Lam Research 10-Q 2023-09-24

Filed 2023-10-23. 8 sections, 213K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON

Cover and table of contents

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 September 24, 2023

or

☐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 0-12933


LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware94-2634797
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4650 Cushing Parkway, Fremont, California94538
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (510) 572-0200

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, Par Value $0.001 Per ShareLRCXThe Nasdaq Stock Market
(Nasdaq Global Select Market)

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 ☒

As of October 19, 2023, the Registrant had 131,792 thousand shares of Common Stock outstanding.

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.
PART I. Financial Information
Item 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited):
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 24, 2023, and September 25, 20223
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended September 24, 2023, and September 25, 20224
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 24, 2023, and June 25, 20235
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended September 24, 2023, and September 25, 20226
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended September 24, 2023, and September 25, 20227
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements8
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations17
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk24
Item 4.Controls and Procedures24
PART II. Other Information
Item 1.Legal Proceedings25
Item 1A.Risk Factors25
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds37
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities37
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures38
Item 5.Other Information38
Item 6.Exhibits39
Signatures40

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023September 25, 2022
Revenue$3,482,062$5,074,121
Cost of goods sold1,819,4202,737,286
Restructuring charges, net - cost of goods sold7,940—
Total cost of goods sold1,827,3602,737,286
Gross margin1,654,7022,336,835
Research and development422,629433,375
Selling, general, and administrative207,023205,620
Restructuring charges, net - operating expenses2,021—
Total operating expenses631,673638,995
Operating income1,023,0291,697,840
Other income (expense), net2,601(43,095)
Income before income taxes1,025,6301,654,745
Income tax expense(138,232)(228,866)
Net income$887,398$1,425,879
Net income per share:
Basic$6.69$10.42
Diluted$6.66$10.39
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic132,584136,891
Diluted133,166137,208

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023September 25, 2022
Net income$887,398$1,425,879
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment(20,678)(33,609)
Cash flow hedges:
Net unrealized gains during the period8,59818,803
Net gains reclassified into net income(8,917)(9,297)
(319)9,506
Available-for-sale investments:
Net unrealized gains during the period18280
Net gains reclassified into net income(10)(53)
17227
Defined benefit plans, net change in unrealized component181293
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax(20,644)(23,783)
Comprehensive income$866,754$1,402,096

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Lam Research Corporation 2024 Q1 10-Q 4

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)

September 24, 2023June 25, 2023
(unaudited)(1)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents$5,126,150$5,337,056
Investments30,55737,641
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $5,255 as of September 24, 2023, and $5,344 as of June 25, 20232,810,9532,823,376
Inventories4,747,7814,816,190
Prepaid expenses and other current assets278,121214,149
Total current assets12,993,56213,228,412
Property and equipment, net2,110,5111,856,672
Goodwill1,626,3821,622,489
Intangible assets, net157,618168,454
Other assets1,650,3841,905,616
Total assets$18,538,457$18,781,643
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Trade accounts payable$528,163$470,702
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities2,120,0552,010,637
Deferred profit1,595,0981,695,221
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations3,8618,358
Total current liabilities4,247,1774,184,918
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, less current portion4,980,4605,003,183
Income taxes payable780,511882,084
Other long-term liabilities482,979501,286
Total liabilities10,491,12710,571,471
Commitments and contingencies (refer to Note 13)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, at par value of $0.001 per share; authorized, 5,000 shares, none outstanding——
Common stock, at par value of $0.001 per share; authorized, 400,000 shares as of September 24, 2023 and June 25, 2023; issued and outstanding, 132,072 shares as of September 24, 2023, and 133,297 shares

