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wdc-20210402

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)


☒			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended April 2, 2021


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 1-8703

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

33-0956711

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

5601 Great Oaks Parkway

San Jose,

California

95119

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (408) 717-6000

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: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ý

As of the close of business on April 29, 2021, 306,452,886 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

INDEX


		PAGE NO.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements (unaudited)
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations — Three and Nine Months Ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020	7
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Three and Nine Months Ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020	8
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Nine Months Ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020	9
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity — Nine Months Ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020	10
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	12
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	36
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	49
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	49

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	50
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	50




Item 6.	Exhibits	51

Unless otherwise indicated, references herein to specific years and quarters are to our fiscal years and fiscal quarters, and references to financial information are on a consolidated basis. As used herein, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” “WDC” and “Western Digital” refer to Western Digital Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless we state, or the context indicates, otherwise.

WDC, a Delaware corporation, is the parent company of our data storage business. Our principal executive offices are located at 5601 Great Oaks Parkway, San Jose, California 95119. Our telephone number is (408) 717-6000.

Western Digital, the Western Digital logo, G-Technology, SanDisk and WD are registered trademarks or trademarks of Western Digital or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks, registered trademarks and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Any statements that do not relate to historical or current facts or matters are forward-looking statements. You can identify some of the forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “potential,” “plan,” “forecast,” and the like, or the use of future tense. Statements concerning current conditions may also be forward-looking if they imply a continuation of current conditions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning:

•expectations regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to reduce its spread;

•expectations regarding demand conditions, the ramp of our new products and the impact on our revenues;

•expectations regarding our Flash Ventures joint venture with Kioxia Corporation, the flash industry and our flash wafer output plans;

•expectations regarding the outcome of legal proceedings in which we are involved;

•our reinvestment in the business and ongoing deleveraging efforts;

•our beliefs regarding tax benefits and the timing of future payments, if any, relating to the unrecognized tax benefits, and the adequacy of our tax provisions;

•expectations regarding capital investments and sources of funding for those investments; and

•our beliefs regarding the sufficiency of our available liquidity to meet our working capital, debt and capital expenditure needs as well as any future dividend plans.

These forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are based on management’s current views and assumptions. They are conditioned upon and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

•future responses to and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic;

•volatility in global economic conditions;

•impact of business and market conditions;

•impact of competitive products and pricing;

•our development and introduction of products based on new technologies and expansion into new data storage markets;

•risks associated with cost saving initiatives, restructurings, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, joint ventures and our strategic relationships;

•difficulties or delays in manufacturing or other supply chain disruptions;

•hiring and retention of key employees;

•our substantial level of debt and other financial obligations;

•changes to our relationships with key customers;

•disruptions in operations from cyberattacks or other system security risks;

•actions by competitors;

•risks associated with compliance with changing legal and regulatory requirements and the outcome of legal proceedings; and

•the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020 (the “2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K”).

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You are urged to carefully review the disclosures we make concerning these risks and review the additional disclosures we make concerning material risks and other factors that may affect the outcome of our forward-looking statements and our business and operating results, including those made in Part I, Item 1A of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and any of those made in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that may from time to time amend, supplement or supersede the risks and uncertainties disclosed in the 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which speak only as of the date of this document. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except par value)

(Unaudited)


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,734	$	3,048
Accounts receivable, net	1,905		2,379
Inventories	3,683		3,070
Other current assets	710		551
Total current assets	9,032		9,048
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,061		2,854
Notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	1,694		1,875
Goodwill	10,066		10,067
Other intangible assets, net	519		941
Other non-current assets	1,037		877
Total assets	$	25,409	$	25,662
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,807	$	1,945
Accounts payable to related parties	397		407
Accrued expenses	1,552		1,296
Accrued compensation	494		472
Current portion of long-term debt	251		286
Total current liabilities	4,501		4,406
Long-term debt	8,678		9,289
Other liabilities	2,281		2,416
Total liabilities	15,460		16,111
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 9, 10, 12 and 15)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized — 5 shares; issued and outstanding — none	—		—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized — 450 shares; issued — 312 shares; outstanding — 306 shares and 302 shares, respectively	3		3
Additional paid-in capital	3,603		3,717
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(210)		(157)
Retained earnings	6,917		6,725
Treasury stock — common shares at cost; 6 shares and 10 shares, respectively	(364)		(737)
Total shareholders’ equity	9,949		9,551
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	25,409	$	25,662

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
Revenue, net	$	4,137	$	4,175	$	12,002	$	12,449
Cost of revenue	3,046		3,170		9,047		9,751
Gross profit	1,091		1,005		2,955		2,698
Operating expenses:
Research and development	555		563		1,645		1,715
Selling, general and administrative	287		281		808		884
Employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges	(68)		8		(43)		25
Total operating expenses	774		852		2,410		2,624
Operating income	317		153		545		74
Interest and other income (expense):
Interest income	2		6		6		26
Interest expense	(81)		(99)		(246)		(326)
Other income (expense), net	11		(14)		26		(5)
Total interest and other expense, net	(68)		(107)		(214)		(305)
Income (loss) before taxes	249		46		331		(231)
Income tax expense	52		29		132		167
Net income (loss)	$	197	$	17	$	199	$	(398)

Income (loss) per common share
Basic	$	0.64	$	0.06	$	0.65	$	(1.34)
Diluted	$	0.63	$	0.06	$	0.65	$	(1.34)

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	306		299		305		298
Diluted	313		303		308		298

Cash dividends declared per share	$	—	$	0.50	$	—	$	1.50

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in millions)

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
Net income (loss)	$	197	$	17	$	199	$	(398)
Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
Actuarial pension gain	2		1		4		4
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(95)		(11)		(29)		(21)


Net unrealized loss on derivative contracts and available-for-sale securities	(84)		(76)		(34)		(115)
Total other comprehensive loss, before tax	(177)		(86)		(59)		(132)
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss, before tax	17		13		6		17
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(160)		(73)		(53)		(115)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	37	$	(56)	$	146	$	(513)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

(Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	199	$	(398)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	961		1,189
Stock-based compensation	239		232
Deferred income taxes	(41)		(53)
Gain on disposal of assets	(65)		(9)

Amortization of debt discounts	30		30

Other non-cash operating activities, net	(26)		(8)
Changes in:
Accounts receivable, net	474		(774)
Inventories	(613)		179
Accounts payable	(139)		131
Accounts payable to related parties	(10)		66

Accrued expenses	251		331
Accrued compensation	22		87
Other assets and liabilities, net	(378)		(351)
Net cash provided by operating activities	904		652
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(820)		(432)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	121		—
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—		(22)




Notes receivable issuances to Flash Ventures	(490)		(353)
Notes receivable proceeds from Flash Ventures	619		980
Strategic investments and other, net	8		19
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(562)		192
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of stock under employee stock plans	71		79
Taxes paid on vested stock awards under employee stock plans	(51)		(69)

Dividends paid to shareholders	—		(445)


Repayment of debt	(673)		(919)
Other	(9)		—


Net cash used in financing activities	(662)		(1,354)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	6		(2)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(314)		(512)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	3,048		3,455
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	2,734	$	2,943
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	$	301	$	303
Cash paid for interest	$	245	$	327

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions)


	Common Stock			Treasury Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Retained Earnings		Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount






















































































































































































Balance at July 3, 2020	312	$	3	(10)	$	(737)	$	3,717	$	(157)	$	6,725	$	9,551
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—		—		(60)		(60)
Adoption of new accounting standards	—	—		—	—		—		—		(7)		(7)
Employee stock plans	—	—		2	216		(256)		—		—		(40)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		76		—		—		76







Actuarial pension gain	—	—		—	—		—		1		—		1
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—	—		—		32		—		32
Net unrealized gain on derivative contracts	—	—		—	—		—		23		—		23
Balance at October 2, 2020	312	3		(8)	(521)		3,537		(101)		6,658		9,576
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		—		62		62

Employee stock plans	—	—		2	131		(71)		—		—		60
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		80		—		—		80







Actuarial pension gain	—	—		—	—		—		1		—		1
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—	—		—		34		—		34
Net unrealized loss on derivative contracts	—	—		—	—		—		16		—		16
Balance at January 1, 2021	312	$	3	(6)	$	(390)	$	3,546	$	(50)	$	6,720	$	9,829
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		—		197		197

Employee stock plans	—	—		—	26		(26)		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		83		—		—		83







Actuarial pension gain	—	—		—	—		—		2		—		2
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—	—		—		(95)		—		(95)
Net unrealized loss on derivative contracts	—	—		—	—		—		(67)		—		(67)
Balance at April 2, 2021	312	$	3	(6)	$	(364)	$	3,603	$	(210)	$	6,917	$	9,949

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions)


	Common Stock			Treasury Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Retained Earnings		Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount



























































































































Balance at June 28, 2019	312	$	3	(17)	$	(1,268)	$	3,851	$	(68)	$	7,449	$	9,967
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—		—		(276)		(276)
Adoption of new accounting standards	—	—		—	—		—		—		(5)		(5)
Employee stock plans	—	—		3	181		(207)		—		—		(26)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		77		—		—		77






Dividends to shareholders	—	—		—	—		7		—		(156)		(149)
Actuarial pension gain	—	—		—	—		—		1		—		1
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—	—		—		4		—		4
Net unrealized loss on derivative contracts	—	—		—	—		—		(27)		—		(27)
Balance at October 4, 2019	312	3		(14)	(1,087)		3,728		(90)		7,012		9,566
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—		—		(139)		(139)

Employee stock plans	—	—		1	125		(81)		—		—		44
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		77		—		—		77






Dividends to shareholders	—	—		—	—		7		—		(156)		(149)
Actuarial pension gain	—	—		—	—		—		1		—		1
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—	—		—		(13)		—		(13)
Net unrealized loss on derivative contracts	—	—		—	—		—		(8)		—		(8)
Balance at January 3, 2020	312	$	3	(13)	$	(962)	$	3,731	$	(110)	$	6,717	$	9,379
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		—		17		17

Employee stock plans	—	—		1	64		(72)		—		—		(8)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		78		—		—		78






Dividends to shareholders	—	—		—	—		6		—		(156)		(150)
Actuarial pension gain	—	—		—	—		—		1		—		1
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—	—		—		(12)		—		(12)
Net unrealized loss on derivative contracts	—	—		—	—		—		(62)		—		(62)
Balance at April 3, 2020	312	3		(12)	(898)		3,743		(183)		6,578		9,243

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Western Digital Corporation (“Western Digital” or the “Company”) is a leading developer, manufacturer, and provider of data storage devices and solutions that address the evolving needs of the information technology (“IT”) industry and the infrastructure that enables the proliferation of data in virtually every other industry. The Company 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, the Company’s industry-leading solutions deliver the possibilities of data.

