FORMFACTOR INC (FORM)
SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > Electronic And Other Electrical Equipment And Components, Except Computer Equipment > SIC 3674 Semiconductors & Related Devices
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1039399. Latest filing source: 0001039399-26-000009.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read FORM's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read FORM's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 784,993,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-20 |
| Net income | 54,361,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-20 |
| Assets | 1,224,362,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-20 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-20. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001039399.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 383,881,000 | 548,441,000 | 529,675,000 | 589,464,000 | 693,616,000 | 769,674,000 | 747,937,000 | 663,102,000 | 763,599,000 | 784,993,000 |
| Net income | -6,557,000 | 40,913,000 | 104,036,000 | 39,346,000 | 78,523,000 | 83,924,000 | 50,738,000 | 82,387,000 | 69,614,000 | 54,361,000 |
| Operating income | -47,907,000 | 46,301,000 | 36,109,000 | 49,662,000 | 83,788,000 | 98,038,000 | 54,912,000 | 82,756,000 | 64,780,000 | 57,070,000 |
| Gross profit | 102,682,000 | 215,597,000 | 210,339,000 | 237,496,000 | 287,920,000 | 322,767,000 | 296,009,000 | 258,580,000 | 307,923,000 | 308,851,000 |
| Diluted EPS | -0.10 | 0.55 | 1.38 | 0.51 | 0.99 | 1.06 | 0.65 | 1.05 | 0.89 | 0.69 |
| Operating cash flow | 86,323,000 | 68,700,000 | 121,048,000 | 169,256,000 | 139,364,000 | 131,786,000 | 64,602,000 | 117,534,000 | 115,398,000 | |
| Capital expenditures | 11,521,000 | 17,756,000 | 19,869,000 | 20,847,000 | 55,865,000 | 66,496,000 | 65,254,000 | 56,027,000 | 38,436,000 | 103,658,000 |
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 18,970,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 24,038,000 | 82,328,000 | 19,801,000 | 53,302,000 | 26,244,000 |
| Assets | 618,982,000 | 646,574,000 | 728,222,000 | 839,882,000 | 963,217,000 | 1,020,520,000 | 1,008,228,000 | 1,106,794,000 | 1,146,215,000 | 1,224,362,000 |
| Liabilities | 217,926,000 | 187,937,000 | 148,058,000 | 198,885,000 | 219,133,000 | 204,740,000 | 199,943,000 | 197,990,000 | 198,447,000 | 188,959,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 401,056,000 | 458,637,000 | 580,164,000 | 640,997,000 | 744,084,000 | 815,780,000 | 808,285,000 | 908,804,000 | 947,768,000 | 1,035,403,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 101,408,000 | 91,184,000 | 98,472,000 | 144,545,000 | 187,225,000 | 151,010,000 | 109,130,000 | 177,812,000 | 190,728,000 | 103,330,000 |
| Free cash flow | 68,567,000 | 48,831,000 | 100,201,000 | 113,391,000 | 72,868,000 | 66,532,000 | 8,575,000 | 79,098,000 | 11,740,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | -1.71% | 7.46% | 19.64% | 6.67% | 11.32% | 10.90% | 6.78% | 12.42% | 9.12% | 6.93% |
| Operating margin | -12.48% | 8.44% | 6.82% | 8.42% | 12.08% | 12.74% | 7.34% | 12.48% | 8.48% | 7.27% |
| Return on equity | -1.63% | 8.92% | 17.93% | 6.14% | 10.55% | 10.29% | 6.28% | 9.07% | 7.35% | 5.25% |
| Return on assets | -1.06% | 6.33% | 14.29% | 4.68% | 8.15% | 8.22% | 5.03% | 7.44% | 6.07% | 4.44% |
| Liabilities / equity | 0.54 | 0.41 | 0.26 | 0.31 | 0.29 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.22 | 0.21 | 0.18 |
| Current ratio | 3.08 | 3.32 | 3.30 | 3.07 | 3.15 | 3.52 | 3.17 | 4.38 | 4.61 | 4.50 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Revenue: accession 0001039399-26-000009; concept RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax; source concepts us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax | Gross profit: accession 0001039399-26-000009; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001039399-26-000009; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001039399-26-000009; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001039399-26-000009; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001039399-26-000009; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001039399-26-000009; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001039399-26-000009; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-05. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001039399.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-25 | 0.38 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-24 | 0.06 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-04-01 | 0.02 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-07-01 | 155,916,000 | 828,000 | 0.01 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 171,575,000 | 4,371,000 | 0.06 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-30 | 168,163,000 | 75,846,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-30 | 168,725,000 | 21,781,000 | 0.28 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-29 | 197,474,000 | 19,392,000 | 0.25 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-28 | 207,917,000 | 18,736,000 | 0.24 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-28 | 189,483,000 | 9,705,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-29 | 171,356,000 | 6,401,000 | 0.08 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-28 | 195,798,000 | 9,086,000 | 0.12 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-27 | 202,676,000 | 15,656,000 | 0.20 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-27 | 215,163,000 | 23,218,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-28 | 226,144,000 | 20,384,000 | 0.26 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-28; accession 0001039399-26-000023; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-28; accession 0001039399-26-000023; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-28; accession 0001039399-26-000023; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001039399-26-000023.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933, which are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements include statements concerning, among other things, our business strategy (including the influence of anticipated trends and developments in our business and the markets in which we operate), financial and operating results, revenues, gross margins, liquidity, operating expenses, effective tax rate and deferred tax assets, products, projected costs and capital expenditure requirements, research and development programs, sales and marketing initiatives, competition and impact of accounting standards. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words, such as “may,” “likely,” “will,” “could,” “forecast,” “should,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “believe,” “continue,” the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology.
The forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and our projections about future events. All forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based upon information available to us as of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We have no obligation to update any of these statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements, including risks related to general market trends, the benefits of acquisitions and investments, our credit facilities, our supply chain, our tax burden, uncertainties related to public health-related crises, the interpretation and impacts of changes in export controls, tariffs and other trade barriers, military conflicts, political volatility, legislative changes and similar factors, our ability to execute our business strategy including any plans of expansion, and other risks discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025 and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should carefully consider the numerous risks and uncertainties described under these sections.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” and “FormFactor” refer to FormFactor, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Overview
FormFactor, Inc., headquartered in Livermore, California, is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product lifecycle — from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. We provide a broad range of high-performance probe cards, analytical probes, probe stations, thermal systems, and cryogenic systems to both semiconductor companies and scientific institutions. Our products provide electrical and optical information from a variety of semiconductor and electro-optical devices and integrated circuits from early research, through development, to high-volume production. Customers use our products and services to optimize device performance and advance yield knowledge.
We operate in two reportable segments consisting of the Probe Cards segment and the Systems segment. Sales of our probe cards and analytical probes are included in the Probe Cards segment, while sales of our probe stations, thermal systems and cryogenic systems are included in the Systems segment.
We generated net income of $20.4 million in the first three months of fiscal 2026, compared to $6.4 million in the first three months of fiscal 2025. The increase in net income was primarily attributable to higher revenues, which reached record quarterly levels, and improved gross margins, partially offset by higher restructuring charges from plans adopted to better align our cost structure and support gross margin improvement to our target financial model.
Recent Developments
2026 Restructuring Plans — In January 2026, we adopted restructuring plans that are intended to better align cost structure and support gross margin improvement to our target financial model, while also aligning manufacturing capabilities with current and anticipated business needs and our strategic priorities. As part of this restructuring plan, we are consolidating the manufacturing facilities located in Carlsbad and Baldwin Park, California to other sites. The Baldwin Park site manufactured through January 2026 and the Carlsbad site is expected to manufacture through December 2026.
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Factory Expansion — In June 2025, we purchased a manufacturing site in Farmers Branch, Texas. We expect to begin production at this site late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, with a ramp to initial target production levels over the course of fiscal 2027. The facility expands our manufacturing footprint and is expected to support incremental production capacity and a more favorable cost structure overall, once ramped to initial target production levels.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K describe the significant accounting estimates and significant accounting policies used in preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results in these areas could differ from management’s estimates. During the three months ended March 28, 2026, there were no significant changes in our significant accounting policies or estimates from those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our operating results as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:
| Three Months Ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | March 29, 2025 | ||||
| Revenues | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |
| Cost of revenues | 61.6 | 62.3 | |||
| Gross profit | 38.4 | 37.7 | |||
| Operating expenses: | |||||
| Research and development | 13.6 | 16.2 | |||
| Selling, general and administrative | 14.3 | 19.5 | |||
| Factory start-up costs | 3.1 | — | |||
| Total operating expenses | 31.0 | 35.7 | |||
| Operating income | 7.4 | 2.0 | |||
| Interest income, net | 0.9 | 1.9 | |||
| Other income, net | 0.2 | 0.5 | |||
| Income before income taxes and equity investment | 8.5 | 4.4 | |||
| Provision for income taxes | 0.2 | 0.6 | |||
| Income from equity investment | 0.7 | — | |||
| Net income | 9.0 | % | 3.8 | % |
Revenues by Segment and Market
| Three Months Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | March 29, 2025 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Probe Cards | $ | 198,257 | $ | 136,520 | ||
| Systems | 27,887 | 34,836 | ||||
| $ | 226,144 | $ | 171,356 |
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| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | % of Revenues | March 29, 2025 | % of Revenues | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 111,188 | 49.2 | % | $ | 85,272 | 49.8 | % | $ | 25,916 | 30.4 | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 82,933 | 36.7 | 48,858 | 28.5 | 34,075 | 69.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 4,136 | 1.8 | 2,390 | 1.4 | 1,746 | 73.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems | 27,887 | 12.3 | 34,836 | 20.3 | (6,949) | (19.9) | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 226,144 | 100.0 | % | $ | 171,356 | 100.0 | % | $ | 54,788 | 32.0 | % |
Foundry & Logic — The increase in Foundry & Logic product revenues for the three months ended March 28, 2026, compared to the three months ended March 29, 2025, was driven by stronger probe-card demand for networking and high-performance compute microprocessor designs.
DRAM — The increase in DRAM product revenues for the three months ended March 28, 2026, compared to the three months ended March 29, 2025, was primarily driven by increased demand for high-bandwidth memory (“HBM”) designs utilized in generative artificial intelligence applications, with additional contributions from higher demand for other non-HBM DRAM designs.
Flash — The increase in Flash product revenues for the three months ended March 28, 2026, compared to the three months ended March 29, 2025, was driven by increased customer production activity and demand for our products. A portion of Flash product revenues during the period was associated with manufacturing activity at our Baldwin Park manufacturing facility, which was closed in connection with our 2026 Restructuring Plans. As a result of this closure, we expect Flash revenues to comprise a lower percentage of our portfolio going forward.
Systems — The decrease in Systems market revenues for the three months ended March 28, 2026, compared to the three months ended March 29, 2025, was driven by decreased sales of probe stations and cryogenic systems, partially offset by an increase in sales of thermal systems. The decline in probe station sales primarily reflects reduced demand for legacy product offerings as we transition toward production of Triton, our high‑volume co‑packaged optics (“CPO”) testing platform.
Revenues by Geographic Region
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | % of Revenues | March 29, 2025 | % of Revenues | ||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
| South Korea | $ | 80,562 | 35.6 | % | $ | 43,171 | 25.2 | % | |||||
| Taiwan | 70,840 | 31.3 | 45,362 | 26.5 | |||||||||
| United States | 29,410 | 13.0 | 40,325 | 23.5 | |||||||||
| China | 11,362 | 5.0 | 13,615 | 7.9 | |||||||||
| Singapore | 10,275 | 4.5 | 6,249 | 3.6 | |||||||||
| Japan | 8,282 | 3.7 | 10,319 | 6.0 | |||||||||
| Europe | 7,774 | 3.4 | 7,781 | 4.5 | |||||||||
| Malaysia | 3,714 | 1.6 | 2,600 | 1.5 | |||||||||
| Rest of the world | 3,925 | 1.9 | 1,934 | 1.3 | |||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 226,144 | 100.0 | % | $ | 171,356 | 100.0 | % |
Geographic revenue information is based on the location to which we ship the product. For example, if a certain South Korean customer purchases through its U.S. subsidiary and requests the products to be shipped to an address in South Korea, this sale will be reflected in the revenue for South Korea rather than the U.S.
Changes in revenues by geographic region for the three months ended March 28, 2026, compared to the three months ended March 29, 2025, were primarily attributable to changes in customer demand, product sales mix, and the timing of customer
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shipments and revenue recognition. Specifically, the changes in revenues by geographic region were attributable to the following:
•South Korea — Increased demand for our DRAM probe card products, including those supporting HBM designs, contributed to the increase in revenues.
•Taiwan — Increased demand for our Foundry & Logic probe card products contributed to the increase in revenues.
•United States — Decreased demand for certain Foundry & Logic and Systems customers contributed to the decrease in revenue.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margins
Cost of revenues consists primarily of manufacturing materials, compensation and benefi
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions as described under the “Note Regarding Forward-Looking
27
Statements” that appears earlier in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under “Item 1A: Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
FormFactor, Inc., headquartered in Livermore, California, is a leading provider of electrical and optical test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product lifecycle - from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. We provide a broad range of high-performance probe cards, analytical probes, probe stations, thermal systems, and cryogenic systems to both semiconductor companies and scientific institutions. Our products provide electrical and optical information from a variety of semiconductor and electro-optical devices and integrated circuits from early research, through development, to high-volume production. Customers use our products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance, reducing scrap, and improving yields.
We operate in two reportable segments consisting of the Probe Cards segment and the Systems segment. Sales of our probe cards and analytical probes are included in the Probe Cards segment, while sales of our probe stations, thermal systems and cryogenic systems are included in the Systems segment.
Highlights during fiscal year 2025 include the following:
•Achieved record annual revenue of $785.0 million.
•Purchased a manufacturing site in Texas, which is expected to begin ramping production in late fiscal 2026.
•Benefited from growth driven by exposure to end markets supporting artificial intelligence–related infrastructure, including HBM.
•Made meaningful progress in establishing customer engagements to further diversify our customer base.
We generated net income of $54.4 million in fiscal 2025 compared to net income of $69.6 million in fiscal 2024 and net income of $82.4 million in fiscal 2023.
The decrease in net income in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was primarily due to the gain on sale of business recognized in fiscal 2024 from the sale of our China operations that did not repeat in fiscal 2025. Excluding the impact from the fiscal 2024 gain, our financial performance was driven by record revenue levels led by strong growth in our DRAM product segment, particularly with demand for HBM chips utilized in generative artificial intelligence applications. Despite this revenue growth, gross margins declined year over year, though third and fourth quarters have shown meaningful improvement in gross margins compared to the first half of fiscal 2025 and second half of fiscal 2024.
The decrease in net income in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was primarily due to a reduced gain on sale of business with the fiscal 2024 gain from the sale of our China operations being less than the fiscal 2023 gain from the sale of our FRT business further described below. Excluding the impact of gains in each period, our financial performance was driven by the strengthening of certain areas of the semiconductor industry, which increased demand in some markets within our Probe Cards segment, particularly with demand for HBM chips utilized in generative artificial intelligence applications and the ramp of new mobile application processor designs. While we experienced growth in total revenues year over year, the Systems segment was negatively impacted due to the absence of metrology system sales as a result of the sale of our FRT Metrology business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.
Recent Developments
Restructure — In January 2026, we adopted restructuring plans that are intended to better align cost structure and support gross margin improvement to our target financial model, while also aligning manufacturing capabilities with current and anticipated business needs and our strategic priorities. As part of this restructuring plan, we are consolidating the manufacturing facilities located in Carlsbad and Baldwin Park, California to other sites. The Baldwin Park site manufactured through January 2026 and the Carlsbad site is expected to manufacture through December 2026.
Acquisition — In December 2025, we acquired Keystone Photonics. This acquisition strengthened our position at the forefront of AI infrastructure demand, and strengthened our position at the forefront of the explosive market growth in silicon photonics (“SiPh”), extending our integrated test system leadership and leveraging our unique lab-to-fab position as SiPh and co-packaged optics manufacturers leap from concept to high-volume production.
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Factory Expansion — In June 2025, we purchased a manufacturing site in Farmers Branch, Texas, which comprises four structures and includes 50,000 square feet of existing clean room space. This manufacturing facility enabled us to acquire a scarce, fit-for-purpose asset that aligned with our strategic roadmap and provides significant operational flexibility. Located in a lower-operating cost region, it was one of a handful of existing available facilities in the U.S. that had a clean room and came equipped with the infrastructure to meet our future manufacturing needs.
Investment Acquisition — In February 2025, we acquired a 20% equity interest in FICT Limited (“FICT”). Headquartered in Nagano, Japan, FICT is a provider of semiconductor test and high-performance computing industries with complex multi-layer organic substrates, printed circuit boards, and related leading-edge technologies and services.
Fiscal Year
We operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year, whereby the fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of December. The fiscal years ended December 27, 2025, December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 each included 52 weeks.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses in the reporting period. Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our financial condition and results of operations reported in our financial statements and related disclosures. We have identified the following accounting policies as being critical because they require our management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our management has discussed the development, selection, application and disclosure of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Inventory Valuation
We state our inventories at the lower of cost (principally standard cost which approximates actual cost on a first in, first out basis) or net realizable value. We regularly assess the value of our inventory and will periodically write down its value for estimated excess inventory and product obsolescence based upon an analysis of existing inventory quantities compared to estimated future consumption. Future consumption is estimated based upon assumptions about how past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors may indicate future consumption. On a quarterly basis, we review existing inventory quantities in comparison to our past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors to determine what inventory quantities, if any, may not be sellable. Based on this analysis, we record an adjustment to the cost basis of inventory when evidence exists that the net realizable value of inventory is lower than its cost, which occurs when we have excess and/or obsolete inventory.
At the point of loss recognition, a new, lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. Market conditions are subject to change, and demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. Actual consumption of inventories could differ from forecasted demand, and this difference could have a material impact on our gross profit and inventory balances based on additional provisions for excess or obsolete inventories, or a benefit from the sale of inventories previously written down.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized upon transferring control of products and services, and the amounts recognized reflect the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for these products and services. An arrangement may include some or all of the following products and services: probe cards, systems, accessories, engineering services, installation services, service contracts and extended warranty contracts.
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A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. In contracts with multiple performance obligations, we identify each performance obligation and evaluate whether the performance obligation is distinct within the context of the contract at contract inception. Performance obligations that are not distinct at contract inception are combined and accounted for as one unit of account. Generally, the performance obligations in a contract are considered distinct within the context of the contract and are accounted for as separate units of account.
Our products may be customized to our customers’ specifications; however, control of our product is typically transferred to the customer at the point in time the product is either shipped or delivered, depending on the terms of the arrangement, as the criteria for over time recognition is not met. In limited circumstances, substantive acceptance by the customer exists which results in the deferral of revenue until acceptance is formally received from the customer. Judgment may be required in determining if the acceptance clause is substantive. In certain instances control of products is transferred to the customer over time based on performance and in those instances we utilize an appropriate input or output measure to determine to what extent control has transferred to the customer. Judgment may be required in determining an appropriate measure of performance.
