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Western Digital Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2018

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 26, 2018-- Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC):

Fiscal 2018 Revenue Grows to $20.6 Billion, +8% Year-over-Year

Authorizes New $5 Billion Share Repurchase Program

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) today reported revenue of $5.1 billion for its fourth fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2018. Operating income was $843 million with net income of $756 million, or $2.46 per share. Excluding certain non-GAAP adjustments, the company achieved non-GAAP operating income of $1.3 billion and non-GAAP net income of $1.1 billion, or $3.61 per share.

In the year-ago quarter, the company reported revenue of $4.8 billion, operating income of $652 million and net income of $280 million, or $0.93 per share. Non-GAAP operating income in the year-ago quarter was $1.2 billion and non-GAAP net income was $881 million, or $2.93 per share.

The company generated $863 million in cash from operations during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2018, ending with $5.1 billion of total cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities. On May 2, 2018, the company declared a cash dividend of $0.50 per share of its common stock, which was paid to shareholders on July 16, 2018.

For fiscal 2018, the company achieved record revenue of $20.6 billion, operating income of $3.6 billion and net income of $675 million, or $2.20 per share, compared to fiscal 2017 revenue of $19.1 billion, operating income of $2.0 billion and net income of $397 million, or $1.34 per share. On a non-GAAP basis, fiscal 2018 operating income was $5.4 billion and net income was $4.5 billion, or $14.73 per share, compared to fiscal 2017 operating income of $3.9 billion and net income of $2.7 billion, or $9.19 per share. The company generated $4.2 billion in cash from operations during the fiscal year 2018 and returned $1.2 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.

“I am pleased with our financial performance as we report strong revenue, profitability and cash flow generation,” said Steve Milligan, chief executive officer of Western Digital. “The Western Digital platform allows us to continue to deliver differentiated financial performance enabling us to effectively navigate dynamic market conditions. With a deepening customer engagement, and our growing exposure to secular growth areas such as mobility and cloud, we remain poised to deliver compelling long-term shareholder value.”

The company also announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a new $5 billion share repurchase program, replacing all prior programs.

“Western Digital’s products and solutions are a key enabler of the ongoing growth in the volume and value of data. Our differentiated performance has demonstrated the stability, reliability and resiliency of our business model,” said Steve Milligan. “This new significant share repurchase authorization reflects ongoing confidence in the fundamentals of our business and its cash flow generation capabilities. We believe it is an excellent capital allocation opportunity to enhance long-term shareholder value.”

The investment community conference call to discuss these results, the company’s guidance for the first fiscal quarter 2019 and an accompanying presentation will be broadcast live online today at 2:30 p.m. Pacific/5:30 p.m. Eastern. The live and archived conference call/webcast, the company’s guidance for the first fiscal quarter and the earnings presentation can be accessed online at investor.wdc.com. The telephone replay number in the U.S. is 1(855) 859-2056 or +1(404) 537-3406 for international callers. The required conference ID is 8876946.

About Western Digital®

Western Digital creates environments for data to thrive. The company is driving the innovation needed to help customers capture, preserve, access and transform an ever-increasing diversity of data. Everywhere data lives, from advanced data centers to mobile sensors to personal devices, our industry-leading solutions deliver the possibilities of data. Western Digital data-centric solutions are marketed under the G-Technology™, HGST, SanDisk®, Tegile™, Upthere™ and WD® brands. Financial and investor information is available on the company's Investor Relations website at investor.wdc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements concerning the company’s preliminary financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2018 and fiscal year 2018; platform and product portfolio; market positioning; growth opportunities; and potential repurchases in the future by the company of shares of its common stock. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The preliminary financial results for the company’s fourth fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2018 and fiscal year 2018 included in this press release represent the most current information available to management. The company’s actual results when disclosed in its Form 10-K may differ from these preliminary results as a result of the completion of the company’s financial closing procedures; final adjustments; completion of the review and audit by the company’s independent registered accounting firm and other developments that may arise between now and the disclosure of the final results. Other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: volatility in global economic conditions; business conditions and growth in the storage ecosystem; impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance and cost of commodity materials and specialized product components; actions by competitors; unexpected advances in competing technologies; our development and introduction of products based on new technologies and expansion into new data storage markets; risks associated with acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties listed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2018, to which your attention is directed. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.

Western Digital, the Western Digital logo, G-Technology, HGST, SanDisk, Tegile, Upthere and WD are registered trademarks or trademarks of Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries.

