Axt Inc 10-Q for FY2020 Q2
Axt Inc (AXTI)
About this 10-Q
Axt Inc filed this 10-Q on August 7, 2020, covering the quarter ended June 30, 2020 (FY2020 Q2).
Headline figures
Quarter ended June 30, 2020, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $22.13M
- down 10.7% from $24.8M a year earlier
- Net income
- $361K
- down 75.1% from net income of $1.45M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $0.01
- down 75.0% from $0.04 a year earlier
0
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
for the quarterly period ended
Or
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
for the transition period from to
Commission File Number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
| ||
(State or other jurisdiction of | | (I.R.S. Employer |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class: |
| Trading Symbol |
| Name of each exchange on which registered: |
| | |
Indicate by check-mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check-mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check-mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ◻ | | ⌧ |
| | |
Non-accelerated filer ◻ | | Smaller reporting company |
| | Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check-mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check-mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES NO ⌧
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class | | Outstanding at August 1, 2020 |
Common Stock, $0.001 par value | |
AXT, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
AXT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
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| June 30, |
| December 31, |
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| | 2020 | | 2019 | | ||
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ASSETS | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | | | $ | | |
Short-term investments | |
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Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $ | |
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Inventories | |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |
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Total current assets | |
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Long-term investments | |
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| — | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | |
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Operating lease right-of-use assets | | | | | | | |
Other assets | |
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Total assets | | $ | | | $ | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | | | $ | | |
Accrued liabilities | |
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Bank loan | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | |
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Long-term portion of royalty payments | |
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| — | |
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | | | | | | | |
Other long-term liabilities | |
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Total liabilities | |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock Series A, $ | |
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Common stock, $ | |
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Additional paid-in capital | |
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Accumulated deficit | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
Total AXT, Inc. stockholders’ equity | |
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Noncontrolling interests | |
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Total stockholders’ equity | |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | | | $ | | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
ub
AXT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
|
| Three Months Ended |
| Six Months Ended | | | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | | | ||||||||
| | 2020 |
| 2019 | | 2020 |
| 2019 | | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | |
Cost of revenue | |
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Gross profit | |
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Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative | |
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Research and development | |
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Total operating expenses | |
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Income (loss) from operations | |
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| ( | |
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Interest income (expense), net | |
| ( | |
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| ( | |
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Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures | |
| ( | |
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| ( | |
| ( | | |
Other income (expense), net | |
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| ( | |
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| ( | | |
Income before provision for income taxes | |
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Provision for income taxes | |
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Net income | |
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Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
| ( | | |
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc. | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | |
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | |
Diluted | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | |
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Diluted | |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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AXT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited, in thousands)
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | | ||||||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax | |
| | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
| — | |
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale debt investments, net of tax | |
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Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net loss upon deconsolidation of a subsidiary | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | |
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | |
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| ( | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
Comprehensive income (loss) | |
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| ( | |
| ( | |
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Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc. | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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AXT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in thousands)
| | Six Months Ended | | ||||
| | June 30, | | ||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 | | ||
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | | | $ | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
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Amortization of marketable securities premium | |
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Impairment charge on equity investee | | | — | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | |
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Provision for doubtful accounts | |
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| — | |
Loss on disposal of equipment | |
| — | |
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Gain from deconsolidation of a subsidiary | | | — | | | ( | |
Loss from equity method investments, net | |
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Return on equity method investments | | | — | | | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | |
| ( | |
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Inventories | |
| ( | |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |
| ( | |
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Other assets | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
Accounts payable | |
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| ( | |
Accrued liabilities | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
Other long-term liabilities, including royalties | |
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Net cash provided by operating activities | |
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Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
Purchases of available-for-sale debt securities | |
| — | |
| ( | |
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale debt securities | |
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Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | |
| ( | |
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Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from common stock options exercised | |
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Proceeds from sale of previously consolidated subsidiary shares | | | — | | | | |
Consideration paid to repurchase subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests | | | — | | | ( | |
Proceeds from short-term loan | |
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| — | |
Dividends paid by joint ventures to their minority shareholders | |
| ( | |
| — | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | |
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Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | |
| ( | |
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Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | |
| ( | |
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Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | |
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Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | | $ | | | $ | | |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash flow information: | | | | | | | |
Consideration payable to repurchase subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests, included in accrued liabilities | | $ | — | | $ | | |
Reduction of noncontrolling interests in excess (deficit) of total consideration paid and payable in connection with the repurchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests | | $ | — | | $ | ( | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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AXT, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of AXT, Inc. (“AXT,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to AXT, Inc. and all of its consolidated subsidiaries) are unaudited, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, this interim quarterly financial report does not include all disclosures required by US GAAP. In the opinion of our management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of AXT and our consolidated subsidiaries for all periods presented.
Our management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been uncertainty and disruption in the global economy and financial markets. These estimates and assumptions may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future or for the full fiscal year. It is recommended that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 12, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on May 8, 2020.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AXT, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tongmei”), Baoding Tongmei Xtal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tongmei Baoding”), ChaoYang Tongmei Xtal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tongmei ChaoYang”), ChaoYang LiMei Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd. (“LiMei ChaoYang”), Nanjing JinMei Gallium Co., Ltd. (“JinMei”), ChaoYang JinMei Gallium Ltd. and MaAnShan JinMei Gallium Ltd., and, except as discussed below and in Note 7, our majority-owned subsidiary, Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd. (“BoYu”). Tongmei Baoding is located in the city of Dingxing, China. Each of Tongmei ChaoYang and LiMei ChaoYang is located in the city of Kazuo, China. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in business entities in which we do not have controlling interests, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies (generally 20-50% ownership), are accounted for by the equity method. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we have
When market conditions are warranted, we intend to construct facilities at the LiMei ChaoYang location to provide us with additional production capacity. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, expenses associated with LiMei ChaoYang had a de minimis impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
As discussed in Note 7, “Investments in Privately-Held Companies”, effective as of March 11, 2019 we reduced our ownership in Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd. (“JiYa”) from
7
from our consolidated financial statements as of March 11, 2019 in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810 Consolidation (“ASC 810”). As of March 12, 2019, we accounted for our retained investment in JiYa under the equity method of accounting, as we continue to exercise significant influence.
Our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, as reported, does not include the assets and liabilities of JiYa since we deconsolidated JiYa as of March 11, 2019. Our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2019 includes JiYa’s results for the period through March 11, 2019.
As discussed in Note 7, in May 2019, we purchased the remaining
Note 2. Investments and Fair Value Measurements
Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and instruments with original maturities of less than three months. Our investments consist of instruments with original maturities of more than three months. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our cash, cash equivalents and debt investments are classified as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
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| Gross |
| Gross |
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| Gross |
| Gross |
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| | Amortized | | Unrealized | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Amortized | | Unrealized | | Unrealized | | Fair |
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|
| Cost |
| Gain |
| (Loss) |
| Value |
| Cost |
| Gain |
| (Loss) |
| Value |
| ||||||||
Classified as: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | | |
Cash equivalents: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Certificates of deposit 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total cash and cash equivalents | |
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| — | |
| — | |
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| — | |
| — | |
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Investments (available-for-sale): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Certificates of deposit 2 | |
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| — | | | — | |
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| | | | — | |
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Corporate bonds | |
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| — | |
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| ( | |
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Total investments | |
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| — | |
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| ( | |
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Total cash, cash equivalents and investments | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | | |
Contractual maturities on investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Due within 1 year 3 | | $ | | | | | | | | | $ | | | $ | | | | | | | | | $ | | |
Due after 1 through 5 years 4 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| — | | | | | | | |
| — | |
| | $ | | | | | | | | | $ | | | $ | | | | | | | | | $ | | |
| 1. | Certificates of deposit with original maturities of less than three months. |
| 2. | Certificates of deposit with original maturities of more than three months. |
| 3. | Classified as “Short-term investments” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. |
| 4. | Classified as “Long-term investments” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. |
We manage our debt investments as a single portfolio of highly marketable securities that is intended to be available to meet our current cash requirements. Certificates of deposit and corporate bonds are typically held until maturity.
Historically, the gross unrealized losses related to our portfolio of available-for-sale debt securities were immaterial, and primarily due to normal market fluctuations and not due to increased credit risk or other valuation concerns. There were no gross unrealized losses on our available-for-sale debt securities as of June 30, 2020, and
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historically, such gross unrealized losses have been temporary in nature and we believe that it is probable the principal and interest will be collected in accordance with the contractual terms. We review our debt investment portfolio at least quarterly, or when there are changes in credit risks or other potential valuation concerns, to identify and evaluate whether an allowance for credit losses or impairment would be necessary. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the magnitude of the decline in market value, the length of time the market value has been below cost (or adjusted cost), credit quality, and our ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
None of our debt investments would generate a loss if we sold them on June 30, 2020.
The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale debt securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
| | In Loss Position | | In Loss Position | | Total In |
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| | < 12 months | | > 12 months | | Loss Position |
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| Gross |
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| Gross |
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| Gross |
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| | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized |
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As of December 31, 2019 | | Value | | (Loss) | | Value | | (Loss) | | Value | | (Loss) |
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Investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate bonds | |
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| ( | |
| — | |
| — | |
| | | | ( | |
Total in loss position | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | ( | |
Investments in Privately-held Raw Material Companies
We have made strategic investments in private companies located in China in order to gain access at a competitive cost to raw materials that are critical to our substrate business (see Note 7). The investment balances for the non-consolidated companies are accounted for under the equity method and included in “Other assets” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and totaled $
Fair Value Measurements
We invest primarily in money market accounts, certificates of deposits, corporate bonds and notes, and government securities. We review our debt investment portfolio for credit loss at least quarterly or when there are changes in credit risk or other potential valuation concerns. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total unrealized loss, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive loss was immaterial. We believe it is probable the principal and interest will be collected in accordance with the contractual terms, and the unrealized loss on these securities was due to normal market fluctuations, and not due to increased credit risk or other valuation concerns. ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. Level 1 instrument valuations are obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets of the asset or identical assets. Level 2 instrument valuations are obtained from readily-available, observable pricing sources for comparable instruments. Level 3 instrument valuations are obtained from unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require us to develop our own assumptions. On a recurring basis, we measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, primarily consisting of our short-term and long-term debt investments.
The type of instrument valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include our money market funds, which are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. We classify our available-for-sale debt securities including certificates of deposit and corporate bonds as having Level 2 inputs. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of these financial instruments having Level 2 inputs were derived from bank statements, quoted
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market prices, broker or dealer statements or quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.
We place short-term foreign currency hedges that are intended to offset the potential cash exposure related to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the United States dollar and Japanese yen. We measure the fair value of these foreign currency hedges at each month end and quarter end using current exchange rates and in accordance with US GAAP. At quarter end, any foreign currency hedges not settled are netted in “Accrued liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. As of June 30, 2020, the net change in fair value from the placement of the hedge to settlement at each month end during the quarter had a de minimis impact on the condensed consolidated results.
There were no changes in valuation techniques or related inputs in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. There have been
The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with ASC 820 as of June 30, 2020 (in thousands):
|
| | |
| Quoted Prices in |
| | | | Significant |
| ||
| | | | | Active Markets of | | Significant Other | | Unobservable |
| |||
| | Balance as of | | Identical Assets | | Observable Inputs | | Inputs |
| ||||
|
| June 30, 2020 |
| (Level 1) |
| (Level 2) |
| (Level 3) |
| ||||
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents and investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Certificates of deposit | | $ | | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | — | |
Corporate bonds | |
| | |
| — | |
| | |
| — | |
Total | | $ | | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | — | |
The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with ASC 820 as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | |
| Quoted Prices in |
| | | | Significant |
| ||
| | | | | Active Markets of | | Significant Other | | Unobservable |
| |||
| | Balance as of | | Identical Assets | | Observable Inputs | | Inputs |
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|
| December 31, 2019 |
| (Level 1) |
| (Level 2) |
| (Level 3) |
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Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents and investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Certificates of deposit | | $ | | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | — | |
Corporate bonds | |
| | |
| — | |
| | |
| — | |
Total | | $ | | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | — | |
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Certain assets that are subject to nonrecurring fair value measurements are not included in the table above. These assets include investments in privately-held companies accounted for by the equity or cost method (see Note 7). One such investment is a
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Note 3. Inventories
The components of inventories are summarized below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
| | June 30, | | December 31, | | ||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
Inventories: | | | | | | | |
Raw materials | | $ | | | $ | | |
Work in process | |
| | |
| | |
Finished goods | |
| | |
| | |
| | $ | | | $ | | |
As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, carrying values of inventories were net of inventory reserves of $
Note 4. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
The components of our property, plant and equipment are summarized below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
| | June 30, | | December 31, | | ||
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | ||
Property, plant and equipment: | | | | | | | |
Machinery and equipment, at cost | | $ | | | $ | | |
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | ( | | | ( | |
Building, at cost | | | | | | | |
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | ( | | | ( | |
Leasehold improvements, at cost | |
| | |
| | |
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | ( | | | ( | |
Construction in progress | |
| | |
| | |
| | $ | | | $ | | |
As of June 30, 2020, the balance of construction in progress was $
From time to time we review our estimates of the useful lives of our property, plant and equipment. As a result of the review, we determined a portion of our manufacturing equipment was lasting longer than the estimate previously established for the respective useful lives. Where appropriate, we extended the useful life of the manufacturing equipment in our accounting records. In addition, the useful life of our buildings located in China was extended to better align with industry standards. The changes in our estimate of the useful life, effective January 1, 2020, were made in order to remain consistent with US GAAP regarding management estimates. The effect of the change in the useful lives decreased our manufacturing costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 by approximately $
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Note 5. Accrued Liabilities
The components of accrued liabilities are summarized below (in thousands):
| | June 30, | | December 31, | | ||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
Preferred stock dividends payable | | $ | | | $ | | |
Accrued compensation and related charges | | | | | | | |
Payable in connection with land restoration of Nanjing JinMei factory | | | | | | | |
Accrued income taxes | | | | | | | |
Advance from customers | | | | | | | |
Accrued professional services | | | | | | | |
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | | | | | | | |
Accrued product warranty | | | | | | | |
Current portion of royalty payments | | | | | | — | |
Accrual for sales returns | | | | | | | |
Payable in connection with repurchase of subsidiaries shares | | | | | | | |
Other tax payable | | | | | | | |
Other personnel-related costs | | | | | | | |
Payable in connection with construction | | | | | | | |
Other accrued liabilities | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | $ | | |
Note 6. Related Party Transactions
Effective as of March 11, 2019, we reduced our ownership in JiYa from
Previously, we accounted for JiYa’s financial performance under the consolidation method of accounting. As a result of the changes, we began to account for JiYa’s financial performance under the equity method of accounting. Therefore, we deconsolidated JiYa from our consolidated financial statements as of March 11, 2019 in accordance with ASC 810. As of March 12, 2019, we accounted for our investment in JiYa under the equity method of accounting as we continue to have board representation and substantial ownership. Pro-forma financials have not been presented because we believe the effects were not material to our condensed consolidated financial position and results of operation for all periods presented. JiYa continues to be a related party to us after deconsolidation, from whom we may purchase raw materials for production in the ordinary course of business from time to time.
Beginning in 2012, our wholly-owned subsidiary, JinMei, became contractually obligated under an agency sales agreement to sell raw material on behalf of its equity investment entity. JinMei bills the customers and remits the receipts, net of its portions of sales commission, to this equity investment entity. For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, JinMei has recorded $
12
In March 2012, Tongmei, entered into an operating lease for the land it owns with our consolidated joint venture, BoYu. The lease agreement for the land of approximately
Tongmei ChaoYang purchases raw materials from one of our equity investment entities, Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd., for production in the ordinary course of business. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, amounts payable of $
Tongmei ChaoYang also purchases raw materials from one of our equity investment entities, Emei Shan Jiamei Materials Co., Ltd. (“JiaMei”), for production in the ordinary course of business. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, amounts payable of $
Tongmei and Tongmei ChaoYang also purchase raw materials from one of our equity investment entities, Xilingol Tongli Germanium Refine Co., Ltd. (“Tongli”), for production in the ordinary course of business. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, amounts payable of $
In July 2017, Tongmei, provided an inter-company loan to JinMei in the amount of $
In April 2016, our consolidated joint venture, BoYu, provided a personal loan of $
On November 2, 2017, our consolidated joint venture, BoYu, raised additional capital in the amount of $
Our Related Party Transactions Policy seeks to prohibit all conflicts of interest in transactions between related parties and us, unless they have been approved by our Board of Directors. This policy applies to all of our employees, directors, and our consolidated subsidiaries. Our executive officers retain board seats on the board of directors of the companies in which we have invested in our China joint ventures. See Note 7 for further details.
13
Note 7. Investments in Privately-Held Raw Material Companies
We have made strategic investments in private companies located in China in order to gain access at a competitive cost to raw materials that are critical to our substrate business. These companies form part of our overall supply chain.
As of June 30, 2020, the investments are summarized below (in thousands):
| | Investment Balance as of | | | | | | ||||
| | June 30, | | December 31, | | Accounting | | Ownership | | ||
Company |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| Method |
| Percentage | | ||
Nanjing JinMei Gallium Co., Ltd. | | $ | | | $ | |
| Consolidated |
| % | |
Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd. | | | N/A | | | N/A | | Consolidated | | % | |
Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd. | |
| | |
| |
| Consolidated |
| | % |
| | $ | | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd. | | $ | | | $ | |
| Equity |
| | % |
Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | | Equity | | % | |
Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co., Ltd. | |
| — | |
| — |
| Equity |
| | % |
Xiaoyi XingAn Gallium Co., Ltd. | | | | | | | | Equity | | | % |
Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd. | |
| | |
| |
| Equity |
| | % |
| | $ | | | $ | | | | | | |
* Ownership percentage decreased from
** In May 2019, we purchased the remaining
Effective as of March 11, 2019, we reduced our ownership in JiYa from
Previously, we accounted for JiYa’s financial performance under the consolidation method of accounting. As a result of the changes we began to account for JiYa’s financial performance under the equity method of accounting. Therefore, we deconsolidated JiYa from our consolidated financial statements as of March 11, 2019 in accordance with ASC 810. As of March 12, 2019, we accounted for our investment in JiYa under the equity method of accounting as we continue to have board representation and substantial ownership. Pro-forma financials have not been presented because we believe the effects were not material to our condensed consolidated financial position and results of operation for all periods presented. JiYa continues to be a related party to us after deconsolidation, whom we may purchase raw materials from for production in the ordinary course of business from time to time.
We recorded a gain on the deconsolidation of JiYa of $
14
to lack of availability of market data for comparable companies on the open market and the discounted cash flow approach is not deemed reliable because of the difficulty in predicting the future profitability of JiYa due to the volatility of the gallium market, the concentration of customers and the significant accumulated losses of JiYa. The asset-based approach examines the value of a company’s assets net of its liabilities to derive a value for the equity holders. The gain on deconsolidation includes the following:
| | | |
| | Amount | |
|
| (in thousands) | |
Fair value of the consideration received | | $ | |
Fair value of the retained investment in Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd. | | | |
Carrying value of noncontrolling interest, net of accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to subsidiary | | | |
Derecognition of Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd.'s net asset | | | ( |
Gain recognized on deconsolidation of Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd. | | $ | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | Amount | |
| | (in thousands) | |
Fair value of the retained investment in Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd. | | $ | |
Carrying value of retained noncontrolling investment | | | ( |
Gain on retained noncontrolling investment due to remeasurement | | $ | |
Our ownership of JinMei is
Our ownership of BoYu is
Although we have representation on the board of directors of each of the privately held raw material companies, the daily operations of each of these companies are managed by local management and not by us. Decisions concerning their respective short-term strategy and operations, ordinary course of business capital expenditures and sales of finished product, are made by local management with regular guidance and input from us.