Installation services are routinely provided to customers purchasing our systems. Installation services are a distinct performance obligation apart from the systems and are recognized in the period they are performed. Service contracts, which include repair and maintenance service contracts, and extended warranty contracts are also distinct performance obligations and are recognized over the contractual service period, which ranges from one to three years. For these service contracts recognized over time, we use the input measure of days elapsed to measure progress.
A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. In determining the transaction price, we evaluate whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment to determine the net consideration to which we expect to be entitled. We generally do not grant return privileges, except for defective products during the warranty period. Sales incentives and other programs that we may make available to our customers are considered to be a form of variable consideration, which is estimated in determining the contract’s transaction price to be allocated to the performance obligations.
For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on observable prices, which are the prices at which we separately sell these products. For items which do not have observable prices, we use our best estimate of the stand-alone selling prices.
We account for tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction (i.e., sales, use, value added) on a net (excluded from revenue) basis.
Results of Operations
In this section, we discuss the results of our operations for the year ended December 27, 2025 compared to the year ended December 28, 2024. For a discussion of the year ended December 28, 2024 compared to the year ended December 30, 2023, please refer to 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 December 28, 2024.
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The following table sets forth our operating results as a percentage of revenues:
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||
| Cost of revenues | 60.7 | 59.7 | 61.0 | |||||
| Gross profit | 39.3 | 40.3 | 39.0 | |||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 14.7 | 16.0 | 17.5 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 17.0 | 18.5 | 20.1 | |||||
| Factory start-up costs | 0.4 | — | — | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 32.1 | 34.5 | 37.6 | |||||
| Gain on sale of business | — | 2.7 | 11.0 | |||||
| Operating income | 7.2 | 8.5 | 12.4 | |||||
| Interest income, net | 1.3 | 1.8 | 1.1 | |||||
| Other income (expense), net | 0.3 | 0.1 | (0.1) | |||||
| Income before income taxes and equity investment | 8.8 | 10.4 | 13.4 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.0 | |||||
| Loss from equity investment | 0.3 | — | — | |||||
| Net income | 6.9 | % | 9.1 | % | 12.4 | % |
Revenues by Segment
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Probe Cards | $ | 637,898 | $ | 625,960 | $ | 497,903 | ||||
| Systems(1) | 147,095 | 137,639 | 165,199 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 784,993 | $ | 763,599 | $ | 663,102 |
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we completed the sale of our FRT business. As a result, we generated no metrology systems revenue during fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, compared to $21.2 million during fiscal 2023.
Revenues by Market
| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Revenues | 2024 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 369,897 | 47.1 | % | $ | 381,182 | 49.9 | % | $ | (11,285) | (3.0) | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 247,397 | 31.6 | 227,422 | 29.8 | 19,975 | 8.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 20,604 | 2.6 | 17,356 | 2.3 | 3,248 | 18.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems | 147,095 | 18.7 | 137,639 | 18.0 | 9,456 | 6.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 784,993 | 100.0 | % | $ | 763,599 | 100.0 | % | $ | 21,394 | 2.8 | % |
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| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Revenues | 2023 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 381,182 | 49.9 | % | $ | 363,539 | 54.8 | % | $ | 17,643 | 4.9 | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 227,422 | 29.8 | 113,779 | 17.2 | 113,643 | 99.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 17,356 | 2.3 | 20,585 | 3.1 | (3,229) | (15.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems(1) | 137,639 | 18.0 | 165,199 | 24.9 | (27,560) | (16.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 763,599 | 100.0 | % | $ | 663,102 | 100.0 | % | $ | 100,497 | 15.2 | % |
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we completed the sale of our FRT business. As a result, we generated no metrology systems revenue during fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, compared to $21.2 million during fiscal 2023.
Foundry & Logic — The decrease in Foundry & Logic product revenue in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by weaker demand for probe cards associated with client PC and server microprocessor designs, reflecting reduced customer production levels during the year.
DRAM — The increase in DRAM product revenues in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by increased demand for HBM designs utilized in generative artificial intelligence applications.
Flash — The increase in Flash product revenue in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by increased customer production activity and demand for our products.
Systems — The increase in Systems product revenue in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was driven by increased sales of thermal systems, probe stations, and cryogenic systems.
Revenues by Geographic Region
| Fiscal 2025 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2024 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2023 | % of Revenues | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| South Korea | $ | 237,717 | 30.3 | % | $ | 184,528 | 24.2 | % | $ | 117,747 | 17.8 | % | ||||||||
| Taiwan | 202,738 | 25.8 | 173,515 | 22.7 | 147,842 | 22.3 | ||||||||||||||
| United States | 152,152 | 19.4 | 183,716 | 24.1 | 171,781 | 25.9 | ||||||||||||||
| China | 57,965 | 7.4 | 102,982 | 13.5 | 91,736 | 13.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Japan | 43,216 | 5.5 | 33,946 | 4.4 | 36,791 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Singapore | 32,973 | 4.2 | 20,186 | 2.6 | 18,335 | 2.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Europe | 28,779 | 3.7 | 34,803 | 4.6 | 38,858 | 5.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Malaysia | 19,211 | 2.4 | 18,240 | 2.4 | 26,601 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 10,242 | 1.3 | 11,683 | 1.5 | 13,411 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 784,993 | 100.0 | % | $ | 763,599 | 100.0 | % | $ | 663,102 | 100.0 | % |
Geographic revenue information is based on the location to which we ship the product. For example, if a certain South Korean customer purchases through their U.S. subsidiary and requests the products to be shipped to an address in South Korea, this sale will be reflected in the revenue for South Korea rather than United States.
Changes in revenue by geographic region in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 were primarily attributable to changes in customer demand, impacts from trade restrictions, and product sales mix. Specifically, the changes in revenue by geographic region was attributable to the following:
•Increased demand for our DRAM probe card products, including those for HBM, contributed to the increase in revenue for South Korea in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024.
•Increased demand for our Foundry & Logic probe card products contributed to the increase in revenue for Taiwan in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024.
•Trade restrictions for the export of advanced U.S. semiconductor technology to China has caused decreasing demand from Chinese customers.
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Cost of Revenues and Gross Margins
Cost of revenues consists primarily of manufacturing materials, compensation and benefits, shipping and handling costs, manufacturing-related overhead (including equipment costs, related occupancy, and computer services), warranty cost, inventory adjustments (including write-downs for inventory obsolescence), and amortization of certain intangible assets. Our manufacturing operations rely on a limited number of suppliers to provide key components and materials for our products, some of which are a sole source. We order materials and supplies based on backlog and forecasted customer orders. Tooling and setup costs related to changing manufacturing lots at our suppliers are also included in the cost of revenues. We expense all warranty costs, inventory provisions and amortization of certain intangible assets as cost of revenues.
Gross profit and gross margin by segment were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Fiscal 2025 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 258,500 | $ | 61,553 | $ | (11,202) | $ | 308,851 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 40.5 | % | 41.8 | % | 39.3 | % |
| Fiscal 2024 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 259,007 | $ | 59,511 | $ | (10,595) | $ | 307,923 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 41.4 | % | 43.2 | % | 40.3 | % |
| Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 185,392 | $ | 84,735 | $ | (11,547) | $ | 258,580 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 37.2 | % | 51.3 | % | 39.0 | % |
Probe Cards—Gross profit and gross margin in the Probe Cards segment decreased in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, despite the record revenue levels primarily due to higher manufacturing costs, which included increased costs for tariffs, partially offset by a favorable product mix and favorable factory utilization with the increased volumes. For fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, DRAM revenue was up from 36.3% of Probe Card sales to 38.8% of Probe Card sales, and Foundry & Logic revenue was down from 60.9% of Probe Card sales to 58.0% of Probe Card sales. In general, our DRAM products have lower margins than our Foundry & Logic products, although there is a significant intra-market variance depending on customer and device.
Systems—Gross profit in the Systems segment increased while gross margin decreased in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, primarily as a result of greater revenues that was offset by an increase in manufacturing spending and an unfavorable product mix as a greater percentage of Systems segment revenues were from lower margin products.
Corporate and Other—Corporate and Other includes unallocated expenses relating to stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, inventory and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions, and restructuring charges, net, which are not used in evaluating the results of, or in allocating resources to, our reportable segments. Corporate and Other expenses increased in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 primarily due to higher restructuring charges, which were partially offset by lower stock-based compensation and lower amortization.
Overall—Gross profit and gross margin fluctuate with revenue levels, product mix, selling prices, factory loading and material costs. For fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, gross profit increased and gross margins decreased as a result of greater revenues and a favorable product mix, that was offset by higher manufacturing costs, which included a 1.4% gross margin impact from increased costs for tariffs. Despite the impact of tariffs, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2025 have shown meaningful improvement in gross margins compared to the first half of fiscal 2025 and second half of fiscal 2024.
Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues for fiscal 2025 and 2024 was $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively.
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Research and Development
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 27, 2025 | December 28, 2024 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 115,682 | $ | 121,938 | $ | (6,256) | (5.1) | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 14.7 | % | 16.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 121,938 | $ | 115,765 | $ | 6,173 | 5.3 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 16.0 | % | 17.5 | % |
The decrease in research and development expense in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by a decrease in general operational costs, which includes the benefit of a German government grant earned in fiscal 2025 that partially offset expenses, lower project material costs, lower stock based compensation and decreased employee compensation costs from lower performance-based compensation.
The components of this increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2025 compared to Fiscal 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| General operational costs | $ | (3,388) | |
| Project material costs | (2,091) | ||
| Stock-based compensation expense | (428) | ||
| Employee compensation costs | (349) | ||
| $ | (6,256) |
Stock-based compensation expense included within research and development in fiscal 2025 and 2024 was relatively flat at $10.3 million and $10.7 million, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 27, 2025 | December 28, 2024 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 133,074 | $ | 141,786 | $ | (8,712) | (6.1) | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 17.0 | % | 18.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 141,786 | $ | 133,012 | $ | 8,774 | 6.6 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 18.5 | % | 20.1 | % |
The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by initiatives to further control operating expenses, resulting in lower general operating costs. These reductions included decreased employee compensation due to lower performance‑based compensation, partially offset by higher employee‑related costs from annual pay increases, as well as lower consulting fees. In addition, we incurred lower stock‑based compensation expense, commission expense, and amortization of intangible assets, partially offset by higher restructuring charges related to operating efficiency initiatives.
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The components of this overall increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2025 compared to Fiscal 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| General operating expenses | $ | (4,183) | |
| Employee compensation costs | (4,103) | ||
| Restructuring charges | 3,395 | ||
| Consulting fees | (2,928) | ||
| Stock-based compensation expense | (412) | ||
| Commission expenses | (342) | ||
| Amortization of intangibles | (139) | ||
| $ | (8,712) |
Stock-based compensation expense included within selling, general and administrative in fiscal 2025 and 2024 was $20.9 million and $21.3 million, respectively.
Factory Start-Up Costs
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 27, 2025 | December 28, 2024 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Factory start-up costs | $ | 3,025 | $ | — | $ | 3,025 | — | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 0.4 | % | — | % |
Factory start-up costs are current year costs associated with our newly purchased manufacturing site in Farmers Branch, Texas. The start-up costs consist of utilities, employee compensation costs, taxes and licenses, facility maintenance, and other expenses being incurred while the site is being brought to its intended use. These costs are expected to increase as we continue the build-out, with an expected production ramp beginning late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, and are expected to be between $20.0 million to $25.0 million over fiscal 2026. We expect that when the site begins revenue-generating production, the operating costs of that site previously expensed as factory start-up costs will instead be primarily expensed as part of the cost of the production in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a Cost of revenues.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 27, 2025 | December 28, 2024 | ||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
| Interest Income | $ | 10,640 | $ | 14,111 | |||
| Weighted average balance of cash and investments | $ | 294,196 | $ | 353,191 | |||
| Weighted average yield on cash and investments | 4.14 | % | 4.56 | % | |||
| Interest Expense | $ | 521 | $ | 418 | |||
| Average debt outstanding | $ | 12,690 | $ | 13,785 | |||
| Weighted average interest rate on debt | 2.75 | % | 2.75 | % |
Interest income is earned on our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities. The decrease in interest income in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was attributable to lower invested balances and lower weighted average yield on cash and investments.
Interest expense primarily includes interest on our term loan, interest rate swap derivative contract, commitment fee on our revolving credit facility, term loan issuance costs amortization charges, and our revolving credit facility issuance costs
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amortization charges. The increase in interest expense for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was due to fees for our undrawn revolving credit facility.
Other income (expense), net
Other income (expense), net, primarily includes the effects of foreign currency and various other gains and losses. We partially mitigate our risk from currency movements by hedging certain balance sheet exposures, which minimizes the impacts during periods of foreign exchange volatility. Foreign exchange gains for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 were $1.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
Provision for income taxes
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 27, 2025 | December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 13,004 | $ | 9,798 | $ | 6,880 | ||||
| Effective tax rate | 18.7 | % | 12.3 | % | 7.7 | % |
Provision for income taxes reflects the tax provision on our operations in foreign and U.S. jurisdictions, offset by tax benefits from tax credits and the foreign-derived intangible income deduction. Our effective tax rate may vary from period to period based on changes in estimated taxable income or loss by jurisdiction, changes to the valuation allowance, changes to U.S. federal, state or foreign tax laws, changes in stock-based compensation expense/benefit, future expansion into areas with varying country, state, and local income tax rates, and deductibility of certain costs and expenses by jurisdiction. The increase in our effective tax rate for fiscal 2025, when compared to the prior year, was primarily driven by the impact of implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) tax law changes.
One Big Beautiful Bill
On July 4, 2025, the OBBBA, which included a broad range of tax reform provisions that affected our financial results, was signed into law in the United States. Among other provisions, the OBBBA repealed the capitalization of domestic Research and Development (“R&D”) expenditures and included a reduced deduction rate on Foreign-derived Deduction Eligible Income and income from non-U.S. subsidiaries. We evaluated the impact of these provisions and implemented our current strategy, which, after considering the interplay of the various tax calculations affected by the OBBBA, resulted in a modest net increase to our effective tax rate.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Resources
Our working capital decreased to $433.2 million at December 27, 2025 compared to $473.8 million at December 28, 2024.
Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of deposits held at banks and money market funds. Marketable securities primarily consist of U.S. treasuries, corporate bonds, U.S. agency securities, and commercial paper. We typically invest in highly-rated securities with low probabilities of default. Our investment policy requires investments to be rated single A or better, and limits the types of acceptable investments, issuer concentration and duration of the investment.
Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled approximately $275.2 million at December 27, 2025 compared to $360.0 million at December 28, 2024. We deployed significant cash in connection with the purchase of our equity investment in FICT, the purchase of our new manufacturing site in Farmers Branch, and the recent acquisition of Keystone Photonics, together representing $142.7 million of the decrease in cash. We have the full amount available under our $150 million revolving credit facility as of December 27, 2025. Based on our historical results of operations, we expect that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, the cash we expect to generate from operations, and the available capacity under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund, through at least the next 12 months, our liquidity requirements including those arising from: research and development, capital expenditures, working capital, outstanding commitments, and other liquidity requirements associated with existing operations. This includes consideration of estimated capital expenditures of $140.0 million to $170.0 million for the ramp of the Farmers Branch manufacturing site. However, we cannot be certain that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, and cash generated from operations, will be available in the future to fund all of our capital and operating requirements. In addition, any future strategic investments and significant acquisitions may require additional cash and capital resources. To the extent necessary, we may consider entering into short and long-term debt obligations, raising cash through a stock issuance, or obtaining new financing facilities, which may not be
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available on terms favorable to us. If we are unable to obtain sufficient cash or capital to meet our needs on a timely basis and on favorable terms, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unsuccessful in maintaining or growing our revenues, maintaining or reducing our cost structure, or increasing our available cash through debt or equity financings, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities may decline.
We utilize a variety of tax planning and financing strategies in an effort to manage our worldwide cash and deploy funds to locations where they are needed. As part of these strategies, we indefinitely reinvest a portion of our foreign earnings. Should we require additional capital in the United States, we may elect to repatriate indefinitely-reinvested foreign funds or raise capital in the United States.
Cash Flows
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 27, 2025 | December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 115,398 | $ | 117,534 | $ | 64,602 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (191,468) | (33,480) | 29,049 | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (13,633) | (64,612) | (22,711) |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities consists of net income for the period, adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in certain operating assets and liabilities. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2025 was primarily attributable to net income of $54.4 million and net non-cash items of $104.0 million, partially offset by the increase in net working capital of $43.0 million. The cash used in net working capital is related to higher inventory balances of $20.7 million and an increase in accounts receivable of $20.2 million, reflecting higher sales volumes. In addition, operating lease liabilities decreased by $8.1 million and accounts payable declined by $5.7 million. These uses of cash were partially offset by increases in accrued liabilities of $4.6 million, deferred revenue of $4.5 million, and other liabilities of $2.3 million. The non-cash adjustments primarily consisted of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, provision for excess and obsolete inventories, and the reduction in the carrying amount of right-of-use-assets.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2025 was primarily attributable to $103.7 million in capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment. Of this amount, $55.0 million related to our new Farmers Branch manufacturing facility in Farmers Branch, Texas. Investing cash outflows also included $20.6 million used to acquire shares of Keystone Photonics and $67.2 million related to the Company's equity investment in FICT.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2025 was primarily attributable to $26.2 million of common stock repurchases under the Company's stock repurchase program and $12.4 million paid for tax withholdings associated with net share settlements of employee equity awards. These uses of cash were partially offset by $26.1 million of proceeds from issuances of common stock, which includes $15.0 million from a private placement and $11.1 million from purchases under our employee stock purchase plan.
Debt
Revolving Credit Agreement
On July 29, 2025, we entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Revolver”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party thereto, providing us with a $150 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”). The Facility matures on July 29, 2030 and may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Revolver. No amounts were outstanding under the Facility as of December 27, 2025.
Borrowings under the Facility will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at our option, (i) the forward-looking secured overnight financing rate (“term SOFR”), (ii) a base rate set forth in the Revolver, or (iii) a combination thereof, plus, in each case, an applicable margin calculated based on our leverage ratio. Voluntary prepayments may be made without penalty, subject to certain notice requirements and minimum prepayment and reduction thresholds.
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The Facility is also subject to a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.25% per annum, applied to the daily amount by which the committed amount exceed the borrowings outstanding. The commitment fee as of December 27, 2025 was 0.15%.
The Revolver contains customary representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default, including limitations on subsidiary indebtedness and liens, we well as requirements to maintain specified financial ratios. These financial covenants include a requirement to maintain a consolidated total net leverage ratio not exceeding 3.50 to 1.00 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, which may increase to 4.00 to 1.00 for four fiscal quarters following a permitted acquisition. We were in compliance with the Facility's covenants as of December 27, 2025.