The Company’s broad portfolio of technology and products address the following key end markets: Client Devices; Data Center Devices and Solutions; and Client Solutions. The Company also generates license and royalty revenue from its extensive intellectual property (“IP”), which is included in each of these three end market categories.

The accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Part II, Item 8, Note 1, Organization and Basis of Presentation, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to fairly state the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest to June 30 and typically consists of 52 weeks. Approximately every five to six years, the Company reports a 53-week fiscal year to align the fiscal year with the foregoing policy. Fiscal year 2021, which ends on July 2, 2021, will be comprised of 52 weeks, with all quarters presented consisting of 13 weeks. Fiscal year 2020, which ended on July 3, 2020, was comprised of 53 weeks, with the first quarter consisting of 14 weeks and the remaining quarters consisting of 13 weeks each.

Use of Estimates

Company management has made estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of certain assets and liabilities in conformity with U.S. GAAP. These estimates and assumptions have been applied using methodologies that are consistent throughout the periods presented with consideration given to the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, actual results could differ materially from these estimates and be significantly affected by the severity and duration of the pandemic, the extent of actions to contain or treat COVID-19, including the effects of ongoing vaccination efforts, how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating activity can resume, and the severity and duration of the global economic downturn that results from the pandemic.

Segment Information

The Company manufactures, markets, and sells data storage devices and solutions in the U.S. and in foreign countries through its sales personnel, dealers, distributors, retailers, and subsidiaries. Historically, the Company has been managed and reported under a single operating segment. Late in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Chief Executive Officer, who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker, announced a decision to reorganize the Company’s business by forming two separate product business units: flash-based products and hard disk drives (“HDD”). To align with the new operating model and business structure, the Company is making management organizational changes and implementing new reporting modules and processes to provide discrete information to manage the business. Management expects to finalize its assessment of its operating segments when the implementations and transitions are completed, which is expected to be in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 seeks to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments, including trade receivables, and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The amendments require an entity to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects current expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The amendments are effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those fiscal years) beginning after December 15, 2019, which for the Company is the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company adopted this standard effective July 4, 2020 (the beginning of fiscal 2021) with no material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, “Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606” (“ASU 2018-18”). ASU 2018-18 clarifies that certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account and precludes recognizing as revenue consideration received from a collaborative arrangement participant if the participant is not a customer. This ASU requires retrospective adoption to the date the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606 by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings of the earliest annual period presented. The Company adopted this standard effective July 4, 2020 (the beginning of fiscal 2021) with no material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The ASU also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. This ASU is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those fiscal years) beginning after December 15, 2020, which for the Company is the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect this update to have a material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASU 2020-06”). ASU 2020-06 reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock and results in fewer instruments with embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract as compared with current standards. Those instruments that do not have a separately recognized embedded conversion feature will no longer recognize a debt issuance discount related to such a conversion feature and would recognize less interest expense on a periodic basis. Additionally, the ASU amends the calculation of the share dilution impact related to a conversion feature and eliminates the treasury method as an option. For instruments that do not have a component mandatorily settled in cash, the change will likely result in a higher amount of share dilution in the calculation of earnings per share. This ASU is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those fiscal years) beginning after December 15, 2021, which for the Company is the first quarter of fiscal 2023, with early adoption permitted beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The Company is currently assessing the impact and timing of adoption of this ASU.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 3. Revenues

Contract assets represent the Company’s rights to consideration where performance obligations are completed but the customer payments are not due until another performance obligation is satisfied. The Company did not have any contract assets as of either April 2, 2021 or July 3, 2020.

The Company incurs sales commissions and other direct incremental costs to obtain sales contracts. The Company has applied the practical expedient to recognize the direct incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortization period is expected to be one year or less or the amount is not material, with these costs charged to Selling, general and administrative expenses. Other direct incremental costs to obtain contracts that have an expected benefit of greater than one year are amortized over the period of expected cash flows from the related contracts, and the amortization expense is recorded as a reduction to revenue. Total capitalized contract costs as of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020 as well as the related amortization for the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020 were not material.

Contract liabilities relate to customers’ payments in advance of performance under the contract and primarily relate to remaining performance obligations under support and maintenance contracts. As of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020, contract liabilities were not material.

The Company applies the practical expedients and does not disclose transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for (i) arrangements that have an original expected duration of one year or less, which mainly consist of support and maintenance contracts, and (ii) variable consideration amounts for sale-based or usage-based royalties for IP license arrangements, which typically range longer than one year. Remaining performance obligations are mainly attributed to right-to-access patent license arrangements and customer support and service contracts, which will be recognized over the remaining contract period. The transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations as of April 2, 2021 was $81 million, which is mainly attributable to the functional IP license and service arrangements. The Company expects to recognize this amount as revenue as follows: $10 million during the remainder of fiscal 2021, $40 million in fiscal 2022, and $31 million in fiscal 2023 and thereafter.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company’s disaggregated revenue information is as follows:



	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Revenue by Product
HDD	$	1,962	$	2,114	$	5,715	$	6,918
Flash-based	2,175		2,061		6,287		5,531
Total Revenue	$	4,137	$	4,175	$	12,002	$	12,449

Revenue by End Market
Client Devices	$	2,012	$	1,831	$	6,089	$	5,244
Data Center Devices & Solutions	1,237		1,523		3,173		4,544
Client Solutions	888		821		2,740		2,661
Total Revenue	$	4,137	$	4,175	$	12,002	$	12,449

Revenue by Geography
Americas	$	1,009	$	1,325	$	3,033	$	3,934
Europe, Middle East and Africa	913		770		2,267		2,360
Asia	2,215		2,080		6,702		6,155
Total Revenue	$	4,137	$	4,175	$	12,002	$	12,449

The Company’s top 10 customers accounted for 42% and 40% of its net revenue for the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021, respectively, and 44% of its net revenue for both the three and nine months ended April 3, 2020. For the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s net revenue.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 4. Supplemental Financial Statement Data

Accounts receivable, net

From time to time, in connection with factoring agreements, the Company sells trade accounts receivable without recourse to third party purchasers in exchange for cash. During the nine months ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020, the Company sold trade accounts receivable and received cash proceeds of $233 million and $298 million, respectively. The discounts on the trade accounts receivable sold during the periods were not material and were recorded within Other income (expense), net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020, the amount of factored receivables that remained outstanding was $60 million and $113 million, respectively.

Inventories


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Inventories:
Raw materials and component parts	$	1,570	$	1,306
Work-in-process	1,109		956
Finished goods	1,004		808
Total inventories	$	3,683	$	3,070

Property, plant and equipment, net


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	$	278	$	294
Buildings and improvements	1,820		1,837
Machinery and equipment	7,832		7,391
Computer equipment and software	456		429
Furniture and fixtures	52		52
Construction-in-process	411		297
Property, plant and equipment, gross	10,849		10,300
Accumulated depreciation	(7,788)		(7,446)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	3,061	$	2,854

Goodwill


	Carrying Amount
	(in millions)















Balance at July 3, 2020	$	10,067


Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1)
Balance at April 2, 2021	$	10,066

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Intangible assets


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Finite-lived intangible assets	$	5,507	$	5,541
In-process research and development	80		80
Accumulated amortization	(5,068)		(4,680)
Intangible assets, net	$	519	$	941

As part of prior acquisitions, the Company recorded at the time of the acquisition acquired in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) for projects in progress that had not yet reached technological feasibility. IPR&D is initially accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. Once a project reaches technological feasibility, the Company reclassifies the balance to existing technology and begins to amortize the intangible asset over its estimated useful life.

Product warranty liability

Changes in the warranty accrual were as follows:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Warranty accrual, beginning of period	$	366	$	378	$	408	$	350

Charges to operations	27		45		86		144
Utilization	(27)		(41)		(82)		(124)
Changes in estimate related to pre-existing warranties	(9)		1		(55)		13
Warranty accrual, end of period	$	357	$	383	$	357	$	383

The current portion of the warranty accrual is classified in Accrued expenses and the long-term portion is classified in Other liabilities as noted below:


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Warranty accrual
Current portion (included in Accrued expenses)	$	163	$	205
Long-term portion (included in Other liabilities)	194		203
Total warranty accrual	$	357	$	408

Other liabilities


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Other liabilities:
Non-current net tax payable	$	694	$	815
Payables related to unrecognized tax benefits	743		720
Other non-current liabilities	844		881
Total other liabilities	$	2,281	$	2,416

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), net of tax refers to expenses, gains and losses that are recorded as an element of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from net income. The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of AOCI:


	Actuarial Pension Gains (Losses)		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Contracts		Total Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(in millions)










Balance at July 3, 2020	$	(58)	$	(2)	$	(97)	$	(157)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	4		(29)		(39)		(64)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—		—		5		5
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss	—		—		6		6
Net current-period other comprehensive loss	4		(29)		(28)		(53)
Balance at April 2, 2021	$	(54)	$	(31)	$	(125)	$	(210)

During the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021, the amounts reclassified out of AOCI related to interest rate swap contracts were losses of $13 million and $37 million, respectively, and were charged to Interest expense. These were offset by gains of $14 million and $32 million, respectively, related to foreign exchange contracts that were substantially all charged to Cost of revenue in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three and nine months ended April 3, 2020, the amounts reclassified out of AOCI primarily related to foreign exchange contracts and were substantially all charged to Cost of revenue in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 5. Fair Value Measurements and Investments

Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value

Financial assets and liabilities that are remeasured and reported at fair value at each reporting period are classified and disclosed in one of the following three levels:

Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2. Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3. Inputs that are unobservable for the asset or liability and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such values:


	April 2, 2021
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in millions)
Assets:

Cash equivalents - Money market funds	$	784	$	—	$	—	$	784


















Foreign exchange contracts	—		52		—		52


Total assets at fair value	$	784	$	52	$	—	$	836
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts	$	—	$	113	$	—	$	113
Interest rate swap contract	—		91		—		91

Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	204	$	—	$	204


	July 3, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in millions)
Assets:

Cash equivalents - Money market funds	$	1,079	$	—	$	—	$	1,079


















Foreign exchange contracts	—		28		—		28


Total assets at fair value	$	1,079	$	28	$	—	$	1,107
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts	$	—	$	9	$	—	$	9
Interest rate swap contract	—		133		—		133

Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	142	$	—	$	142

During the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020, the Company had no transfers of financial assets and liabilities between levels and there were no changes in valuation techniques or the inputs used in the fair value measurement.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

The carrying value of the Company’s revolving credit facility approximates its fair value given the revolving nature of the balance and the variable market interest rate. For financial instruments where the carrying value (which includes principal adjusted for any unamortized issuance costs, and discounts or premiums) differs from fair value (which is based on quoted market prices), the following table represents the related carrying value and fair value for each of the Company’s outstanding financial instruments. Each of the financial instruments presented below was categorized as Level 2 for all periods presented, based on the frequency of trading immediately prior to the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, respectively.