15
During the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the consolidated joint ventures, before eliminating inter-company transactions, generated income of $
For AXT’s minority investment entities that are not consolidated, the investment balances are included in “Other assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and totaled $
| ● | all minority investment entities have sustainable businesses of their own; |
| ● | our voting power is proportionate to our ownership interests; |
| ● | we only recognize our respective share of the losses and/or residual returns generated by the companies if they occur; and |
| ● | we do not have controlling financial interest in, do not maintain operational or management control of, do not control the board of directors of, and are not required to provide additional investment or financial support to any of these companies. |
AXT’s minority investment entities are not consolidated and are accounted for under the equity method. Excluding
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | | ||||||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||||
Net revenue | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Gross profit | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Operating income (loss) | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | ( | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | |
Our portion of the income and losses from these minority investment entities that are not consolidated and are accounted for under the equity method was a loss of $
16
Note 8. Stockholders’ Equity
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands)
The changes in stockholders’ equity by component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accumulated | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Other | | AXT, Inc. |
|
|
| Total | | ||||
|
| Preferred |
| Common |
| Additional |
| Accumulated |
| Comprehensive | | Stockholders’ |
| Noncontrolling |
| Stockholders’ | | ||||||||
|
| Stock |
| Stock |
| Paid-In Capital |
| Deficit |
| Income (Loss) |
| Equity |
| Interests |
| Equity |
| ||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2019 |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | ( | | $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | | |
Common stock options exercised | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | — | | | ( | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( | |
Balance as of March 31, 2020 | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Common stock options exercised | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
Net income | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | |
Net dividend declared by joint ventures | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | ( | |
Other comprehensive income | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2020 |
| $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
The changes in stockholders’ equity by component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accumulated | | | | | | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Other | | AXT, Inc. |
|
|
| Total | ||||
|
| Preferred |
| Common |
| Additional |
| Accumulated |
| Comprehensive | | Stockholders’ |
| Noncontrolling |
| Stockholders’ | ||||||||
|
| Stock |
| Stock |
| Paid-In Capital |
| Deficit |
| Income (Loss) |
| Equity |
| Interests |
| Equity | ||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2018 |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | ( | | $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income and noncontrolling interests upon the deconsolidation of a subsidiary | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | ( | | | | | | ( |
Stock-based compensation | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | |
Net income (loss) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | — | | | ( | | | | | | ( |
Other comprehensive income | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of March 31, 2019 | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | |
Common stock options exercised | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | |
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( |
Stock-based compensation | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | |
Net income | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( |
Balance as of June 30, 2019 |
| $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | |
17
Except as shown above related to the deconsolidation of a subsidiary, there were
Stock Repurchase Program
On October 27, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program pursuant to which we may repurchase up to $
Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), which established accounting for stock-based awards exchanged for employee services. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at each grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite service period of the award. All of our stock compensation is accounted for as an equity instrument.
The following table summarizes compensation costs related to our stock-based awards (in thousands, except per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | | ||||||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||||
Cost of revenue | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Selling, general and administrative | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Research and development | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Total stock-based compensation | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Tax effect on stock-based compensation | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
Net effect on net income | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
As of June 30, 2020, the unamortized compensation costs related to unvested stock options granted to employees under our stock option plan was approximately $
We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model, consistent with the provisions of ASC 718. There were
18
The following table summarizes the stock option transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2020 (in thousands, except per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Weighted | | | | |
|
| |
| | |
| average |
| | |
|
| | | | Weighted- | | Remaining | | | |
| |
| | Number of | | average | | Contractual | | Aggregate |
| ||
| | Options | | Exercise | | Life | | Intrinsic |
| ||
Stock Options |
| Outstanding |
| Price |
| (in years) |
| Value |
| ||
Balance as of January 1, 2020 |
| | | $ | |
| | $ | | | |
Granted |
| — | |
| — | | — | | | — | |
Exercised |
| ( | |
| | | — | | | — | |
Canceled and expired |
| — | |
| — | | — | | | — | |
Balance as of June 30, 2020 |
| | | $ | |
| | $ | | | |
Options vested as of June 30, 2020 and unvested options expected to vest, net of forfeitures |
| | | $ | |
| | $ | | | |
Options exercisable as of June 30, 2020 |
| | | $ | |
| | $ | | | |
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on our closing price of $
Restricted stock awards
A summary of activity related to restricted stock awards for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is presented below (in thousands, except per share data):
| | | | | | |
|
| |
| Weighted-Average |
| |
| | | | Grant Date |
| |
Stock Awards |
| Shares |
| Share Value |
| |
Non-vested as of January 1, 2020 | | | | $ | | |
Granted |
| | | $ | | |
Vested |
| ( | | $ | | |
Forfeited | | ( | | $ | | |
Non-vested as of June 30, 2020 |
| | | $ | | |
As of June 30, 2020, the unamortized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards was approximately $
Note 10. Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods less shares of common stock subject to repurchase and non-vested stock awards. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the periods. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards. Potentially dilutive common shares are excluded from the computation of weighted-average number of common shares outstanding in net loss years, as their effect would be anti-dilutive to the computation.
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net loss per share calculations is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
19
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | | ||||||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||||
Numerator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc. | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Less: Preferred stock dividends | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
Net income available to common stockholders | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Denominator for basic net income per share - weighted-average common shares | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock options | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Restricted stock awards | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Denominator for dilutive net income per common shares | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Diluted | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options excluded from diluted net income per share as the impact is anti-dilutive | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Restricted stock excluded from diluted net income per share as the impact is anti-dilutive | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
The
Note 11. Segment Information and Foreign Operations
Segment Information
We operate in
Product Information
The following table represents revenue amounts (in thousands) by product type:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | | | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | | | ||||||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
| ||||
Product Type: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Substrates | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | |
Raw Materials and Other | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | | |
Total | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
20
Geographical Information
The following table represents revenue amounts (in thousands) reported for products shipped to customers in the corresponding geographic region:
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | | | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | | | ||||||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
| ||||
Geographical region: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
China | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | |
Taiwan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Japan | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | | |
Asia Pacific (excluding China, Taiwan and Japan) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Europe (primarily Germany) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America (primarily the United States) | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | |
Long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets, and are attributed to the geographic location in which they are located. Long-lived assets, net of depreciation, by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
| | As of | | ||||
| | June 30, | | December 31, | | ||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
Long-lived assets by geographic region, net of depreciation: | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | | | $ | | |
China | |
| | |
| | |
| | $ | | | $ | | |
Significant Customers
We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition, and limit the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary, but generally do not require collateral.
21
Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies
Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that require us to indemnify our directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature; to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified; and to obtain directors’ and officers’ insurance if available on reasonable terms, which we currently have in place.
Product Warranty
We provide warranties for our products for a specific period of time, generally
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended |
| ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, |
| ||||||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||||
Beginning accrued product warranty | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Accruals for warranties issued | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties including expirations and changes in estimates | |
| ( | |
| | |
| ( | |
| | |
Cost of warranty repair | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
| ( | |
Ending accrued product warranty | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | |
Contractual Obligations
In 2020, we and a competitor entered into a cross license and covenant agreement (the “Cross License Agreement”), which has a term that began on January 1, 2020 and expires on December 31, 2029. The Cross License Agreement is a fixed-cost cross license and not a variable-cost cross license that is based on revenue or units. Under the Cross License Agreement, we are obligated to make annual payments over a
Land Purchase and Investment Agreement
We have established a wafer processing production line in Dingxing, China. In addition to a land rights and building purchase agreement that we entered into with a private real estate development company to acquire our new manufacturing facility, we also entered into a cooperation agreement with the Dingxing local government. In addition to pledging its full support and cooperation, the Dingxing local government will issue certain tax credits to us as we achieve certain milestones. We, in turn, agreed to hire local workers over time, pay taxes when due and eventually demonstrate a total investment of approximately $
22
government may purchase the land and building at the appraised value. We believe that such cooperation agreements are normal, customary and usual in China and that the future valuation is flexible. We have a similar agreement with the city of Kazuo, China, although on a smaller scale. The total investment targeted by AXT in Kazuo is approximately $
Purchase Obligations with Penalties for Cancellation
In the normal course of business, we issue purchase orders to various suppliers. In certain cases, we may incur a penalty if we cancel the purchase order. As of June 30, 2020, we do not have any outstanding purchase orders that will incur a penalty if cancelled by the Company.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time we may be involved in judicial or administrative proceedings concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect that any of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.
Note 13. Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, includes a grant of $
In addition, we incurred a foreign currency transaction exchange gain of $
Note 14. Income Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Our deferred tax assets have been reduced to
We provide for income taxes based upon the geographic composition of worldwide earnings and tax regulations governing each region, particularly China. The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws, particularly in foreign countries such as China.
We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. Income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 includes
Provision for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 was mostly related to our wholly owned China subsidiaries and our
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was passed into law. The CARES Act includes several significant business tax provisions including modification to the taxable income limitation for utilization of net operating losses (“NOLs”) incurred in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and the ability to carry back
23
NOLs from those years for a period of up to five years, an increase to the limitation on deductibility of certain business interest expense, bonus depreciation for purchases of qualified improvement property and special deductions on certain corporate charitable contributions. The Company analyzed the provisions of the CARES Act and determined there was no effect on its provision for the current period and will continue to evaluate the impact, if any, the CARES Act may have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
On June 29, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 85 (“AB 85”) into law as part of the California 2020 Budget Act, which temporarily suspends the use of California net operating losses and imposes a cap on the amount of business incentive tax credits that companies can utilize against their net income for tax years 2020, 2021, and 2022. We analyzed the provisions of AB 85 and determined there was no impact on our provision for income taxes for the current period and will continue to evaluate the impact, if any, AB 85 may have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Note 15. Revenue
Revenue Recognition
We manufacture and sell high-performance compound semiconductor substrates including indium phosphide, gallium arsenide and germanium wafers, and our consolidated subsidiaries sell certain raw materials, including high purity gallium (7N Ga), pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) crucibles and boron oxide (B2O3). After we ship our products, there are no remaining obligations or customer acceptance requirements that would preclude revenue recognition. Our products are typically sold pursuant to purchase orders placed by our customers, and our terms and conditions of sale do not require customer acceptance. We account for a contract with a customer when there is a legally enforceable contract, which could be the customer’s purchase order, the rights of the parties are identified, the contract has commercial terms, and collectibility of the contract consideration is probable. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation to transfer products and are short term in nature, usually less than six months. Our revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in the contract with each customer in exchange for transferring products that are generally based upon a negotiated, formula, list or fixed price. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods is transferred to our customer, which is either upon shipment from our dock, receipt at the customer’s dock, or removal from consignment inventory at the customer’s location, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods.
We have elected to account for shipping and handling as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the goods. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers in a sales transaction are recorded as an offset to shipping and handling expenses. Sales taxes and value added taxes in foreign jurisdictions that are collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and, therefore, are excluded from revenue.
We do not provide training, installation or commissioning services. We provide for future returns based on historical data, prior experience, current economic trends and changes in customer demand at the time revenue is recognized. We do not recognize any asset associated with the incremental cost of obtaining revenue generating customer contracts. As such, sales commissions are expensed as incurred, given that the expected period of benefit is less than
Contract Balances
We receive payments from customers based on a billing schedule as established in our contracts. Contract assets are recorded when we have a conditional right to consideration for our completed performance under the contracts. Accounts receivables are recorded when the right to this consideration becomes unconditional. We believe the fair value of our accounts receivable approximate its carrying value due to its short maturities and nominal credit risk. We do not have any material contract assets as of June 30, 2020. The following table reflects the contract liabilities balance as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
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| | June 30, | | December 31, | | ||
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | ||
Contract liabilities | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | |
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recognized $ | | | | | | | |
Disaggregated Revenue
In general, revenue disaggregated by product types and geography (See Note 11) is aligned according to the nature and economic characteristics of our business and provides meaningful disaggregation of our results of operations. Since we operate in
Note 16. Bank Loans and Line of Credit
On November 6, 2018, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo Bank”), which established a $
On August 9, 2019, Tongmei entered into a credit facility with the Bank of China with a $
On August 9, 2019, Tongmei borrowed $
In February 2020, our majority-owned subsidiary, BoYu, entered into a credit facility with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (“ICBC”) with a $
In March 2020, BoYu borrowed $
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Note 17. Leases
We lease certain equipment, office space, warehouse and facilities under long-term operating leases expiring at various dates through July 2029. The majority of our lease obligations relate to our lease agreement for a nitrogen system to be used during the manufacturing process for our facility in Dingxing, China. The equipment lease became effective in August 2019 and will expire in July 2029. There are no variable lease payments, residual value guarantees or any restrictions or covenants imposed by the equipment lease. The remainder relate to our lease agreement for our facility in Fremont, California with approximately
On January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standard Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”), which requires the recognition of the right-of-use assets and related operating and finance lease liabilities on the balance sheet. As permitted by ASC 842, we elected the adoption date of January 1, 2019, which is the date of initial application. As a result, the consolidated balance sheet prior to January 1, 2019 was not restated, continues to be reported under ASC Topic 840, Leases, (“ASC 840”), which did not require the recognition of operating lease liabilities on the balance sheet, and is not comparative. Under ASC 842, all leases are required to be recorded on the balance sheet and are classified as either operating leases or finance leases. The lease classification affects the expense recognition in the statement of operations. Operating lease charges are recorded entirely in operating expenses. Finance lease charges are split, where amortization of the right-of-use asset is recorded in operating expenses and an implied interest component is recorded in interest expense. The expense recognition for operating leases and finance leases under ASC 842 is substantially consistent with ASC 840. As a result, there is no significant difference in our results of operations presented in our consolidated statement of operations and consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for each year presented.
We adopted ASC 842 using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASC 842 had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet. The most significant impact was the recognition of the operating lease right-of-use assets and the liability for operating leases. Accordingly, upon adoption, leases that were classified as operating leases under ASC 840 were classified as operating leases under ASC 842, and we recorded an adjustment of $
Leases are classified as either finance leases or operating leases. A lease is classified as a finance lease if any one of the following criteria are met: the lease transfers ownership of the asset by the end of the lease term, the lease contains an option to purchase the asset that is reasonably certain to be exercised, the lease term is for a major part of the remaining useful life of the asset or the present value of the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the asset. A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not meet any one of these criteria. All of our leases are classified as operating leases and substantially all of our operating leases are comprised of equipment and office space leases. None of our leases are classified as, finance leases.
For all leases at the lease commencement date, a right-of-use asset and a lease liability are recognized. The right-of-use asset represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term. The lease liability represents the present value of the lease payments under the lease.
The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which primarily comprises the initial amount of the lease liability, plus any initial direct costs incurred, consisting mainly of brokerage commissions, less any lease incentives received. All right-of-use assets are reviewed for impairment. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value
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of the lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, our secured incremental borrowing rate for the same term as the underlying lease.
Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following: the fixed noncancelable lease payments, payments for optional renewal periods where it is reasonably certain the renewal period will be exercised, and payments for early termination options unless it is reasonably certain the lease will not be terminated early.
Lease expense for operating leases consists of the lease payments plus any initial direct costs, primarily brokerage commissions, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
We have elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a term of 12 months or less. The effect of short-term leases on our right-of-use asset and lease liability was not material.
As of June 30, 2020, the maturities of our operating lease liabilities (excluding short-term leases) are as follows (in thousands):
Maturity of Lease Liabilities |
| |
2020 | $ | |
2021 | | |
2022 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
Thereafter | | |
Total minimum lease payments | | |
Less: Interest | | ( |
Present value of lease obligations | | |
| ( | |
Long-term portion of lease obligations | $ | |
The weighted average remaining lease term and the weighted-average discount rate for our operating leases as of each date is as follows:
| | June 30, | | December 31, | |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | |
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) | | | | ||
Weighted-average discount rate | | | % | | % |
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases where we are the lessee is as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended | | ||||
| | June 30, | | ||||
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | ||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Operating cash flows from operating leases | | $ | | | $ | | |
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The components of lease expense are as follows (in thousands) within our condensed consolidated statements of operations:
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | ||||||||
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | ||||
Operating lease | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | |
Short-term lease expense | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | |
Note 18. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) was issued in June 2016. Under ASU 2016-13, existing guidance on reporting credit losses for trade and other receivables and available for sale debt securities have been replaced with a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that has resulted in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. Our adoption of ASU 2016-13 and its subsequent series of amendments during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 using the modified retrospective transition approach did not result in a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. As part of our assessment of the adequacy of our allowances for credit losses, we consider a number of factors including, but not limited to, customer credit ratings, bankruptcy filings, published or estimated credit default rates, age of receivables, adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts and expected loss rates.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements relating to our expectations regarding results of operations, market and customer demand for our products, customer qualifications of our products, our ability to expand our markets or increase sales, emerging applications using chips or devices fabricated on our substrates, the development of new products, applications, enhancements or technologies, the life cycles of our products and applications, product yields and gross margins, expense levels, the impact of the adoption of certain accounting pronouncements, our investments in capital projects, our ability to relocate our gallium arsenide production line in a timely and orderly manner, ramping production at our new sites, our estimated construction and relocation costs, including potential severance costs, with respect to the relocation of our gallium arsenide production line, our ability to have customers re-qualify substrates from our new manufacturing location in Dingxing, China, our ability to utilize or increase our manufacturing capacity, and our belief that we have adequate cash and investments to meet our needs over the next 12 months are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “goals,” “should,” “continues,” “would,” “could” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this quarterly report. Additionally, statements concerning future matters such as our strategy and plans, industry trends and the impact of trends, tariffs and trade wars, the potential or expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition, mandatory factory shutdowns in China, policies and regulations in China and economic cycles on our business are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon management’s views as of the date of this quarterly report and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A below, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this quarterly report, and identify important factors that could disrupt or injure our business or cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in any such forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this report, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any development, event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this report. This discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
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Overview
AXT, Inc. (“AXT”, “the company”, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to AXT, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries) is a worldwide materials science company that develops and produces high-performance compound and single element semiconductor substrates, also known as wafers. Our consolidated subsidiaries produce and sell certain raw materials some of which are used in our substrate manufacturing process and some of which are sold to other companies.
Our wafer substrates are used when a typical silicon wafer substrate cannot meet the performance requirements of a semiconductor or optoelectronic device. The dominant substrates used in producing semiconductor chips and other electronic circuits are made from silicon. However, certain chips may become too hot or perform their function too slowly if silicon is used as the base material. In addition, optoelectronic applications, such as LED lighting and chip-based lasers, do not use silicon substrates because they require a wave form frequency that cannot be achieved using silicon. Alternative or specialty materials are used to replace silicon as the preferred base in these situations. Our wafers provide such alternative or specialty materials. We do not design or manufacture the chips. We add value by researching, developing and producing the specialty material wafers. We have two product lines: specialty material substrates and raw materials integral to these substrates. Our compound substrates combine indium with phosphorous (indium phosphide: InP) or gallium with arsenic (gallium arsenide: GaAs). Our single element substrates are made from germanium (Ge).