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

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

With the exception of historical facts, the statements contained in this discussion are forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain, but not all, of the forward-looking statements in this report are specifically identified as forward-looking, by use of phrases and words such as “believe,” “estimated,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “probable,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “continue,” and other future-oriented terms. The identification of certain statements as “forward-looking” does not mean that other statements not specifically identified are not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements that relate to: trends and opportunities in the global economic environment; trends and opportunities in the semiconductor industry, including in the end markets and applications for semiconductors, and in device complexity; growth or decline in the industry and the market for, and spending on, wafer fabrication equipment; the anticipated levels of, and rates of change in, margins, market share, served available market, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, international sales, revenue (actual and/or deferred), operating expenses and earnings generally; management’s plans and objectives for our current and future operations and business focus; restructuring activities; business process improvements and initiatives; volatility in our quarterly results; the makeup of our customer base; customer and end user requirements and our ability to satisfy those requirements; customer spending and demand for our products and services, and the reliability of indicators of change in customer spending and demand; the effect of variability in our customers’ business plans or demand for our products and services; our competition, and our ability to defend our market share and to gain new market share; the success of joint development and collaboration relationships with customers, suppliers, or others; outsourced activities; our supply chain and the role of suppliers in our business, including the impacts of supply chain constraints and material costs; our leadership and competency, and our ability to facilitate innovation; our research and development programs; our ability to create sustainable differentiation; technology inflections in the industry and our ability to identify those inflections and to invest in research and development programs to meet them; our ability to deliver multi-product solutions; the resources invested to comply with evolving standards and the impact of such efforts; changes in state, federal and international tax laws, our estimated annual tax rate and the factors that affect our tax rates; legal and regulatory compliance; the estimates we make, and the accruals we record, in order to implement our critical accounting policies (including but not limited to the adequacy of prior tax payments, future tax benefits or liabilities, and the adequacy of our accruals relating to them); hedging transactions; debt or financing arrangements; our investment portfolio; our access to capital markets; uses of, payments of, and impact of interest rate fluctuations on, our debt; our intention to pay quarterly dividends and the amounts thereof, if any; our ability and intention to repurchase our shares; credit risks; controls and procedures; recognition or amortization of expenses; our ability to manage and grow our cash position; our strategic relevance with our customers; our ability to scale our operations to respond to changes in our business; the value of our patents; the materiality of potential losses arising from legal proceedings; the probability of making payments under our guarantees; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and the sufficiency of our financial resources or liquidity to support future business activities (including but not limited to operations, investments, debt service requirements, dividends, and capital expenditures). Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in condition, significance, value, and effect, including without limitation those discussed below under the heading “Risk Factors” within Part II Item 1A and elsewhere in this report and other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), such as our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 25, 2023 (our “2023 Form 10-K”), and our current reports on Form 8-K. Such risks, uncertainties, and changes in condition, significance, value, and effect could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in this report and in ways not readily foreseeable. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof and are based on information currently and reasonably known to us. We do not undertake any obligation to release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence or effect of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Documents To Review In Connection With Management’s Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations

For a full understanding of our financial position and results of operations for the three months ended September 24, 2023, and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations below, you should also read the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes presented in this Form 10-Q and the financial statements and notes in our 2023 Form 10-K.

Lam Research Corporation 2024 Q1 10-Q 17

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Lam Research Corporation is a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. We have built a strong global presence with core competencies in areas like nanoscale applications enablement, chemistry, plasma and fluidics, advanced systems engineering and a broad range of operational disciplines. Our products and services are designed to help our customers build smaller and better performing devices that are used in a variety of electronic products, including mobile phones, personal computers, servers, wearables, automotive vehicles, and data storage devices.

Our customer base includes leading semiconductor memory, foundry, and integrated device manufacturers that make products such as non-volatile memory, dynamic random-access memory, and logic devices. Their continued success is part of our commitment to driving semiconductor breakthroughs that define the next generation. Our core technical competency is integrating hardware, process, materials, software, and process control, enabling results on the wafer.

