Coherent 10-Q 2023-09-30

Filed 2023-11-07. 8 sections, 159K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON

Cover and table of contents

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


☒Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

☐Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the transition period from to .

Commission File Number: 001-39375


COHERENT CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania25-1214948
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
375 Saxonburg Boulevard16056
Saxonburg,PA(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 724-352-4455

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par valueCOHRNew York Stock Exchange

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer☒Accelerated filer☐
Non-accelerated filer☐Smaller reporting company☐
Emerging growth company☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

At November 3, 2023, 151,482,324 shares of Common Stock, no par value, of the registrant were outstanding.

COHERENT CORP.

INDEX

Page No.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements:
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023 (Unaudited)3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) – Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Mezzanine Equity – Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)8
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)9
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations23
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk30
Item 4.Controls and Procedures30
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings31
Item 1A.Risk Factors31
Item 5.Other Information32
Item 6.Exhibits33

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Coherent Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

($000)

September 30, 2023June 30, 2023
Assets
Current Assets
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$941,081$833,333
Accounts receivable - less allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,598 at September 30, 2023 and $8,005 at June 30, 2023795,730901,531
Inventories1,280,7551,272,333
Prepaid and refundable income taxes19,74528,271
Prepaid and other current assets206,420216,530
Total Current Assets3,243,7313,251,998
Property, plant & equipment, net1,775,3841,782,035
Goodwill4,460,1444,512,700
Other intangible assets, net3,695,5783,814,684
Deferred income taxes39,04237,748
Other assets307,419311,968
Total Assets$13,521,298$13,711,133
Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt$74,730$74,836
Accounts payable449,134405,308
Accrued compensation and benefits183,046175,564
Operating lease current liabilities37,20338,271
Accrued income taxes payable58,23374,488
Other accrued liabilities280,790310,281
Total Current Liabilities1,083,1361,078,748
Long-term debt4,219,3664,234,962
Deferred income taxes742,514780,307
Operating lease liabilities136,558140,748
Other liabilities236,150247,402
Total Liabilities6,417,7246,482,167
Mezzanine Equity
Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock, no par value, 5% cumulative; issued - 215,000 shares at September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023; redemption value - $2,338,840 and $2,309,966, respectively2,271,5882,241,415
Shareholders' Equity
Series A preferred stock, no par value, 6% cumulative; issued - 0 and 2,300,000 shares at September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively—445,319
Common stock, no par value; authorized - 300,000,000 shares; issued - 166,764,680 shares at September 30, 2023; 154,719,413 shares at June 30, 20234,287,2783,781,211
Accumulated other comprehensive income5,052109,726
Retained earnings846,709944,416
5,139,0395,280,672
Treasury stock, at cost; 15,501,849 shares at September 30, 2023 and 15,135,711 shares at June 30, 2023(307,053)(293,121)
Total Shareholders' Equity4,831,9864,987,551
Total Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Shareholders' Equity$13,521,298$13,711,133

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements*.*

Coherent Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) (Unaudited)

($000, except per share data)

Three Months Ended September 30,
20232022
Revenues$1,053,083$1,344,570
Costs, Expenses, and Other Expense (Income)
Cost of goods sold746,188900,996
Internal research and development113,488121,084
Selling, general and administrative211,697280,014
Restructuring charges3,018—
Interest expense73,25861,889
Other expense (income), net(6,269)31,605
Total Costs, Expenses, & Other Expense1,141,3801,395,588
Loss Before Income Taxes(88,297)(51,018)
Income Tax Benefit(20,763)(12,320)
Net Loss$(67,534)$(38,698)
Less: Dividends on Preferred Stock$30,173$35,577
Net Loss available to the Common Shareholders$(97,707)$(74,275)
Basic Loss Per Share$(0.65)$(0.56)
Diluted Loss Per Share$(0.65)$(0.56)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Coherent Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)

($000)

Three Months Ended September 30,
20232022
Net loss$(67,534)$(38,698)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments(107,903)(132,371)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap, net of taxes of $(1,277) and $3,452 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively(4,662)12,604
Change in fair value of interest rate cap, net of taxes of $2,145 and $9,258 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively7,60020,464
Pension adjustment, net of taxes of $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 202229139
Comprehensive loss$(172,208)$(137,962)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Coherent Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

($000)

Three Months Ended September 30,
20232022
**Cash Flows from Operat

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

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is designed to provide a reader of Coherent’s financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included under Item 1 of this quarterly report. Coherent’s MD&A is presented in seven sections:

  • Forward-Looking Statements

  • Overview

  • Restructuring and Site Consolidation

  • SiC Strategy

  • Critical Accounting Estimates

  • Results of Operations

  • Liquidity and Capital Resources

Forward-looking statements in Item 2 may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected (refer to Part II Item 1A for discussion of these risks and uncertainties).