	April 2, 2021				July 3, 2020
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	(in millions)
0.50% convertible senior notes due 2020	$	—	$	—	$	34	$	30

Variable interest rate Term Loan A-1 maturing 2023	4,389		4,405		4,576		4,474


Variable interest rate Term Loan B-4 maturing 2023	1,243		1,244		1,692		1,656

1.50% convertible notes due 2024	1,010		1,142		987		1,036

4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026	2,287		2,534		2,286		2,428





Total	$	8,929	$	9,325	$	9,575	$	9,624

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 6. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

As of April 2, 2021, the Company had outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts that were designated as either cash flow hedges or non-designated hedges. Substantially all of the contract maturity dates of these foreign exchange forward contracts do not exceed 12 months. In addition, the Company had outstanding pay-fixed interest rate swaps that were designated as cash flow hedges of variable rate interest payments on a portion of its term loans through February 2023.

As of April 2, 2021, the amount of existing net losses related to cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI included $42 million related to the Company’s interest rate swaps that is expected to be reclassified to earnings after twelve months. In addition, as of April 2, 2021, the Company did not have any foreign exchange forward contracts with credit-risk-related contingent features.

Changes in fair values of the non-designated foreign exchange contracts are recognized in Other income (expense), net and are largely offset by corresponding changes in the fair values of the foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities. For each of the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020, total net realized and unrealized transaction and foreign exchange contract currency gains and losses were not material to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Netting Arrangements

Under certain provisions and conditions within agreements with counterparties to the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts, subject to applicable requirements, the Company has the right of offset associated with the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts and is allowed to net settle transactions of the same currency with a single net amount payable by one party to the other. As of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020, the effect of rights of offset was not material and the Company did not offset or net the fair value amounts of derivative instruments in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 7. Debt

Debt consisted of the following as of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020:


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
	(in millions)
0.50% convertible senior notes due 2020	$	—	$	35


Variable interest rate Term Loan A-1 maturing 2023	4,394		4,583




Variable interest rate Term Loan B-4 maturing 2023	1,243		1,693




1.50% convertible notes due 2024	1,100		1,100

4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026	2,300		2,300

Total debt	9,037		9,711
Issuance costs and debt discounts	(108)		(136)
Subtotal	8,929		9,575
Less current portion of long-term debt	(251)		(286)
Long-term debt	$	8,678	$	9,289

The credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility and Term Loan A-1 requires the Company to comply with certain financial covenants, consisting of a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. As of April 2, 2021, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants.

During the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021, the Company made voluntary prepayments totaling $150 million and $450 million, respectively, on its Term Loan B-4. In October 2020, the 0.50% convertible senior notes due 2020 were settled in full in accordance with their terms. On April 30, 2021, the Company made an incremental voluntary prepayment of $150 million on its Term Loan B-4.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 8. Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans

The Company has pension and other post-retirement benefit plans in various countries. The Company’s principal pension plans are in Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. All pension and other post-retirement benefit plans outside of the Company’s Japan, Thailand and Philippines defined benefit pension plans (the “Pension Plans”) are immaterial to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The expected long-term rate of return on the Pension Plans assets is 2.5%.

Obligations and Funded Status

The following table presents the unfunded status of the benefit obligations for the Pension Plans:


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
	(in millions)











Benefit obligation at end of period	$	366	$	366









Fair value of plan assets at end of period	213		215
Unfunded status	$	153	$	151

The following table presents the unfunded amounts related to the Pension Plans as recognized on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Current liabilities	$	1	$	1
Non-current liabilities	152		150
Net amount recognized	$	153	$	151

Net periodic benefit costs were not material for the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 9. Related Parties and Related Commitments and Contingencies

Flash Ventures

The Company’s business ventures with Kioxia Corporation (“Kioxia”) consist of three separate legal entities: Flash Partners Ltd. (“Flash Partners”), Flash Alliance Ltd. (“Flash Alliance”), and Flash Forward Ltd. (“Flash Forward”), collectively referred to as “Flash Ventures”.

The following table presents the notes receivable from, and equity investments in, Flash Ventures as of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020:


	April 2, 2021		July 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Notes receivable, Flash Partners	$	289	$	273
Notes receivable, Flash Alliance	228		301
Notes receivable, Flash Forward	554		670
Investment in Flash Partners	200		203
Investment in Flash Alliance	294		300
Investment in Flash Forward	129		128
Total notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	$	1,694	$	1,875

During the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 and during the three and nine months ended April 3, 2020, the Company made net payments to Flash Ventures of $1.14 billion and $3.33 billion, and $842 million and $2.36 billion, respectively, for purchased flash-based memory wafers and net loans and investments.

The Company makes, or will make, loans to Flash Ventures to fund equipment investments for new process technologies and additional wafer capacity. The Company aggregates its Flash Ventures’ notes receivable into one class of financing receivables due to the similar ownership interest and common structure in each Flash Venture entity. For all reporting periods presented, no loans were past due and no loan impairments were recorded. The Company’s notes receivable from each Flash Ventures entity, denominated in Japanese yen, are secured by equipment owned by that Flash Ventures entity.

As of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020, the Company had Accounts payable balances due to Flash Ventures of $397 million and $407 million, respectively.

The Company’s maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits) as a result of its involvement with Flash Ventures, based upon the Japanese yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate at April 2, 2021, is presented below. Investments in Flash Ventures are denominated in Japanese yen, and the maximum estimable loss exposure excludes any cumulative translation adjustment due to revaluation from the Japanese yen to the U.S. dollar.


	April 2, 2021
	(in millions)
Notes receivable	$	1,071
Equity investments	623
Operating lease guarantees	1,993
Inventory and prepayments	656
Maximum estimable loss exposure	$	4,343

Table of Contents

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company is obligated to pay for variable costs incurred in producing its share of Flash Ventures’ flash-based memory wafer supply, based on its three-month forecast, which generally equals 50% of Flash Ventures’ output. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay for half of Flash Ventures’ fixed costs regardless of the output the Company chooses to purchase. The Company is not able to estimate its total wafer purchase commitment obligation beyond its rolling three-month purchase commitment because the price is determined by reference to the future cost of producing the semiconductor wafers. In addition, the Company is committed to fund 49.9% to 50.0% of each Flash Ventures entity’s capital investments to the extent that each Flash Ventures entity’s operating cash flow is insufficient to fund these investments.

In June 2019, an unexpected power outage incident occurred at the flash-based memory manufacturing facilities operated in Yokkaichi, Japan. The power outage incident impacted the facilities and process tools and resulted in damage to flash wafers in production and a reduction in the Company’s flash wafer availability. As a result of this incident, the Company incurred charges of $68 million for the nine months ended April 3, 2020, which were recorded in Cost of revenue and primarily consisted of unabsorbed manufacturing overhead costs. During the nine months ended April 2, 2021, the Company recovered $75 million related to this incident from its insurance carriers, which was recorded in Cost of revenue.

In May 2019, the Company entered into additional agreements with Kioxia to extend Flash Ventures to a new wafer fabrication facility, known as “K1,” located in Kitakami, Japan. The primary purpose of K1 is to provide clean room space to continue the transition of existing flash-based wafer capacity to newer technology nodes. K1 is now fully operational. In connection with the start-up of this facility, the Company agreed to prepay an aggregate of approximately $360 million over a 3-year period beginning in the first half of fiscal year 2020 toward K1 building depreciation, to be credited against future wafer charges. As of April 2, 2021, remaining committed prepayments totaled $108 million.

Inventory Purchase Commitments with Flash Ventures. Purchase orders placed under Flash Ventures for up to three months are binding and cannot be canceled.

Research and Development Activities. The Company participates in common research and development (“R&D”) activities with Kioxia and is contractually committed to a minimum funding level. R&D commitments are immaterial to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities

Flash Ventures sells to and leases back from a consortium of financial institutions a portion of its tools and has entered into equipment lease agreements of which the Company guarantees half or all of the outstanding obligations under each lease agreement. The lease agreements are subject to customary covenants and cancellation events related to Flash Ventures and each of the guarantors. The occurrence of a cancellation event could result in an acceleration of Flash Ventures’ obligations and a call on the Company’s guarantees.

The following table presents the Company’s portion of the remaining guarantee obligations under the Flash Ventures’ lease facilities in both Japanese yen and U.S. dollar-equivalent, based upon the Japanese yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate as of April 2, 2021.


	Lease Amounts
	(Japanese yen, in billions)		(U.S. dollar, in millions)
Total guarantee obligations	¥	221	$	1,993

Table of Contents

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following table details the breakdown of the Company’s remaining guarantee obligations between the principal amortization and the purchase option exercise price at the end of the term of the Flash Ventures lease agreements, in annual installments as of April 2, 2021 in U.S. dollars, based upon the Japanese yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate as of April 2, 2021:


Annual Installments	Payment of Principal Amortization		Purchase Option Exercise Price at Final Lease Terms		Guarantee Amount
	(in millions)
Remaining three months of 2021	$	146	$	22	$	168
2022	531		48		579
2023	419		65		484
2024	260		117		377
2025	96		108		204
Thereafter	45		136		181
Total guarantee obligations	$	1,497	$	496	$	1,993

The Company and Kioxia have agreed to mutually contribute to, and indemnify each other and Flash Ventures for, environmental remediation costs or liability resulting from Flash Ventures’ manufacturing operations in certain circumstances. The Company has not made any indemnification payments, nor recorded any indemnification receivables, under any such agreements. As of April 2, 2021, no amounts have been accrued in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to these indemnification agreements.

