Micron Technology Q1 2012 Results: Net Sales Fall 7.2% - Loss Wider Than Expected

December 22, 2011

Micron Technology reported results of operations for its first quarter of fiscal 2012, which ended December 1, 2011. For the first quarter, the company had a net loss attributable to Micron shareholders of $187 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, on net sales of $2.1 billion. The results for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 compare to a net loss of $135 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, on net sales of $2.1 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, and net income of $155 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, on net sales of $2.3 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

The Street was expecting a loss of 8 cents a share, with revenue of $2.13 billion.

The company's consolidated gross margin remained at 15 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Improvements in NAND Flash margins were offset by declines in DRAM. Revenue from sales of NAND Flash products was 6 percent higher in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 due to an 18 percent increase in sales volume partially offset by a 10 percent decrease in average selling prices. Revenue from sales of DRAM products was essentially unchanged in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to the previous quarter, as a 14 percent increase sales volume was offset by a 12 percent decrease in average selling prices. Sales of NOR Flash products were approximately 14 percent of total net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2012.

Cash flows from operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 were $404 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the company invested approximately $750 million in capital expenditures. The company ended the quarter with cash and short-term investments of $1.9 billion.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the company entered into a 10-year patent cross-license agreement with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. ("Samsung"). Under the agreement, Samsung agreed to pay the company $275 million, of which $200 million was received in the first quarter of fiscal 2011. The license is a life-of-patents license for existing patents and applications, and a 10-year term license for all other patents.

• $15 million from the exchange of $175 million in aggregate principal amount of the company's 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 (the "2014 Notes") for $175 million in aggregate principal amount of new 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027;
• $17 million (including transaction fees) from the repurchase of $176 million in aggregate principal amount of the company's 2014 Notes for $171 million in cash; and
• $79 million (including transaction fees) from the repurchase of $91 million in aggregate principal amount of the company's 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 for $166 million in cash.

(3) Income taxes for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 included a tax benefit of $14 million related to the favorable resolution of certain prior year tax matters. Income taxes in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 included a charge of $33 million in connection with the receipt of $200 million from Samsung. The company has a valuation allowance for a substantial portion of its net deferred tax asset associated with its U.S. operations. Taxes attributable to U.S. operations in fiscal 2012 and 2011 were substantially offset by changes in the valuation allowance.