Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Basis of Presentation. For purposes of this report, “KLA,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar references mean KLA Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by us pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.
The unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for audited financial statements. The balance sheet as of June 30, 2024 was derived from the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for audited financial statements. The unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods indicated. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes, however, should be read in conjunction with Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of KLA and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
The results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
Management Estimates. The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions in applying our accounting policies that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities (and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities) at the dates of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications. The Company has reclassified certain prior period balances to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not impact any prior amounts of reported total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows.
Significant Accounting Policies. Except for the below additions to our accounting policies, there have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies summarized in Note 1 “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Government Incentives. We occasionally receive incentives from governmental entities related to capital expenditures, expenses and other activities, primarily in the form of cash grants and tax credits. Government assistance is recognized when there is reasonable assurance that (1) the Company will comply with relevant conditions; and (2) the assistance will be received. Government incentives related to the acquisition or construction of property, plant and equipment are recognized as a reduction in the carrying amounts of the related assets and reduce depreciation expense over the useful lives of the assets. Incentives related to specific operating activities are offset against the related expense in the period the expense is incurred.
Collaborative Arrangements. We assess joint development arrangements to determine whether they are in the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 808, Collaborative Arrangements. In our assessment, we evaluate whether such arrangements involve joint operating activities performed by parties that are both active participants in the activities and exposed to significant risks and rewards dependent on commercial success of the activities. This assessment is performed throughout the life of such arrangement with consideration given to the changes in the roles and responsibilities between the parties. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we entered into a joint development arrangement within the scope of ASC 808 to develop and commercialize a new product.
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU") 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The new guidance requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This standard update is effective for our annual reports beginning in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 and interim period reports beginning in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Early adoption is permitted on a retrospective basis. We will adopt this update for our annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
Updates Not Yet Effective
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The new guidance requires enhanced disclosures about income tax expenses. This standard update is effective for our annual reports beginning in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Early adoption is permitted on a prospective basis. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our annual income tax disclosures.
NOTE 2 – REVENUE
Contract Balances
The following table represents the opening and closing balances of accounts receivable, net, contract assets and contract liabilities as of the indicated dates.
As of
As of
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
$ Change
% Change
Accounts receivable, net
$
1,953,156
$
1,833,041
$
120,115
7
%
Contract assets
$
71,407
$
69,259
$
2,148
3
%
Contract liabilities
$
1,709,471
$
1,782,242
$
(72,771)
(4)
%
Our payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although terms generally include a requirement of payment of 70% to 90% of total contract consideration within 30 to 60 days of shipment, with the remainder payable within 30 days of acceptance.
The change in contract assets during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was mainly due to $37.4 million of revenue recognized for which the payment is subject to conditions other than passage of time, largely offset by $35.4 million of contract assets reclassified to accounts receivable, net, as our right to consideration for these contract assets became unconditional. Contract assets are included in other current assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The change in contract liabilities during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was mainly due to the recognition in revenue of $870.0 million that was included in contract liabilities as of June 30, 2024, largely offset by an increase in the value of products and services billed to customers for which control of the products and services has not transferred to the customers. Contract liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Remaining Performance Obligations
As of September 30, 2024, we had $10.04 billion of remaining performance obligations (“RPO”), which represents our obligation to deliver products and services, and primarily consists of sales orders where written customer requests have been received. This amount includes customer deposits of $682.2 million as disclosed in Note 4 “Financial Statement Components” and excludes contract liabilities of $1.71 billion as disclosed above. We expect to recognize approximately 65% to 70% of these performance obligations as revenue in the next 12 months, 25% to 30% in the subsequent 12 months and the remainder thereafter, but this estimate is subject to constant change. The timing of revenue recognition of our RPO is evaluated quarterly and is largely driven by multiple variables, many of which are beyond our control, such as: the readiness of customer fabs, end market needs for capacity, changes in the estimated versus actual start time of customers’ projects, timing of delivery and installation dates, supply chain constraints and changes in regulations. Our customers are currently purchasing equipment from us with lead times that are longer than our historical experience. As customers try to balance the evolution of their technological, production or market needs with the timing and content of orders placed with us, there is elevated risk of order modifications, pushouts or cancellations.
In addition, in October 2022, the U.S. government issued regulations that imposed new export licensing requirements for certain U.S. semiconductor and high-performance computing technology (including wafer fab equipment), for the use of such technology for certain end uses in the People’s Republic of China (“China”), and for the provision of support by U.S. Persons to certain advanced integrated circuit (“IC”) fabs located in China. The regulations impose export license requirements effectively on all KLA products and services to customers located in China that fabricate certain advanced logic, NAND and DRAM ICs. KLA is also restricted from providing certain U.S. origin tools, software and technology to certain wafer fab equipment manufacturers located in China, absent an export license. In October 2023, the U.S. government issued additional regulations that went into effect in November 2023. These additional rules are designed to update export controls on advanced computing semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, as well as items that support supercomputing applications and end-uses, to arms embargoed countries, including China. They adjust the parameters included in the existing regulations that determine whether an advanced computing chip is restricted and impose new measures to address risks of circumvention of the controls established in October 2022. The regulations are very complex and, in January 2024, KLA, among other companies, submitted comments to the government regarding these regulations. We are taking appropriate measures to comply with all government regulations, and will continue to apply for export licenses, when required, to avoid disruption to our customers’ operations. While some export licenses have been obtained by us or our customers, there can be no assurance that export licenses applied for by either us or our customers, now or in the future, will be granted.
Refer to Note 17 “Segment Reporting and Geographic Information” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to revenues by geographic region as well as significant product and service offerings.
NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Our financial assets and liabilities are measured and recorded at fair value, except for our debt and certain equity investments in privately held companies. Equity investments without a readily available fair value are accounted for using the measurement alternative. The measurement alternative is calculated as cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes. See Note 7 “Debt” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure of the fair value of our Senior Notes, as defined in that Note.
Our non-financial assets, such as goodwill, intangible assets, and land, property and equipment, are assessed for impairment when an event or circumstance indicates that an other-than-temporary decline in value may have occurred and, for goodwill, also annually.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. We have evaluated the estimated fair value of financial instruments using available market information and valuations as provided by third-party sources. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a significant effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The fair value of our cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities approximate their carrying amounts due to the relatively short maturity of these items.
Fair Value Hierarchy. The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1
Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access.
Level 2
Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3
Valuations based on inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements during the three months ended September 30, 2024.
The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include money market funds, certain U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agency securities and equity securities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The types of instruments valued based on other observable inputs include corporate debt securities, municipal securities and certain U.S. Treasury securities. The market inputs used to value these instruments generally consist of market yields, reported trades and broker/dealer quotes. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The principal market in which we execute our foreign currency contracts is the institutional market in an over-the-counter environment with a relatively high level of price transparency. The market participants generally are large financial institutions. Our foreign currency contracts’ valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and quoted pricing intervals from public data sources and do not involve management judgment. These contracts are typically classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Financial assets (excluding cash held in operating accounts and time deposits) and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of the dates indicated below, were presented on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
Significant Other Observable Inputs
As of September 30, 2024 (In thousands)
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
Assets
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds and other
$
1,558,751
$
1,558,751
$
—
U.S. Treasury securities
6,720
—
6,720
Marketable securities:
Corporate debt securities
835,105
—
835,105
Municipal securities
43,673
—
43,673
U.S. Government agency securities
97,887
97,887
—
U.S. Treasury securities
729,376
498,241
231,135
Equity securities
19,654
19,654
—
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities(1)
3,291,166
2,174,533
1,116,633
Other current assets:
Derivative assets
25,314
—
25,314
Other non-current assets:
Executive Deferred Savings Plan
318,855
286,149
32,706
Total financial assets(1)
$
3,635,335
$
2,460,682
$
1,174,653
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities
$
(31,518)
$
—
$
(31,518)
Total financial liabilities
$
(31,518)
$
—
$
(31,518)
________________
(1) Excludes cash of $326.9 million held in operating accounts and time deposits of $1.01 billion (of which $84.9 million were cash equivalents) as of September 30, 2024.
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
Significant Other Observable Inputs
As of June 30, 2024 (In thousands)
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
Assets
Cash equivalents:
Corporate debt securities
$
2,312
$
—
$
2,312
Money market funds and other
1,585,832
1,585,832
—
U.S. Treasury securities
35,158
—
35,158
Marketable securities:
Corporate debt securities
771,920
—
771,920
Municipal securities
41,159
—
41,159
U.S. Government agency securities
105,874
105,874
—
U.S. Treasury securities
716,148
476,230
239,918
Equity securities
25,566
25,566
—
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities(1)
3,283,969
2,193,502
1,090,467
Other current assets:
Derivative assets
36,503
—
36,503
Other non-current assets:
Executive Deferred Savings Plan
303,365
272,816
30,549
Total financial assets(1)
$
3,623,837
$
2,466,318
$
1,157,519
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities
$
(15,683)
$
—
$
(15,683)
Total financial liabilities
$
(15,683)
$
—
$
(15,683)
________________
(1) Excludes cash of $287.6 million held in operating accounts and time deposits of $932.4 million (of which $66.2 million were cash equivalents) as of June 30, 2024.
(1)We have a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (known as the “Executive Deferred Savings Plan” or “EDSP”) under which certain employees and non-employee directors may defer a portion of their compensation. The expense (benefit) associated with changes in the EDSP liability included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) was $18.0 million and $(9.3) million during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The amount of net gains (losses) associated with changes in the EDSP assets included in SG&A expense was $17.9 million and $(9.5) million during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For additional details, refer to Note 1 “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) as of the dates indicated below were as follows:
(In thousands)
Currency Translation Adjustments
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Defined Benefit Plans
Total
Balance as of September 30, 2024
$
(66,737)
$
9,237
$
48,046
$
(16,050)
$
(25,504)
Balance as of June 30, 2024
$
(75,846)
$
(3,654)
$
46,243
$
(15,818)
$
(49,075)
The effects on net income of amounts reclassified from AOCI to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the indicated periods were as follows (in thousands; amounts in parentheses indicate debits or reductions to earnings):
AOCI Components
Three Months Ended
Location in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
September 30,
2024
2023
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges from foreign exchange and interest rate contracts
Revenues
$
2,535
$
3,396
Costs of revenues and operating expenses
26
2,775
Interest expense
947
937
Net gains reclassified from AOCI
$
3,508
$
7,108
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities
Other expense (income), net
$
(1)
$
(12)
The amount reclassified out of AOCI related to our defined benefit pension plans that was recognized as a component of net periodic cost for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For additional details, refer to Note 13 “Employee Benefit Plans” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
The amortized cost and fair value of marketable securities as of the dates indicated below were as follows:
As of September 30, 2024 (In thousands)
Amortized Cost
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Corporate debt securities
$
828,306
$
7,102
$
(303)
$
835,105
Money market funds and other
1,558,751
—
—
1,558,751
Municipal securities
43,399
294
(20)
43,673
U.S. Government agency securities
96,859
1,037
(9)
97,887
U.S. Treasury securities
732,428
4,081
(413)
736,096
Subtotal
3,259,743
12,514
(745)
3,271,512
Add: Time deposits(1)
1,011,697
—
—
1,011,697
Less: Cash equivalents
1,650,347
2
—
1,650,349
Marketable securities(2)
$
2,621,093
$
12,512
$
(745)
$
2,632,860
As of June 30, 2024 (In thousands)
Amortized Cost
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Corporate debt securities
$
775,277
$
973
$
(2,018)
$
774,232
Money market funds and other
1,585,832
—
—
1,585,832
Municipal securities
41,343
13
(197)
41,159
U.S. Government agency securities
106,101
26
(253)
105,874
U.S. Treasury securities
754,505
209
(3,408)
751,306
Subtotal
3,263,058
1,221
(5,876)
3,258,403
Add: Time deposits(1)
932,436
—
—
932,436
Less: Cash equivalents
1,689,540
—
(1)
1,689,539
Marketable securities(2)
$
2,505,954
$
1,221
$
(5,875)
$
2,501,300
________________
(1) Time deposits excluded from fair value measurements.
(2) Excludes equity marketable securities.
Our investment portfolio includes both corporate and government securities that have a maximum maturity of three years. The longer the duration of these securities, the more susceptible they are to changes in market interest rates and bond yields. As yields increase, those securities with a lower yield-at-cost show a mark-to-market unrealized loss. Most of our unrealized losses are due to changes in market interest rates and bond yields. We believe that we have the ability to realize the full value of all these investments upon maturity. As of September 30, 2024, we had 100 investments in a gross unrealized loss position. The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our investments that were in an unrealized loss position as of the dates indicated below.
The contractual maturities of securities classified as available-for-sale, regardless of their classification on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as of the date indicated below were as follows:
As of September 30, 2024 (In thousands)
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Due within one year
$
1,786,826
$
1,788,386
Due after one year through three years
834,267
844,474
Total
$
2,621,093
$
2,632,860
Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were immaterial.
The costs for our equity marketable securities were $22.9 million as of both September 30, 2024, and June 30, 2024. Unrealized losses for our equity marketable securities were $5.9 million and $4.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
NOTE 6 – GOODWILL AND PURCHASED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations. We have three reportable segments, five operating segments and six reporting units.
The following table presents changes in goodwill carrying value by reportable segment during the three months ended September 30, 2024:
(In thousands)
Semiconductor Process Control
Specialty Semiconductor Process
Printed Circuit Board (“PCB”) and Component Inspection
Total
Balances as of June 30, 2024
Goodwill
$
1,030,588
$
826,037
$
651,324
$
2,507,949
Accumulated impairment losses
(277,570)
(144,179)
(70,474)
(492,223)
$
753,018
$
681,858
$
580,850
$
2,015,726
Activity for the three months ended September 30, 2024
Foreign currency adjustments
(5)
—
—
(5)
Balances as of September 30, 2024
Goodwill
1,030,583
826,037
651,324
$
2,507,944
Accumulated impairment losses
(277,570)
(144,179)
(70,474)
(492,223)
$
753,013
$
681,858
$
580,850
$
2,015,721
Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is tested for impairment annually during the third fiscal quarter, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
As of September 30, 2024, there have been no significant events or circumstances affecting the valuation of goodwill subsequent to the assessments performed in the third quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. As a result of those assessments, we recorded a $70.5 million impairment charge in the Display reporting unit in the three months ended March 31,
2024. For additional details, refer to Note 7 “Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Purchased Intangible Assets
The components of purchased intangible assets as of the dates indicated below were as follows:
(In thousands)
As of September 30, 2024
As of June 30, 2024
Category
Range of
Useful
Lives
(in years)
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment
Net Amount
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment
Net Amount
Existing technology
4-8
$
1,552,074
$
1,089,685
$
462,389
$
1,552,074
$
1,045,585
$
506,489
Customer relationships
4-9
358,567
257,125
101,442
358,567
248,106
110,461
Trade name / Trademark
4-7
119,083
100,691
18,392
119,083
97,106
21,977
Order backlog and other
<1-7
83,336
82,789
547
83,336
82,740
596
Intangible assets subject to amortization
2,113,060
1,530,290
582,770
2,113,060
1,473,537
639,523
In-process research and development
46,074
16,833
29,241
46,074
16,833
29,241
Total
$
2,159,134
$
1,547,123
$
612,011
$
2,159,134
$
1,490,370
$
668,764
Purchased intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be fully recoverable. Impairment indicators primarily include declines in our operating cash flows from the use of these assets. If impairment indicators are present, we are required to perform a recoverability test by comparing the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows attributable to those long-lived assets to their carrying value.
As of September 30, 2024, there were no impairment indicators for purchased intangible assets.
Amortization expense for purchased intangible assets for the periods indicated below was as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Amortization expense - Costs of revenues
$
44,099
$
46,088
Amortization expense - SG&A
12,654
17,216
Total
$
56,753
$
63,304
Based on the purchased intangible assets gross carrying amount recorded as of September 30, 2024, the remaining estimated annual amortization expense is expected to be as follows:
The following table summarizes our debt as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024:
As of September 30, 2024
As of June 30, 2024
Amount (In thousands)
Effective Interest Rate
Amount (In thousands)
Effective Interest Rate
Fixed-rate 4.650% Senior Notes due on November 1, 2024
$
750,000
4.682
%
$
750,000
4.682
%
Fixed-rate 5.650% Senior Notes due on November 1, 2034
250,000
5.670
%
250,000
5.670
%
Fixed-rate 4.100% Senior Notes due on March 15, 2029
800,000
4.159
%
800,000
4.159
%
Fixed-rate 5.000% Senior Notes due on March 15, 2049
400,000
5.047
%
400,000
5.047
%
Fixed-rate 3.300% Senior Notes due on March 1, 2050
750,000
3.302
%
750,000
3.302
%
Fixed-rate 4.650% Senior Notes due on July 15, 2032
1,000,000
4.657
%
1,000,000
4.657
%
Fixed-rate 4.950% Senior Notes due on July 15, 2052
1,450,000
5.023
%
1,450,000
5.023
%
Fixed-rate 5.250% Senior Notes due on July 15, 2062
800,000
5.259
%
800,000
5.259
%
Fixed-rate 4.700% Senior Notes due on February 1, 2034
500,000
4.777
%
500,000
4.777
%
Total
6,700,000
6,700,000
Unamortized discount/premium, net
(24,453)
(24,866)
Unamortized debt issuance costs
(44,191)
(44,999)
Total
$
6,631,356
$
6,630,135
Reported as:
Current portion of long-term debt
$
749,984
$
749,936
Long-term debt
5,881,372
5,880,199
Total
$
6,631,356
$
6,630,135
Senior Notes and Debt Redemption
In February 2024, we issued $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior, unsecured notes as follows: $500.0 million of 4.700% senior, unsecured notes (the “2024 Senior Notes”) due February 1, 2034; and an additional $250.0 million of 4.950% senior, unsecured notes due July 15, 2052 which was originally issued in June 2022, resulting in an aggregate principal amount of $1.45 billion. The net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of outstanding indebtedness at or prior to maturity.
Prior to February 2024, the following aggregate principal amounts of senior, unsecured long-term notes were issued in the following periods: $3.00 billion in June 2022 (the “2022 Senior Notes”), $750.0 million in February 2020 (the “2020 Senior Notes”), $1.20 billion in March 2019 (the “2019 Senior Notes”) and $2.50 billion in November 2014 (the “2014 Senior Notes”). These, along with the 2024 Senior Notes, are collectively referred to as the “Senior Notes.”
The original discounts on the Senior Notes are being amortized over the life of the debt. Interest is payable as follows: semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year for the 2024 Senior Notes; semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year for the 2022 Senior Notes; semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year for the 2020 Senior Notes; semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year for the 2019 Senior Notes; and semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year for the 2014 Senior Notes. The relevant indentures for the Senior Notes (collectively, the “Indenture”) include covenants that limit our ability to grant liens on our facilities and enter into sale and leaseback transactions.
In certain circumstances involving a change of control followed by a downgrade of the rating of a series of Senior Notes by at least two of Moody’s Investors Service, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Inc., unless we have exercised our rights to redeem the Senior Notes of such series, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all or, at the holder’s option, any part, of each holder’s Senior Notes of that series pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”). In the Change of Control Offer, we will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Senior Notes repurchased, up to, but not including, the date of repurchase.
Based on the trading prices of the Senior Notes on the applicable dates, the fair value of the Senior Notes as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 was $6.59 billion and $6.26 billion, respectively. While the Senior Notes are recorded at cost, the fair value of the long-term debt was determined based on quoted prices in markets that are not active; accordingly, the long-term debt is categorized as Level 2 for purposes of the fair value measurement hierarchy.
As of September 30, 2024, we were in compliance with all of our covenants under the Indenture associated with the Senior Notes.
Revolving Credit Facility
We have in place a Credit Agreement dated June 8, 2022 (“Credit Agreement”) for an unsecured Revolving Credit Facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) having a maturity date of June 8, 2027 that allows us to borrow up to $1.50 billion. Subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased by an amount up to $250.0 million in the aggregate. As of September 30, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.