 
WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
                     
PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                     
(in millions; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)
                     
              June 29,     June 30,
              2018     2017
                     
ASSETS
                     
Current assets:                
  Cash and cash equivalents       $ 5,005     $ 6,354
  Accounts receivable, net         2,197       1,948
  Inventories           2,944       2,341
  Other current assets         492       413
    Total current assets         10,638       11,056
Property, plant and equipment, net         3,095       3,033
Notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures     2,105       1,340
Goodwill           10,075       10,014
Other intangible assets, net         2,680       3,823
Other non-current assets         642       594
    Total assets         $ 29,235     $ 29,860
                     
                     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                     
Current liabilities:                
  Accounts payable         $ 2,265     $ 2,144
  Accounts payable to related parties       259       206
  Accrued expenses           1,274       1,255
  Accrued compensation         479       506
  Current portion of long-term debt         179       233
    Total current liabilities         4,456       4,344
Long-term debt           10,993       12,918
Other liabilities           2,255       1,180
    Total liabilities           17,704       18,442
Total shareholders' equity         11,531       11,418
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity     $ 29,235     $ 29,860
                     
 
WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
                             
PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                             
(in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)
                             
                Three Months Ended   Years Ended
                June 29,   June 30,   June 29,   June 30,
                2018   2017   2018   2017
                             
Revenue, net           $ 5,117     $ 4,842     $ 20,647     $ 19,093  
Cost of revenue             3,265       3,161       12,942       13,021  
  Gross profit             1,852       1,681       7,705       6,072  
Operating expenses:                        
  Research and development             577       604       2,400       2,441  
  Selling, general and administrative           352       345       1,473       1,445  
  Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges       80       80       215       232  
    Total operating expenses             1,009       1,029       4,088       4,118  
Operating income             843       652       3,617       1,954  
  Interest and other expense, net             (114 )     (237 )     (1,532 )     (1,185 )
Income before taxes             729       415       2,085       769  
  Income tax expense (benefit)             (27 )     135       1,410       372  
Net income           $ 756     $ 280     $ 675     $ 397  
                             
Income per common share:                        
  Basic           $ 2.53     $ 0.96     $ 2.27     $ 1.38  
  Diluted           $ 2.46     $ 0.93     $ 2.20     $ 1.34  
                             
Weighted average shares outstanding:                      
  Basic             299       292       297       288  
  Diluted             307       301       307       296  
                                           
 
WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
                                 
PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 
(in millions; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)
                                 
                    Three Months Ended   Years Ended
                    June 29,   June 30,   June 29,   June 30,
                    2018   2017   2018   2017
                                 
  Operating Activities                        
  Net income             $ 756     $ 280     $ 675     $ 397  
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:

                    
    Depreciation and amortization           489       546       2,056       2,128  
    Stock-based compensation           78       91       377       394  
    Deferred income taxes           (12 )     (49 )     (348 )     12  
    Loss on disposal of assets           5       6       21       18  
    Write-off of issuance costs and amortization of debt discounts     13       10       221       285  
    Cash premium on extinguishment of debt         -       -       720       5  
    Non-cash portion of employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges     -       -       16       13  
    Other non-cash operating activities, net         (4 )     35       (19 )     94  
    Changes in:                          
    Accounts receivable, net           (186 )     2       (244 )     (487 )
    Inventories               (274 )     (87 )     (598 )     (204 )
    Accounts payable             26       (96 )     (15 )     223  
    Accounts payable to related parties         (23 )     13       53       38  
    Accrued expenses             72       71       (17 )     231  
    Accrued compensation           (28 )     25       (26 )     115  
    Other assets and liabilities, net           (49 )     92       1,333       175  
      Net cash provided by operating activities       863       939       4,205       3,437  
                                 
  Investing Activities                        
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net       (190 )     (125 )     (809 )     (557 )
  Activity related to Flash Ventures, net         (35 )     (53 )     (742 )     (277 )
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired         (1 )     -       (100 )     -  
  Investment activity, net             (11 )     (1 )     (22 )     230  
  Strategic investments and other, net         (12 )     (11 )     18       (32 )
      Net cash used in investing activities         (249 )     (190 )     (1,655 )     (636 )
                                 
