ongoing U.S. operations. If cash held by our international subsidiaries is needed for these payments, we may be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes to repatriate these funds.

 

In the future, in order to strengthen our financial position, respond to unforeseen circumstances, or fund our growth in future financial periods, we may need to raise additional funds by any one or a combination of the following: issuing equity securities, issuing debt or convertible debt securities, incurring indebtedness secured by our assets, or selling certain product lines and/or portions of our business. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to raise additional funds on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

 

From time to time, we have engaged in discussions with third parties concerning potential acquisitions of product lines, technologies, businesses and companies, and we continue to consider potential acquisition candidates. Any such transactions could involve the issuance of a significant number of new equity securities, assumptions of debt, and/or payment of cash consideration. We may also be required to raise additional funds to complete any such acquisitions, through either the issuance of equity and debt securities or incurring indebtedness secured by our assets. If we raise additional funds or acquire businesses or technologies through the issuance of equity securities or convertible debt securities, our existing stockholders may experience significant dilution. 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

We lease our sales and research and development offices in China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States. Certain of our facility leases provide for periodic rent increases. During the first quarter of 2016, we completed the purchase of a previously leased manufacturing facility in Chengdu, China for approximately $1.6 million.

 

Our outstanding purchase commitments primarily consist of wafer purchases from our foundries, assembly services and license arrangements. As of March 31, 2016, the outstanding balance under our purchase commitments was $40.6 million, compared with $32.7 million as of December 31, 2015.

  

Our other contractual obligations have not changed significantly from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

For a discussion of market risks, refer to Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were no material changes or developments that would materially alter the market risk assessment performed as of December 31, 2015.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and interim chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 

 

 
25

 

  

Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and interim chief financial officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2016, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and interim chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

 Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

 

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.   

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are a party to actions and proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation regarding our shareholders and our intellectual property, challenges to the enforceability or validity of our intellectual property, claims that our products infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, and employment matters. These proceedings often involve complex questions of fact and law and may require the expenditure of significant funds and the diversion of other resources to prosecute and defend. We defend ourselves vigorously against any such claims.

 

As of March 31, 2016, there were no material pending legal proceedings to which we were a party.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Our business involves risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission in evaluating our business. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, operating results, and growth prospects would likely be materially and adversely affected. In such an event, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment in our common stock. Our past financial performance should not be considered to be a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods. These risks involve forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements.

 

The future trading price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors.

 

The future trading price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

 

  

our results of operations and financial performance;

 

 

 

  

general economic, industry and market conditions worldwide;

 

 

 

  

our ability to outperform the market, and outperform at a level that meets or exceeds our investors’ expectations;

 

 

 

  

whether our forward guidance meets the expectations of our investors;

 

 

 

  

the depth and liquidity of the market for our common stock;

  

 
26

 

 

  

developments generally affecting the semiconductor industry;

 

 

 

  

commencement of or developments relating to our involvement in litigation;

 

 

 

  

investor perceptions of us and our business strategies;

 

 

 

  

changes in securities analysts’ expectations or our failure to meet those expectations;

 

 

 

  

actions by institutional or other large stockholders;

 

 

 

  

terrorist acts or acts of war;

 

 

 

  

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations;

 

 

 

  

actual or anticipated manufacturing capacity limitations;

 

 

 

  

developments with respect to intellectual property rights;

 

 

 

  

introduction of new products by us or our competitors;

 

 

 

  

our sale of common stock or other securities in the future;

 

 

 

  

conditions and trends in technology industries;

 

 

 

  

our loss of key customers;

 

 

 

  

changes in market valuation or earnings of our competitors;

  

  

any mergers, acquisitions or divestitures of assets undertaken by us;

 

 

 

  

government debt default;

 

 

 

  

our ability to develop new products, enter new market segments, gain market share, manage litigation risk, diversify our customer base and successfully secure manufacturing capacity;

 

 

 

 

our ability to increase our gross margins;

 

 

 

  

market reactions to guidance from other semiconductor companies or third-party research groups;

 

 

 

  

market reactions to merger and acquisition activities in the semiconductor industry, and rumors or expectations of further consolidation in the industry;

 

 

 

  

investments in sales and marketing resources to enter new markets;

 

 

 

  

costs of increasing wafer capacity and qualifying additional third-party wafer fabrication facilities;

 

 

 

  

our ability to continue the stock repurchase program and pay quarterly cash dividends to stockholders; and

 

 

 

 

changes in the estimation of the future size and growth rate of our markets.

 

In addition, the stock market often experiences substantial volatility that is seemingly unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

 

 
27

 

  

We expect our operating results to fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year, which may make it difficult to predict our future performance and could cause our stock price to decline and be volatile.

 

Our revenue, expenses, and results of operations are difficult to predict, have varied significantly in the past and will continue to fluctuate significantly in the future due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. We expect fluctuations to continue for a number of reasons, including:

 

 

changes in general demand for electronic products as a result of worldwide macroeconomic conditions;

 

 

 

  

changes in business conditions at our distributors, value-added resellers and/or end-customers;

 

 

 

  

changes in general economic conditions in the countries where our products are sold or used;

 

 

 

  

the timing of developments and related expenses in our litigation matters;

 

 

 

  

the loss of key customers or our inability to attract new customers due to customer and prospective customer concerns about being litigation targets;

 

 

 

  

continued dependence on turns business (orders received and shipped within the same fiscal quarter);

 

 

 

  

continued dependence on the Asian markets for our customer base;

 

 

 

  

increases in assembly costs due to commodity price increases, such as the price of gold;

 

 

 

  

the timing of new product introductions by us and our competitors;

 

 

 

  

changes in our revenue mix between original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), original design manufacturers (“ODMs”), distributors and value-added resellers;

 

 

 

 

changes in product mix, product returns, and actual and potential product liability;

 

 

 

  

the acceptance of our new products in the marketplace;

 

 

 

  

our ability to develop new process technologies and achieve volume production;

 

 

 

  

our ability to meet customer product demand in a timely manner;

 

  

the scheduling, rescheduling, or cancellation of orders by our customers;

 

 

 

  

the cyclical nature of demand for our customers’ products;

 

 

 

  

fluctuations in our estimate for stock rotation reserves;

 

 

 

  

our ability to manage our inventory levels, including the levels of inventory held by our distributors;

 

 

 

  

product obsolescence;

 

 

 

  

seasonality and variability in the communications, storage and computing, consumer and industrial markets;

 

 

 

  

the availability of adequate manufacturing capacity from our outside suppliers;

 

 

 

  

increases in prices for finished wafers due to general capacity shortages;

 

 

 

  

the potential loss of future business resulting from capacity issues;

 

 

 

  

changes in manufacturing yields;

 

 

 

  

movements in foreign exchange rates, interest rates or tax rates; and

 

 

 

  

stock-based compensation charges primarily resulting from performance and market-based equity awards granted to our employees.