Unis Venture

The Company has a joint venture with Unisplendour Corporation Limited and Unissoft (Wuxi) Group Co. Ltd. (“Unis”), referred to as the “Unis Venture”, to market and sell the Company’s products in China and to develop data storage systems for the Chinese market in the future. The Unis Venture is 49% owned by the Company and 51% owned by Unis. The Company accounts for its investment in the Unis Venture under the equity method of accounting. Revenue on products distributed by the Unis Venture is recognized upon sell through to third-party customers. For both the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021, the Company recognized approximately 3% of its consolidated revenue on products distributed by the Unis Venture. For both the three and nine months ended April 3, 2020, the Company recognized approximately 1% of its consolidated revenue on products distributed by the Unis Venture. The outstanding accounts receivable due from and investment in the Unis Venture were 6% and 4% of Accounts receivable, net as of April 2, 2021 and July 3, 2020, respectively.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 10. Leases and Other Commitments

Leases

The Company leases certain domestic and international facilities and data center space under long-term, non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2034. These leases include no material variable or contingent lease payments. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining lease payments discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Operating lease assets also include prepaid lease payments minus any lease incentives. Extension or termination options present in the Company’s lease agreements are included in determining the right-of-use asset and lease liability when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise those options. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The following table summarizes supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases as of April 2, 2021:


	Lease Amounts
Minimum lease payments by fiscal year:	($ in millions)
Remaining three months of 2021	$	12
2022	40
2023	33
2024	33
2025	31
Thereafter	147
Total future minimum lease payments	296
Less: Imputed Interest	(50)
Present value of lease liabilities	246
Less: Current portion (included in Accrued expenses)	35
Long-term operating lease liabilities (included in Other liabilities)	$	211

Operating lease right-of-use assets (included in Other non-current assets)	$	232

Weighted average remaining lease term in years	8.5
Weighted average discount rate	3.8		%

The following table summarizes supplemental disclosures of operating cost and cash flow information related to operating leases:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Cost of operating leases	$	12	$	12	$	37	$	42
Cash paid for operating leases	12		12		38		41
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities	1		1		28		51

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Purchase Agreements and Other Commitments

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into purchase orders with suppliers for the purchase of components used to manufacture its products. These purchase orders generally cover forecasted component supplies needed for production during the next quarter, are recorded as a liability upon receipt of the components, and generally may be changed or canceled at any time prior to shipment of the components. The Company also enters into long-term agreements with suppliers that contain fixed future commitments, which are contingent on certain conditions such as performance, quality and technology of the vendor’s components. As of April 2, 2021, the Company had the following minimum long-term commitments:


	Long-term commitments
	(in millions)
Fiscal year:
Remaining three months of 2021	$	106
2022	583
2023	498
2024	314
2025	148
Thereafter	190
Total	$	1,839

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 11. Shareholders’ Equity

Stock-based Compensation Expense

The following tables present the Company’s stock-based compensation for equity-settled awards by type (i.e., stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), restricted stock unit awards with performance conditions or market conditions (“PSUs”), and rights to purchase shares of common stock under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)) and financial statement line as well as the related tax benefit included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Options	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	5
RSUs and PSUs	73		68		212		204
ESPP	10		9		27		23
Total	$	83	$	78	$	239	$	232


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Cost of revenue	$	14	$	13	$	41	$	38
Research and development	41		41		120		123
Selling, general and administrative	28		24		78		71

Subtotal	83		78		239		232
Tax benefit	(11)		(9)		(35)		(32)
Total	$	72	$	69	$	204	$	200

Windfall tax benefits and tax deficiencies for shortfalls related to the vesting and exercise of stock-based awards, which are recognized as a component of the Company’s Income tax expense, were not material for the periods presented.

Compensation cost related to unvested stock options, RSUs, PSUs, and rights to purchase shares of common stock under the ESPP will generally be amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining average service period. The following table presents the unamortized compensation cost and weighted average service period of all unvested outstanding awards as of April 2, 2021:


	Unamortized Compensation Costs		Weighted Average Service Period
	(in millions)		(years)

RSUs and PSUs (1)	$	586	2.6
ESPP	12		0.4
Total unamortized compensation cost	$	598

(1) Weighted average service period assumes the performance metrics are met for the PSUs.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Plan Activities

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Company’s incentive plans:


	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(in millions)			(in years)	(in millions)















Options outstanding at July 3, 2020	2.7	$	69.16	2.1	$	—


Exercised	(0.4)	44.16			$	5
Canceled or expired	(0.7)	75.09
Options outstanding at April 2, 2021	1.6	72.26		1.45	$	17
Exercisable at April 2, 2021	1.6	$	72.26	1.45	$	17

RSUs and PSUs

The following table summarizes RSU and PSU activity under the Company’s incentive plans:


	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Aggregate Intrinsic Value at Vest Date
	(in millions)			(in millions)















RSUs and PSUs outstanding at July 3, 2020	13.3	$	60.92
Granted	8.2	38.31

Vested	(4.2)	60.89		$	178
Forfeited	(1.2)	57.20
RSUs and PSUs outstanding at April 2, 2021	16.1	49.42

RSUs and PSUs are generally settled in an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock at the time of vesting of the units.

Stock Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of the Company’s common stock, which authorization is effective through July 25, 2023. The Company did not make any stock repurchases during the nine months ended April 2, 2021 and has not repurchased any shares of its common stock pursuant to its stock repurchase program since the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The remaining amount available to be repurchased under the Company’s current stock repurchase program as of April 2, 2021 was $4.5 billion. Repurchases under the stock repurchase program may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. The Company expects stock repurchases to be funded principally by operating cash flows.

Dividends to Shareholders

The Company issued a quarterly cash dividend from the first quarter of fiscal 2013 up to the third quarter of fiscal 2020. In April 2020, the Company suspended its dividend to reinvest in the business and to support its ongoing deleveraging efforts.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 12. Income Tax Expense

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017, includes a broad range of tax reform proposals affecting businesses. The Company completed its accounting for the tax effects of the enactment of the 2017 Act during the second quarter of fiscal 2019. However, the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) have issued tax guidance on certain provisions of the 2017 Act since the enactment date, and the Company anticipates the issuance of additional regulatory and interpretive guidance. The Company applied a reasonable interpretation of the 2017 Act along with the then-available guidance in finalizing its accounting for the tax effects of the 2017 Act. Any additional regulatory or interpretive guidance would constitute new information, which may require further refinements to the Company’s estimates in future periods.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. The CARES Act, among other things, allows net operating losses arising in tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes and increases the business interest expense limitation from 30% to 50% of adjusted taxable income for tax years 2019 and 2020. Additionally, countries around the world continue to implement emergency tax measures to provide relief similar to the CARES Act. The Company at present does not expect that any of the provisions of the CARES Act or the emergency tax measures around the world would result in a material cash benefit.

On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (the “Appropriations Act”) was enacted to fund the federal government through their fiscal year, extend certain expiring tax provisions and provide additional emergency relief to individuals and businesses related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. The Company at present does not expect any of the provisions of the Appropriations Act to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Rescue Act”) was enacted to provide additional emergency relief to individuals and businesses related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. The Rescue Act includes certain business-related provisions, which the Company at present does not expect to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company continues to monitor and evaluate the regulatory and interpretive guidance related to the CARES Act, the Appropriations Act and the Rescue Act, as well as legislation in other jurisdictions.

The following table presents the Company’s Income tax expense and the effective tax rate:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021			April 3, 2020			April 2, 2021			April 3, 2020
	($ in millions)
Income (loss) before taxes	$	249		$	46		$	331		$	(231)
Income tax expense	52			29			132			167
Effective tax rate	21		%	63		%	40		%	(72)		%

The primary drivers of the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021, which resulted in a difference in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended April 2, 2021 and the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 21%, are the relative mix of earnings and losses by jurisdiction, the deduction for foreign derived intangible income, credits, and tax holidays in Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand that will expire at various dates during fiscal years 2021 through 2031. In addition, the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 includes discrete effects for increases to unrecognized tax benefits of $35 million as a result of ongoing discussions with various taxing authorities that are offset in part by a release of certain unrecognized tax benefits of $22 million as a result of business realignment activities. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended April 2, 2021 also includes the discrete effects of net tax deficiencies from shortfalls of $11 million related to the vesting of stock-based awards and additional tax expense of $10 million from the re-measurement of deferred tax liabilities due to restructuring activities, which have no impact on the amount of income taxes paid by the Company.

The primary drivers of the difference between the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended April 3, 2020 and the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 21% are the relative mix of earnings and losses by jurisdiction, the deduction for foreign derived intangible income, credits, and tax holidays in Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand that expired or will expire at various dates during fiscal years 2020 through 2030.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

As previously disclosed, the IRS issued statutory notices of deficiency with respect to adjustments relating to transfer pricing with the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and intercompany payable balances for fiscal years 2008 through 2009 and fiscal years 2010 through 2012. The statutory notices of deficiency seek to increase the Company’s U.S. taxable income relating to the disputed items by an amount that would result in additional federal tax totaling approximately $516 million through fiscal year 2009 and totaling approximately $535 million for fiscal years 2010 through 2012, subject to interest and penalties. The Company filed petitions with the U.S. Tax Court with respect to the statutory notices of deficiency for fiscal years 2008 through 2009 and the fiscal years 2010 through 2012. The U.S. Tax Court consolidated the case for fiscal years 2008 through 2009 with the case for fiscal years 2010 through 2012. In May 2020, the IRS filed with the U.S. Tax Court Amendments to Answer to assert penalties totaling $340 million on the proposed adjustments relating to transfer pricing with respect to fiscal years 2008 through 2012. In September 2020 and December 2020, the IRS proposed adjustments relating to transfer pricing with the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and intercompany payable balances for fiscal years 2013 through 2015 that, if sustained, would result in additional federal tax totaling approximately $343 million. In March 2021, the IRS asserted penalties totaling $109 million on the proposed adjustments relating to transfer pricing with respect to fiscal years 2013 through 2015. The Company disagrees with the proposed adjustments relating to transfer pricing and related penalties, and continues to believe that its tax positions are properly supported and will vigorously contest the position taken by the IRS. Also in March 2021, the Company and the IRS tentatively reached a basis for resolving the intercompany payable balances matter for all fiscal years at issue and the impact was not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company believes that adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax examinations cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in the Company’s tax examinations are resolved in a manner not consistent with management’s expectations, the Company could be required to adjust its provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs. As of April 2, 2021, it was not possible to estimate the amount of change, if any, in the unrecognized tax benefits that is reasonably possible within the next twelve months. Any significant change in the amount of the Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits would most likely result from additional information or settlements relating to the examination of the Company’s tax returns.