We may borrow, repay and reborrow funds under the Revolving Credit Facility until the maturity date, at which time we may exercise twoone-year extension options with the consent of the lenders. We may prepay outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at any time without a prepayment penalty.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility can be made as Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Loans or Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) Loans, at the Company’s option. In the event that Term SOFR is unavailable, any Term SOFR elections will be converted to Daily Simple SOFR, if available. Each Term SOFR Loan will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Adjusted Term SOFR rate, which is equal to the applicable Term SOFR rate plus 10 bps that shall not be less than zero, plus a spread ranging from 75 bps to 125 bps, as determined by the Company’s credit ratings at the time. Each ABR Loan will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus a spread ranging from 0 bps to 25 bps, as determined by the Company’s credit ratings at the time. We are also obligated to pay an annual commitment fee on the daily undrawn balance of the Revolving Credit Facility, which ranges from 4.5 bps to 12.5 bps, subject to an adjustment in conjunction with changes to our credit rating. The applicable interest rates and commitment fees are also subject to adjustment based on the Company’s performance against certain environmental sustainability key performance indicators (“KPI”) related to greenhouse gas emissions and renewable electricity usage. Our performance against these KPIs in calendar year 2023 resulted in reductions to the fees associated with our Revolving Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2024, we elected to pay interest on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at the applicable Adjusted Term SOFR rate plus a spread of 82.5 bps and the applicable commitment fee on the daily undrawn balance of the Revolving Credit Facility was 5.5 bps.
Under the Credit Agreement, the maximum leverage ratio on a quarterly basis is 3.50 to 1.00, covering the trailing four consecutive fiscal quarters for each fiscal quarter, which may be increased to 4.00 to 1.00 for a period of time in connection with a material acquisition or a series of material acquisitions. As of September 30, 2024, our maximum allowed leverage ratio was 3.50 to 1.00.
We were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2024.
For additional details, refer to Note 8 “Debt” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
NOTE 8 – LEASES
We have operating leases for facilities, vehicles and other equipment. Our facility leases are primarily used for administrative functions, research and development (“R&D”), manufacturing, and storage and distribution. Our finance leases are not material.
Our existing leases do not contain significant restrictive provisions or residual value guarantees; however, certain leases contain provisions for the payment of maintenance, real estate taxes or insurance costs by us. Our leases have remaining lease terms ranging from less than one year to 28 years, including periods covered by options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised.
Lease expense was $13.1 million and $12.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Expenses related to short-term leases, which were not recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, were not material for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. As of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, the weighted-average remaining lease term was 6.5 and 6.7 years, respectively, and the weighted-average discount rate for operating leases was 4.22% and 4.30%, respectively.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
In thousands
2024
2023
Operating cash outflows from operating leases
$
10,856
$
10,002
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
$
9,649
$
12,968
Maturities of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2024 were as follows:
Fiscal Year Ending June 30:
(In thousands)
2025 (remaining nine months)
$
36,282
2026
44,329
2027
33,307
2028
22,783
2029
20,030
2030 and thereafter
71,131
Total lease payments
227,862
Less imputed interest
(33,123)
Total
$
194,739
As of September 30, 2024, we did not have material leases that had not yet commenced.
NOTE 9 – EQUITY AND LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS
Equity Incentive Program
On August 3, 2023, our Board of Directors adopted the KLA Corporation 2023 Incentive Award Plan (the “2023 Plan”), which replaced our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) for grants of equity awards occurring on or after November 1, 2023. The new plan was approved by our stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders held on November 1, 2023. As of September 30, 2024, 10.0 million shares remained available for issuance under our 2023 Plan. For details of the 2023 Plan, refer to Note 10 “Equity, Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans and Non-Controlling Interest” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Equity Incentive Plans - General Information
The following table summarizes the combined activity under our equity incentive plans:
(In thousands)
Available
For Grant(1)
Balance as of June 30, 2024
10,240
Restricted stock units granted(2)
(292)
RSUs granted adjustment(3)
62
Restricted stock units canceled
19
Balance as of September 30, 2024
10,029
__________________
(1)The number of restricted stock units (“RSU”) reflects the application of the award multiplier of 2.0x to calculate the impact of the award on the shares reserved under the 2023 Plan.
(2)Includes RSUs granted to senior management during the three months ended September 30, 2024 with performance-based vesting criteria (in addition to service-based vesting criteria for any of such RSUs that are deemed to have been earned) (“performance-based RSU”). This line item includes all such performance-based RSUs granted during the three months ended September 30, 2024 reported at the maximum possible number of shares that may ultimately be issuable if all applicable performance-based criteria are achieved at their maximum levels and all applicable service-based criteria are fully satisfied (0.2 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2024 reflects the application of the multiplier described above).
(3)Represents the portion of RSUs granted with performance-based vesting criteria and reported at the actual number of shares issued upon achievement of the performance vesting criteria during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
The fair value of stock-based awards is measured at the grant date and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period. The fair value for RSUs granted with “dividend equivalent” rights is determined using the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.
The following table shows stock-based compensation expense for the indicated periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Stock-based compensation expense by:
Costs of revenues
$
9,789
$
7,669
R&D
17,380
13,028
SG&A
34,531
28,075
Total stock-based compensation expense
$
61,700
$
48,772
Stock-based compensation capitalized as inventory as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 was $21.7 million and $21.5 million, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table shows the activity and weighted-average grant date fair values for RSUs during the three months ended September 30, 2024:
Shares(1)
(In thousands)
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding RSUs as of June 30, 2024(2)
1,467
$
424.66
Granted(3)
146
$
782.47
Granted adjustments(4)
(31)
$
397.40
Vested and released
(235)
$
316.96
Forfeited
(10)
$
451.90
Outstanding RSUs as of September 30, 2024(2)
1,337
$
483.19
__________________
(1)Share numbers reflect actual shares subject to awarded RSUs.
(2)Includes performance-based RSUs.
(3)This line item includes performance-based RSUs granted during the three months ended September 30, 2024 reported at the maximum possible number of shares that may ultimately be issuable if all applicable performance-based criteria are achieved at their maximum levels and all applicable service-based criteria are fully satisfied (0.1 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2024).
(4)Represents the portion of RSUs granted with performance-based vesting criteria and reported at the actual number of shares issued upon achievement of the performance vesting criteria during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
The RSUs granted by us generally vest as follows, in each case subject to the recipient remaining employed by us as of the applicable vesting date: (i) with respect to awards with only service-based vesting criteria, over periods ranging from two to four years; and (ii) with respect to awards with both performance-based and service-based vesting criteria, over periods ranging from three to four years. The RSUs granted to the independent members of the Board of Directors vest annually.
The following table shows the weighted-average grant date fair value per unit for the RSUs granted, aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs vested and tax benefits realized by us in connection with vested and released RSUs for the indicated periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except for weighted-average grant date fair value)
2024
2023
Weighted-average grant date fair value per unit
$
782.47
$
501.15
Grant date fair value of vested RSUs
$
74,731
$
65,524
Tax benefits realized by us in connection with vested and released RSUs
$
17,575
$
16,054
As of September 30, 2024, the unrecognized stock-based compensation expense balance related to RSUs was $485.3 million, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures, and will be recognized over an estimated weighted-average amortization period of 1.6 years. The intrinsic value of outstanding RSUs as of September 30, 2024 was $1.04 billion.
Cash-Based Long-Term Incentive Compensation
We have adopted a cash-based long-term incentive (“Cash LTI”) program (“Cash LTI Plan”) for many of our employees as part of our employee compensation program. Executives and non-employee members of the Board of Directors do not participate in the Cash LTI Plan. During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we approved Cash LTI awards of $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Cash LTI awards issued to employees under the Cash LTI Plan will vest in three or four equal installments, with one-third or one-fourth of the aggregate amount of the Cash LTI award vesting on each anniversary of the grant date over a three- or four-year period. In order to receive payments under a Cash LTI award, participants must remain employed by us as of the applicable award vesting date. During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we recognized $15.4 million and $18.5 million, respectively, in compensation expense under the Cash LTI Plan. As of September 30, 2024, the unrecognized compensation balance (excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures) related to the Cash LTI Plan was $111.0 million. For details, refer to Note 10 “Equity, Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans and Non-Controlling Interest” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) provides that eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of their eligible earnings toward the semi-annual purchase of our common stock. The ESPP is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The employee’s purchase price is derived from a formula based on the closing price of the common stock on the first day of the offering period versus the closing price on the date of purchase (or, if not a trading day, on the immediately preceding trading day).
The offering period (or length of the look-back period) under the ESPP has a duration of six months, and the purchase price with respect to each offering period, until otherwise amended, is equal to 85% of the lesser of (i) the fair market value of our common stock at the commencement of the applicable offering period or (ii) the fair market value of our common stock on the purchase date. We estimate the fair value of purchase rights under the ESPP using a Black-Scholes model.
The fair value of each purchase right under the ESPP was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model and the straight-line attribution approach with the following weighted-average assumptions:
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Stock purchase plan:
Expected stock price volatility
32.3
%
32.8
%
Risk-free interest rate
5.3
%
5.1
%
Dividend yield
0.7
%
1.1
%
Expected life (in years)
0.5
0.5
There was no cash received from employees for the issuance of shares under the ESPP or shares purchased by employees through the ESPP in the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The following table shows the tax benefits realized
by us in connection with the disqualifying dispositions of shares purchased under the ESPP and the weighted-average fair value per share for the indicated periods:
(In thousands, except for weighted-average fair value per share)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Tax benefits realized by us in connection with the disqualifying dispositions of shares purchased under the ESPP
$
1,393
$
1,365
Weighted-average fair value per share based on Black-Scholes model
$
195.35
$
114.32
The ESPP shares are replenished annually on the first day of each fiscal year by virtue of an evergreen provision. The provision allows for share replenishment equal to the lesser of 2.0 million shares or the number of shares that we estimate will be required to be issued under the ESPP during the forthcoming fiscal year. As of September 30, 2024, a total of 2.3 million shares were reserved and available for issuance under the ESPP.
Quarterly Cash Dividends
On September 3, 2024, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of $1.45 per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 15, 2024. The total amount of regular quarterly cash dividends and dividend equivalents paid during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $198.1 million and $181.5 million, respectively. The amount of accrued dividend equivalents payable for regular quarterly cash dividends on unvested RSUs with dividend equivalent rights as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 was $10.3 million and $11.8 million, respectively. These amounts will be paid upon vesting of the underlying RSUs.
NOTE 10 – STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
Our Board of Directors has authorized a program that permits us to repurchase our common stock, including an increase in the authorized repurchase amount of $2.00 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The stock repurchase program has no expiration date and may be suspended at any time. The intent of the program is, in part, to mitigate the potential dilutive impact related to our equity incentive plans and shares issued in connection with our ESPP as well as to return excess cash to our stockholders. Any and all share repurchase transactions are subject to market conditions and applicable legal requirements.
Under the authoritative guidance, share repurchases are recognized as a reduction to retained earnings to the extent available, with any excess recognized as a reduction of capital in excess of par value. In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) introduced a 1% excise tax imposed on certain stock repurchases made after December 31, 2022 by publicly traded companies. The excise tax is recorded as part of the cost basis of treasury stock repurchased after December 31, 2022 and, as such, is included in stockholders’ equity.
As of September 30, 2024, an aggregate of $1.61 billion was available for repurchase under the stock repurchase program.
Share repurchases for the indicated periods (based on the trade date of the applicable repurchase) were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Number of shares of common stock repurchased
740
956
Total cost of repurchases
$
570,936
$
459,093
NOTE 11 – NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the shares of common stock underlying our outstanding dilutive RSUs had been issued. The dilutive effect of outstanding RSUs is reflected in diluted net income per share by application of the treasury stock method.
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share
29
123
NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES
The following table provides details of income taxes:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
2024
2023
Income before income taxes
$
1,078,687
$
851,711
Provision for income taxes
$
132,836
$
110,336
Effective tax rate
12.3
%
13.0
%
Our effective tax rate is lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate during the three months ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to the proportion of earnings generated in jurisdictions with tax rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate and the proportion of U.S. earnings eligible for the Foreign Derived Intangible Income deduction.
In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by tax authorities throughout the world. We are subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for all years beginning from the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018. We are subject to state income tax examinations for all years beginning from the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. We are also subject to examinations in other major foreign jurisdictions, including Singapore and Israel, for all years beginning from the calendar year ended December 31, 2019 and are under audit in Israel for calendar year ended December 31, 2019 to fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
It is possible that certain examinations may be concluded in the next 12 months. The timing and resolution of income tax examinations are uncertain. Given the uncertainty around the timing of the resolution of these ongoing examinations, we are unable to estimate the full range of possible adjustments to our unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.
Legislative Developments
President Biden signed into law the IRA on August 16, 2022. The IRA has several new provisions including a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) for certain large corporations that have at least an average of $1.0 billion of adjusted financial statement income over a consecutive three-tax-year period. The CAMT was effective for us beginning in our fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. There was no tax impact to our financial statements from the CAMT provision during the three months ended September 30, 2024.
In December 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (“OECD”) Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) released Global Anti-Base Erosion (“GloBE”) rules under Pillar Two. For the countries that have enacted legislation to adopt the Pillar Two GloBE rules, the provision requiring a 15% minimum effective tax rate on income earned in the respective countries is effective for us beginning in our current fiscal year. There was no material impact to our financial statements from this Pillar Two provision during the three months ended September 30, 2024.
We are named, from time to time, as a party to lawsuits and other types of legal proceedings and claims in the normal course of our business. Actions filed against us include commercial, intellectual property (“IP”), customer, and labor and employment related claims, including complaints of alleged wrongful termination and potential class action lawsuits regarding alleged violations of federal and state wage and hour and other laws. In general, legal proceedings and claims, regardless of their merit, and associated internal investigations (especially those relating to IP or confidential information disputes) are often expensive to prosecute, defend or conduct, and may divert management’s attention and other Company resources. Moreover, the results of legal proceedings are difficult to predict, and the costs incurred in litigation can be substantial, regardless of outcome. We believe the amounts provided in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimated liabilities. However, because such matters are subject to many uncertainties and the ultimate outcomes are not predictable, there can be no assurances that the actual amounts required to satisfy alleged liabilities from the matters described above will not exceed the amounts reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
NOTE 14 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Factoring. We have factoring agreements with financial institutions to sell certain of our trade receivables and promissory notes from customers without recourse. We do not believe we are at risk for any material losses as a result of these agreements. In addition, we periodically sell certain letters of credit (“LC”), without recourse, received from customers in payment for goods and services.
The following table shows total receivables sold under factoring agreements and proceeds from sales of LC for the indicated periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Receivables sold under factoring agreements
$
45,459
$
45,607
Proceeds from sales of LC
$
1,978
$
—
Factoring and LC fees for the sale of certain trade receivables were recorded in other expense (income), net and were not material for the periods presented.
Purchase Commitments. We maintain commitments to purchase inventory from our suppliers as well as goods, services and other assets in the ordinary course of business. Our liability under these purchase commitments is generally restricted to a forecasted time-horizon as mutually agreed between the parties. This forecasted time-horizon can vary among different suppliers. Our estimate of our significant purchase commitments primarily for material, services, supplies and asset purchases is approximately $2.29 billion as of September 30, 2024, a majority of which are due within the next 12 months. Actual expenditures will vary based upon the volume of the transactions and length of contractual service provided. In addition, the amounts paid under these arrangements may be less in the event that the arrangements are renegotiated or canceled. Certain agreements provide for potential cancellation penalties.
Cash LTI Plan. As of September 30, 2024, we have committed $142.1 million for future payment obligations under our Cash LTI Plan. Cash LTI awards issued to employees under the Cash LTI Plan vest in three or four equal installments, with one-third or one-fourth of the aggregate amount of the Cash LTI award vesting on each anniversary of the grant date over a three- or four-year period. In order to receive payments under a Cash LTI award, participants must remain employed by us as of the applicable award vesting date.
Guarantees and Contingencies. We maintain guarantee arrangements available through various financial institutions for up to $99.8 million, of which $65.3 million had been issued as of September 30, 2024, primarily to fund guarantees to customs authorities for value-added tax and other operating requirements of our consolidated subsidiaries in Europe, Israel and Asia.
Indemnification Obligations. Subject to certain limitations, we are obligated to indemnify our current and former directors, officers and employees with respect to certain litigation matters and investigations that arise in connection with their service to us. These obligations arise under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws, applicable contracts, and Delaware and California law. The obligation to indemnify generally means that we are required to pay or reimburse the individuals’ reasonable legal expenses and possibly damages and other liabilities incurred by several of our current and former directors, officers and employees in connection with these matters. For example, we have paid or reimbursed legal expenses incurred in connection with the investigation of our historical stock option practices and the related litigation and government inquiries. Although the maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under the indemnification obligations generally described in this paragraph is theoretically unlimited, we believe the fair value of this liability, to the extent estimable, is appropriately considered within the reserve we have established for currently pending legal proceedings.
We are a party to a variety of agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party with respect to certain matters. Typically, these obligations arise in connection with contracts and license agreements or the sale of assets, under which we customarily agree to hold the other party harmless against losses arising therefrom, or provide customers with other remedies to protect against bodily injury or damage to personal property caused by our products, non-compliance with our product performance specifications, infringement by our products of third-party IP rights and a breach of warranties, representations and covenants related to matters such as title to assets sold, validity of certain IP rights, non-infringement of third-party rights, and certain income tax-related matters. In each of these circumstances, payment by us is typically subject to the other party making a claim to and cooperating with us pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract. This usually allows us to challenge the other party’s claims or, in case of breach of IP representations or covenants, to control the defense or settlement of any third-party claims brought against the other party. Further, our obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of amounts, activity (typically at our option to replace or correct the products or terminate the agreement with a refund to the other party), and duration. In some instances, we may have recourse against third parties and/or insurance covering certain payments made by us.
In addition, we may, in limited circumstances, enter into agreements that contain customer-specific commitments on pricing, tool reliability, spare parts stocking levels, response time and other commitments. Furthermore, we may give these customers limited audit or inspection rights to enable them to confirm that we are complying with these commitments. If a customer elects to exercise its audit or inspection rights, we may be required to expend significant resources to support the audit or inspection, as well as to defend or settle any dispute with a customer that could potentially arise out of such audit or inspection. To date, we have made no significant accruals in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for this contingency. While we have not in the past incurred significant expenses for resolving disputes regarding these types of commitments, we cannot make any assurance that we will not incur any such liabilities in the future.
It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the conditional nature of our obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by us under these agreements have not had a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 15 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The authoritative guidance requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments, including foreign exchange contracts and rate lock agreements (collectively, “derivatives”), as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In accordance with the accounting guidance, we designate foreign currency forward transactions and options contracts and interest rate forward transactions as cash flow hedges. In accordance with the accounting guidance, we also designate certain foreign currency exchange contracts as net investment hedge transactions intended to mitigate the variability of the value of certain investments in foreign subsidiaries.
Our foreign subsidiaries operate and sell our products in various global markets. As a result, we are exposed to risks relating to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We utilize foreign exchange contracts to hedge against future movements in foreign currency exchange rates that affect certain existing and forecasted foreign currency denominated sales and purchase transactions, such as the Japanese yen, the euro, the pound sterling and the new Israeli shekel.
We routinely hedge our exposures to certain foreign currencies with various financial institutions in an effort to minimize the impact of certain currency exchange rate fluctuations. These foreign exchange contracts, designated as cash flow hedges, generally have maturities of less than 18 months. Cash flow hedges are evaluated for effectiveness monthly, based on changes in total fair value of the derivatives. If a financial counterparty to any of our hedging arrangements experiences financial difficulties or is otherwise unable to honor the terms of the foreign currency hedge, we may experience material losses.
Since fiscal 2015, we have entered into five sets of forward contracts, generally to hedge the benchmark interest rate on portions of our Senior Notes prior to issuance (“Rate Lock Agreements”). Upon issuance of the associated debt, the Rate Lock Agreements were settled and their fair values were recorded within AOCI. The resulting gains and losses from these transactions are amortized to interest expense over the lives of the associated debt. We recognized net gains of $0.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024, for the amortization of the net of the Rate Lock Agreements that had been recognized in AOCI, which decreased the interest expense on a net basis. We recognized net gains of $0.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, for the amortization of the net of the Rate Lock Agreements that had been recognized in AOCI, which decreased the interest expense on a net basis. As of September 30, 2024, the aggregate unamortized portion of the fair value of the forward contracts for the Rate Lock Agreements was a $46.8 million net gain.
For derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gains or losses is reported in AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For derivative contracts executed after adopting the new accounting guidance in fiscal 2019, the election to include time value for the assessment of effectiveness is made on all forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges. The change in fair value of the derivative is recorded in AOCI until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The assessment of effectiveness of options contracts designated as cash flow hedges exclude time value. The initial value of the component excluded from the assessment of effectiveness is recognized in earnings over the life of the derivative contract. Any differences between changes in the fair value of the excluded components and the amounts recognized in earnings are recorded in AOCI.
For derivatives that are designated and qualify as a net investment hedge in a foreign operation and that meet the effectiveness requirements, the net gains or losses attributable to changes in spot exchange rates are recorded in cumulative translation within AOCI. The remainder of the change in value of such instruments is recorded in earnings using the mark-to-market approach. Recognition in earnings of amounts previously recorded in cumulative translation is limited to circumstances such as complete or substantially complete liquidation or sale of the net investment in the hedged foreign operations.
