Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 
 
 
FORM 8-K
 
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 31, 2019
 
 

https://cdn.kscope.io/9f4e232ae04ceb963a2aa91a1653e066-wdcorporatelogoa05.jpg
WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
001-08703
 
33-0956711
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
5601 Great Oaks Parkway
San Jose, California
 
 
 
95119
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
 
 
(Zip Code)

(408) 717-6000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
    
Not applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) 
 
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
¨

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
 
 
 
¨

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
 
 
 
¨

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
 
 
 
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
 
 
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value Per Share
WDC
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Nasdaq Global Select Market)
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
                                Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 
 



Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 31, 2019, Western Digital Corporation announced financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and year ended June 28, 2019. A copy of the press release making this announcement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits

99.1






SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
Western Digital Corporation
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael C. Ray
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michael C. Ray
 
 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer
and Secretary
 
Date: July 31, 2019


Exhibit

Exhibit 99.1
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WESTERN DIGITAL ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR
FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR 2019

SAN JOSE, Calif. — July 31, 2019 — Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) today reported revenue of $3.6 billion for its fourth fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2019. The operating loss was $381 million with a net loss of $197 million, or ($0.67) per share. Excluding certain non-GAAP adjustments, the company achieved non-GAAP operating income of $158 million and non-GAAP net income of $50 million, or $0.17 per share.
In the year-ago quarter, the company reported revenue of $5.1 billion, operating income of $843 million and net income of $756 million, or $2.46 per share. Non-GAAP operating income in the year-ago quarter was $1.3 billion and non-GAAP net income was $1.1 billion, or $3.61 per share.
The company generated $169 million in cash from operations during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2019, and ended the quarter with $3.5 billion of total cash and cash equivalents. The company returned $146 million to shareholders through dividends. On May 2, 2019, the company declared a cash dividend of $0.50 per share of its common stock, which was paid to shareholders on July 15, 2019.
For fiscal 2019, the company achieved revenue of $16.6 billion, operating income of $87 million and net loss of $754 million, or ($2.58) per share, compared to fiscal 2018 revenue of $20.6 billion, operating income of $3.6 billion and net income of $675 million, or $2.20 per share. On a non-GAAP basis, fiscal 2019 operating income was $2.0 billion and net income was $1.4 billion, or $4.84 per share, compared to fiscal 2018 operating income of $5.4 billion and net income of $4.5 billion, or $14.73 per share. The company generated $1.5 billion in cash from operations during fiscal year 2019 and returned $1.1 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
“We ended a challenging fiscal 2019 with leadership positions in capacity enterprise hard drives, 3D flash technology and branded retail products while achieving significant gains in client solid state drives,” said Steve Milligan, chief executive officer, Western Digital.  “Momentum for our NVMe enterprise solid state drives is picking up, setting the stage for further gains across our portfolio in the new fiscal year and beyond.” 



Western Digital Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019
Page 2


Milligan continued, “We are seeing signs of improving conditions in the flash market and believe that it has reached a cyclical trough.  With continuing expectations for a positive demand environment, a robust product portfolio and expanding customer engagements, we expect to deliver improving financial results as we move through fiscal 2020.”
Business Outlook for First Fiscal Quarter of 2020
The company's first fiscal quarter of 2020 will be a 14-week fiscal quarter.
 
Three Months Ending
Oct. 4, 2019
 
GAAP(1)
 
Non-GAAP(1)
Revenue ($ in billions)
$3.8 - $4.0
 
$3.8 - $4.0
Gross margin
~ 15% - 16%
 
~ 24% - 25%
Operating expenses ($ in millions)
$870 - $890
 
$750 - $770
Interest and other expense, net ($ in millions)
~ $100
 
~ $95
Tax rate
N/A
 
~ 25% - 29%(2)
Diluted earnings per share
N/A
 
$0.15 - $0.35
Diluted shares outstanding (in millions)
~ 300
 
~ 300
 
 