Building Term Loan and Interest Rate Swap
On June 22, 2020, we entered into an $18.0 million 15-year credit facility loan agreement (the “Building Term Loan”). Proceeds from the Building Term Loan were used to acquire a building adjacent to our leased facilities in Livermore, California. On May 19, 2023, we amended the Building Term Loan, to replace the benchmark reference rate London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) with term SOFR, with no change to the contractual amount or timing of cash flows.
The Building Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to the applicable SOFR rate, plus 1.86% per annum, with interest payable in monthly installments over the fifteen-year term. The interest rate as of December 27, 2025 prior to the effect of the related interest rate swap was 5.74%. As of December 27, 2025, the outstanding principal balance under the Building Term Loan was $12.3 million, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the agreement.
On March 17, 2020, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge the variable interest payments on the Building Term Loan. The swap was originally executed for a notional amount of $18.0 million, with an amortization period that matches the underlying debt. The interest rate swap was intended to mitigate our exposure to variability in interest rates associated with movements in LIBOR. On May 19, 2023, we amended the interest rate swap to replace LIBOR with SOFR, consistent with the amendment to the Building Term Loan. Following this amendment, the interest rate swap continues to convert our floating-rate interest into a fixed-rate at 2.75%. As of December 27, 2025, the notional amount of the loan that is subject to this interest rate swap is $12.3 million.
Stock Repurchase Programs
On May 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a two-year program to repurchase up to $75 million of outstanding common stock to offset potential dilution from issuance of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. During fiscal 2022 and 2023, we repurchased and retired 1,700,893 shares of common stock for $56.4 million and 504,352 shares of common stock for $18.6 million, respectively, utilizing all of the shares available for repurchase under the program.
On October 30, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized a two-year program to repurchase up to $75 million of outstanding common stock, with the primary purpose of offsetting potential dilution from issuance of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. During fiscal 2023 and 2024, we purchased and retired 32,020 shares of common stock for $1.2 million and 1,309,635 shares of common stock for $53.3 million, respectively. On March 29, 2025, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the repurchase program, authorizing the repurchase of an additional $1.6 million in shares of common stock. During fiscal 2025, we repurchased and retired 665,000 shares of common stock for $22.1 million, utilizing the remaining shares available for repurchase under the program.
On April 24, 2025, our Board of Directors authorized a new two-year program to repurchase up to $75.0 million of outstanding common stock to offset potential dilution from issuance of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. This share repurchase program will expire on April 24, 2027. During fiscal 2025, we repurchased and retired 135,000 shares of common stock for $4.1 million, and as of December 27, 2025, $70.9 million remained available for future repurchases.
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments in cash as of December 27, 2025 (in thousands):
| Payments Due In Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 and thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | 8,926 | $ | 8,421 | $ | 4,736 | $ | 510 | $ | 461 | $ | 993 | $ | 24,047 | ||||||||||||
| Term loan - principal payments | 1,142 | 1,175 | 1,208 | 1,242 | 1,278 | 6,213 | 12,258 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Term loan - interest payments(1) | 683 | 615 | 548 | 477 | 400 | 845 | 3,568 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Revolver - commitment fee(2) | 228 | 228 | 232 | 228 | 131 | — | 1,047 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 10,979 | $ | 10,439 | $ | 6,724 | $ | 2,457 | $ | 2,270 | $ | 8,051 | $ | 40,920 |
(1) Represents our minimum interest payment commitments at 5.74% per annum, excluding the interest rate swap described in Debt, above.
(2) Represents our quarterly commitment fee of 0.15% on the daily amount by which the commitments under the Facility exceed the outstanding amount. This commitment assumes no borrowings.
The table above excludes our gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits and our deferred grant. The gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $52.0 million as of December 27, 2025. The timing of any payments which could result from these unrecognized tax benefits will depend upon a number of factors and, accordingly, the timing of payment cannot be estimated. The deferred grant was $18.0 million as of December 27, 2025, and consists of cash received from a California Competes Grant awarded from the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. The timing of any potential repayments is dependent upon a number of factors, including the number of employees and capital investments within California over the 5-year term. Accordingly, the extent and timing of any potential repayment cannot be estimated.
Indemnification Arrangements
We have entered, and may from time to time in the ordinary course of our business enter, into contractual arrangements with third parties that include indemnification obligations. Under these contractual arrangements, we have agreed to defend, indemnify and/or hold the third party harmless from and against certain liabilities. These arrangements include indemnities in favor of customers in the event that our products or services infringe a third party's intellectual property, or cause property damage or other indemnities in favor of our lessors in connection with facility leasehold liabilities that we may cause. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers, and our bylaws contain indemnification obligations in favor of our directors, officers and agents. These indemnity arrangements may limit the type of the claim, the total amount that we can be required to pay in connection with the indemnification obligation and the time within which an indemnification claim can be made. The duration of the indemnification obligation may vary, and for most arrangements, survives the agreement term and is indefinite. We believe that substantially all of our indemnity arrangements provide either for limitations on the maximum potential future payments we could be obligated to make, or for limitations on the types of claims and damages we could be obligated to indemnify, or both. However, it is not possible to determine or reasonably estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification obligations due to the varying terms of such obligations, a lack of history of prior indemnification claims, the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular contractual arrangement and in each potential future claim for indemnification, and the contingency of any potential liabilities upon the occurrence of events that are not reasonably determinable. We have not had any material requests for indemnification under these arrangements. We have not recorded any liabilities for these indemnification arrangements on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 27, 2025 or December 28, 2024.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 18, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001039399-25-000023.
Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions as described under the “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” that appears earlier in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our actual results could differ materially from those
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anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under “Item 1A: Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
FormFactor, Inc., headquartered in Livermore, California, is a leading provider of electrical and optical test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product lifecycle - from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. We provide a broad range of high-performance probe cards, analytical probes, probe stations, thermal systems, and cryogenic systems to both semiconductor companies and scientific institutions. Our products provide electrical and optical information from a variety of semiconductor and electro-optical devices and integrated circuits from early research, through development, to high-volume production. Customers use our products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance, reducing scrap, and improving yields.
We operate in two reportable segments consisting of the Probe Cards segment and the Systems segment. Sales of our probe cards and analytical probes are included in the Probe Cards segment, while sales of our probe stations, thermal systems and cryogenic systems are included in the Systems segment.
Our fiscal 2024 financial results reflected our strengthening momentum driven by increasing demand for high bandwidth memory (“HBM”) chips utilized in generative artificial intelligence applications. On February 26, 2024, we completed the sale of our China operations, resulting in net consideration received of $21.4 million and a pre-tax gain of $20.3 million. With this transaction, we established an exclusive distribution and partnership agreement to continue sales and support of our products in the region (the “China Transaction”).
We generated net income of $69.6 million in fiscal 2024 compared to net income of $82.4 million in fiscal 2023 and net income of $50.7 million in fiscal 2022. The decrease in net income in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was primarily due to a reduced gain on sale of business with the fiscal 2024 gain from the China Transaction being less than the fiscal 2023 gain from the sale of our FRT business further described below. Excluding the impact of gains in each period, our financial performance was driven by the strengthening of certain areas of the semiconductor industry, which increased demand in some markets within our Probe Cards segment, particularly with demand for HBM chips utilized in generative artificial intelligence applications and the ramp of new mobile application processor designs. While we experienced growth in total revenues year over year, the Systems segment was negatively impacted due to the absence of metrology system sales as a result of the sale of our FRT Metrology business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.
The increase in net income in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was primarily due to a gain recognized from the sale of our FRT business of $73.0 million. Apart from this gain, the semiconductor industry weakness that began in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 continued into fiscal 2023, impacting our Probe Cards segment with a $93.5 million reduction in revenue and the associated decline in gross margins from the lower operating levels. Systems segment showed strength in fiscal 2023 with revenue increasing $8.7 million, or about 5.6%, compared to fiscal 2022, driven by our customers' spending on research and development of next-generation innovation.
Recent Development
In February 2025, we, together with MBK Partners, a private equity firm, acquired FICT Limited (“FICT”) from Advantage Partners Inc. In connection with the acquisition, we obtained a 20% equity interest in FICT, in exchange for funding $59.6 million of the purchase price. Headquartered in Nagano, Japan, FICT is a provider of semiconductor test and high-performance computing industries with complex multi-layer organic substrates, printed circuit boards, and related leading-edge technologies and services. Under the equity method, upon closing this investment, the investment will be included as a separate item in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and we will record our proportionate share of FICT’s net income or loss as a separate item in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Fiscal Year
We operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year, whereby the fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of December. The fiscal years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 included 52 weeks, 52 weeks, and 53 weeks (with 14 weeks in the fourth quarter), respectively.
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Use of Estimates
Preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses in the reporting period. Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our financial condition and results of operations reported in our financial statements and related disclosures. We have identified the following accounting policies as being critical because they require our management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our management has discussed the development, selection, application and disclosure of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Inventory Valuation
We state our inventories at the lower of cost (principally standard cost which approximates actual cost on a first in, first out basis) or net realizable value. We regularly assess the value of our inventory and will periodically write down its value for estimated excess inventory and product obsolescence based upon an analysis of existing inventory quantities compared to estimated future consumption. Future consumption is estimated based upon assumptions about how past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors may indicate future consumption. On a quarterly basis, we review existing inventory quantities in comparison to our past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors to determine what inventory quantities, if any, may not be sellable. Based on this analysis, we record an adjustment to the cost basis of inventory when evidence exists that the net realizable value of inventory is lower than its cost, which occurs when we have excess and/or obsolete inventory.
At the point of loss recognition, a new, lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. Market conditions are subject to change, and demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. Actual consumption of inventories could differ from forecasted demand, and this difference could have a material impact on our gross profit and inventory balances based on additional provisions for excess or obsolete inventories, or a benefit from the sale of inventories previously written down.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized upon transferring control of products and services, and the amounts recognized reflect the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for these products and services. An arrangement may include some or all of the following products and services: probe cards, systems, accessories, engineering services, installation services, service contracts and extended warranty contracts.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. In contracts with multiple performance obligations, we identify each performance obligation and evaluate whether the performance obligation is distinct within the context of the contract at contract inception. Performance obligations that are not distinct at contract inception are combined and accounted for as one unit of account. Generally, the performance obligations in a contract are considered distinct within the context of the contract and are accounted for as separate units of account.
Our products may be customized to our customers’ specifications; however, control of our product is typically transferred to the customer at the point in time the product is either shipped or delivered, depending on the terms of the arrangement, as the criteria for over time recognition is not met. In limited circumstances, substantive acceptance by the customer exists which results in the deferral of revenue until acceptance is formally received from the customer. Judgment may be required in determining if the acceptance clause is substantive. In certain instances control of products is transferred to the customer over time based on performance and in those instances we utilize an appropriate input or output measure to determine to what extent control has transferred to the customer. Judgment may be required in determining an appropriate measure of performance.
Installation services are routinely provided to customers purchasing our systems. Installation services are a distinct performance obligation apart from the systems and are recognized in the period they are performed. Service contracts, which include repair
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and maintenance service contracts, and extended warranty contracts are also distinct performance obligations and are recognized over the contractual service period, which ranges from one to three years. For these service contracts recognized over time, we use the input measure of days elapsed to measure progress.
A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. In determining the transaction price, we evaluate whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment to determine the net consideration to which we expect to be entitled. We generally do not grant return privileges, except for defective products during the warranty period. Sales incentives and other programs that we may make available to our customers are considered to be a form of variable consideration, which is estimated in determining the contract’s transaction price to be allocated to the performance obligations.
For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on observable prices, which are the prices at which we separately sell these products. For items which do not have observable prices, we use our best estimate of the stand-alone selling prices.
We account for tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction (i.e., sales, use, value added) on a net (excluded from revenue) basis.
Results of Operations
In this section, we discuss the results of our operations for the year ended December 28, 2024 compared to the year ended December 30, 2023. For a discussion of the year ended December 30, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, please refer to 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 December 30, 2023.
The following table sets forth our operating results as a percentage of revenues:
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||
| Cost of revenues | 59.7 | 61.0 | 60.4 | |||||
| Gross profit | 40.3 | 39.0 | 39.6 | |||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 16.0 | 17.5 | 14.6 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 18.5 | 20.1 | 17.6 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 34.5 | 37.6 | 32.2 | |||||
| Gain on sale of business | 2.7 | 11.0 | — | |||||
| Operating income | 8.5 | 12.4 | 7.4 | |||||
| Interest income | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.3 | |||||
| Interest expense | — | (0.1) | (0.1) | |||||
| Other income (expense), net | 0.1 | — | 0.2 | |||||
| Income before income taxes | 10.4 | 13.4 | 7.8 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | |||||
| Net income | 9.1 | % | 12.4 | % | 6.8 | % |
Revenues by Segment
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Probe Cards | $ | 625,960 | $ | 497,903 | $ | 591,422 | ||||
| Systems(1) | 137,639 | 165,199 | 156,515 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 763,599 | $ | 663,102 | $ | 747,937 |
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we completed the sale of our FRT business. As a result, we generated no metrology systems revenue during fiscal 2024, compared to $21.2 million and $29.0 million, during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively.
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Revenues by Market
| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Revenues | 2023 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 381,182 | 49.9 | % | $ | 363,539 | 54.8 | % | $ | 17,643 | 4.9 | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 227,422 | 29.8 | 113,779 | 17.2 | 113,643 | 99.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 17,356 | 2.3 | 20,585 | 3.1 | (3,229) | (15.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems(1) | 137,639 | 18.0 | 165,199 | 24.9 | (27,560) | (16.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 763,599 | 100.0 | % | $ | 663,102 | 100.0 | % | $ | 100,497 | 15.2 | % |
| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Revenues | 2022 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 363,539 | 54.8 | % | $ | 409,196 | 54.7 | % | $ | (45,657) | (11.2) | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 113,779 | 17.2 | 133,446 | 17.8 | (19,667) | (14.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 20,585 | 3.1 | 48,780 | 6.5 | (28,195) | (57.8) | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems(1) | 165,199 | 24.9 | 156,515 | 21.0 | 8,684 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 663,102 | 100.0 | % | $ | 747,937 | 100.0 | % | $ | (84,835) | (11.3) | % |
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we completed the sale of our FRT business. As a result, we generated no metrology systems revenue during fiscal 2024, compared to $21.2 million and $29.0 million, during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively.
Foundry & Logic — The increase in Foundry & Logic product revenue in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was driven by the ramp of new mobile application processor designs.
DRAM — The increase in DRAM product revenues in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was driven by increased demand for HBM designs utilized in generative artificial intelligence applications as well as increased demand for other non-HBM DRAM designs, particularly DDR5.
Flash — The decrease in Flash product revenue in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was driven by lower customer production activity and demand for our products.
Systems — The decrease in Systems product revenue in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was primarily driven by the absence of metrology systems revenue due to the sale of our FRT Metrology business during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Excluding the impact of the sale of our FRT Metrology business, Systems revenue decreased by $6.3 million, or 4.4%, primarily due to a decline in sales of thermal systems and probe stations.
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Revenues by Geographic Region
| Fiscal 2024 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2023 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2022 | % of Revenues | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| South Korea | $ | 184,528 | 24.2 | % | $ | 117,747 | 17.8 | % | $ | 111,419 | 14.9 | % | ||||||||
| United States | 183,716 | 24.1 | 171,781 | 25.9 | 127,730 | 17.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Taiwan | 173,515 | 22.7 | 147,842 | 22.3 | 169,789 | 22.7 | ||||||||||||||
| China | 102,982 | 13.5 | 91,736 | 13.8 | 160,668 | 21.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Europe | 34,803 | 4.6 | 38,858 | 5.9 | 39,246 | 5.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Japan | 33,946 | 4.4 | 36,791 | 5.5 | 38,419 | 5.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Singapore | 20,186 | 2.6 | 18,335 | 2.8 | 39,388 | 5.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Malaysia | 18,240 | 2.4 | 26,601 | 4.0 | 50,067 | 6.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 11,683 | 1.5 | 13,411 | 2.0 | 11,211 | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 763,599 | 100.0 | % | $ | 663,102 | 100.0 | % | $ | 747,937 | 100.0 | % |
Geographic revenue information is based on the location to which we ship the product. For example, if a certain South Korean customer purchases through their U.S. subsidiary and requests the products to be shipped to an address in South Korea, this sale will be reflected in the revenue for South Korea rather than United States.
Changes in revenue by geographic region in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 were primarily attributable to changes in customer demand, shifts in customer regional manufacturing strategies, particularly with our large multinational customers, product sales mix, and impacts from trade restrictions. Specifically, the changes in revenue by geographic region was attributable to the following:
•Increased demand for our DRAM probe card products, including those for HBM, contributed to the increase in revenue for South Korea in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023.
•A single large U.S.-based company shifted shipments from Malaysia and China to the United States that contributed to the fluctuations in revenue for those regions in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023.
•Increased demand from a large Chinese DRAM integrated device manufacturer contributed to the increase in revenue for China in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023.
•Expanded export license requirements for the export of advanced U.S. semiconductor technology to China that was imposed by the U.S. government beginning the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 have caused volatility in the Chinese region over the last two fiscal years, negatively impacting our revenue compared to fiscal 2022. These requirements have restricted our ability to ship products to the region, decreasing demand from domestic China customers. Additionally, these requirements have caused, and continue to drive, some of our multinational customers to concentrate operations in regions other than China, lowering overall demand for those customers within the region. We anticipate a further reduction in demand in fiscal 2025 due to additional tightening of export controls, which will limit our ability to ship advanced probe cards in the region.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margins
Cost of revenues consists primarily of manufacturing materials, compensation and benefits, shipping and handling costs, manufacturing-related overhead (including equipment costs, related occupancy, and computer services), warranty cost, inventory adjustments (including write-downs for inventory obsolescence), and amortization of certain intangible assets. Our manufacturing operations rely on a limited number of suppliers to provide key components and materials for our products, some of which are a sole source. We order materials and supplies based on backlog and forecasted customer orders. Tooling and setup costs related to changing manufacturing lots at our suppliers are also included in the cost of revenues. We expense all warranty costs, inventory provisions and amortization of certain intangible assets as cost of revenues.
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Gross profit and gross margin by segment were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Fiscal 2024 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 259,007 | $ | 59,511 | $ | (10,595) | $ | 307,923 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 41.4 | % | 43.2 | % | 40.3 | % |
| Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 185,392 | $ | 84,735 | $ | (11,547) | $ | 258,580 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 37.2 | % | 51.3 | % | 39.0 | % |
| Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 235,562 | $ | 80,937 | $ | (20,490) | $ | 296,009 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 39.8 | % | 51.7 | % | 39.6 | % |
Probe Cards—Gross profit and gross margin in the Probe Cards segment increased in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, primarily due to greater revenues and more favorable absorption of costs on higher production volumes. These increases were partially offset by an unfavorable product mix with a higher concentration of lower-margin DRAM product sales and a lower concentration of higher-margin Foundry & Logic product sales. For fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, DRAM revenue was up from 22.9% of Probe Card sales to 36.3% of Probe Card sales, and Foundry & Logic revenue was down from 73.0% of Probe Card sales to 60.9% of Probe Card sales. In general, our DRAM products have lower margins than our Foundry & Logic products.