InP is a high-performance semiconductor substrate used in broadband and fiber optic applications and data center connectivity. InP substrates can also be used in 5G applications. In recent years, InP demand has increased. Semi-insulating GaAs substrates are used to create various high-speed microwave components, including power amplifier chips used in cell phones, satellite communications and broadcast television applications. Semi-conducting GaAs substrates are used to create opto-electronic products, including high brightness light emitting diodes (HBLEDs) that are often used to backlight wireless handsets and liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs and also used for automotive panels, signage, display and lighting applications. A new application for semi-conducting GaAs substrates is 3-D sensing chips using VCSELs (vertical cavity surface emitting lasers) as an array of lasers on a single chip that can be used in cell phones and other devices. Ge substrates are used in applications such as solar cells for space and terrestrial photovoltaic applications.
Our supply chain strategy includes partial ownership in raw material companies. Two of these companies are consolidated. One of these companies produces pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) crucibles used in the high temperature (typically in the range 500 C to 1,500 C) growth process of single crystal ingots, effusion rings when growing OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) tools, epitaxial layer growth in MOCVD (Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition) reactors and MBE (Molecular Beam Epitaxy) reactors. We use these pBN crucibles in our own ingot growth processes and they are also sold in the open market to other companies. The second consolidated company converts raw gallium to purified gallium. We use purified gallium in producing our GaAs substrates and it is also sold in the open market to other companies for use in producing magnetic materials, high temperature thermometers, single crystal ingots, including gallium arsenide, gallium nitride, gallium antimonide and gallium phosphide ingots, and other materials and alloys. In addition to purified gallium, the second consolidated company also produces InP base material which we then use to grow single crystal ingots. In prior years, a third company was consolidated, but, in the first quarter of 2019, we sold a portion of our ownership to our investment partner and, as of March 11, 2019, we ceased to consolidate this company. Our substrate product group generated 81%, 79% and 80% of our consolidated revenue and our raw materials product group generated 19%, 21% and 20% for the years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
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The following chart shows our substrate products and their materials, diameters and illustrative applications and shows our raw materials group primary products and their illustrative uses and applications.
| Products | | | | | |
| Substrate Group | | Wafer Diameter | | Sample of Applications | |
| Indium Phosphide | | 2”, 3”, 4” | | • Data center connectivity using light/lasers | |
| (InP) | | | | • 5G communications | |
| | | | | • Fiber optic lasers and detectors | |
| | | | | • Passive Optical Networks (PONs) | |
| | | | | • Silicon photonics | |
| | | | | • Photonic Integrated circuits (PICs) | |
| | | | | • High efficiency terrestrial solar cells (CPV) | |
| | | | | • RF amplifier and switching (military wireless & 5G) | |
| | | | | • Infrared light-emitting diode (LEDs) motion control | |
| | | | | • Infrared thermal imaging | |
| Gallium Arsenide | | 1”, 2”, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6” | | • Wi-Fi devices | |
| (GaAs - semi-insulating) | | | | • IoT devices | |
| | | | | • High-performance transistors • Direct broadcast television • Power amplifiers for wireless devices | |
| | | | | • Satellite communications | |
| | | | | • High efficiency solar cells for drones and automobiles | |
| Gallium Arsenide | | 1”, 2”, 3”, 4”, 5", 6” | | • High brightness LEDs | |
| (GaAs - semi-conducting) | | | | • Printer head lasers and LEDs | |
| | | | | • 3-D sensing using VCSELs | |
| | | | | • Data center communication using VCSELs | |
| | | | | • Sensors for industrial robotics/Near-infrared sensors | |
| | | | | • Laser machining, cutting and drilling | |
| | | | | • Optical couplers | |
| | | | | • High efficiency solar cells for drones and automobiles | |
| | | | | • Other lasers • Night vision goggles | |
| | | | | | |
| Germanium | | 2”, 4”, 6” | | • Satellite solar cells | |
| (Ge) | | | | • Optical sensors and detectors | |
| | | | | • Terrestrial concentrated photo voltaic (CPV) cells • Multi-junction solar cells for satellites • Infrared detectors | |
| Raw Materials Group | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| 6N+ purified gallium | | | | • Key material in single crystal ingots such as: | |
| | | | | - Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) | |
| | | | | - Gallium Nitride (GaN) | |
| | | | | - Gallium Antimonide (GaSb) | |
| | | | | - Gallium Phosphide (GaP) | |
| Boron trioxide (B2O3) | | | | • Encapsulant in the ingot growth of III-V compound semiconductors | |
| Gallium-Magnesium alloy | | | | • Used for the synthesis of organo-gallium compounds in epitaxial growth on semiconductor wafers | |
| pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) crucibles | | | | • Used when growing single-crystal compound semiconductor ingots | |
| | | | | • Used as effusion rings growing OLED tools | |
| pBN insulating parts | | | | • Used in MOCVD reactors | |
| | | | | • Used when growing epitaxial layers in Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) reactors | |
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We manufacture all of our products in the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China), which generally has favorable costs for facilities and labor compared with comparable facilities in the United States, Europe or Japan. Our supply chain includes partial ownership of raw material companies in China (subsidiaries/joint ventures). We believe this supply chain arrangement provides us with pricing advantages, reliable supply, market trend visibility and better sourcing lead-times for key raw materials central to manufacturing our substrates. Our subsidiaries and joint venture companies produce materials, including raw gallium (4N Ga), high purity gallium (6N Ga), arsenic, germanium, germanium dioxide, pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) crucibles and boron oxide (B2O3). Our ownership and the ownership held by one of the joint venture companies range from 100% to 25%. We have board representation in all of these raw material companies. We consolidate the companies in which we have either a controlling financial interest, or majority financial interest combined with the ability to exercise substantive control over the operations, or financial decisions, of such companies. We use the equity method to account for companies in which we have smaller financial interest and have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over such companies. We purchase portions of the materials produced by these companies for our own use and they sell the remainder of their production to third parties.
The Beijing city government is moving its offices into the area where our original manufacturing facility is currently located and is in the process of moving thousands of government employees into this area. The government has constructed showcase tower buildings and overseen the establishment of new apartment complexes, retail stores and restaurants. An amusement park is being constructed within a few miles of our facility. To create room and upgrade the district, the city instructed virtually all existing manufacturing companies, including AXT, to relocate all or some of their manufacturing lines. We were instructed to move our gallium arsenide manufacturing line out of the area. For reasons of manufacturing efficiency we elected to also move our germanium manufacturing line. Our indium phosphide manufacturing line, as well as various administrative and sales functions, will remain primarily at our original site for the near future.
To mitigate our risks and maintain our production schedule, we moved our gallium arsenide equipment in stages. As of December 31, 2019, we ceased all crystal growth for gallium arsenide in our original manufacturing facility in Beijing and transferred 100% of our ingot production to our new manufacturing facility in Kazuo, a city approximately 250 miles from Beijing. We have transferred our wafer processing equipment for gallium arsenide to our new manufacturing facility in Dingxing, a city approximately 75 miles from Beijing. Our key focus now is transferring volume production of the wafer processing steps for gallium arsenide to Dingxing. This process is ongoing. Some of our larger, more sophisticated customers want to perform a site qualification and subsequently work with us to ramp up production at Dingxing. One of our largest gallium arsenide customers has already qualified our new manufacturing sites for volume production. The new facilities are intended to give us the long-term capacity and a new level of technological sophistication in our manufacturing capabilities to support the major trends that we believe are likely to drive demand for our products in the years ahead.
Customer qualification of the Dingxing site requires us to continue to diligently address the many details that arise at both of the new sites. A failure to properly accomplish this could result in disruption to our production and have a material adverse impact on our revenue, our results of operations and our financial condition. If we fail to meet the product qualification requirements of a customer, we may lose sales to that customer. Our reputation may also be damaged. Any loss of sales could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, our results of operations and our financial condition.
In September 2018, the Trump Administration announced a list of thousands of categories of goods that became subject to tariffs when imported into the United States. This pronouncement imposed tariffs on the wafer substrates we imported into the United States. The initial tariff rate was 10% and subsequently was increased to 25%. Approximately 10% of our revenue derives from importing our wafers into the United States. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, we paid approximately $470,000 in tariffs. In 2019, we paid approximately $735,000 in tariffs. The future impact of tariffs and trade wars is uncertain.
Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Change in Accounting Estimates
We prepare our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Accordingly, we make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the
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amounts reported on our condensed consolidated financial statements. These estimates, assumptions and judgments about future events and their effects on our results cannot be determined with certainty, and are made based upon our historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates may change as new events occur or additional information is obtained, and we may periodically be faced with uncertainties, the outcomes of which are not within our control and may not be known for a prolonged period of time.
We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. Critical accounting policies are material to the presentation of our condensed consolidated financial statements and require us to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments that could have a material effect on our financial reports and results of operations. They may require us to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time of the estimate. Different estimates that we could have used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur, may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Revenue Recognition
We manufacture and sell high-performance compound semiconductor substrates including indium phosphide, gallium arsenide and germanium wafers, and our consolidated subsidiaries sell certain raw materials, including high purity gallium (7N Ga), pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) crucibles and boron oxide (B2O3). After we ship our products, there are no remaining obligations or customer acceptance requirements that would preclude revenue recognition. Our products are typically sold pursuant to purchase orders placed by our customers, and our terms and conditions of sale do not require customer acceptance. We account for a contract with a customer when there is a legally enforceable contract, which could be the customer’s purchase order, the rights of the parties are identified, the contract has commercial terms, and collectibility of the contract consideration is probable. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation to transfer products and are short term in nature, usually less than six months. Our revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in the contract with each customer in exchange for transferring products that are generally based upon a negotiated, formula, list or fixed price. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods is transferred to our customer, which is either upon shipment from our dock, receipt at the customer’s dock, or removal from consignment inventory at the customer’s location, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are not interest bearing. We review at least quarterly, or when there are changes in credit risks, the likelihood of collection on our accounts receivable balances and provide an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for any expected credit losses primarily based upon the age of these accounts. We evaluate receivables from U.S. customers with an emphasis on balances in excess of 90 days and for receivables from customers located outside the U.S. with an emphasis on balances in excess of 120 days and establish a reserve allowance on the receivable balances if needed. The reason for the difference in the evaluation of receivables between foreign and U.S. customers is that U.S. customers have historically made payments in a shorter period of time than foreign customers. Foreign business practices generally require us to allow customer payment terms that are longer than those accepted in the United States. We assess the probability of collection based on a number of factors, including the length of time a receivable balance has been outstanding, our past history with the customer and their credit-worthiness.
We exercise judgment when determining the adequacy of our reserves as we evaluate historical bad debt trends, general economic conditions in the United States and internationally, and changes in customer financial conditions. Uncollectible receivables are recorded as bad debt expense when a credit loss is expected through the establishment of an allowance, which would then be written off when all efforts to collect have been exhausted and recoveries are recognized when they are received. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our accounts receivable, net balance was $19.8 million and $19.0 million, respectively, which was net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $77,000 and $34,000, respectively. If actual uncollectible accounts differ substantially from our estimates, revisions to the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts would be required, which could have a material impact on our financial results for the future periods.
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Historically, our allowance for sales returns reserve was deducted from gross accounts receivable. Upon adoption, on January 1, 2018, of the new revenue recognition guidance, ASC Topic 606, we reclassified our sales returns reserve to accrued liabilities. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the balance was $90,000 and $26,000, respectively.
Warranty Reserve
We maintain a product warranty based upon our claims experience during the prior twelve months and any pending claims and returns of which we are aware. Warranty costs are accrued at the time revenue is recognized. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, accrued product warranties totaled $352,000 and $387,000, respectively. The decrease in accrued product warranties is primarily attributable to decreased claims for quality issues experienced by customers. If actual warranty costs or pending new claims differ substantially from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations for future periods.
Inventory Valuation
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (approximated by standard cost) or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted-average cost method. Our inventory consists of raw materials as well as finished goods and work in process that include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs. We routinely evaluate the levels of our inventory in light of current market conditions in order to identify excess and obsolete inventory, and we provide a valuation allowance for certain inventories based upon the age and quality of the product and the projections for sale of the completed products. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had an inventory reserve of $16.6 million and $16.4 million, respectively, for excess and obsolete inventory and $121,000 and $91,000, respectively, for lower of cost or net realizable value reserves. If actual demand for our products were to be substantially lower than estimated, additional inventory adjustments for excess or obsolete inventory might be required, which could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Impairment of Investments
We classify marketable investments in debt securities as available-for-sale debt securities in accordance with ASC Topic 320, Investments - Debt Securities. All available-for-sale debt securities with a quoted market value below cost (or adjusted cost) are reviewed in order to determine whether the decline is other-than-temporary. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the magnitude of the decline in market value, the length of time the market value has been below cost (or adjusted cost), credit quality, and our ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. We also review our debt investment portfolio at least quarterly, or when there are changes in credit risks or other potential valuation concerns to identify and evaluate whether an allowance for expected credit losses or impairment would be necessary.
We also invest in equity instruments of privately-held companies in China for business and strategic purposes. Investments in our unconsolidated joint venture companies are classified as other assets and accounted for under either the equity or cost method, depending on whether we have the ability to exercise significant influence over their operations or financial decisions. We monitor our investments for impairment and record reductions in carrying value when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Determination of impairment is highly subjective and is based on a number of factors, including an assessment of the strength of each company’s management, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than our cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the company, fundamental changes to the business prospects of the company, share prices of subsequent offerings, and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in our carrying value.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded an impairment charge of $1.1 million for a germanium materials company in China in which we have a 25% ownership interest. After receiving such company’s preliminary first quarter 2019 financial results in early April 2019 and its projections for significant losses going forward, we determined that this asset was fully impaired and wrote the asset balance down to zero. Except as mentioned above, there
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were no impairment charges for the remainder of these investments during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.
Fair Value of Investments
ASC 820, establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value.
Level 1 instruments represent quoted prices in active markets. Therefore, determining fair value for Level 1 instruments does not require significant management judgment, and the estimation is not difficult.
Level 2 instruments include observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for identical instruments in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets), issuer bank statements, credit ratings, non-binding market consensus prices that can be corroborated with observable market data, model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated with observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities. These Level 2 instruments require more management judgment and subjectivity compared to Level 1 instruments, including:
| ● | Determining which instruments are most comparable to the instrument being priced requires management to identify a sample of similar securities based on the coupon rates, maturity, issuer, credit rating, and instrument type, and subjectively select an individual security or multiple securities that are deemed most similar to the security being priced. |
| ● | Determining which model-derived valuations to use in determining fair value requires management judgment. When observable market prices for similar securities or similar securities are not available, we price our marketable debt instruments using non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated with observable market data or pricing models, such as discounted cash flow models, with all significant inputs derived from or corroborated with observable market data. |
Level 3 instruments include unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value of assets or liabilities. The determination of fair value for Level 3 instruments requires the most management judgment and subjectivity.
We place short-term foreign currency hedges that are intended to offset the potential cash exposure related to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the United States dollar and Japanese yen. We measure the fair value of these foreign currency hedges at each month end and quarter end using current exchange rates and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. At quarter end any foreign currency hedges not settled are netted in “Accrued liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. As of June 30, 2020, the net change in fair value from the placement of the hedge to settlement at each month end during the quarter had a de minimis impact to the consolidated results.
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate the recoverability of property, equipment and intangible assets in accordance with ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment. When events and circumstances indicate that long-lived assets may be impaired, we compare the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the projection of future undiscounted cash flows attributable to these assets. In the event that the carrying value exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows, we record an impairment charge against income equal to the excess of the carrying value over the assets’ fair value. Fair values are determined based on quoted market values, discounted cash flows or internal and external appraisals, as applicable. Assets held for
35
sale are carried at the lower of carrying value or estimated net realizable value. We had no “Assets held for sale” or any impairment of long-lived assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Stock-based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Stock-based Compensation. Share-based awards granted include stock options and restricted stock awards. We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of stock options, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including estimating stock price volatility and expected term. Historical volatility of our stock price was used while the expected term for our options was estimated based on historical option exercise behavior and post-vesting forfeitures of options, and the contractual term, the vesting period and the expected term of the outstanding options. Further, we apply an expected forfeiture rate in determining the amount of share-based compensation. We use historical forfeitures to estimate the rate of future forfeitures. Changes in these inputs and assumptions can materially affect the measure of estimated fair value of our stock compensation. The cost of restricted stock awards is determined using the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant.
We recognize the compensation costs net of an estimated forfeiture rate over the requisite service period of the options award, which is generally the vesting term of four years. Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is recognized over the vesting period, which is generally one, three or four years. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded in cost of revenue, research and development, and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Our deferred tax assets have been reduced to zero by valuation allowance.
We provide for income taxes based upon the geographic composition of worldwide earnings and tax regulations governing each region, particularly China. The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws, particularly in foreign countries such as China.
See Note 14—“Income Taxes” in the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Change in Accounting Estimate – Useful Life of Equipment and Facilities
From time to time we review our estimates of the useful lives of our property, plant and equipment. As a result of the review, we determined a portion of our manufacturing equipment was lasting longer than the estimate previously established for the respective useful lives. Where appropriate, we extended the useful life of the manufacturing equipment in our accounting records. In addition, the useful life of our buildings located in China was extended to better align with industry standards. The changes in our estimate of the useful life, effective January 1, 2020, were made in order to remain consistent with US GAAP regarding management estimates. The effect of the change in the useful lives decreased our manufacturing costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 by approximately $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and increased our basic and diluted net income per share by approximately $0.01 and $0.02, respectively, as a result of lower depreciation expense.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a pandemic, which continues to be spread throughout the world. In March 2020, the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. For much of the three months ended March 31, 2020, our manufacturing facilities in
36
China were operating at reduced staffing levels to limit the risk of COVID-19 exposure for our employees. The Chinese government mandates have evolved, allowing us to return to full staffing levels at all three manufacturing locations in China. We are unable to accurately predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic due to numerous uncertainties, including the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, the effect of the outbreak on transportation, such as reduced availability of air transport, port closures, and increased border controls or closures, the impact of the outbreak on our customers and additional actions that may be taken by government authorities to contain the outbreak, such as travel restrictions between China and the U.S. that have disrupted our normal movement to and from China and impacted our efficiency. As a result of these factors, we believe that the COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse impact on our business, consolidated results of operations and financial condition in the near term.
Results of Operations
Revenue
| | Three Months Ended | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, | | Increase | | | | | June 30, | | Increase | | | | | ||||||||||
| | 2020 |
| 2019 | | (Decrease) |
| % Change |
| | 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change |
| | ||||||
Product Type: | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Substrates | | $ | 16,874 | | $ | 20,599 | | $ | (3,725) |
| (18.1) | % | | $ | 33,755 | | $ | 37,365 | | $ | (3,610) |
| (9.7) | % | |
Raw materials and other | | | 5,260 | | | 4,198 | | | 1,062 |
| 25.3 | % | | | 9,102 | | | 7,640 | | | 1,462 |
| 19.1 | % | |
Total revenue | | $ | 22,134 | | $ | 24,797 | | $ | (2,663) | | (10.7) | % | | $ | 42,857 | | $ | 45,005 | | $ | (2,148) | | (4.8) | % | |
Revenue decreased $2.7 million, or 10.7%, to $22.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $24.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The substrate revenue decrease for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 was the result of a large order from a single customer in the second quarter of 2019 which was not repeated in the second quarter of 2020. This was partially offset by higher demand for our GaAs wafer substrates in the second quarter of 2020. Raw materials sales increased $1.1 million, or 25.3%, to $5.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. The raw materials revenue increase for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily the result of an increase in sales of refined gallium and pBN crucibles resulting from stronger market demand.