As of April 2, 2021, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits (excluding accrued interest and penalties) was approximately $750 million. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as of April 2, 2021 was approximately $133 million. Of these amounts, approximately $743 million could result in potential cash payments. The Company is not able to provide a reasonable estimate of the timing of future tax payments related to these obligations.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 13. Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per common share:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
	(in millions, except per share data)
Net income (loss)	$	197	$	17	$	199	$	(398)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	306		299		305		298
Employee stock options, RSUs, PSUs and ESPP	7		4		3		—
Basic and diluted	313		303		308		298
Income (loss) per common share
Basic	$	0.64	$	0.06	$	0.65	$	(1.34)
Diluted	$	0.63	$	0.06	$	0.65	$	(1.34)
Anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded	1		3		7		15

The Company computes basic income (loss) per common share using Net income (loss) and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per common share is computed using Net income (loss) and the weighted average number of common shares and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares include dilutive outstanding employee stock options, RSUs and PSUs, and rights to purchase shares of common stock under the Company’s ESPP. For the nine months ended April 3, 2020, the Company recorded net loss, and all shares subject to outstanding equity awards have been excluded for this period because including them would be anti-dilutive.

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 14. Employee Termination, Asset Impairment and Other Charges

The Company recorded the following charges related to employee termination benefits, asset impairment, and other charges:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Employee termination and other charges:

Closure of Foreign Manufacturing Facilities	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	5
Business Realignment	2		7		27		37
Total employee termination and other charges	2		8		27		42





Gain on disposition of assets:


Business Realignment	(70)		—		(70)		(17)

Total employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges	$	(68)	$	8	$	(43)	$	25

Business Realignment

The Company periodically incurs charges as part of the integration process of recent acquisitions and to realign its operations with anticipated market demand, primarily consisting of organization rationalization designed to streamline its business, reduce its cost structure and focus its resources. The Company may also record credits related to gains upon sale of property in connection with these activities. The Company recognized gains related to the disposition of assets associated with these activities of $70 million in the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 and $17 million in the nine months ended April 3, 2020.

The following table presents an analysis of the components of these activities against the reserve during the nine months ended April 2, 2021:


	Employee Termination Benefits		Contract Termination and Other		Total
	(in millions)








Accrual balance at July 3, 2020	$	13	$	—	$	13
Charges	24		3		27
Cash payments	(34)		(3)		(37)

Accrual balance at April 2, 2021	$	3	$	—	$	3

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WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 15. Legal Proceedings

Tax

For disclosures regarding statutory notices of deficiency issued by the IRS on June 28, 2018 and December 10, 2018, petitions filed by the Company with the U.S. Tax Court in September 2018 and March 2019, additional penalties asserted by the IRS in March 2021 and a tentative resolution with respect to certain matters, see Note 12, Income Tax Expense.

Other Matters

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to legal proceedings, lawsuits and other claims. Although the ultimate aggregate amount of probable monetary liability or financial impact with respect to these other matters is subject to many uncertainties, management believes that any monetary liability or financial impact to the Company from these matters, individually and in the aggregate, would not be material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, any monetary liability and financial impact to the Company from these matters could differ materially from the Company’s expectations.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, and should be read in conjunction with the disclosures we make concerning risks and other factors that may affect our business and operating results. You should read this information in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020. See also “Forward-Looking Statements” immediately prior to Part I, Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Unless otherwise indicated, references herein to specific years and quarters are to our fiscal years and fiscal quarters. As used herein, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer to Western Digital Corporation and its subsidiaries.

Our Company

We are a leading developer, manufacturer and provider of data storage devices and solutions that address the evolving needs of the information technology (“IT”) industry and the infrastructure that enables the proliferation of data in virtually every other industry. We create environments for data to thrive. We drive 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.

Our broad portfolio of technology and products address the following key end markets: Client Devices; Data Center Devices and Solutions; and Client Solutions. We also generate license and royalty revenue from our extensive intellectual property (“IP”), which is included in each of these three end market categories.

Our fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest to June 30 and typically consists of 52 weeks. Approximately every five to six years, we report a 53-week fiscal year to align the fiscal year with the foregoing policy. Fiscal year 2021, which ends on July 2, 2021, will be comprised of 52 weeks, with all quarters presented consisting of 13 weeks. Fiscal year 2020, which ended on July 3, 2020, was comprised of 53 weeks, with the first quarter consisting of 14 weeks and the remaining quarters consisting of 13 weeks each.

Key Developments

Business Structure

Late in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we announced a decision to reorganize our business by forming two separate product business units: flash-based products and hard disk drives (“HDD”). The new structure is intended to provide each business unit with focus and responsibility for identifying current and future customer requirements while driving the strategy, roadmap, pricing and overall profitability for their respective product areas. In the second fiscal quarter, to align with the new operating model and business structure, we began making management organizational changes and are implementing new reporting modules and processes to provide discrete information to manage the business. We are evaluating the impact of these changes on our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and expect to modify our disclosures to align with this structure when the implementations and assessments are completed, which is expected to be in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Operational Update

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, governments and other authorities around the world, including federal, state and local authorities in the United States, have imposed measures intended to reduce its spread, including restrictions on freedom of movement and business operations such as travel bans, border closings, business limitations and closures (subject to exceptions for essential operations and businesses), quarantines and shelter-in-place orders. Although some of these governmental restrictions have since been lifted or scaled back, periodic surges of COVID-19 infections have resulted in the re-imposition of certain restrictions and may lead to other restrictions being re-implemented in response to efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These measures may remain in place for a significant amount of time, and the effects of ongoing vaccination efforts and the emergence of new strains of the virus remain uncertain. In light of these events, we have taken actions to protect the health and safety of our employees while continuing to serve our global customers as an essential business. We have implemented more thorough sanitation practices as outlined by health organizations and instituted social distancing policies at our locations around the world, including working from home, limiting the number of employees attending meetings, reducing the number of people in our sites at any one time, and suspending employee travel. In addition, the

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responses to COVID-19 taken by others in the supply chain have impacted our operations. As a result, we incurred charges of approximately $33 million and $94 million during the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021, respectively, primarily related to higher logistics costs, which were recorded in cost of revenue.

As an essential business, we continue to provide products and solutions that enable the proliferation of data and facilitate the sharing of information remotely, which has become more critical as much of the world is interacting from areas of self-isolation. Generally, demand for our products has remained solid during the pandemic. During the nine months ended April 2, 2021, we experienced lower sales in some of our capacity enterprise and Client Devices products as customers absorbed purchases made in recent quarters, but we also experienced increased sales in retail as COVID-19 restrictions eased, more brick and mortar businesses resumed operations. Continued work-from-home, distance learning, and at-home entertainment also supported demand.

Looking forward, we see positive indications of the progression of 5G ramp and the growth of gaming. We are making progress on completing customer qualifications and we expect revenue to increase as we progress through calendar 2021, led by the ramp of our 18-terabyte hard drives, as well as broad-based growth in flash. However, the COVID-19 environment remains dynamic and we cannot predict the duration of the pandemic and how demand may change as it continues to develop.

We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions altering our business operations that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, partners, suppliers, and stakeholders, or as required by federal, state, or local authorities. See “The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition” in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020 for more information regarding the risks we face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Flash Ventures

Through our three business ventures with Kioxia Corporation (“Kioxia”), referred to as “Flash Ventures”, we and Kioxia operate flash-based memory wafer manufacturing facilities in Japan. We are obligated to pay for variable costs incurred in producing our share of Flash Ventures’ flash-based memory wafer supply, based on our three-month forecast, which generally equals 50% of Flash Ventures’ output. In addition, we are obligated to pay for half of Flash Ventures’ fixed costs regardless of the output we choose to purchase. We are also obligated to fund 49.9% to 50% of each Flash Ventures entity’s capital investments to the extent that Flash Ventures entity’s operating cash flow is insufficient to fund these investments. We also co-develop flash technologies (including process technology and memory design) with Kioxia and contribute IP for Flash Ventures’ use.

Since its inception, Flash Ventures’ primary manufacturing site has been located in Yokkaichi, Japan, which currently includes five wafer fabrication facilities. Production levels at the Yokkaichi site were temporarily reduced as a result of an unexpected power outage incident that occurred in the Yokkaichi region on June 15, 2019. The power outage incident impacted the facilities and process tools and resulted in damage to flash wafers in production. The incident resulted in a reduction of our flash wafer availability by approximately 4 exabytes. As a result of this power outage incident, we incurred aggregate charges of $68 million recorded in Cost of revenue in the nine months ended April 3, 2020, which primarily consisted of unabsorbed manufacturing overhead costs. During the nine months ended April 2, 2021, we recovered $75 million related to this incident from our insurance carriers, which was recorded in Cost of revenue.

In May 2019, we entered into additional agreements with Kioxia to extend Flash Ventures to a new wafer fabrication facility, known as “K1,” located in Kitakami, Japan. The primary purpose of K1 is to provide clean room space to continue the transition of existing flash-based wafer capacity to newer technology nodes. K1 is now fully operational. In connection with the start-up of this facility, we agreed to prepay an aggregate of approximately $360 million over a 3-year period beginning in the first half of fiscal year 2020 toward K1 building depreciation, to be credited against future wafer charges. As of April 2, 2021, remaining committed prepayments totaled $108 million.

In October 2020, Kioxia announced the start of construction of the shell for a new fabrication facility in Yokkaichi, Japan, referred to as “Y7”. We expect to continue Flash Ventures investments into Y7 in due course, following the completion of agreements with Kioxia governing the construction and operation of the new facility and according to then-prevailing market trends.

