Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) and other parts of this report include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and often address future events or our future performance. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe,” “should,” “could” and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A include statements about, among other things:
● our beliefs regarding the market and demand for our products or the component products we resell;
● our ability to collect any damages awarded to us, including in our litigation with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Semiconductor Inc., and Samsung Electronics America Inc. (collectively, “Samsung”) and/or in our litigation with Micron Technology, Inc. (“Micron”);
● our beliefs and estimates regarding potential intellectual property suits or claims in process under current litigation;
● our ability to develop and launch new products that are attractive to the market and stimulate customer demand for these products;
● our plans relating to our intellectual property, including our goals of monetizing, licensing, expanding and defending our patent portfolio;
● our expectations and strategies regarding outstanding legal proceedings and patent reexaminations relating to our intellectual property portfolio;
● our expectations with respect to any strategic partnerships or other similar relationships we may pursue;
● the competitive landscape of our industry;
● general market, economic and political conditions;
● our business strategies and objectives;
● our expectations regarding our future operations and financial position, including revenues, costs and prospects, and our liquidity and capital resources, including cash flows, sufficiency of cash resources, efforts to reduce expenses and the potential for future financings;
● our ability to remediate any material weakness and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; and
● the impact of the above factors and other future events on the market price and trading volume of our common stock.
All forward-looking statements reflect management’s present assumptions, expectations and beliefs regarding future events and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those described under “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this report. In light of these risks and uncertainties, our forward-looking statements should not be relied on as predictions of future events. All forward-looking statements reflect our assumptions, expectations and beliefs only as of the date they are made, and except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.
The following MD&A should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this report, as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 28, 2025 (the “Annual Report”). All information presented herein is based on our fiscal calendar, and references to particular years, quarters, months or periods refer to our fiscal years ended in January or December and the associated quarters,
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months and periods of those fiscal years. Each of the terms the “Company,” “Netlist,” “we,” “us,” or “our” as used herein refers collectively to Netlist, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise stated.
Overview
We are a leading innovator in advanced memory and storage solutions, pushing the boundaries of technology to deliver unparalleled performance and reliability. With a rich portfolio of patented technologies, we have consistently driven innovation in the field of cutting-edge enterprise memory and storage, advancing artificial intelligence (“AI”) and empowering businesses and industries to thrive in the digital age.
During the first quarter of 2025, we recorded net sales of $29.0 million, gross profit of $1.3 million and net loss of $9.5 million. We have historically financed our operations primarily with proceeds from issuances of equity and debt securities and cash receipts from revenues. We have also funded our operations with a revolving line of credit under a bank credit facility with Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (“SVB”). See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for more information.
Recent Developments
March 2025 Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement
On March 13, 2025, we entered into a purchase agreement (the “March 2025 Purchase Agreement”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”), pursuant to which we have the right to sell to Lincoln Park up to an aggregate of $75 million in shares of our common stock, subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the March 2025 Purchase Agreement. Concurrent with the execution of the March 2025 Purchase Agreement, we also entered into a registration rights agreement with Lincoln Park relating to the common stock to be sold to Lincoln Park. As consideration for entering into the March 2025 Purchase Agreement, we issued to Lincoln Park 1,123,023 shares of our common stock as initial commitment shares in a noncash transaction on March 13, 2025 and will issue up to 1,123,023 additional shares of our common stock as additional commitment shares on a pro rata basis in connection with any additional purchases. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of these additional commitment shares. These issuances of our common stock were registered pursuant to a prospectus supplement to our existing Registration Statement on Form S-3 originally declared effective by the SEC on August 14, 2024.
Subsequently, from March 30, 2025 through May 9, 2025, Lincoln Park purchased an aggregate of 201,000 shares of our common stock for a net purchase price of $0.2 million under the March 2025 Purchase Agreement. In connection with the purchase, we issued to Lincoln Park an aggregate of 2,250 shares of our common stock as additional commitment shares in noncash transactions.
Economic Conditions, Challenges and Risks
The U.S. government has recently implemented significant tariff increases on imports from the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). While we do not believe we have been materially affected by the recent tariffs or changes in U.S. trade policy, tariffs, quotas, trade agreements or other trade restrictions could increase our operating expenses and reduce gross margins. The scope, duration, and broader economic impact of such measures remain uncertain and will depend on several factors, including ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and the PRC and/or other countries, their respective responses, and any possible exemptions or exclusions that may be granted or other countries targeted with tariffs.
Our performance, financial condition and prospects are also affected by a number of factors and are exposed to a number of other risks and uncertainties. We operate in a competitive and rapidly evolving industry in which new risks emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks we may face, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors could cause actual results to differ from our expectations. See the discussion of certain risks that we face under “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this report.
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Results of Operations
Net Sales and Gross Profit
Net sales and gross profit for the three months ended March 29, 2025 and March 30, 2024 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended
March 29,
March 30,
%
2025
2024
Change
Net sales
$
28,975
$
35,807
(19%)
Cost of sales
27,675
35,092
(21%)
Gross profit
$
1,300
$
715
82%
Gross margin percentage
4%
2%
Net Sales
Net sales decreased by approximately $6.8 million during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024, primarily as a result of a $2.9 million decrease in the sale of registered DIMM (“RDIMM”), discrete memory component products, a $2.6 million decrease in sales of our flash and solid-state drives (“SSD”) products, and a $1.4 million decrease in sales of low-profile memory subsystem products.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit and gross margin percentage increased during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same periods of 2024, primarily as a result of product sales mix.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the three months ended March 29, 2025 and March 30, 2024, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended
March 29,
March 30,
%
2025
2024
Change
Research and development
$
893
$
2,441
(63%)
Percentage of net sales
3%
7%
Intellectual property legal fees
$
7,027
$
12,540
(44%)
Percentage of net sales
24%
35%
Selling, general and administrative
$
3,147
$
3,116
1%
Percentage of net sales
11%
9%
Research and Development
Research and development expenses decreased during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024, primarily due to a reduction in employee headcount and the associated decrease in overhead costs.
Intellectual Property Legal Fees
Intellectual property legal fees consist of fees incurred for patent enforcement and licensing, appeals, patent drafting and prosecution, and opposition to third-party post-grant patent proceedings. Although we expect intellectual property legal fees to generally increase over time as we continue to expand, protect and enforce our patent portfolio, these increases may not be linear but may occur in lump sums depending on jury trial
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management, due dates of various filings and their associated fees, and the arrangements we may make with our legal advisors in connection with enforcement proceedings, which may include fee arrangements or contingent fee arrangements in which we would pay these legal advisors on a scaled percentage of any negotiated fees, settlements or judgments awarded to us based on if, how and when the fees, settlements or judgments are obtained. See Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion.
Intellectual property legal fees decreased during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024 due primarily to lower legal expenses incurred to protect and enforce our patent portfolio.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses were consistent during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net for the three months ended March 29, 2025 and March 30, 2024 was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended
March 29,
March 30,
%
2025
2024
Change
Interest income, net
$
220
$
377
Other income, net
60
38
Total other income, net
$
280
$
415
(33%)
Interest income, net decreased during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024, primarily as a result of interest earned on lower cash balances. Other income, net slightly increased during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024, primarily as a result of deposit returned for our former manufacturing facility located in the PRC.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of cash are historically proceeds from issuances of equity and receipts from revenues. In addition, we have received proceeds from our entry into a Strategic Product Supply and License Agreement with SK hynix, Inc., a South Korean memory semiconductor supplier (“SK hynix”), on April 5, 2021 (the “Strategic Agreement”), which we used to support our operations. We have also funded our operations with a revolving line of credit under a bank credit facility with SVB, proceeds raised from the 2024 Offering (as defined below) and funds raised through the March 2025 Purchase Agreement.
The following tables present selected financial information as of March 29, 2025 and December 28, 2024 and for the first three months of 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
March 29,
December 28,
2025
2024
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
25,580
$
34,607
Working capital
(14,991)
(7,305)
Three Months Ended
March 29,
March 30,
2025
2024
Net cash used in operating activities
$
(10,070)
$
(14,218)
Net cash used in investing activities
(13)
(37)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,056
2,546
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During the three months ended March 29, 2025, net cash used in operating activities was primarily a result of net loss of $9.5 million, non-cash adjustments to net loss of $0.9 million, and net cash outflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $1.5 million driven predominantly by a decrease in accounts payable due to the payments made for the legal fees incurred to defend our patent portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in inventories due to higher turnovers and an increase in deferred revenue related to advance payments received on orders shipped in April 2025. Net cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 29, 2025 primarily consisted of $0.9 million in net proceeds from issuance of common stock under the March 2025 Purchase Agreement and $0.3 million in net borrowings under the 2023 SVB Credit Agreement (as defined below), partially offset by $0.2 million in payments of notes payable to finance insurance policies.
During the three months ended March 30, 2024, net cash used in operating activities was primarily a result of net loss of $17.0 million, non-cash adjustments to net loss of $1.6 million, and net cash inflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $1.1 million driven predominantly by an increase in accounts payable due to higher legal fees to defend our patent portfolio and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities, partially offset by an increase in inventories due to higher purchases to support increased sales. Net cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 30, 2024 primarily consisted of $0.5 million in net borrowings under the 2023 SVB Credit Agreement (as defined below), $2.1 million in net proceeds from issuance of common stock under the September 2021 Purchase Agreement (as defined below), offset by $0.1 million in payments of notes payable to finance insurance policies.
Capital Resources
March 2025 Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement
On March 13, 2025, we entered into the March 2025 Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park, pursuant to which we have the right to sell to Lincoln Park up to an aggregate of $75 million in shares of our common stock over the 36-month term of the March 2025 Purchase Agreement subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the March 2025 Purchase Agreement. As of March 29, 2025, $74.1 million remains available under the March 2025 Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park.
2024 Offering
On October 11, 2024, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain investors, pursuant to which we issued and sold to the investors in a registered offering (the “2024 Offering”) an aggregate of (i) 13,636,364 shares of our common stock, (ii) Series A Common Stock Purchase Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 13,636,364 shares of our common stock, at a purchase price of $1.30 per share, and (iii) Series B Common Stock Purchase Warrants to purchase up to 13,636,364 shares of our common stock, at a per share purchase price of $1.10 per share and accompanying warrants. The 2024 Offering closed on October 15, 2024. The net proceeds to us from the 2024 Offering were approximately $14.2 million, after deducting placement agent fees and offering costs paid by us.
2023 SVB Credit Agreement
On November 7, 2023, we entered into a loan and security agreement (the “2023 SVB Credit Agreement”) with SVB, which provides for a revolving line of credit up to $10.0 million. The borrowing base is limited to 85% of eligible accounts receivable, subject to certain adjustments. Borrowings accrue interest on advance at a per annum rate equal to the greater of 8.50% and the Wall Street Journal prime rate. The maturity date is November 7, 2025.
As of March 29, 2025, the outstanding borrowings under the 2023 SVB Credit Agreement were $1.6 million with no availability under the revolving line of credit. During the three months ended March 29, 2025, we made net borrowings of $0.3 million under the 2023 SVB Credit Agreement.
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September 2021 Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement
On September 28, 2021, we entered into the September 2021 Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park, pursuant to which we had the right to sell to Lincoln Park up to an aggregate of $75.0 million in shares of our common stock over the 36-month term of the September 2021 Purchase Agreement subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the September 2021 Purchase Agreement. As of September 28, 2024, $31.0 million remained available under the September 2021 Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park. During fiscal year 2024, Lincoln Park purchased an aggregate of 3,195,889 shares of our common stock for a net purchase price of $5.2 million under the September 2021 Purchase Agreement. In connection with the purchases, we issued to Lincoln Park an aggregate of 10,046 shares of our common stock as additional commitment shares in noncash transactions. The September 2021 Purchase Agreement terminated on its terms on October 1, 2024.
Sufficiency of Cash Balances and Potential Sources of Additional Capital
We believe our existing balance of cash and cash equivalents together with the cash received under the Strategic Agreement with SK hynix, proceeds from issuances of debt and equity securities, including our equity line with Lincoln Park, cash receipts from revenues, borrowing availability under the 2023 SVB Credit Agreement, funds raised through future equity offerings and taking into account cash expected to be used in our operations, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditure or capital resources that is material to investors.
Recent Accounting Pronouncement
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosure, which improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU is effective for the annual periods beginning January 1, 2024, and becomes effective for interim periods within fiscal years beginning January 1, 2025. We adopted this guidance on December 28, 2024. The adoption only impacted our disclosure and has no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended March 29, 2025.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which updates expense disclosure requirements on an annual and interim basis. This ASU is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and the interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which will require us to disclose specified additional information in its income tax rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt this ASU using either a prospective or retrospective transition method. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. By their nature, these estimates and assumptions are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. We base our estimates and assumptions on our historical experience, knowledge of current conditions and our beliefs of what could occur in the future considering available information. We review our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ from our estimates, which may result in material adverse effects on our consolidated operating results and financial position.
Our critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed in Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this report and in the notes to consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report and in the MD&A in our Annual Report. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies since our Annual Report.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not Applicable.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.