Semiconductor manufacturing, our customers’ business, involves the complete fabrication of multiple dies or integrated circuits on a wafer. This involves the repetition of a set of core processes and can require hundreds of individual steps. Fabricating these devices requires highly sophisticated process technologies to integrate an increasing array of new materials with precise control at the atomic scale. Along with meeting technical requirements, wafer processing equipment must deliver high productivity and be cost-effective.

Demand from cloud computing, 5G, the Internet of Things, and other markets is driving the need for increasingly powerful and cost-efficient semiconductors. At the same time, there are growing technical challenges with traditional two-dimensional scaling. These trends are driving significant inflections in semiconductor manufacturing, such as the increasing importance of vertical scaling strategies like three-dimensional architecture as well as multiple patterning to enable shrinks.

We believe we are in a strong position with our leadership and expertise in deposition, etch, and clean to facilitate some of the most significant innovations in semiconductor device manufacturing. Our Customer Support Business Group provides products and services to maximize installed equipment performance, predictability, and operational efficiency. Several factors create opportunity for sustainable differentiation for us: (i) our focus on research and development, with several on-going programs relating to sustaining engineering, product and process development, and concept and feasibility; (ii) our ability to effectively leverage cycles of learning from our broad installed base; (iii) our collaborative focus with semi-ecosystem partners; (iv) our ability to identify and invest in the breadth of our product portfolio to meet technology inflections; and (v) our focus on delivering our multi-product solutions with a goal to enhance the value of Lam’s solutions to our customers.

Overall calendar year 2023 customer demand weakened due to wafer fabrication equipment spending reductions resulting primarily from weakness in the memory market. In addition, the U.S. government’s restrictions on sales of equipment, parts and service for specific technologies and customers in China further impacted equipment demand in the year. As a result of the reduced business levels in calendar year 2023, we initiated a restructuring plan in the quarter ended March 26, 2023 designed to better align the Company’s cost structure with our outlook. We incurred a charge for the workforce actions associated with the restructuring plan of approximately $107.1 million in the second half of fiscal year 2023 and $5.5 million in the September 2023 quarter. We continue to work towards a number of business process improvements and initiatives and expect to incur expenditures in the range of $250 million, inclusive of the restructuring activity. Risks and uncertainties related to trade restrictions and the semiconductor demand environment may continue to negatively impact our revenue and operating margin. Over the longer term, we believe that secular demand for semiconductors, combined with technology inflections in our industry, including 3D device scaling, multiple patterning, process flow, and advanced packaging chip integration, will drive sustainable growth and lead to an increase in the served available market for our products and services in the deposition, etch, and clean businesses.

Lam Research Corporation 2024 Q1 10-Q 18

The following table summarizes certain key financial information for the periods indicated below:

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023
(in thousands, except per share data and percentages)
Revenue$3,482,062$3,207,257
Gross margin$1,654,702$1,458,129
Gross margin as a percent of total revenue47.5%45.5%
Total operating expenses$631,673$603,524
Net income$887,398$802,537
Diluted net income per share$6.66$5.97

In the September 2023 quarter, revenue increased 9% compared to the June 2023 quarter, primarily as a result of increased investments in the DRAM segment as well as increased spending by our China customers for mature node equipment. The deferred revenue balance was $1,690.4 million at the end of the September 2023 quarter, a decrease to the balance at the end of the June 2023 quarter of $1,837.9 million, primarily due to a decrease in advanced deposits. We aim to balance the requirements of our customers with the availability of resources, as well as performance to our operational and financial objectives. As a result, from time to time, we exercise discretion and judgment as to the timing and prioritization of manufacturing and delivery of products, which has impacted, and may in the future impact, the timing of revenue recognition with respect to such products.

The increase in gross margin as a percentage of revenue in the September 2023 quarter compared to the June 2023 quarter was primarily due to favorable customer mix, partially offset by unfavorable factory absorption costs. The increase in operating expenses in the September 2023 quarter compared to the June 2023 quarter was primarily driven by increases in employee-related costs, supplies expense, and outside service spending, partially offset by a decrease in deferred compensation plan-related costs.