For derivatives that are not designated as hedges, gains and losses are recognized in Other expense (income), net. We use foreign exchange contracts to hedge certain foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities. The gains and losses on these derivative instruments are largely offset by the changes in the fair value of the assets or liabilities being hedged.
Derivatives in Hedging Relationships: Foreign Exchange Contracts and Rate Lock Agreements
The gains (losses) on derivatives in cash flow and net investment hedging relationships recognized in other comprehensive income for the indicated periods were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts:
Amounts included in the assessment of effectiveness
$
3,444
$
(1,533)
Amounts excluded from the assessment of effectiveness
$
(346)
$
52
Derivatives Designated as Net Investment Hedging Instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts(1):
$
(6,999)
$
2,536
__________________
(1)No amounts were reclassified from AOCI into earnings related to the sale of a subsidiary, as there were no such sales during the periods presented.
The locations and amounts of designated and non-designated derivatives’ gains and losses reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the indicated periods were as follows:
Total amounts presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded
$
2,841,541
$
1,721,618
$
82,171
$
(40,935)
$
2,396,956
$
1,497,750
$
74,234
$
(26,739)
Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Rate lock agreements:
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to earnings
$
—
$
—
$
947
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
937
$
—
Foreign exchange contracts:
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to earnings
$
3,104
$
26
$
—
$
—
$
3,649
$
2,775
$
—
$
—
Amount excluded from the assessment of effectiveness recognized in earnings
$
(569)
$
—
$
—
$
(371)
$
(253)
$
—
$
—
$
52
Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Amount of gains (losses) recognized in earnings
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
83
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
(11,397)
The U.S. dollar equivalent of all outstanding notional amounts of foreign currency hedge contracts and rate lock agreements, with maximum remaining maturities of approximately 13 months as of the dates indicated below, were as follows:
The locations and fair value of our derivatives reported in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the dates indicated below were as follows:
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Balance Sheet
As of
As of
Balance Sheet
As of
As of
Location
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
Location
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
(In thousands)
Fair Value
Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts
Other current assets
$
11,877
$
13,783
Other current liabilities
$
(11,252)
$
(8,066)
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
11,877
13,783
(11,252)
(8,066)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts
Other current assets
13,437
22,720
Other current liabilities
(20,266)
(7,617)
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
13,437
22,720
(20,266)
(7,617)
Total derivatives
$
25,314
$
36,503
$
(31,518)
$
(15,683)
The changes in AOCI, before taxes, related to derivatives for the indicated periods were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Beginning AOCI
$
68,903
$
81,611
Amount reclassified to earnings as net gains
(3,508)
(7,108)
Net change in unrealized gains
(3,901)
1,055
Ending AOCI
$
61,494
$
75,558
Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities
We present derivatives at gross fair values in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have entered into arrangements with each of our counterparties, which reduce credit risk by permitting net settlement of transactions with the same counterparty under certain conditions. The information related to the offsetting arrangements for the periods indicated was as follows:
As of September 30, 2024
Gross Amounts of Derivatives Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
Gross Amounts of Derivatives
Gross Amounts of Derivatives Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Net Amount of Derivatives Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments
Cash Collateral Received
Net Amount
Derivatives - assets
$
25,314
$
—
$
25,314
$
(23,953)
$
—
$
1,361
Derivatives - liabilities
$
(31,518)
$
—
$
(31,518)
$
23,953
$
—
$
(7,565)
As of June 30, 2024
Gross Amounts of Derivatives Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
Gross Amounts of Derivatives
Gross Amounts of Derivatives Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Net Amount of Derivatives Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we purchased from, or sold to, several entities where one or more of our executive officers or members of our Board of Directors were, during the periods presented, an executive officer or a board member, including Agilent Technologies, Inc., Ansys, Inc., HP Inc., Keysight Technologies, Inc. and Microchip Technology Incorporated. The following table provides the transactions with these parties for the indicated periods (for the portion of such period that they were considered related):
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Total revenues
$
1,517
$
3,362
Total purchases
$
46
$
1,821
Our receivable balances and payable balances were immaterial as of both September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024. All of the related party transactions were made at current market rates.
NOTE 17 – SEGMENT REPORTING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
ASC 280, Segment Reporting, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our CODM is our Chief Executive Officer.
We have three reportable segments: Semiconductor Process Control; Specialty Semiconductor Process; and PCB and Component Inspection. The reportable segments are determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, customer base, homogeneity of products, technology, delivery channels and similar economic characteristics.
Semiconductor Process Control
The Semiconductor Process Control segment offers a comprehensive portfolio of inspection, metrology and data analytics products, and related services, which helps IC manufacturers achieve target yield throughout the entire semiconductor fabrication process, from R&D to final volume production. Our differentiated products and services are designed to provide comprehensive solutions that help our customers accelerate development and production ramp cycles, achieve higher and more stable semiconductor die yields and improve their overall profitability. This reportable segment is comprised of two operating segments, Wafer Inspection and Patterning and Global Service and Support (“GSS”).
Specialty Semiconductor Process
The Specialty Semiconductor Process segment develops and sells advanced vacuum deposition and etching process tools, which are used by a broad range of specialty semiconductor customers, including manufacturers of microelectromechanical systems (“MEMS”), radio frequency (“RF”) communication chips and power semiconductors for automotive and industrial applications. This reportable segment is comprised of one operating segment.
PCB and Component Inspection
The PCB and Component Inspection segment enables electronic device manufacturers to inspect, test and measure PCBs, flat panel displays and ICs to verify their quality, pattern the desired electronic circuitry on the relevant substrate and perform three-dimensional shaping of metalized circuits on multiple surfaces. This reportable segment is comprised of two operating segments, PCB and Component Inspection. In March 2024, we made the decision to exit the Display business by announcing the end of manufacturing of most Display products by December 31, 2024, but we will continue to provide services to the installed base of Display products for existing customers.
The CODM assesses the performance of each operating segment and allocates resources to those segments based on total revenues and segment gross profit and does not evaluate the segments using discrete asset information. Segment gross profit excludes corporate allocations and effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of inventory fair value adjustments, and transaction costs associated with our acquisitions related to costs of revenues.
The following is a summary of results for each of our three reportable segments for the indicated periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Semiconductor Process Control:
Revenues
$
2,575,151
$
2,135,478
Segment gross profit
1,616,782
1,386,529
Specialty Semiconductor Process:
Revenues
128,334
126,719
Segment gross profit
64,494
69,301
PCB and Component Inspection:
Revenues
137,983
136,043
Segment gross profit
57,537
39,820
Totals:
Revenues for reportable segments
$
2,841,468
$
2,398,240
Segment gross profit
$
1,738,813
$
1,495,650
The following table reconciles total reportable segment revenues to total revenues for the indicated periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Total revenues for reportable segments
$
2,841,468
$
2,398,240
Corporate allocations and effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates
73
(1,284)
Total revenues
$
2,841,541
$
2,396,956
The following table reconciles total segment gross profit to income before income taxes for the indicated periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Total segment gross profit
$
1,738,813
$
1,495,650
Acquisition-related charges, corporate allocations and effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates(1)
44,703
45,585
R&D
323,145
311,214
SG&A
251,042
239,645
Interest expense
82,171
74,234
Other expense (income), net
(40,935)
(26,739)
Income before income taxes
$
1,078,687
$
851,711
__________________
(1)Acquisition-related charges primarily include amortization of intangible assets and other acquisition-related costs classified or presented as part of costs of revenues.
Our significant operations outside the United States include manufacturing facilities in China, Germany, Israel and Singapore and sales, marketing and service offices in Japan, the rest of the Asia Pacific region and Europe. For geographical revenue reporting, revenues are attributed to the geographic location in which the customer is located. Long-lived assets consist of land, property and equipment, net, and are attributed to the geographic region in which they are located.
The following is a summary of revenues by geographic region, based on ship-to location, for the indicated periods:
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Revenues:
China
$
1,198,305
42
%
$
1,025,944
43
%
North America
500,943
18
%
250,713
10
%
Taiwan
461,991
16
%
405,343
17
%
Korea
238,673
8
%
219,821
9
%
Japan
188,569
7
%
227,377
10
%
Europe and Israel
144,820
5
%
168,436
7
%
Rest of Asia
108,240
4
%
99,322
4
%
Total
$
2,841,541
100
%
$
2,396,956
100
%
The following is a summary of revenues by major product categories for the indicated periods:
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Revenues:
Wafer Inspection
$
1,368,943
48
%
$
1,010,198
42
%
Patterning
576,409
20
%
542,488
23
%
Specialty Semiconductor Process
112,802
4
%
112,103
5
%
PCB and Component Inspection
72,908
3
%
71,164
3
%
Services
644,152
23
%
560,292
23
%
Other
66,327
2
%
100,711
4
%
Total
$
2,841,541
100
%
$
2,396,956
100
%
Wafer Inspection and Patterning products are offered in the Semiconductor Process Control segment. Services are offered in multiple segments. Other includes primarily refurbished systems, remanufactured legacy systems, and enhancements and upgrades for previous-generation products that are part of the Semiconductor Process Control segment.
In the three months ended September 30, 2024, two customers on an individual basis accounted for approximately 12% of total revenues each. In the three months ended September 30, 2023, one customer accounted for approximately 11% of total revenues. Three customers and one customer on an individual basis accounted for greater than 10% of accounts receivable, net, at September 30, 2024 and at June 30, 2024, respectively.
Land, property and equipment, net by geographic region as of the dates indicated below were as follows:
As of
As of
(In thousands)
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
Land, property and equipment, net:
United States
$
690,454
$
689,937
Europe
168,185
155,812
Singapore
146,259
148,557
Israel
80,986
84,279
Rest of Asia
32,428
31,383
Total
$
1,118,312
$
1,109,968
NOTE 18 – RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
From time to time, management approves restructuring plans including workforce reductions in an effort to streamline operations.
Restructuring charges were $2.9 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The fiscal year 2025 charges include severance and related charges for the restructuring of the PCB and Display operating segment, as a result of our decision to exit the Display business by ending the manufacturing of most Display
products by December 31, 2024, which was announced in March 2024. As of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, the accrual for restructuring charges was $8.0 million and $6.5 million, respectively.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Securities Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. You can identify these and other forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “relies,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “intends,” “potential,” “continues,” “thinks,” “seeks,” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding, among others: forecasts of the future results of our operations, including profitability; orders for our products and capital equipment generally; sales of semiconductors; the investments by our customers in advanced technologies and new materials; growth of revenue in the semiconductor industry, the semiconductor capital equipment industry and our business; technological trends in the semiconductor industry; future developments or trends in the global capital and financial markets; our future product offerings and product features; the success and market acceptance of new products; timing of shipment of order backlog; our future product shipments and product and service revenues; our future gross margins; our future research and development (“R&D”) expenses and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses; international sales and operations; our ability to maintain or improve our existing competitive position; success of our product offerings; creation and funding of programs for R&D; results of our investment in leading edge technologies; the effects of hedging transactions; the effect of the sale of trade receivables and promissory notes from customers; the effect of future compliance with laws and regulations; our future effective income tax rate; our recognition of tax benefits; the effects of any audits or litigation; future payments of dividends to our stockholders; the completion of any acquisitions of third parties, or the technology or assets thereof; benefits received from any acquisitions and development of acquired technologies; sufficiency of our existing cash balance, investments, cash generated from operations and the unfunded portion of our Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below in the “Revolving Credit Facility” section of “Liquidity and Capital Resources”) to meet our operating and working capital requirements, including debt service and payment thereof; future dividends, and stock repurchases; our compliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement (as defined below in the “Revolving Credit Facility” section of “Liquidity and Capital Resources”) for our Revolving Credit Facility; the adoption of new accounting pronouncements; our repayment of our outstanding indebtedness; and our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) related targets, goals and commitments.
Our actual results may differ significantly from those projected in the forward-looking statements in this report. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:
• Our vulnerability to a weakening in the condition of the financial markets and the global economy;
•Risks related to our international operations;
•Evolving Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) of the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) rules and regulations (the “BIS Rules”) and their impact on our ability to sell products to and provide services to certain customers in People’s Republic of China (“China”);
•Costly intellectual property (“IP”) disputes that could result in our inability to sell or use the challenged technology;
•Risks related to the legal, regulatory and tax environments in which we conduct our business;
•Increasing attention to ESG matters and the resulting costs, risks and impact on our business;
•Unexpected delays, difficulties and expenses in executing against our environmental, climate, diversity and inclusion or other ESG target, goals and commitments;
•Our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel;
•Our vulnerability to disruptions and delays at our third-party service providers;
•Cybersecurity threats, cyber incidents affecting our and our business partners’ systems and networks;
•Our inability to access critical information in a timely manner due to system failures;
•Risks related to acquisitions, integrations, strategic alliances or collaborative arrangements;
•Climate change, earthquake, flood or other natural catastrophic events, public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic or terrorism and the adverse impact on our business operations;
•The war between Ukraine and Russia, and the war in the Middle East, and the significant military activity in those regions;
•Lack of insurance for losses and interruptions caused by terrorists and acts of war, and our self-insurance of certain risks including earthquake risk;
•Risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
•Risks related to fluctuations in interest rates and the market values of our portfolio investments;
•Risks related to tax and regulatory compliance audits;
•Any change in taxation rules or practices and our effective tax rate;
•Compliance costs with federal securities laws, rules, regulations, NASDAQ requirements, and evolving accounting standards and practices;
•Ongoing changes in the technology industry, and the semiconductor industry in particular, including future growth rates, pricing trends in end-markets, or changes in customer capital spending patterns;
•Our vulnerability to a highly concentrated customer base;
•The cyclicality of the industries in which we operate;
•Our ability to timely develop new technologies and products that successfully address changes in the industry;
•Risks related to artificial intelligence (“AI”);
•Our ability to maintain our technology advantage and protect proprietary rights;
•Our ability to compete in the industry;
•Availability and cost of the materials and parts used in the production of our products;
•Our ability to operate our business in accordance with our business plan;
•Risks related to our debt and leveraged capital structure;
•We may not be able to declare cash dividends at all or in any particular amount;
•Liability to our customers under indemnification provisions if our products fail to operate properly or contain defects or our customers are sued by third parties due to our products;
•Our government funding for R&D is subject to audit, and potential termination or penalties;
•We may incur significant restructuring charges or other asset impairment charges or inventory write offs;
•We are subject to risks related to receivables factoring arrangements and compliance risk of certain settlement agreements with the government; and
•Risks related to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware being the sole and exclusive forum for certain actions and proceedings.
For a more detailed discussion of these and other risk factors that might cause or contribute to differences from the forward-looking statements in this report, see Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this report as well as Part I, Item 1 “Business” and Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024. You should carefully review these risks and also review the risks described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and we expressly assume no obligation and do not intend to update the forward-looking statements in this report after the date hereof.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We are a leading supplier of process control and yield management solutions and services for the semiconductor and related electronics industries. Our broad portfolio of inspection and metrology products, and related service, software and other offerings, support R&D and manufacturing of integrated circuits (“IC”), wafers and reticles. Our products, services and expertise are used by our customers to measure, detect, analyze and resolve critical and nanometric level product defects, helping them to manage manufacturing process challenges and to obtain higher finish product yields at lower cost. We also offer advanced technology solutions to address various manufacturing needs of printed circuit boards (“PCB”), flat panel displays (“FPD”), specialty semiconductor devices and other electronic components, including advanced packaging, light-emitting diode (“LED”), power devices, compound semiconductor, and data storage industries, as well as general materials research. In addition, our services business, which generates revenue largely from recurring “subscription-like” contracts, has grown consistently due to increases in the installed base of KLA systems, increasing the value of our contract offerings and extension of system lifetimes resulting from growth in legacy semiconductor markets.
Our semiconductor customers generally operate in one or both of the major semiconductor device manufacturing markets: memory and foundry/logic. The pervasive and increasing needs for semiconductors in many consumer and industrial products, the rapid proliferation of new applications for more advanced semiconductor devices, and the increasing complexity
associated with leading edge semiconductor manufacturing drives demand for our process control and yield management solutions. Continuing advancement of innovation spurred by the performance, power and price benefits of being at the leading edge, increasing involvement in legacy nodes as semiconductor content increases, and innovation and growth of new enabling technologies are fueling long-term growth for the semiconductor equipment industry. End-market demand drivers that are expected to continue in the long term are related to AI including 2-nanometer chip technology, the deployment of 5G telecommunications technology and associated high-end mobile devices, the electrification and digitization of the automotive industry, the revival of personal computer demand and associated innovations to support remote work, virtual collaboration, remote learning and entertainment, and the growth of the Internet of Things (“IoT”).
Recently, the semiconductor industry environment has improved as the emergence of disruptive technologies such as AI and continuing advancement of innovation, as well as rising semiconductor content across end-markets and strategic investments in legacy nodes fuel growth. Our foundry/logic customers are slowly increasing their capital intensity, as they continue to scale and incorporate new technologies. Additionally, technology development investments supporting AI and high bandwidth memory are improving the environment for memory device manufacturers. While we continue to invest in technological innovation, factors such as delays from customers in adopting new chips and technology methods, could impact process control capital intensity. Push out or cancellation of deliveries to our customers could still cause earnings volatility, due to the timing of revenue recognition as well as increased risk of inventory-related charges.
We are organized into three reportable segments as follows:
•Semiconductor Process Control: a comprehensive portfolio of inspection, metrology and data analytics products as well as related service offerings that help IC manufacturers achieve target yields throughout the semiconductor fabrication process, from R&D to final volume production.
•Specialty Semiconductor Process: advanced vacuum deposition and etching process tools used by a broad range of specialty semiconductor customers.
•PCB and Component Inspection: a range of inspection, testing and measurement, and direct imaging for patterning products used by manufacturers of PCBs, FPDs, advanced packaging, MEMS and other electronic components. In March 2024, we made the decision to exit the Display business by announcing the end of manufacturing of most Display products by December 31, 2024, but we will continue to provide services to the installed base of Display products for existing customers.
A majority of our revenues are derived from outside the U.S., and include geographic regions such as China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Europe and Israel, and Rest of Asia. China remains a major region for manufacturing of legacy node logic and memory chips, adding to its role as the world’s largest consumer of ICs. Additionally, a significant portion of global FPD and PCB manufacturing has migrated to China. Chinese government initiatives around self-sustainability are propelling China to expand its domestic manufacturing capacity and attracting investment from semiconductor manufacturers from Taiwan, Korea, Japan and the U.S. Although China is currently seen as an important long-term growth region for the semiconductor and electronics capital equipment sector, Commerce has adopted regulations and added certain China-based entities to the U.S. Entity List (a list of parties that are generally ineligible to receive U.S.-regulated items without prior licensing from BIS), restricting our ability to provide products and services to such entities without a license. In addition, Commerce has imposed export licensing requirements on China-based customers that are military end users or engaged in military end uses, as well as requiring our customers to obtain an export license when they use certain semiconductor capital equipment based on U.S. technology to manufacture products connected to certain entities on the U.S. Entity List.
In addition, in October 2022, BIS issued the 2022 BIS Rules (the “2022 BIS Rules”), which imposed export licensing requirements for certain U.S. semiconductor and high-performance computing technology (including wafer fab equipment), for the use of such technology for certain end uses in China, and for the provision of support by U.S. Persons to certain advanced IC fabs located in China. In particular, the 2022 BIS Rules impose export license requirements effectively on all KLA products and services to customers located in China that fabricate:
a. Non-planar ICs (e.g., FinFet or GaaFeT) or 14/16nm and below logic ICs;
b. NAND ICs at 128 layers and above; and
c. DRAM ICs using a “production” technology node of 18 nanometer half-pitch or less.
KLA is also restricted from providing certain U.S. origin tools, software and technology to certain wafer fab equipment manufacturers located in China, absent an export license.
In October 2023, BIS issued additional rules that went into effect in November 2023 (the “2023 BIS Rules”). These 2023 BIS Rules are designed to update export controls on advanced computing semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, as well as items that support supercomputing applications and end-uses, to arms embargoed countries, including China. The 2023 BIS Rules adjust the parameters included in the 2022 BIS Rules that determine whether an advanced computing chip is restricted and impose new measures to address risks of circumvention of the controls established by the 2022 BIS Rules. The 2023 BIS Rules are very complex and, in January 2024, KLA, among other companies, submitted comments to the BIS on the 2023 BIS Rules. We are taking appropriate measures to comply with all BIS Rules, and will continue to apply for export licenses, when required, to avoid disruption to our customers’ operations. While some export licenses have been obtained by us or our customers, there can be no assurance that export licenses applied for by either us or our customers, now or in the future, will be granted.