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in the MD&A are forward-looking statements as defined by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding projected growth rates, markets, product development, financial position, capital expenditures and foreign currency exposure. Forward-looking statements are also identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “plans,” “projects” or similar expressions.

Although our management considers the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based to have a reasonable basis, there can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs or projections as expressed in the forward-looking statements will actually occur or prove to be correct. In addition to general industry and global economic conditions, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure of any one or more of the expectations or assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based to prove to be correct; and (ii) the risks relating to forward-looking statements and other “Risk Factors” discussed in Item 1A in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 and in the Company's other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, or otherwise.

In addition, we operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment; new risk factors can arise, and it is not possible for management to anticipate all such risk factors, or to assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any individual risk factor, or combination of risk factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based only on information currently available to us and speak only as of the date of this Report. We do not assume any obligation, and do not intend, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by the securities laws. Investors should, however, consult any further disclosures of a forward-looking nature that the Company may make in its subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, or other disclosures filed with or furnished to the SEC.

Investors should also be aware that, while the Company does communicate with securities analysts from time to time, such communications are conducted in accordance with applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that the Company agrees with any statement, conclusion of any analysis, or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report.

Overview

Coherent Corp. (“Coherent”, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), a global leader in materials, networking and lasers, is a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops, manufactures and markets engineered materials, optoelectronic components and devices, and lasers for use in the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. Coherent produces a wide variety of lasers, along with application-specific photonic and electronic materials and components, and deploys them in various forms, including integrated with advanced software to enable its customers.

We generate almost all of our revenues, earnings and cash flows from developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of products and services for our end markets. We also generate revenue, earnings and cash flows from government-funded research and development contracts relating to the development and manufacture of new technologies, materials and products.

Our customer base includes original equipment manufacturers; laser end-users; system integrators of high-power lasers; manufacturers of equipment and devices for industrial, optical communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets; communication end-users including communication service providers, hyperscale and other cloud internet content providers; U.S. government prime contractors; and various U.S. government agencies.

As we grow, we are focused on scaling our Company and deriving the continued benefits of vertical integration as we strive to be a best-in-class player in all of our highly competitive markets. We may elect to change the way in which we operate or are organized in the future to enable the most efficient implementation of our strategy.

Restructuring and Site Consolidation

Restructuring Plan

On May 23, 2023, the Board of Directors approved the Company’s May 2023 Restructuring Plan which includes site consolidations, facilities moves and closures, as well as the relocation and requalification of certain manufacturing facilities. These restructuring actions are expected to be accompanied by other cost reductions and are intended to realign our cost structure as part of a transformation to a simpler, more streamlined, resilient and sustainable business model.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, these activities resulted in $3 million of charges primarily for employee termination costs. In fiscal 2023, these activities resulted in $119 million of charges primarily for employee termination costs and the write-off of property and equipment, net of $65 million from reimbursement arrangements. We expect the restructuring actions to be substantially completed by the end of fiscal 2025. However, the actual timing and costs associated with these restructuring actions may differ from our current expectations and estimates and such differences may be material. See Note 17. Restructuring and Synergy and Site Consolidation Plan to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information.

Synergy and Site Consolidation Plan

On May 20, 2023, the Company announced that it has accelerated some of the actions planned as part of its multi-year synergy and site consolidation efforts following the acquisition of Coherent, Inc., including site consolidations and relocations to lower cost sites. These relocations and other actions are expected to result in the Company achieving its previously announced $250 million synergy plan, which includes savings from supply chain management, internal supply of enabling materials and components, operational efficiencies in all functions due to scale, global functional model efficiencies and consolidation of corporate costs. In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the acceleration of these activities resulted in $8 million of charges primarily for employee termination, overlapping labor related to transition of manufacturing operations to other sites, shut down costs and accelerated depreciation. In fiscal 2023, the acceleration of these activities resulted in $8 million of charges primarily for employee termination costs, the write-off of inventory for products that are being exited and shut down costs. See Note 17. Restructuring and Synergy and Site Consolidation Plan to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information.