Our cash and cash equivalents, investments, and restricted cash and investments balances decreased to $5.2 billion at the end of the September 2023 quarter compared to $5.6 billion at the end of the June 2023 quarter. This decrease was primarily the result of $843.2 million of share repurchases, including net share settlement of employee stock-based compensation; $253.1 million of repayment of debt, largely associated with the purchase of certain properties under finance leases; and $230.3 million of dividends paid to stockholders, partially offset by $951.2 million of cash generated from operating activities. Employee headcount as of September 24, 2023 was approximately 17,200.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenue

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023September 25, 2022
Revenue (in millions)$3,482$3,207$5,074
China48%26%30%
Korea16%24%17%
Japan9%10%9%
United States8%8%6%
Taiwan7%20%22%
Europe7%8%5%
Southeast Asia5%4%11%

Revenue for the September 2023 quarter increased 9% from the June 2023 quarter primarily as a result of increased investments in the DRAM segment as well as increased spending by our China customers for mature node equipment.

Lam Research Corporation 2024 Q1 10-Q 19

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated between system and customer support-related revenue:

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023September 25, 2022
(In thousands)
Systems revenue$2,056,655$1,710,359$3,181,987
Customer support-related revenue and other1,425,4071,496,8981,892,134
$3,482,062$3,207,257$5,074,121

Please refer to Note 3, “Revenue,” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding the composition of the two categories into which revenue has been disaggregated.

The percentage of leading- and non-leading-edge equipment and upgrade revenue from each of the markets we serve was as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023September 25, 2022
Memory38%27%52%
Foundry36%47%34%
Logic/integrated device manufacturing26%26%14%

The decrease in the memory market for the three months ended September 24, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022, is primarily due to decreases in NAND spending by our customers during this time period.

Gross Margin

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023September 25, 2022
(in thousands, except percentages)
Gross margin$1,654,702$1,458,129$2,336,835
Percent of revenue47.5%45.5%46.1%

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was higher in the September 2023 quarter compared to the June 2023 quarter primarily due to favorable customer mix partially offset by unfavorable factory absorption costs.

The increase in gross margin as a percentage of revenue in the three months ended September 24, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to favorable customer mix as well as reduced spending on material costs, freight and logistics, partially offset by unfavorable factory utilization.

Research and Development

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023September 25, 2022
(in thousands, except percentages)
Research & development (“R&D”)$422,629$401,951$433,375
Percent of revenue12.1%12.5%8.5%

We continued to make significant R&D investments in the September 2023 quarter focused on leading-edge deposition, etch, clean and other semiconductor manufacturing processes. The increase in R&D expense in the September 2023 quarter compared to the June 2023 quarter was primarily driven by increases in supplies and employee-related costs, partially offset by a decrease in deferred compensation plan-related costs.

The decrease in R&D expense in the three months ended September 24, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily driven by a decrease in outside service spending and lower employee-related costs.

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Selling, General, and Administrative

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023September 25, 2022
(in thousands, except percentages)
Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”)$207,023$199,831$205,620
Percent of revenue5.9%6.2%4.1%

SG&A expense during the September 2023 quarter increased in comparison to the June 2023 quarter, primarily driven by an increase in employee-related costs.

SG&A expense during the three months ended September 24, 2023 is flat to the same period in the prior year.

Restructuring Charges, Net

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023September 25, 2022
(in thousands, except percentages)
Restructuring charges, net$9,961$13,188$—
Percent of revenue0.3%0.4%—%

During fiscal year 2023, we initiated a restructuring plan designed to better align our cost structure with our outlook for the economic environment and business opportunities. Under the plan we terminated approximately 1,650 employees, incurring expenses related to employee severance and separation costs. Employee severance and separation costs primarily relate to severance, non-cash severance, including equity award compensation expense, pension and other termination benefits. Additionally, we made a strategic decision to relocate certain manufacturing activities to pre-existing facilities.