The possible negative effects on our future business of export licenses not being granted could be material and could disrupt our supply chain and product shipment, and impair our ability to complete product development in a timely manner, or our ability to support existing customers of covered products or supply customers of covered products outside the impacted regions, and may require us to transition certain operations out of one or more of the identified countries. Failure to obtain export licenses could also result in a substantial reduction to our remaining performance obligations (“RPO”) or require us to return substantial deposits received from customers in China for purchase orders. We are continuously assessing the aggregate potential impact of government regulations on our financial results and operations. See Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this report for more information regarding how such actions by the U.S. government or another country could significantly impact our ability to provide our products and services to existing and potential customers, especially in China, and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The following table sets forth some of our key quarterly unaudited financial information:
(In thousands, except net income per share)
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
September 30, 2023
Total revenues
$
2,841,541
$
2,568,735
$
2,359,830
$
2,486,726
$
2,396,956
Costs of revenues
$
1,147,431
$
1,010,551
$
993,885
$
976,746
$
946,891
Gross margin
59.6
%
60.7
%
57.9
%
60.7
%
60.5
%
Net income(1)(2)
$
945,851
$
836,446
$
601,541
$
582,534
$
741,375
Diluted net income per share(3)
$
7.01
$
6.18
$
4.43
$
4.28
$
5.41
__________________
(1)For the explanation why our net income increased to $945.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, refer to the “Results of Operations” section below, as the change is a result of movements in various income statement line items.
(2)Our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 included a pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $70.5 million. Our net income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 included a pre-tax goodwill and purchased intangible asset impairment charge of $219.0 million. For additional details, refer to Note 7 “Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
(3)Diluted net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented based on the weighted-average fully diluted shares outstanding for each quarter. Therefore, the sum of quarterly diluted net income per share information may not equal annual (or other multiple-quarter calculations of) diluted net income per share.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions in applying our accounting policies that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base these estimates and assumptions on historical experience and evaluate them on an ongoing basis to ensure that they remain reasonable under current conditions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We discuss the development and selection of the critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors on a quarterly basis, and the Audit Committee has reviewed our related disclosure in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
There have been no material changes in our critical accounting estimates since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations” contained in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 for a complete description of our critical accounting estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements, including those recently adopted and the expected dates of adoption as well as estimated effects, if any, on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of those not yet adopted, see Note 1 “Basis of Presentation” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenues and Gross Margin
Revenues
Our business is affected by the concentration of our customer base and our customers’ capital equipment procurement schedules as a result of their investment plans. Our product revenues in any particular period are impacted by the amount of new orders we receive during that period and, depending upon the duration of manufacturing and installation cycles, in the preceding periods. Revenue is also impacted by average customer pricing, customer revenue deferrals associated with volume purchase agreements, the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, increased trade restrictions as discussed in the “Executive Summary” section above and the availability of government incentives for semiconductor capital investments.A significant portion of our revenues continues to be generated in Asia, where a substantial portion of the world’s semiconductor manufacturing capacity is located, and we expect that trend to continue.
Service revenues are generated from product maintenance and support services, as well as billable time and material service calls made to our customers. The amount of our service revenues is typically a function of the number of systems installed at our customers’ sites and the utilization of those systems, but it is also impacted by other factors, such as our rate of service contract renewals, the types of systems being serviced and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Q1 FY25 vs. Q1 FY24
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
2024
2023
Revenues:
Product
$
2,197,389
$
1,836,664
$
360,725
20
%
Service
644,152
560,292
83,860
15
%
Total revenues
$
2,841,541
$
2,396,956
$
444,585
19
%
Costs of revenues
$
1,147,431
$
946,891
$
200,540
21
%
Gross margin
59.6
%
60.5
%
The following is a summary of revenues by geographic region, based on ship-to location, for the indicated periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Q1 FY25 vs. Q1 FY24
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
2024
2023
China
$
1,198,305
42
%
$
1,025,944
43
%
$
172,361
17
%
North America
500,943
18
%
250,713
10
%
250,230
100
%
Taiwan
461,991
16
%
405,343
17
%
56,648
14
%
Korea
238,673
8
%
219,821
9
%
18,852
9
%
Japan
188,569
7
%
227,377
10
%
(38,808)
(17)
%
Europe and Israel
144,820
5
%
168,436
7
%
(23,616)
(14)
%
Rest of Asia
108,240
4
%
99,322
4
%
8,918
9
%
Total
$
2,841,541
100
%
$
2,396,956
100
%
$
444,585
19
%
Product revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 from $1.84 billion to $2.20 billion primarily due to the strong demand for many of our products, especially in our inspection portfolio, as well as increased demand from the continued growth in the advanced packaging market.
Service revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $560.3 million to $644.2 million, primarily due to an increase in our installed base.
The increased product and service revenue generation from our customers in China contributed to our overall revenue increase, with that region recording the largest amount of revenues in both three-month periods, accounting for 42% of total revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 43% of total revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2023. Many Chinese customers, encouraged by the growth potential of certain semiconductor markets and Chinese government initiatives around self-sustainability in domestic semiconductor production, have increased their investments in process control products, partially offset by restrictions on technology exports to China, which curtailed deliveries of certain advanced technology to specific customers. Our customers in North America also contributed to the increased revenues, with that region recording the second largest amount of revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2024, accounting for 18% of total revenues, and the third largest amount of revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2023, with 10% of total revenues, as North American customers continue to invest in process control equipment to build domestic semiconductor capacity with an aim to improve overall supply chain resiliency. The remaining regions accounted for less than 20% of total revenues individually in both periods. The Japan region reported a decrease in revenues of 17% year over year, as we made significantly more shipments to that region in the three months ended September 30, 2023, as companies made investments in semiconductor production, with encouragement of the Japanese government.
Revenues by segment(1)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Q1 FY25 vs. Q1 FY24
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
2024
2023
Revenues:
Semiconductor Process Control
$
2,575,151
$
2,135,478
$
439,673
21
%
Specialty Semiconductor Process
128,334
126,719
1,615
1
%
PCB and Component Inspection
137,983
136,043
1,940
1
%
Total revenues for reportable segments
$
2,841,468
$
2,398,240
$
443,228
18
%
________________
(1)Segment revenues exclude corporate allocations and the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For additional details, refer to Note 17 “Segment Reporting and Geographic Information” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following is a summary of revenues by major product categories for the indicated periods:
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Q1 FY25 vs. Q1 FY24
2024
2023
Revenues:
Wafer Inspection
$
1,368,943
48
%
$
1,010,198
42
%
$
358,745
36
%
Patterning
576,409
20
%
542,488
23
%
33,921
6
%
Specialty Semiconductor Process
112,802
4
%
112,103
5
%
699
1
%
PCB and Component Inspection
72,908
3
%
71,164
3
%
1,744
2
%
Services
644,152
23
%
560,292
23
%
83,860
15
%
Other
66,327
2
%
100,711
4
%
(34,384)
(34)
%
Total
$
2,841,541
100
%
$
2,396,956
100
%
$
444,585
19
%
The primary factors impacting the performance of our segment revenues are summarized as follows:
•Revenues from our Semiconductor Process Control segment during the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased $439.7 million, or 21%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to strong demand for many of our products and the continued resumption of growth in the industry, along with higher service revenue from an increase in our installed base. Semiconductor Process Control segment revenues were approximately 91% of total company revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2024, which is consistent with the three months ended September 30, 2023. Wafer Inspection product revenues increased approximately 36% during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 andPatterning product revenues increased approximately 6% during the same period. These increases were primarily the result of North
American customers continuing to invest in domestic semiconductor manufacturing, increased purchases by Chinese customers as they attempt to become more self-sufficient in the industry and higher revenues from Korean memory customers as the memory market recovered after an extended period of slowdown. Also, globally, the innovation and growth of new leading-edge technologies like AI continue to fuel demand for our process control solutions to accelerate development and production cycles. These increases were partially offset by the loss of revenues due to more stringent restrictions from providing certain U.S. origin tools, software and technology to certain wafer fab equipment manufacturers located in China, absent an export license.
• In the Specialty Semiconductor Process segment during the three months ended September 30, 2024 remained relatively flat compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. Specialty Semiconductor Process revenues were approximately 4% of total revenues in both periods.
•Revenues in the PCB and Component Inspection segment during the three months ended September 30, 2024 remained relatively flat compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. We experienced higher revenues from customers involved in packaging, primarily in the Taiwan region, largely offset by lower revenues in the Display business related to the discontinued Display product lines. PCB and Component Inspection segment revenues were approximately 5% of total revenues in both periods.
Gross margin
Our gross margin fluctuates with revenue levels and product mix and is affected by variations in costs related to manufacturing and servicing our products, including our ability to scale our operations efficiently and effectively in response to prevailing business conditions.
The following table summarizes the major factors that contributed to the changes in gross margin:
Gross Margin
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
60.5%
Revenue volume of products and services
1.4%
Mix of products and services sold
(3.3)%
Manufacturing labor, overhead and efficiencies
0.4%
Other service and manufacturing costs
0.6%
September 30, 2024
59.6%
Changes in gross margin from revenue volume of products and services reflect our ability to leverage existing infrastructure to generate higher revenues. Changes in gross margin from the mix of products and services sold reflect the impact of changes within the composition of product and service offerings. Changes in gross margin from manufacturing labor, overhead and efficiencies reflect our ability to manage costs and drive productivity as we scale our manufacturing activity to respond to customer requirements, and amortization of intangible assets. Changes in gross margin from other service and manufacturing costs include the impact of customer support costs, including the efficiencies with which we deliver services to our customers, and the effectiveness with which we manage our production plans and inventory risk.
The decrease in our gross margin during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 is primarily due to a less profitable mix of products and services sold, partially offset by a higher revenue volume of products and services sold, a decrease in other service and manufacturing costs and a decrease in manufacturing labor and overhead costs.
(1) Segment gross profit is calculated as segment revenues less segment costs of revenues and excludes corporate allocations, amortization of intangible assets and the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For additional details, refer to Note 17 “Segment Reporting and Geographic Information” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Gross profit in the Semiconductor Process Control segment during the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due toa higher revenue volume of products and services sold. Gross profit in the Specialty Semiconductor Process segment during the three months ended September 30, 2024 decreased compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an unfavorable mix of products and services sold. Gross profit in the PCB and Component Inspection segment during the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a decrease in other service and manufacturing costs and a higher revenue volume of products and services sold.
Research and Development
R&D expenses may fluctuate with product development phases and project timing as well as our R&D efforts. As technological innovation is essential to our success, we may incur significant costs associated with R&D projects, including compensation for engineering talent, engineering material costs and other expenses.
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Q1 FY25 vs. Q1 FY24
2024
2023
R&D expenses
$
323,145
$
311,214
$
11,931
4
%
R&D expenses as a percentage of total revenues
11
%
13
%
R&D expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in employee-related expenses of $15.5 million and an increase in depreciation expense of $2.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in engineering project material costs of $6.1 million.
Our future operating results will depend significantly on our ability to produce products and provide services that have a competitive advantage in our marketplace. To do this, we believe we must continue to make substantial and focused investments in our R&D. We remain committed to product development in new and emerging technologies.
Selling, General and Administrative
Three Months Ended September 30,
Q1 FY25 vs. Q1 FY24
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
2024
2023
SG&A expenses
$
251,042
$
239,645
$
11,397
5
%
SG&A expenses as a percentage of total revenues
9
%
10
%
SG&A expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in consulting costs of $4.5 million and an increase in facility-related expenses of $3.3 million.
Restructuring charges were $2.9 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, the accrual for restructuring charges was $8.0 million.
For additional information, refer to Note 18 “Restructuring Charges” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Interest Expense and Other Expense (Income), Net
Other expense (income), net is comprised primarily of realized gains or losses on sales of marketable securities, gains or losses from revaluations of certain foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities as well as foreign currency contracts, interest-related accruals (such as interest and penalty accruals related to our tax obligations) and interest income earned on our invested cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Q1 FY25 vs. Q1 FY24
2024
2023
Interest expense
$
82,171
$
74,234
$
7,937
11
%
Other expense (income), net
$
(40,935)
$
(26,739)
$
(14,196)
(53)
%
Interest expense as a percentage of total revenues
3
%
3
%
Other expense (income), net as a percentage of total revenues
(1)
%
(1)
%
Interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to additional interest expense on our $750.0 million Senior Notes issued in February 2024.
The change in other expense (income), net during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to higher interest income of $22.5 million compared to the prior fiscal year due to higher interest rates, partially offset by a higher net fair value loss of $3.5 million from an equity security and higher net foreign exchange losses of $3.2 million compared to the prior fiscal year.
Provision for Income Taxes
The following table provides details of income taxes:
Three Months Ended September 30,
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
2024
2023
Income before income taxes
$
1,078,687
$
851,711
Provision for income taxes
$
132,836
$
110,336
Effective tax rate
12.3
%
13.0
%
The effective tax rate during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was lower compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to the impact of the following items:
•Tax expense decreased by $4.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024 relating to the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income;
•Tax expense decreased by $8.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024 relating to the Foreign-Derived Intangible Income deduction; partially offset by
•Tax expense increased by $4.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024 relating to the U.S. federal research credit.
Our future effective income tax rate depends on various factors, such as tax legislation, the geographic composition of our pre-tax income, the amount of our pre-tax income as business activities fluctuate, non-deductible expenses incurred in connection with acquisitions, R&D credits as a percentage of aggregate pre-tax income, non-taxable or non-deductible increases or decreases in the assets held within our Executive Deferred Savings Plan, the tax effects of employee stock activity and the effectiveness of our tax planning strategies. We also continue to monitor the adoption of Pillar Two relating to the global minimum tax in each of our tax jurisdictions to evaluate its impact on our effective income tax rate. For the jurisdictions that have adopted Pillar Two in their tax legislation, it is effective for us beginning in our current fiscal year and there was no material impact to our effective tax rate during the three months ended September 30, 2024 .
For discussions on tax examinations, assessments and certain related proceedings, see Note 12 “Income Taxes” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of
As of
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,977,202
$
1,977,129
Marketable securities
2,652,514
2,526,866
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
$
4,629,716
$
4,503,995
Percentage of total assets
30
%
29
%
Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Cash flows:
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
995,238
$
883,740
Net cash used in investing activities
(171,039)
(391,671)
Net cash used in financing activities
(837,708)
(705,156)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
13,582
(3,208)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
73
$
(216,295)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
As of September 30, 2024, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $4.63 billion, which represents an increase of $125.7 million from June 30, 2024. The increase is due to net cash provided by operating activities of $995.2 million, partially offset by stock repurchases of $567.4 million and cash used for payment of dividends and dividend equivalents of $198.1 million as well as tax withholding payments related to vested and released restricted stock units (“RSU”) of $72.2 million.
As of September 30, 2024, $1.20 billion of our $4.63 billion of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were held by our foreign subsidiaries and branch offices. We currently intend to indefinitely reinvest $126.7 million of the cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities held by our foreign subsidiaries for which we assert that earnings are permanently reinvested. If, however, a portion of these funds were to be repatriated to the United States, we would be required to accrue and pay state and foreign taxes of approximately 1% - 22% of the funds repatriated. The amount of taxes due will depend on the amount and manner of the repatriation, as well as the location from which the funds are repatriated. We have accrued state and foreign tax on the remaining cash of $1.07 billion of the $1.20 billion held by our foreign subsidiaries and branch offices. As such, these funds can be returned to the U.S. without accruing any additional U.S. tax expense.
Cash Dividends
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.45 per share on our outstanding common stock, which was paid on September 3, 2024 to our stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 15, 2024. During the same period in fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, our Board of Directors declared and paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.30 per share on our outstanding common stock. The total amount of regular quarterly cash dividends and dividend equivalents paid during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $198.1 million and $181.5 million, respectively. The amount of accrued dividend equivalents payable for regular quarterly cash dividends on unvested RSUs with dividend equivalent rights as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 was $10.3 million and $11.8 million, respectively. These amounts will be paid upon vesting of the underlying unvested RSUs as described in Note 9 “Equity and Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Stock Repurchases
The shares of common stock repurchased under our stock repurchase program have reduced our basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The stock repurchase program is intended, in part, to mitigate the potential dilutive impact related to our equity incentive plans and shares issued in connection with our Employee Stock Purchase Program as well as to return excess cash to our stockholders.
Historically, we have financed our liquidity requirements through cash generated from our operations. Net cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $995.2 million compared to $883.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase of $111.5 million resulted primarily from the following:
•An increase in customer and other collections of approximately $53 million primarily due to higher customer prepayments; and
•An increase in interest income of approximately $22 million from higher cash balances and higher interest rates; and
•An increase in net realized foreign exchange hedge gains of approximately $19 million; and
•A decrease in other tax payments of approximately $23 million.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $171.0 million compared to $391.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023. This decrease in cash used resulted from a decrease in net purchases of available-for-sale, equity and trading securities of $213.0 million and a decrease in capital expenditures of $7.7 million.
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $837.7 million compared to net cash used in financing activities of $705.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase in cash used resulted from an increase in cash used for common stock repurchases of $112.0 million, payment of dividends, dividend equivalents of $16.6 million and tax withholding payments related to vested and released RSU of $4.0 million.
Senior Notes
As of September 30, 2024, we had an aggregate principal amount of senior, unsecured notes totaling $6.70 billion (“Senior Notes”). For additional information on these Senior Notes, see Note 7 “Debt” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. As of September 30, 2024, we were in compliance with all of our covenants under the Indenture associated with the Senior Notes.
Revolving Credit Facility
We have in place a Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) for an unsecured Revolving Credit Facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of June 8, 2027 that allows us to borrow up to $1.50 billion. Subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased by an amount up to $250.0 million in the aggregate. As of September 30, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. We were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2024 (the leverage ratio was 1.43 to 1.00, compared to a maximum leverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 on a quarterly basis covering the trailing four consecutive fiscal quarters for each fiscal quarter). Considering our current liquidity position, short-term financial forecasts and ability to prepay the Revolving Credit Facility, if necessary, we expect to continue to be in compliance with our financial covenants at the end of our fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
For additional information on the Revolving Credit Facility, see Note 7 “Debt” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Material Cash Requirements
While demand for our products remains strong and we continue to invest in technological innovation, the recent slowdown in consumer demand and expectations of a slowing global economy are having an impact on semiconductor demand. As a result, customers are postponing capacity expansion plans and setting lower capital expenditure budgets. Accordingly, we have seen a decrease in our estimate of our significant purchase commitments. For additional details regarding our debt and other material cash commitments, refer to Note 7 “Debt” and Note 14 “Commitments and Contingencies,” respectively, to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional details regarding our material cash requirements, refer to “Material Cash Requirements” in Part II, Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report Form on 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Working Capital
Working capital was $5.43 billion as of September 30, 2024, which represents an increase of $59.9 million compared to
our working capital of $5.37 billion as of June 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of $4.63 billion of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility. Our liquidity may be affected by many factors, some of which are based on the normal ongoing operations of the business, spending for business acquisitions, and other factors such as uncertainty in the global and regional economies and the semiconductor, semiconductor-related and electronic device industries. Although cash requirements will fluctuate based on the timing and extent of these factors, we believe that cash generated from operations, together with the liquidity provided by existing cash and cash equivalents balances, marketable securities and our $1.50 billion Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements associated with working capital needs, capital expenditures, cash dividends, stock repurchases and other contractual obligations, including repayment of outstanding debt, for at least the next 12 months.
Our credit ratings as of September 30, 2024 are summarized below:
Rating Agency
Rating
Fitch Inc.
A
Moody’s Investors Service
A2
S&P Global Ratings
A-
In December 2023, Fitch Inc. upgraded our senior unsecured credit rating from A- to A. Factors that can affect our credit ratings include changes in our operating performance, the economic environment, conditions in the semiconductor and semiconductor capital equipment industries, our financial position, material acquisitions and changes in our business strategy.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2024, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial position, changes in financial condition, revenues and expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors. Refer to Note 14 “Commitments and Contingencies” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to indemnification obligations.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and marketable equity security prices. To mitigate these risks, we utilize derivative financial instruments such as foreign currency hedges. All of the potential changes noted below are based on sensitivity analyses performed on our financial position as of September 30, 2024. Actual results may differ materially.
As of September 30, 2024, we had an investment portfolio of fixed income securities of $1.75 billion. These securities, as with all fixed income instruments, are subject to interest rate risk and will decline in value if market interest rates increase. If market interest rates were to increase immediately and uniformly by 100 bps from levels as of September 30, 2024, the fair value of the portfolio would have declined by $16.8 million.