SiC Strategy

On May 10, 2023, the Company announced that it has commenced a review of strategic alternatives for its Silicon Carbide business. On October 10, 2023, the Company entered into investment agreements with Denso Corporation (“DENSO”) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (“Mitsubishi Electric”), under which they will collectively invest an aggregate of $1 billion in Silicon Carbide LLC, a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary (“Silicon Carbide”). Under the terms of the Investment Agreements, DENSO and Mitsubishi Electric will each invest $500 million in exchange for a 12.5% non-controlling ownership interest in Silicon Carbide, with Coherent owning the remaining 75%. In connection with the transaction, Silicon Carbide will supply DENSO and Mitsubishi Electric 150 mm and 200 mm silicon carbide (“SiC”) substrates and epitaxial wafers pursuant to long term agreements. The transaction is expected to allow Coherent to increase its available free cash flow to provide greater financial and operational flexibility to execute its capital allocation priorities. The $1 billion investment will be used to fund future capital expenditure requirements of Silicon Carbide. The transaction is expected to close by or during the first quarter of calendar 2024.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations require the Company’s management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in its condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.

Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated August 18, 2023 describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Standards

See Note 2. Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

Results of Operations ($ in millions, except per share data)

The following tables set forth select items from our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 ($ in millions):

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
% of Revenues% of Revenues
Total revenues$1,053100%$1,345100%
Cost of goods sold7467190167
Gross margin3072944433
Operating expenses:
Internal research and development113111219
Selling, general and administrative2122028021
Restructuring charges3———
Interest and other, net676937
Loss before income taxes(88)(8)(51)(4)
Income taxes(21)(2)(12)(1)
Net loss$(67)(6)%$(39)(3)%
Diluted loss per share$(0.65)$(0.56)

Consolidated

Revenues. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased 22% to $1,053 million, compared to $1,345 million for the same period last fiscal year. Revenues decreased in all four markets, with the largest decline, $126 million (22%), in the Communications market, primarily due to decreased demand in telecom applications. Electronics market revenues decreased $91 million (50%), primarily in consumer electronics applications. In addition, revenues decreased in the Industrial market by $57 million, or 12%, due to decreases in semiconductor capital equipment applications and by $18 million, or 16%, in the Instrumentation market due to decreases in life sciences applications.

Networking revenues decreased $124 million year-over-year, with decreases from telecom applications in our communications end market. Materials decreased $111 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower demand for sensing products and other consumer applications in the electronics end market. Lasers revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased $57 million, due to lower demand for semiconductor and display capital equipment and precision manufacturing applications in the industrial end market as well as lower shipments to the instrumentation end market.

Gross margin. Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $307 million, or 29% of total revenues, compared to $444 million, or 33% of total revenues, for the same period last fiscal year, a decrease of 390 basis points. The decrease as a percent of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 included the favorable impact of $45 million lower expense related to the fair value adjustment on acquired inventory from the acquisition of Coherent, Inc, (“Merger”) and $16 million lower amortization expense related to technology acquired in the Merger. Gross margins, excluding the lower amortization and lower fair value adjustment on acquired inventory, decreased 790 basis points for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower revenues, higher cost product built and capitalized in prior periods being expensed, less favorable sales mix especially in datacom applications in the communications market, underutilized operating capacity in several plants, shut down costs related to site consolidations, higher costs related to product lines that are being exited, and the unfavorable foreign exchange rates.

Internal research and development. Internal research and development (“IR&D”) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $113 million, or 11% of revenues, compared to $121 million, or 9% of revenues, for the same period last fiscal year. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily in the Materials and Networking segments and was driven by lower costs due to the consolidation of sites and our efforts to control costs. The IR&D expenses are primarily related to our continued investment in new products and manufacturing processes across all of our businesses, including significant investments in indium phosphide semiconductor lasers, silicon carbide materials, devices for both power electronics and wireless devices, and lasers for display processing and semiconductor capital equipment.

Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $212 million, or 20% of revenues, compared to $280 million, or 21% of revenues, for the same period last fiscal year. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period last fiscal year was the result of lower charges related to the Merger, including $39 million lower transaction fees and financing, lower one-time expense of $18 million related to share-based compensation resulting from the Merger, as well as $13 million lower severance and integration consulting costs partially offset by incremental amortization expense of $6 million.

Restructuring Charges. Restructuring charges related to our Restructuring Plan for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $3 million and consist of severance, move costs, equipment write-offs and accelerated depreciation due to the consolidation of certain manufacturing sites. See Note 17. Restructuring and Synergy and Site Consolidation Plan for further information.

Interest and other, net. Interest and other, net for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was expense of $67 million, compared to expense of $93 million for the same period last fiscal year, a decrease of $27 million. Included in interest and other, net, were interest expense on borrowings, foreign currency gains and losses, amortization of debt issuance costs, equity gains and losses from unconsolidated investments, and interest income on excess cash balances as well as Merger financing fees in the prior year quarter. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the decrease of $27 million in comparison to the same period last fiscal year was driven by $35 million incurred in the prior year quarter related to financing of the Merger and $3 million incremental interest income partially offset by $11 million of incremental interest expense due to higher interest rates on our Term Facilities.

Income taxes. The Company’s year-to-date effective income tax rate was 24% at both September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022. The variations between the Company’s effective tax rate and the U.S. statutory rate of 21% were due to tax rate differentials between U.S. and foreign jurisdictions.

Segment Reporting

Revenues and operating income for our reportable segments are discussed below. Operating income differs from net earnings in that operating income excludes certain expenses included in other expense (income) – net as reported. Management believes operating income to be a useful measure for investors, as it reflects the results of segment performance over which management has direct control and is used by management in its evaluation of segment performance. See Note 12. Segment Reporting, to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information on our reportable segments and for the reconciliation of our operating income to net earnings, which is incorporated herein by reference. We report our financial results in the following three designated segments: (i) Networking, (ii) Materials, and (iii) Lasers.

Networking ($ in millions)

Three Months Ended September 30,% Increase (Decrease)
20232022
Revenues$473$597(21)%
Operating income$16$91(82)%

Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased 21% to $473 million, compared to $597 million for the same period last fiscal year. The decrease in revenue of $124 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to decreases in the communications market driven by decreased revenues in telecom applications.

Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased 82% to $16 million, compared to operating income of $91 million for the same period last fiscal year. The decrease in operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was driven by $124 million lower revenues as well as lower gross margin percentage. The margin percentage was lower than the three months ended September 30, 2022 due to less favorable sales mix in datacom applications, the impact of fixed manufacturing costs on lower revenues as a percentage of revenue and higher costs related to products that are being exited.

Materials ($ in millions)

Three Months Ended September 30,% Increase (Decrease)
20232022
Revenues$245$356(31)%
Operating income$7$75(90)%

Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased 31% to $245 million, compared to revenues of $356 million for the same period last fiscal year. Compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022, Materials decreased $111 million year-over-year, with a decrease of $89 million in the electronics end market for consumer products, partially offset by higher demand for electric vehicles, as well as a decrease of $11 million in industrial market applications. Demand in communications and instrumentation markets also decreased, but to a lesser extent.

Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased 90% to $7 million, compared to operating income of $75 million for the same period last fiscal year, primarily driven by $111 million lower revenues and lower margin percentage. The margin percentage was lower than the three months ended September 30, 2022 due to the unfavorable impact of fixed manufacturing costs with lower revenues, higher cost product built and capitalized in prior periods being expensed, underutilized operating capacity in several plants and shut down costs related to site consolidations.

Lasers ($ in millions)

Three Months Ended September 30,% Increase (Decrease)
20232022
Revenues$336$392(14)%
Operating loss$(45)$(124)64%

Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased 14% to $336 million, compared to revenues of $392 million for the same period last fiscal year. The decrease was primarily due to a $43 million drop in the industrial end market due to lower demand for semiconductor and display capital equipment and precision manufacturing applications, as well as $14 million lower shipments to the instrumentation end market.