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Results of Operations

Third Quarter and Nine Month Overview

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, selected summary information from our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations by dollars and percentage of net revenue(1):


	Three Months Ended
	April 2, 2021				April 3, 2020				$ Change		% Change
	($ in millions)
Revenue, net	$	4,137	100.0	%	$	4,175	100.0	%	$	(38)	(1)	%
Cost of revenue	3,046		73.6		3,170		75.9		(124)		(4)
Gross profit	1,091		26.4		1,005		24.1		86		9
Operating Expenses:
Research and development	555		13.4		563		13.5		(8)		(1)
Selling, general and administrative	287		6.9		281		6.7		6		2
Employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges	(68)		(1.6)		8		0.2		(76)		(950)
Total operating expenses	774		18.7		852		20.4		(78)		(9)
Operating income	317		7.7		153		3.7		164		107
Interest and other income (expense):
Interest income	2		—		6		0.1		(4)		(67)
Interest expense	(81)		(2.0)		(99)		(2.4)		18		(18)
Other income (expense), net	11		0.3		(14)		(0.3)		25		(179)
Total interest and other expense, net	(68)		(1.6)		(107)		(2.6)		39		(36)
Income before taxes	249		6.0		46		1.1		203		441
Income tax expense	52		1.3		29		0.7		23		79
Net income	$	197	4.8		$	17	0.4		180		1,059

(1) Percentages may not total due to rounding.

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	Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021				April 3, 2020				$ Change		% Change
	($ in millions)
Revenue, net	$	12,002	100.0	%	$	12,449	100.0	%	$	(447)	(4)	%
Cost of revenue	9,047		75.4		9,751		78.3		(704)		(7)
Gross profit	2,955		24.6		2,698		21.7		257		10
Operating Expenses:
Research and development	1,645		13.7		1,715		13.8		(70)		(4)
Selling, general and administrative	808		6.7		884		7.1		(76)		(9)
Employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges	(43)		(0.4)		25		0.2		(68)		(272)
Total operating expenses	2,410		20.1		2,624		21.1		(214)		(8)
Operating income	545		4.5		74		0.6		471		636
Interest and other income (expense):
Interest income	6		—		26		0.2		(20)		(77)
Interest expense	(246)		(2.0)		(326)		(2.6)		80		(25)
Other income (expense), net	26		0.2		(5)		—		31		(620)
Total interest and other expense, net	(214)		(1.8)		(305)		(2.4)		91		(30)
Income (loss) before taxes	331		2.8		(231)		(1.9)		562		(243)
Income tax expense	132		1.1		167		1.3		(35)		(21)
Net income (loss)	$	199	1.7		$	(398)	(3.2)		597		(150)

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, summary information regarding our revenue:



	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020		April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Revenue by Product
HDD	$	1,962	$	2,114	$	5,715	$	6,918
Flash-based	2,175		2,061		6,287		5,531
Total Revenue	$	4,137	$	4,175	$	12,002	$	12,449

Revenue by End Market
Client Devices	$	2,012	$	1,831	$	6,089	$	5,244
Data Center Devices & Solutions	1,237		1,523		3,173		4,544
Client Solutions	888		821		2,740		2,661
Total Revenue	$	4,137	$	4,175	$	12,002	$	12,449

Revenue by Geography
Americas	$	1,009	$	1,325	$	3,033	$	3,934
Europe, Middle East and Africa	913		770		2,267		2,360
Asia	2,215		2,080		6,702		6,155
Total Revenue	$	4,137	$	4,175	$	12,002	$	12,449

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Net Revenue

Comparison of Three Months Ended April 2, 2021 to Three Months Ended April 3, 2020

Net revenue decreased 1% for the three months ended April 2, 2021 compared to the three months ended April 3, 2020, which reflects declines in revenue of approximately 8 percentage points and 2 percentage points related to pricing per gigabyte of flash and HDD, respectively, largely offset by an increase in exabyte volume of flash sold.

Client Devices revenue increased 10% year over year. Higher volumes of flash contributed approximately 17 percentage points of growth. Continued strength in notebook and desktop PC demand, along with new game console ramps, drove solid revenue growth. These increases were slightly offset by lower average pricing per gigabyte on flash products. Client Devices revenue for HDD products were relatively flat.

Data Center Devices and Solutions revenue declined 19% year over year, with approximately 12 percentage points of decline related to volume, primarily in HDD, and 7 percentage points driven by lower pricing per gigabyte in both HDD and flash products. Year-over-year volume was impacted by cloud digestion, which we believe is abating, and China shipment restrictions. However, we experienced growth with our second generation, NVMe enterprise SSD at a cloud titan. In addition, many cloud customers are utilizing NAND flash for their consumer product lines, creating additional end-market opportunities for us as we continue to diversify and balance the end markets served. Qualifications of our energy-assisted hard drives have also been completed with nearly all cloud and enterprise customers, including all cloud titans.

Client Solutions revenue increased 8% year over year with approximately 13 percentage points driven by volume growth. This remains a high performing end market, reflecting our brand recognition, broad product portfolio, and extensive distribution channels which continue to distinguish us from our competitors. This growth was partially offset by lower pricing.

Comparison of Nine Months Ended April 2, 2021 to Nine Months Ended April 3, 2020

Net revenue decreased 4% for the nine months ended April 2, 2021 from the comparable period in the prior year, reflecting an approximate 11 percentage point decline related to pricing per gigabyte for both HDD and flash products, partially offset by higher volumes in flash. Client Devices revenue increased 16% year over year, with approximately 27 percentage points of growth coming from higher volumes of flash, for the same reasons noted above for the quarter. This increase was partially offset by lower average selling prices per gigabyte in both flash and HDD as well as lower volumes of HDD. Revenue for Data Center Devices and Solutions declined 30% year over year, with approximately 26 percentage points attributed to lower volumes, which also reflects the drivers noted above for the quarter, with the remainder primarily attributable to lower pricing. Client Solutions revenue increased 3% year over year, reflecting approximately 9 percentage points of increase from higher volumes with solid retail demand, partially offset by an approximate 6 percentage point decline related to lower pricing.

The changes in net revenue by geography for both the three- and nine-month periods reflect an increase in Asia due to our increased sales of mobility products to manufacturers in the Asia region, and a decrease in the Americas driven by lower sales of capacity enterprise products.

Our top 10 customers accounted for 42% and 40% of our net revenue for the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021, respectively, and 44% for both the three and nine months ended April 3, 2020. For the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of our net revenue.

Consistent with standard industry practice, we have sales incentive and marketing programs that provide customers with price protection and other incentives or reimbursements that are recorded as a reduction to gross revenue. For the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020, these programs represented 18% and 19% and 15% and 16%, respectively, of gross revenues, and adjustments to revenue due to changes in accruals for these programs have generally averaged less than 1% of gross revenue year over year. The increase in adjustments year over year reflects the current competitive environment. The amounts attributed to our sales incentive and marketing programs generally vary according to several factors including industry conditions, list pricing strategies, seasonal demand, competitor actions, channel mix and overall availability of products. Changes in future customer demand and market conditions may require us to adjust our incentive programs as a percentage of gross revenue.

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Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit increased by $86 million for the three months ended April 2, 2021 from the comparable period in the prior year, which reflects a $106 million decrease in charges in the current year related to amortization expense on acquired intangible assets, partially offset by lower contribution from lower revenues.

Gross margin increased approximately 2 percentage points for the three months ended April 2, 2021 from the comparable period in the prior year, substantially all of which is attributed to the impacts of the lower charges for amortization of acquired intangible assets.

Gross profit increased by $257 million for the nine months ended April 2, 2021 from the comparable period in the prior year, which reflects the power outage charges of $68 million incurred in the prior year compared to the $75 million partial recovery in the current year and a $173 million decrease in charges in the current year related to amortization expense on acquired intangible assets, partially offset by lower contribution from lower revenues.

Gross margin increased approximately 3 percentage points for the nine months ended April 2, 2021 from the comparable period in the prior year, substantially all of which is attributed to the impacts of the charges related to the power outage incident in the prior year, the insurance recovery in the current year and the lower charges for amortization of acquired intangible assets noted above. Over the near term, we expect flash gross margin to benefit from improved pricing and cost reductions while HDD gross margin is expected to improve as we ramp production on higher capacity drives.

Operating Expenses

Research and development (“R&D”) expense decreased $8 million for the three months ended April 2, 2021 from the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease was driven by lower materials expenses of approximately $20 million and lower travel and entertainment expenses due to the COVID-19 restrictions of approximately $10 million, partially offset by higher variable compensation costs as a result of improved earnings. R&D expense decreased $70 million for the nine months ended April 2, 2021 from the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease was driven by lower materials expenses of approximately $40 million, lower travel and entertainment expenses due to the COVID-19 restrictions of approximately $20 million and lower variable compensation in the first half of the year.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense increased $6 million for the three months ended April 2, 2021 from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase was driven by higher variable compensation costs of approximately $15 million as a result of improved earnings, partially offset by lower travel and entertainment as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and lower consulting and marketing expenses due to event cancellations. SG&A expense decreased $76 million for the nine months ended April 2, 2021 from the comparable period in the prior year. The decline was primarily driven by approximately $40 million from lower travel and entertainment as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, lower consulting and lower marketing expenses due to event cancellations; approximately $15 million from lower variable compensation costs; and approximately $10 million of additional expense in the prior year related to the additional week.

The higher gains recognized in Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges compared to the prior year primarily reflect gains on the disposal of assets associated with our business realignment activities. For information regarding Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges, see Part I, Item 1, Note 14, Employee Termination, Asset Impairment and Other Charges, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Interest and Other Income (Expense)

The decreases in total interest and other expense, net for the three and nine months ended April 2, 2021 reflect lower interest expense resulting from lower index rates and the pay-down of principal on our debt.

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Income Tax Expense

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Act”) includes a broad range of tax reform proposals affecting businesses. We completed our accounting for the tax effects of the enactment of the 2017 Act during the second quarter of fiscal 2019. However, the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) have issued tax guidance on certain provisions of the 2017 Act since the enactment date, and we anticipate the issuance of additional regulatory and interpretive guidance. We applied a reasonable interpretation of the 2017 Act along with the then-available guidance in finalizing our accounting for the tax effects of the 2017 Act. Any additional regulatory or interpretive guidance would constitute new information, which may require further refinements to our estimates in future periods.

The following table sets forth income tax information from our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations by dollar and effective tax rate:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021			April 3, 2020			April 2, 2021			April 3, 2020
	($ in millions)
Income (loss) before taxes	$	249		$	46		$	331		$	(231)
Income tax expense	52			29			132			167
Effective tax rate	21		%	63		%	40		%	(72)		%

The primary driver of the difference between the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended April 3, 2020 and the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 21% are the relative mix of earnings and losses by jurisdiction, the deduction for foreign derived intangible income, credits, and tax holidays in Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand that expired or will expire at various dates during fiscal years 2020 through 2030.