  Financing Activities                        
  Employee stock plans, net           67       128       49       230  
  Repurchases of common stock           (436 )     -       (591 )     -  
  Proceeds from acquired call option         -       -       -       61  
  Dividends paid to shareholders           (150 )     (146 )     (593 )     (574 )
  Settlement of debt hedge contracts         -       (21 )     28       (21 )
  Proceeds from revolving credit facility         -       -       500       -  
  Proceeds from debt, net of issuance costs         2,449       -       13,781       7,898  
  Repayment of debt and premiums         (2,493 )     (10 )     (17,074 )     (12,189 )
      Net cash used in financing activities         (563 )     (49 )     (3,900 )     (4,595 )
  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash         (9 )     2       1       (3 )
  Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents       42       702       (1,349 )     (1,797 )
  Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period       4,963       5,652       6,354       8,151  
  Cash and cash equivalents, end of period       $ 5,005     $ 6,354     $ 5,005     $ 6,354  
                                       
 
WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
                           
PRELIMINARY RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
                           
(in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited)
                           
              Three Months Ended   Years Ended
              June 29,   June 30,   June 29,   June 30,
              2018   2017   2018   2017
                           
GAAP cost of revenue     $ 3,265   $ 3,161   $ 12,942   $ 13,021
  Amortization of acquired intangible assets   (234)   (279)   (1,022)   (1,003)
  Stock-based compensation expense   (12)   (12)   (49)   (49)
  Acquisition-related charges     -   -   -   (18)
  Charges related to cost saving initiatives   1   (24)   7   (68)
  Other         -   (2)   -   (5)
Non-GAAP cost of revenue     $ 3,020   $ 2,844   $ 11,878   $ 11,878
                           
GAAP gross profit       $ 1,852   $ 1,681   $ 7,705   $ 6,072
  Amortization of acquired intangible assets   234   279   1,022   1,003
  Stock-based compensation expense   12   12   49   49
  Acquisition-related charges     -   -   -   18
  Charges related to cost saving initiatives   (1)   24   (7)   68
  Other         -   2   -   5
Non-GAAP gross profit     $ 2,097   $ 1,998   $ 8,769   $ 7,215
                           
GAAP operating expenses     $ 1,009   $ 1,029   $ 4,088   $ 4,118
  Amortization of acquired intangible assets   (41)   (40)   (163)   (159)
  Stock-based compensation expense   (66)   (77)   (327)   (333)
  Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges   (80)   (80)   (215)   (232)
  Acquisition-related charges     (1)   -   (13)   (17)
  Charges related to cost saving initiatives   (1)   (16)   (19)   (86)
  Other         -   (4)   3   (8)
Non-GAAP operating expenses   $ 820   $ 812   $ 3,354   $ 3,283
                           
GAAP operating income     $ 843   $ 652   $ 3,617   $ 1,954
  Cost of revenue adjustments   245   317   1,064   1,143
  Operating expense adjustments   189   217   734   835
Non-GAAP operating income     $ 1,277   $ 1,186   $ 5,415   $ 3,932
                           
GAAP interest and other expense, net   $ (114)   $ (237)   $ (1,532)   $ (1,185)
  Convertible debt activity, net     7   (1)   10   6
  Debt extinguishment costs     3   -   899   274
  Other         3   41   5   54
Non-GAAP interest and other expense, net   $ (101)   $ (197)   $ (618)   $ (851)
                           
GAAP income tax expense (benefit)   $ (27)   $ 135   $ 1,410   $ 372
  Income tax adjustments     94   (27)   (1,136)   (11)
Non-GAAP income tax expense   $ 67   $ 108   $ 274   $ 361
                           
GAAP net income       $ 756   $ 280   $ 675   $ 397
  Amortization of acquired intangible assets   275   319   1,185   1,162
  Stock-based compensation expense   78   89   376   382
  Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges   80   80   215   232
  Acquisition-related charges     1   -   13   35
  Charges related to cost saving initiatives   -   40   12   154
  Convertible debt activity, net     7   (1)   10   6
  Debt extinguishment costs     3   -   899   274
  Other         3   47   2   67
  Income tax adjustments     (94)   27   1,136   11
Non-GAAP net income     $ 1,109   $ 881   $ 4,523   $ 2,720
                           
Diluted income per common share:                
  GAAP         $ 2.46   $ 0.93   $ 2.20   $ 1.34
  Non-GAAP         $ 3.61   $ 2.93   $ 14.73   $ 9.19
                           
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding:                
  GAAP         307   301   307   296
  Non-GAAP         307   301   307   296
                         