Operating loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased 64% to $45 million, compared to an operating loss of $124 million for the same period last fiscal year. The lower operating loss was driven by $120 million lower costs in the current year quarter compared to the prior year quarter related to the Merger, including $45 million lower amortization of the preliminary fair value step-up on acquired inventory, $39 million lower transaction fees and financing, $18 million lower nonrecurring share based compensation, $9 million lower integration costs, and $9 million lower amortization expense related to the fair value of intangible assets acquired. Excluding the lower Merger related costs, operating loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased $41 million primarily due to lower revenues and lower gross margin percentage due to less favorable mix within the industrial market and the unfavorable impact of fixed manufacturing costs with lower revenues.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, our primary sources of cash have been from operations, long-term borrowings, and advance funding from customers. Other sources of cash include proceeds from the issuance of equity, proceeds received from the exercises of stock options, and sale of equity investments and businesses. Our historic uses of cash have been for business acquisitions, capital expenditures, investment in research and development, payments of principal and interest on outstanding debt obligations, payments of debt and equity issuance costs to obtain financing and payments in satisfaction of employees’ minimum tax obligations. Supplemental information pertaining to our sources and uses of cash for the periods indicated is presented as follows:

Sources (uses) of cash (millions):

Three Months Ended September 30,
20232022
Proceeds from long-term borrowings and revolving credit facility$—$3,715
Net proceeds from debt and equity issuances—1,358
Net cash provided by operating activities19980
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and other items(10)(42)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options and purchases of stock under employee stock purchase plan157
Other items(2)(1)
Payments on Convertible Debt and Finisar Notes—(4)
Payments in satisfaction of employees’ minimum tax obligations(14)(41)
Debt issuance costs—(127)
Additions to property, plant & equipment(62)(139)
Payments on existing debt(19)(996)
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired—(5,489)

Operating activities:

Net cash provided by operating activities was $199 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $80 million of net cash provided by operating activities for the same period last fiscal year. The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period last fiscal year was primarily due to improved management of working capital accounts, in particular accounts receivable and accounts payable.

Investing activities:

Net cash used in investing activities was $64 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to net cash used of $5,628 million for the same period last fiscal year. In the three months ended September 30, 2022, $5.5 billion was used to fund the Merger. Cash used to fund capital expenditures decreased by $77 million year-over-year.

Financing activities:

Net cash used in financing activities was $18 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $3.9 billion for the same period last fiscal year. Financing outflows in the current year period included payments on existing debt. Cash inflow for the prior year-to-date period was from borrowings under the Term Facilities, defined below, as well the net proceeds from the issuance of Coherent’s Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock. Financing outflows for the prior year-to-date period included payments to settle the Company’s existing senior credit facilities.

New Senior Credit Facilities

On July 1, 2022, Coherent entered into a Credit Agreement by and among the Company, the lenders, and other parties thereto, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, which provides for senior secured financing of $4.0 billion, consisting of a term loan A credit facility (the “Term A Facility”), with an aggregate principal amount of $850 million, a term loan B credit facility (the “Term B Facility” and, together with the Term A Facility, the “Term Facilities”), with an aggregate principal amount of $2,800 million, and a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Facilities, the “Senior Credit Facilities”), in an aggregate available amount of $350 million, including a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $50 million. On March 31, 2023, Coherent entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, which replaced the adjusted LIBOR-based rate of interest therein with an adjusted Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) based rate of interest. As amended, the Term A Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility each bear interest at an adjusted SOFR rate subject to a 0.10% floor plus a range of 1.75% to 2.50%, based on the Company’s total net leverage ratio. The Term A Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility borrowings bear interest at adjusted SOFR plus 1.75% as of September 30, 2023. As amended, the Term B Facility bears interest at an adjusted SOFR rate (subject to a 0.50% floor) plus 2.75%. In relation to the Term Facilities, the Company incurred expense of $60 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, which is included in interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss). On July 1, 2023, our interest rate cap became effective, which together with our interest rate swap, reduced interest expense by $11 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company made payments of $18 million for the Term Facilities.