Revenue decreased $2.1 million, or 4.8%, to $42.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $45.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The substrate revenue decrease for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily the result of a large order from a single customer in the first half of 2019 which was not repeated in the first half of 2020, partially offset by increased revenue for both our GaAs and Ge wafer substrates. Raw materials sales increased $1.5 million, or 19.1%, to $9.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. The raw materials revenue increase for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily the result of an increase in sales of refined gallium and pBN crucibles resulting from stronger market demand.
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Revenue by Geographic Region
| | Three Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||
| | June 30, | | Increase | | | | | |||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change |
| | |||
| | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||
China | | $ | 7,753 | | $ | 9,642 | | $ | (1,889) |
| (19.6) | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 35 | % |
| 39 | % | | | | | | |
Taiwan | |
| 4,398 | |
| 4,655 | | | (257) | | (5.5) | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 20 | % |
| 19 | % | | | | | | |
Japan | | | 1,698 | | | 1,510 | |
| 188 |
| 12.5 | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 8 | % |
| 6 | % | | | | | | |
Asia Pacific (excluding China, Taiwan and Japan) | |
| 1,701 | |
| 2,738 | |
| (1,037) |
| (37.9) | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 8 | % |
| 11 | % | | | | | | |
Europe (primarily Germany) | |
| 4,114 | |
| 4,640 | |
| (526) |
| (11.3) | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 18 | % |
| 19 | % | | | | | | |
North America (primarily the United States) | | | 2,470 | | | 1,612 | | | 858 | | 53.2 | % | |
% of total revenue | | | 11 | % | | 6 | % | | | | | | |
Total revenue | | $ | 22,134 | | $ | 24,797 | | $ | (2,663) |
| (10.7) | % | |
Revenue in China decreased by $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to lower demand for our Ge wafer substrates. Revenue in Asia Pacific decreased by $1.0 million primarily due to decreased demand for pBN crucibles sold by one of our consolidated subsidiaries. Revenue in Europe decreased $0.5 million primarily due to decreased demand for GaAs and InP wafer substrates partially offset by increased demand for pBN crucibles sold by one of our consolidated subsidiaries. Revenue in North America increased by $0.9 million due to higher demand for our InP and GaAs wafer substrates.
| | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||
| | June 30, | | Increase | | | | | |||||
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change |
| | |||
| | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||
China | | $ | 12,477 | | $ | 16,753 | | $ | (4,276) |
| (25.5) | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 29 | % |
| 37 | % | | | | | | |
Taiwan | |
| 9,575 | |
| 7,663 | |
| 1,912 |
| 25.0 | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 23 | % |
| 17 | % | | | | | | |
Japan | |
| 3,032 | |
| 3,302 | |
| (270) |
| (8.2) | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 7 | % |
| 7 | % | | | | | | |
Asia Pacific (excluding China, Taiwan and Japan) | |
| 3,057 | |
| 3,922 | |
| (865) |
| (22.1) | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 7 | % |
| 9 | % | | | | | | |
Europe (primarily Germany) | | | 10,328 | | | 9,015 | | | 1,313 | | 14.6 | % | |
% of total revenue | | | 24 | % | | 20 | % | | | | | | |
North America (primarily the United States) | |
| 4,388 | |
| 4,350 | |
| 38 |
| 0.9 | % | |
% of total revenue | |
| 10 | % |
| 10 | % | | | | | | |
Total revenue | | $ | 42,857 | | $ | 45,005 | | $ | (2,148) |
| (4.8) | % | |
Revenue in China decreased by $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to lower demand for our InP wafer substrates partially offset by increase in demand for refined gallium. We believe at least some of this reduction is a result of the geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S. Revenue in Taiwan increased by $1.9 million primarily due to increased demand for InP and GaAs wafer substrates. Revenue in Europe increased $1.3 million primarily due to increased demand for Ge wafer substrates and pBN crucibles sold by one of our consolidated subsidiaries partially offset by lower demand for InP wafer substrates. Revenue in Asia Pacific decreased by $0.9 million due to lower demand for our GaAs wafer substrates and pBN crucibles.
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Gross Margin
| Three Months Ended | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| June 30, | | Increase | | | | | June 30, | | Increase | | | | | ||||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | | | 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | | | ||||||
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 6,768 | | $ | 8,506 | | $ | (1,738) |
| (20.4) | % | | $ | 12,290 | | $ | 15,201 | | $ | (2,911) |
| (19.2) | % | |
Gross Margin % |
| 30.6 | % |
| 34.3 | % | | | | | | |
| 28.7 | % |
| 33.8 | % | | | | | | |
Gross profit decreased $1.7 million, or 20.4%, to $6.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $8.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in gross profit is attributed to lower revenue, a change in product mix and less efficient manufacturing yields as a result of the relocation process.
Gross profit decreased $2.9 million, or 19.2%, to $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $15.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in gross profit is attributed to lower revenue, a change in product mix and less efficient manufacturing yields as a result of the relocation process.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
| Three Months Ended | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| June 30, | | Increase | | | | | June 30, | | Increase | | | | | ||||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | | | 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | | | ||||||
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 4,747 | | $ | 4,769 | | $ | (22) |
| (0.5) | % | | $ | 9,496 | | $ | 9,492 | | $ | 4 |
| 0.0 | % | |
% of total revenue |
| 21.4 | % |
| 19.2 | % | | | | | | |
| 22.2 | % |
| 21.1 | % | | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $22,000, or 0.5%, to $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The lower selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily from lower travel-related expenses driven by the COVID-19 pandemic partially offset by higher personnel-related and professional service expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4,000, or 0.0%, to $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The higher selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily from higher personnel-related, outside commissions and legal expenses offset by lower license and fees and travel-related expenses driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research and Development
| Three Months Ended | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| June 30, | | Increase | | | | | June 30, | | Increase | | | | | ||||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | | | 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | | | ||||||
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Research and development | $ | 1,543 | | $ | 1,399 | | $ | 144 |
| 10.3 | % | | $ | 2,950 | | $ | 2,745 | | $ | 205 |
| 7.5 | % | |
% of total revenue |
| 7.0 | % |
| 5.6 | % | | | | | | |
| 6.9 | % |
| 6.1 | % |
| | | | | |
Research and development expenses increased $144,000, or 10.3%, to $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to higher expense in our new product testing and personnel-related expenses partially offset by lower travel-related expenses driven by COVID-19.
Research and development expenses increased $205,000, or 7.5%, to $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to higher expense in our new product testing and personnel-related expenses partially offset by lower facility-related and travel-related expenses driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Interest Income (Expense), Net
| Three Months Ended | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| June 30, | | Increase | | | | | June 30, | | Increase | | | | | ||||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | | | 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | | | ||||||
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Interest income (expense), net | $ | (39) | | $ | 79 | | $ | (118) |
| (149.4) | % | | $ | (68) | | $ | 174 | | $ | (242) |
| (139.1) | % | |
% of total revenue |
| (0.2) | % |
| 0.3 | % | | | | | | |
| (0.2) | % |
| 0.4 | % | | | | | | |
Interest income (expense), net decreased $118,000 or 149.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. Interest income (expense), net decreased primarily due to a reduction in the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by us and interest expense incurred by Tongmei under the Credit Facility.
Interest income (expense), net decreased $242,000 or 139.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. Interest income (expense), net decreased primarily due to a reduction in the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by us, lower interest rates and interest expense incurred by Tongmei under the Credit Facility.
Equity in Income (Loss) of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
| Three Months Ended | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| June 30, | | Equity in Income (Loss) | | | June 30, | | Equity in Loss | | | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| Change |
| % Change | | | 2020 |
| 2019 |
| Change |
| % Change | | | ||||||
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures | $ | (168) | | $ | 8 | | $ | (176) |
| (2,200.0) | % | | $ | (288) | | $ | (1,446) | | $ | 1,158 |
| 80.1 | % | |
% of total revenue |
| (0.8) | % |
| 0.0 | % | | | | | | |
| (0.7) | % |
| (3.2) | % | | | | | | |
The equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint venture companies was a loss of $168,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to a gain of $8,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The current quarter loss is primarily due to poor financial results of two raw gallium companies.
The equity in loss of unconsolidated joint venture companies was a loss of $288,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to a loss of $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The current year six month loss is primarily due to poor financial results of two raw gallium companies. The $1.4 million aggregate loss for the six months ended June 30, 2019 includes an impairment charge of $1.1 million for a germanium materials company in China in which we have a 25% ownership interest (See Note 7) and the poor financial results of two raw gallium companies.
Other Income (Expense), Net
| Three Months Ended | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| June 30, | | Other Income (Expense) | | | June 30, | | Other Income (Expense) | | | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| Change |
| % Change | | | 2020 |
| 2019 |
| Change |
| % Change | | | ||||||
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Other income (expense), net | $ | 1,608 | | $ | (90) | | $ | 1,698 | | 1,886.7 | % | | $ | 2,974 | | $ | (224) | | $ | 3,198 |
| 1,427.7 | % | |
% of total revenue |
| 7.3 | % |
| (0.4) | % | | | | | | |
| 6.9 | % |
| (0.5) | % | | | | | | |
Other income (expense), net increased $1.7 million to an income of $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 from an expense of $90,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. Other income (expense), net increased primarily due to a grant of $1.6 million received from a Chinese provincial government agency as an award for relocating to its province.
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Other income (expense), net increased $3.2 million to an income of $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from an expense of $224,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Other income (expense), net increased primarily due to grants totaling $3.0 million received from a Chinese provincial government agency as an award for relocating to its province.
Provision for Income Taxes
| Three Months Ended | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| June 30, | | Increase | | | | | June 30, | | Increase | | | | | ||||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| (Decrease) |
| % Change | | | ||||||
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | $ | 920 | | $ | 597 | | $ | 323 |
| 54.1 | % | | $ | 1,286 | | $ | 753 | | $ | 533 |
| 70.8 | % | |
% of total revenue |
| 4.2 | % |
| 2.4 | % | | | | | | |
| 3.0 | % |
| 1.7 | % | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 was $920,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, which was primarily related to higher profits in China and a tax on a rebate we received from a purchase of land use rights when we began the relocation. No income taxes, except certain state tax, or benefits have been provided for our U.S. operations as the income in the U.S. had been fully offset by utilization of federal and state net operating loss carryforwards. Additionally, there is uncertainty of generating future profit in the U.S., which has resulted in our deferred tax assets being fully reserved. Our estimated tax rate can vary greatly from year to year because of the change or benefit in the mix of taxable income between our U.S. and China-based operations.
Due to our uncertainty regarding our future profitability in the U.S., we recorded a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets of $20 million in 2019, $20 million in 2018 and $22 million in 2017.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was passed into law. The CARES Act includes several significant business tax provisions, including modification to the taxable income limitation for utilization of net operating losses (“NOLs”) incurred in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and the ability to carry back NOLs from those years for a period of up to five years, an increase to the limitation on deductibility of certain business interest expense, bonus depreciation for purchases of qualified improvement property, and special deductions on certain corporate charitable contributions. We analyzed the provisions of the CARES Act and determined there was no effect on our provision for income taxes for the current period and will continue to evaluate the impact, if any, the CARES Act may have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
On June 29, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 85 (“AB 85”) into law as part of the California 2020 Budget Act, which temporarily suspends the use of California net operating losses and imposes a cap on the amount of business incentive tax credits that companies can utilize against their net income for tax years 2020, 2021, and 2022. We analyzed the provisions of AB 85 and determined there was no impact on our provision for income taxes for the current period and will continue to evaluate the impact, if any, AB 85 may have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
| Three Months Ended | | Net income attributable to | | | Six Months Ended | | Net income attributable to | | | ||||||||||||||
| June 30, |
| Noncontrolling interests | | | June 30, |
| Noncontrolling interests | | | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | | 2019 | | Increase | | % Change | | | 2020 | | 2019 | | Increase | | % Change | | | ||||||
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | $ | 598 | | $ | 287 | | $ | 311 |
| 108.4 | % | | $ | 993 | | $ | 368 | | $ | 625 |
| 169.8 | % | |
% of total revenue |
| 2.7 | % |
| 1.2 | % | | | | | | |
| 2.3 | % |
| 0.8 | % | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased $311,000 or 108.4% to $598,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $287,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 primarily due to higher profitability from our consolidated joint venture operations in China.
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Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased $625,000 or 169.8% to $993,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $368,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 primarily due to higher profitability from our consolidated joint venture operations in China.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We consider cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as liquid and available for use within one year in our current operations. Short-term investments are comprised of U.S. government securities, certificates of deposit and investment-grade corporate notes and bonds.
As of June 30, 2020, our principal source of liquidity was $32.5 million, which consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $26.5 million and investments of $6.0 million. In the six months ended June 30, 2020, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $0.4 million and investments decreased by $3.5 million. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $0.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to net cash used in investing activities of $3.0 million and the effect of exchange rate changes of $0.2 million, partially offset by net cash provided by operating activities of $2.0 million and financing activities of $0.8 million. As of June 30, 2020, we and our consolidated joint ventures held approximately $13.4 million in cash and investments in foreign bank accounts. This consisted of $11.3 million held by our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China and $2.1 million held by our partially-owned consolidated subsidiary in China.
As of June 30, 2019, our principal source of liquidity was $37.5 million, which consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $28.7 million and investments of $8.8 million. In the six months ended June 30, 2019, cash and cash equivalents increased by $12.2 million and short-term and long-term investments decreased by $14.1 million. The increase in cash and cash equivalents of $12.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2019 was primarily due to net cash provided by investing activities of $5.9 million, net cash provided by operating activities of $6.0 million, net cash provided by financing activities of $0.3 million and the effect of exchange rate changes of $23,000. As of June 30, 2019, we and our consolidated joint ventures held approximately $18.0 million in cash and investments in foreign bank accounts. This consists of $15.0 million held by our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China and $3.0 million held by our partially-owned consolidated subsidiary in China.
Net cash provided by operating activities of $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily comprised of a net income before income attributable to non-controlling interest of $1.2 million, the adjustment for non-cash items of depreciation and amortization of $2.0 million, stock-based compensation of $1.3 million and loss on equity method investments of $0.3 million, partially offset by a net change of $2.8 million in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash provided by operating activities of $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was primarily comprised of a net income before income attributable to non-controlling interest of $0.7 million, return on equity method investments of $0.4 million, the adjustment for non-cash items of depreciation and amortization of $2.8 million, impairment charge on equity investment of $1.1 million, stock-based compensation of $1.1 million and loss on equity method investments of $0.6 million, partially offset by an adjustment for a non-cash item of $0.2 million gain from the deconsolidation of a subsidiary and a net change of $0.6 million in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash used in investing activities of $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily from the purchase of property, plant and equipment of $6.5 million, partially offset by proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale debt securities of $3.5 million.
Net cash provided by investing activities of $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was primarily from the proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities of $16.6 million, partially offset by purchase of property, plant and equipment of $8.2 million and purchase of available for sale securities of $2.5 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, which consisted of proceeds from short-term borrowings of $0.4 million and proceeds from common stock exercised of $0.5 million, partially offset by dividends paid by joint ventures to their minority shareholders of $0.1 million.
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Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, which consisted of net proceeds of $0.4 million on the sale of previously consolidated subsidiary shares and proceeds from common stock exercised of $0.2 million, partially offset by consideration paid in cash to repurchase subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests of $0.3 million.
On October 27, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program pursuant to which we may repurchase up to $5.0 million of our outstanding common stock. These repurchases could be made from time to time in the open market and could be funded from our existing cash balances and cash generated from operations. During 2015, we repurchased approximately 908,000 shares at an average price of $2.52 per share for a total purchase price of approximately $2.3 million under the stock repurchase program. Since 2015, no shares were repurchased under this program. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we did not repurchase any shares under the approved stock repurchase program. As of June 30, 2020, approximately $2.7 million remained available for future repurchases under this program. Currently, we do not plan to repurchase additional shares.
Dividends accrue on our outstanding Series A preferred stock, and are payable as and when declared by our board of directors. We have never declared or paid any dividends on the Series A preferred stock. By the terms of the Series A preferred stock, so long as any shares of Series A preferred stock are outstanding, neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company shall redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of common stock, unless all accrued dividends on the Series A preferred stock have been paid. During 2013 and 2015, we repurchased shares of our outstanding common stock. As of December 31, 2015, the Series A preferred stock had cumulative dividends of $2.9 million and we include such cumulative dividends in “Accrued liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. At the time we pay this accrued liability, our cash and cash equivalents will be reduced. We account for the cumulative year to date dividends on the Series A preferred stock when calculating our earnings per share.
The Beijing city government is moving its offices into the area where our original manufacturing facility is currently located and is in the process of moving thousands of government employees into this area. The government has constructed showcase tower buildings and overseen the establishment of new apartment complexes, retail stores and restaurants. An amusement park is being constructed within a few miles of our facility. To create room and upgrade the district, the city instructed virtually all existing manufacturing companies, including AXT, to relocate all or some of their manufacturing lines.
To mitigate our risks and maintain our production schedule, we moved our gallium arsenide equipment in stages. As of December 31, 2019, we ceased all crystal growth for gallium arsenide in our original manufacturing facility in Beijing and transferred 100% of our ingot production to our new manufacturing facility in Kazuo, a city approximately 250 miles from Beijing. We transferred our wafer processing equipment for gallium arsenide to our new manufacturing facility in Dingxing, a city approximately 75 miles from Beijing. Our key focus now is transferring volume production of the wafer processing steps for gallium arsenide to Dingxing. This process is ongoing. We expect to spend approximately $5 million in capital expenditures for our gallium arsenide manufacturing line in 2020 and are considering additional investments in our indium phosphide manufacturing line.
One of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, JinMei, is in the process of relocating its manufacturing operations to Kazuo, very near our own location. Currently, JinMei expects to invest approximately $3.0 million to $3.5 million related to the new facilities in 2020. In July 2017, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Tongmei, provided an inter-company loan to JinMei in the amount of $768,000 in preparation for the acquisition of the land use rights and the construction of a new building. The inter-company loan carries an interest rate of 4.9% per annum and is due on June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2020, JinMei repaid principal and interest totaling $483,000 to Tongmei. As of June 30, 2020, the remaining balance of principal and interest totaled $287,000. BoYu, our consolidated pBN crucible joint venture will invest approximately $4.0 million to $4.5 million.
On November 6, 2018, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement, which established a $10 million secured revolving line of credit with a $1.0 million letter of credit sublimit facility. The revolving credit facility is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company located within the United States, subject to certain exceptions. The commitments under the Credit Agreement expire on November 30, 2020 and any loans thereunder will bear interest at a rate based on the daily one-month LIBOR for the applicable interest period plus a margin of 2.00%. As of December 31,
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2019, no loans or letters of credit were outstanding under the Credit Agreement. On February 5, 2020, the Company entered into the First Amendment, which reduced the $10 million secured revolving line of credit under the Credit Agreement to $7 million. The commitments under the Credit Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment, expire on November 30, 2020 and any loans thereunder will bear interest at a rate based on the daily one-month LIBOR for the applicable interest period plus a margin of 2.5%. As of June 30, 2020, no loans or letters of credit were outstanding under the Credit Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment.