Systems—Gross profit and gross margin in the Systems segment decreased fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, primarily as a result of lower revenues, less favorable absorption of costs on lower production volumes, and a less favorable product mix, in part related to the divestiture of the FRT Metrology business, which was completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.
Corporate and Other—Corporate and Other includes unallocated expenses relating to stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, inventory and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions, and restructuring charges, net, which are not used in evaluating the results of, or in allocating resources to, our reportable segments. The Corporate and Other gross loss decreased in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, primarily due to the absence of amortization expense associated with our FRT Metrology business, which was sold during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.
Overall—Gross profit and gross margin fluctuate with revenue levels, product mix, selling prices, factory loading and material costs. For fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, gross profit and gross margins have increased primarily as a result of more favorable absorption of costs on higher revenues, partially offset by an unfavorable product mix, as described above.
Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues for fiscal 2024 and 2023 was $7.7 million and $6.9 million, respectively. The increase of stock-based compensation in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was driven by an increase in weighted average fair value of awards outstanding.
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Research and Development
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 121,938 | $ | 115,765 | $ | 6,173 | 5.3 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 16.0 | % | 17.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 115,765 | $ | 109,222 | $ | 6,543 | 6.0 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 17.5 | % | 14.6 | % |
The increase in research and development expense in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was primarily driven by an increase in employee compensation costs from higher performance-based compensation and general operational costs.
The components of this increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee compensation costs | $ | 3,956 | |
| General operational costs | 2,169 | ||
| Depreciation | (380) | ||
| Project material costs | 359 | ||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 69 | ||
| $ | 6,173 |
Stock-based compensation expense included within research and development in fiscal 2024 and 2023 was relatively flat at $10.7 million in both periods.
Selling, General and Administrative
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 141,786 | $ | 133,012 | $ | 8,774 | 6.6 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 18.5 | % | 20.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 133,012 | $ | 131,875 | $ | 1,137 | 0.9 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 20.1 | % | 17.6 | % |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expense in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was primarily driven by increased employee compensation from higher performance-based compensation and increased commissions expense from increased revenues, partially offset by lower amortization of intangibles.
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The components of this overall increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee compensation costs | $ | 8,303 | |
| Amortization of intangibles | (3,005) | ||
| Commission expenses | 2,431 | ||
| Consulting fees | 753 | ||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 194 | ||
| General operating expenses | 98 | ||
| $ | 8,774 |
Stock-based compensation expense included within selling, general and administrative in fiscal 2024 and 2023 was $21.3 million and $21.1 million, respectively.
Gain on sale of business
Gain on sale of business represents the gain on the sale of our China operations for $20.3 million during fiscal 2024 and the gain on the sale of our FRT business for $73.3 million, of which $73.0 million was recognized during fiscal 2023 and $0.3 million was recognized during fiscal 2024. See Note 5, Divestitures, for additional information.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | ||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
| Interest Income | $ | 14,111 | $ | 7,217 | |||
| Weighted average balance of cash and investments | $ | 353,191 | $ | 248,728 | |||
| Weighted average yield on cash and investments | 4.56 | % | 3.44 | % | |||
| Interest Expense | $ | 418 | $ | 421 | |||
| Average debt outstanding | $ | 13,785 | $ | 14,848 | |||
| Weighted average interest rate on debt | 2.75 | % | 2.75 | % |
Interest income is earned on our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities. The increase in interest income in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was attributable to higher invested balances and higher weighted average yield on cash and investments.
Interest expense primarily includes interest on our term loan, interest rate swap derivative contract, and term loan issuance costs amortization charges. The interest expense for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was relatively flat. This stability is due to our interest rate swap, which converted the interest rate on our long-term debt to a fixed rate.
Other income (expense), net
Other income (expense), net, includes the effects of foreign currency and various other gains and losses. The increase in Other income (expense), net, in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was primarily attributable to an other than temporary impairment on a debt receivable for $1.1 million in fiscal 2023 that did not recur in fiscal 2024 and an increase in foreign exchange gains. Foreign exchange gains for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 were $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
Provision for income taxes
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 9,798 | $ | 6,880 | $ | 7,132 | ||||
| Effective tax rate | 12.3 | % | 7.7 | % | 12.3 | % |
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Provision for income taxes reflects the tax provision on our operations in foreign and U.S. jurisdictions, offset by tax benefits from tax credits and the foreign-derived intangible income deduction. Our effective tax rate may vary from period to period based on changes in estimated taxable income or loss by jurisdiction, changes to the valuation allowance, changes to U.S. federal, state or foreign tax laws, changes in stock-based compensation expense/benefit, future expansion into areas with varying country, state, and local income tax rates, and deductibility of certain costs and expenses by jurisdiction. The increase in our effective tax rate for fiscal 2024, when compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was primarily driven by the sale of our FRT business and the related capital gain exclusion for German tax purposes that impacted fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, that did not repeat in the current year.
The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act of 2022 (the “CHIPS Act”) was signed into law on August 9, 2022. The CHIPS Act provides for various incentives and tax credits, among other items, including the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (“AMIC”), which equals 25% of qualified investments in an advanced manufacturing facility that is placed in service after December 31, 2022. At least a portion of our future capital expenditures will qualify for this credit, which benefits us by allowing us to net the credit received against our costs. The AMIC credit is accounted for outside of ASC 740 as a reduction to the depreciable basis of the assets used in operations and will not have an impact on our effective tax rate.
Beginning in 2022, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the existing option to deduct research and development expenditures and requires taxpayers to amortize such expenditures attributable to domestic and foreign research over five and fifteen years, respectively, pursuant to IRC Section 174. While the capitalization requirement has a negative impact on our cash flows, there are offsetting benefits from the enactment of this provision that we have included in our estimated annual effective tax rate. While it is possible that Congress may defer, modify, or repeal this provision, potentially with retroactive effect, we have no assurance that this provision will be deferred, modified, or repealed. Changes in our tax provisions or an increase in our tax liabilities, whether due to changes in applicable laws and regulations, the interpretation or application thereof, or a final determination of tax audits or litigation or agreements, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Resources
Our working capital increased to $473.8 million at December 28, 2024 compared to $442.7 million at December 30, 2023.
Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of deposits held at banks and money market funds. Marketable securities primarily consist of corporate bonds, U.S. treasuries and agency securities, and commercial paper. We typically invest in highly-rated securities with low probabilities of default. Our investment policy requires investments to be rated single A or better, and limits the types of acceptable investments, issuer concentration and duration of the investment.
Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled approximately $360.0 million at December 28, 2024 compared to $328.3 million at December 30, 2023. Based on our historical results of operations, we expect that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, and the cash we expect to generate from operations, will be sufficient to fund, through at least the next 12 months, our liquidity requirements including those arising from: research and development, capital expenditures, working capital, outstanding commitments, and other liquidity requirements associated with existing operations. However, we cannot be certain that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, and cash generated from operations, will be available in the future to fund all of our capital and operating requirements. In addition, any future strategic investments and significant acquisitions may require additional cash and capital resources. To the extent necessary, we may consider entering into short and long-term debt obligations, raising cash through a stock issuance, or obtaining new financing facilities, which may not be available on terms favorable to us. If we are unable to obtain sufficient cash or capital to meet our needs on a timely basis and on favorable terms, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unsuccessful in maintaining or growing our revenues, maintaining or reducing our cost structure, or increasing our available cash through debt or equity financings, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities may decline.
We utilize a variety of tax planning and financing strategies in an effort to manage our worldwide cash and deploy funds to locations where they are needed. As part of these strategies, we indefinitely reinvest a portion of our foreign earnings. Should we require additional capital in the United States, we may elect to repatriate indefinitely-reinvested foreign funds or raise capital in the United States.
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Cash Flows
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 117,534 | $ | 64,602 | $ | 131,786 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (33,480) | 29,049 | (75,704) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (64,612) | (22,711) | (95,932) |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities consists of net income for the period, adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in certain operating assets and liabilities. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2024 was primarily attributable to net income of $69.6 million and net non-cash items of $56.6 million, partially offset by the increase in net working capital of $8.7 million. The cash used in net working capital is related to an increase of inventories of $8.3 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $8.2 million, and decreased operating lease liabilities of $7.3 million, partially offset by an increase of other liabilities of $9.8 million, accrued liabilities of $3.7 million, and deferred revenue of $2.7 million. The non-cash expenses consisted of depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and the provision for excess and obsolete inventories, partially offset by the $20.6 million gain on sale of business and deferred income tax benefits.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2024 primarily related to $38.4 million in property, plant and equipment purchases and $15.1 million used for the purchase of marketable securities, net of maturities, partially offset by the $21.6 million cash provided by the sale of businesses.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2024 primarily related to $53.3 million used to purchase common stock under our stock repurchase program, $20.0 million used to pay tax withholdings for net share settlements of employee equity awards, and $1.1 million of principal payments made towards the repayment of our term loan, partially offset by $9.7 million of proceeds received from issuances of common stock under our employee stock purchase plan.
Debt
On June 22, 2020, we entered into an $18.0 million 15-year credit facility loan agreement (the “Building Term Loan”) with MUFG Union Bank, National Association (“Union Bank”). The proceeds of the Building Term Loan were used to purchase a building adjacent to our leased facilities in Livermore, California. On May 19, 2023, we amended the Building Term Loan, replacing the benchmark reference rate LIBOR with SOFR, with no change to the amount or timing of contractual cash flows.
The Building Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to the applicable SOFR rate, plus 0.1145%, plus 1.75% per annum. Interest payments are payable in monthly installments over a fifteen-year period. The interest rate at December 28, 2024, before consideration of the interest rate swap, was 6.42%.
On March 17, 2020, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Union Bank to hedge the interest payments on the Building Term Loan for the notional amount of $18.0 million. As future levels of LIBOR over the life of the loan were uncertain, we entered into this interest-rate swap agreement to hedge the exposure in interest rate risks associated with movement in LIBOR rates. This agreement was amended on May 19, 2023 to replace the benchmark reference rate LIBOR with SOFR to match the Building Term Loan agreement (as amended). After the amendment, the interest rate swap continues to convert our floating-rate interest into a fixed-rate of 2.75%. As of December 28, 2024, the notional amount of the loan that is subject to this interest rate swap was $13.4 million. See Note 9, Fair Value, for additional information.
The obligations under the Building Term Loan are guaranteed by a deed of trust covering certain real property and improvements and certain personal property used in connection therewith. The deed of trust creates a first priority lien or encumbrance on the property with only such exceptions as may be approved by Union Bank in writing.
The Building Term Loan contains covenants customary for financing of this type. As of December 28, 2024, the balance outstanding pursuant to the Building Term Loan was $13.4 million, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the agreement.
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Stock Repurchase Programs
On October 26, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a two-year program to repurchase up to $50 million of outstanding common stock to offset potential dilution from issuances of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. During fiscal 2022, we repurchased and retired 676,408 shares of common stock for $26.0 million, utilizing the remaining shares available for repurchase under the program.
On May 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a two-year program to repurchase up to $75 million of outstanding common stock to offset potential dilution from issuance of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. During fiscal 2022 and 2023, we repurchased and retired 1,700,893 shares of common stock for $56.4 million and 504,352 shares of common stock for $18.6 million, respectively, utilizing the remaining shares available for repurchase under the program.
On October 30, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized an additional program to repurchase up to $75 million of outstanding common stock, also with the primary purpose of offsetting potential dilution from issuance of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. This share repurchase program will expire on October 30, 2025. During fiscal 2023 and 2024, we repurchased and retired 32,020 shares of common stock for $1.2 million and 1,309,635 shares of common stock for $53.3 million, respectively, and as of December 28, 2024, $20.5 million remained available for future repurchases.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our significant contractual commitments to make future payments in cash under contractual obligations as of December 28, 2024 (in thousands):
| Payments Due In Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 and thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | 9,080 | $ | 7,610 | $ | 7,181 | $ | 3,872 | $ | 232 | $ | 1,118 | $ | 29,093 | ||||||||||||
| Term loan - principal payments | 1,111 | 1,142 | 1,175 | 1,208 | 1,242 | 7,490 | 13,368 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Term loan - interest payments(1) | 835 | 764 | 688 | 613 | 534 | 1,393 | 4,827 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 11,026 | $ | 9,516 | $ | 9,044 | $ | 5,693 | $ | 2,008 | $ | 10,001 | $ | 47,288 |
(1) Represents our minimum interest payment commitments at 6.42% per annum, excluding the interest rate swap described in Debt, above.
The table above excludes our gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits and our deferred grant. The gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $48.4 million as of December 28, 2024. The timing of any payments which could result from these unrecognized tax benefits will depend upon a number of factors and, accordingly, the timing of payment cannot be estimated. The deferred grant was $18.0 million as of December 28, 2024, and consists of cash received from a California Competes Grant awarded from the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. The timing of any potential repayments is dependent upon a number of factors, including the number of employees and capital investments within California over the 5-year term. Accordingly, the timing of any repayment cannot be estimated.
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Indemnification Arrangements
We have entered, and may from time to time in the ordinary course of our business enter, into contractual arrangements with third parties that include indemnification obligations. Under these contractual arrangements, we have agreed to defend, indemnify and/or hold the third party harmless from and against certain liabilities. These arrangements include indemnities in favor of customers in the event that our products or services infringe a third party's intellectual property, or cause property damage or other indemnities in favor of our lessors in connection with facility leasehold liabilities that we may cause. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers, and our bylaws contain indemnification obligations in favor of our directors, officers and agents. These indemnity arrangements may limit the type of the claim, the total amount that we can be required to pay in connection with the indemnification obligation and the time within which an indemnification claim can be made. The duration of the indemnification obligation may vary, and for most arrangements, survives the agreement term and is indefinite. We believe that substantially all of our indemnity arrangements provide either for limitations on the maximum potential future payments we could be obligated to make, or for limitations on the types of claims and damages we could be obligated to indemnify, or both. However, it is not possible to determine or reasonably estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification obligations due to the varying terms of such obligations, a lack of history of prior indemnification claims, the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular contractual arrangement and in each potential future claim for indemnification, and the contingency of any potential liabilities upon the occurrence of events that are not reasonably determinable. We have not had any material requests for indemnification under these arrangements. We have not recorded any liabilities for these indemnification arrangements on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2024 or December 30, 2023.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 17, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001039399-24-000007.
Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions as described under the “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” that appears earlier in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our actual results could differ materially from those
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anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under “Item 1A: Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
FormFactor, Inc., headquartered in Livermore, California, is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product lifecycle - from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. We provide a broad range of high-performance probe cards, analytical probes, probe stations, metrology systems, thermal systems, and cryogenic systems to both semiconductor companies and scientific institutions. Our products provide electrical information from a variety of semiconductor and electro-optical devices and integrated circuits from early research, through development, to high-volume production. Customers use our products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance, reducing scrap, and improving yields.
We operate in two reportable segments consisting of the Probe Cards segment and the Systems segment. Sales of our probe cards and analytical probes are included in the Probe Cards segment, while sales of our probe stations, metrology systems, thermal systems and cryogenic systems are included in the Systems segment.
We generated net income of $82.4 million in fiscal 2023 compared to net income of $50.7 million in fiscal 2022 and net income of $83.9 million in fiscal 2021. On November 1, 2023, we completed the sale of our FRT Metrology (“FRT”) business. As a result of the transaction, we received aggregate net consideration of $99.8 million and the transaction resulted in a gain of $73.0 million.
The increase in net income in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was primarily due to the $73.0 million gain recognized from the sale of our FRT business. Apart from this gain, the semiconductor industry weakness that began in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 continued into fiscal 2023, impacting our Probe Cards segment with a $93.5 million reduction in revenue and the associated decline in gross margins as a result of the lower operating levels. Despite the overall semiconductor industry weakness that impacted the Probe Cards segment, the Systems segment continued to show strength with revenue increasing $8.7 million, or about 5.6% in fiscal 2022, since customer spending for products in this segment is driven by research and development of next-generation innovation.
The decrease in net income in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily due to decreased revenues, lower margins driven primarily by a less favorable product mix and lower factory utilization, and increased restructuring charges. This was partially offset by a reduction in the amortization of intangibles and in the annual effective tax rate. The first half of fiscal 2022 was strong, producing net income of $60.1 million with $401.1 million in revenue at 47.0% gross margins. In the second half of fiscal 2022, revenues declined, mainly within the Probe Cards segment, and mix became less favorable, resulting in a net loss of $9.4 million with $346.9 million in revenue at 31.0% gross margins. Despite the decline in total revenues in the second half of fiscal 2022, the Systems segment recognized record revenue levels in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2022.
Recent Development
On February 7, 2024, we signed an agreement with Grand Junction Semiconductor Pte. Ltd. to divest our China operations and establish an exclusive distribution and partnership agreement to continue sales and support of our products in the region (the “China Transaction”). The China Transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024.
Fiscal Year
We operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year, whereby the fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of December. The fiscal years ended December 30, 2023, December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 included 52 weeks, 53 weeks (with 14 weeks in the fourth quarter) and 52 weeks, respectively.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
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Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses in the reporting period. Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our financial condition and results of operations reported in our financial statements and related disclosures. We have identified the following accounting policies as being critical because they require our management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our management has discussed the development, selection, application and disclosure of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Inventory Valuation
We state our inventories at the lower of cost (principally standard cost which approximates actual cost on a first in, first out basis) or net realizable value. We regularly assess the value of our inventory and will periodically write down its value for estimated excess inventory and product obsolescence based upon an analysis of existing inventory quantities compared to estimated future consumption. Future consumption is estimated based upon assumptions about how past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors may indicate future consumption. On a quarterly basis, we review existing inventory quantities in comparison to our past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors to determine what inventory quantities, if any, may not be sellable. Based on this analysis, we record an adjustment to the cost basis of inventory when evidence exists that the net realizable value of inventory is lower than its cost, which occurs when we have excess and/or obsolete inventory.
At the point of loss recognition, a new, lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. Market conditions are subject to change, and demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. Actual consumption of inventories could differ from forecasted demand, and this difference could have a material impact on our gross profit and inventory balances based on additional provisions for excess or obsolete inventories, or a benefit from the sale of inventories previously written down.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized upon transferring control of products and services, and the amounts recognized reflect the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for these products and services. An arrangement may include some or all of the following products and services: probe cards, systems, accessories, engineering services, installation services, service contracts and extended warranty contracts.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. In contracts with multiple performance obligations, we identify each performance obligation and evaluate whether the performance obligation is distinct within the context of the contract at contract inception. Performance obligations that are not distinct at contract inception are combined and accounted for as one unit of account. Generally, the performance obligations in a contract are considered distinct within the context of the contract and are accounted for as separate units of account.