Our future effective tax rate is subject to future regulatory developments and changes in the mix of our U.S. earnings compared to foreign earnings. Our total tax expense in future fiscal years may also vary as a result of discrete items such as excess tax benefits or deficiencies.

For additional information regarding Income tax expense (benefit), see Part I, Item 1, Note 12, Income Tax Expense, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table summarizes our statements of cash flows:



	Nine Months Ended
	April 2, 2021		April 3, 2020
	(in millions)
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	904	$	652
Investing activities	(562)		192
Financing activities	(662)		(1,354)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	6		(2)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	$	(314)	$	(512)

We believe our cash, cash equivalents and cash generated from operations as well as our available credit facilities will be sufficient to meet our working capital, debt and capital expenditure needs for at least the next twelve months. Our ability to sustain our working capital position is subject to a number of risks that we discuss in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020.

During fiscal 2021, we expect expenditures for property, plant and equipment for our company plus our portion of the capital expenditures by our Flash Ventures joint venture with Kioxia for its operations to aggregate approximately $2.9 billion. After consideration of the Flash Ventures’ lease financing of its capital expenditures and net operating cash flow, we expect net cash used for our purchases of property, plant and equipment and net activity in notes receivable relating to Flash Ventures to be a cash outflow of approximately $800 million during fiscal 2021. The total expected cash to be used could vary depending on the timing and completion of various capital projects and the availability, timing and terms of related financing.

During fiscal 2019, we determined that it was our intention to repatriate all of our foreign undistributed earnings as a result of the 2017 Act, except a portion of our foreign undistributed earnings, which could result in additional federal taxes based on interpretive guidance issued by the IRS. After consideration of this interpretative guidance affecting the taxation of a certain portion of our foreign undistributed earnings, we determined that we do not intend to repatriate this portion of our foreign undistributed earnings and did not establish an accrual for this liability.

A total of $1.85 billion and $2.14 billion of our Cash and cash equivalents was held outside of the U.S. as of April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020, respectively. As a result of the change in our permanent reinvestment assertion, there are no material tax consequences that were not previously accrued for on the repatriation of this cash.

Operating Activities

Cash flow from operating activities primarily consists of net income, adjusted for non-cash charges, plus or minus changes in operating assets and liabilities. This represents our principal source of cash. Net cash used for changes in operating assets and liabilities was $393 million for the nine months ended April 2, 2021, as compared to $331 million of net cash used for changes in operating assets and liabilities for the nine months ended April 3, 2020. Changes in our operating assets and liabilities are largely affected by our working capital requirements, which are dependent on the effective management of our cash conversion cycle as well as timing of payments for taxes. Our cash conversion cycle measures how quickly we can convert our products into cash through sales. The cash conversion cycles were as follows:


	Three Months Ended
	April 2, 2021	April 3, 2020
	(in days)
Days sales outstanding	42	43
Days in inventory	110	89
Days payables outstanding	(66)	(63)
Cash conversion cycle	86	69

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Changes in days sales outstanding (“DSO”) are generally due to the timing of shipments. Changes in days in inventory (“DIO”) are generally related to the timing of inventory builds. Changes in days payables outstanding (“DPO”) are generally related to production volume and the timing of purchases during the period. From time to time, we negotiate to modify the timing of payments to our vendors to manage our vendor relationships and to manage our cash flows, including our cash balances.

For the three months ended April 2, 2021, DSO decreased by 1 day over the prior year, primarily reflecting the timing of shipments and customer collections. We have seen no significant deterioration in our receivables as a result of COVID-19. DIO increased by 21 days over the prior year, primarily reflecting higher stocking levels of HDD inventory to serve anticipated demand growth and better output from Flash Ventures as production ramped up at the new fabrication site. With supply chains experiencing constraint as a result of COVID-19 and certain key component supply tightness, we are taking actions to ensure that we have the components we need to build products and are stocking higher levels of inventory so that we can ship by ocean and reduce higher cost air freight. DPO increased by 3 days over the prior year, primarily reflecting resumptions of flash production volumes as well as routine variations in the timing of purchases and payments during the period.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended April 2, 2021 primarily consisted of $820 million in capital expenditures, partially offset by a $129 million net decrease in notes receivable issuances to Flash Ventures and proceeds of $121 million from the disposal of property, plant and equipment, primarily related to our business realignment activities. Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended April 3, 2020 primarily consisted of a $627 million net decrease in notes receivable issuances to Flash Ventures to fund its capital expansion, partially offset by $432 million of capital expenditures.

Our cash equivalents are primarily invested in money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency securities. In addition, from time to time, we invest directly in U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. and international government agency securities, certificates of deposit, asset backed securities and corporate and municipal notes and bonds.

Financing Activities

During the nine months ended April 2, 2021, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of $673 million for repayment of debt, which included $450 million in voluntary prepayments on our Term Loan B-4. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended April 3, 2020 primarily consisted of $919 million for the repayment of our debt and $445 million to pay dividends on our common stock. On April 30, 2021, we made an incremental voluntary prepayment of $150 million on our Term Loan B-4.

In April 2020, we suspended our dividend to reinvest in the business and to support our ongoing deleveraging efforts. We will reevaluate our dividend policy as our leverage ratio improves.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than the commitments related to Flash Ventures incurred in the normal course of business and certain indemnification provisions (see “Short and Long-term Liquidity-Contractual Obligations and Commitments” below), we do not have any other material off-balance sheet financing arrangements or liabilities, guarantee contracts, retained or contingent interests in transferred assets, or any other obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity. We do not have any majority-owned subsidiaries that are not included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, with the exception of Flash Ventures and our joint venture with Unisplendour Corporation Limited and Unissoft (Wuxi) Group Co. Ltd., we do not have an interest in, or relationships with, any variable interest entities. For additional information regarding our off-balance sheet arrangements, see Part I, Item 1, Note 9, Related Parties and Related Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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Short- and Long-term Liquidity

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following is a summary of our known contractual cash obligations and commercial commitments as of April 2, 2021:


	Total		Remaining three months of 2021		2022-2023		2024-2025		Beyond 2025
	(in millions)


Long-term debt, including current portion(1)	$	9,037	$	63	$	5,574	$	1,100	$	2,300
Interest on debt	882		38		500		235		109
Flash Ventures related commitments(2)	5,602		1,041		2,989		1,340		232
Operating leases	296		12		73		64		147
Purchase obligations and other commitments	4,277		1,975		1,566		545		191
Mandatory Deemed Repatriation Tax	925		—		210		417		298
Total	$	21,019	$	3,129	$	10,912	$	3,701	$	3,277

(1)Principal portion of debt, excluding discounts and issuance costs.

(2)Includes reimbursement for depreciation and lease payments on owned and committed equipment, funding commitments for loans and equity investments and payments for other committed expenses, including R&D and building depreciation. Funding commitments assume no additional operating lease guarantees. Additional operating lease guarantees can reduce funding commitments.

Debt

In addition to our existing debt, we have $2.25 billion available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility, subject to customary conditions under the credit agreement. Additional information regarding our indebtedness, including information about availability under our revolving credit facility and the principal repayment terms, interest rates, covenants and other key terms of our outstanding indebtedness, is included in Part I, Item 1, Note 7, Debt, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Part II, Item 8, Note 6, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020. The credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility and Term Loan A-1 requires us to comply with certain financial covenants, consisting of a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. As of April 2, 2021, we were in compliance with these financial covenants.

Flash Ventures

Flash Ventures sells to and leases back from a consortium of financial institutions a portion of its tools and has entered into equipment lease agreements of which we guarantee half or all of the outstanding obligations under each lease agreement. The leases are subject to customary covenants and cancellation events that relate to Flash Ventures and each of the guarantors. The occurrence of a cancellation event could result in an acceleration of the lease obligations and a call on our guarantees. As of April 2, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants under these Japanese lease facilities. See Part I, Item 1, Note 9, Related Parties and Related Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information regarding Flash Ventures.

Purchase Obligations and Other Commitments

In the normal course of business, we enter into purchase orders with suppliers for the purchase of components used to manufacture our products. These purchase orders generally cover forecasted component supplies needed for production during the next quarter, are recorded as a liability upon receipt of the components, and generally may be changed or canceled at any time prior to shipment of the components. We also enter into long-term agreements with suppliers that contain fixed future commitments, which are contingent on certain conditions such as performance, quality and technology of the vendor’s components. These arrangements are included under “Purchase obligations and other commitments” in the table above.

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Mandatory Deemed Repatriation Tax

The following is a summary of our estimated mandatory deemed repatriation tax obligations that are payable in the following fiscal years (in millions):


	April 2, 2021

2022	$	106
2023	104
2024	179
2025	238
2026	298


Total	$	925

For additional information regarding our estimate of the total tax liability for the mandatory deemed repatriation tax, see Part II, Item 8, Note 13, Income Tax Expense, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2019.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As of April 2, 2021, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits (excluding accrued interest and penalties) was approximately $750 million. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as of April 2, 2021 was approximately $133 million. Of these amounts, approximately $743 million could result in potential cash payments. We are not able to provide a reasonable estimate of the timing of future tax payments related to these obligations.

Interest Rate Swap

We have generally held a balance of fixed and variable rate debt. At April 2, 2021, we had $5.64 billion of variable rate debt, comprising 62% of the par value of our debt. To balance the portfolio and moderate our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates underlying our variable debt, we entered into pay-fixed interest rate swaps on $2.00 billion notional amount, which effectively converts a portion of our term loan to fixed rates through February 2023. After giving effect to the $2.00 billion of interest rate swaps, we effectively had $3.64 billion of Long-term debt subject to variations in interest rates and a one percent increase in the variable rate of interest would increase annual interest expense by $36 million.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

We purchase foreign exchange contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on certain underlying assets, liabilities and commitments for Operating expenses and product costs denominated in foreign currencies. For a description of our current foreign exchange contract commitments, see Part I, Item 1, Note 6, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Indemnifications

In the ordinary course of business, we may provide indemnifications of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of our breach of agreements, products or services to be provided by us, environmental compliance or from IP infringement claims made by third parties. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers that will require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. We maintain director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from our obligation to indemnify our directors and officers in certain circumstances.

It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Such indemnification agreements may not be subject to maximum loss clauses. Historically, we have not incurred material costs as a result of obligations under these agreements.