On August 9, 2019, Tongmei entered into a credit facility with the Bank of China with a $5.8 million line of credit at an annual interest rate of approximately 0.4% over the average interest rate quoted by the National Interbank Funding Center. Accrued interest is calculated monthly and paid quarterly. The annual interest rate was approximately 4.7% as of June 30, 2020. The credit facility is collateralized by Tongmei Baoding’s land use rights and all of its buildings located at its facility in Dingxing. The primary intended use of the credit facility is for general purposes, which may include working capital and other corporate expenses.
Tongmei initially borrowed $2.8 million against the credit facility. The repayment of the full amount is due on August 9, 2020. On September 12, 2019 Tongmei borrowed an additional $2.8 million against the credit facility. The repayment of the full amount is due on September 12, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, $5.7 million was included in “Bank loan” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Upon the respective maturities, Tongmei intends to apply for renewals.
In February 2020, our majority-owned subsidiary, BoYu, entered into a credit facility with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (“ICBC”) with a $1.4 million line of credit at an annual interest rate of approximately 0.15% over the loan prime rate. Accrued interest is calculated monthly and paid quarterly. The annual interest rate was approximately 4.3% as of June 30, 2020. The credit facility is collateralized by BoYu’s land use rights and its building located at its facility in Tianjin, China and BoYu’s accounts receivable. The primary intended use of the credit facility is for general purposes, which may include working capital and other corporate expenses.
In March 2020, BoYu borrowed $0.4 million against the credit facility. The repayment of the full amount is due in March 2021. As of June 30, 2020, $0.4 million was included in “Bank loan” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
We believe that we have adequate cash and investments to meet our operating needs over the next twelve months. If our sales decrease, however, our ability to generate cash from operations will be adversely affected which could adversely affect our future liquidity, require us to use cash at a more rapid rate than expected, and require us to seek additional capital.
Cash from operations could be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to those set forth below under Item 1A “Risk Factors”.
Contract to Purchase Goods and Services
Purchase orders or contracts for the purchase of certain goods and services are not considered to be part of our contractual obligations. We cannot determine the aggregate amount of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations because purchase orders may represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. For the purposes of this disclosure, contractual obligations for purchase of goods or services are defined as agreements that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum, or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Our purchase orders are based on our current needs and are fulfilled by our vendors within short time horizons. We also enter into contracts for outsourced services; however, the obligations under these contracts were not significant and the contracts generally contain clauses allowing for cancellation without significant penalty. Contractual obligations that are contingent upon the achievement of certain milestones would also not be included.
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Land Purchase and Investment Agreement
We have established a wafer processing production line in Dingxing, China. In addition to a land rights and building purchase agreement that we entered into with a private real estate development company to acquire our new manufacturing facility, we also entered into a cooperation agreement with the Dingxing local government. In addition to pledging its full support and cooperation, the Dingxing local government will issue certain tax credits to us as we achieve certain milestones. We, in turn, agreed to hire local workers over time, pay taxes when due and eventually demonstrate a total investment of approximately $90 million in value, assets and capital. The investment will include cash paid for the land and buildings, cash on deposit in our name at local banks, the gross value of new and used equipment (including future equipment that might be used for indium phosphide and germanium substrates production), the deemed value for our customer list or the end user of our substrates (for example, the end users of the 3-D sensing VCSELs), a deemed value for employment of local citizens, a deemed value for our proprietary process technology, other intellectual property, other intangibles and additional items of value. There is no timeline or deadline by which this must be accomplished, rather it is a good faith covenant entered into between AXT and the Dingxing local government. Further, there is no specific penalty contemplated if either party breaches the agreement. However, the agreement does state that each party has a right to seek from the other party compensation for losses. Under certain conditions, the Dingxing local government may purchase the land and building at the appraised value. We believe that such cooperation agreements are normal, customary and usual in China and that the future valuation is flexible. We have a similar agreement with the city of Kazuo, China, although on a smaller scale. The total investment targeted by AXT in Kazuo is approximately $15 million in value, assets and capital. In addition, BoYu has a similar agreement with the city of Kazuo. The total investment targeted by BoYu in Kazuo is approximately $8 million in value, assets and capital.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements and have never established any special purpose entities as defined under SEC Regulation S-K Item 303(a)(4)(ii).
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects, if any, on our condensed consolidated financial statements, please see “Note 18 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Currency Risk
A significant portion of our business is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Foreign exchange losses have had a material adverse effect on our operating results and cash flows in the past and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and cash flows in the future. If we do not effectively manage the risks associated with this currency risk, our revenue, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected. Although during 2019 and 2018, we recorded a foreign exchange gain of $321,000 and $165,000, respectively, during 2017 we recorded net foreign exchange loss of $602,000, included as part of other (expense) income, net in our consolidated statements of operations. We incur foreign currency transaction exchange gains and losses due to operations in general. In the future we may experience foreign exchange losses on our non-functional currency denominated receivables and payables to the extent that we have not mitigated our exposure. Foreign exchange losses could have a materially adverse effect on our operating results and cash flows.
Our product sales to Japanese customers are typically invoiced in Japanese yen. As such, we have foreign exchange exposure on our accounts receivable and on any Japanese yen denominated cash deposits. To partially protect us against fluctuations in foreign currency resulting from accounts receivable in Japanese yen, starting in 2015, we instituted a foreign currency hedging program. We place short term hedges that are intended to offset the potential cash exposure related to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the United States dollar and Japanese yen. We measure the fair value of these hedges at each month end and quarter end using current exchange rates and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. At quarter end and year end any foreign currency hedges not settled are netted on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and consolidated balance sheet, respectively, and classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the net change in fair value from the placement of the hedge to settlement at each month end during the quarter had a de minimis impact to the consolidated results.
The functional currency for our foreign operations is the renminbi, the local currency of China, and in the future we may establish short term hedges covering renminbi. Most of our operations are conducted in China and most of our costs are incurred in Chinese renminbi, which subjects us to fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Chinese renminbi. We incur transaction gains or losses resulting from consolidation of expenses incurred in local currencies for our Chinese subsidiaries, as well as in translation of the assets and liabilities at each balance sheet date. Our financial results could be adversely affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in foreign markets, including the revaluation by China of the renminbi, and any future adjustments that China may make to its currency such as any move it might make to a managed float system with opportunistic interventions. We may also experience foreign exchange losses on our non-functional currency denominated receivables and payables.
We currently are using a hedging program to minimize the effects of currency fluctuations relating to the Japanese yen. While we may apply this program to other currencies, such as the Chinese renminbi, our hedging position is partial and may not exist at all in the future. It may not succeed in minimizing our foreign currency fluctuation risks. Our primary objective in holding these instruments is to reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. The program is not designated for trading or speculative purposes. The company may choose not to hedge certain foreign exchange exposures for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to accounting considerations and the prohibitive economic cost of hedging particular exposures. However, even with our hedging program, we still experience losses on foreign exchange from time to time.
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Interest Rate Risk
Cash and cash equivalents earning interest and certain variable rate debt instruments are subject to interest rate fluctuations. The following table sets forth the probable impact of a 10% change in interest rates (in thousands):
|
| | |
| |
| | |
| Proforma 10% |
| Proforma 10% |
| ||
| | Balance as of | | Current | | Projected Annual | | Interest Rate | | Interest Rate |
| ||||
| | June 30, | | Interest | | Interest | | Decline | | Increase |
| ||||
Instrument | | 2020 | | Rate | | Income | | Income | | Income |
| ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 26,515 |
| 0.19 | % | $ | 50 | | $ | 45 | | $ | 55 | |
Investments in marketable debt | |
| 5,967 |
| 1.93 | % |
| 115 | |
| 104 | |
| 127 | |
| | | | | | | $ | 165 | | $ | 149 | | $ | 182 | |
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while maximizing income without significantly increasing risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and trade accounts receivable. We invest primarily in money market accounts, certificates of deposits, corporate bonds and notes, and government securities. We are exposed to credit risks in the event of default by the issuers to the extent of the amount recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. These securities are generally classified as available-for-sale and consequently are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of estimated tax, further reduced by a valuation allowance for expected credit losses, if any. Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and long-term investments are in high-quality instruments placed with major banks and financial institutions and commercial paper. We have no investments in auction rate securities.
Credit Risk
We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition, and limit the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary, but generally do not require collateral. The credit risk in our accounts receivable is mitigated by our credit evaluation process and the broad dispersion of sales transactions. Two customers accounted for 13% and 12% of our trade accounts receivable balance as of June 30, 2020, respectively, and three customers accounted for 14%, 13% and 12% of our trade accounts receivable as of December 31, 2019, respectively.
Equity Risk
As part of our supply chain strategy, we maintain minority investments in privately-held raw material companies located in China either invested directly by us or by one of our supply chain companies in China. These minority investments are reviewed for other than temporary declines in value on a quarterly basis. These investments are classified as other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and accounted for under either the equity or cost method, depending on whether we have the ability to exercise significant influence over their operations or financial decisions. We monitor our investments for impairment and record reductions in carrying value when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reasons for other than temporary declines in value include whether the related company would have insufficient cash flow to operate for the next twelve months, significant changes in the operating performance and changes in market conditions. The period ended December 31, 2019 includes an impairment charge from March 31, 2019 of $1.1 million for a germanium materials company in China in which we have a 25% ownership interest (see Note 7). As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we did not maintain any direct investments under the cost method. Our minority investments under the equity method as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 totaled $5.6 million and $6.0 million, respectively.
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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as defined under Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) were effective at the reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Securities Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our disclosure controls and procedures include components of our internal control over financial reporting. Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is expressed at the level of reasonable assurance because a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time we may be involved in judicial or administrative proceedings concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect that any of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operation.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
For ease of reference, we have divided these risks and uncertainties into the following general categories:
| I. | Risks related to our general business; |
| II. | Risks related to international aspects of our business; |
| III. | Risks related to our financial results and capital structure; |
| IV. | Risks related to our intellectual property; and |
| V. | Risks related to compliance, environmental regulations and other legal matters. |
I. Risks Related to Our General Business
Silicon substrates (wafers) are significantly lower in cost compared to substrates made from specialty materials, and new silicon-based technologies could enable silicon-based substrates to replace specialty material based substrates for certain applications.
Historically silicon wafers or substrates are less expensive than specialty material substrates, such as those that we produce. Electronic circuit designers will generally consider silicon first and only turn to alternative materials if silicon cannot provide the required functionality in terms of power consumption, speed, wave lengths or other specifications. Beginning in 2011, certain applications that had previously used GaAs substrates, specifically the RF chip in mobile phones, adopted a new silicon-based technology called silicon on insulator, or SOI. SOI technology uses a silicon-insulator-silicon layered substrate in place of conventional silicon substrates in semiconductor manufacturing. SOI substrates cost less than GaAs substrates and, although their performance is not as robust as GaAs substrates in terms of power consumption, heat generation and speed, they became acceptable in mobile phones and other applications that were previously dominated by GaAs substrates. The adoption of SOI resulted in decreased GaAs wafer demand, and decreased revenue. If SOI or new silicon-based technologies gain more widespread market acceptance, or are used in more applications, our sales of specialty material based substrates could be reduced and our business and operating results could be significantly and adversely affected.
The continuing spread of COVID-19 has affected our business operations and financial performance.
The continuing spread of COVID-19 has impacted our operations and financial performance. To date, we believe we have limited the impact on our company. This outbreak has triggered references to the SARS outbreak, which occurred in 2003 and affected our business operations. Any severe occurrence of an outbreak of a contagious disease such as COVID-19, SARS, Avian Flu or Ebola may cause us or the government to temporarily close our manufacturing operations in China. In January 2020, virtually all companies in China were ordered to remain closed after the traditional Lunar New Year holiday ended, including our subsidiaries in China. If there is a renewed surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, the Chinese government may require companies to close again. If one or more of our key suppliers is required to close for an extended period, we might not have enough raw material inventories to continue manufacturing operations. In addition, travel restrictions between China and the U.S. have disrupted our normal movement to and from China and this has impacted our efficiency. Also, the outbreak has affected transportation and reduced the availability of air transport, caused port closures, and increased border controls and closures. If our manufacturing operations were
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closed for a significant period or we experience difficulty in shipping our products, we could lose revenue and market share, which would depress our financial performance and could be difficult to recapture. If one of our key customers is required to close for an extended period this may delay the placement of new orders. As a result, our revenue would decline. Further, customers might default on their obligations to us. In the first quarter of 2020 we observed an increase in our accounts receivable and believe this is the result of businesses slowing down and a general cautiousness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such events would negatively impact our financial performance.
Our gross margin has fluctuated historically and may decline due to several factors.
Our gross margin has fluctuated from period to period as a result of increases or decreases in total revenue, unit volume, shifts in product mix, shifts in the cost of raw materials, costs related to the relocation of our gallium arsenide and germanium production lines, including costs related to hiring additional manufacturing employees at our new locations, tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, the introduction of new products, decreases in average selling prices for products, utilization of our manufacturing capacity, fluctuations in manufacturing yields and our ability to reduce product costs. These factors and other variables change from period to period and these fluctuations are expected to continue in the future. A recent example is that in the second quarter of 2019 our gross margin was 34.3% but it dropped to 21.0% in the fourth quarter of 2019 as a result of several of these factors.
Further, we do not control the prices at which our raw material companies sell their raw material products to third parties and we do not control their production process. However, because we consolidate the results of two of these raw material companies with our own, any reduction in their gross margins could have a significant, adverse impact on our overall gross margins. One or more of our companies has in the past sold, and may in the future sell, raw materials at significantly reduced prices in order to gain volume sales or sales to new customers. In addition, at some points in the last three years, the market price of gallium dropped below our per unit inventory cost and we incurred an inventory write down under the lower of cost or net realizable value accounting rules.
Shutdowns or underutilizing our manufacturing facilities may result in declines in our gross margins.
An important factor in our success is the extent to which we are able to utilize the available capacity in our manufacturing facilities. A number of factors and circumstances may reduce utilization rates, including periods of industry overcapacity, low levels of customer orders, operating inefficiencies, mechanical failures and disruption of operations due to expansion, power interruptions, fire, flood, other natural disasters or calamities or government-ordered mandatory factory shutdowns, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Severe air pollution in Beijing can trigger mandatory factory shutdowns. For example, in the first quarter of 2018, over 300 manufacturing companies, including AXT, were intermittently shut down by the local government for a total of ten days from February 27 to March 31, due to severe air pollution. Further, we are increasing capacity by adding two new sites, which may reduce our utilization rate and increase our depreciation charges, at least until we de-commission part of our Beijing site. Because many portions of our manufacturing costs are relatively fixed, high utilization rates are critical to our gross margins and operating results. If we fail to achieve acceptable manufacturing volumes or experience product shipment delays, our results of operations will be negatively affected. During periods of decreased demand, we have underutilized our manufacturing lines. If we are unable to improve utilization levels at our facilities during periods of decreased demand and correctly manage capacity, the fixed expense levels will have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, in the three months ended December 31, 2019, our revenue dropped to $18.4 million and our gross margin was only 21.0%.
If we are unable to utilize the available capacity in our manufacturing facilities, we may need to implement a restructuring plan, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, our results of operations and our financial condition. For example, in 2013, we concluded that incoming orders were insufficient and that we were significantly underutilizing our factory capacity. As a result, in February 2014, we announced a restructuring plan with respect to our wafer manufacturing company, Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tongmei”), in order to better align manufacturing capacity with demand. Under the restructuring plan, we recorded a charge of approximately $907,000 in the first quarter of 2014.
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If we receive fewer customer orders than forecasted or if our customers delay or cancel orders, we may not be able to reduce our manufacturing costs in the short-term and our gross margins would be negatively affected. In addition, lead times required by our customers are shrinking, which reduces our ability to forecast orders and properly balance our capacity utilization.
If we have low product yields, the shipment of our products may be delayed and our product cost and operating results may be adversely impacted.
A critical factor in our product cost is yield. Our products are manufactured using complex crystal growth and wafer processing technologies, and the number of usable wafer substrates we produce can fluctuate as a result of many factors, including:
| ● | poor control of furnace temperature and pressure; |
| ● | impurities in the materials used; |
| ● | contamination of the manufacturing environment; |
| ● | quality control and inconsistency in quality levels; |
| ● | lack of automation and inconsistent processing requiring manual manufacturing steps; |
| ● | substrate breakage during the manufacturing process; and |
| ● | equipment failure, power outages or variations in the manufacturing process. |
A current example where yield is of special concern is for our six-inch semi-conducting gallium arsenide substrates, which can be used for manufacturing opto-electronic devices in cell phones, enabling 3-D sensing. This application requires very low defect densities, also called etch pit densities, or EPD, and our yields will be lower than the yields achieved for the same substrate when it will be used in other applications. If we are unable to achieve the targeted quantity of low defect density substrates, then our manufacturing costs would increase and our gross margins would be negatively impacted.
In addition, we may modify our process to meet a customer specification, but this can impact our yields. If our yields decrease, our revenue could decline if we are unable to produce products to our customers’ requirements. At the same time, our manufacturing costs could remain fixed, or could increase. Lower yields negatively impact our gross margin. We have experienced product shipment delays and difficulties in achieving acceptable yields on both new and older products, and such delays and poor yields have adversely affected our operating results. We may experience similar problems in the future and we cannot predict when they may occur, their duration or severity.
If our manufacturing processes result in defects in our products making them unfit for use by our customers, our products would be rejected, resulting in compensation costs paid to our customers, and possible disqualification. This could lead to revenue loss and market share loss.
Risks exist in relocating our gallium arsenide and germanium manufacturing operations.
The Chinese government has imposed, and may impose in the future, manufacturing restrictions and regulations that require us to move part of our manufacturing operations to a different location or temporarily cease or limit manufacturing. Such relocation, or other restrictions on manufacturing, could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and our financial condition.
The Beijing city government is moving its offices into the area where our original manufacturing facility is currently located and is in the process of moving thousands of government employees into this area. The government has
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constructed showcase tower buildings and overseen the establishment of new apartment complexes, retail stores and restaurants. An amusement park is being constructed within a few miles of our facility. To create room and upgrade the district, the city instructed virtually all existing manufacturing companies, including AXT, to relocate all or some of their manufacturing lines. We were instructed to move our gallium arsenide manufacturing line out of the area. For reasons of manufacturing efficiency we elected to also move our germanium manufacturing line. Our indium phosphide manufacturing line, as well as various administrative and sales functions, will remain primarily at our original site for the near future.
To mitigate our risks and maintain our production schedule, we moved our gallium arsenide equipment in stages. By December 31, 2019, we ceased all crystal growth for gallium arsenide in our original manufacturing facility in Beijing and transferred 100% of our ingot production to our new manufacturing facility in Kazuo, a city approximately 250 miles from Beijing. We have transferred our wafer processing equipment for gallium arsenide to our new manufacturing facility in Dingxing, a city approximately 75 miles from Beijing. Our key focus now is transferring volume production of the wafer processing steps for gallium arsenide to Dingxing. This process is ongoing. Some of our larger, more sophisticated customers want to perform a site qualification and subsequently, work with us to ramp up production at Dingxing. The new facilities are intended to give us the long-term capacity and a new level of technological sophistication in our manufacturing capabilities to support the major trends that we believe are likely to drive demand for our products in the years ahead.