Western Digital Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019
Page 3


(1) Non-GAAP gross margin guidance excludes temporary power outage charges totaling approximately $170 million to $190 million; and amortization of acquired intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, and charges related to cost saving initiatives totaling approximately $170 million. The company’s non-GAAP operating expenses guidance excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets; stock-based compensation expense; employee termination, asset impairment and other charges; and charges related to cost saving initiatives totaling approximately $110 million to $130 million. The company's non-GAAP interest and other expense guidance excludes approximately $5 million of convertible debt activity. In the aggregate, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance excludes these items totaling $455 million to $495 million. The timing and amount of these charges excluded from non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP interest and other expense and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share cannot be further allocated or quantified with certainty. Additionally, the timing and amount of additional charges the company excludes from its non-GAAP tax rate and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are dependent on the timing and determination of certain actions and cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, full reconciliations of non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP interest and other expense, non-GAAP tax rate and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures (gross margin, operating expenses, interest and other expense, tax rate and diluted earnings per share, respectively) are not available without unreasonable effort.
(2) The non-GAAP tax rates provided are based on a percentage of non-GAAP pre-tax income.
Investor Communications
The investment community conference call to discuss these results and the company’s guidance for the first fiscal quarter of 2020 will be broadcast live online today at 2:30 p.m. Pacific/5:30 p.m. Eastern. The live and archived conference call/webcast and the earnings presentation can be accessed online at investor.wdc.com.
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 comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands. Financial and investor information is available on the company's Investor Relations website at investor.wdc.com.



Western Digital Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019
Page 4


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 28, 2019 and fiscal year 2019; the company’s financial guidance for the first fiscal quarter of 2020 and expectations for financial results in fiscal year 2020; expectations regarding market conditions; the company's product portfolio; and market positioning. 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 28, 2019 and fiscal year 2019, 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 restructuring activities and cost saving initiatives; 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; the outcome of legal proceedings; 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 7, 2019, 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, SanDisk 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 28,
2019
 
June 29,
2018
ASSETS
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,455

 
$
5,005

Accounts receivable, net
1,204

 
2,197

Inventories
3,283

 
2,944

Other current assets
535

 
492

Total current assets
8,477

 
10,638

Property, plant and equipment, net
2,843

 
3,095

Notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures
2,791

 
2,105

Goodwill
10,076

 
10,075

Other intangible assets, net
1,711

 
2,680

Other non-current assets
472

 
642

Total assets
$
26,370

 
$
29,235

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
1,567

 
$
2,265

Accounts payable to related parties
331

 
259

Accrued expenses
1,296

 
1,274

Accrued compensation
347

 
479

Current portion of long-term debt
276

 
179

Total current liabilities
3,817

 
4,456

Long-term debt
10,246

 
10,993

Other liabilities
2,340

 
2,255

Total liabilities
16,403

 
17,704

Total shareholders’ equity
9,967

 
11,531

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
26,370

 
$
29,235




WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)


 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
June 28,
2019
 
June 29,
2018
 
June 28,
2019
 
June 29,
2018
Revenue, net
$
3,634

 
$
5,117

 
$
16,569

 
$
20,647

Cost of revenue
3,169

 
3,265

 
12,817

 
12,942

Gross profit
465

 
1,852

 
3,752

 
7,705

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development
523

 
577

 
2,182

 
2,400

Selling, general and administrative
299

 
352

 
1,317

 
1,473

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges
24

 
80

 
166

 
215

Total operating expenses
846

 
1,009

 
3,665

 
4,088

Operating income (loss)
(381
)
 
843

 
87

 
3,617

Interest and other expense, net
(93
)
 
(114
)
 
(374
)
 
(1,532
)
Income (loss) before taxes
(474
)
 
729

 
(287
)
 
2,085

Income tax expense (benefit)
(277
)
 
(27
)
 
467

 
1,410

Net income (loss)
$
(197
)
 
$
756

 
$
(754
)
 
$
675

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) per common share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.67
)
 
$
2.53

 
$
(2.58
)
 
$
2.27

Diluted
$
(0.67
)
 
$
2.46

 
$
(2.58
)
 
$
2.20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
294

 
299

 
292

 
297

Diluted
294

 
307

 
292

 
307





WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)


 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
June 28,
2019
 
June 29,
2018
 
June 28,
2019
 
June 29,
2018
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(197
)
 
$
756

 
$
(754
)
 