To supplement the condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the table above sets forth non-GAAP cost of revenue; non-GAAP gross profit; non-GAAP operating expenses; non-GAAP operating income; non-GAAP interest and other expense, net; non-GAAP income tax expense; non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted income per common share (“Non-GAAP measures”). These Non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The company believes the presentation of these Non-GAAP measures, when shown in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures, provides useful information to investors for measuring the company’s earnings performance and comparing it against prior periods. Specifically, the company believes these Non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors as they exclude certain expenses, gains and losses that the company believes are not indicative of its core operating results or because they are consistent with the financial models and estimates published by many analysts who follow the company and its peers. As discussed further below, these Non-GAAP measures exclude the amortization of acquired intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, employee termination, asset impairment and other charges, acquisition-related charges, charges related to cost saving initiatives, convertible debt activity, debt extinguishment costs, other charges, and income tax adjustments, and the company believes these measures along with the related reconciliations to the GAAP measures provide additional detail and comparability for assessing the company's results. These Non-GAAP measures are some of the primary indicators management uses for assessing the company's performance and planning and forecasting future periods. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.

As described above, the company excludes the following items from its Non-GAAP measures:

Amortization of acquired intangible assets. The company incurs expenses from the amortization of acquired intangible assets over their economic lives. Such charges are significantly impacted by the timing and magnitude of the company's acquisitions and any related impairment charges.

Stock-based compensation expense. Because of the variety of equity awards used by companies, the varying methodologies for determining stock-based compensation expense, the subjective assumptions involved in those determinations, and the volatility in valuations that can be driven by market conditions outside the company's control, the company believes excluding stock-based compensation expense enhances the ability of management and investors to understand and assess the underlying performance of its business over time and compare it against the company's peers, a majority of whom also exclude stock-based compensation expense from their non-GAAP results.

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges. From time-to-time, in order to realign the company's operations with anticipated market demand or to achieve cost synergies from the integration of acquisitions, the company may terminate employees and/or restructure its operations. During the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2018, the company incurred charges related to a planned hard drive manufacturing site closure and consolidation, as well as other restructuring actions. From time-to-time, the company may also incur charges from the impairment of intangible assets and other long-lived assets. These charges (including any reversals of charges recorded in prior periods) are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Acquisition-related charges. In connection with the company's business combinations, the company incurs expenses which it would not have otherwise incurred as part of its business operations. These expenses include third-party professional service and legal fees, third-party integration services, severance costs, non-cash adjustments to the fair value of acquired inventory, contract termination costs, and retention bonuses. The company may also experience other accounting impacts in connection with these transactions. These charges and impacts are related to acquisitions, are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Charges related to cost saving initiatives. In connection with the transformation of the company's business, the company has incurred charges related to cost saving initiatives which do not qualify for special accounting treatment as exit or disposal activities. These charges, which the company believes are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business, primarily relate to costs associated with rationalizing the company's channel partners or vendors, transforming the company's information systems infrastructure, integrating the company's product roadmap, and accelerated depreciation on assets.

Convertible debt activity, net. The company excludes non-cash economic interest expense associated with its convertible notes, the gains and losses on the conversion of its convertible senior notes and call option, and unrealized gains and losses related to the change in fair value of the exercise option and call option. These charges and gains and losses do not reflect the company's operating results, and the company believes are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Debt extinguishment costs. From time-to-time, the company replaces its existing debt with new financing at more favorable interest rates or utilizes available capital to settle debt early, both of which generate interest savings in future periods. The company incurs debt extinguishment charges consisting of the costs to call the existing debt and/or the write-off of any related unamortized debt issuance costs. These gains and losses do not reflect the company's operating results, and the company believes are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Other charges. From time-to-time, the company sells or impairs investments or other assets which are not considered necessary to its business operations, or incurs other charges or gains that the company believes are not a part of the ongoing operation of its business. The resulting expense or benefit is inconsistent in amount and frequency.

Income tax adjustments. Income tax adjustments include the difference between income taxes based on a forecasted annual non-GAAP tax rate and a forecasted annual GAAP tax rate as a result of the timing of certain non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments. Additionally, as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the fiscal year ended June 29, 2018 income tax adjustments include a net provisional income tax expense of $1.6 billion for the one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax and a provisional income tax benefit of $65 million related to the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

Source: Western Digital Corp.

Western Digital Corp.
Investor Contact:
T. Peter Andrew
949-672-9655
peter.andrew@wdc.com
investor@wdc.com
or
Media Contact:
Jim Pascoe
408-717-6999
jim.pascoe@wdc.com