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Our cash position, borrowing capacity and debt obligations are as follows (in millions):

September 30, 2023June 30, 2023
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$941$833
Available borrowing capacity under Revolving Credit Facility346348
Total debt obligations4,2944,310

Other Liquidity

On October 10, 2023, the Company entered into two investment agreements under which Silicon Carbide LLC, a Company subsidiary, will receive, subject to closing, $1.0 billion cash in exchange for 25% of the equity of that entity. Such funds will be used primarily to fund future capital expansion, including the previously-announced capital that Coherent intended to invest in its silicon carbide business. As a result, the transaction will enable Coherent to allocate the capital it had intended to invest in this business unit to other corporate purposes, thus increasing its available free cash flow which will provide greater financial and operational flexibility. The transaction is expected to close by or during the first quarter of calendar 2024. There can be no assurance that the transaction will close as anticipated or at all. See Note 18. Subsequent Events for further information.

The Company believes existing cash, cash flow from operations, and available borrowing capacity from its Senior Credit Facilities will be sufficient to fund its needs for working capital, capital expenditures, repayment of scheduled long-term borrowings and lease obligations, investments in IR&D, and internal and external growth objectives at least through the next twelve months.

Our cash and cash equivalent balances are generated and held in numerous locations throughout the world, including amounts held outside the United States. As of September 30, 2023, the Company held approximately $788 million of cash and cash equivalents outside of the United States. Generally, cash balances held outside the United States could be repatriated to the United States.

At September 30, 2023, we had $10 million of restricted cash.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

MARKET RISKS

We are exposed to market risks arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. In the normal course of business, we use a variety of techniques and derivative financial instruments as part of our overall risk management strategy, which is primarily focused on its exposure in relation to the Chinese Renminbi, Euro, Swiss Franc, Japanese Yen, Singapore Dollar, Korean Won and Malaysian Ringgit. No significant changes have occurred in the techniques and instruments used.

Interest Rate Risks

As of September 30, 2023, our total borrowings include variable rate borrowings, which expose us to changes in interest rates. In November 2019, we entered into an interest rate swap contract, amended on March 20, 2023, to limit the exposure of our variable interest rate debt by effectively converting a portion of interest payments to fixed interest rate debt. On February 23, 2022, we entered into an interest rate cap (the “Cap”), amended on March 20, 2023, with an effective date of July 1, 2023. If we had not effectively hedged our variable rate debt, a change in the interest rate of 100 basis points on these variable rate borrowings would have resulted in additional interest expense of $9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company’s disclosure controls were designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote. However, the controls have been designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving the controls’ stated goals. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) were implemented during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II – Other Information

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved from time to time in various claims, lawsuits, and regulatory proceedings incidental to its business. The resolution of each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties, and it is possible that these matters may be resolved unfavorably to the Company. Management believes, after consulting with legal counsel, that the ultimate liabilities, if any, resulting from these legal and regulatory proceedings will not materially affect the Company’s financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the additional risk factors set forth below in this Item 1A, carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, any of which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Those risk factors are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Risks Relating to the Announced Transactions Involving Our Silicon Carbide Business

We are subject to a number of risks associated with the possibility that the equity investments contemplated by the respective investment agreements entered into with Denso Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and certain related supply arrangements are not consummated, and these risks could adversely impact our operations and our liquidity position.

On October 10, 2023, Silicon Carbide LLC (“Silicon Carbide”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into (i) an investment agreement (the “Denso Investment Agreement”) with Denso Corporation (“Denso”) pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Silicon Carbide has agreed to issue and sell to Denso 16,666,667 Class A Common Units of Silicon Carbide (“Common Units”) for an aggregate purchase price of $500,000,000, and (ii) an investment agreement (together with the Denso Investment Agreement, the “Investment Agreements”) with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (“MELCO”) pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Silicon Carbide has agreed to issue and sell to MELCO 16,666,667 Common Units for an aggregate purchase price of $500,000,000 (the issuance and sale of the Common Units to Denso and MELCO, collectively the “Equity Investments”). Following the consummation of the Equity Investments, it is expected that the Company will own approximately 75% of Silicon Carbide’s outstanding Common Units, Denso will own approximately 12.5% of the outstanding Common Units and MELCO will own approximately 12.5% of the outstanding Common Units. In connection with the entrance into the Investment Agreements, Silicon Carbide also has agreed to enter into certain supply arrangements with each of MELCO and Denso pursuant to which Silicon Carbide will supply 150 mm and 200 mm silicon carbide substrates (collectively, the “Supply Arrangements”).