Our products may be customized to our customers’ specifications; however, control of our product is typically transferred to the customer at the point in time the product is either shipped or delivered, depending on the terms of the arrangement, as the criteria for over time recognition is not met. In limited circumstances, substantive acceptance by the customer exists which results in the deferral of revenue until acceptance is formally received from the customer. Judgment may be required in determining if the acceptance clause is substantive. In certain instances control of products is transferred to the customer over time based on performance and in those instances we utilize an appropriate input or output measure to determine to what extent control has transferred to the customer. Judgment may be required in determining an appropriate measure of performance.
Installation services are routinely provided to customers purchasing our systems. Installation services are a distinct performance obligation apart from the systems and are recognized in the period they are performed. Service contracts, which include repair and maintenance service contracts, and extended warranty contracts are also distinct performance obligations and are recognized over the contractual service period, which ranges from one to three years. For these service contracts recognized over time, we use the input measure of days elapsed to measure progress.
A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. In determining the transaction price, we evaluate whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment to determine the net consideration to which we expect to be entitled. We generally do not grant return privileges, except for defective products during the warranty period. Sales incentives and other programs that we may make available to
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our customers are considered to be a form of variable consideration, which is estimated in determining the contract’s transaction price to be allocated to the performance obligations.
For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on observable prices, which are the prices at which we separately sell these products. For items which do not have observable prices, we use our best estimate of the stand-alone selling prices.
We account for tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction (i.e., sales, use, value added) on a net (excluded from revenue) basis.
Results of Operations
In this section, we discuss the results of our operations for the year ended December 30, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. For a discussion of the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 25, 2021, please refer to 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 December 31, 2022.
The following table sets forth our operating results as a percentage of revenues:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||
| Cost of revenues | 61.0 | 60.4 | 58.1 | |||||
| Gross profit | 39.0 | 39.6 | 41.9 | |||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 17.5 | 14.6 | 13.1 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 20.1 | 17.6 | 16.1 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 37.6 | 32.2 | 29.2 | |||||
| Gain on sale of business | 11.0 | — | — | |||||
| Operating income | 12.4 | 7.4 | 12.7 | |||||
| Interest income | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | |||||
| Interest expense | (0.1) | (0.1) | (0.1) | |||||
| Other income (expense), net | — | 0.2 | 0.1 | |||||
| Income before income taxes | 13.4 | 7.8 | 12.8 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.9 | |||||
| Net income | 12.4 | % | 6.8 | % | 10.9 | % |
Revenues by Segment
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Probe Cards | $ | 497,903 | $ | 591,422 | $ | 633,281 | ||||
| Systems(1) | 165,199 | 156,515 | 136,393 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 663,102 | $ | 747,937 | $ | 769,674 |
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we completed the sale of our FRT business. As a result, Metrology Systems revenue will not recur in future periods. The year ended December 30, 2023 includes Metrology Systems revenue of $21.2 million. The years ended December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 include Metrology Systems revenue of $29.0 million and $23.7 million, respectively.
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Revenues by Market
| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Revenues | 2022 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 363,539 | 54.8 | % | $ | 409,196 | 54.7 | % | $ | (45,657) | (11.2) | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 113,779 | 17.2 | 133,446 | 17.8 | (19,667) | (14.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 20,585 | 3.1 | 48,780 | 6.5 | (28,195) | (57.8) | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems(1) | 165,199 | 24.9 | 156,515 | 21.0 | 8,684 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 663,102 | 100.0 | % | $ | 747,937 | 100.0 | % | $ | (84,835) | (11.3) | % |
| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Revenues | 2021 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 409,196 | 54.7 | % | $ | 435,812 | 56.6 | % | $ | (26,616) | (6.1) | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 133,446 | 17.8 | 156,049 | 20.3 | (22,603) | (14.5) | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 48,780 | 6.5 | 41,420 | 5.4 | 7,360 | 17.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems | 156,515 | 21.0 | 136,393 | 17.7 | 20,122 | 14.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 747,937 | 100.0 | % | $ | 769,674 | 100.0 | % | $ | (21,737) | (2.8) | % |
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we completed the sale of our FRT business. As a result, Metrology Systems revenue will not recur in future periods. The year ended December 30, 2023 includes Metrology Systems revenue of $21.2 million. The years ended December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 include Metrology Systems revenue of $29.0 million million and $23.7 million, respectively.
Foundry & Logic — The decrease in Foundry & Logic product revenue in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was driven by the weakening demand in the semiconductor industry, especially in the personal computer and mobile sectors, that began in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 and continued into fiscal 2023, resulting in decreased unit sales across several of our major customers for both us and our competitors.
DRAM — The decrease in DRAM product revenues in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was driven by lower customer production activity and demand for our products in light of worldwide excess supply of DRAM chips, along with weaker demand in the overall semiconductor industry, as discussed above. These declines were partially offset due to increased demand for HBM chips utilized in generative artificial intelligence applications.
Flash — The decrease in Flash product revenue in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was driven by lower customer production activity and demand for our products in light of worldwide excess supply, a result of weaker demand in the overall semiconductor industry, as discussed above, and Flash market weakness.
Systems — The increase in Systems product revenue in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was driven by increased sales of probe stations and thermal systems, partially offset by decreased sales of our metrology systems.
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Revenues by Geographic Region
| Fiscal 2023 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2022 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2021 | % of Revenues | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 171,781 | 25.9 | % | $ | 127,730 | 17.1 | % | $ | 122,147 | 15.9 | % | ||||||||
| Taiwan | 147,842 | 22.3 | 169,789 | 22.7 | 185,925 | 24.2 | ||||||||||||||
| South Korea | 117,747 | 17.8 | 111,419 | 14.9 | 123,463 | 16.0 | ||||||||||||||
| China | 91,736 | 13.8 | 160,668 | 21.5 | 163,069 | 21.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Europe | 38,858 | 5.9 | 39,246 | 5.2 | 43,705 | 5.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Japan | 36,791 | 5.5 | 38,419 | 5.1 | 36,504 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Malaysia | 26,601 | 4.0 | 50,067 | 6.7 | 49,485 | 6.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Singapore | 18,335 | 2.8 | 39,388 | 5.3 | 36,197 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 13,411 | 2.0 | 11,211 | 1.5 | 9,179 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Revenues | $ | 663,102 | 100.0 | % | $ | 747,937 | 100.0 | % | $ | 769,674 | 100.0 | % |
Geographic revenue information is based on the location to which we ship the product. For example, if a certain South Korean customer purchases through their U.S. subsidiary and requests the products to be shipped to an address in South Korea, this sale will be reflected in the revenue for South Korea rather than U.S.
Changes in revenue by geographic region in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 were primarily attributable to changes in customer demand, shifts in customer regional manufacturing strategies, particularly with our large multinational customers, and product sales mix. More specifically, the increase in revenues for the United States, and decreases in revenues for China and Malaysia, were driven principally by a single large U.S.-based company with operations in these regions that shifted shipments from these regions to the United States. We expect the trade restrictions to continue to drive multinational customers to concentrate operations in regions other than China, impacting our geographical mix. The decrease in revenues for China was also impacted by lowered demand from a large Chinese DRAM integrated device manufacturer and the impact of expanded export license requirements imposed by the U.S. government beginning the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 for exporting advanced U.S. semiconductor technology to China. These uncertain trade barriers affecting exports and imports between the United States and China contributed to the Company's decision to proceed with the China Transaction.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margins
Cost of revenues consists primarily of manufacturing materials, compensation and benefits, shipping and handling costs, manufacturing-related overhead (including equipment costs, related occupancy, and computer services), warranty adjustments, inventory adjustments (including write-downs for inventory obsolescence), and amortization of certain intangible assets. Our manufacturing operations rely on a limited number of suppliers to provide key components and materials for our products, some of which are a sole source. We order materials and supplies based on backlog and forecasted customer orders. Tooling and setup costs related to changing manufacturing lots at our suppliers are also included in the cost of revenues. We expense all warranty costs, inventory provisions and amortization of certain intangible assets as cost of revenues.
Gross profit and gross margin by segment were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 185,392 | $ | 84,735 | $ | (11,547) | $ | 258,580 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 37.2 | % | 51.3 | % | 39.0 | % |
| Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 235,562 | $ | 80,937 | $ | (20,490) | $ | 296,009 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 39.8 | % | 51.7 | % | 39.6 | % |
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| Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 279,873 | $ | 65,834 | $ | (22,940) | $ | 322,767 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 44.2 | % | 48.3 | % | 41.9 | % |
Probe Cards—Gross profit and gross margin in the Probe Cards segment decreased in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to lower revenues and unfavorable absorption of costs on these lower production volumes, partially offset by lower inventory excess and obsolescence reserves.
Systems—Gross profit and gross margin in the Systems segment remained relatively flat in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, despite the increase in revenue primarily as a result of less favorable product mix.
Corporate and Other—Corporate and Other includes unallocated expenses relating to amortization of intangible assets, inventory, fixed asset, and deferred revenue fair value adjustments due to acquisitions, stock-based compensation, and restructuring charges, net, which are not used in evaluating the results of, or in allocating resources to, our reportable segments. The reduction in Corporate and Other in fiscal 2023, compared to fiscal 2022, is primarily due to a reduction in restructuring charges, partially offset by the increase in stock-based compensation expense. In fiscal 2022, there was $11.8 million in restructuring charges arising from a change in estimate of excess and obsolete inventories and a headcount reduction targeted at aligning our cost structure with reduced demand levels within the Probe Cards segment.
Overall—Gross profit and gross margin fluctuate with revenue levels, product mix, selling prices, factory loading and material costs. For fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, gross profit and gross margins have decreased on lower revenue levels and unfavorable absorption of costs on lower production volumes, partially offset by a reduction of restructuring charges.
Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues for fiscal 2023 and 2022 was $6.9 million and $3.8 million, respectively. The increase of stock-based compensation in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was driven by an increase in weighted average fair value of awards outstanding and the timing of awards.
Research and Development
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 115,765 | $ | 109,222 | $ | 6,543 | 6.0 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 17.5 | % | 14.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | December 25, 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 109,222 | $ | 100,937 | $ | 8,285 | 8.2 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 14.6 | % | 13.1 | % |
The increase in research and development expense in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by an increase in headcount designed to support our continued investment in technology leadership. Increased stock-based compensation, depreciation, and general operational costs, also contributed to the increase. These increases were partially offset by lower performance-based compensation and restructuring charges.
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The components of this increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2023 compared to Fiscal 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee compensation costs | $ | 3,861 | |
| Stock-based compensation | 2,435 | ||
| Depreciation | 892 | ||
| General operational costs | 562 | ||
| Restructuring charges | (1,207) | ||
| $ | 6,543 |
Stock-based compensation expense included within research and development in fiscal 2023 and 2022 was $10.7 million and $8.2 million, respectively. The increase of stock-based compensation expense in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was driven by an increase in weighted average fair value of awards outstanding and the timing of awards.
Selling, General and Administrative
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 133,012 | $ | 131,875 | $ | 1,137 | 0.9 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 20.1 | % | 17.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | December 25, 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 131,875 | $ | 123,792 | $ | 8,083 | 6.5 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 17.6 | % | 16.1 | % |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expense in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by increased general operating expenses, increased costs from the sale of our FRT business, higher stock-based compensation expense, and higher consulting costs, partially offset by lower employee compensation from decreased headcount and lower performance-based compensation, lower amortization of intangibles, and lower restructuring charges.
The components of this overall increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2023 compared to Fiscal 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| General operating expenses | $ | 2,428 | |
| Sale of business | 2,407 | ||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,797 | ||
| Consulting fees | 1,339 | ||
| Restructuring charges | (1,274) | ||
| Amortization of intangibles | (2,396) | ||
| Employee compensation | (3,164) | ||
| $ | 1,137 |
Stock-based compensation expense included within selling, general and administrative in fiscal 2023 and 2022 was $21.1 million and $19.3 million, respectively. The increase of stock-based compensation in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was driven by an increase in weighted average fair value of awards outstanding and the timing of awards.
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Gain on sale of business
Gain on sale of business represents the gain on the sale of our FRT business of $73.0 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. See Note 5, Divestiture, for additional information.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
Interest income is earned on our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities. The increase in interest income in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was attributable to an increase in investment yields due to the higher interest rate environment as well as an increased average invested balance.
Interest expense primarily includes interest on our term loan, interest rate swap derivative contract, and term loan issuance costs amortization charges. The decrease in interest expense in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was primarily due to lower outstanding debt balances.
Other income (expense), net
Other income (expense), net, includes the effects of foreign currency and various other gains and losses. The decrease in Other income (expense), net, in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was primarily attributable to an other than temporary impairment on a debt receivable for $1.1 million and a decrease in foreign exchange gains. Foreign exchange gains for fiscal 2023 were $0.6 million.
Provision for income taxes
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 25, 2021 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 6,880 | $ | 7,132 | $ | 14,576 | ||||
| Effective tax rate | 7.7 | % | 12.3 | % | 14.8 | % |
Provision for income taxes reflects the tax provision on our operations in foreign and U.S. jurisdictions, offset by tax benefits from tax credits and the foreign-derived intangible income (“FDII”) deduction. Our effective tax rate may vary from period to period based on changes in estimated taxable income or loss by jurisdiction, changes to the valuation allowance, changes to U.S. federal, state or foreign tax laws, changes in stock-based compensation expense/benefit, future expansion into areas with varying country, state, and local income tax rates, and deductibility of certain costs and expenses by jurisdiction.
The decrease in our effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, when compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was primarily driven by the sale of our FRT business and the related capital gain exclusion for German tax purposes. This significant benefit was offset by other items impacting the effective tax rate at a different percentage amount than the prior year due to increased income before taxes in fiscal 2023.
The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act of 2022 (the “CHIPS Act”) was signed into law on August 9, 2022. The CHIPS Act provides for various incentives and tax credits, among other items, including the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (“AMIC”), which equals 25% of qualified investments in an advanced manufacturing facility that is placed in service after December 31, 2022. At least a portion of our future capital expenditures and research and development costs will qualify for this credit, which benefits us by allowing us to net the credit received against our costs. The AMIC credit is accounted for outside of ASC 740 as a reduction to the depreciable basis of the assets used in operations and will not have an impact on our effective tax rate.
Beginning in 2022, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the existing option to deduct research and development expenditures and requires taxpayers to amortize such expenditures attributable to domestic and foreign research over five and fifteen years, respectively, pursuant to IRC Section 174. While the capitalization requirement has a negative impact on our cash flows, there are offsetting benefits from the enactment of this provision that we have included in our estimated annual effective tax rate. While it is possible that Congress may defer, modify, or repeal this provision, potentially with retroactive effect, we have no assurance that this provision will be deferred, modified, or repealed. Changes in our tax provisions or an increase in our tax liabilities, whether due to changes in applicable laws and regulations, the interpretation or application thereof, or a final determination of tax audits or litigation or agreements, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Resources
Our working capital increased to $442.7 million at December 30, 2023 compared to $324.9 million at December 31, 2022.
Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of deposits held at banks, money market funds, and U.S. treasuries. Marketable securities primarily consist of corporate bonds, U.S. treasuries and agency securities, and commercial paper. We typically invest in highly-rated securities with low probabilities of default. Our investment policy requires investments to be rated single A or better, and limits the types of acceptable investments, issuer concentration and duration of the investment.
Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled approximately $328.3 million at December 30, 2023 compared to $238.1 million at December 31, 2022. Based on our historical results of operations, we expect that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, and the cash we expect to generate from operations, will be sufficient to fund, through at least the next 12 months, our liquidity requirements including those arising from: research and development, capital expenditures, working capital, outstanding commitments, and other liquidity requirements associated with existing operations. However, we cannot be certain that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, and cash generated from operations, will be available in the future to fund all of our capital and operating requirements. In addition, any future strategic investments and significant acquisitions may require additional cash and capital resources. To the extent necessary, we may consider entering into short and long-term debt obligations, raising cash through a stock issuance, or obtaining new financing facilities, which may not be available on terms favorable to us. If we are unable to obtain sufficient cash or capital to meet our needs on a timely basis and on favorable terms, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unsuccessful in maintaining or growing our revenues, maintaining or reducing our cost structure, or increasing our available cash through debt or equity financings, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities may decline.
We utilize a variety of tax planning and financing strategies in an effort to manage our worldwide cash and deploy funds to locations where they are needed. As part of these strategies, we indefinitely reinvest a portion of our foreign earnings. Should we require additional capital in the United States, we may elect to repatriate indefinitely-reinvested foreign funds or raise capital in the United States.
Cash Flows
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 25, 2021 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 64,602 | $ | 131,786 | $ | 139,364 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 29,049 | (75,704) | (124,741) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (22,711) | (95,932) | (47,199) |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities consists of net income for the period adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in certain operating assets and liabilities. The $67.2 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, was primarily related to decreased net income, after adjusting for the impact from the $73.0 million gain recognized on the sale of our FRT business, and an investment in working capital of $14.1 million, due primarily to higher accounts receivable and lower deferred revenue that were partially offset by an increase from a deferred grant of $18.0 million and lower inventories. In January 2023, we received $18.0 million in cash from a California Competes Grant awarded from the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, subject to job creation and other commitments over a 5-year term. See Note 2, Government Assistance, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2023 was primarily attributable to net income of $82.4 million and net non-cash items of $14.4 million, which include depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and the provision for excess and obsolete inventories, partially offset by the adjustment for the $73.0 million gain from the sale of our FRT business. Net working capital resulted in an outflow of $32.2 million, primarily related to an increase in accounts receivable of $23.3 million, a decrease in deferred revenues of $10.2 million, an increase in inventories of $9.5 million, and a reduction in operating lease liabilities of $7.6 million, partially offset by an increase from a deferred grant of $18.0 million.
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Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities in fiscal 2023 primarily related to $101.8 million cash provided by the sale of our FRT business, partially offset by $56.0 million of cash used in the acquisition of property, plant and equipment and $16.7 million used for the purchase of marketable securities, net of maturities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2023 primarily related to $19.8 million used to purchase common stock under our stock repurchase program, $10.7 million used to pay tax withholdings for net share settlements of employee equity awards, and $1.0 million of principal payments made towards the repayment of our term loan, partially offset by $8.8 million of proceeds received from issuances of common stock under our stock incentive plans.
Debt
On June 22, 2020, we entered into an $18.0 million 15-year credit facility loan agreement (the “Building Term Loan”) with MUFG Union Bank, National Association (“Union Bank”). The proceeds of the Building Term Loan were used to purchase a building adjacent to our leased facilities in Livermore, California. On May 19, 2023, we amended the Building Term Loan, replacing the benchmark reference rate LIBOR with SOFR, with no change to the amount or timing of contractual cash flows.
The Building Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to the applicable SOFR rate, plus 0.1148%, plus 1.75% per annum. Interest payments are payable in monthly installments over a fifteen-year period. The interest rate at December 30, 2023, before consideration of the interest rate swap, was 7.20%.