$
675

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
416

 
489

 
1,812

 
2,056

Stock-based compensation
64

 
78

 
306

 
377

Deferred income taxes
121

 
(12
)
 
374

 
(348
)
Loss on disposal of assets
35

 
5

 
39

 
21

Write-off of issuance costs and amortization of debt discounts
10

 
13

 
38

 
221

Cash premium on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 
720

Non-cash portion of employee termination, asset impairment and other charges

 

 

 
16

Other non-cash operating activities, net
(27
)
 
(4
)
 
(8
)
 
(19
)
Changes in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
18

 
(186
)
 
993

 
(244
)
Inventories
157

 
(274
)
 
(339
)
 
(598
)
Accounts payable
(39
)
 
26

 
(588
)
 
(15
)
Accounts payable to related parties
19

 
(23
)
 
72

 
53

Accrued expenses
(415
)
 
72

 
(42
)
 
(17
)
Accrued compensation
(57
)
 
(28
)
 
(135
)
 
(26
)
Other assets and liabilities, net
64

 
(49
)
 
(221
)
 
1,333

Net cash provided by operating activities
169

 
863

 
1,547

 
4,205

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net
(38
)
 
(190
)
 
(757
)
 
(809
)
Activity related to Flash Ventures, net
(310
)
 
(35
)
 
(598
)
 
(742
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 
(1
)
 

 
(100
)
Investment activity, net
116

 
(11
)
 
103

 
(22
)
Strategic Investments and Other, net
2

 
(12
)
 
(20
)
 
18

Net cash used in investing activities
(230
)
 
(249
)
 
(1,272
)
 
(1,655
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee stock plans, net
46

 
67

 
3

 
49

Repurchases of common stock

 
(436
)
 
(563
)
 
(591
)
Dividends paid to shareholders
(146
)
 
(150
)
 
(584
)
 
(593
)
Settlement of debt hedge contracts

 

 

 
28

Proceeds from (repayment of) revolving credit facility

 

 
(500
)
 
500

Proceeds from debt, net of issuance costs
(4
)
 
2,449

 
(4
)
 
13,781

Repayment of debt
(68
)
 
(2,493
)
 
(181
)
 
(17,074
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(172
)
 
(563
)
 
(1,829
)
 
(3,900
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
6

 
(9
)
 
4

 
1

Net Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(227
)
 
42

 
(1,550
)
 
(1,349
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
3,682

 
4,963

 
5,005

 
6,354

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
3,455

 
$
5,005

 
$
3,455

 
$
5,005





WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
PRELIMINARY RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(in millions; unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended

Year Ended
 
June 28,
2019

June 29,
2018

June 28,
2019

June 29,
2018
GAAP cost of revenue
$
3,169

 
$
3,265

 
$
12,817

 
$
12,942

Amortization of acquired intangible assets
(166
)
 
(234
)
 
(804
)
 
(1,022
)
Stock-based compensation expense
(11
)
 
(12
)
 
(48
)
 
(49
)
Charges related to cost saving initiatives
(4
)
 
1

 
(11
)
 
7

Manufacturing underutilization charges
(67
)
 

 
(264
)
 

Power outage charges
(145
)
 

 
(145
)
 

Other
(22
)
 

 
(22
)
 

Non-GAAP cost of revenue
$
2,754

 
$
3,020

 
$
11,523

 
$
11,878

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP gross profit
$
465

 
$
1,852

 
$
3,752

 
$
7,705

Amortization of acquired intangible assets
166

 
234

 
804

 
1,022

Stock-based compensation expense
11

 
12

 
48

 
49

Charges related to cost saving initiatives
4

 
(1
)
 
11

 
(7
)
Manufacturing underutilization charges
67

 

 
264

 

Power outage charges
145

 

 
145

 

Other
22

 

 
22

 

Non-GAAP gross profit
$
880

 
$
2,097

 
$
5,046

 
$
8,769

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP operating expenses
$
846

 
$
1,009

 
$
3,665

 
$
4,088

Amortization of acquired intangible assets
(41
)
 
(41
)
 
(164
)
 
(163
)
Stock-based compensation expense
(53
)
 
(66
)
 
(258
)
 