Customer qualification of the Dingxing site requires us to continue to diligently address the many details that arise at both of the new sites. A failure to properly accomplish this could result in disruption to our production and have a material adverse impact on our revenue, our results of operations and our financial condition. If we fail to meet the product qualification requirements of a customer, we may lose sales to that customer. Our reputation may also be damaged. Any loss of sales could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, our results of operations and our financial condition.
Some of our key employees are relocating to our new manufacturing sites. Travel restrictions within China resulting from COVID-19 have impacted their relocation and hindered commuting. Certain employees may choose not to relocate. If we are unable to continue to employ those key employees in our original manufacturing facility, we may be required to terminate those employees and could incur severance costs. If the Chinese government does not assist us in this matter it could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and our financial condition. Further, a loss of key employees or our inability to hire qualified employees could disrupt our production, which could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and our financial condition.
The Chinese government has in the past imposed temporary restrictions on manufacturing facilities, such as the restrictions imposed on polluting factories for the 2008 Olympics and the 2014 Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation event. These restrictions included a shutdown of the transportation of materials and power plants to reduce air pollution. To reduce air pollution in Beijing, the Chinese government has sometimes limited the construction of new, or expansion of existing, facilities by manufacturing companies in the Beijing area or required mandatory factory shutdowns. For example, in the first quarter of 2018, over 300 manufacturing companies, including AXT, were intermittently shut down by the local government for a total of ten days from February 27 to March 31 due to severe air pollution. If the government applies similar restrictions to us or requires mandatory factory shutdowns in the future, then such restrictions or shutdowns could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and our financial condition. Our ability to supply current or new orders could be significantly impacted. Customers could then be required to purchase products from our competitors, causing our competitors to take market share from us.
In addition, from time to time, the Chinese government issues new regulations, which may require additional actions on our part to comply. On February 27, 2015, the China State Administration of Work Safety updated its list of hazardous substances. The previous list, which was published in 2002, did not restrict the materials that we use in our wafers. The new list added gallium arsenide. As a result of the newly published list, we were instructed to obtain a permit to continue to manufacture our gallium arsenide wafer substrates. The Beijing municipal authority accepted our permit application in May 2015, but has not issued to us the requisite permit while we continue to execute our plan to relocate our gallium arsenide production. If our application is denied in the future before we complete our relocation,
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then our gallium arsenide production could be disrupted, which could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and our financial condition.
Customers may require that they re-qualify our gallium arsenide wafer substrates or the new sites as a result of relocating our gallium arsenide manufacturing line.
As required by the Beijing city government we are relocating gallium arsenide production so that it is not within Beijing. To mitigate our risks and maintain our production schedule, we moved our gallium arsenide equipment in stages. By December 31, 2019, all crystal growth for gallium arsenide was closed in Beijing and 100% of our ingot production is now in Kazuo, a city approximately 250 miles from Beijing. Wafer processing equipment for gallium arsenide has been moved to Dingxing, a city approximately 75 miles from Beijing. Our key focus now is transferring volume production of the wafer processing steps for gallium arsenide to Dingxing. This process is ongoing. Some of our larger, more sophisticated customers want to perform a site qualification and subsequently work with us to ramp up production at Dingxing.
Customer qualification of the Dingxing site requires us to continue to diligently address the many details that arise at both of the new sites. A failure to properly accomplish this could result in disruption to our production and have a material adverse impact on our revenue, our results of operations and our financial condition. If we fail to meet the product qualification requirements of a customer, we may lose sales to that customer. Our reputation may also be damaged. Any loss of sales could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, our results of operations and our financial condition.
Global economic and political conditions, including trade tariffs and restrictions, may have a negative impact on our business and financial results.
In September 2018, the Trump Administration announced a list of thousands of categories of goods that became subject to tariffs when imported into the United States. This pronouncement imposed tariffs on wafer substrates we imported into the United States. The initial tariff rate was 10% and subsequently was increased to 25%. Approximately 10% of our revenue derives from importing our wafers into the United States. In the six months ended June 30, 2020 we paid approximately $470,000 in tariffs. In the year 2019, we paid approximately $735,000 in tariffs. The future impact of tariffs and trade wars is uncertain.
The economic and political conditions between China and the United States, in our view, create an unstable business environment. Trade restrictions against China have resulted in a greater determination within China to be self-sufficient and produce more goods domestically. Government agencies in China may be encouraging and supporting the founding of new companies, the addition of new products in existing companies and more vertical integration within companies. These factors have resulted in lower revenue from sales of our wafer substrates in China.
Our operations and financial results depend on worldwide economic and political conditions and their impact on levels of business spending, which has deteriorated significantly in many countries and regions. Uncertainties in the political, financial and credit markets may cause our customers to postpone deliveries. The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 virus is an additional cause of uncertainty. Delays in the placement of new orders and extended uncertainties may reduce future sales of our products and services. The revenue growth and profitability of our business depends on the overall demand for our substrates. Because the end users of our products are primarily large companies whose businesses fluctuate with general economic and business conditions, a softening of demand for products that use our substrates, caused by a weakening economy, may result in decreased revenue. Customers may find themselves facing excess inventory from earlier purchases, and may defer or reconsider purchasing products due to the downturn in their business and in the general economy. If market conditions deteriorate, we may experience increased collection times and greater write-offs, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our profitability and our cash flow.
Future tightening of credit markets and concerns regarding the availability of credit may make it more difficult for our customers to raise capital, whether debt or equity, to finance their purchases of capital equipment or of the products we sell. Delays in our customers’ ability to obtain such financing, or the unavailability of such financing, would adversely affect our product sales and revenues and, therefore, harm our business and operating results. We cannot
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predict the timing, duration of or effect on our business of any future economic downturn or the timing or strength of any subsequent recovery.
If any of our facilities are damaged by occurrences such as fire, explosion, power outage or natural disaster, we might not be able to manufacture our products.
The ongoing operation of our manufacturing and production facilities in China is critical to our ability to meet demand for our products. If we are not able to use all or a significant portion of our facilities for prolonged periods for any reason, we would not be able to manufacture products for our customers. For example, a fire or explosion caused by our use of combustible chemicals, high furnace temperatures or, in the case of InP, high pressure during our manufacturing processes could render some of our facilities inoperable for an indefinite period of time. Actions outside of our control, such as earthquakes or other natural disasters, could also damage our facilities, rendering them inoperable. If we are unable to operate our facilities and manufacture our products, we would lose customers and revenue and our business would be harmed.
On the evening of March 15, 2017, an electrical short-circuit fire occurred at our Beijing manufacturing facility. The electrical power supply supporting 2-inch, 3-inch and 4-inch gallium arsenide and germanium crystal growth was damaged and production in that area was stopped. In addition, a waste water pipe was damaged resulting in a halt to wafer processing for four days until the pipe could be repaired. We were able to rotate key furnace hardware and use some of the 6-inch capacity for smaller diameter crystal growth production to mitigate the impact of the fire and resume production. If we are unable to recover from a fire or natural disaster, our business and operating results could be materially and adversely affected.
Demand for our products may decrease if demand for the end-user applications decrease or if manufacturers downstream in our supply chain experience difficulty manufacturing, marketing or selling their products.
Our products are used to produce components for electronic and opto-electronic products. Accordingly, demand for our products is subject to the demand for end-user applications which utilize our products, as well as factors affecting the ability of the manufacturers downstream in our supply chain to introduce and market their products successfully, including:
| ● | worldwide economic and political conditions and their impact on levels of business spending; |
| ● | the competition such manufacturers face in their particular industries; |
| ● | end of life obsolescence of products containing devices built on our wafers; |
| ● | the technical, manufacturing, sales, marketing and management capabilities of such manufacturers; |
| ● | the financial and other resources of such manufacturers; and |
| ● | the inability of such manufacturers to sell their products if they infringe third-party intellectual property rights. |
If demand for the end-user applications for which our products are used decreases, or if manufacturers downstream in our supply chain are unable to develop, market and sell their products, demand for our products will decrease. For example, during 2019 widespread political and economic instability and trade war concerns resulted in a general slowdown and our revenue decreased significantly. Additionally, in the second half of 2016, manufacturers producing and selling passive optical network devices known as EPONs and GPONs experienced a slowdown in demand resulting in surplus inventory on hand. The slowdown persisted until late in 2017. This resulted in a slowdown of sales of our InP substrates used in the PON market. We expect similar cycles of strong demand followed by lower demand will occur for various InP, GaAs or Ge substrates in the future.
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Our revenue, gross margins and profitability can be hurt if the average sales price of the various raw materials in our partially-owned companies decreases.
Although the companies in our vertically integrated supply chain have historically made a positive contribution to our financial performance, when the average selling prices for the raw materials produced decline, this results in a negative impact on our revenue, gross margin and profitability. For example, the average selling prices for 4N gallium and for germanium were driven down by oversupply in recent years, and negatively impacted our financial results. In 2019, 2018 and 2017, the companies accounted for under the equity method of accounting contributed a loss of $1.9 million, $1.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively, to our consolidated financial statements. Further, in several quarters over the past three years, one of our consolidated subsidiaries incurred a lower of cost or net realizable value inventory write down, which negatively impacted our consolidated gross margin. In March 2019, we ceased to consolidate this company. In the first quarter of 2019, we incurred an impairment charge of $1.1 million for a germanium materials company in China in which we have a 25% ownership interest, writing down our investment to zero value. If the pricing environment remains stressed by oversupply and our joint venture companies cannot reduce their production costs, then the reduced average selling prices of the raw materials produced by our joint venture companies will have a continuing adverse impact on our revenue, gross margins and net profit.
Problems incurred in our raw material joint venture companies or investment partners could result in a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
We have invested in raw material joint venture companies in China that produce materials, including 99.99% pure gallium (4N Ga), high purity gallium (7N Ga), arsenic, germanium, germanium dioxide, pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) crucibles and boron oxide (B2O3). We purchase a portion of the materials produced by these companies for our use and they sell the remainder of their production to third parties. Our ownership and the ownership held by one of the joint venture companies range from 100% to 25%. We consolidate the companies in which we have a majority or controlling financial interest and employ equity accounting for the companies in which we have a smaller ownership interest. Several of these companies occupy space within larger facilities owned and/or operated by one of the other investment partners. Several of these partners are engaged in other manufacturing activities at or near the same facility. In some facilities, we share access to certain functions, including water, hazardous waste treatment or air quality treatment. If a partner in any of these ventures experiences problems with its operations, or deliberately withholds or disrupts services, disruptions in the operations of our companies could occur, having a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operation in these companies, and correspondingly on our financial condition or results of operations. For example, since gallium is a by-product of aluminum, our raw gallium joint venture in China, which is housed in and receives services from an affiliated aluminum plant, could generate lower production and shipments of gallium as a result of reduced services provided by the aluminum plant. Accordingly, in order to meet customer supply obligations, our supply chain may have to source materials from another independent third-party supplier, resulting in higher costs and reduced gross margin.
The China central government has become increasingly concerned about environmental hazards. Air pollution is a well-known problem in Beijing and other parts of China. In days of severe air pollution, the government has ordered manufacturing companies to stop all production. The central government is also tightening control over hazardous chemicals and other hazardous elements such as arsenic, which is produced by two of our unconsolidated joint venture companies. Further, the central government encourages employees to report to the appropriate regulatory agencies possible safety or environmental violations, but there may not be actual violations. Regular use in the normal course of business of hazardous chemicals or hazardous elements or a company’s failure to meet the ever-tightening standards for control of hazardous chemicals or hazardous elements could result in orders to shut down permanently, fines or other severe measures. Any such orders directed at one of our joint venture companies could result in impairment charges if the company is forced to close its business, cease operations or incurs fines or operating losses, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial results. In the first quarter of 2019, we incurred an impairment charge of $1.1 million for a germanium materials company in China in which we have a 25% ownership interest, writing down our investment to zero value.
Further, if any of our joint venture companies or investment partners with which our joint ventures share facilities is deemed to have violated applicable laws, rules or regulations governing the use, storage, discharge or
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disposal of hazardous chemicals, the operations of that joint venture could be adversely affected and we could be subject to substantial liability for clean-up efforts, personal injury, fines or suspension or termination of our joint venture’s operations. Employees working for our joint ventures or any of the other investment partners could bring litigation against us as a result of actions taken at the joint venture or investment partner facilities, even though we are not directly controlling those operations. While we would expect to defend ourselves vigorously in any litigation that is brought against us, litigation is inherently uncertain and it is possible that our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be affected. Even if we are not deemed responsible for the actions of the joint ventures or investment partners, litigation could be costly, time consuming to defend and divert management attention; in addition, if we are deemed to be the most financially viable of the partners, plaintiffs may decide to pursue us for damages.
Intense competition in the markets for our products could prevent us from increasing revenue and achieving profitability.
The markets for our products are intensely competitive. We face competition for our wafer substrate products from other manufacturers of substrates, such as Sumitomo, JX, Freiberger, Umicore, and CCTC, and from companies, such as Qorvo and Skyworks, that are actively considering alternative materials to GaAs and marketing semiconductor devices using these alternative materials. We believe that at least two of our major competitors are shipping high volumes of GaAs substrates manufactured using a process similar to our VGF process technology. Other competitors may develop and begin using similar technology. Sumitomo and JX also compete with us in the InP market. If we are unable to compete effectively, our revenue may decrease and we may not maintain profitability. We face many competitors that have a number of significant advantages over us, including:
| ● | greater name recognition and market share in the business; |
| ● | more manufacturing experience; |
| ● | extensive intellectual property; and |
| ● | significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources. |
Our competitors could develop new or enhanced products that are more effective than our products.
The level and intensity of competition has increased over the past years and we expect competition to continue to increase in the future. Competitive pressures have resulted in reductions in the prices of our products, and continued or increased competition could reduce our market share, require us to further reduce the prices of our products, affect our ability to recover costs and result in reduced gross margins and profitability.
In addition, new competitors have and may continue to emerge, such as a crystal growing company established by a former employee in China that is supplying semi-conducting GaAs wafers to the LED market. Competition from sources such as this could increase, particularly if these competitors are able to obtain large capital investments. Further, recent trade tensions between China and the United States have resulted in a greater determination within China to be self-sufficient and produce more goods domestically. This could result in the formation of new competitors that would compete against our company and adversely affect our financial results.
Cyber-attacks, system security risks and data protection issues could disrupt our internal operations and cause a reduction in revenue, increase in expenses, negatively impact our results of operation or result in other adverse consequences.
Like most technology companies, we could be targeted in cyber-attacks. We face a risk that experienced computer programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate our network security and misappropriate or compromise our confidential and proprietary information, potentially without being detected. Our employees working remotely as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic increases our vulnerability in this regard. Computer programmers and hackers also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attack our information technology infrastructure. The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate cyber or other security problems, bugs,
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viruses, worms, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant, and our efforts to address these problems may not be successful and could result in interruptions and delays that may impede our sales, manufacturing, distribution, accounting or other critical functions.
Breaches of our security measures could create system disruptions or cause shutdowns or result in the accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure or unapproved dissemination of proprietary information or sensitive or confidential data about us. Cyber-attacks could use fraud, trickery or other forms of deception. A cyber-attack could expose us to a risk of loss or misuse of information, result in litigation and potential liability, damage our reputation or otherwise harm our business. In addition, the cost and operational consequences of implementing further data protection measures could be significant.
Portions of our information technology infrastructure might also experience interruptions, delays or cessations of service or produce errors in connection with systems integration or migration work that takes place from time to time, which may have a material impact on our business. We may not be successful in implementing new systems and transitioning data, which could cause business disruptions and be more expensive, time consuming, disruptive and resource-intensive than originally anticipated. Such disruptions could adversely impact our ability to fulfill orders and interrupt other processes. Delayed sales, lower margins or lost customers could adversely affect our financial results and reputation.
The average selling prices of our substrates may decline over relatively short periods, which may reduce our revenue and gross margins.
Since the market for our products is characterized by declining average selling prices resulting from various factors, such as increased competition, overcapacity, the introduction of new products and decreased sales of products incorporating our products, the average selling prices for our products may decline over relatively short time periods. We have in the past experienced, and in the future may experience, substantial period-to-period fluctuations in operating results due to declining average selling prices. In certain years, we have experienced an average selling price decline of our substrate selling prices of approximately 5% to 10%, depending on the substrate product. It is possible that the pace of the decline of average selling prices could accelerate beyond these levels for certain products in a commoditizing market. We anticipate that average selling prices will decrease in the future in response to the unstable demand environment, price reductions by competitors, or by other factors, including pricing pressures from significant customers. When our average selling prices decline, our revenue and gross profit decline, unless we are able to sell more products or reduce the cost to manufacture our products. We generally attempt to combat an average selling price decline by improving yields and manufacturing efficiencies and working to reduce the costs of our raw materials and of manufacturing our products. We also need to sell our current products in increasing volumes to offset any decline in their average selling prices, and introduce new products, which we may not be able to do, or do on a timely basis.
In order to remain competitive, we must continually work to reduce the cost of manufacturing our products and improve our yields and manufacturing efficiencies. Our efforts may not allow us to keep pace with competitive pricing pressures which could adversely affect our margins. There is no assurance that any changes effected by us will result in sufficient cost reductions to allow us to reduce the price of our products to remain competitive or improve our gross margins.
Defects in our products could diminish demand for our products.
Our wafer products are complex and may contain defects, including defects resulting from impurities inherent in our raw materials or inconsistencies in our manufacturing processes. We have experienced quality control problems with some of our products, which caused customers to return products to us, reduce orders for our products, or both. If we experience quality control problems, or experience other manufacturing problems, customers may return product for credit, cancel or reduce orders or purchase products from our competitors. We may be unable to maintain or increase sales to our customers and sales of our products could decline. Defects in our products could cause us to incur higher manufacturing costs and suffer product returns and additional service expenses, all of which could adversely impact our operating results. If new products developed by us contain defects when released, our customers may be dissatisfied and
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we may suffer negative publicity or customer claims against us, lose sales or experience delays in market acceptance of our new products.
Our substrate products have a long qualification cycle that makes it difficult to forecast revenue from new customers or for new products sold to existing customers.
New customers typically place orders with us for our substrate products three months to a year or more after our initial contact with them. The sale of our products is subject to our customers’ lengthy internal evaluation and approval processes. During this time, we may incur substantial expenses and expend selling, marketing and management efforts while the customers evaluate our products. These expenditures may not result in sales of our products. If we do not achieve anticipated sales in a period as expected, we may experience an unplanned shortfall in our revenue. As a result, our operating results would be adversely affected. In addition, if we fail to meet the product qualification requirements of the customer, we may not have another opportunity to sell that product to that customer for many months or even years. In the current competitive climate, the average qualification and sales cycle for our products has lengthened even further and is expected to continue to make it difficult for us to forecast our future sales accurately. We anticipate that sales of any future substrate products will also have lengthy qualification periods and will, therefore, be subject to risks substantially similar to those inherent in the lengthy sales cycles of our current substrate products.
The loss of one or more of our key substrate customers would significantly hurt our operating results.
From time to time, sales to one or more of our customers individually represent more than 10% of our revenue and if we were to lose a major customer the loss would negatively impact our revenue. Our customers are not obligated to purchase a specified quantity of our products or to provide us with binding forecasts of product purchases. In addition, our customers may reduce, delay or cancel orders. In the past, we have experienced a slowdown in bookings, significant push-outs and cancellation of orders from customers. If we lose a major customer or if a customer cancels, reduces or delays orders, our revenue would decline. In addition, customers that have accounted for significant revenue in the past may not continue to generate revenue for us in any future period. Any loss of customers or any delay in scheduled shipments of our products could cause revenue to fall below our expectations and the expectations of market analysts or investors, causing our stock price to decline.
The cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry may limit our ability to maintain or increase net sales and operating results during industry downturns.
The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and periodically experiences significant economic downturns characterized by diminished product demand, resulting in production overcapacity and excess inventory in the markets we serve. A downturn can result in lower unit volumes and rapid erosion of average selling prices. The semiconductor industry has experienced significant downturns, often in connection with, or in anticipation of, maturing product cycles of both semiconductor companies’ and their customers’ products or a decline in general economic conditions. This may adversely affect our results of operations and the value of our business.
Our continuing business depends in significant part upon manufacturers of electronic and opto-electronic compound semiconductor devices, as well as the current and anticipated market demand for these devices and products using these devices. As a supplier to the semiconductor industry, we are subject to the business cycles that characterize the industry. The timing, length and volatility of these cycles are difficult to predict. The compound semiconductor industry has historically been cyclical due to sudden changes in demand, the amount of manufacturing capacity and changes in the technology employed in compound semiconductors. The rate of changes in demand, including end demand, is high, and the effect of these changes upon us occurs quickly, exacerbating the volatility of these cycles. These changes have affected the timing and amounts of customers’ purchases and investments in new technology. These industry cycles create pressure on our revenue, gross margin and net income.
Our industry has in the past experienced periods of oversupply and that has resulted in significantly reduced prices for compound semiconductor devices and components, including our products, both as a result of general economic changes and overcapacity. Oversupply causes greater price competition and can cause our revenue, gross margins and net income to decline. During periods of weak demand, customers typically reduce purchases, delay
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delivery of products and/or cancel orders for our products. Order cancellations, reductions in order size or delays in orders could occur and would materially adversely affect our business and results of operations. Actions to reduce our costs may be insufficient to align our structure with prevailing business conditions. We may be required to undertake additional cost-cutting measures, and may be unable to invest in marketing, research and development and engineering at the levels we believe are necessary to maintain our competitive position. Our failure to make these investments could seriously harm our business.
A significant portion of our operating expense and manufacturing costs are relatively fixed. If revenue for a particular quarter is lower than we expect, we likely will be unable to proportionately reduce our operating expenses or fixed manufacturing costs for that quarter, which would harm our operating results.
If we do not successfully develop new product features and improvements and new products that respond to customer requirements, our ability to generate revenue, obtain new customers, and retain existing customers may suffer.
Our success depends on our ability to offer new product features, improved performance characteristics and new products, such as larger diameter substrates, low defect density substrates, thicker or thinner substrates, substrates with extreme surface flatness specifications, substrates that are manufactured with a doped crystal growth process or substrates that incorporate leading technology and other technological advances. New products must meet customer needs and compete effectively on quality, price and performance. The markets for our products are characterized by rapid technological change, changing customer needs and evolving industry standards. If our competitors introduce products employing new technologies or performance characteristics, our existing products could become obsolete and unmarketable. Over time, we have seen our competitors selling more substrates manufactured using a crystal growth technology similar to ours, which has eroded our technological differentiation.
The development of new product features, improved performance characteristics and new products can be a highly complex process, and we may experience delays in developing and introducing them. Any significant delay could cause us to fail to timely introduce and gain market acceptance of new products. Further, the costs involved in researching, developing and engineering new products could be greater than anticipated. If we fail to offer new products or product enhancements or fail to achieve higher quality products, we may not generate sufficient revenue to offset our development costs and other expenses or meet our customers’ requirements.
We have made and may continue to make strategic investments in raw materials suppliers, which may not be successful and may result in the loss of all or part of our investment.
We have made direct investments or investments through our subsidiaries in raw material suppliers in China, which provide us with opportunities to gain supplies of key raw materials that are important to our substrate business. These affiliates each have a market beyond that provided by us. We do not have significant influence over every one of these companies and in some we have made only a strategic, minority investment. We may not be successful in achieving the financial, technological or commercial advantage upon which any given investment is premised, and we could end up losing all or part of our investment which would have a negative impact on our results of operations. In the first quarter of 2017, we incurred an impairment charge of $313,000 against one of our partially-owned suppliers, writing down our investment to zero value. Most recently, in the first quarter of 2019, we incurred an impairment charge of $1.1 million for a germanium materials company in China in which we have a 25% ownership interest, writing down our investment to zero value. The significant decline in the selling prices of raw materials which began in 2015 has weakened some of these companies and their losses have negatively impacted our financial results. Further, the increasing concern and restrictions in China of hazardous chemicals and other hazardous elements could result in orders to shut down permanently, fines or other severe measures. Any such orders directed at one of our joint venture companies could result in impairment charges if the company is forced to close its business, cease operations or incurs fines, or operating losses, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
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We purchase critical raw materials and parts for our equipment from single or limited sources, and could lose sales if these sources fail to fill our needs.
We depend on a limited number of suppliers for certain raw materials, components and equipment used in manufacturing our products, including key materials such as quartz tubing, and polishing solutions. We generally purchase these materials through standard purchase orders and not pursuant to long-term supply contracts, and no supplier guarantees supply of raw materials or equipment to us. If we lose any of our key suppliers, our manufacturing efforts could be significantly hampered and we could be prevented from timely producing and delivering products to our customers. Prior to investing in our subsidiaries and joint ventures, we sometimes experienced delays obtaining critical raw materials and spare parts, including gallium, and we could experience such delays again in the future due to shortages of materials or for other reasons. Delays in receiving equipment or materials could result in higher costs and cause us to delay or reduce production of our products. If we have to delay or reduce production, we could fail to meet customer delivery schedules and our revenue and operating results could suffer.
We may not be able to identify or form additional complementary joint ventures.
We might invest in additional joint venture companies in order to remain competitive in our marketplace and ensure a supply of critical raw materials. However, we may not be able to identify additional complementary joint venture opportunities or, even once opportunities are identified, we may not be able to reach agreement on the terms of the business venture with the other investment partners. Further, geopolitical tensions and trade wars could result in government agencies blocking such new joint ventures. New joint ventures could require cash investments or cause us to incur additional liabilities or other expenses, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
The financial condition of our customers may affect their ability to pay amounts owed to us.
Some of our customers may be undercapitalized and cope with cash flow issues. Because of competitive market conditions, we may grant our customers extended payment terms when selling products to them. Subsequent to our fulfilling an order, some customers have been unable to make payments when due, reducing our cash balances and causing us to incur charges to allow for a possibility that some accounts might not be paid. We observed an increase in our accounts receivable in the first quarter of 2020 and believe this has resulted from work stoppages, shelter-in-place orders and general cautiousness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past we, have had some customers file for bankruptcy. If our customers do not pay amounts owed to us then we will incur charges that would reduce our earnings.
We depend on the continuing efforts of our senior management team and other key personnel. If we lose members of our senior management team or other key personnel, or are unable to successfully recruit and train qualified personnel, our ability to manufacture and sell our products could be harmed.
Our future success depends on the continuing services of members of our senior management team and other key personnel. Our industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, and the turnover rate can be high. We compete for qualified management and other personnel with other specialty material companies and semiconductor companies. Our employees could leave our company with little or no prior notice and would be free to work for a competitor. If one or more of our senior executives or other key personnel were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, and other senior management may be required to divert attention from other aspects of the business. The loss of any of these individuals or our ability to attract or retain qualified personnel could adversely affect our business.
Our results of operations may suffer if we do not effectively manage our inventory.
We must manage our inventory of raw materials, work in process and finished goods effectively to meet changing customer requirements, while keeping inventory costs down and improving gross margins. Although we seek to maintain sufficient inventory levels of certain materials to guard against interruptions in supply and to meet our near term needs, we may experience shortages of certain key materials. Some of our products and supplies have in the past and may in the future become obsolete while in inventory due to changing customer specifications, or become excess
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inventory due to decreased demand for our products and an inability to sell the inventory within a foreseeable period. This would result in charges that reduce our gross profit and gross margin. Furthermore, if market prices drop below the prices at which we value inventory, we would need to take a charge for a reduction in inventory values in accordance with the lower of cost or net realizable value valuation rule. We have in the past had to take inventory valuation and impairment charges. Any future unexpected changes in demand or increases in costs of production that cause us to take additional charges for un-saleable, obsolete or excess inventory, or to reduce inventory values, would adversely affect our results of operations.
The effect of terrorist threats and actions on the general economy could decrease our revenue.
Countries such as the United States and China continue to be on alert for terrorist activity. The potential near and long-term impact terrorist activities may have in regards to our suppliers, customers and markets for our products and the economy is uncertain. There may be embargos of ports or products, or destruction of shipments or our facilities, or attacks that affect our personnel. There may be other potentially adverse effects on our operating results due to significant events that we cannot foresee. Since we perform all of our manufacturing operations in China, terrorist activity or threats against U.S.-owned enterprises are a particular concern to us.
II. Risks Related to International Aspects of Our Business
The Chinese central government is increasingly aware of air pollution and other forms of environmental pollution and their reform efforts can impact our manufacturing, including intermittent mandatory shutdowns.
The Chinese central government is demonstrating strong leadership to improve air quality and reduce environmental pollution. These efforts have impacted manufacturing companies through mandatory shutdowns, increased inspections and regulatory reforms. In the fourth quarter of 2017, many manufacturing companies in the greater Beijing area, including AXT, were instructed by the local government to cease most manufacturing for several days until the air quality improved. In the first quarter of 2018, from February 27 to March 31, over 300 manufacturing companies, including AXT, were again intermittently shut down by the local government for a total of ten days, or 30 percent of the remaining calendar days, due to severe air pollution. Our shipments were delayed and our revenue for the quarter was negatively impacted. We expect that mandatory factory shutdowns will occur in the future. If the frequency of such shutdowns increases, especially at the end of a quarter, or if the total number of days of shutdowns prevents us from producing enough wafers to ship, then these shutdowns will have a material adverse effect on our manufacturing output, revenue and factory utilization. Each of our raw material supply chain companies could also be impacted by environmental related orders from the central government.
Enhanced trade tariffs, import restrictions, export restrictions, Chinese regulations or other trade barriers may materially harm our business.
All of our wafer substrates are manufactured in China and in 2019, approximately 10% of our revenue was generated by sales to customers in North America, primarily in the U.S. In September 2018, the Trump Administration announced a list of thousands of categories of goods that became subject to tariffs when imported into the United States. This pronouncement imposed tariffs on wafer substrates we imported into the United States. The initial tariff rate was 10% and subsequently was increased to 25%. Approximately 10% of our revenue derives from importing our wafers into the United States. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 we paid approximately $470,000 in tariffs. In the year 2019 we paid approximately $735,000 in tariffs. The future impact of tariffs and trade wars is uncertain. We may be required to raise prices, which may result in the loss of customers and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially harmed. Additionally, the Trump Administration continues to signal that it may alter trade agreements and terms between China and the United States, including limiting trade with China, and may impose additional tariffs on imports from China. It is possible that our business could be adversely impacted by retaliatory trade measures taken by China or other countries in response to existing or future tariffs, which could cause us to raise prices or make changes to our operations, which could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The economic and political conditions between China and the United States, in our view, create an unstable business environment. Trade restrictions against China have resulted in a greater determination within China to be self-
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sufficient and produce more goods domestically. Government agencies in China may be encouraging and supporting the founding of new companies, the addition of new products in existing companies and more vertical integration within companies. These factors have resulted in lower revenue from sales of our wafer substrates in China. Further, the continued threats of tariffs and other trade restrictions could have a generally disruptive impact on the global economy and, therefore, negatively impact our sales.
In addition, we may incur increases in costs and other adverse business consequences, including loss of revenue or decreased gross margins, due to changes in tariffs, import or export restrictions, further trade barriers, or unexpected changes in regulatory requirements. For example, in July 2012, we received notice of retroactive value-added taxes (VATs) levied by the tax authorities in China, which applied for the period from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. We expensed the retroactive VATs of approximately $1.3 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2012, which resulted in a decrease in our gross margins. These VATs will continue to negatively impact our gross margins for the future quarters. Given the relatively fluid regulatory environment in China and the United States, there could be additional tax or other regulatory changes in the future. Any such changes could directly and materially adversely impact our financial results and general business condition.
The continuing spread of COVID-19 has affected our business operations and financial performance.
The continuing spread of COVID-19 has impacted our operations and financial performance. To date, we believe we have limited the impact on our company. This outbreak has triggered references to the SARS outbreak, which occurred in 2003 and affected our business operations. Any severe occurrence of an outbreak of a contagious disease such as COVID-19, SARS, Avian Flu or Ebola may cause us or the government to temporarily close our manufacturing operations in China. In January 2020, virtually all companies in China were ordered to remain closed after the traditional Lunar New Year holiday ended, including our subsidiaries in China. If there is a renewed surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, the Chinese government may require companies to close again. If one or more of our key suppliers is required to close for an extended period, we might not have enough raw material inventories to continue manufacturing operations. In addition, travel restrictions between China and the U.S. have disrupted our normal movement to and from China and this has impacted our efficiency. Also, the outbreak has affected transportation and reduced the availability of air transport, caused port closures, and increased border controls and closures. If our manufacturing operations were closed for a significant period or we experience difficulty in shipping our products, we could lose revenue and market share, which would depress our financial performance and could be difficult to recapture. If one of our key customers is required to close for an extended period this may delay the placement of new orders. As a result, our revenue would decline. Further, customers might default on their obligations to us. In the first quarter of 2020 we observed an increase in our accounts receivable and believe this is the result of businesses slowing down and a general cautiousness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such events would negatively impact our financial performance.
Financial market volatility and adverse changes in the domestic, global, political and economic environment could have a significant adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results.
We are subject to the risks arising from adverse changes and uncertainty in domestic and global economies. Uncertain global economic and political conditions or low or negative growth in China, Europe or the United States, along with volatility in the financial markets, increasing national debt and fiscal concerns in various regions, pose challenges to our industry. Currently China’s economy is slowing and this could impact our financial performance. In addition, tariffs, trade restrictions, trade wars and Brexit are creating an unstable environment and can disrupt or restrict commerce. Although we remain well-capitalized, the cost and availability of funds may be adversely affected by illiquid credit markets. Volatility in U.S. and international markets and economies may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and profitability. Another severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to our business, including:
| ● | increased volatility in our stock price; |
| ● | increased volatility in foreign currency exchange rates; |
| ● | delays in, or curtailment of, purchasing decisions by our customers or potential customers; |
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| ● | increased credit risk associated with our customers or potential customers, particularly those that may operate in industries most affected by the economic downturn; and |
| ● | impairment of our tangible or intangible assets. |
In the past, most recently in the fourth quarter of 2018 and continuing in 2019, we experienced delays in customer purchasing decisions and disruptions in a normal volume of customer orders that we believe were in part due to the uncertainties in the global economy, resulting in an adverse impact on consumer spending. During challenging and uncertain economic times and in tight credit markets, many customers delay or reduce technology purchases. Should similar events occur again, our business and operating results could be significantly and adversely affected.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from international sales, and our ability to sustain and increase our international sales involves significant risks.
Approximately 90% of our revenue is from international sales. We expect that sales to customers outside the United States, particularly sales to customers in Japan, Taiwan and China, will continue to represent a significant portion of our revenue. Therefore, our revenue growth depends significantly on the expansion of our international sales and operations.
All of our manufacturing facilities and most of our suppliers are also located outside the United States. Managing our overseas operations presents challenges, including periodic regional economic downturns, trade balance issues, threats of trade wars, varying business conditions and demands, political instability, variations in enforcement of intellectual property and contract rights in different jurisdictions, differences in the ability to develop relationships with suppliers and other local businesses, changes in U.S. and international laws and regulations, including U.S. export restrictions, fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates, the ability to provide sufficient levels of technical support in different locations, cultural differences and perceptions of U.S. companies, shipping delays, terrorist acts, acts of war, natural disasters and epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19, among other risks. Many of these challenges are present in China, which represents a large potential market for semiconductor devices. Global uncertainties with respect to: (i) economic growth rates in various countries; (ii) sustainability of demand for electronic products; (iii) capital spending by semiconductor manufacturers; (iv) price weakness for certain semiconductor devices; (v) changing and tightening environmental regulations; (vi) political instability in regions where we have operations; and (vii) trade wars may also affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our dependence on international sales involves a number of risks, including:
| ● | changes in tariffs, import restrictions, export restrictions, or other trade barriers; |
| ● | unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; |
| ● | longer periods to collect accounts receivable; |
| ● | foreign exchange rate fluctuations; |
| ● | changes in export license requirements; |
| ● | political and economic instability; and |
| ● | unexpected changes in diplomatic and trade relationships. |
Most of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, except for sales to our Chinese customers which are denominated in renminbi and our Japanese customers which are denominated in Japanese yen. We also have some small sales denominated in Euro. Increases in the value of the U.S. dollar could increase the price of our products in non-U.S. markets and make our products more expensive than competitors’ products in these markets.
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We are subject to foreign exchange gains and losses that materially impact our income statement.
We are subject to foreign exchange gains and losses that materially impact our statement of operations. For example, in 2017 we incurred a loss of $602,000.
The functional currency of our wholly-owned Chinese subsidiary and our partially-owned joint venture companies is the Chinese renminbi, the local currency. We can incur foreign exchange gains or losses when we pay dollars to one of our China-based companies or a third-party supplier in China. Similarly, if a company in China pays renminbi into one of our bank accounts transacting in dollars the renminbi will be converted to dollars and we can incur a foreign exchange gain or loss. Hedging renminbi will be considered in the future but it is complicated by the number of companies involved, the diversity of transactions and restrictions imposed by the banking system in China.
Sales to Japanese customers are denominated in Japanese yen. This subjects us to fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen and can result in foreign exchange gains and losses. This has been problematic in the past and, therefore, we instituted a foreign currency hedging program dealing with yen which has mitigated the problem.
Joint venture companies in China bring certain risks.
Since our wholly-owned subsidiaries and all of our partially-owned companies reside in China, their activities could subject us to a number of risks associated with conducting operations internationally, including:
| ● | unexpected changes in regulatory requirements that may limit our ability to manufacture, export the products of these companies or sell into particular jurisdictions or impose multiple conflicting tax laws and regulations; |
| ● | the imposition of tariffs, trade barriers and duties; |
| ● | difficulties in managing geographically disparate operations; |
| ● | difficulties in enforcing agreements through non-U.S. legal systems; |
| ● | political and economic instability, civil unrest or war; |
| ● | terrorist activities that impact international commerce; |
| ● | difficulties in protecting our intellectual property rights, particularly in countries where the laws and practices do not protect proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws and practices of the United States; |
| ● | changing laws and policies affecting economic liberalization, foreign investment, currency convertibility or exchange rates, taxation or employment; and |
| ● | nationalization of foreign-owned assets, including intellectual property. |
Uncertainty regarding the United States’ foreign policy under the current administration could disrupt our business.
We manufacture our substrates in China and, in 2019, approximately 90% of our sales were to customers located outside of the United States. Further, we have partial ownership of raw material companies in China as part of our supply chain. The United States’ current foreign policy has created uncertainty and caution in the international business community, resulting in disruptions in manufacturing, import/export, trade tariffs, sales, investments and other business activity. Such disruptions have had an adverse impact on our financial performance and could continue in the future.
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If China places restrictions on freight and transportation routes and on ports of entry and departure this could result in shipping delays or increased costs for shipping.
In August 2015, there was an explosion at the Port of Tianjin, China. As a result of this incident the government placed restrictions on importing certain materials and on freight routes used to transport these materials. We experienced some modest disruption from these restrictions. If the government were to place additional restrictions on the transportation of materials, then our ability to transport our raw materials or products could be limited and result in manufacturing delays or bottlenecks at shipping ports, affecting our ability to deliver products to our customers. During periods of such restrictions, we may increase our stock of critical materials (such as arsenic, gallium and other items) for use during the period that these restrictions are likely to last, which will increase our use of cash and increase our inventory level. Any of these restrictions could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and our financial condition.
Our operating results depend in large part on continued customer acceptance of our substrate products manufactured in China and continued improvements in product quality.
We manufacture all of our products in China, and source most of our raw materials in China. We have in the past experienced quality problems with our China-manufactured products. Our previous quality problems caused us to lose market share to our competitors, as some of our customers reduced their orders until our wafer surface quality was as good and as consistent as that offered by our competitors and instead allocated their requirements for compound semiconductor substrates to our competitors. If we are unable to continue to achieve customer qualifications for our products, or if we are unable to control product quality, customers may not increase purchases of our products, our China facilities will become underutilized, and we will be unable to achieve revenue growth.
Changes in China’s political, social, regulatory or economic environments may affect our financial performance.
Our financial performance may be affected by changes in China’s political, social, regulatory or economic environments. The role of the Chinese central and local governments in the Chinese economy is significant. Chinese policies toward hazardous materials, including arsenic, environmental controls, air pollution, economic liberalization, laws and policies affecting technology companies, foreign investment, currency exchange rates, taxation structure and other matters could change, resulting in greater restrictions on our ability to do business and operate our manufacturing facilities in China. We have observed a growing fluidity and tightening of regulations concerning hazardous materials, other environmental controls and air pollution. The Chinese government could revoke, terminate or suspend our operating licenses for reasons related to environmental control over the use of hazardous materials, air pollution, labor complaints, national security and similar reasons without compensation to us. Further, the central government encourages employees to report to the appropriate regulatory agencies possible safety or environmental violations, but there may not be actual violations. In days of severe air pollution the government has ordered manufacturing companies to stop all production. For example, in the fourth quarter of 2017 many manufacturing companies in the greater Beijing area, including AXT, were instructed by the local government to cease most manufacturing for several days until the air quality improved. In the first quarter of 2018, from February 27 to March 31, over 300 manufacturing companies, including us, were again intermittently shut down by the local government for a total of ten days due to severe air pollution. Our shipments were delayed and our revenue for the quarter was negatively impacted. We expect that mandatory factory shutdowns will occur in the future. Any failure on our part to comply with governmental regulations could result in the loss of our ability to manufacture our products. Further, any imposition of surcharges or any increase in Chinese tax rates or reduction or elimination of Chinese tax benefits could hurt our financial results.
An important example of some of these factors is seen in a change underway in Beijing. The Beijing city government is moving its offices into the area where our original manufacturing facility is currently located and is in the process of moving thousands of government employees into this area. The government has constructed showcase tower buildings and overseen the establishment of new apartment complexes, retail stores and restaurants. An amusement park is being constructed within a few miles of our facility. To create room and upgrade the district, the city instructed virtually all existing manufacturing companies, including AXT, to relocate all or some of their manufacturing lines. We
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were instructed to move our gallium arsenide manufacturing. For reasons of manufacturing efficiency we elected to also move our germanium manufacturing line.
By December 31, 2019, we ceased all crystal growth for gallium arsenide in our original manufacturing facility in Beijing and transferred 100% of our ingot production to our new manufacturing facility in Kazuo, a city approximately 250 miles from Beijing. We have transferred our wafer processing equipment for gallium arsenide to our new manufacturing facility in Dingxing, a city approximately 75 miles from Beijing. Our key focus now is transferring volume production of the wafer processing steps for gallium arsenide to our new manufacturing facility in Dingxing. This is an ongoing process. Some of our larger, more sophisticated customers want to perform a site qualification and subsequently work with us to ramp up production at Dingxing. Customer qualification of the Dingxing site requires us to continue to diligently address the many details that arise at both of the new sites. A failure to properly accomplish this could result in disruption to our production and have a material adverse impact on our revenue, our results of operations and our financial condition. If we fail to meet the product qualification requirements of a customer, we may lose sales to that customer. Our reputation may also be damaged. Any loss of sales could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, our results of operations and our financial condition.
Our international operations are exposed to potential adverse tax consequence in China.
Our international operations create a risk of potential adverse tax consequences. Taxes on income in our China-based companies are dependent upon acceptance of our operational practices and intercompany transfer pricing by local tax authorities as being on an arm's length basis. Due to inconsistencies among taxing authorities in application of the arm's length standard, transfer pricing challenges by tax authorities could, if successful, materially increase our consolidated income tax expense. We are subject to tax audits in China and an audit could result in the assessment of additional income tax against us. This could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or cash flows in the period or periods for which that determination is made and could result in increases to our overall tax expense in subsequent periods. Various taxing agencies in China are increasingly focused on tax reform and other legislative action to increase tax revenue. In addition to risks regarding income tax we have in the past been retroactively assessed value added taxes (“VAT” or sales tax) and such VAT assessments could occur again in the future.
If there are power shortages in China, we may have to temporarily close our China operations, which would adversely impact our ability to manufacture our products and meet customer orders, and would result in reduced revenue.
In the past, China has faced power shortages resulting in power demand outstripping supply in peak periods. Instability in electrical supply has caused sporadic outages among residential and commercial consumers causing the Chinese government to implement tough measures to ease the energy shortage. If further problems with power shortages occur in the future, we may be required to make temporary closures of our operations or of our subsidiary and joint venture operations. We may be unable to manufacture our products and would then be unable to meet customer orders except from finished goods inventory on hand. As a result, our revenue could be adversely impacted, and our relationships with our customers could suffer, impacting our ability to generate future revenue. In addition, if power is shut off at any of our facilities at any time, either voluntarily or as a result of unplanned brownouts, during certain phases of our manufacturing process including our crystal growth phase, the work in process may be ruined and rendered unusable, causing us to incur costs that will not be covered by revenue, and negatively impacting our cost of revenue and gross margins.
III. Risks Related to Our Financial Results and Capital Structure
We may utilize our cash balances for relocation, expansion, or to offset a business downturn resulting in the decline of our existing cash, cash equivalents and investment balances, and if we need additional capital, those funds may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all.
Our liquidity is affected by many factors including among others, the relocation of our gallium arsenide manufacturing operations, the extent to which we pursue ongoing capital expenditures, the build out of the sites at Dingxing and Kazuo, the level of our production, the level of profits or losses, and other factors related to the uncertainties of the industry and global economies. Our capital expenditures and any negative cash flow effects of these
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other factors will draw down our cash reserves, which could adversely affect our financial condition, require us to incur debt, reduce our value and possibly impinge our ability to raise debt and equity funding in the future, at a time when we might need to raise additional cash or elect to raise additional cash. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that events will not require us to seek additional capital or, if required, that such capital would be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Unpredictable fluctuations in our operating results could disappoint analysts or our investors, which could cause our stock price to decline.
We have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant fluctuations in our revenue, gross margins and earnings. Our quarterly and annual revenue and operating results have varied significantly in the past and may vary significantly in the future due to a number of factors, including:
| ● | our ability to develop, manufacture and deliver high quality products in a timely and cost-effective manner; |
| ● | unforeseen disruptions at our new sites; |
| ● | disruptions in manufacturing if air pollution, or other environmental hazards, or outbreaks of contagious diseases causes the Chinese government to order work stoppages; |
| ● | fluctuation of our manufacturing yields; |
| ● | decreases in the prices of our or our competitors’ products; |
| ● | fluctuations in demand for our products; |
| ● | the volume and timing of orders from our customers, and cancellations, push-outs and delays of customer orders once booked; |
| ● | decline in general economic conditions or downturns in the industry in which we compete; |
| ● | expansion of our manufacturing capacity; |
| ● | expansion of our operations in China; |
| ● | limited availability and increased cost of raw materials; |
| ● | costs incurred in connection with any future acquisitions of businesses or technologies; and |
| ● | increases in our expenses, including expenses for research and development. |
Due to these factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful indicators of our future performance.
A substantial percentage of our operating expenses are fixed, and we may be unable to adjust spending to compensate for an unexpected shortfall in revenue. As a result, any delay in generating revenue could cause our operating results to fall below the expectations of market analysts or investors, which could also cause our stock price to decline.
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If our operating results and financial performance do not meet the guidance that we have provided to the public, our stock price may decline.
We provide public guidance on our expected operating and financial results. Although we believe that this guidance provides our stockholders, investors and analysts with a better understanding of our expectations for the future, such guidance is comprised of forward-looking statements subject to the risks and uncertainties described in this report and in our other public filings and public statements. Our actual results may not meet the guidance we have provided. If our operating or financial results do not meet our guidance or the expectations of investment analysts, our stock price may decline.
We have adopted certain anti-takeover measures that may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us.
Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 800,000 shares of preferred stock in addition to the outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences and privileges of those shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The rights of the holders of common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock. We have no present intention to issue additional shares of preferred stock.
Provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a merger, acquisition or change of control, or changes in our management, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. The following are some examples of these provisions:
| ● | the division of our board of directors into three separate classes, each with three-year terms; |
| ● | the right of our board to elect a director to fill a space created by a board vacancy or the expansion of the board; |
| ● | the ability of our board to alter our amended and restated bylaws; and |
| ● | the requirement that only our board or the holders of at least 10% of our outstanding shares may call a special meeting of our stockholders. |
Furthermore, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. These provisions prohibit us from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder (a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
| ● | 662/3% of the shares of voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder approve the merger or combination, or |
| ● | the board of directors approves the merger or combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. |
Our common stock may be delisted from The Nasdaq Global Select Market, which could negatively impact the price of our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market. The bid price of our common stock has in the past closed below the $1.00 minimum per share bid price required for continued inclusion on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under Marketplace Rule 5450(a). If the bid price of our common stock remains below $1.00 per share for thirty consecutive business days, we could be subject to delisting from the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
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Any delisting from The Nasdaq Global Select Market could have an adverse effect on our business and on the trading of our common stock. If a delisting of our common stock were to occur, our common stock would trade in the over-the-counter market and be quoted on a service such as those provided by OTC Markets Group, Inc. Such alternatives are generally considered to be less efficient markets, and our stock price, as well as the liquidity of our common stock, may be adversely impacted as a result. Delisting from The Nasdaq Global Select Market could also have other negative results, including the potential loss of confidence by customers, suppliers and employees, the loss of institutional investor interest and fewer business development opportunities, as well as the loss of liquidity for our stockholders.
Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
As of December 31, 2019, we had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $58.3 million. We have utilized all state net operating losses, primarily in the state of California, as of December 31, 2019. Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes, such as research tax credits, to offset its post-change income and taxes may be limited. In general, an “ownership change” occurs if there is a cumulative change in our ownership by “5% shareholders” that exceeds 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. Similar rules may apply under state tax laws. We might have undergone prior ownership changes, and we may undergo ownership changes in the future, which may result in limitations on our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes. Any such limitations on our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
IV. Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
Intellectual property infringement claims may be costly to resolve and could divert management attention.
Other companies may hold or obtain patents on inventions or may otherwise claim proprietary rights to technology necessary to our business. The markets in which we compete are comprised of competitors that in some cases hold substantial patent portfolios covering aspects of products that could be similar to ours. We could become subject to claims that we are infringing patent, trademark, copyright or other proprietary rights of others. We may incur expenses to defend ourselves against such claims or enter into cross license agreements that require us to pay royalty payments to resolve such claims. For example, in 2020, we and a competitor entered into the Cross License Agreement, which has a term that began on January 1, 2020 and expires on December 31, 2029. We have in the past been involved in lawsuits alleging patent infringement, and could in the future be involved in similar litigation.
If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, including our non-patented proprietary process technology, we may lose valuable assets or incur costly litigation.
We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and trade secret laws, non-disclosure agreements and other intellectual property protection methods to protect our proprietary technology. We believe that our internal, non-patented proprietary process technology methods, systems and processes are a valuable and critical element of our intellectual property. We must establish and maintain safeguards to avoid the theft of these processes. Our ability to establish and maintain a position of technology leadership also depends on the skills of our development personnel. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property, third parties can develop products or processes similar to ours. Our means of protecting our proprietary rights may not be adequate, and our competitors may independently develop similar technology, duplicate our products or design around our patents. We believe that at least two of our competitors ship GaAs substrates produced using a process similar to our VGF process. Our competitors may also develop and patent improvements to the VGF technology upon which we rely, and thus may limit any exclusivity we enjoy by virtue of our patents or trade secrets.
It is possible that pending or future United States or foreign patent applications made by us will not be approved, that our issued patents will not protect our intellectual property, or that third parties will challenge our
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ownership rights or the validity of our patents. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries may not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the United States and it may be more difficult to monitor the use of our intellectual property. Our competitors may be able to legitimately ascertain non-patented proprietary technology embedded in our systems. If this occurs, we may not be able to prevent the development of technology substantially similar to ours.
We may have to resort to costly litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or know-how or to determine their scope, validity or enforceability. Enforcing or defending our proprietary technology is expensive, could cause us to divert resources and may not prove successful. Our protective measures may prove inadequate to protect our proprietary rights, and if we fail to enforce or protect our rights, we could lose valuable assets.
V. Risks Related to Compliance, Environmental Regulations and Other Legal Matters
If we, or any of our partially-owned supply chain companies, fail to comply with environmental and safety regulations, we may be subject to significant fines or forced to cease our operations.
We are subject to federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations in all of our operating locations, including laws and regulations of China, such as laws and regulations related to the development, manufacture and use of our products, the use of hazardous materials, the operation of our facilities, and the use of our real property. These laws and regulations govern the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials during manufacturing, research and development, and sales demonstrations. If we, or any of our partially-owned supply chain companies, fail to comply with applicable regulations, we could be subject to substantial liability for clean-up efforts, personal injury, fines or suspension or be forced to close or temporarily cease our operations, and/or suspend or terminate the development, manufacture or use of certain of our products, the use of our facilities, or the use of our real property, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Chinese central government is demonstrating strong leadership to improve air quality and reduce environmental pollution. The central government encourages employees to report to the appropriate regulatory agencies possible safety or environmental violations but there may not be actual violations. These efforts have impacted manufacturing companies through mandatory shutdowns, increased inspections and regulatory reforms. In the fourth quarter of 2017, many manufacturing companies in the greater Beijing area, including AXT, were instructed by the local government to cease most manufacturing for several days until the air quality improved. In the first quarter of 2018, from February 27 to March 31 over 300 manufacturing companies were again intermittently shut down by the local government for a total of ten days, or 30 percent of the remaining calendar days, due to severe air pollution. Our shipments were delayed and our revenue for the quarter was negatively impacted. We expect that mandatory factory shutdowns will occur in the future. If the frequency of such shutdowns increases, especially at the end of a quarter, or if the total number of days of shutdowns prevents us from producing enough wafers to ship, then the shutdowns will have a material adverse effect on our manufacturing output, revenue and factory utilization. We believe the relocation of our gallium arsenide and germanium manufacturing lines mitigates our exposure to factory shutdowns. Each of our raw material supply chain companies could also be impacted by environmental related orders from the central government.
In addition, from time to time, the Chinese government issues new regulations, which may require additional actions on our part to comply. For example on February 27, 2015, the China State Administration of Work Safety updated its list of hazardous substances. The previous list, which was published in 2002, did not restrict the materials that we use in our wafers. The new list added gallium arsenide. As a result of the newly published list, we were instructed to obtain a permit to continue to manufacture our gallium arsenide wafer substrates. The Beijing municipal authority accepted our permit application in May 2015, but has not yet issued to us the requisite permit while we continue to show good faith in relocating our gallium arsenide production. If our application is denied in the future before we complete customer qualifications and ramp up wafer processing production, then our gallium arsenide production could be disrupted, which could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and our financial condition.
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We could be subject to suits for personal injuries caused by hazardous materials.
In 2005, a complaint was filed against us alleging personal injury, general negligence, intentional tort, wage loss and other damages, including punitive damages, as a result of exposure of plaintiffs to high levels of gallium arsenide in gallium arsenide wafers, and methanol. Other current and/or former employees could bring litigation against us in the future. Although we have in place engineering, administrative and personnel protective equipment programs to address these issues, our ability to expand or continue to operate our present locations could be restricted or we could be required to acquire costly remediation equipment or incur other significant expenses if we were found liable for failure to comply with environmental and safety regulations. Existing or future changes in laws or regulations in the United States and China may require us to incur significant expenditures or liabilities, or may restrict our operations. In addition, our employees could be exposed to chemicals or other hazardous materials at our facilities and we may be subject to lawsuits seeking damages for wrongful death or personal injuries allegedly caused by exposure to chemicals or hazardous materials at our facilities.
Litigation is inherently uncertain and while we would expect to defend ourselves vigorously, it is possible that our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be affected in any particular period by litigation pending and any additional litigation brought against us. In addition, future litigation could divert management’s attention from our business and operations, causing our business and financial results to suffer. We could incur defense or settlement costs in excess of the insurance covering these litigation matters, or that could result in significant judgments against us or cause us to incur costly settlements, in excess of our insurance limits.
We are subject to internal control evaluations and attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we must include in our Annual Report on Form 10-K a report of management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Ongoing compliance with this requirement is complex, costly and time-consuming and it extends to our companies in China. If: (1) we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; or (2) our management does not timely assess the adequacy of such internal control, we could be subject to regulatory sanctions and the public’s perception of us may be adversely impacted.
We need to continue to improve or implement our systems, procedures and controls.
We rely on certain manual processes for data collection and information processing, as do our joint venture companies. If we fail to manage these procedures properly or fail to effectively manage a transition from manual processes to automated processes, our systems and controls may be disrupted. To manage our business effectively, we may need to implement additional management information systems, further develop our operating, administrative, financial and accounting systems and controls, add experienced senior level managers, and maintain close coordination among our executive, engineering, accounting, marketing, sales and operations organizations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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Item 5. Other Information
None
Item 6. Exhibits
a. Exhibits
Exhibit | | Description |
| | |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32.1 | | |
| | |
32.2 | | |
101.INS | | XBRL Instance. |
101.SCH | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema. |
101.CAL | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase. |
101.DEF | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase. |
101.LAB | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase. |
101.PRE | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. |
| | |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| | |
Exhibit | | |
Number | | Description |
| | |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32.1 | | |
| | |
32.2 | | |
101.INS | | Inline XBRL Instance. |
101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema. |
101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase. |
101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase. |
101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase. |
101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| AXT, INC. | |
| | |
Dated: August 7, 2020 | By: | /s/ MORRIS S. YOUNG |
| | Morris S. Young |
| | Chief Executive Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | |
| | /s/ GARY L. FISCHER |
| | Gary L. Fischer |
| | Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary |
| | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
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