On March 17, 2020, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Union Bank to hedge the interest payments on the Building Term Loan for the notional amount of $18.0 million. As future levels of LIBOR over the life of the loan were uncertain, we entered into this interest-rate swap agreement to hedge the exposure in interest rate risks associated with movement in LIBOR rates. This agreement was amended on May 19, 2023 to replace the benchmark reference rate LIBOR with SOFR to match the Building Term Loan agreement (as amended). After the amendment, the interest rate swap continues to convert our floating-rate interest into a fixed-rate of 2.75%. As of December 30, 2023, the notional amount of the loan that is subject to this interest rate swap was $14.4 million. See Note 10, Fair Value, for additional information.
The obligations under the Building Term Loan are guaranteed by a deed of trust covering certain real property and improvements and certain personal property used in connection therewith. The deed of trust creates a first priority lien or encumbrance on the property with only such exceptions as may be approved by Union Bank in writing.
The Building Term Loan contains covenants customary for financing of this type. As of December 30, 2023, the balance outstanding pursuant to the Building Term Loan was $14.4 million, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the agreement.
Stock Repurchase Programs
On October 26, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a two-year program to repurchase up to $50 million of outstanding common stock to offset potential dilution from issuances of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. During fiscal 2021 and 2022, we repurchased and retired 622,400 shares of common stock for $24.0 million and 676,408 shares of common stock for $26.0 million, respectively, utilizing the remaining shares available for repurchase under the program.
On May 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a two-year program to repurchase up to $75 million of outstanding common stock to offset potential dilution from issuance of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. During fiscal 2022 and 2023, we repurchased and retired 1,700,893 shares of common stock for $56.4 million and 504,352 shares of common stock for $18.6 million, respectively, utilizing the remaining shares available for repurchase under the program.
On October 30, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized an additional program to repurchase up to $75 million of outstanding common stock, also with the primary purpose of offsetting potential dilution from issuance of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. This share repurchase program will expire on October 30, 2025. During fiscal 2023, we repurchased and retired 32,020 shares of common stock for $1.2 million and as of December 30, 2023 $73.8 million remained available for future repurchases.
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our significant contractual commitments to make future payments in cash under contractual obligations as of December 30, 2023 (in thousands):
| Payments Due In Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 and thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | 9,337 | $ | 9,215 | $ | 7,586 | $ | 7,154 | $ | 3,870 | $ | 1,432 | $ | 38,594 | ||||||||||||
| Term loan - principal payments | 1,080 | 1,111 | 1,142 | 1,175 | 1,208 | 8,732 | 14,448 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Term loan - interest payments(1) | 1,025 | 937 | 857 | 773 | 688 | 2,163 | 6,443 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 11,442 | $ | 11,263 | $ | 9,585 | $ | 9,102 | $ | 5,766 | $ | 12,327 | $ | 59,485 |
(1) Represents our minimum interest payment commitments at 7.20% per annum, excluding the interest rate swap described in Debt, above.
The table above excludes our gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits and our deferred grant. The gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $45.6 million as of December 30, 2023. The timing of any payments which could result from these unrecognized tax benefits will depend upon a number of factors and, accordingly, the timing of payment cannot be estimated. The deferred grant was $18.0 million as of December 30, 2023. The timing of any potential repayments is dependent upon a number of factors, including the number of employees and capital investments. Accordingly, the timing of any repayment cannot be estimated.
Indemnification Arrangements
We have entered, and may from time to time in the ordinary course of our business enter, into contractual arrangements with third parties that include indemnification obligations. Under these contractual arrangements, we have agreed to defend, indemnify and/or hold the third party harmless from and against certain liabilities. These arrangements include indemnities in favor of customers in the event that our products or services infringe a third party's intellectual property, or cause property damage or other indemnities in favor of our lessors in connection with facility leasehold liabilities that we may cause. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers, and our bylaws contain indemnification obligations in favor of our directors, officers and agents. These indemnity arrangements may limit the type of the claim, the total amount that we can be required to pay in connection with the indemnification obligation and the time within which an indemnification claim can be made. The duration of the indemnification obligation may vary, and for most arrangements, survives the agreement term and is indefinite. We believe that substantially all of our indemnity arrangements provide either for limitations on the maximum potential future payments we could be obligated to make, or for limitations on the types of claims and damages we could be obligated to indemnify, or both. However, it is not possible to determine or reasonably estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification obligations due to the varying terms of such obligations, a lack of history of prior indemnification claims, the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular contractual arrangement and in each potential future claim for indemnification, and the contingency of any potential liabilities upon the occurrence of events that are not reasonably determinable. We have not had any material requests for indemnification under these arrangements. We have not recorded any liabilities for these indemnification arrangements on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 18, New Accounting Pronouncements, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001039399-23-000010.
Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In
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addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions as described under the “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” that appears earlier in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under “Item 1A: Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
FormFactor, Inc., headquartered in Livermore, California, is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product lifecycle - from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. We provide a broad range of high-performance probe cards, analytical probes, probe stations, metrology systems, thermal systems, and cryogenic systems to both semiconductor companies and scientific institutions. Our products provide electrical and physical information from a variety of semiconductor and electro-optical devices and integrated circuits from early research, through development, to high-volume production. Customers use our products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance and advancing yield knowledge.
We operate in two reportable segments consisting of the Probe Cards segment and the Systems segment. Sales of our probe cards and analytical probes are included in the Probe Cards segment, while sales of our probe stations, metrology systems, thermal systems and cryogenic systems are included in the Systems segment.
We generated net income of $50.7 million in fiscal 2022 compared to net income of $83.9 million in fiscal 2021 and net income of $78.5 million in fiscal 2020.
The decrease in net income in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily due to decreased revenues, lower margins driven primarily by a less favorable product mix and lower factory utilization, and increased restructuring charges. This was partially offset by a reduction in the amortization of intangibles and in the annual effective tax rate. The first half of fiscal 2022 was strong, realizing net income of $60.1 million with $401.1 million in revenue at 47.0% gross margins. In the second half of fiscal 2022, revenues declined, mainly within the Probe Cards segment, and mix became less favorable, resulting in a net loss of $9.4 million with $346.9 million in revenue at 31.0% gross margins. Despite the decline in total revenues in the second half of fiscal 2022, the Systems segment recognized record revenue levels in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2022.
The increase in net income in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily due to increased revenue in both of our reportable segments, partially offset by slightly lower margins driven primarily by a less favorable product mix and a higher effective tax rate due to significant one-time tax benefits during fiscal 2020 that did not recur.
Fiscal Year
We operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year, whereby the fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of December. The fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 included 53 weeks (with 14 weeks in the fourth quarter), 52 weeks and 52 weeks, respectively.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses in the reporting period. Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our financial condition and results of operations reported in our financial statements and related disclosures. We have identified the following accounting policies as being critical because they require our management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are
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inherently uncertain. Our management has discussed the development, selection, application and disclosure of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Inventory Valuation
We state our inventories at the lower of cost (principally standard cost which approximates actual cost on a first in, first out basis) or net realizable value. We regularly assess the value of our inventory and will periodically write down its value for estimated excess inventory and product obsolescence based upon an analysis of existing inventory quantities compared to estimated future consumption. Future consumption is estimated based upon assumptions about how past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors may indicate future consumption. On a quarterly basis, we review existing inventory quantities in comparison to our past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors to determine what inventory quantities, if any, may not be sellable. Based on this analysis, we record an adjustment to the cost basis of inventory when evidence exists that the net realizable value of inventory is lower than its cost, which occurs when we have excess and/or obsolete inventory.
At the point of loss recognition, a new, lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. Market conditions are subject to change, and demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. Actual consumption of inventories could differ from forecasted demand, and this difference could have a material impact on our gross profit and inventory balances based on additional provisions for excess or obsolete inventories, or a benefit from the sale of inventories previously written down.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized upon transferring control of products and services, and the amounts recognized reflect the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for these products and services. An arrangement may include some or all of the following products and services: probe cards, systems, accessories, engineering services, installation services, service contracts and extended warranty contracts.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. In contracts with multiple performance obligations, we identify each performance obligation and evaluate whether the performance obligation is distinct within the context of the contract at contract inception. Performance obligations that are not distinct at contract inception are combined and accounted for as one unit of account. Generally, the performance obligations in a contract are considered distinct within the context of the contract and are accounted for as separate units of account.
Our products may be customized to our customers’ specifications; however, control of our product is typically transferred to the customer at the point in time the product is either shipped or delivered, depending on the terms of the arrangement, as the criteria for over time recognition is not met. In limited circumstances, substantive acceptance by the customer exists which results in the deferral of revenue until acceptance is formally received from the customer. Judgment may be required in determining if the acceptance clause is substantive. In certain instances control of products is transferred to the customer over time based on performance and in those instances we utilize an appropriate input or output measure to determine to what extent control has transferred to the customer. Judgment may be required in determining an appropriate measure of performance.
Installation services are routinely provided to customers purchasing our systems. Installation services are a distinct performance obligation apart from the systems and are recognized in the period they are performed. Service contracts, which include repair and maintenance service contracts, and extended warranty contracts are also distinct performance obligations and are recognized over the contractual service period, which ranges from one to three years. For these service contracts recognized over time, we use the input measure of days elapsed to measure progress.
A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. In determining the transaction price, we evaluate whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment to determine the net consideration to which we expect to be entitled. We generally do not grant return privileges, except for defective products during the warranty period. Sales incentives and other programs that we may make available to our customers are considered to be a form of variable consideration, which is estimated in determining the contract’s transaction price to be allocated to the performance obligations.
For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on observable prices, which are the prices at which we separately sell these products. For items which do not have observable prices, we use our best estimate of the stand-alone selling prices.
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We account for tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction (i.e., sales, use, value added) on a net (excluded from revenue) basis.
Results of Operations
In this section, we discuss the results of our operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 25, 2021. For a discussion of the year ended December 25, 2021 compared to the year ended December 26, 2020, please refer to 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 December 25, 2021.
The following table sets forth our operating results as a percentage of revenues:
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||
| Cost of revenues | 60.4 | 58.1 | 58.5 | |||||
| Gross profit | 39.6 | 41.9 | 41.5 | |||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 14.6 | 13.1 | 12.8 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 17.6 | 16.1 | 16.6 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 32.2 | 29.2 | 29.4 | |||||
| Operating income | 7.4 | 12.7 | 12.1 | |||||
| Interest income | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | |||||
| Interest expense | (0.1) | (0.1) | (0.1) | |||||
| Other income, net | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||
| Income before income taxes | 7.8 | 12.8 | 12.3 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | 1.0 | 1.9 | 1.0 | |||||
| Net income | 6.8 | % | 10.9 | % | 11.3 | % |
Revenues by Segment
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Probe Cards | $ | 591,422 | $ | 633,281 | $ | 581,739 | ||||
| Systems | 156,515 | 136,393 | 111,877 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 747,937 | $ | 769,674 | $ | 693,616 |
Revenues by Market
| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Revenues | 2021 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 409,196 | 54.7 | % | $ | 435,812 | 56.6 | % | $ | (26,616) | (6.1) | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 133,446 | 17.8 | 156,049 | 20.3 | (22,603) | (14.5) | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 48,780 | 6.5 | 41,420 | 5.4 | 7,360 | 17.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems | 156,515 | 21.0 | 136,393 | 17.7 | 20,122 | 14.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 747,937 | 100.0 | % | $ | 769,674 | 100.0 | % | $ | (21,737) | (2.8) | % |
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| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Revenues | 2020 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 435,812 | 56.6 | % | $ | 446,183 | 64.3 | % | $ | (10,371) | (2.3) | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 156,049 | 20.3 | 109,734 | 15.8 | 46,315 | 42.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 41,420 | 5.4 | 25,822 | 3.7 | 15,598 | 60.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems | 136,393 | 17.7 | 111,877 | 16.2 | 24,516 | 21.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 769,674 | 100.0 | % | $ | 693,616 | 100.0 | % | $ | 76,058 | 11.0 | % |
Foundry & Logic — The decrease in Foundry & Logic product revenue in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was driven by the weakening demand from the slowdown in the semiconductor industry that began in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 causing decreased unit sales.
DRAM — The decrease in DRAM product revenues in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was driven by decreased design wins and customer demand, a result of overall DRAM market weakness in fiscal 2022.
Flash — The increase in Flash product revenue in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was driven by increased demand from large multi-national customers.
Systems — The increase in Systems product revenue in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was driven by increased sales of probe stations, metrology systems, and cryogenic systems.
Revenues by Geographic Region
| Fiscal 2022 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2021 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2020 | % of Revenues | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Taiwan | $ | 169,789 | 22.7 | % | $ | 185,925 | 24.2 | % | $ | 150,837 | 21.7 | % | ||||||||
| China | 160,668 | 21.5 | 163,069 | 21.2 | 174,915 | 25.2 | ||||||||||||||
| United States | 127,730 | 17.1 | 122,147 | 15.9 | 127,628 | 18.4 | ||||||||||||||
| South Korea | 111,419 | 14.9 | 123,463 | 16.0 | 86,951 | 12.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Malaysia | 50,067 | 6.7 | 49,485 | 6.4 | 11,382 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Singapore | 39,388 | 5.3 | 36,197 | 4.7 | 16,707 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Europe | 39,246 | 5.2 | 43,705 | 5.7 | 65,572 | 9.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Japan | 38,419 | 5.1 | 36,504 | 4.7 | 43,605 | 6.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 11,211 | 1.5 | 9,179 | 1.2 | 16,019 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Revenues | $ | 747,937 | 100.0 | % | $ | 769,674 | 100.0 | % | $ | 693,616 | 100.0 | % |
Geographic revenue information is based on the location to which we ship the product. For example, if a certain South Korean customer purchases through their U.S. subsidiary and requests the products to be shipped to an address in South Korea, this sale will be reflected in the revenue for South Korea rather than U.S.
Changes in revenue by geographic region in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 were primarily attributable to changes in customer demand and product sales mix.
In October 2022, the United States government imposed new controls, including expanded export license requirements that significantly impacted trade with China for advanced U.S. semiconductor technology sold in China. Although the percentage of revenue to China was relatively stable when comparing fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2021, these restrictions resulted in a decline in expected revenues from shipments to China. Within the Probe Cards segment and Systems segment, respectively, approximately $7.8 million and $1.9 million of expected revenues in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were not recognized as a result of these sanctions, and primarily related to China domestic customers. Although the current impact to our large multi-national customers with operations in China has been minimal, it remains to be seen whether these customers will be able to
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sustain their licenses going forward. We do not anticipate these expanded export license requirements to be relaxed, and expect these regulatory conditions to continue to negatively affect our revenues similarly going forward.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margins
Cost of revenues consists primarily of manufacturing materials, compensation and benefits, shipping and handling costs, manufacturing-related overhead (including equipment costs, related occupancy, and computer services), warranty adjustments, inventory adjustments (including write-downs for inventory obsolescence), and amortization of certain intangible assets. Our manufacturing operations rely on a limited number of suppliers to provide key components and materials for our products, some of which are a sole source. We order materials and supplies based on backlog and forecasted customer orders. Tooling and setup costs related to changing manufacturing lots at our suppliers are also included in the cost of revenues. We expense all warranty costs, inventory provisions and amortization of certain intangible assets as cost of revenues.
Gross profit and gross margin by segment were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 235,562 | $ | 80,937 | $ | (20,490) | $ | 296,009 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 39.8 | % | 51.7 | % | 39.6 | % |
| Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 279,873 | $ | 65,834 | $ | (22,940) | $ | 322,767 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 44.2 | % | 48.3 | % | 41.9 | % |
| Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 263,215 | $ | 51,835 | $ | (27,130) | $ | 287,920 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 45.2 | % | 46.3 | % | 41.5 | % |
Probe Cards—Gross profit and gross margin in the Probe Cards segment decreased in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021, primarily due to lower revenues, greater inventory excess and obsolescence reserves, higher net manufacturing spending driven by higher labor and overhead costs, and lower standard margins related to a less favorable product mix.
Systems—Gross profit and gross margin in the Systems segment increased in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021, primarily as a result of higher revenues and a more favorable product mix, largely related to increased sales of 300mm and 200mm probe stations, and metrology systems.
Corporate and Other—Corporate and Other includes unallocated expenses relating to amortization of intangible assets, inventory, fixed asset, and deferred revenue fair value adjustments due to acquisitions, share-based compensation, and restructuring charges, net, which are not used in evaluating the results of, or in allocating resources to, our reportable segments. The reduction in Corporate and Other in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021, is primarily due to a reduction in the amortization of intangibles from significant intangibles becoming fully amortized and a reduction in stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by increased restructuring charges arising from a change in estimate of excess and obsolete inventories related to our third quarter of fiscal 2021 plan and the execution of a headcount reduction in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 targeted at aligning FormFactor's cost structure with reduced demand levels within the Probe Cards segment by streamlining and improving the efficiency and business effectiveness of our operations.
Overall—Gross profit and gross margin fluctuate with revenue levels, product mix, selling prices, factory loading and material costs. For fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021, gross profit and gross margins have decreased on lower revenue levels, a less favorable Probe Cards segment product mix, increased labor, overhead, inventory excess and obsolescence reserves, and restructuring charges, offset by less amortization of intangible assets.
Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues for fiscal 2022 and 2021 was $3.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively.
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Research and Development
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2022 | December 25, 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 109,222 | $ | 100,937 | $ | 8,285 | 8.2 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 14.6 | % | 13.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 100,937 | $ | 89,034 | $ | 11,903 | 13.4 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 13.1 | % | 12.8 | % |
The increase in research and development expenses in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily driven by an increase in headcount which is to support our continued investment in technology leadership. Increased project material costs, general operational costs, annual salary adjustments, restructuring charges, and stock-based compensation also contributed to the increase. These increases were partially offset by lower performance-based compensation. The components of this increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2022 compared to Fiscal 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General operational costs | $ | 3,513 |
| Project material costs | 3,252 | |
| Stock-based compensation | 634 | |
| Restructuring charges | 629 | |
| Depreciation | 166 | |
| Employee compensation costs | 91 | |
| $ | 8,285 |
Stock-based compensation expense included within research and development in fiscal 2022 and 2021 was $8.2 million and $7.6 million, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2022 | December 25, 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 131,875 | $ | 123,792 | $ | 8,083 | 6.5 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 17.6 | % | 16.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 123,792 | $ | 115,098 | $ | 8,694 | 7.6 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 16.1 | % | 16.6 | % |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily driven by higher stock-based compensation, increased travel related costs as restrictions related to COVID-19 relaxed, restructuring charges, and annual salary increases, partially offset by lower performance-based compensation.
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The components of this overall increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2022 compared to Fiscal 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stock-based compensation | $ | 2,712 |
| General operating expenses | 2,672 | |
| Travel related costs | 2,572 | |
| Restructuring charges | 2,115 | |
| Employee compensation | (1,412) | |
| Consulting fees | (576) | |
| $ | 8,083 |
Stock-based compensation expense included within selling, general and administrative in fiscal 2022 and 2021 was $19.3 million, and $16.6 million, respectively. The increase of stock-based compensation in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily driven by an increase in total awards outstanding, which has increased in recent years consistent with an overall increase in headcount.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
Interest income is earned on our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities. The increase in interest income in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was attributable to an increase in investment yields due to the higher interest rate environment.