The fair market value of our long-term fixed interest rate Senior Notes is subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the fair market value of fixed interest rate notes will increase as market interest rates fall and decrease as market interest rates rise. As of September 30, 2024, our fixed rate Senior Notes had a fair value and book value of $6.59 billion and $6.63 billion, respectively, due in various fiscal years ranging from 2025 to 2063.
As of September 30, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings under our $1.50 billion Revolving Credit Facility. Each Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Loan will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Adjusted Term SOFR, which is equal to the applicable Term SOFR plus 10 bps that shall not be less than zero, plus a spread ranging from 75 bps to 125 bps, as determined by the Company’s credit ratings at the time. The fair value of the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to interest rate and credit risk due to the timing of the rate resets and changes in the market’s assessment of risk of default, respectively. Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, we are also obligated to pay an annual commitment fee on the daily undrawn balance of the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 4.5 bps to 12.5 bps, depending upon our then-prevailing credit rating. As of September 30, 2024, the annual commitment fee was 5.5 bps Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, if our credit ratings were downgraded to be below investment grade, the maximum potential increase to our annual commitment fee for the Revolving Credit Facility, using the highest point of the ranges discussed above, is estimated to be approximately $1 million.
Our equity investment in a publicly traded company is subject to market price risk, which we typically do not attempt to reduce or eliminate through hedging activities. As of September 30, 2024, the fair value of our investment in the marketable equity security, which began publicly trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on April 5, 2021, was $19.7 million. Assuming a decline of 50% in market prices, the aggregate value of our investment in the marketable equity security could decrease by approximately $10 million, based on the value as of September 30, 2024.
See Note 5 “Marketable Securities” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 and “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional details and risks that may affect the value of the investments in our portfolio as of September 30, 2024.
As of September 30, 2024, we had net forward and option contracts to purchase $224.6 million in foreign currency in order to hedge certain currency exposures (see Note 15 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details). If we had entered into these contracts on September 30, 2024, the U.S. dollar equivalent would have been $218.4 million. A 10% adverse move in all currency exchange rates affecting the contracts would decrease the fair value of the contracts by $134.7 million. However, if this occurred, the fair value of the underlying exposures hedged by the contracts would increase by a similar amount. Accordingly, we believe that, as a result of the hedging of certain of our foreign currency exposure, changes in most relevant foreign currency exchange rates should have no material impact on our results of operations or cash flows.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Related CEO and CFO Certifications
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act (“Disclosure Controls”) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) required by Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b). The Disclosure Controls evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, our Disclosure Controls were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Attached as exhibits to this Report are certifications of the CEO and CFO that are required in accordance with Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act. This Controls and Procedures section includes the information concerning the controls evaluation referred to in the certifications, and it should be read in conjunction with the certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.
Definition of Disclosure Controls
Disclosure Controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, such as this Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure Controls are also designed to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Disclosure Controls include components of our internal control over financial reporting, which consists of control processes designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. To the extent that components of our internal control over financial reporting are included within our Disclosure Controls, they are included in the scope of our annual controls evaluation.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls
Our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls or internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and fraud. 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. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving our stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter covered by this Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The information set forth above under Note 13 “Litigation and Other Legal Matters” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part 1 is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
A description of factors that could materially affect our business, financial condition or operating results is provided below.
Risk Factors Summary
The following summarizes the most material risks that make an investment in our securities risky or speculative. If any of the following risks occur or persist, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed and the price of our common stock could significantly decline.
Commercial, Operational, Financial and Regulatory Risks
•Our vulnerability to a weakening in the condition of the financial markets and the global economy;
•Risks related to our international operations, such as tariffs or similar trade impairments, and longer payment cycles or collection difficulties associated with international sales;
•Laws, rules, regulations or other orders that may limit our ability to sell our products or provide service on products previously sold to certain customers;
•IP disputes can be expensive and could result in an inability to sell our products in certain jurisdictions;
•Increasing attention to ESG matters, including any targets or other ESG initiatives, could result in additional costs or risks or adversely impact our business;
•We may be unable to attract, onboard and retain key personnel;
•Reliance on third-party service providers could result in disruptions if such third parties cannot perform services for us in a timely manner;
•Cybersecurity incidents could result in the loss of valuable information or assets or subject us to costly disruption, remediation, regulatory investigations, litigation and reputational damage;
•We may face disruptions if we cannot access critical information in a timely manner due to system failures;
•We may not find suitable acquisition candidates or fail to successfully integrate our acquisitions;
•Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, acts of terrorism or war or other catastrophic events, and the lack of insurance thereof, could significantly disrupt our operations, including affecting the global supply chain, for lengthy periods of time;
•We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and the market values of our portfolio investments;
•We are subject to tax and regulatory compliance audits;
•Economic, political or other conditions in the jurisdictions where we earn profits can impact the tax laws and taxes we pay in those jurisdictions, subsequently impacting our effective tax rate, cash flows and results of operations;
•Increased compliance costs with federal securities laws, rules, and regulations, as well as NASDAQ requirements; and
•Changes in accounting pronouncements and laws could have unforeseen effects.
Industry Risks
•We may not be able to keep pace with trends and technological changes in the industries in which we operate;
•We have a highly concentrated customer base;
•Prevailing local and global economic conditions may negatively affect the purchasing decisions of our customers; and
•We are exposed to risks related to the use of AI by us and our competitors.
Business Model and Capital Structure Risks
•We may not be able to maintain our technology advantage or protect our proprietary rights;
•We may not be able to compete with new products introduced by our competitors;
•We may not receive components necessary to build our products in a timely manner;
•We may fail to operate our business in a manner consistent with our business plan;
•We may fail to comply with the covenants in our Revolving Credit Facility (defined below) and Senior Notes (defined below), which could impair our ability to borrow needed funds, or require us to repay debt sooner than we planned;
•We may not have sufficient financial resources to repay our indebtedness when it becomes due, and our leveraged capital structure may divert resources from operations and other corporate uses;
•We may not be able to declare cash dividends at all or in any particular amounts;
•Risks related to our commercial terms and conditions, including our indemnification of third parties, as well as the performance of our products;
•Our government funding for R&D is subject to termination, audit and any further penalties;
•We may incur significant restructuring charges or other asset impairment charges or inventory write-offs;
•We are subject to risks related to receivables factoring arrangements, and compliance risk of certain settlement agreements with the government; and
•Our Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”) designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole forum for certain actions, which may discourage claims against the Company.
For a more complete discussion of the material risks facing our business, see below.
Commercial, Operational, Financial and Regulatory Risks
We are exposed to risks associated with a weakening in the condition of the financial markets and the global economy.
Demand for our products is ultimately driven by the global demand for electronic devices by consumers and businesses. Economic uncertainty frequently leads to reduced consumer and business spending, and can cause our customers to decrease, cancel or delay their equipment and service orders. The tightening of credit markets, rising interest rates and concerns regarding the availability of credit can make it more difficult for our customers to raise capital, whether debt or equity, to finance their purchases of capital equipment, including the products we sell. Reduced demand, combined with delays in our customers’ ability to obtain financing (or the unavailability of such financing), has, at times in the past, adversely affected our product and service sales and revenues and, therefore, has harmed our business and operating results, and our operating results and financial condition may again be adversely impacted if economic conditions decline from their current levels.
In addition, a decline in the condition of the global financial markets could adversely impact the market values or liquidity of our investments. Our investment portfolio includes corporate and government securities, money market funds and other types of debt and equity investments. Although we believe our portfolio continues to be comprised of sound investments due to the quality and (where applicable) credit ratings of such investments, a decline in the capital and financial markets or rising interest rates would adversely impact the market value of our investments and their liquidity. If the market value of such investments were to decline, or if we were to have to sell some of our investments under illiquid market conditions, we may be required to recognize an impairment charge on such investments or a loss on such sales, either of which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
If we are unable to timely and appropriately adapt to changes resulting from difficult macroeconomic conditions, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
A majority of our annual revenues are derived from outside the U.S., and we maintain significant operations outside the U.S. We are exposed to numerous risks as a result of the international nature of our business and operations. We expect these conditions to continue in the foreseeable future.
Managing global operations and sites located throughout the world presents a number of challenges, including, but not limited to:
•Global trade issues and changes in and uncertainties with respect to trade policies, including the ability to obtain required import and export licenses, trade sanctions, tariffs and international trade disputes;
•Political and social attitudes, laws, rules, regulations and policies within countries that favor domestic companies over non-domestic companies, including customer- or government-supported efforts to promote the development and growth of local competitors;
•Ineffective or inadequate legal protection of IPrights in certain countries;
•Managing cultural diversity and organizational alignment;
•Exposure to the unique characteristics of each region in the global market, which can cause capital equipment investment patterns to vary significantly from period to period;
•Periodic local or international economic downturns;
•Potential adverse tax consequences, including withholding tax rules that may limit the repatriation of our earnings, and higher effective income tax rates in foreign countries where we do business;
•Compliance with customs regulations in the countries in which we do business;
•Existing and potentially new tariffs or other trade restrictions and barriers (including those applied to our products, spare parts and services, or to parts and supplies that we purchase);
•Political instability, geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, legal or regulatory changes, acts of war such as the wars between Russia and Ukraine or the war in the Middle East and further escalation thereof, or terrorism in regions where we, our customers or our suppliers have operations or where we or they do business;
•Rising inflation and fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates may adversely impact our ability to compete on price with local providers or the value of revenues we generate from our international business. Although we attempt to manage some of our near-term currency risks through the use of hedging instruments, there can be no assurance that such efforts will be adequate;
•Slowing growth, increased unemployment changes in fiscal and/or monetary policies in the countries where we operate;
•Our ability to receive prepayments for certain of our products and services sold in certain jurisdictions. These prepayments increase our cash flows for the quarter in which they are received. If our practice of requiring prepayments in those jurisdictions changes or deteriorates, our cash flows would be harmed;
•Required refunds for customer prepayments resulting from our inability to ship to certain jurisdictions, especially for customers in China, as described in more detail below. If we are required to make such refunds, our cash flows could be negatively affected;
•Longer payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable outside of the U.S.;
•Difficulties in managing foreign distributors (including monitoring and ensuring our distributors’ compliance with applicable laws); and
•Inadequate protection or enforcement of our IP and other legal rights in foreign jurisdictions.
Any of the factors above could have a significant negative impact on our business and results of operations.
Over the past several years, there have been a variety of rules and regulations issued by BIS that have had an impact on our ability to sell certain products and provide certain services to certain customers in China. These rules and regulations may significantly harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows in future periods, unless we are able to obtain required licenses.
We maintain significant operations outside the United States, and existing and evolving trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. and other governments could significantly disrupt our global operations. The U.S. government has tightened export controls for commodities, software, and technology (collectively, “items”) destined to China over the past several years. These controls have included, for example, restrictions on exporting certain items to military end users and for military end uses, the addition of numerous entities to the U.S. Entity List (a list of parties that are generally ineligible to receive U.S.-regulated items without prior licensing from BIS), and the creation of new licensing requirements that apply to the export, re-export, and transfer of certain foreign-made items that are the direct product of U.S. origin technology or produced by a plant or major component of a plant that itself is the direct product of U.S. origin technology and which are destined to Huawei or its affiliates and other specified companies on the U.S. Entity List.
In October 2022, BIS published the 2022 BIS Rules that introduce restrictions related to semiconductor, semiconductor manufacturing, supercomputer, and advanced computing items and end uses. These rules impose restrictions on our ability to sell, ship and support certain equipment and otherwise conduct business with certain counterparties, primarily including China-based companies involved in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Further, the 2022 BIS Rules impose restrictions on the activities of U.S. persons with respect to certain items that are not subject to the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), which departs from BIS’ typical practice of controlling items that are subject to the EAR, and could further restrict our ability to conduct business in China. In October 2023, BIS issued the 2023 BIS Rules designed to update export controls on advanced computing semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, as well as items that support supercomputing applications and end-uses, to certain D1, D4 and/or D5 countries in Supplement No. 1 of Part 740 of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, including China. The 2023 BIS Rules adjust the parameters included in the 2022 BIS Rules that determine whether an advanced computing chip is restricted and impose new measures to address risks of circumvention of the controls established by the 2022 BIS Rules. The 2023 BIS Rules are very complex and, in January 2024, KLA, among other
companies, submitted comments to BIS on the 2023 BIS Rules. BIS could revise or expand the 2023 BIS Rules in response to public comments. Likewise, BIS may issue guidance clarifying the scope of the rules. Such revisions, expansions or guidance could change the impact of the rules for our business. Commerce has also added, and may continue to add, China-based entities to the U.S. Entity List, imposing export restrictions to entities that could disrupt or prevent our product shipment, and further disrupt our revenue recognition and business operations, and our ability to support our customers in China.
These rules and regulations may significantly harm our business unless we are able to obtain required licenses. We will continue to apply for export licenses, when required, in an effort to avoid disruption to our and our customers’ operations, but there can be no assurance that export licenses applied for by either us or our customers, now or in the future, will be granted. To the extent BIS does issue licenses to us or to our customers, such licenses may have a short duration or require us to satisfy various conditions. If pending and future export license applications are not granted, or additional restrictions are imposed, or if regulators adopt new interpretations of existing regulations, the potential impact on us could be material by disrupting our supply chain and product shipment, impairing our ability to complete product development in a timely manner, or our ability to support existing customers of covered products or supply customers of covered products outside the impacted regions, and requiring us to transition certain operations out of one or more of the identified countries. Failure to obtain export licenses could also harm our RPO, requiring us to return substantial deposits received from customers in China for purchase orders, and/or further limiting our ability to meet our contractual obligations and sell our products or provide services to our customers in China.
We may lose revenue in future periods related to anticipated sales to customers in China unless we are able to replace their orders with other customer orders for which either a license has been obtained or is not required. Our revenue from sales of products and provision of services to customers in China was 43%, 27% and 29% for fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Additionally, the Chinese government has adopted, and may further adopt, new regulations, in response to U.S. government actions, which could adversely affect our ability to do business in China. We have controls and procedures designed to maintain compliance with U.S. and other applicable export control laws and regulations; however, we cannot guarantee that such controls and procedures will be successful in preventing violations or allegations of violations, of increasingly complex and often conflicting regulations worldwide. The complexity and evolving nature of the rules and regulations, and the fact that Commerce or other relevant regulators might adopt interpretations of regulations that differ from those of the Company, increase our risk of non-compliance.
Any violations by us of applicable export laws and regulations could result in significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines and criminal proceedings against the Company or responsible employees, a denial of export privileges, suspension or debarment. Our employees, customers, suppliers or other third parties with whom we work may also engage in conduct for which the Company might be held responsible. We could face significant compliance, litigation or settlement costs and diversion of management’s attention from our business as a result. Further, the Company may be subject to negative publicity or reputational harm, resulting in reduced demand for our products, employee attrition and other negative impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We might be involved in claims or disputes related to IP or other confidential information that may be costly to resolve, prevent us from selling or using the challenged technology and seriously harm our operating results and financial condition.
As is typical in the industries in which we serve, from time to time we have received communications from other parties asserting the existence of patent rights, copyrights, trademark rights or other IP rights which they believe cover certain of our products, processes, technologies or information. In addition, we occasionally receive notification from customers who believe that we owe them indemnification or other obligations related to IP claims made against such customers by third parties. With respect to IP infringement disputes, our customary practice is to evaluate such infringement assertions and to consider whether to seek licenses where appropriate. However, there can be no assurance that licenses will be granted or, if granted, will be on acceptable terms or that costly litigation or other administrative proceedings will not occur. The inability to obtain necessary licenses or other rights on reasonable terms could seriously harm our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we may potentially be subject to claims by customers, suppliers or other business partners, or by governmental law enforcement agencies, related to our receipt, distribution and/or use of third-party IP or confidential information. Legal proceedings and claims, regardless of their merit, and associated internal investigations with respect to IP or confidential information disputes are often expensive to prosecute, defend or conduct; may divert management’s attention and other Company resources; and/or may result in restrictions on our ability to sell our products, settlements on significantly adverse terms or adverse judgments for damages, injunctive relief, penalties and fines, any of which could have a significant negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. There can be no assurance regarding the outcome of future legal proceedings, claims or investigations. The instigation of legal proceedings or claims, our inability to favorably resolve or settle such proceedings or
claims, or the determination of any adverse findings against us or any of our employees in connection with such proceedings or claims could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as our business reputation.
We are exposed to various risks related to the legal, regulatory and tax environments in which we perform our operations and conduct our business.
We are subject to various risks related to compliance with laws, rules and regulations enacted by legislative bodies and/or regulatory agencies in the countries in which we operate and with which we must comply, including environmental, safety, antitrust, anti-corruption/anti-bribery, unclaimed property, economic sanctions and export control regulations. We have policies and procedures designed to promote compliance with applicable laws, but there can be no assurance our policies and procedures will prove completely effective in ensuring compliance by all our personnel, business partners and representatives, for whose misconduct we may under some circumstances be legally responsible. Our failure or inability to comply with existing or future laws, rules or regulations in the countries in which we operate could result in government investigations and/or enforcement actions, which could result in significant financial cost (including investigation expenses, defense costs, assessments and criminal or civil penalties), reputational harm and other consequences that may adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and ability to conduct our business. For instance, in response to the war between Russia and Ukraine, the U.S., European Union and other countries have imposed sanctions against Russia, Belarus and certain other regions, entities and individuals, and may impose additional sanctions, export controls or other measures. The imposition of sanctions, export controls and other measures could adversely impact our business including preventing us from performing existing contracts, recognizing revenue, pursuing new business opportunities or receiving payment for products already supplied or services already performed with customers.
Additionally, we are subject to various domestic and international environmental laws and regulations, including those that control and restrict the use, transportation, emission, discharge, storage, and disposal of certain chemicals, gases and other substances. Current and proposed restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) may negatively impact our supply chain due to potentially decreased availability, or non-availability, of PFAS-containing products or commercially feasible alternatives. Any failure to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations or requirements may subject us to a range of consequences, including fines, suspension of certain of our business activities, limitations on our ability to sell our products, obligations to remediate environmental contamination, and criminal and civil liabilities or other sanctions. Some of these laws impose strict liability for certain releases, which may require us to incur costs regardless of fault or the legality of actions at the time of release. In addition, changes in environmental laws and regulations (including any relating to climate change and greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions) could require us, or others in our value chain, to install additional equipment, alter operations to incorporate new technologies or processes, or revise process inputs, among other things, which may cause us to incur significant costs or otherwise adversely impact our business performance. Various agencies and governmental bodies have expressed particular interest in promulgating rules relating to climate change. For example, in March 2022, the SEC published a proposed rule that would require companies to provide significantly expanded climate-related disclosures, which may require us to incur significant additional costs to comply and impose increased oversight obligations on our management and Board of Directors. We also face increasing complexity in our manufacturing, product design and procurement operations as we adjust to new and prospective requirements relating to the composition of our products, including restrictions on lead and other substances and requirements to track the sources, production methods, or provenance of certain metals and other materials. The cost of complying, or failing to comply, with these and other regulatory requirements or contractual obligations could adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and ability to conduct our business.
From time to time, we may receive inquiries, subpoenas, investigative demands or audit notices from governmental or regulatory bodies, or we may make voluntary disclosures, related to legal, regulatory or tax compliance matters, and these matters may result in significant financial cost (including investigation expenses, defense costs, assessments and criminal or civil penalties), reputational harm and other consequences that could materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. In addition, we may be subject to new or amended laws, including laws that conflict with other applicable laws, which may impose compliance challenges and create the risk of non-compliance.
In addition, we may from time to time be involved in legal proceedings or claims regarding employment, immigration, contracts, product performance, product liability, antitrust, ESG, IP, export controls, cybersecurity and data privacy, tax, securities, unfair competition and other matters. These legal proceedings and claims, regardless of their merit, may be time-consuming and expensive to prosecute or defend, divert management’s attention and resources, and/or inhibit our ability to sell our products. There can be no assurance regarding the outcome of current or future legal proceedings or claims, which could adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and ability to operate our business.
Increasing attention to ESG matters, including any targets or other ESG initiatives, could result in additional costs or risks or adversely impact our business.
Certain investors, capital providers, shareholder advocacy groups, other market participants, customers and other stakeholder groups have focused increasingly on companies’ ESG initiatives, including those regarding climate change, human rights and inclusion and diversity, among others. This has increased, and may in the future continue to increase, certain of our compliance and disclosure costs, and may also result in further impacts on our business, financial condition or results of operations, including changes in demand for certain types of products.