The restructuring charges in the September 2023 quarter decreased compared to the June 2023 quarter, due to the timing of employee separation activities. No restructuring charges were recognized during the three months ending September 25, 2022.

During the three months ended September 24, 2023 net restructuring costs of $7.9 million and $2.0 million were recorded in restructuring charges, net - cost of goods sold, and restructuring charges, net - operating expenses, respectively in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I of this Form 10-Q. Please refer to Note 15, “Restructuring charges, net,” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net consisted of the following:

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023September 25, 2022
(in thousands)
Interest income$56,564$55,829$15,056
Interest expense(45,331)(46,532)(46,052)
(Losses) gains on deferred compensation plan-related assets, net(2,901)16,598(12,726)
Foreign exchange gains (losses), net1,2691,7346,821
Other, net(7,000)(18,619)(6,194)
$2,601$9,010$(43,095)

Interest income increased in the September 2023 quarter as compared to the June 2023 quarter, primarily due to higher average yields partially offset by lower average cash balances. Interest income increased for the three months ended September 24, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, because of higher average yields and higher average cash balances.

Interest expense is consistent across all periods presented.

The gains and losses on deferred compensation plan-related assets, net were driven by fluctuations in the fair market value of the underlying funds for all periods presented.

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Foreign exchange fluctuations were primarily due to currency movements against portions of our unhedged balance sheet exposures for all periods presented.

The losses in other, net for the September 2023 quarter were lower compared to the June 2023 quarter, primarily driven by fluctuations in the fair market value of equity investments. The losses in other, net for the three months ended September 24, 2023, were flat compared to same period in 2022.

Income Tax Expense

Our provision for income taxes and effective tax rate for the periods indicated were as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 24, 2023June 25, 2023September 25, 2022
(in thousands, except percentages)
Income tax expense$138,232$61,078$228,866
Effective tax rate13.5%7.1%13.8%

The increase in the effective tax rate for the September 2023 quarter compared to the June 2023 quarter was primarily due to the change in level and proportion of income in higher and lower tax jurisdictions, and the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits from lapses of statutes of limitation in the June 2023 quarter.

The effective tax rate for the September 2023 quarter compared to the same period in the prior year remained consistent.

International revenues account for a significant portion of our total revenues, such that a material portion of our pre-tax income is earned and taxed outside the United States. International pre-tax income is taxable in the United States at a lower effective tax rate than the federal statutory tax rate. Please refer to Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of our 2023 Form 10-K for additional information.

On August 16, 2022, the IRA was signed into law. In general, the provisions of the IRA are effective beginning with our fiscal year 2024, with certain exceptions. The IRA includes a new 15% corporate minimum tax. We have evaluated the potential impacts of the IRA and do not expect it to have a material impact on our effective tax rate. However, we expect future guidance from the Treasury Department and will further analyze when the guidance is issued.

We re-evaluate uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, and new audit activity. Any change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

A critical accounting policy is defined as one that has both a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations and requires us to make difficult, complex and/or subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain judgments, estimates and assumptions that could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be applicable and evaluate them on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain reasonable under current conditions. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates, which could have a material impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Our critical accounting estimates include:

  • the recognition and valuation of revenue from arrangements with multiple performance obligations which impacts revenue;

  • the valuation of inventory, which impacts gross margin;

  • the recognition and measurement of current and deferred income taxes, including the measurement of uncertain tax positions, which impact our provision for income tax expenses; and

  • the valuation and recoverability of long-lived assets, which impacts gross margin and operating expenses when we record asset impairments or accelerate their depreciation or amortization.