(327
)
Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges
(24
)
 
(80
)
 
(166
)
 
(215
)
Acquisition-related charges

 
(1
)
 

 
(13
)
Charges related to cost saving initiatives
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(11
)
 
(19
)
Other
(3
)
 

 
(44
)
 
3

Non-GAAP operating expenses
$
722

 
$
820

 
$
3,022

 
$
3,354

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP operating income (loss)
$
(381
)
 
$
843

 
$
87

 
$
3,617

Cost of revenue adjustments
415

 
245

 
1,294

 
1,064

Operating expense adjustments
124

 
189

 
643

 
734

Non-GAAP operating income
$
158

 
$
1,277

 
$
2,024

 
$
5,415

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP interest and other expense, net
$
(93
)
 
$
(114
)
 
$
(374
)
 
$
(1,532
)
Convertible debt activity
7

 
7

 
27

 
10

Debt extinguishment costs

 
3

 

 
899

Other
(1
)
 
3

 
(20
)
 
5

Non-GAAP interest and other expense, net
$
(87
)
 
$
(101
)
 
$
(367
)
 
$
(618
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP income tax expense (benefit)
$
(277
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
467

 
$
1,410

Income tax adjustments
298

 
94

 
(239
)
 
(1,136
)
Non-GAAP income tax expense
$
21

 
$
67

 
$
228

 
$
274




WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION
PRELIMINARY RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
June 28,
2019
 
June 29,
2018
 
June 28,
2019
 
June 29,
2018
GAAP net income (loss)
$
(197
)
 
$
756

 
$
(754
)
 
$
675

Amortization of acquired intangible assets
207

 
275

 
968

 
1,185

Stock-based compensation expense
64

 
78

 
306

 
376

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges
24

 
80

 
166

 
215

Acquisition-related charges

 
1

 

 
13

Charges related to cost saving initiatives
7

 

 
22

 
12

Manufacturing underutilization charges
67

 

 
264

 

Power outage charges
145

 

 
145

 

Convertible debt activity
7

 
7

 
27

 
10

Debt extinguishment costs

 
3

 

 
899

Other
24

 
3

 
46

 
2

Income tax adjustments
(298
)
 
(94
)
 
239

 
1,136

Non-GAAP net income
$
50

 
$
1,109

 
$
1,429

 
$
4,523

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted income (loss) per common share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP
$
(0.67
)
 
$
2.46

 
$
(2.58
)
 
$
2.20

Non-GAAP
$
0.17

 
$
3.61

 
$
4.84

 
$
14.73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP
294

 
307

 
292

 
307

Non-GAAP
295

 
307

 
295

 
307






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, manufacturing underutilization charges, power outage charges, convertible debt activity, debt extinguishment costs, other adjustments, 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. 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 of assets.

Manufacturing underutilization charges. In response to flash business conditions, the company reduced its wafer starts at its flash-based memory manufacturing facilities operated through its strategic partnership with Toshiba Memory Corporation (TMC). The temporary abnormal reduction in output resulted in flash manufacturing underutilization charges which are expensed as incurred. These charges are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes these charges are not part of the ongoing operation of its business.

Power outage charges. In June 2019, an unexpected power outage incident occurred at the flash-based memory manufacturing facilities operated through the company's strategic partnership with TMC in Yokkaichi, Japan. The power outage incident resulted in the write-off of damaged inventory and unabsorbed manufacturing overhead costs which are expensed as incurred. These charges are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes these charges are not part of the ongoing production operation of its business.




Convertible debt activity. The company excludes non-cash economic interest expense associated with its convertible notes. These charges 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 charges do not reflect the company’s operating results, and the company believes are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Other adjustments. 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. The income tax adjustments include the company’s final adjustments for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act allowed within the one-year measurement period that ended on December 22, 2018, as well as estimates related to the current status of the rules and regulations governing the transition to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These adjustments are excluded because they are infrequent and the company believes that they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.





___________________
Company contacts:
Western Digital Corp.

Investor Contact:
 
Media Contact:
T. Peter Andrew
 
Jim Pascoe
949.672.9655
 
408.717.6999
peter.andrew@wdc.com
 
investor@wdc.com