Interest expense primarily includes interest on our term loans, interest rate swap derivative contracts, and term loan issuance costs amortization charges. The decrease in interest expense in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily due to lower outstanding debt balances offset by increased average rates on the outstanding debt.
Other income, net
Other income, net primarily includes the effects of foreign currency impact and various other gains and losses. The increase in other income, net, in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was attributable to a net increase in foreign exchange gains. Foreign exchange gains for fiscal 2022 were $1.1 million.
Provision for income taxes
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2022 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 7,132 | $ | 14,576 | $ | 6,652 | ||||
| Effective tax rate | 12.3 | % | 14.8 | % | 7.8 | % |
Provision for income taxes reflects the tax provision on our operations in foreign and U.S. jurisdictions, offset by tax benefits from tax credits and the foreign-derived intangible income (“FDII”) deduction. Our effective tax rate may vary from period to period based on changes in estimated taxable income or loss by jurisdiction, changes to the valuation allowance, changes to U.S. federal, state or foreign tax laws, changes in ASC 718 stock-based compensation expense/benefit, future expansion into areas with varying country, state, and local income tax rates, and deductibility of certain costs and expenses by jurisdiction.
We have utilized our previous net operating loss carryforwards allowing us to benefit from the available FDII deduction, resulting in a decrease from the U.S. statutory rate and, combined with higher R&D tax credits, a decrease from fiscal 2021 of our worldwide effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
As of January 1, 2022, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the option to deduct research and experimental expenditures immediately in the year incurred and requires taxpayers to amortize such expenditures attributable to domestic and foreign research over five and fifteen years, respectively. While it is possible that Congress may defer, modify, or repeal this provision, potentially with retroactive effect, we have no assurance that this provision will be deferred, modified, or repealed. An Advanced Manufacturing Investment credit becomes available in 2023 and is a 25% credit for qualified investments in an advanced manufacturing facility. We expect to generate federal tax credits under this program that will both lower our effective
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tax rate in the future and also help to offset the additional cash taxes arising from the change to capitalize research and experimental expenditures described earlier.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Resources
Our working capital decreased to $324.9 million at December 31, 2022 compared to $375.3 million at December 25, 2021.
Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of deposits held at banks, money market funds, commercial paper and U.S. agency securities. Marketable securities primarily consist of corporate bonds, U.S. treasuries and agency securities, and commercial paper. We typically invest in highly-rated securities with low probabilities of default. Our investment policy requires investments to be rated single A or better, and limits the types of acceptable investments, issuer concentration and duration of the investment.
Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled approximately $238.1 million at December 31, 2022 compared to $276.1 million at December 25, 2021. Based on our historical results of operations, we expect that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, and the cash we expect to generate from operations, will be sufficient to fund our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements primarily arising from: research and development, capital expenditures, working capital, outstanding commitments, and other liquidity requirements associated with existing operations. However, we cannot be certain that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, and cash generated from operations, will be available in the future to fund all of our capital and operating requirements. In addition, any future strategic investments and significant acquisitions may require additional cash and capital resources. To the extent necessary, we may consider entering into short and long-term debt obligations, raising cash through a stock issuance, or obtaining new financing facilities, which may not be available on terms favorable to us. If we are unable to obtain sufficient cash or capital to meet our needs on a timely basis and on favorable terms, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unsuccessful in maintaining or growing our revenues, maintaining or reducing our cost structure, or increasing our available cash through debt or equity financings, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities may decline.
We utilize a variety of tax planning and financing strategies in an effort to manage our worldwide cash and deploy funds to locations where they are needed. As part of these strategies, we indefinitely reinvest a portion of our foreign earnings. Should we require additional capital in the United States, we may elect to repatriate indefinitely-reinvested foreign funds or raise capital in the United States.
Cash Flows
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2022 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 131,786 | $ | 139,364 | $ | 169,256 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (75,704) | (124,741) | (98,922) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (95,932) | (47,199) | (30,935) |
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities consists of net income for the period adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in certain operating assets and liabilities. The $7.6 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, was primarily related to decreased net income, partially offset by relatively less investment in working capital, due primarily to lower accounts receivable and higher accounts payable.
Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2022 was primarily attributable to net income of $50.7 million and net non-cash expenses of $99.2 million, which includes depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and the provision for excess and obsolete inventories. This was partially offset by an increase in net working capital of $18.2 million, primarily related to cash paid for inventories of $28.8 million, decrease in accrued liabilities of $8.0 million, and a reduction in operating lease liabilities of $8.0 million, partially offset by cash provided by a decrease in accounts receivable of $26.0 million.
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Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2022 primarily related to $65.3 million of cash used in the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, $6.1 million used for the purchase of marketable securities, net of maturities, and $3.4 million used for the acquisition of a business.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2022 primarily related to $82.3 million used to purchase common stock under our stock repurchase program, $15.7 million used to pay tax withholdings for net share settlements of employee equity awards, and $8.4 million of principal payments made towards the repayment of our term loans, partially offset by $10.5 million of proceeds received from issuances of common stock under our stock incentive plans.
Debt
FRT Term Loan
On October 25, 2019, we entered into a euro denominated $23.4 million, three-year credit facility loan agreement (the “FRT Term Loan”) with HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG, Germany, to fund the acquisition of FRT GmbH in fiscal 2019.
The FRT Term Loan bore interest at a rate equal to the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) plus 1.75 % per annum and was repaid in quarterly installments of approximately $2.0 million plus interest. We made the final payment on the FRT Term Loan on October 25, 2022. We are no longer subject to the terms of the FRT Term Loan.
Building Term Loan
On June 22, 2020, we entered into an $18.0 million 15-year credit facility loan agreement (the “Building Term Loan”) with MUFG Union Bank, National Association (“Union Bank”). The proceeds of the Building Term Loan were used to purchase a building adjacent to our leased facilities in Livermore, California.
The Building Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to the applicable LIBOR rate plus 1.75% per annum. Interest payments are payable in monthly installments over a fifteen-year period. The interest rate at December 31, 2022 was 5.87%.
On March 17, 2020, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Union Bank to hedge the interest payments on the Building Term Loan for the notional amount of $18.0 million. As future levels of LIBOR over the life of the loan are uncertain, we entered into this interest-rate swap agreement to hedge the exposure in interest rate risks associated with movement in LIBOR rates. By entering into the agreement, we convert a floating rate interest at one-month LIBOR plus 1.75% into a fixed rate interest at 2.75%. The interest rate swap included a 0% floor that was effective for one year from the date of the swap. As of December 31, 2022, the notional amount of the loan that is subject to this interest rate swap is $15.5 million.
The obligations under the Building Term Loan are guaranteed by a deed of trust covering certain real property and improvements and certain personal property used in connection therewith. The deed of trust creates a first priority lien or encumbrance on the property with only such exceptions as may be approved by Union Bank in writing.
The Building Term Loan contains covenants customary for financing of this type. As of December 31, 2022, the balance outstanding pursuant to the Building Term Loan was $15.5 million, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the agreement.
Stock Repurchase Programs
In October 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $50 million of outstanding common stock to offset potential dilution from issuances of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. This repurchase program replaced the previous repurchase program that expired in February 2020 to purchase up to $25.0 million of outstanding common stock. There was no stock repurchased in fiscal 2020. During fiscal 2021, we repurchased 622,400 shares of common stock for $24.0 million, and, as of December 31, 2022 we had utilized the remaining funds available for repurchase under this program after repurchasing 676,408 shares of common stock for $26.0 million during fiscal 2022.
On May 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized an additional program to repurchase up to $75 million of outstanding common stock, also with the primary purpose of offsetting potential dilution from issuance of common stock under our stock-based compensation programs. This share repurchase program will expire on May 20, 2024. During fiscal 2022, we repurchased 1,700,893 shares of common stock for $56.4 million, and as of December 31, 2022 $18.6 million remained available for future repurchases.
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our significant contractual commitments to make future payments in cash under contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
| Payments Due In Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 and thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | 8,038 | $ | 7,784 | $ | 7,695 | $ | 6,615 | $ | 5,737 | $ | 3,423 | $ | 39,292 | ||||||||||||
| Term loans - principal payments | 1,050 | 1,080 | 1,111 | 1,142 | 1,175 | 9,941 | 15,499 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Term loans - interest payments(1) | 894 | 835 | 763 | 699 | 630 | 2,324 | 6,145 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 9,982 | $ | 9,699 | $ | 9,569 | $ | 8,456 | $ | 7,542 | $ | 15,688 | $ | 60,936 |
(1) Represents our minimum interest payment commitments at 5.87% per annum for the Building Term Loan, excluding the interest rate swap described in Debt, above.
The table above excludes our gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which totaled $40.1 million as of December 31, 2022. The timing of any payments which could result from these unrecognized tax benefits will depend upon a number of factors and, accordingly, the timing of payment cannot be estimated.
Indemnification Agreements
We have entered, and may from time to time in the ordinary course of our business enter, into contractual arrangements with third parties that include indemnification obligations. Under these contractual arrangements, we have agreed to defend, indemnify and/or hold the third party harmless from and against certain liabilities. These arrangements include indemnities in favor of customers in the event that our products or services infringe a third party's intellectual property, or cause property damage or other indemnities in favor of our lessors in connection with facility leasehold liabilities that we may cause. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers, and our bylaws contain indemnification obligations in favor of our directors, officers and agents. These indemnity arrangements may limit the type of the claim, the total amount that we can be required to pay in connection with the indemnification obligation and the time within which an indemnification claim can be made. The duration of the indemnification obligation may vary, and for most arrangements, survives the agreement term and is indefinite. We believe that substantially all of our indemnity arrangements provide either for limitations on the maximum potential future payments we could be obligated to make, or for limitations on the types of claims and damages we could be obligated to indemnify, or both. However, it is not possible to determine or reasonably estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification obligations due to the varying terms of such obligations, a lack of history of prior indemnification claims, the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular contractual arrangement and in each potential future claim for indemnification, and the contingency of any potential liabilities upon the occurrence of events that are not reasonably determinable. We have not had any material requests for indemnification under these arrangements. We have not recorded any liabilities for these indemnification arrangements on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 or December 25, 2021.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 17, New Accounting Pronouncements, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001039399-22-000014.
Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions as described under the “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” that appears earlier in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our actual results could differ materially from those
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anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under “Item 1A: Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
FormFactor, Inc., headquartered in Livermore, California, is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product lifecycle - from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. We provide a broad range of high-performance probe cards, analytical probes, probe stations, metrology systems, thermal systems, and cryogenic systems to both semiconductor companies and scientific institutions. Our products provide electrical and physical information from a variety of semiconductor and electro-optical devices and integrated circuits from early research, through development, to high-volume production. Customers use our products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance and advancing yield knowledge.
We operate in two reportable segments consisting of the Probe Cards segment and the Systems segment. Sales of our probe cards and analytical probes are included in the Probe Cards segment, while sales of our probe stations, metrology systems, thermal systems and cryogenic systems are included in the Systems segment.
We generated net income of $83.9 million in fiscal 2021 compared to net income of $78.5 million in fiscal 2020 and net income of $39.3 million in fiscal 2019. The increase in net income in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily due to increased revenue in both of our reportable segments, partially offset by slightly lower margins driven primarily by product mix and a higher tax rate due to significant one-time tax benefits during fiscal 2020 that did not recur. The increase in net income in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 was primarily due to increased revenue and leverage on operating expenses, which only marginally increased on significantly higher operating levels, as well as a decrease in provision for income taxes due to a lower effective tax rate in fiscal 2020.
Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause serious illness and death in many of the regions that we, our customers and our suppliers operate. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant governmental actions designed to control the spread of the virus, including the imposition of safety requirements and other orders in locations where we have manufacturing and other activities.
We continue to operate our manufacturing sites at production levels greater than those prior to the pandemic, albeit subject to certain safety and related constraints. Our other operations are continuing with substantial work-from-home activities.
If the provisions of governmental health orders or other safety requirements applicable to us or our customers or suppliers become more restrictive for an extended period of time, or if we have repeated occurrences of COVID-19 in any of our facilities, we may experience disruptions or delays in manufacturing, product design, product development, customer support, manufacturing and sales, and an overall loss of productivity and efficiency.
While the disruptions in our operations, supply chain and customer demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have been somewhat limited, we continue to see impacts on elements in the supply chain and believe that the COVID-19 pandemic represents a sustained threat that may give rise to a variety of more significant adverse impacts on our business and financial results. The semiconductor industry is experiencing various supply constraints due to the pandemic. While we are working with our global supply chain partners to mitigate this risk, the duration and extent of the supply chain disruptions remain uncertain. For a further description of the uncertainties and business risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Fiscal Year
We operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year, whereby the fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of December. The fiscal years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 each included 52 weeks.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making
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judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses in the reporting period. Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our financial condition and results of operations reported in our financial statements and related disclosures. We have identified the following accounting policies as being critical because they require our management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our management has discussed the development, selection, application and disclosure of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Inventory Valuation
We state our inventories at the lower of cost (principally standard cost which approximates actual cost on a first in, first out basis) or net realizable value. We regularly assess the value of our inventory and will periodically write down its value for estimated excess inventory and product obsolescence based upon an analysis of existing inventory quantities compared to estimated future consumption. Future consumption is estimated based upon assumptions about how past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors indicate future consumption. On a quarterly basis, we review existing inventory quantities in comparison to our past consumption, recent purchases, backlog and other factors to determine what inventory quantities, if any, may not be sellable. Based on this analysis, we record an adjustment to the cost basis of inventory when evidence exists that the net realizable value of inventory is lower than its cost, which occurs when we have excess and/or obsolete inventory.
At the point of loss recognition, a new, lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. Market conditions are subject to change, and demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. Actual consumption of inventories could differ from forecasted demand, and this difference could have a material impact on our gross profit and inventory balances based on additional provisions for excess or obsolete inventories or a benefit from the sale of inventories previously written down.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized upon transferring control of products and services, and the amounts recognized reflect the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for these products and services. An arrangement may include some or all of the following products and services: probe cards, systems, accessories, installation services, service contracts and extended warranty contracts.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. In contracts with multiple performance obligations, we identify each performance obligation and evaluate whether the performance obligation is distinct within the context of the contract at contract inception. Performance obligations that are not distinct at contract inception are combined and accounted for as one unit of account. Generally, the performance obligations in a contract are considered distinct within the context of the contract and are accounted for as separate units of account.
Our products may be customized to our customers’ specifications, however, control of our product is typically transferred to the customer at the point in time the product is either shipped or delivered, depending on the terms of the arrangement, as the criteria for over time recognition is not met. In limited circumstances, substantive acceptance by the customer exists which results in the deferral of revenue until acceptance is formally received from the customer. Judgment may be required in determining if the acceptance clause is substantive. In certain instances control of products is transferred to the customer over time based on performance and in those instances we utilize an appropriate input or output measure to determine to what extent control has transferred to the customer. Judgment may be required in determining an appropriate measure of performance.
Installation services are routinely provided to customers purchasing our systems. Installation services are a distinct performance obligation apart from the systems and recognized in the period they are performed. Service contracts, which include repair and maintenance service contracts, and extended warranty contracts are also distinct performance obligations and recognized over the contractual service period, which ranges from one to three years. For these service contracts recognized over time, we use an input measure, days elapsed, to measure progress.
A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. In determining the transaction price, we evaluate whether the price is subject to refund or
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adjustment to determine the net consideration to which we expect to be entitled. We generally do not grant return privileges, except for defective products during the warranty period. Sales incentives and other programs that we may make available to our customers are considered to be a form of variable consideration, which is estimated in determining the contract’s transaction price to be allocated to the performance obligations.
For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on observable prices, which are the prices at which we separately sell these products. For items which do not have observable prices, we use our best estimate of the stand-alone selling prices.
We account for tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction (i.e., sales, use, value added) on a net (excluded from revenue) basis.
Results of Operations
In this section, we discuss the results of our operations for the year ended December 25, 2021 compared to the year ended December 26, 2020. For a discussion of the year ended December 26, 2020 compared to the year ended December 28, 2019, please refer to 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 December 26, 2020.
The following table sets forth our operating results as a percentage of revenues:
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||
| Cost of revenues | 58.1 | 58.5 | 59.7 | |||||
| Gross profit | 41.9 | 41.5 | 40.3 | |||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 13.1 | 12.8 | 13.8 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 16.1 | 16.6 | 18.0 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 29.2 | 29.4 | 31.8 | |||||
| Operating income | 12.7 | 12.1 | 8.5 | |||||
| Interest income | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | |||||
| Interest expense | (0.1) | (0.1) | (0.3) | |||||
| Other income, net | 0.1 | 0.1 | * | |||||
| Income before income taxes | 12.8 | 12.3 | 8.7 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.0 | |||||
| Net income | 10.9 | % | 11.3 | % | 6.7 | % |
* Amounts insignificant and not greater than 0.1%.
Revenues by Segment
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Probe Cards | $ | 633,281 | $ | 581,739 | $ | 491,363 | ||||
| Systems | 136,393 | 111,877 | 98,101 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 769,674 | $ | 693,616 | $ | 589,464 |
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Revenues by Market
| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Revenues | 2020 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 435,812 | 56.6 | % | $ | 446,183 | 64.3 | % | $ | (10,371) | (2.3) | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 156,049 | 20.3 | 109,734 | 15.8 | 46,315 | 42.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 41,420 | 5.4 | 25,822 | 3.7 | 15,598 | 60.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems | 136,393 | 17.7 | 111,877 | 16.2 | 24,516 | 21.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 769,674 | 100.0 | % | $ | 693,616 | 100.0 | % | $ | 76,058 | 11.0 | % |
| Fiscal | % of | Fiscal | % of | Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Revenues | 2019 | Revenues | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Probe Cards Markets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foundry & Logic | $ | 446,183 | 64.3 | % | $ | 318,552 | 54.0 | % | $ | 127,631 | 40.1 | % | ||||||||
| DRAM | 109,734 | 15.8 | 147,257 | 25.0 | (37,523) | (25.5) | ||||||||||||||
| Flash | 25,822 | 3.7 | 25,554 | 4.3 | 268 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Systems Market: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systems | 111,877 | 16.2 | 98,101 | 16.7 | 13,776 | 14.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 693,616 | 100.0 | % | $ | 589,464 | 100.0 | % | $ | 104,152 | 17.7 | % |
The decrease in Foundry & Logic product revenue in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was driven by lower demand from two major customers, partially offset by increased unit sales to other large semiconductor foundries and integrated device manufacturers. Our ability to significantly grow our overall revenue, despite these fluctuations, is the result of our long-term customer and market diversification initiatives.
The increase in DRAM product revenues in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was driven by increased sales to several customers and strong market-based demand for DRAM products through fiscal 2021. While we expect DRAM revenues to fluctuate from period to period, we believe new-design activity will continue to sustain healthy DRAM demand from each of our customers throughout fiscal 2022.