Refer to our “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2023 Form 10-K for a discussion of the critical accounting estimates identified above.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part 1 of this Form 10-Q.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Total gross cash, cash equivalents, investments, and restricted cash and investments balances were $5.2 billion at September 24, 2023 compared to $5.6 billion as of June 25, 2023. This decrease was primarily driven by $843.2 million of share repurchases, including net share settlement on employee stock-based compensation; $253.1 million of repayment of debt largely associated with the purchase of certain properties under finance leases; and $230.3 million in dividends paid; partially offset by $951.2 million of cash generated from operating activities.

Net cash provided by operating activities of $951.2 million during the three months ended September 24, 2023, consisted of (in thousands):

Net income$887,398
Non-cash charges:
Depreciation and amortization90,479
Equity-based compensation expense67,211
Deferred income taxes(24,238)
Changes in operating asset and liability accounts(69,537)
Other(150)
$951,163

Significant changes in operating asset and liability accounts, net of foreign exchange impact, included the following uses of cash: decreases in deferred profit of $100.1 million, and accrued expenses and other liabilities of $39.8 million, along with an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of 43.8 million. The uses of cash are offset by the following sources of cash: increase in accounts payable of $53.5 million along with decreases in inventory of $51.7 million and accounts receivable of $9.0 million.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Net cash used for investing activities during the three months ended September 24, 2023, was $74.7 million, primarily consisting of $77.0 million in capital expenditures, partially offset by proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities of $7.3 million.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

Net cash used for financing activities during the three months ended September 24, 2023, was $1.3 billion, primarily consisting of $843.2 million in treasury stock repurchases, including net share settlement on employee stock-based compensation, $253.1 million of repayment of debt, largely associated with the purchase of certain properties under finance leases, and $230.3 million in dividends paid.

Liquidity

Given that the semiconductor industry is highly competitive and has historically experienced rapid changes in demand, we believe that maintaining sufficient liquidity reserves is important to support sustaining levels of investment in R&D and capital infrastructure. Anticipated cash flows from operations based on our current business outlook, combined with our current levels of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments as of September 24, 2023, are expected to be sufficient to support our anticipated levels of operations, investments, debt service requirements, capital expenditures, capital redistributions, and dividends through at least the next twelve months. However, factors outside of our control, including uncertainty in the global economy and the semiconductor industry, as well as disruptions in credit markets, have in the past, are currently, and could in the future, impact customer demand for our products, as well as our ability to manage normal commercial relationships with our customers, suppliers, and creditors.

In the longer term, liquidity will depend to a great extent on our future revenues and our ability to appropriately manage our costs based on demand for our products and services. While we have substantial cash balances, we may require additional funding and need or choose to raise the required funds through borrowings or public or private sales of debt or equity securities. We believe that, if necessary, we will be able to access the capital markets on terms and in amounts adequate to meet our objectives. However, domestic and global macroeconomic and political conditions could cause disruptions to the capital markets and otherwise make any financing more challenging, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain such financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For financial market risks related to changes in interest rates, marketable equity security prices, and foreign currency exchange rates, refer to Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, in our 2023 Form 10-K. Our exposure related to market risk has not changed materially since June 25, 2023.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Design of Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting that are designed to comply with Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. In designing and evaluating the controls and procedures associated with each, 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, and that the effectiveness of controls cannot be absolute because the cost to design and implement a control to identify errors or mitigate the risk of errors occurring should not outweigh the potential loss caused by the errors that would likely be detected by the control. Moreover, we believe that a control system cannot be guaranteed to be 100% effective all of the time. Accordingly, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), as of September 24, 2023, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer, along with our Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

We intend to review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures on an ongoing basis and to correct any material deficiencies that we may discover. Our goal is to ensure that our senior management has timely access to material information that could affect our business.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Effectiveness of Controls

While we believe the present design of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting is effective, future events affecting our business may cause us to modify our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

Please refer to the subsection entitled “Legal Proceedings” within Note 13 “Commitments and Contingencies," to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information in this Form 10-Q, the following risk factors should be carefully considered in evaluating us and our business because such factors may significantly impact our business, operating results, and financial condition. As a result of these risk factors, as well as other risks discussed in our other SEC filings, our actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. No priority or significance is intended by, nor should be attached to, the order in which the risk factors appear.

INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMER RISKS

The Semiconductor Capital Equipment Industry Is Subject to Variability and Periods of Rapid Growth or Decline; We Therefore Face Risks Related to Our Strategic Resource Allocation Decisions

The semiconductor capital equipment industry has historically been characterized by rapid changes in demand. Variability in our customers’ business plans may lead to changes in demand for our equipment and services, which could negatively impact our results. The variability in our customers’ investments during any particular period is dependent on several factors, including but not limited to electronics demand, economic conditions (both general and in the semiconductor and electronics industries), industry supply and demand, prices for semiconductors, and our customers’ ability to develop and manufacture increasingly complex and costly semiconductor devices. The changes in demand may require our management to adjust spending and other resources allocated to operating activities.

During periods of rapid growth or decline in demand for our products and services, we face significant challenges in maintaining adequate financial and business controls, management processes, information systems, and procedures for training, assimilating, and managing our workforce, and in appropriately sizing our supply chain infrastructure and facilities, work force, and other components of our business on a timely basis. If we do not adequately meet these challenges during periods of increasing or declining demand, our gross margins and earnings may be negatively impacted.

We continuously reassess our strategic resource allocation choices in response to the changing business environment. If we do not adequately adapt to the changing business environment, we may lack the infrastructure and resources to scale up our business to meet customer expectations and compete successfully during a period of growth, or we may expand our capacity and resources too rapidly and/or beyond what is appropriate for the actual demand environment, resulting in excess fixed costs.

Especially during transitional periods, resource allocation decisions can have a significant impact on our future performance, particularly if we have not accurately anticipated industry changes. Our success will depend, to a significant extent, on the ability of our executive officers and other members of our senior management to identify and respond to these challenges effectively.

Future Declines in the Semiconductor Industry, and the Overall World Economic Conditions on Which It Is Significantly Dependent, Could Have a Material Adverse Impact on Our Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Our business depends on the capital equipment expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers, which in turn depend on the current and anticipated market demand for integrated circuits. With the consolidation of customers within the industry, the semiconductor capital equipment market may experience rapid changes in demand driven both by changes in the market generally and the plans and requirements of particular customers. The economic, regulatory, political, and business conditions occurring nationally, globally, or in any of our key sales regions, which are often unpredictable, have historically impacted customer demand for our products and normal commercial relationships with our customers, suppliers, and creditors. Additionally, in times of economic uncertainty, our customers’ budgets for our products, or their ability to access credit to purchase them, could be adversely affected. This would limit their ability to purchase our products and services. As a result, changing economic, regulatory, political or business conditions can cause material adverse changes to our results of operations and financial condition, including but not limited to:

  • a decline in demand for our products or services;

  • an increase in reserves on accounts receivable due to our customers’ inability to pay us;

  • an increase in reserves on inventory balances due to excess or obsolete inventory as a result of our inability to sell such inventory;

  • valuation allowances on deferred tax assets;

  • restructuring charges;

  • asset impairments including the potential impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets;

  • a decline in the value of our investments;

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  • exposure to claims from our suppliers for payment on inventory that is ordered in anticipation of customer purchases that do not come to fruition; and

  • challenges maintaining reliable and uninterrupted sources of supply.

Fluctuating levels of investment by semiconductor manufacturers may materially affect our aggregate shipments, revenues, operating results, and earnings. Where appropriate, we will attempt to respond to these fluctuations with cost management programs aimed at aligning our expenditures with anticipated revenue streams, which sometimes result in restructuring charges. Even during periods of reduced revenues, we must continue to invest in R&D and maintain extensive ongoing worldwide customer service and support capabilities to remain competitive, which may temporarily harm our profitability and other financial results.