From time to time, we create and publish voluntary disclosures regarding ESG matters. Identification, assessment and disclosure of such matters is complex. Many of the statements in such voluntary disclosures are based on our expectations and assumptions, which may require substantial discretion and forecasts about costs and future circumstances. Additionally, expectations regarding companies’ management of ESG matters continues to evolve rapidly, in many instances due to factors that are out of our control.
Although we have engaged, and expect to continue to engage, in certain voluntary ESG initiatives, to improve the ESG profile of our operations and product offerings, we cannot guarantee that such efforts will have the intended results, including whether we are able to measure and disclose related data of sufficient quality or timeliness or in accordance with particular methodological practices. For example, we have adopted certain GHG emissions reduction targets for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Although several of these goals have been validated by Science Based Targets Initiative (“SBTi”), our estimates concerning the timing and cost of implementing our goals are subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which are outside of our control. In addition, standards for calculating and disclosing emissions and other sustainability metrics continue to evolve, which can result in inconsistencies or other changes to data over time, revisions to our strategies and targets, or our ability to achieve them, subjecting us to additional scrutiny. For example, we have recently elected to align our emissions reporting with the SBTi methodology, which will result in certain changes to our emissions metrics from historical calculations; however, to the extent the SBTi methodology is ultimately deemed to be not in keeping with regulatory standards or best practices, we may be subject to additional scrutiny or costs. Standards for ESG metrics and reporting continue to evolve due to a variety of factors, and our disclosures may evolve as well; however, we cannot guarantee that our approach will align with any particular methodology or stakeholder expectations. Any failure, or perceived failure, to disclose in keeping with best practices, regulations, or other stakeholder expectations or to successfully achieve our voluntary goals, or the manner in which we achieve some or any portion of our goals, could adversely impact our reputation or, to the extent related to our sustainability-linked capital sources, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ESG efforts have included, and may in the future include further adoption, or expansion, of certain ESG practices or policies, which may require us to expend additional resources to implement or to forego certain business opportunities to the extent others in our value chain do not meet pertinent requirements of such policies. By contrast, any failure, or perceived failure, to conform to such policies could have an adverse impact on our reputation and business activities. Our performance may be subject to greater scrutiny as a result of our announcement of any goals or policies and the publication of our performance against the same. Moreover, despite the voluntary nature of such efforts, we may receive increasing scrutiny and pressure from external sources, such as lenders, investors, proxy advisory firms, rating agencies or other investor advocacy groups, to adopt more transparent or aggressive climate or other ESG-related initiatives; however, we may not agree that such initiatives will be appropriate for our business, and we may not be able to implement such initiatives because of potential costs or technical or operational obstacles. Any unfavorable ESG ratings could lead to or increase any negative investor sentiment toward us, our customers or our industry, which could negatively impact our share price as well as our access to and cost of capital. To the extent ESG matters negatively impact our reputation, they may also impede our ability to compete as effectively to recruit or retain employees or customers, which may adversely affect our operations. Simultaneously, there are efforts by some stakeholders, including certain policymakers, to reduce companies’ efforts on certain environmental, social and sustainability-related matters, which could subject us to increased activism or litigation. In addition, we note that regulators, including the SEC, have adopted, or are considering adopting, regulations regarding ESG matters, including, but not limited to, climate change-related matters. To the extent we are subject to increased regulatory requirements, we could become subject to increased compliance-related costs and risks, including potential enforcement and litigation. Such ESG matters also impact at least certain of our suppliers and customers, which may compound or cause new impacts on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We depend on key personnel to manage our business effectively, and if we are unable to attract, retain and motivate our key employees, our sales and product development could be harmed.
Our employees are vital to our success, and our key management, engineering and other employees are difficult to replace. We generally do not have employment contracts with our key employees. Further, we do not maintain key person life insurance for any of our employees. The expansion of high technology companies worldwide and the elevated demand for talent from the growth in the demand for semiconductors in recent years has increased demand and competition for qualified personnel. Competition for engineering and other technical personnel in many areas of the world in which we operate is especially intense due to the proliferation of technology companies worldwide. Our competitors have targeted individuals in our
organization who have desired skills and experience. In addition, current or future immigration laws, policies or regulations may limit our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel. If we are unable to attract, onboard and retain key personnel, or if we are not able to attract, assimilate, onboard and retain additional highly qualified employees to meet our current and future needs, our business and operations could be harmed.
We outsource a number of services to third-party service providers, which decreases our control over the performance of these functions. Disruptions or delays at our third-party service providers could adversely impact our operations.
We outsource a number of services, including our transportation, information systems management and logistics management of spare parts and certain accounting and procurement functions, among others, to domestic and overseas third-party service providers. While outsourcing arrangements may lower our cost of operations, they also reduce our direct control over the services rendered. It is uncertain what effect such diminished control will have on the quality or quantity of products delivered or services rendered, on our ability to quickly respond to changing market conditions, or on our ability to ensure compliance with all applicable domestic and foreign laws and regulations. In addition, many of these outsourced service providers, including certain hosted software applications that we use for confidential data storage, may employ cloud computing technology and other systems. These providers may be susceptible to “cyber incidents,” such as software vulnerabilities, cyber-attacks aimed at theft of sensitive data, inadvertent cyber-security compromises, attacks aimed at operational disruption at the target or third-party service providers, all of which are outside of our control. If we do not effectively develop and manage our outsourcing strategies, if required export and other governmental approvals are not timely obtained, if our third-party service providers pass on the cost of inflation to us or do not perform as anticipated, or do not adequately maintain operational resilience or fail to protect our data from cyber-related security breaches, or if there are delays or difficulties in enhancing business processes, we may experience operational difficulties (such as limitations on our ability to ship products), increased costs, manufacturing or service interruptions or delays, loss of IP rights or other sensitive data, quality and compliance issues, and challenges in managing our product inventory or recording and reporting financial and management information, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on information technology for our business and are exposed to risks related to cybersecurity threats and cyber incidents affecting our, our customers’, suppliers’ and other service providers’ systems and networks.
In the conduct of our business, we and certain of our third-party providers collect, use, transmit and store data on information systems and networks, including systems, software, hardware and networks owned and maintained by KLA and/or by third-party providers (collectively, “IT Systems”). This data includes confidential information, transactional information and IP belonging to us, our customers and our business partners, as well as personal information of individuals (collectively, “Confidential Information”). We also integrate and use third-party services and products, including software, in our IT Systems, and such third-party products, services and systems are beyond our control. We face numerous and evolving cybersecurity risks that threaten the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our IT Systems and Confidential Information, including from diverse threat actors, such as state-sponsored organizations, opportunistic hackers and hacktivists, as well as diverse attack vectors, such as computer viruses, bugs, ransomware and other malware, technological errors and known and unknown vulnerabilities in our software and systems and those of third parties, cyber-related security breaches and similar disruptions from unauthorized intrusions, tampering, misuse or criminal acts made directly against our systems or networks, or through our third-party providers or the supply chain, including social engineering, phishing, or other events or developments that we may be unable to anticipate or fail to mitigate, including, but not limited to, financial fraud, including check fraud, vulnerabilities or misconfigurations in our IT Systems. In addition, insider actors, malicious or otherwise, could misappropriate our Confidential Information, compromise our IT Systems, tamper with our products or otherwise cause disruptions to our business operations. Moreover, we have acquired and continue to acquire companies with cybersecurity vulnerabilities and/or unsophisticated security measures, which may expose us to significant cybersecurity, operational and financial risks. Remote and hybrid working arrangements at our company (and at many third-party providers) also increase cybersecurity risks due to the challenges associated with managing remote computing assets and security vulnerabilities that are present in many non-corporate and home networks.
We and our third-party providers regularly experience cyber-attacks and events and on occasion incidents involving unauthorized access to systems and data and, although no such attacks, events or incidents have materially impacted our operations or financial results, there can be no assurance that such attacks, events or incidents will not be material to KLA in the future. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to our IT Systems change frequently and increasingly leverage technologies such as AI, cyber-attacks may not be recognized until launched against a target and are increasingly designed to circumvent controls, avoid detection and remove or obfuscate forensic artifacts. As such, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques, implement adequate preventative measures, or adequately identify, investigate and recover from cybersecurity incidents. There can also be no assurance that our cybersecurity risk management program and processes, including our policies, controls or procedures, will be fully implemented, complied with or effective in protecting our IT Systems and Confidential Information. We prioritize the remediation of identified security vulnerabilities based on known and
anticipated risks, and we aim to patch vulnerabilities within reasonable timeframes. However, we are unable to comprehensively identify all vulnerabilities (particularly as related to third-party software and systems), apply patches or confirm that mitigating measures are in place, or ensure that any patches will be applied by us or our third parties before exploitation by a threat actor. If attackers are able to exploit vulnerabilities before patches are installed or mitigating measures are implemented, significant compromises could impact our systems and data. AI may be used to generate cyberattacks as AI capabilities improve and are increasingly adopted. These attacks crafted with AI tools could directly attack our IT Systems with greater speed and/or efficiency than a human threat actor or create more effective phishing emails. In addition, the threat could be introduced from the result of us, our customers and business partners incorporating the output of an AI tool that includes a threat, such as introducing malicious code by incorporating AI generated source code.
Any cybersecurity incident or occurrence could impact our business directly, or indirectly by impacting third parties in the supply chain, in many potential ways: disruptions to operations; misappropriation, corruption or theft of Confidential Information; misappropriation of funds and Company assets; reduced value of our investments in research, development and engineering; litigation (including class action lawsuits) with, or payment of damages to, third parties; reputational damage; costs to comply with regulatory inquiries or actions; data privacy issues; costs to rebuild our information systems and networks; and increased cybersecurity protection and remediation costs. Cybersecurity incidents affecting our customers could result in substantial delays in our ability to ship to those customers or install our products, which could result in delays in revenue recognition or the cancellation of orders, and cybersecurity incidents affecting our suppliers could result in substantial delays in our ability to obtain necessary components for our products from those suppliers, which could hamper our ability to ship our products to our customers and service them, harming our results of operations. For example, in February 2023, one of our suppliers experienced a ransomware event that caused delays in its manufacturing operations, resulting in its shipment delays to us for components we ordered, which in turn caused delays in some of our outbound shipments during the quarter. Similar events could cause disruptions in the future.
We carry insurance that provides limited protection against the potential losses arising from a cybersecurity incident, but it will not likely cover all such losses, and the losses it does not cover may be significant.
We rely upon certain critical information systems for our daily business operations. Our inability to use or access our information systems at critical points in time could unfavorably impact our business operations.
Our global operations are dependent upon certain information systems, including telecommunications, the internet, our corporate intranet, network communications, email and various computer hardware and software applications. System failures or malfunctions, such as difficulties with our customer and supplier relationship management systems, could disrupt our operations and our ability to timely and accurately process and report key components of our financial results. Our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system is integral to our ability to accurately and efficiently maintain our books and records, record transactions, provide critical information to our management, and prepare our financial statements. Any disruptions or difficulties that may occur in connection with our ERP system or other systems (whether in connection with the regular operation, periodic enhancements, modifications or upgrades of such systems or the integration of our acquired businesses into such systems, or due to cybersecurity events such as ransomware attacks, including attacks on the information systems of our business partners and other third parties) could adversely affect our ability to complete important business processes, such as the evaluation of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Acquisitions are an important element of our strategy but, because of the uncertainties involved, we may not find suitable acquisition candidates and we may not be able to successfully integrate and manage acquired businesses. We are also exposed to risks in connection with strategic alliances or collaborative arrangements.
In addition to our efforts to develop new technologies from internal sources, part of our growth strategy is to pursue acquisitions and acquire new technologies from external sources. We may also enter into definitive agreements for and consummate acquisitions of, or significant investments in, businesses with complementary products, services and/or technologies. There can be no assurance that we will find suitable acquisition candidates, that we can close such acquisitions or that acquisitions we complete will be successful. In addition, we may use equity to finance future acquisitions, which would increase our number of shares outstanding and be dilutive to current stockholders.
If we are unable to successfully integrate and manage acquired businesses, if the costs associated with integrating the acquired businesses exceeds our expectations, or if acquired businesses perform poorly, then our business and financial results may suffer. It is possible that the businesses we have acquired, as well as businesses we may acquire in the future, may perform worse than expected or prove to be more difficult to integrate and manage than anticipated. In addition, we may face other risks associated with acquisition transactions that may lead to a material adverse effect on our business and financial results, including:
•We may have to devote unanticipated financial and management resources to acquired businesses;
•The combination of businesses may result in the loss of key personnel or an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our Company and/or the acquired business;
•We may not be able to realize expected operating efficiencies or product integration benefits from our acquisitions;
•We may experience challenges in entering into new market segments for which we have not previously manufactured and sold products;
•We may face difficulties in coordinating geographically separated organizations, systems and facilities;
•The customers, distributors, suppliers, employees and others with whom the companies we acquire have business dealings may have a potentially adverse reaction to the acquisition;
•We may have difficulty implementing a cohesive framework of controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a larger, U.S.-based public company at companies that, prior to acquisition, may not have as robust controls, procedures and policies, particularly with respect to the effectiveness of cyber and information security practices and incident response plans, compliance with data privacy and protection and other laws and regulations, and compliance with U.S.-based economic policies and sanctions that may not have previously been applicable to the acquired company’s operations;
•We may have to write off goodwill or other intangible assets; and
•We may incur unforeseen obligations or liabilities in connection with acquisitions including, but not limited to, cybersecurity risks associated with integrating our networks or systems with those of acquired entities.
At times, we may also enter into strategic alliances or collaborative arrangements with customers, suppliers or other business partners with respect to development of technology and IP. These projects typically require significant investments of capital and exchange of proprietary, highly sensitive information. The success of these alliances and arrangements depends on various factors over which we may have limited or no control, including the other party's discretion in determining the efforts and resources they will apply to the project, and requires ongoing and effective cooperation with our strategic partners and collaborators. Mergers, acquisitions, strategic alliances and collaborative arrangements are inherently subject to significant risks, and the inability to effectively manage these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
Disruption of our manufacturing facilities or other operations or those of our suppliers, or in the operations of our customers, due to climate change, earthquake, flood, other natural catastrophic events, public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic or terrorism could result in cancellation of orders, delays in deliveries or other business activities, or loss of customers and could seriously harm our business.
We have significant manufacturing operations in the U.S., Singapore, Israel, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and China. In addition, our business is international in nature, with our sales, service and administrative personnel and our customers and suppliers located in numerous countries throughout the world. Operations at our manufacturing facilities and our assembly subcontractors and those of our suppliers, as well as our other operations and those of our customers, are subject to disruption for a variety of reasons, including work stoppages, acts of war, terrorism, public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, fire, earthquake, volcanic eruptions, drought, storms, extreme temperatures, energy shortages, spikes in energy demand or power blackouts, disruptions in the availability of water necessary for our operations (including, but not limited to, in areas of relatively high water stress), flooding or other natural disasters. Certain of these events may become more frequent or intense as a result of climate change, and climate change may also contribute to chronic changes such as sea-level rise or changes to meteorological or hydrological patterns that may also disrupt our or our suppliers’ operations or otherwise adversely impact our business. Such disruption has caused (as with the COVID-19 pandemic, for example) and could in the future cause inefficiencies in our workforce and delays in, among other things, shipments of products to our customers, our ability to perform services requested by our customers, the ability of our suppliers to supply us components for our products in a timely manner, or the timely installation and acceptance of our products at customer sites. Such disruptions could also induce illiquidity for our customers and suppliers, further straining our supply chain and causing continued uncertainty in customers’ abilities to pay for the products they purchase and their demand for our products and services. In case of any disruptions in our supply chain, we may need to commit to increased purchases and provide longer lead times to secure critical components, which could increase inventory obsolescence risk.
We cannot provide any assurance that alternate means of conducting our operations (whether through alternate production capacity or service providers or otherwise) would be available if a major disruption were to occur or that, if such alternate means were available, they could be obtained on favorable terms.
We maintain a program of insurance coverage for a variety of property, casualty and other risks. The types and amounts of insurance we obtain vary depending on availability, cost and decisions with respect to risk retention. Some of our policies
have broad exclusions. In addition, one or more of our insurance providers may be unable or unwilling to continue to provide certain coverage in the future or pay a claim. Losses not covered by insurance may be large, which could harm our results of operations and financial condition. Even where insured, there is a risk that an insurer may deny or limit coverage or may become financially incapable of covering claims.
In addition, as part of our cost-cutting actions, we have consolidated several operating facilities. Our California operations are now primarily centralized in our Milpitas facility. The consolidation of our California operations into a single campus could further concentrate the risks related to any of the disruptive events described above, such as acts of war or terrorism, earthquakes, fires or other natural disasters, if any such event were to impact our Milpitas facility.
We are predominantly uninsured for losses and interruptions caused by terrorist acts and acts of war. If international political instability or geopolitical tensions continue or increase, our business and results of operations could be harmed.
The threat of terrorism targeted at, or acts of war in, the regions of the world in which we do business increases the uncertainty in our markets. Any act of terrorism or war that affects the economy or the industries we serve could adversely affect our business. Increased international political instability or geopolitical tensions in various parts of the world, disruption in air transportation and further enhanced security measures as a result of terrorist attacks may hinder our ability to do business and may increase our costs of operations. We maintain significant operations in Israel. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and a state of hostility varying in degree and intensity has led to security and economic challenges for Israel. In October 2023, war between Israel and Hamas began, which has resulted in significant military activity in the region. In addition, some of our employees in Israel are obligated to perform annual reserve duty in the Israel Defense Forces, and may be called to active military duty in emergency circumstances. Following the inception of the war between Israel and Hamas, the Houthis launched a number of attacks on marine vessels traversing the Red Sea, which marine vessels were thought to either be in route towards Israel or to be partly owned by Israeli businessmen. The Red Sea is a vital maritime route for international trade and major shipping companies announced suspensions of operations following these attacks. Disruptions in shipping routes in the Red Sea could result in delays in shipping our products to customers, which could delay the timing of revenue recognition. We cannot assess the impact that emergency conditions in Israel may have on our business, operations, financial condition or results of operations, but it could be material. Instability in any region could directly impact our ability to operate our business (or our customers’ ability to operate their businesses), cause us to incur increased costs in transportation, make such transportation unreliable, increase our insurance costs, and cause international currency markets to fluctuate. Instability in any region could also have the same effects on our suppliers and their ability to timely deliver their products. Our insurance does not cover losses we suffer attributable to war. If international political instability and geopolitical tensions continue or increase in any region in which we do business, our business and results of operations could be harmed.
We self-insure certain risks including earthquake risk. If one or more of the uninsured events occurs, we could suffer major financial loss.
We purchase insurance to help mitigate the economic impact of certain insurable risks; however, certain risks are uninsurable, are insurable only at significant cost or cannot be mitigated with insurance. Accordingly, we may experience a loss that is not covered by insurance, either because we do not carry applicable insurance or because the loss exceeds the applicable policy amount or is less than the deductible amount of the applicable policy. For example, we do not currently hold earthquake insurance. An earthquake could significantly disrupt our manufacturing operations, a significant portion of which are conducted in California, an area highly susceptible to earthquakes. It could also significantly delay our research and engineering efforts on new products, much of which is also conducted in California. We take steps to minimize the damage that would be caused by an earthquake, but there is no certainty that our efforts will prove successful in the event of an earthquake. We self-insure earthquake risks because we believe this is a prudent financial decision based on our cash reserves and the high cost and limited coverage available in the earthquake insurance market. Certain other risks are also self-insured either based on a similar cost-benefit analysis, or based on the unavailability of insurance. If one or more of the uninsured events occurs, we could suffer major financial loss.
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Although we hedge certain currency risks, we may still be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates or declining economic conditions in these countries.
We have some exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily the Japanese Yen, the euro, the pound sterling and the new Israeli shekel. We have international subsidiaries that operate and sell our products globally. In addition, an increasing proportion of our manufacturing activities are conducted outside of the U.S., and many of the costs associated with such activities are denominated in foreign currencies. We routinely hedge our exposures to certain foreign currencies with certain financial institutions in an effort to minimize the impact of certain currency exchange rate fluctuations, but these hedges may be inadequate to protect us from currency exchange rate fluctuations. To the extent that these hedges are inadequate, or if there are significant currency exchange rate fluctuations in currencies for which we do not have hedges in place, our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business could be adversely affected. Furthermore, if a financial counterparty to our hedges experiences financial difficulties or is otherwise unable to honor the terms of the foreign currency hedge, we may experience material financial losses.
We are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates and the market values of our portfolio investments, and an impairment of our investments could harm our earnings. In addition, we and our stockholders are exposed to risks related to the volatility of the market for our common stock.
Our investment portfolio primarily consists of both corporate and government debt securities that are susceptible to changes in market interest rates and bond yields. As market interest rates and bond yields increase, those securities with a lower yield-at-cost show a mark-to-market unrealized loss. An impairment of the fair market value of our investments, even if unrealized, must be reflected in our financial statements for the applicable period and may, therefore, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for that period.