The increase in Flash product revenue in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was driven by increased sales resulting from the acquisition of the probe card assets of Advantest Corporation (“Baldwin Park”), offset by decreased sales as a result of decreased customer demand for our existing products. Our revenue in this market continues to be highly variable.
The increase in Systems product revenue in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was driven by increased sales of cryogenic systems due to the acquisition of High Precision Devices, Inc. (“HPD”) and increased sales of thermal sub-systems and metrology systems.
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Revenues by Geographic Region
| Fiscal 2021 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2020 | % of Revenues | Fiscal 2019 | % of Revenues | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Taiwan | $ | 185,925 | 24.2 | % | $ | 150,837 | 21.7 | % | $ | 86,539 | 14.7 | % | ||||||||
| China | 163,069 | 21.2 | 174,915 | 25.2 | 106,256 | 18.0 | ||||||||||||||
| South Korea | 123,463 | 16.0 | 86,951 | 12.5 | 116,882 | 19.8 | ||||||||||||||
| United States | 122,147 | 15.9 | 127,628 | 18.4 | 155,202 | 26.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Asia-Pacific (1) | 88,550 | 11.5 | 32,991 | 4.8 | 21,468 | 3.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Europe | 43,705 | 5.7 | 65,572 | 9.5 | 41,473 | 7.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Japan | 36,504 | 4.7 | 43,605 | 6.3 | 52,584 | 8.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 6,311 | 0.8 | 11,117 | 1.6 | 9,060 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Revenues | $ | 769,674 | 100.0 | % | $ | 693,616 | 100.0 | % | $ | 589,464 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Asia-Pacific includes all countries in the region except Taiwan, South Korea, China and Japan, which are disclosed separately.
Geographic revenue information is based on the location to which we ship the product. For example, if a certain South Korean customer purchases through their U.S. subsidiary and requests the products to be shipped to an address in South Korea, this sale will be reflected in the revenue for South Korea rather than U.S.
Changes in revenue by geographic region in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 were primarily attributable to changes in customer demand, shifts in customer regional manufacturing strategies, particularly with our large multinational customers, and product sales mix.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margins
Cost of revenues consists primarily of manufacturing materials, compensation and benefits, shipping and handling costs, manufacturing-related overhead and amortization of certain intangible assets. Our manufacturing operations rely on a limited number of suppliers to provide key components and materials for our products, some of which are a sole source. We order materials and supplies based on backlog and forecasted customer orders. Tooling and setup costs related to changing manufacturing lots at our suppliers are also included in the cost of revenues. We expense all warranty costs, inventory provisions and amortization of certain intangible assets as cost of revenues.
Gross profit and gross margin by segment were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 279,873 | $ | 65,834 | $ | (22,940) | $ | 322,767 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 44.2 | % | 48.3 | % | — | % | 41.9 | % |
| Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 263,215 | $ | 51,835 | $ | (27,130) | $ | 287,920 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 45.2 | % | 46.3 | % | — | % | 41.5 | % |
| Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe Cards | Systems | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 211,382 | $ | 50,927 | $ | (24,813) | $ | 237,496 | ||||||
| Gross margin | 43.0 | % | 51.9 | % | — | % | 40.3 | % |
Probe Cards
Gross profit in the Probe Cards segment increased in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020, primarily due to higher revenues. Gross margin in the Probe Cards segment decreased in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020, primarily due to product mix within and between our served markets, including the effects of increased DRAM revenues at gross margin levels lower than fiscal
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2020, unfavorable manufacturing variances, higher material costs driven by fluctuations in commodity costs, and increases in wafer expense primarily due to timing of factory loading, partially offset by higher gross margin Foundry & Logic revenues.
Systems
Gross profit and gross margin in the Systems segment increased in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020, primarily as a result of higher revenues and favorable product mix, largely related to increased sales of metrology systems and thermal sub-systems.
Corporate and Other
Corporate and Other includes unallocated expenses relating to amortization of intangible assets, inventory and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions, share-based compensation, and restructuring charges, net, which are not used in evaluating the results of, or in allocating resources to, our reportable segments. The reduction in Corporate and Other in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020, is primarily due to a reduction in the amortization of intangibles from significant intangibles becoming fully amortized, partially offset by increased stock-based compensation expense.
Overall
Gross profit and gross margin fluctuate with revenue levels, product mix, selling prices, factory loading and material costs. For fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020, gross profit has increased on greater revenue levels and gross margins increased due to the reduction in the amortization of intangibles, partially offset by lower blended gross margins due to product mix.
Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues for fiscal 2021 and 2020 was $5.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively.
Research and Development
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 100,937 | $ | 89,034 | $ | 11,903 | 13.4 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 13.1 | % | 12.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 89,034 | $ | 81,499 | $ | 7,535 | 9.2 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 12.8 | % | 13.8 | % |
The increase in research and development expenses in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by our acquisitions of Baldwin Park and HPD during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2020, respectively, which increased headcount and general operational costs. Annual salary increases, higher stock-based compensation, and restructuring charges also contributed to the increase. The components of this increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2021 compared to Fiscal 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Employee compensation costs | $ | 5,697 |
| General operating expenses | 3,259 | |
| Stock-based compensation | 1,759 | |
| Restructure | 869 | |
| Depreciation | 181 | |
| Project material costs | 138 | |
| $ | 11,903 |
Stock-based compensation expense included within research and development in fiscal 2021 and 2020 was $7.6 million and $5.8 million, respectively.
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Selling, General and Administrative
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 123,792 | $ | 115,098 | $ | 8,694 | 7.6 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 16.1 | % | 16.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 115,098 | $ | 106,335 | $ | 8,763 | 8.2 | % | ||||||
| % of revenues | 16.6 | % | 18.0 | % |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by our acquisitions of Baldwin Park and HPD during the third and fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, respectively, which increased headcount and general operational costs. Annual salary increases, higher stock-based compensation, and the benefit in the prior year related to adjustments to contingent consideration for the acquisition of FRT GmbH (“FRT”) that did not repeat also contributed to the increases. These increases were partially offset by decreased consulting fees for information technology security remediation costs incurred in fiscal 2020 that did not repeat in fiscal 2021.
The components of this overall increase were as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal 2021 compared to Fiscal 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Employee compensation | $ | 5,832 |
| Gain on contingent consideration | 2,784 | |
| Stock-based compensation | 2,546 | |
| General operating expenses | 1,537 | |
| Consulting fees | (4,005) | |
| $ | 8,694 |
Stock-based compensation expense included within selling, general and administrative in fiscal 2021 and 2020 was $16.6 million, and $14.1 million, respectively.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 569 | $ | 1,501 | $ | 2,714 | ||||
| Weighted average balance of cash and investments | 265,248 | 230,310 | 179,526 | |||||||
| Weighted average yield on cash and investments | 0.29 | % | 0.90 | % | 2.05 | % | ||||
| Interest expense | $ | 602 | $ | 864 | $ | 1,915 | ||||
| Average debt outstanding | 16,304 | 37,563 | 56,776 | |||||||
| Weighted average interest rate on debt | 1.42 | % | 1.94 | % | 4.09 | % |
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Interest income is earned on our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities. The decrease in interest income in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was attributable to lower investment yields due to the low interest rate environment, despite higher invested balances.
Interest expense primarily includes interest on our term loans, interest rate swap derivative contracts, and term loan issuance costs amortization charges. The decrease in interest expense in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily due to lower outstanding debt balances driven primarily by the pay-off of one of our term loans on June 30, 2020.
Other income, net
Other income, net primarily includes the effects of foreign currency impact and various other gains and losses.
Provision for income taxes
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 14,576 | $ | 6,652 | $ | 11,717 | ||||
| Effective tax rate | 14.8 | % | 7.8 | % | 22.9 | % |
Provision for income taxes reflects the tax provision on our operations in foreign and U.S. jurisdictions, offset by tax benefits from tax credits and the foreign-derived intangible income (“FDII”) deduction. Our effective tax rate may vary based on changes in estimated taxable income or loss by jurisdiction, changes to the valuation allowance, changes to U.S. federal, state or foreign tax laws, changes in ASC 718 stock-based compensation expense/benefit, future expansion into areas with varying country, state, and local income tax rates, and deductibility of certain costs and expenses by jurisdiction.
We have utilized our previous net operating loss carryforwards in fiscal 2021, and expect the FDII deduction and corresponding benefit to be available, resulting in a decrease from the U.S. statutory rate and included in our worldwide effective tax rate for the year ended December 25, 2021. In fiscal 2020, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service finalized regulations T.D. 9902 with respect to the global intangible low-taxes income high-tax exemption, resulting in a decrease in our effective tax rate. This adjustment was retroactive to the fiscal years 2018 and 2019 and the cumulative impact was taken into account during fiscal 2020, which provided a significant one-time tax benefit in fiscal 2020.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Resources
Our working capital increased to $375.3 million at December 25, 2021 compared to $332.5 million at December 26, 2020, primarily due to higher cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, net, from cash generated from operations, higher inventories and accounts receivable on higher operating levels, and lower accounts payable and accrued liabilities from timing of payments, partially offset by higher deferred revenue and operating lease liabilities.
Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of deposits held at banks, money market funds, and U.S. agency securities. Marketable securities primarily consist of U.S. treasuries, corporate bonds and commercial paper. We typically invest in highly-rated securities with low probabilities of default. Our investment policy requires investments to be rated single A or better, and limits the types of acceptable investments, issuer concentration and duration of the investment.
Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled approximately $276.1 million at December 25, 2021 compared to $255.0 million at December 26, 2020. Based on our historical results of operations, we expect that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, and the cash we expect to generate from operations, will be sufficient to fund our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements primarily arising from: research and development, capital expenditures, working capital, outstanding commitments, and other liquidity requirements associated with existing operations. However, we cannot be certain that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on hand, and cash generated from operations, will be available in the future to fund all of our capital and operating requirements. In addition, any future strategic investments and significant acquisitions may require additional cash and capital resources. To the extent necessary, we may consider entering into short and long-term debt obligations, raising cash through a stock issuance, or obtaining new financing facilities, which may not be available on terms favorable to us. If we are unable to obtain sufficient cash or capital to meet our needs on a timely basis and on favorable terms, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. An extended period of global supply chain and economic disruption could materially affect our business, results of operations, access to sources of liquidity and financial condition.
If we are unsuccessful in maintaining or growing our revenues, maintaining or reducing our cost structure (in response to a potential reduction in demand due to an industry downturn, COVID-19, or other event), or increasing our available cash through debt or equity financings, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities may decline.
We utilize a variety of tax planning and financing strategies in an effort to manage our worldwide cash and deploy funds to locations where they are needed. As part of these strategies, we indefinitely reinvest a portion of our foreign earnings. Should we require additional capital in the U.S., we may elect to repatriate indefinitely-reinvested foreign funds or raise capital in the United States.
Cash Flows
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 139,364 | $ | 169,256 | $ | 121,048 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (124,741) | (98,922) | (66,352) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (47,199) | (30,935) | (6,578) |
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities consists of net income for the period adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in certain operating assets and liabilities. The $29.9 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020, was primarily related to increased investment in working capital to support higher operating levels.
Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2021 was primarily attributable to net income of $83.9 million, which included $105.2 million of net non-cash items, offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities using $49.8 million of cash as discussed in more detail below.
Accounts receivable increased $7.9 million to $115.5 million at December 25, 2021 compared to $107.6 million at December 26, 2020, as a result of higher operating levels and timing of customer payments.
Inventories, net, increased $12.3 million to $111.5 million at December 25, 2021 compared to $99.2 million at December 26, 2020, as a result of higher operating levels.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased $8.7 million to $108.7 million at December 25, 2021 compared to $117.4 million at December 26, 2020, as a result of the timing of payments and decreases in accrued warranty, partially offset by higher operating levels and increases in accrued taxes.
Operating lease liabilities increased $4.2 million to $38.9 million at December 25, 2021, compared to $34.7 million at December 26, 2020, as a result of additional right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations of $7.2 million, offset by lease payments.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2021 primarily related to $66.5 million of cash used in the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, and $58.2 million used for the purchase of marketable securities, net of maturities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2021 primarily related to $24.0 million used to purchase common stock under our stock repurchase program, $20.6 million used to pay tax withholdings for net share settlements of employee equity awards, and $9.3 million of principal payments made towards the repayment of our term loans, partially offset by $10.7 million of proceeds received from issuances of common stock under our stock incentive plans.
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Debt
CMI Term Loan
On June 24, 2016, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with HSBC Bank USA, National Association (“HSBC”), as administrative agent, co-lead arranger, sole bookrunner and syndication agent, other lenders that may from time-to-time be a party to the Credit Agreement, and certain guarantors. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the lenders provided us with a senior secured term loan facility of $150 million (the “CMI Term Loan”). The proceeds of the CMI Term Loan were used to finance a portion of the purchase price paid in connection with the Cascade Microtech acquisition in fiscal 2016 and to pay related bank fees and expenses.
The CMI Term Loan bore interest at a rate equal to, at our option, (i) the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) rate plus 2.00% per annum or (ii) Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 1.00% per annum. We elected to pay interest at 2.00% over the one-month LIBOR rate. Interest payments were payable in quarterly installments over a five-year period.
The principal payments on the CMI Term Loan were scheduled to be paid in equal quarterly installments that began June 30, 2016, in an annual amount equal to 5% for year one, 10% for year two, 20% for year three, 30% for year four and 35% for year five. We accelerated payments of these scheduled amounts and made the final payment on the CMI Term Loan on June 30, 2020, approximately one year before the original maturity. We are no longer subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.
FRT Term Loan
On October 25, 2019, we entered into a euro denominated $23.4 million, three-year credit facility loan agreement (the “FRT Term Loan”) with HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG, Germany, to fund the acquisition of FRT GmbH, which we acquired on October 9, 2019.
The FRT Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) plus 1.75 % per annum and will be repaid in quarterly installments of approximately $2.0 million plus interest. The interest rate at December 25, 2021 was 1.20%.
The obligations under the FRT Term Loan are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by FormFactor, Inc. The FRT Term Loan contains negative covenants customary for financing of this type, including covenants that place limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the creation of liens, the payment of dividends; dispositions; fundamental changes, including mergers and acquisitions; loans and investments; sale leasebacks; negative pledges; transactions with affiliates; changes in fiscal year; sanctions and anti-bribery laws and regulations, and modifications to charter documents in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders. The FRT Term Loan also contains affirmative covenants and representations and warranties customary for financing of this type. As of December 25, 2021, the balance outstanding pursuant to the FRT term loan was $7.9 million, and we were in compliance with all covenants.
Building Term Loan
On June 22, 2020, we entered into an $18.0 million 15-year credit facility loan agreement (the “Building Term Loan”) with MUFG Union Bank, National Association (“Union Bank”). The proceeds of the Building Term Loan were used to purchase a building adjacent to our leased facilities in Livermore, California.
The Building Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to the applicable LIBOR rate plus 1.75% per annum. Interest payments are payable in monthly installments over a fifteen-year period. The interest rate at December 25, 2021 was 1.85%.
On March 17, 2020, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Union Bank to hedge the interest payments on the Building Term Loan for the notional amount of $18.0 million. As future levels of LIBOR over the life of the loan are uncertain, we entered into this interest-rate swap agreement to hedge the exposure in interest rate risks associated with movement in LIBOR rates. By entering into the agreement, we convert a floating rate interest at one-month LIBOR plus 1.75% into a fixed rate interest at 2.75%. The interest rate swap included a 0% floor that was effective for one year from the date of the swap. As of December 25, 2021, the notional amount of the loan that is subject to this interest rate swap is $16.5 million.
The obligations under the Building Term Loan are guaranteed by a deed of trust covering certain real property and improvements and certain personal property used in connection therewith. The deed of trust creates a first priority lien or encumbrance on the property with only such exceptions as may be approved by the Union Bank in writing.
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The Credit Agreement contains covenants customary for financing of this type. As of December 25, 2021, the balance outstanding pursuant to the Building Term Loan was $16.5 million, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
Stock Repurchase Program
In October 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $50 million of outstanding common stock to offset potential dilution from issuances of common stock under our stock-based incentive plans. The share repurchase program will expire October 28, 2022. This repurchase program replaced the previous repurchase program that expired in February 2020 to purchase up to $25.0 million of outstanding common stock. During fiscal 2021, we repurchased 622,400 shares of common stock for $24.0 million, and, as of December 25, 2021, $26.0 million remained available for future repurchases. There was no stock repurchased in fiscal 2020 or 2019.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our significant contractual commitments to make future payments in cash under contractual obligations as of December 25, 2021 (in thousands):
| Payments Due In Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 and thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | 8,594 | $ | 7,232 | $ | 6,814 | $ | 6,799 | $ | 6,008 | $ | 8,970 | $ | 44,417 | ||||||||||||
| Term loans - principal payments | 8,935 | 1,050 | 1,080 | 1,111 | 1,142 | 11,117 | 24,435 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Term loans - interest payments(1) | 361 | 282 | 263 | 240 | 220 | 930 | 2,296 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 17,890 | $ | 8,564 | $ | 8,157 | $ | 8,150 | $ | 7,370 | $ | 21,017 | $ | 71,148 |
(1) Represents our minimum interest payment commitments at 1.20% per annum for the FRT Term Loan and 1.85% per annum for the Building Term Loan.
The table above excludes our gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which totaled $35.7 million as of December 25, 2021. The timing of any payments which could result from these unrecognized tax benefits will depend upon a number of factors and, accordingly, the timing of payment cannot be estimated.
Indemnification Agreements
We have entered, and may from time to time in the ordinary course of our business enter, into contractual arrangements with third parties that include indemnification obligations. Under these contractual arrangements, we have agreed to defend, indemnify and/or hold the third party harmless from and against certain liabilities. These arrangements include indemnities in favor of customers in the event that our products or services infringe a third party's intellectual property or cause property or other indemnities in favor of our lessors in connection with facility leasehold liabilities that we may cause. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers, and our bylaws contain indemnification obligations in favor of our directors, officers and agents. These indemnity arrangements may limit the type of the claim, the total amount that we can be required to pay in connection with the indemnification obligation and the time within which an indemnification claim can be made. The duration of the indemnification obligation may vary, and for most arrangements, survives the agreement term and is indefinite. We believe that substantially all of our indemnity arrangements provide either for limitations on the maximum potential future payments we could be obligated to make, or for limitations on the types of claims and damages we could be obligated to indemnify, or both. However, it is not possible to determine or reasonably estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification obligations due to the varying terms of such obligations, a lack of history of prior indemnification claims, the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular contractual arrangement and in each potential future claim for indemnification, and the contingency of any potential liabilities upon the occurrence of events that are not reasonably determinable. We have not had any material requests for indemnification under these arrangements. We have not recorded any liabilities for these indemnification arrangements on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 25, 2021 or December 26, 2020.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 17, New Accounting Pronouncements, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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