We Have a Limited Number of Key Customers

Sales to a limited number of large customers constitute a significant portion of our overall revenue, shipments, cash flows, collections, and profitability. As a result, the actions of even one customer may subject us to variability in those areas that is difficult to predict. In addition, large customers may be able to negotiate requirements that result in decreased pricing, increased costs, and/or lower margins for us and limitations on our ability to share technology with others. Similarly, significant portions of our credit risk may, at any given time, be concentrated among a limited number of customers so that the failure of even one of these key customers to pay its obligations to us could significantly impact our financial results.

We Face a Challenging and Complex Competitive Environment

We face significant competition from multiple competitors, and our competitors may be able to develop products comparable or superior to those we offer or may adapt more quickly to new technologies or evolving customer requirements. In particular, while we continue to develop product enhancements that we believe will address future customer requirements, we may fail in a timely manner to identify those future customer requirements, to devote appropriate resources to developing products to address those requirements, or to complete the development or introduction of these additional product enhancements successfully, or these product enhancements may not achieve market acceptance or be competitive. Accordingly, competition may intensify, and we may be unable to continue to compete successfully in our markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, operating results, financial condition, and/or cash flows.

With increased consolidation efforts in our industry, as well as the emergence and strengthening of new, regional competitors, we may face increasing competitive pressures. Other companies continue to develop systems and/or acquire businesses and products that are competitive to ours and may introduce new products and product capabilities that may affect our ability

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Item 5. Other Information

Rule 10b5-1 and Non-Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements

During the Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 24, 2023, except for the following arrangements, none of the Company’s directors or officers adopted, modified, or terminated a trading arrangement for the purchase or sale of the Company’s common stock that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) (a “Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement”) or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K):

  • On August 10, 2023, Timothy M. Archer, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, adopted a Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement. Mr. Archer’s Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement provides for: (i) the potential exercise of 10,524 stock options expiring March 1, 2025 and the associated sale of up to 10,524 shares of the Company’s common stock resulting from such exercise; and (ii) the potential sale of up to 8,500 shares of the Company’s common stock; in each case pursuant to the terms of the Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement. Mr. Archer’s Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement has a termination date of August 9, 2024.

  • On August 4, 2023, Christina C. Correia, the Corporate Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, adopted a Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement. Ms. Correia’s Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement provides for the potential sale of up to 2,588 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the terms of the Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement. Ms. Correia’s Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement has a termination date of December 31, 2024.

  • On September 6, 2023, Ava M. Hahn, the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of the Company, adopted a Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement. Ms. Hahn’s Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement provides for: (i) the potential exercise of 2,342 stock options expiring March 2, 2027 and the associated sale of up to 1,171 shares of the Company’s common stock resulting from such exercise; (ii) the potential sale of the net shares of the Company’s common stock resulting from the vesting of 1,226 service-based restricted stock units (net shares are net of tax withholding); and (iii) subject to performance conditions, the potential sale of the net shares of the Company’s common stock resulting from the vesting of 2,044 market-based performance restricted stock units (representing the maximum number of shares that may be issued; the final number of shares that may be earned is 0% to 150% of the target number of 1,363); in each case pursuant to the terms of the Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement. Ms. Hahn’s Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement has a termination date of September 30, 2024.

The Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements contain pricing conditions that preclude or limit the sale of shares below predetermined minimum prices. Each of the Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements will terminate on the earlier of: (a) its respective termination date indicated above; (b) execution of all trades or expiration of all the orders relating to such trades under the Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement; or (c) such date as the Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement is otherwise terminated according to its terms.

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit NumberDescription
31.1Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Executive Officer)
31.2Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Financial Officer)
32.1Section 1350 Certification (Principal Executive Officer)
32.2Section 1350 Certification (Principal Financial Officer)
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

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.

Date:October 23, 2023LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION (Registrant)
/s/ Douglas R. Bettinger
Douglas R. Bettinger
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

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