In addition, the market price for our common stock is volatile and has fluctuated significantly during recent years. The trading price of our common stock could continue to be highly volatile and fluctuate widely in response to various factors, including, without limitation, conditions in the semiconductor industry and other industries in which we operate, fluctuations in the global economy or capital markets, our operating results or other performance metrics, or adverse consequences experienced by us as a result of any of the risks described elsewhere in this Item 1A. Volatility in the market price of our common stock could cause an investor in our common stock to experience a loss on the value of their investment in us and could also adversely impact our ability to raise capital through the sale of our common stock or to use our common stock as consideration to acquire other companies.
We are exposed to risks in connection with tax and regulatory compliance audits in various jurisdictions.
We are subject to tax and regulatory compliance audits (such as related to customs or product safety requirements) in various jurisdictions, and such jurisdictions may assess additional income or other taxes, penalties, fines or other prohibitions against us. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable and that our products and practices comply with applicable regulations, the final determination of any such audit and any related litigation could be materially different from our historical income tax provisions and accruals related to income taxes and other contingencies. The results of an audit or litigation could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or cash flows in the period or periods for which that determination is made.
A change in our effective tax rate can have a significant adverse impact on our business.
We earn profits in, and are therefore potentially subject to taxes in, the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions, including Singapore and Israel, the countries in which we earn the majority of our non-U.S. profits. Due to economic, political or other conditions, tax rates in those jurisdictions may be subject to significant change. A number of factors may adversely impact our future effective tax rates, such as the jurisdictions in which our profits are determined to be earned and taxed; changes in the tax rates imposed by those jurisdictions; expiration of tax holidays in certain jurisdictions that are not renewed; the resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities; changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns; increases in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, including write-offs of acquired in-process research and development and impairment of goodwill in connection with acquisitions; changes in available tax credits; changes in stock-based compensation expense; changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; and the repatriation of earnings from outside the U.S. for which we have not previously provided for U.S. taxes. A change in our effective tax rate can materially and adversely impact our results from operations.
In addition, recent changes to U.S. tax laws will significantly impact how U.S. multinational corporations are taxed on foreign earnings. We have completed our accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which
was enacted into law on December 22, 2017. The recent U.S. tax law changes are subject to future guidance from U.S. federal and state governments, such as the Treasury Department and/or the Internal Revenue Service. Any future guidance can change our tax liability. A significant portion of the income taxes due to the enactment of the Tax Act is payable by us over a period of eight years. As a result, our cash flows from operating activities will be adversely impacted until the tax liability is paid in full.
The Tax Act also provides that a percentage of foreign earnings under the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) regime is taxable in the U.S. and a percentage of U.S. earnings under the Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”) regime is not subject to tax in the U.S. For tax years beginning on January 1, 2026, the percentage of GILTI that is taxable in the U.S. increases from 50% to 62.5% and the percentage of FDII not subject to tax in the U.S. decreases from 37.5% to 21.875%. The change in GILTI and FDII percentages can have a material and adverse impact to our effective tax rate beginning in the quarter ending September 30, 2026.
On August 16, 2022, the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) introduced a corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) that is effective for us beginning in the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The CAMT applies a 15% minimum income tax rate on certain large corporations. We are not expecting to have any effective tax rate impact from the CAMT but changes to U.S. tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws may result in CAMT liability which can have a material and adverse impact to our future effective tax rates.
Numerous countries are evaluating their existing tax laws due in part, to recommendations made by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (“OECD”) Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) project. The OECD continues to advance its work under the BEPS 2.0 initiative to develop the framework for Pillar Two - which aims to implement a global minimum tax of 15%. Many countries have enacted or drafted legislation using the Pillar Two framework to propose domestic tax laws requiring a minimum tax rate of 15% (“top-up tax”) on income earned in the respective countries. One country that has drafted Pillar Two legislation is Singapore, where KLA earns significant profits and currently benefits from tax incentives granted by the Singapore Economic Development Board. If enacted, the tax liability from top-up tax may have a material and adverse impact to our effective tax rate in the fiscal year when such law is effective.
Compliance with federal securities laws, rules and regulations, as well as NASDAQ requirements, has become increasingly complex, and the significant attention and expense we must devote to those areas may have an adverse impact on our business.
Federal securities laws, rules and regulations, as well as NASDAQ rules and regulations, require companies to maintain extensive corporate governance measures, impose comprehensive reporting and disclosure requirements, set strict independence and financial expertise standards for audit and other committee members and impose civil and criminal penalties for companies and their chief executive officers, chief financial officers and directors for securities law violations. These laws, rules and regulations have increased, and in the future are expected to continue to increase, the scope, complexity and cost of our corporate governance, reporting and disclosure practices, which could harm our results of operations and divert management’s attention from business operations.
A change in accounting standards or practices or a change in existing taxation rules or practices (or changes in interpretations of such standards, practices or rules) can have a significant effect on our reported results and may even affect reporting of transactions completed before the change is effective.
New accounting standards and taxation rules and varying interpretations of accounting pronouncements and taxation rules have occurred and will continue to occur in the future. Changes to (or revised interpretations or applications of) existing accounting standards or tax rules or the questioning of current or past practices may adversely affect our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business. Adoption of new standards may require changes to our processes, accounting systems, and internal controls. Difficulties encountered during adoption could result in internal control deficiencies or delay the reporting of our financial results.
Risks Associated with Our Industry
Ongoing changes in the technology industry, as well as the semiconductor industry in particular, could expose our business to significant risks.
The industries we serve, including the semiconductor and PCB industries, are constantly developing and changing. Many of the risks associated with operating in these industries are comparable to the risks faced by all technology companies, such as the uncertainty of future growth rates in the industries that we serve, pricing trends in the end-markets for consumer electronics and other products (which place a growing emphasis on our customers’ cost of ownership), rising inflation in the supply chain and interest rates, changes in our customers’ capital spending patterns and, in general, an environment of constant change and development, including decreasing product and component dimensions, use of new materials, and increasingly complex device
structures, applications and process steps. If we fail to appropriately adjust our cost structure and operations to adapt to any of these trends, or, with respect to technological advances, if we do not timely develop new technologies and products that successfully anticipate and address these changes, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
In addition, we face a number of risks specific to ongoing changes in the semiconductor industry, as a significant majority of our sales are our process control and yield management products sold to semiconductor manufacturers. The trends our management monitors in operating our business include the following:
•The potential for reversal of the long-term historical trend of declining cost per transistor with each new generation of technological advancement within the semiconductor industry, and the adverse impact that such reversal may have upon our business;
•The increasing cost of building and operating fabrication facilities and the impact of such increases on our customers’ capital equipment investment decisions;
•Differing market growth rates and capital requirements for different applications, such as memory and foundry/logic;
•Lower level of process control adoption by our memory customers compared to our foundry/logic customers;
•Our customers’ reuse of existing and installed products, which may decrease their need to purchase new products or solutions at more advanced technology nodes;
•The emergence of disruptive technologies that change the prevailing semiconductor manufacturing processes (or the economics associated with semiconductor manufacturing) and, as a result, also impact the inspection and metrology requirements associated with such processes;
•The higher design costs for the most advanced ICs, which could economically constrain leading-edge manufacturing technology customers to focus their resources on only the large, technologically advanced products and applications;
•The possible introduction of integrated products by our larger competitors that offer inspection and metrology functionality in addition to managing other semiconductor manufacturing processes;
•Changes in semiconductor manufacturing processes that are extremely costly for our customers to implement and, accordingly, our customers could reduce their available budgets for process control equipment by reducing inspection and metrology sampling rates for certain technologies;
•The bifurcation of the semiconductor manufacturing industry into (a) leading edge manufacturers driving continued R&D into next-generation products and technologies and (b) other manufacturers that are content with existing (including previous generation) products and technologies;
•The ever escalating cost of next-generation product development, which may result in joint development programs between us and our customers or government entities to help fund such programs that could restrict our control and ownership of and profitability from the products and technologies developed through those programs; and
•The entry by some semiconductor manufacturers into collaboration or sharing arrangements for capacity, cost or risk with other manufacturers, as well as increased outsourcing of their manufacturing activities, and greater focus only on specific markets or applications, whether in response to adverse market conditions or other market pressures.
Any of the changes described above may negatively affect our customers’ rate of investment in the capital equipment that we produce, which could result in downward pressure on our prices, customer orders, revenues and gross margins. If we do not successfully manage the risks resulting from any of these or other potential changes in our industries, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely impacted.
We are exposed to risks associated with a highly concentrated customer base.
Our customer base, particularly in the semiconductor industry, historically has been highly concentrated due to corporate consolidation, acquisitions and business closures. In this environment, orders from a relatively limited number of manufacturers have accounted for, and are expected to continue to account for, a substantial portion of our sales. This increasing concentration exposes our business, financial condition and operating results to a number of risks, including the following:
•The mix and type of customers, and sales to any single customer, may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year, which expose our business and operating results to increased volatility tied to individual customers;
•New orders from our foundry/logic customers in the past several years have constituted a significant portion of our total orders. This concentration increases the impact that future business or technology changes within the foundry/logic industry may have on our business, financial condition and operating results;
•In a highly concentrated business environment, if a particular customer does not place an order, or if they delay or cancel orders, we may not be able to replace the business. Furthermore, because our process control and yield
management products are configured to each customer’s specifications, any changes, delays or cancellations of orders may result in significant, non-recoverable costs;
•As a result of this consolidation, the customers that survive the consolidation represent a greater portion of our sales and, consequently, have greater commercial negotiating leverage. Many of our large customers have more aggressive policies regarding engaging alternative, second-source suppliers for the products we offer and, in addition, may seek and, on occasion, receive pricing, payment, IP-related or other commercial terms that may have an adverse impact on our business and we may not be able to pass on the cost of inflation to our customers. Any of these changes could negatively impact our prices, customer orders, revenues and gross margins;
•Certain customers have undergone significant ownership changes, created alliances with other companies, experienced management changes or have outsourced manufacturing activities, any of which may result in additional complexities in managing customer relationships and transactions. Any future change in ownership or management of our existing customers may result in similar challenges, including the possibility of the successor entity or new management deciding to select a competitor’s products;
•The highly concentrated business environment also increases our exposure to risks related to the financial condition of each of our customers. For example, as a result of the challenging economic environment during fiscal year 2009, we were (and, in some cases, continue to be) exposed to additional risks related to the continued financial viability of certain of our customers. To the extent our customers experience liquidity issues in the future, we may be required to incur additional credit losses with respect to receivables owed to us by those customers. In addition, customers with liquidity issues may be forced to reduce purchases of our equipment, delay deliveries of our products, discontinue operations or may be acquired by one of our customers, and, in either case, such event would have the effect of further consolidating our customer base;
•Semiconductor manufacturers generally must commit significant resources to qualify, install and integrate process control and yield management equipment into a semiconductor production line. We believe that once a semiconductor manufacturer selects a particular supplier’s process control and yield management equipment, the manufacturer generally relies upon that equipment for that specific production line application for an extended period of time. Accordingly, we expect it to be more difficult to sell our products to a given customer for that specific production line application and other similar production line applications if that customer initially selects a competitor’s equipment; and
•Prices differ among the products we offer for different applications due to differences in features offered or manufacturing costs. If there is a shift in demand by our customers from our higher-priced to lower-priced products, our gross margin and revenues would decrease. In addition, when products are initially introduced, they tend to have higher costs because of initial development costs and lower production volumes relative to the previous product generation, which can impact gross margin.
Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
We operate in industries that have historically been cyclical, including the semiconductor industry. The purchasing decisions of our customers are highly dependent on the economies of both the local markets in which they are located and the condition of the industry worldwide. If we fail to respond to industry cycles, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely impacted.
The timing, length and severity of the up-and-down cycles in the industries in which we serve are difficult to predict. The historically cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry in which we primarily operate is largely a function of our customers’ capital spending patterns and need for expanded manufacturing capacity, which, in turn, are affected by factors such as capacity utilization, consumer demand for products, inventory levels and our customers’ access to capital. Cyclicality affects our ability to accurately predict future revenue and, in some cases, future expense levels. During down cycles in our industry, the financial results of our customers may be negatively impacted, which could result not only in a decrease in, or cancellation or delay of, orders (which are generally subject to cancellation or delay by the customer with limited or no penalty) but also a weakening of their financial condition that could impair their ability to pay for our products or our ability to recognize revenue from certain customers. Our ability to recognize revenue from a particular customer may also be negatively impacted by the customer’s funding status, which could be weakened not only by rising interest rates, adverse business conditions or inaccessibility to capital markets for any number of macroeconomic or company-specific reasons, but also by funding limitations imposed by the customer’s unique organizational structure. Any of these factors could negatively impact our business, operating results and financial condition.
When cyclical fluctuations result in lower than expected revenue levels, operating results may be adversely affected and cost reduction measures may be necessary for us to remain competitive and financially sound. During periods of declining revenues, we must be in a position to adjust our cost and expense structure to prevailing market conditions and to continue to motivate and retain our key employees. If we fail to respond, or if our attempts to respond fail to accomplish our intended results, our business could be seriously harmed. Furthermore, any workforce reductions and cost reduction actions that we adopt in response to down cycles may result in additional restructuring charges, disruptions in our operations and loss of key personnel. In addition, during periods of rapid growth, we must be able to increase manufacturing capacity and personnel to meet customer demand. We can provide no assurance that these objectives can be met in a timely manner in response to industry cycles. Each of these factors could adversely impact our operating results and financial condition.
The growth that we have experienced over the past few years has resulted in higher levels of backlog, or RPO. The supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing pandemic as well as favorable market trends have led to customers agreeing to purchase equipment from us with lead times that are longer than our historical experience. As the lead times for delivery of our equipment get longer, the risk increases that customers may choose to change their equipment orders due to the evolution of the customer’s technological, production or market needs. This could result in order modifications, rescheduling or even cancellations that may not be communicated to us in a timely manner, causing RPO to remain elevated until agreed with the customer. Customer communication delays for orders already placed could affect our ability to respond quickly in weakening demand environments, which could harm our results of operations.
We are exposed to risks related to the use of AI by us, our competitors and other third parties.
We are increasingly incorporating AI capabilities into the development of technologies and our business operations, and into our products and services. AI technology is complex and rapidly evolving, and may subject us to significant competitive, legal, regulatory and other risks. The implementation of AI can be costly and there is no guarantee that our use of AI will enhance our technologies, benefit our business operations or produce products and services that are preferred by our customers. Our competitors may be more successful in their AI strategy and develop superior products and services with the aid of AI.
Additionally, AI algorithms or training methodologies may be flawed, and datasets may contain irrelevant, insufficient or biased information, which can cause errors in outputs. This may give rise to legal liability, damage our reputation and materially harm our business. The use of AI in the development of our products and services, and our customers’ use of AI in relation to our products and services could also cause loss of IP, as well as subject us to risks, including third-party claims, related to IP infringement or misappropriation, data privacy and cybersecurity. Additionally, concerns over the use of AI for purposes contrary to public interests could impair public acceptance of AI and impair demand for our products and services. Furthermore, the United States and other countries may adopt laws and regulations related to AI. Such laws and regulations could cause us to incur greater compliance costs and limit the use of AI in the development of our products and services. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with such regulatory requirements could subject us to legal liabilities, damage our reputation, or otherwise have a material and adverse impact on our business.
Risks Related to Our Business Model and Capital Structure
If we do not develop and introduce new products and technologies in a timely manner in response to changing market conditions or customer requirements, our business could be seriously harmed.
Success in the industries in which we serve, including the semiconductor and PCB industries depends, in part, on the continual improvement of existing technologies and rapid innovation of new solutions. The primary driver of technology advancement in the semiconductor industry has been to shrink the lithography that prints the circuit design on semiconductor chips. To the extent that driver slows, semiconductor manufacturers may delay investments in equipment, investigate more complex device architectures, use new materials and develop innovative fabrication processes. These and other evolving customer plans and needs require us to respond with continued development programs and cut back or discontinue older programs, which may no longer have industry-wide support. Technical innovations are inherently complex and require long development cycles and appropriate staffing of highly qualified employees. Our competitive advantage and future business success depend on our ability to accurately predict evolving industry standards, develop and introduce new products and solutions that successfully address changing customer needs, win market acceptance of these new products and solutions, and manufacture these new products in a timely and cost-effective manner. Our failure to accurately predict evolving industry standards and develop as well as offer competitive technology solutions in a timely manner with cost-effective products could result in loss of market share, unanticipated costs and inventory obsolescence, which would adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.
We must continue to make significant investments in R&D in order to enhance the performance, features and functionality of our products, to keep pace with competitive products and to satisfy customer demands. Substantial R&D costs typically are incurred before we confirm the technical feasibility and commercial viability of a new product, and not all
development activities result in commercially viable products. There can be no assurance that revenues from future products or product enhancements will be sufficient to recover the development costs associated with such products or enhancements. In addition, we cannot be sure that these products or enhancements will receive market acceptance nor that we will be able to sell these products at prices that are favorable to us. Our business will be seriously harmed if we are unable to sell our products at favorable prices or if the market in which we operate does not accept our products.
In addition, the complexity of our products exposes us to other risks. We regularly recognize revenue from a sale upon shipment of the applicable product to the customer (even before receiving the customer’s formal acceptance of that product) in certain situations, including sales of products for which installation is considered perfunctory, transactions in which the product is sold to an independent distributor and we have no installation obligations, and sales of products where we have previously delivered the same product to the same customer location and that prior delivery has been accepted. However, our products are very technologically complex and rely on the interconnection of numerous subcomponents (all of which must perform to their respective specifications), so it is conceivable that a product for which we recognize revenue upon shipment may ultimately fail to meet the overall product’s required specifications. In such a situation, the customer may be entitled to certain remedies, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results for various periods and, as a result, our stock price.
We derive a substantial percentage of our revenues from sales of inspection products. As a result, any delay or reduction of sales of these products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. The continued customer demand for these products and the development, introduction and market acceptance of new products and technologies are critical to our future success.
Our success is dependent in part on our technology and other proprietary rights. If we are unable to maintain our lead or protect our proprietary technology, we may lose valuable assets.
Our success is dependent, in part, on our technology and other proprietary rights. We own various U.S. and international patents and have additional pending patent applications relating to some of our products and technologies. The process of seeking patent protection is lengthy and expensive, and we cannot be certain that pending or future applications will actually result in issued patents or that issued patents will be of sufficient scope or strength to provide meaningful protection or commercial advantage to us. Other companies and individuals, including our larger competitors, may develop technologies and obtain patents relating to our business that are similar or superior to our technology or may design around the patents we own, which may adversely affect our business. In addition, we at times engage in collaborative technology development efforts with our customers and suppliers, and these collaborations may constitute a key component of certain of our ongoing technology and product R&D projects. The termination of any such collaboration, or delays caused by disputes or other unanticipated challenges that may arise in connection with any such collaboration, could significantly impair our R&D efforts, which could have a material adverse impact on our business and operations.
We also maintain trademarks on certain of our products and services and claim copyright protection for certain proprietary software and documentation. However, we can give no assurance that our trademarks and copyrights will be upheld or successfully deter infringement by third parties.
While patent, copyright and trademark protection for our IP is important, we believe our future success in highly dynamic markets is most dependent upon the technical competence and creative skills of our personnel. We attempt to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information through confidentiality and other agreements with our customers, suppliers, employees and consultants and through other security measures. We also maintain exclusive and non-exclusive licenses with third parties for strategic technology used in certain products. However, these employees, consultants and third parties may breach these agreements, and we may not have adequate remedies for wrongdoing. We also try to control access to and distribution of our technology and proprietary information. Despite our efforts, internal or external parties may attempt to copy, disclose, obtain or misappropriate our IP or technology. In addition, former employees may seek employment with our customers, suppliers or competitors and there can be no assurance that the confidential nature of our proprietary information will be maintained in the course of such future employment. In addition, the laws of certain territories in which we develop, manufacture or sell our products may not protect our IP rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. In any event, the extent to which we can protect our trade secrets through the use of confidentiality agreements is limited, and our success will depend to a significant extent on our ability to innovate ahead of our competitors.
Our future performance depends, in part, upon our ability to continue to compete successfully worldwide.