We cannot provide any assurance that the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreement will be consummated on our anticipated timing or at all. In the event that the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreements are not consummated, we would be subject to a number of risks, including risks associated with:

  • not receiving the anticipated benefits of either the $1.0 billion of additional liquidity that we would receive from the aggregate purchase price under the Investment Agreements or the Supply Arrangements;

  • disruption to and uncertainty in our silicon carbide business and our relationships with our customers during the pendency of the Equity Investments, including any attempts by our customers to terminate or renegotiate their relationships with us or decisions by our customers to defer or delay purchases from us;

  • having operated our silicon carbide business in accordance with the covenants set forth in the Investment Agreements during the pendency of the Equity Investments;

  • having incurred significant transaction costs in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreements, for which we are responsible regardless of whether the transactions are consummated;

  • potential difficulties in hiring, retaining and motivating key personnel during the pendency of the Equity Investments or as a result of uncertainties generated by the transaction process or any developments or actions relating to it; and

  • the diversion of our management’s attention away from the operation of the Company’s other businesses during the pendency of the Equity Investments.

Our failure to consummate the Equity Investments and the Supply Arrangements could adversely impact our operations, including the operations of our silicon carbide business, and our liquidity position and could limit our ability to pursue additional strategic transactions in the future.

We also are subject to a number of risks in the event that the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreements are consummated, and these risks could adversely impact our operations, financial condition and business.

If the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreements are consummated as expected on the terms set forth in the Investment Agreements, we also would be subject to a number of risks. For example, we would be subject to risks associated with:

  • the separation of our silicon carbide business in accordance with the terms of the Investment Agreements;

  • unfavorable reaction to the Equity Investments and the Supply Arrangements by our customers, competitors, suppliers and employees;

  • the commitments that Silicon Carbide would make under the Supply Arrangements, including the terms of the Supply Arrangements in comparison to the terms that are available under other commercial opportunities that Silicon Carbide may have in the future; and

  • the consequences of any disruptions to our silicon carbide business during the pendency of the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreements, including as a result of factors discussed above under “We are subject to a number of risks associated with the possibility that the equity investments contemplated by the respective investment agreements entered into with Denso Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and certain related supply arrangements are not consummated, and these risks could adversely impact our operations and our liquidity position.”

These risks may cause us to be unable to realize the anticipated benefits of the Equity Investments and the Supply Arrangements even if those transactions are consummated on our expected timing. Our failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Equity Investments and the Supply Arrangements could adversely impact our operations and the operations of Silicon Carbide, as well as our liquidity position, and could limit our ability and the ability of Silicon Carbide to pursue additional strategic transactions in the future.

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

On August 18, 2023, Mark Sobey, the former President of the Lasers Segment who retired as an employee of the Company on September 1, 2023, adopted a written plan intended to satisfy the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5-1(c) with a duration through December 27, 2024 with respect to the sale of up to 75,000 Company shares.

Item 6. EXHIBITS

Incorporated herein by reference
Exhibit No.FormExhibit No.Filing DateFile No.
10.01Investment Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2023 by and between Silicon Carbide LLC and Denso Corporation8-K10.1October 10, 2023001-39375
10.02Investment Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2023 by and between Silicon Carbide LLC and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation8-K10.2October 10, 2023001-39375
10.03Transition Services and Final Agreement, dated September 13, 2023, by and between Coherent Corp. and Mary Jane Raymond8-K10.1September 15, 2023001-39375
10.04Offer Letter with Richard Martucci, dated September 13, 20238-K10.2September 15, 2023001-39375
10.05Consulting Agreement, dated June 12, 2023, by and between Coherent Corp. and Mark Sobey10-K10.29August 18, 2023001-39375
31.01*Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.02*Certification of the Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.01*Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. § 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.02*Certification of the Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. § 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
  • Filed herewith

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Coherent Corp.
(Registrant)
Date: November 7, 2023By:/s/ Vincent D. Mattera, Jr.
Vincent D. Mattera, Jr Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 7, 2023By:/s/ Richard Martucci
Richard Martucci Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer