Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which we also refer to as the Report, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A forward-looking statement may contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “can impact,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “projects,” “should,” “will,” “will continue to be,” “would,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements include statements, but are not limited to statements such as:
• Financial projections and expectations, including profitability of certain business units, plans to reduce costs and improve efficiencies including through restructuring programs, the effects of seasonality on certain business units, continued reliance on key customers for a significant portion of our revenue, future sources of revenue, competition and pricing pressures, the future impact of certain accounting pronouncements, and our estimation of the potential impact and materiality of litigation;
• Our expectations regarding demand for our products and services, including industry trends and technological advancements that may drive such demand, the role we will play in those advancements and our ability to benefit from such advancements;
• Our plans for growth and innovation opportunities;
• Our plans for continued development, use and protection of our intellectual property;
• Our strategies for achieving our current business objectives, including related risks and uncertainties;
• Our plans or expectations relating to investments, execution of capital allocation and debt management strategies, acquisitions, partnerships and other strategic opportunities;
• Our research and development plans and investments and the expected impact of such plans on our financial performance;
• Our expectations related to our products, including costs associated with the development of new products, product yields, quality and other issues; and
• Our expectations related to macro-economic conditions, including the impact of inflation, fiscal tightening at central banks, changes in foreign exchange rates, the risk of increased tensions and trade actions between China and the U.S. and the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and escalating armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, on our business, operations and financial results.
Management cautions that forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties including those set forth in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other documents we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this Report and subsequent facts or circumstances may contradict, obviate, undermine or otherwise fail to support or substantiate such statements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this Form 10-Q to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.
In addition, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2023.
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You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly in “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
VIAVI is a global provider of network test, monitoring, and assurance solutions for communications service providers (CSPs), hyperscalers, network equipment manufacturers (NEMs), enterprises, original equipment manufacturers, government and avionics. We help these customers harness the power of instruments, automation, intelligence, and virtualization. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.
To serve our markets we operate the following business segments:
• Network Enablement (NE);
• Service Enablement (SE); and,
• Optical Security and Performance Products (OSP).
During the first quarter, our end markets spend environment continued to be challenging, particularly with the service providers in North America. Weaker demand created headwinds for our Fiber, Cable and Wireless Lab product revenues in our Network and Service Enablement (NSE) segment. In addition, OSP revenues continued to be impacted by the weaker demand for our anti-counterfeiting products as tight fiscal policies slowdown inventory consumption by customers.
Any prolonged disruption of manufacturing of our products, commerce and related activity or significant decrease in demand for our products could materially and adversely affect our results of business, operations, and financial conditions.
Our financial results and long-term growth model will continue to be driven by revenue growth, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) and cash flow from operations. We believe these key operating metrics are useful to investors because management uses these metrics to assess the growth of our business and the effectiveness of our marketing and operational strategies.
Looking Ahead
We continue to be impacted by macroeconomic conditions and challenges. As we look ahead to our second fiscal quarter of 2024, we expect revenue to be relatively flat sequentially primarily due to continued slow recovery in service provider spend coupled with lower anti-counterfeiting demand as our customers work to adjust their year-end inventories.
For calendar year 2024, in addition to the factors mentioned above, we anticipate:
• Beginning of recovery in Wireless Lab products as major wireless NEMs continue 5G product development and begin to increase 6G investment;
• Increased demand for our avionics, military, and Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) products;
• Recovery in our Fiber and Lab and Production product demand driven by strong optical demand by data center, optical NEMs, optical module, and semiconductor customers; and,
• Increased SE products demand as our new architecture begins to gain traction and acceptance with major customers.
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Despite near-term macroeconomic headwinds, our long-term focus remains on executing against our strategic priorities to drive revenue and earnings growth, capture market share and continue to optimize our capital structure. We remain positive on our long-term growth drivers in Wireless, Fiber, 3D sensing and PNT. We will continue to focus on executing against our strategic priorities over the long-term to:
• Defend and consolidate leadership in core business segments;
• Invest in secular trends to drive growth and expand Total Addressable Market (TAM);
• Extend VIAVI technologies and platforms into adjacent markets and applications; and,
• Continued productivity improvements in Operations, Research & Development (R&D) and Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A).
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Financial Highlights
First quarter fiscal 2024 results included the following notable items:
• Net revenue of $247.9 million, down $62.3 million or 20.1% year-over-year.
• GAAP operating margin of 6.5%, down 960 bps year-over-year.
• Non-GAAP operating margin of 12.4%, down 930 bps year-over-year.
• GAAP diluted EPS of $0.04, down $0.10 or 71.4% year-over-year.
• Non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.09, down $0.14 or 60.9% year-over-year.
A reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to Non-GAAP financial measures is provided below (in millions, except EPS amounts) :
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023 October 1, 2022
Operating Income Operating Margin Operating Income Operating Margin
GAAP measures $ 16.0 6.5 % $ 49.8 16.1 %
Stock-based compensation 11.2 4.5 % 13.0 4.2 %
Change in fair value of contingent liability (1.4) (0.6) % 0.5 0.1 %
Other charges (benefits) unrelated to core operating performance (1)
0.2 0.1 % (5.2) (1.7) %
Amortization of intangibles 5.6 2.2 % 9.3 3.0 %
Restructuring and related benefits (0.8) (0.3) % — — %
Total related to Cost of Revenue and Operating Expenses 14.8 5.9 % 17.6 5.6 %
Non-GAAP measures $ 30.8 12.4 % $ 67.4 21.7 %
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023 October 1, 2022
Net Income Diluted EPS Net Income Diluted EPS
GAAP measures $ 9.8 $ 0.04 $ 32.6 $ 0.14
Items reconciling GAAP Net income and EPS to Non-GAAP Net income and EPS:
Stock-based compensation 11.2 0.05 13.0 0.06
Change in fair value of contingent liability (1.4) — 0.5 —
Other charges (benefits) unrelated to core operating performance (1)
0.2 — (5.2) (0.02)
Amortization of intangibles 5.6 0.02 9.3 0.04
Restructuring and related benefits (0.8) — — —
Litigation settlement (2)
(7.3) (0.03) — —
Non-cash interest expense and other expense 1.2 0.01 — —
Provision for income taxes 1.0 — 2.3 0.01
Total related to Net income and EPS 9.7 0.05 19.9 0.09
Non-GAAP measures $ 19.5 $ 0.09 $ 52.5 $ 0.23
Shares used in per share calculation for Non-GAAP EPS 224.2 230.4
(1) Other items include charges (benefits) unrelated to core operating performance primarily consisting of certain acquisition and integration related charges, transformational initiatives such as site consolidations, accretion of debt discount, intangible impairment and loss on disposal of long-lived assets.
(2) Favorable litigation settlement recorded as a gain to Interest and other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
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Use of Non-GAAP (Adjusted) Financial Measures
The Company provides non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS financial measures as supplemental information regarding the Company’s operational performance. The Company uses the measures disclosed in this Report to evaluate the Company’s historical and prospective financial performance, as well as its performance relative to its competitors. Specifically, management uses these items to further its own understanding of the Company’s core operating performance, which the Company believes represents its performance in the ordinary, ongoing and customary course of its operations. Accordingly, management excludes from core operating performance items such as those relating to certain purchase price accounting adjustments, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, stock-based compensation, legal settlements, restructuring, changes in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities and certain investing expenses and other activities that management believes are not reflective of such ordinary, ongoing and core operating activities. The Company believes excluding these items enables investors to evaluate more clearly and consistently the Company’s core operational performance.
The Company believes providing this additional information allows investors to see Company results through the eyes of management. The Company further believes that providing this information allows investors to better understand the Company’s financial performance and, importantly, to evaluate the efficacy of the methodology and information used by management to evaluate and measure such performance.
The non-GAAP adjustments described in this Form 10-Q are excluded by the Company from its GAAP financial measures because the Company believes excluding these items enables investors to evaluate more clearly and consistently the Company’s core operational performance. The non-GAAP adjustments are outlined below.
Cost of revenues, costs of research and development and costs of selling, general and administrative: The Company’s GAAP presentation of operating expenses may include (i) additional depreciation and amortization from changes in estimated useful life and the write-down of certain property, equipment and intangibles that have been identified for disposal but remained in use until the date of disposal, (ii) charges such as severance, benefits and outplacement costs related to restructuring plans, (iii) costs for facilities not required for ongoing operations, and costs related to the relocation of certain equipment from these facilities and/or contract manufacturer facilities, (iv) stock-based compensation, (v) amortization expense related to acquired intangibles, (vi) changes in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities and (vii) other charges unrelated to our core operating performance comprised mainly of acquisition related transaction costs, integration costs related to acquired entities, litigation and legal settlements and other costs and contingencies unrelated to current and future operations, including transformational initiatives such as the implementation of simplified automated processes, site consolidations, and reorganizations. The Company excludes these items in calculating non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS.
Non-cash interest expense and other expense: The Company excludes certain investing expenses and non-cash activities that management believes are not reflective of such ordinary, ongoing and core operating activities, in calculating non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS.
Income tax expense or benefit: The Company excludes certain non-cash tax expense or benefit items, such as the utilization of net operating losses where valuation allowances were released, intra-period tax allocation benefit and the tax effect for amortization of non-tax deductible intangible assets, in calculating non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, preferable to, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to non-GAAP operating income is operating income. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to non-GAAP operating margin is operating margin. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to non-GAAP net income is net income. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to non-GAAP EPS is net income per share. The Company believes these GAAP measures alone are not fully indicative of its core operating expenses and performance and that providing non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with GAAP measures provides valuable supplemental information regarding the Company’s overall performance.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The results of operations for the current period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for future periods. The following table summarizes selected Consolidated Statements of Operations items ( in millions, except for percentages ):
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023 October 1, 2022 Change Percent Change
Segment net revenue:
NE $ 150.0 $ 196.5 $ (46.5) (23.7) %
SE 20.4 22.4 (2.0) (8.9) %
OSP 77.5 91.3 (13.8) (15.1) %
Total net revenue $ 247.9 $ 310.2 $ (62.3) (20.1) %
Amortization of acquired technologies $ 3.5 $ 7.1 $ (3.6) (50.7) %
Percentage of net revenue 1.4 % 2.3 %
Gross profit $ 144.4 $ 184.8 $ (40.4) (21.9) %
Gross margin 58.2 % 59.6 %
Research and development $ 49.9 $ 52.6 $ (2.7) (5.1) %
Percentage of net revenue 20.1 % 17.0 %
Selling, general and administrative $ 77.2 $ 80.2 $ (3.0) (3.7) %
Percentage of net revenue 31.1 % 25.9 %
Amortization of other intangibles $ 2.1 $ 2.2 $ (0.1) (4.5) %
Percentage of net revenue 0.8 % 0.7 %
Restructuring and related benefits $ (0.8) $ — $ (0.8) NM
Percentage of net revenue (0.3) % — %
Interest and other income, net $ 10.2 $ 1.1 $ 9.1 827.3 %
Percentage of net revenue 4.1 % 0.4 %
Interest expense $ (7.8) $ (6.1) $ (1.7) (27.9) %
Percentage of net revenue 3.1 % 2.0 %
Provision for income taxes $ 8.6 $ 12.2 $ (3.6) (29.5) %
Percentage of net revenue 3.5 % 3.9 %
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Net Revenue
Revenue from our service offerings exceeds 10% of our total consolidated net revenue and is presented separately in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Service revenue primarily consists of maintenance and support, extended warranty, professional services and post-contract support in addition to other services such as calibration and repair services. When evaluating the performance of our segments, management focuses on total net revenue, gross profit and operating income and not the product or service categories. Consequently, the following discussion of business segment performance focuses on total net revenue, gross profit, and operating income consistent with our approach for managing the business.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022
Net revenue decreased by $62.3 million, or 20.1%, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease reflects the weakness in service provider spending and softness in anti-counterfeiting.
Product revenues decreased by $62.1 million, or 23.2%, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago, driven by decreases in all segments.
Service revenues remained relatively flat, decreasing $0.2 million, or 0.5%, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease was driven by revenue decrease in our NE segment offset in part by revenue increase from our SE segment.
Going forward, we expect to continue to encounter a number of industry and market risks and uncertainties. For example, uncertainty around the timing of our customers procurement decisions on infrastructure maintenance and upgrades and decisions on new infrastructure investments or uncertainty about speed of adoption of 5G technology at a commercially viable scale. This may limit our visibility, and consequently, our ability to predict future revenue, seasonality, profitability, and general financial performance, which could create period-over-period variability in our financial measures and present foreign exchange rate risks.
We cannot predict when or to what extent these uncertainties will be resolved. Our revenues, profitability, and general financial performance may also be affected by: (a) pricing pressures due to, among other things, a highly concentrated customer base, increasing competition, particularly from Asia-based competitors, and a general commoditization trend for certain products; (b) product mix variability in our markets, which affects revenue and gross margin; (c) fluctuations in customer buying patterns, which cause demand, revenue and profitability volatility; (d) the current trend of communication industry consolidation, which is expected to continue, that directly affects our NE and SE customer bases and adds additional risk and uncertainty to our financial and business projections; (e) chip component shortages, supply chain and shipping logistic constraints; (f) the impact of ongoing global trade policies, tariffs and sanctions; and (g) regulatory or economic developments and/or technology challenges that slow or change the rate of adoption of 5G, 3D sensing and other emerging secular technologies and platforms.
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Revenue by Region
We operate in three geographic regions: Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Net revenue is assigned to the geographic region and country where our product is initially shipped. For example, certain customers may request shipment of our product to a contract manufacturer in one country, which may differ from the location of their end customers. The following table presents net revenue by the three geographic regions we operate in and net revenue from countries that exceeded 10% of our total net revenue ( in millions ):
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023 October 1, 2022
Americas:
United States $ 82.8 33.4 % $ 96.6 31.1 %
Other Americas 17.7 7.1 % 26.4 8.5 %
Total Americas $ 100.5 40.5 % $ 123.0 39.6 %
Asia-Pacific:
Greater China $ 51.1 20.6 % $ 65.6 21.2 %
Other Asia-Pacific 34.8 14.1 % 46.0 14.8 %
Total Asia-Pacific $ 85.9 34.7 % $ 111.6 36.0 %
EMEA: $ 61.5 24.8 % $ 75.6 24.4 %
Total net revenue $ 247.9 100.0 % $ 310.2 100.0 %
Net revenue from customers outside the Americas represented 59.5% and 60.4% of net revenue, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022.
We expect revenue from customers outside of the United States to continue to be an important part of our overall net revenue and an increasing focus for net revenue growth opportunities.
Amortization of Acquired Technologies (Cost of revenues)
Amortization of acquired technologies within Cost of revenues decreased $3.6 million or 50.7% during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease is primarily due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized in fiscal 2023 offset in part by amortization of intangibles acquired through acquisitions in fiscal 2023.
Gross Margin
Gross margin decreased by 1.4 percentage points during the three months ended September 30, 2023 from 59.6% in the same period a year ago to 58.2% in the current period. The decrease was primarily due to gross margin reduction from our NE and OSP segments, partially offset by gross margin increase in our SE segment, as discussed below in the Operating Segment Information section.
As discussed in more detail under “Net Revenue” above, we sell products in certain markets that are consolidating, undergoing product, architectural and business model transitions, have high customer concentrations, are highly competitive (increasingly due to Asia-Pacific-based competition), are price sensitive and/or are affected by customer seasonal and mix variant buying patterns. We expect these factors to continue to result in variability of our gross margin.
Research and Development
R&D expense decreased by $2.7 million, or 5.1%, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease was primarily due to benefits from our restructuring activities and variable expense reductions. As a percentage of net revenue, R&D expense increased by 3.1 percentage points during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago.
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We believe that continuing our investments in R&D is critical to attaining our strategic objectives. We plan to continue to invest in R&D and new products that will further differentiate us in the marketplace.
Selling, General and Administrative
SG&A expense decreased by $3.0 million, or 3.7%, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease was primarily due to benefits from our restructuring activities, variable expense reductions including lower commissions, and the fair value adjustment of contingent consideration related to acquisitions. As a percentage of net revenue, SG&A increased 5.2 percentage points during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago.
Amortization of Intangibles (Operating expenses)
Amortization of intangibles within Operating expenses decreased $0.1 million or 4.5% during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease is primarily due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized in fiscal 2023 offset in part by amortization of intangibles acquired through acquisitions in fiscal 2023.
Restructuring
The Company restructuring events are primarily intended to reduce costs, consolidate operations, integrate various acquisitions, streamline product manufacturing and address market conditions. During the second quarter of fiscal 2023, Management approved a restructuring and workforce reduction plan (the Fiscal 2023 Plan) to better align the Company’s workforce with current business needs and strategic growth opportunities. The Fiscal 2023 Plan, which affected approximately 5% of the Company's workforce, resulted in an estimated annualized gross cost savings of approximately $28.0 million excluding any one-time charges as a result of the restructuring activities.
The first phase of the Fiscal 2023 Plan impacted all segments and corporate functions and was substantially complete as of September 30, 2023. The second phase of the Fiscal 2023 Plan is primarily focused on reducing costs in our SE segment and the Company anticipates this phase to be substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
We estimate future cash payments of $1.5 million under the Fiscal 2023 Plan during the remainder of fiscal 2024, funded by operating cash flow.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded restructuring benefits of $0.8 million related to the FY 2023 Plan. Refer to “Note 13. Restructuring and Related Charges” for more information.
Interest and other income, net
Interest and other income, net, was $10.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $1.1 million during the same period a year ago. This $9.1 million increase was primarily driven by a legal settlement in our favor in the amount of $7.3 million and higher interest income during the current period partially offset by an unfavorable foreign exchange impact as the balance sheet hedging program provided a less favorable offset to the remeasurement of underlying foreign exchange exposures during the current period.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $1.7 million, or 27.9%, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. This increase was primarily driven by the accretion of debt discount on the Senior Convertible Notes due 2026 as a result of the issuance in March 2023.
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Provision for Income Taxes
We recorded an income tax provision of $8.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. We recorded an income tax provision of $12.2 million for the three months ended October 1, 2022.
The income tax provision for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022 primarily relates to income tax in certain foreign and state jurisdictions based on our forecasted pre-tax income or loss.
The income tax provision recorded differs from the expected tax provision that would be calculated by applying the federal statutory rate to our income from continuing operations before taxes primarily due to the changes in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets attributable to our domestic and foreign income from continuing operations.
As of September 30, 2023, and July 1, 2023, our unrecognized tax benefits totaling $50.7 million and $51.1 million, respectively, are included in deferred taxes and other non-current tax liabilities, net. We had $3.0 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of September 30, 2023. The timing and resolution of income tax examinations is uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ from the amounts accrued for each year. Although we do not expect that our balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months, given the uncertainty in the development of ongoing income tax examinations, we are unable to estimate the full range of possible adjustments to this balance.
Operating Segment Information
Information related to our operating segments were as follows (in millions) :
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023 October 1, 2022 Change Percentage Change
Network Enablement
Net revenue $ 150.0 $ 196.5 $ (46.5) (23.7) %
Gross profit 94.6 126.8 (32.2) (25.4) %
Gross margin 63.1 % 64.5 %
Service Enablement
Net revenue $ 20.4 $ 22.4 $ (2.0) (8.9) %
Gross profit 13.7 14.8 (1.1) (7.4) %
Gross margin 67.2 % 66.1 %
Network and Service Enablement
Net revenue $ 170.4 $ 218.9 $ (48.5) (22.2) %
Operating income 1.5 28.8 (27.3) (94.8) %
Operating margin 0.9 % 13.2 %
Optical Security and Performance
Net revenue $ 77.5 $ 91.3 $ (13.8) (15.1) %
Gross profit 40.7 51.8 (11.1) (21.4) %
Gross margin 52.5 % 56.7 %
Operating income $ 29.3 $ 38.6 $ (9.3) (24.1) %
Operating margin 37.8 % 42.3 %
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Network Enablement
NE net revenue decreased by $46.5 million, or 23.7%, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease was primarily driven by lower volumes in Wireless, Field Instruments and Lab and Production partially offset by PNT revenue not included in the comparable period.
NE gross margin decreased by 1.4 percentage points during the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 63.1% from 64.5% in the same period a year ago primarily due to lower volumes and unfavorable product mix.
Service Enablement
SE net revenue decreased by $2.0 million, or 8.9%, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago primarily due to lower Assurance revenues offset in part by increased Data Center revenues.
SE gross margin increased by 1.1 percentage points during the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 67.2% from 66.1% in the same period a year ago primarily due to favorable product mix.
Network and Service Enablement
NSE operating margin decreased by 12.3 percentage points during the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 0.9% from 13.2% in the same period a year ago primarily due to lower volumes.
Optical Security and Performance Products
OSP net revenue decreased by $13.8 million, or 15.1%, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. This decrease was primarily driven by lower anti-counterfeiting and consumer and industrial revenue compared to the same period a year ago.
OSP gross margin decreased by 4.2 percentage points during the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 52.5% from 56.7% in the same period a year ago primarily due to unfavorable manufacturing variances and lower volumes.
OSP operating margin decreased by 4.5 percentage points during the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 37.8% from 42.3% in the same period a year ago primarily due to the aforementioned reduction in gross margin.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe our existing liquidity and sources of liquidity, namely operating cash flows, credit facility capacity, and access to capital markets, will continue to be adequate to meet our liquidity needs, including but not limited to, contractual obligations, working capital and capital expenditure requirements, financing strategic initiatives, fund debt maturities, and execution of purchases under our share repurchase program over the next twelve months and beyond. However, there are a number of factors that could positively or negatively impact our liquidity position, including:
• Global economic conditions which affect demand for our products and services and impact the financial stability of our suppliers and customers;
• Changes in accounts receivable, inventory or other operating assets and liabilities which affect our working capital;
• Increase in capital expenditure to support the revenue growth opportunity of our business;
• Changes in customer payment terms and patterns, which typically results in customers delaying payments or negotiating favorable payment terms to manage their own liquidity positions;
• Timing of payments to our suppliers;
• Factoring or sale of accounts receivable;
• Volatility in fixed income and credit markets which impact the liquidity and valuation of our investment portfolios;
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• Volatility in credit markets which would impact our ability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms or at all;
• Volatility in foreign exchange markets which impacts our financial results;
• Possible investments or acquisitions of complementary businesses, products or technologies;
• While the principal payment obligations of our 1.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024, our 1.625% Senior Convertible Notes due 2026 and our 3.75% Senior Notes due 2029 (together the “Notes”) are substantial and have covenants that restrict our debt level and credit facility capacity, we may be able to incur substantially more debt;
• Issuance or repurchase of debt which may include open market purchases of our 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and/or 2029 Notes prior to their maturity;
• Issuance or repurchase of our common stock or other equity securities;
• Potential funding of pension liabilities either voluntarily or as required by law or regulation;
• Compliance with covenants and other terms and conditions related to our financing arrangements; and
• The risks and uncertainties detailed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” section of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments consist mainly of investments in institutional money market funds and short-term deposits at major global financial institutions. Our strategy is focused on the preservation of capital and supporting our liquidity requirements that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy approved by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. Our investments in debt securities and marketable equity securities are primarily classified as available for sale or trading assets and are recorded at fair value. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are recorded as Other comprehensive (loss) income and are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. As of September 30, 2023, U.S. subsidiaries owned approximately 32.9% of our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash.
As of September 30, 2023, the majority of our cash investments have maturities of 90 days or less and are of high credit quality. Nonetheless we could realize investment losses under adverse market conditions. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we have not realized material investment losses but can provide no assurance that the value or the liquidity of our investments will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets. In addition, we maintain cash balances in operating accounts that are with third-party financial institutions. These balances in the U.S. may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance limits. While we monitor the cash balances in our operating accounts and adjust the cash balances as appropriate, these cash balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail.
Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility
On December 30, 2021, we entered into a credit agreement (the Credit Agreement) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Wells Fargo) as administrative agent, and other lender related parties. The Credit Agreement provides for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility in a maximum aggregate amount of $300.0 million, which matures on December 30, 2026. The Credit Agreement also provides that, under certain circumstances, we may increase the aggregate amount of revolving commitments thereunder by an aggregate amount of up to $100.0 million so long as certain conditions are met.
As of September 30, 2023, we had no borrowings under this facility and our available borrowing capacity was approximately $152.1 million, net of outstanding standby letters of credit of $4.1 million.
Refer to “Note 11. Debt” for more information.
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Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
As of September 30, 2023, our combined balance of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash increased by $12.3 million to $527.9 million from $515.6 million as of July 1, 2023.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, Cash provided by operating activities was $50.3 million, consisting of net income of $9.8 million adjusted for non-cash charges (e.g., depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and other non-cash items) which totaled $27.7 million, including changes in deferred tax balances, and changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided $12.8 million. Changes in our operating assets and liabilities related primarily to a decrease in accounts receivable of $38.0 million due to collections outpacing billings and a decrease in other current and non-current assets of $3.9 million. These were offset by a decrease in deferred revenue of $10.1 million due to timing of support billings and project acceptance, a decrease in accrued payroll and related expenses of $9.1 million due primarily to lower variable expenses and timing of payroll, a decrease in accounts payable of $7.6 million driven by timing of purchases and related payments, a decrease in accrued expenses and other current and non-current liabilities of $1.4 million, an increase in inventory of $0.3 million and a decrease in income taxes payable of $0.6 million.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, Cash used in investing activities was $12.6 million, primarily resulting from $6.5 million net purchases of short-term investments and $6.7 million used for capital expenditures offset by $0.6 million proceeds from sales of assets.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, Cash used in financing activities was $16.1 million, primarily resulting from $10.0 million cash paid to repurchase common stock under our share repurchase program and $9.1 million in withholding tax payments on the vesting of restricted stock awards and performance-based awards. These were offset by $3.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of common stock under our employee stock purchase plan.
Share Repurchase Program
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we repurchased 1.0 million shares of our common stock for $10.0 million pursuant to our 2022 Repurchase Plan. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had remaining authorization of $224.8 million for future share repurchases under the 2022 Repurchase Plan.
Refer to “Note 15. Stockholders Equity” for more information.
Contractual Obligations
There were no material changes to our existing contractual commitments during the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as such term is defined in rules promulgated by the SEC, 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 expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors, other than the guarantees discussed in “Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies.”
Employee Equity Incentive Plan
Our stock-based benefit plans are a broad-based, long-term retention program that is intended to attract and retain employees and align stockholder and employee interests. Refer to “Note 16. Stock-Based Compensation” for more details.
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Employee Defined Benefit Plans and Other Post-retirement Benefits
We sponsor significant qualified and non-qualified pension plans for certain past and present employees in the U.K. and Germany. Most of these plans have been closed to new participants and no additional service costs are being accrued.
The U.K. plan is fully funded, and the other Germany plans, which were initially established as “pay-as-you-go” plans, are unfunded. As of September 30, 2023, our pension plans were under-funded by $52.0 million since the post-retirement benefit obligation (PBO) exceeded the fair value of plan assets. Pension plan assets are managed by external third parties and we monitor the performance of our investment managers. As of September 30, 2023, the fair value of plan assets had decreased approximately 4.9% since July 1, 2023, our most recent fiscal year end.
We are also responsible for the non-pension PBO assumed from a past acquisition of $0.4 million.
In estimating the expected return on plan assets, we consider historical returns on plan assets, adjusted for forward-looking considerations, inflation assumptions and the impact of active management of the plan’s invested assets. While it is not possible to accurately predict future rate movements, we believe our current assumptions are appropriate. Refer to “Note 17. Employee Pension and Other Benefit Plans” for more details.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to “Note 2. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements” regarding the effect of certain recent accounting pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, (U.S. GAAP), which require management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, net revenue and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Our estimates are based on historical experience and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. We believe that the accounting estimates employed and the resulting balances are reasonable; however, actual results may differ from these estimates and such differences may be material.
A key actuarial assumption in calculating the net periodic cost and the PBO is the discount rate. Changes in the discount rate impact the interest cost component of the net periodic benefit cost calculation and PBO due to the fact that the PBO is calculated on a net present value basis. Decreases in the discount rate will generally increase pre-tax cost, recognized expense and the PBO. Increases in the discount rate tend to have the opposite effect. We estimate a 50-basis point decrease or increase in the discount rate would cause a corresponding increase or decrease, respectively, in the PBO of approximately $4.0 million based upon data as of July 1, 2023.
Goodwill is recognized and initially measured as the excess of the purchase price paid over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not result in an impairment of goodwill. The Company tests goodwill at the reporting unit level for impairment during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired.
First, we assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we conduct a quantitative goodwill impairment test comparing the fair value of the applicable reporting unit with its carrying value. If the estimated fair value exceeds book value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired. However, if the fair value of the reporting unit is less than book value, then goodwill will be impaired by the amount that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the fair value.
As part of the annual impairment test, the Company performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill impairment for all reporting units during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.
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The Company estimated the fair value of each reporting unit by applying a combination of the income approach and the market approach. The income approach used discounted future cash flows in which sales, operating income and cash flow projections were based on assumptions driven by current economic conditions. In developing these assumptions, we relied on various factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, and other market data. The market approach was based on trading multiples of companies comparable to each reporting unit and analysis of recent sales of comparable entities. We corroborated the fair value estimates by comparing the sum of the fair values of the reporting units and corporate net assets to VIAVI’s market capitalization as of the valuation date.
The Company believes the assumptions used in the goodwill impairment test were reasonable, but future changes in the underlying assumptions could occur due to the inherent uncertainty in making such estimates. Further declines in the Company’s operating results due to challenging economic conditions, an unfavorable industry or macroeconomic development or other adverse changes in market conditions could change one of the key assumptions the Company used in the goodwill impairment assessment, which could result in a further decline in fair value and require the Company to record an impairment charge in future periods.
Based on our testing, the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units was at least two times the carrying value, and therefore no impairment was identified.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risks
The Company’s market risk has not changed materially from the foreign exchange and interest rate risks disclosed in Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2023.
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.