Our industry includes large manufacturers with substantial resources to support customers worldwide. Some of our competitors are diversified companies with greater financial resources and more extensive research, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service and support capabilities than we possess. We face competition from companies whose strategy is to provide a broad array of products and services, some of which compete with the products and services we offer. These competitors may bundle their products in a manner that may discourage customers from purchasing our products,
including pricing such competitive tools significantly below our product offerings. In addition, we face competition from smaller emerging companies whose strategy is to provide a portion of the products and services that we offer, using innovative technology to sell products into specialized markets. The strength of our competitive positions in many of our existing markets is largely due to our leading technology, which is the result of continuing significant investments in product R&D. However, we may enter new markets, whether through acquisitions or new internal product development, in which competition is based primarily on product pricing, not technological superiority. Further, some new growth markets that emerge may not require leading technologies. Loss of competitive position in any of the markets we serve, or an inability to sell our products on favorable commercial terms in new markets we may enter, could negatively affect our prices, customer orders, revenues, gross margins and market share, any of which would negatively affect our operating results and financial condition.
Our business would be harmed if we do not receive parts sufficient in number and performance to meet our production requirements and product specifications in a timely and cost-effective manner.
We use a wide range of materials in the production of our products, including custom electronic and mechanical components, and we use numerous suppliers to supply these materials. Generally, we do not have guaranteed supply arrangements with our suppliers. Because of the variability and uniqueness of customers’ orders, we do not maintain an extensive inventory of materials for manufacturing. Through our business interruption planning, we seek to minimize the risk of production and service interruptions and/or shortages of key parts by, among other things, monitoring the financial stability of key suppliers, identifying (but not necessarily qualifying) possible alternative suppliers and maintaining appropriate inventories of key parts. Although we make reasonable efforts to ensure that parts are available from multiple suppliers, certain key parts are available only from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. Also, key parts we obtain from some of our suppliers incorporate the suppliers’ proprietary IP; in those cases, we are increasingly reliant on third parties for high-performance, high-technology components, which reduces the amount of control we have over the availability and protection of the technology and IP that is used in our products. In addition, if certain of our key suppliers experience liquidity issues and are forced to discontinue operations, which is a heightened risk, especially during economic downturns, it could affect their ability to deliver parts and could result in delays for our products. Similarly, especially with respect to suppliers of high-technology components, our suppliers themselves have increasingly complex supply chains, and delays or disruptions at any stage of their supply chains may prevent us from obtaining parts in a timely manner and result in delays for our products, or our suppliers might pass on the cost of inflation to us while we are unable to adjust pricing with our own customers. Our operating results and business may be adversely impacted if we are unable to obtain parts to meet our production requirements and product specifications, or if we are able to do so only on unfavorable terms. Furthermore, a supplier may discontinue production of a particular part for any number of reasons, including the supplier’s financial condition or business operational decisions, which would require us to purchase, in a single transaction, a large number of such discontinued parts in order to ensure that a continuous supply of such parts remains available to our customers. Such “end-of-life” parts purchases could result in significant expenditures by us in a particular period, and, ultimately, any unused parts may result in a significant inventory write-off, either of which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations for the applicable periods.
If we fail to operate our business in accordance with our business plan, our operating results, business and stock price may be significantly and adversely impacted.
We attempt to operate our business in accordance with a business plan that is established annually, revised frequently (generally quarterly), and reviewed by management even more frequently (at least monthly). Our business plan is developed based on a number of factors, many of which require estimates and assumptions, such as our expectations of the economic environment, future business levels, our customers’ willingness and ability to place orders, lead-times, and future revenue and cash flow. Our budgeted operating expenses, for example, are based in part on our future revenue expectations. However, our ability to achieve our anticipated revenue levels is a function of numerous factors, including the volatile and historically cyclical nature of our primary industry, customer order cancellations, macroeconomic changes, operational matters regarding particular agreements, our ability to manage customer deliveries, the availability of resources for the installation of our products, delays or accelerations by customers in taking deliveries and the acceptance of our products (for products where customer acceptance is required before we can recognize revenue from such sales), our ability to operate our business and sales processes effectively, and a number of the other risk factors set forth in this Item 1A.
Because our expenses are in most cases relatively fixed in the short term, any revenue shortfall below expectations could have an immediate and significant adverse effect on our operating results. Similarly, if we fail to manage our expenses effectively or otherwise fail to maintain rigorous cost controls, we could experience greater than anticipated expenses during an operating period, which would also negatively affect our results of operations. If we fail to operate our business consistent with our business plan, our operating results in any period may be significantly and adversely impacted. Such an outcome could cause customers, suppliers or investors to view us as less stable, or could cause us to fail to meet financial analysts’ revenue or earnings estimates, any of which could have an adverse impact on our stock price.
In addition, our management is constantly striving to balance the requirements and demands of our customers with the availability of resources, the need to manage our operating model and other factors. In furtherance of those efforts, we often must exercise discretion and judgment as to the timing and prioritization of manufacturing, deliveries, installations and payment scheduling. Any such decisions may impact our ability to recognize revenue, including the fiscal period during which such revenue may be recognized, with respect to such products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or stock price.
We have a leveraged capital structure.
As of September 30, 2024, we had $6.70 billion aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness, consisting of $5.95 billion aggregate principal amount of senior, unsecured long-term notes and $750.0 million principal of senior, unsecured notes due during the second quarter of fiscal 2025. The $6.70 billion aggregate principal amount of senior, unsecured notes includes an issuance in February 2024 of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior, unsecured notes, consisting of $500.0 million of 4.700% senior, unsecured notes due February 1, 2034 and an additional $250.0 million of 4.950% senior, unsecured notes due July 15, 2052 which was originally issued in June 2022. We have a Credit Agreement and a Revolving Credit Facility with a maturity date of June 8, 2027 with two one-year extension options that allow us to borrow up to $1.50 billion. Subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased by an amount up to $250.0 million in the aggregate. As of September 30, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. We may incur additional indebtedness in the future by accessing the unfunded portion of our Revolving Credit Facility and/or entering into new financing arrangements. We also announced a stock repurchase program, under which the remaining available for repurchases was $1.61 billion as of September 30, 2024. A portion of the remaining repurchases may be financed with new indebtedness. Our ability to pay interest and repay the principal amount of our current indebtedness is dependent upon our ability to manage our business operations, our credit rating, the ongoing interest rate environment and the other risk factors discussed in this Item 1A. There can be no assurance that we will be able to manage any of these risks successfully.
In certain circumstances involving a change of control followed by a downgrade of the rating of a series of our Senior Notes by at least two of Moody’s Investors Service, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Inc., unless we have exercised our rights to redeem the Senior Notes of such series, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all or, at the holder’s option, any part, of each holder’s Senior Notes of that series pursuant to the offer. At that time, we will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Senior Notes repurchased, up to, but not including, the date of repurchase. We cannot make any assurance that we will have sufficient financial resources at such time, nor that we will be able to arrange financing to pay the repurchase price of that series of Senior Notes. Our ability to repurchase that series of Senior Notes in such event may be limited by law, by the relevant indenture associated with that series of Senior Notes, or by the terms of other agreements to which we may be a party at such time. If we fail to repurchase that series of Senior Notes as required by the terms of such Senior Notes, it would constitute an event of default under the relevant indenture governing that series of Senior Notes which, in turn, may also constitute an event of default under our other obligations.
Borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a floating rate, and an increase in interest rates, particularly in the current environment of rising interest rates, would require us to pay additional interest on any borrowings, which may have an adverse effect on the value and liquidity of our debt and the market price of our common stock could decline. The interest rate under our Revolving Credit Facility is also subject to (i) an adjustment in conjunction with our credit rating downgrades or upgrades and (ii) an adjustment based on our performance against certain sustainability key performance indicators related to GHG emissions and renewable electricity usage. Additionally, under our Revolving Credit Facility, we are required to comply with affirmative and negative covenants, which include the maintenance of certain financial ratios, the details of which can be found in Note 7 “Debt” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
If we fail to comply with these covenants, we will be in default and our borrowings may become immediately due and payable. There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient financial resources nor that we will be able to arrange financing to repay our borrowings at such time. In addition, certain of our domestic subsidiaries are required to guarantee our borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. In the event we default on our borrowings, these domestic subsidiaries shall be liable for our borrowings, which could disrupt our operations and result in a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or stock price.
Our leveraged capital structure may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and net income per share.
Our substantial amount of indebtedness could have adverse consequences including, but not limited to:
•A negative impact on our ability to satisfy our future obligations;
•An increase in the portion of our cash flows that may have to be dedicated to interest and principal payments that may not be available for operations, working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, dividends, stock repurchases, general corporate or other purposes;
•An impairment of our ability to obtain additional financing in the future; and
•Obligations to comply with restrictive and financial covenants as noted in the above risk factor and Note 7 “Debt” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our ability to satisfy our future expenses as well as our debt obligations will depend on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic, regulatory and other factors. Furthermore, our future operations may not generate sufficient cash flows to enable us to meet our future expenses and service our debt obligations, which may impact our ability to manage our capital structure to preserve and maintain our investment grade rating. If our future operations do not generate sufficient cash flows, we may need to access the money available for borrowing under our Revolving Credit Facility or enter into new financing arrangements to obtain necessary funds. If we determine it is necessary to seek additional funding for any reason, we may not be able to obtain such funding or, if funding is available, we may not be able to obtain it on acceptable terms. Any borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility will place further pressure on us to comply with the financial covenants. If we fail to make a payment associated with our debt obligations, we could be in default on such debt, and such a default could cause us to be in default on our other obligations.
There can be no assurance that we will continue to declare cash dividends at all or in any particular amounts.
We intend to continue to pay quarterly dividends subject to capital availability and periodic determinations by our Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interest of our stockholders and are in compliance with all laws and agreements applicable to the declaration and payment of cash dividends by us. However, future dividends may be affected by, among other factors: our views on potential future capital requirements for investments in acquisitions and the funding of our R&D; legal risks; stock repurchase programs; changes in federal and state income tax laws or corporate laws; changes to our business model; and our increased interest and principal payments required by our outstanding indebtedness and any additional indebtedness that we may incur in the future. Our dividend payments may change from time to time, and we cannot provide assurance that we will continue to declare dividends at all or in any particular amounts. A reduction in our dividend payments could have a negative effect on our stock price.
We are exposed to risks related to our commercial terms and conditions, including our indemnification of third parties, as well as the performance of our products.
Although our standard commercial documentation sets forth the terms and conditions that we intend to apply to commercial transactions with our business partners, counterparties to such transactions may not explicitly agree to our terms and conditions. In situations where we engage in business with a third party without an explicit master agreement regarding the applicable terms and conditions, or where the commercial documentation applicable to the transaction is subject to varying interpretations, we may have disputes with those third parties regarding the applicable terms and conditions of our business relationship with them. Such disputes could lead to a deterioration of our commercial relationship with those parties, costly and time-consuming litigation, or additional concessions or obligations being offered by us to resolve such disputes, or could impact our revenue or cost recognition. Any of these outcomes could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, in our commercial agreements, from time to time in the normal course of business, we indemnify third parties with whom we enter into contractual relationships, including customers, suppliers and lessors, with respect to certain matters. We have agreed, under certain conditions, to hold these third parties harmless against specified losses, such as those arising from a breach of representations or covenants, third-party claims that our products, when used for their intended purposes, infringe the IP rights of such third parties, or other claims made against certain parties. We may be compelled to enter into or accrue for probable settlements of alleged indemnification obligations, or we may be subject to potential liability arising from our customers’ involvements in legal disputes. In addition, notwithstanding the provisions related to limitations on our liability that we seek to include in our business agreements, the counterparties to such agreements may dispute our interpretation or application of such provisions, and a court of law may not interpret or apply such provisions in our favor, any of which could result in an obligation for us to pay material damages to third parties and engage in costly legal proceedings. It is difficult to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under any indemnification obligations, whether or not asserted, due to our
limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances that are likely to be involved in any particular claim. Our business, financial condition and results of operations in a reported fiscal period could be materially and adversely affected if we expend significant amounts in defending or settling any purported claims, regardless of their merit or outcomes.
We are also exposed to potential costs associated with unexpected product performance issues. Our products and production processes are extremely complex and, thus, could contain unexpected product defects, especially when products are first introduced. Unexpected product performance issues could result in significant costs being incurred by us, including increased service or warranty costs, providing product replacements for (or modifications to) defective products, litigation related to defective products, reimbursement for damages caused by our products, product recalls, or product write-offs or disposal costs. These costs could be substantial and could have an adverse impact upon our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, our reputation with our customers could be damaged as a result of such product defects, which could reduce demand for our products and negatively impact our business.
Furthermore, we occasionally enter into volume purchase agreements with our larger customers, and these agreements may provide for certain volume purchase incentives, such as credits toward future purchases. We believe that these arrangements are beneficial to our long-term business, as they are designed to encourage our customers to purchase larger volumes of our products. However, these arrangements could require us to recognize a reduced level of revenue for the products that are initially purchased, to account for the potential future credits or other volume purchase incentives. Our volume purchase agreements require significant estimation for the amounts to be accrued depending upon the estimate of volume of future purchases. As such, we are required to update our estimates of the accruals on a periodic basis. Until the earnings process is complete, our estimates could differ in comparison to actual results. As a result, these volume purchase arrangements, while expected to be beneficial to our business over time, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations in near-term periods, including the revenue we can recognize on product sales and, therefore, our gross margins.
In addition, we may, in limited circumstances, enter into agreements that contain customer-specific commitments on pricing, tool reliability, spare parts stocking levels, response time and other commitments, and we may be unable to adjust pricing with our customers despite rising inflation in our supply chain. Furthermore, we may give these customers limited audit or inspection rights to enable them to confirm that we are complying with these commitments. If a customer elects to exercise its audit or inspection rights, we may be required to expend significant resources to support the audit or inspection, as well as to defend or settle any dispute with a customer that could potentially arise out of such audit or inspection. To date, we have made no significant accruals in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for this contingency. While we have not in the past incurred significant expenses for resolving disputes regarding these types of commitments, we cannot make any assurance that we will not incur any such liabilities in the future. Our business, financial condition and results of operations in a reported fiscal period could be materially and adversely affected if we expend significant amounts in supporting an audit or inspection, or defending or settling any purported claims, regardless of their merit or outcomes.
There are risks associated with our receipt of government funding for R&D.
We are exposed to additional risks related to our receipt of external funding for certain strategic development programs from various governments and government agencies, both domestically and internationally. Governments and government agencies typically have the right to terminate funding programs at any time in their sole discretion, or a project may be terminated by mutual agreement if the parties determine that the project’s goals or milestones are not being achieved, so there is no assurance that these sources of external funding will continue to be available to us in the future. In addition, under the terms of these government grants, the applicable granting agency typically has the right to audit the costs that we incur, directly and indirectly, in connection with such programs. Any such audit could result in modifications to, or even termination of, the applicable government funding program. For example, if an audit were to identify any costs as being improperly allocated to the applicable program, those costs would not be reimbursed, and any such costs that had already been reimbursed would have to be refunded. We do not know the outcome of any future audits. Any adverse finding resulting from any such audit could lead to penalties (financial or otherwise), termination of funding programs, suspension of payments, fines and suspension or prohibition from receiving future government funding from the applicable government or government agency, any of which could adversely impact our operating results, financial condition and ability to operate our business.
We have recorded significant asset impairment, restructuring and inventory write-off charges and may do so again in the future, which could have a material negative impact on our results of operations.
Historically, we have recorded restructuring charges related to our prior global workforce reductions, large excess inventory write-offs, and material impairment charges related to our goodwill and purchased intangible assets, such as the goodwill impairment charge recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and the goodwill and purchased intangible asset impairment charges recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Workforce changes can also temporarily reduce workforce
productivity, which could be disruptive to our business and adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, we may not achieve or sustain the expected cost savings or other benefits of our restructuring plans, or do so within the expected time frame. If we again restructure our organization and business processes, implement additional cost-reduction actions or discontinue certain business operations, we may take additional, potentially material, restructuring charges related to, among other things, employee terminations or exit costs. We may also be required to write off additional inventory if our product build plans or demand for service inventory decline. Also, in the event that our lead times from suppliers increase (possibly due to the increasing complexity of the parts and components they provide) and the lead times demanded by our customers decrease (which may be due to many factors, including the time pressures they face when introducing new products or technology or bringing new facilities into production), we may be compelled to increase our commitments, and, therefore, our risk exposure, to inventory purchases to meet our customers’ demands in a timely manner, and that inventory may need to be written off if demand for the underlying product declines for any reason. Such additional write-offs could result in material charges.
We have recorded material charges related to the impairment of our goodwill and purchased intangible assets. Goodwill represents the excess of costs over the net fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is instead tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with authoritative guidance for goodwill. Purchased intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives based on economic benefit if known or using the straight-line method, and are reviewed for impairment in accordance with authoritative guidance for long-lived assets. The valuation of goodwill and intangible assets requires assumptions and estimates of many critical factors, including, but not limited to, declines in our operating cash flows, declines in our stock price or market capitalization, declines in our market share, and declines in revenues or profits. A substantial decline in our stock price, or any other adverse change in market conditions, particularly if such change has the effect of changing one of the critical assumptions or estimates we previously used to calculate the value of our goodwill or intangible assets (and, as applicable, the amount of any previous impairment charge), could result in a change to the estimation of fair value that could result in an additional impairment charge.
Any such additional material charges, whether related to restructuring or goodwill or purchased intangible asset impairment, may have a material negative impact on our operating results and related financial statements.
We are exposed to risks related to our receivables factoring and banking arrangements.
We enter into factoring arrangements with financial institutions to sell certain of our trade receivables and promissory notes from customers without recourse. In addition, we maintain cash and cash equivalents with several domestic and foreign financial institutions, in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit. If we were to stop entering into these factoring arrangements, our operating results, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely impacted by delays or failures in collecting trade receivables. However, by engaging these financial institutions for factoring arrangements and for banking services, we are exposed to additional risks that any of such financial institutions may prove to be not financially viable. If any of these financial institutions experiences financial difficulties or is otherwise unable to honor the terms of our factoring or deposit arrangements, we may experience material financial losses due to the failure of such arrangements or a lack of access to our funds, any of which could have an adverse impact upon our operating results, financial condition and cash flows.
We are subject to the risks of additional government actions in the event we were to breach the terms of any settlement arrangement into which we have entered.
In connection with the settlement of certain government actions and other legal proceedings related to our historical stock option practices, we have explicitly agreed, as a condition to such settlements, that we will comply with certain laws, such as the books and records provisions of the federal securities laws. If we were to violate any such law, we might not only be subject to the significant penalties applicable to such violation, but our past settlements may also be impacted by such violation, which could give rise to additional government actions or other legal proceedings. Any such additional actions or proceedings may require us to expend significant management time and incur significant accounting, legal and other expenses, and may divert attention and resources from the operation of our business. These expenditures and diversions, as well as an adverse resolution of any such action or proceeding, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our Bylaws designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain actions and proceedings, which could limit the ability of our stockholders to obtain a judicial forum of their choice for disputes with the Company or its directors, officers or employees.
Our Bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware generally shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or employee
of the Company to the Company or its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or (iv) any other action asserting a claim arising under, in connection with, and governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision does not waive our compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Moreover, the provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act or by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This choice of forum provision may increase costs to bring a claim, discourage claims or limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the stockholder finds favorable for disputes with the Company or our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against the Company and its directors, officers and employees, even though an action, if successful, might benefit our stockholders. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could increase our costs of litigation and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Equity Repurchase Plans
The following is a summary of stock repurchases for the three months ended September 30, 2024:
Period
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share(3)
Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)(2)(3)
July 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024
208,525
$
811.04
208,525
$
2,011,125,550
August 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024
257,391
$
756.19
257,391
$
1,816,489,835
September 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024
273,687
$
743.19
273,687
$
1,613,087,203
Total
739,603
739,603
__________________
(1)Our Board of Directors has authorized a program that permits us to repurchase our common stock, including a $2.00 billion increase approved by the Board in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. As of September 30, 2024, approximately $1.61 billion remained available for repurchases under our repurchase program. All shares in the table were purchased pursuant to our publicly announced repurchase program.
(2)Our stock repurchase program has no expiration date and may be suspended at any time. Future repurchases of shares of our common stock under our repurchase program may be effected through various different repurchase transaction structures including isolated open market transactions, accelerated share repurchase agreements or systematic repurchase plans, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors.
(3)Average price paid per share and approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs exclude the excise tax imposed on certain stock repurchases as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, or other fees, costs or expenses that may be applicable to the repurchases.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
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
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.
KLA CORPORATION
(Registrant)
October 31, 2024
/s/ RICHARD P. WALLACE
(Date)
Richard P. Wallace
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
October 31, 2024
/s/ BREN D. HIGGINS
(Date)
Bren D. Higgins
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
October 31, 2024
/s/ VIRENDRA A. KIRLOSKAR
(Date)
Virendra A. Kirloskar
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)