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Stock Repurchase Program

Our Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of our common stock, which authorization is effective through July 25, 2023. We did not make any stock repurchases during the nine months ended April 2, 2021 and have not repurchased any shares of our common stock pursuant to our stock repurchase program since the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Although we will reevaluate the repurchasing of our common stock when appropriate, there can be no assurance if, when or at what level we may resume such activity. The remaining amount available to be repurchased under our current stock repurchase program as of April 2, 2021 was $4.5 billion. Repurchases under the stock repurchase program may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan.

Cash Dividend

We issued a quarterly cash dividend from the first quarter of fiscal 2013 through the third quarter of fiscal 2020. In April 2020, we suspended our dividend to reinvest in the business and to support our ongoing deleveraging efforts. We will reevaluate our dividend policy as our leverage ratio improves.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a description of recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements, including the respective dates of adoption and expected effects on our results of operations and financial condition, see Part I, Item 1, Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity. We have adopted accounting policies and practices that are generally accepted in the industry in which we operate. If these estimates differ significantly from actual results, the impact to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements may be material.

There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020. Please refer to Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020 for a discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to our market risk during the nine months ended April 2, 2021. For a discussion of our exposure to market risk, see Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we substantially completed the initial implementation of our enterprise resource planning system on a worldwide basis. These system changes resulted in the modification of certain processes and controls, but no changes materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Going forward, we expect to make routine enhancements and modifications in the normal course of business. In addition, as noted previously, we are implementing new reporting modules and processes to provide more discrete information to support our new organizational structure. As we implement these enhancements and modifications in future periods, we will continue to assess the impact on our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Note 12, Income Tax Expense, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for disclosures regarding statutory notices of deficiency issued by they IRS on June 28, 2018 and December 10, 2018, petitions filed by the Company with the U.S. Tax Court in September 2018 and March 2019, additional penalties asserted by the IRS in March 2021 and a tentative resolution with respect to certain matters.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We have described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020 risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results of operations and financial condition to vary materially from past, or from anticipated future, results of operations and financial condition. There have been no material changes from these risk factors previously described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 3, 2020. These risks and uncertainties are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or the market price of our common stock.

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Item 6. Exhibits

The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index below are filed with, or incorporated by reference in, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as specified in the Exhibit List, from exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain agreements listed in the Exhibit Index that we have filed or incorporated by reference may contain representations and warranties by us or our subsidiaries. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may have been qualified by disclosures made to such other party or parties, (ii) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments, which may not be fully reflected in our public disclosures, (iii) may reflect the allocation of risk among the parties to such agreements and (iv) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs at the date hereof and should not be relied upon.

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EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number						Description
3.1						Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Western Digital Corporation, as amended to date (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2006)
3.2						Amended and Restated By-Laws of Western Digital Corporation, as amended effective as of February 10, 2021 (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-08703) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2021)
10.1						Western Digital Corporation Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan, dated February 9, 2021†*
31.1						Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002†
31.2						Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002†
32.1						Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**
32.2						Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**
101.INS						XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document†
101.CAL						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document†
101.LAB						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document†
101.PRE						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document†
101.DEF						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document†
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File - formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101

† Filed with this report.

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

** Furnished with this report.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


			WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

			By:			/s/ Gene Zamiska
						Gene Zamiska
						Vice President, Global Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer
						(Principal Accounting Officer)

Dated: May 6, 2021

Document

Exhibit 10.1

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

EXECUTIVE SHORT-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

1.Purpose.

The purpose of this Western Digital Corporation Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan (this “Plan”) is to promote the success of Western Digital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), by (i) compensating and rewarding participating executives with incentive awards for the achievement of performance goals, (ii) motivating such executives by giving them opportunities to receive incentive awards directly related to performance, and (iii) retaining executives by offering them an opportunity to share in the Company’s success.

2.Definitions.

“Administrator” means (i) the Committee with respect to Participants who are Executive Officers and (ii) for all other Participants who are not Executive Officers, either the Committee or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as determined in accordance with Section 3.1.

“Award” means an award to a Participant of an opportunity to receive an Incentive Award under this Plan, subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

“Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Committee” means the Compensation and Talent Committee of the Board.

“Company” is defined in in Section 1 of this Plan.

“Eligible Wages” as to a Participant for a particular Performance Period means the amount of base salary or base wages paid to the Participant by the Company and its Subsidiaries during that Performance Period, exclusive of any commissions, incentive awards, bonuses, other actual or imputed income from any benefits, stock or incentive awards, or perquisites provided by the Company or a Subsidiary, or other forms of compensation or benefits, but with base salary and base wages determined prior to any reductions for salary deferred pursuant to any deferred compensation plan or for contributions to a plan qualifying under Section 401(k) of the Code or contributions to a cafeteria plan under Section 125 of the Code.

“Executive Officer” means the Company’s executive officers, as defined in Rule 16-a-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).

“Incentive Award” means the cash payment payable to a Participant under this Plan.

“Participant” means any Executive Officer or other Company executive at the level of Senior Vice President or above who is not a participant in another Company cash-based incentive plan of the Company or any Subsidiary.

“Performance Period” means the performance period covered by an Award granted under this Plan. The Administrator may provide for performance periods that correspond to the Company’s fiscal year, one or more quarters in any Company fiscal year, or any other period the Administrator may determine to be appropriate.

“Plan” is defined in Section 1 of this Plan.

“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity a majority of whose outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company.

“Target Incentive Award” with respect to an Award means the amount obtained by multiplying (i) the Participant’s Eligible Wages, by (ii) such Participant’s Target Incentive Award Percentage as in effect at the end of the Performance Period applicable to such Award.

“Target Incentive Award Percentage” with respect to an Award, means the Participant’s target incentive award opportunity as to the Performance Period covered by that Award, expressed as a percentage of the Participant’s Eligible Wages for that Performance Period, as determined from time to time by the Administrator or such other target incentive award opportunity percentage as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.

3.Administration of the Plan.

3.1 The Administrator. This Plan will be administered by the Committee. The Committee may delegate any of its authority under this Plan to a subcommittee consisting of members of the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to such limitations as the Committee deems appropriate, the Committee may delegate the responsibility for administering the Plan with respect to Participants who are not Executive Officers to the Chief Executive Officer. All references in this Plan to the “Administrator” shall be, as applicable, to the Committee, the Chief Executive Officer or any other committee to whom the authority to administer this Plan has been delegated in accordance with this section.

3.2 Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator will have responsibility for the administration of this Plan in accordance with its terms, including without limitation the authority to (i) determine eligibility to participate in this Plan and, from those individuals

determined to be eligible, the particular individuals who will receive an Award under this Plan; (ii) establish the terms and conditions applicable to each Award, including (without limitation) the applicable Performance Period, Target Incentive Award Percentage, applicable measures of performance, and other terms and conditions; (iii) construe and interpret this Plan and any agreements or other document relating to Awards under this Plan; (iv) adopt rules and regulations relating to the administration of this Plan; and (v) exercise all other duties and powers conferred on it by this Plan. Any determination by the Administrator will be final, binding, and conclusive on all applicable Participants to whom the Administrator’s authority extends. Neither the Administrator, nor any person acting at the direction thereof, nor any member of the Board will be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with this Plan (or any Award made under this Plan).

4.Incentive Award Provisions.

4.1 Determination of Incentive Awards. The Administrator will establish the formula to be used to determine any Incentive Award payable with respect to an Award for the applicable Performance Period, which formula may be based, or take into account, any or all of the following as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion: (i) performance measures based on Company performance on a consolidated basis; (ii) the performance of a subsidiary, division, business unit, or product line; (iii) individual performance; (iv) measurement of performance based on absolute performance or relative performance (such as, without limitation, relative to another company, group of companies, or an index); (v) objective and/or subjective measures; and (vi) criteria to assess performance, including but not limited to, net operating income or profit, pre- or after-tax income, revenue, funds from operations, total shareholder equity or return, gross margin, cash flow, earnings per share, total addressable market, or any other criterion or criteria the Administrator may select. In no event (unless otherwise provided by the Administrator) will the Incentive Award for any Award exceed an amount equal to three (3) times the Target Incentive Award for such Award.

4.2 Newly Hired or Promoted Executives. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a newly hired or promoted individual who becomes a Participant during a Performance Period will be eligible to receive an Incentive Award for that Performance Period so long as such individual commences employment at or is promoted to a level that has been determined by the Administrator as eligible for participation in this Plan. Such individual’s Incentive Award shall be based on the Eligible Wages the individual actually receives during such Performance Period. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a newly hired individual or a newly promoted individual must be employed by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries in an eligible position for at least one month of a Performance Period to be eligible to receive an Incentive Award during such Performance Period.

4.3 Termination of Employment; Changes in Position. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator or under a separate Company plan applicable to the Participant or a written contract between the Participant and the Company, a Participant’s Award will immediately terminate in the event that such Participant’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason prior to the end of the Performance Period covered by such Award, and the Participant will not be entitled to an Incentive Award payment (and in no event will the Participant be considered to have earned or satisfied the conditions for any Incentive Award payment) in respect of such Award. If a Participant’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates on or after the end of a Performance Period covered by the Participant’s Award, but before such Award is paid, the Participant will receive such Incentive Award payment as soon as reasonably practicable following the termination of employment but in no event later than the period set forth in Section 4.6 of this Plan.

The Administrator may in its sole discretion make such adjustments (including, without limitation, to the Participant’s Target Incentive Award Percentage or to the methodology or measures used to determine the Participant’s Incentive Award), or it may terminate the Participant’s participation in this Plan, as it may determine to be appropriate in the event of a change in a Participant’s position, duties, employment status (for example, full-time or part-time), leave of absence, or similar change in circumstances.

4.4 Adjustments; Early Termination. The Administrator has the sole discretion to adjust the performance measures, performance goals, relative weights of the measures, and other provisions of then-outstanding Awards under this Plan to reflect one or more of the following: (i) items related to a change in accounting principle, (ii) items relating to financing activities, (iii) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives, (iv) other non-operating items, (v) items related to acquisitions, (vi) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the Performance Period, (vii) items related to the disposal of a business or segment of a business, (viii) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under applicable accounting standards, (ix) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the performance period, (x) any other items of significant income or expense, (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments, (xii) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets, (xiii) items that are outside the scope of core, on-going business activities, (xiv) items related to acquired in-process research and development, (xv) items relating to changes in tax laws, (xvi) items relating to licensing or partnership arrangements, (xvii) items relating to asset impairment charges, (xviii) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements, (xix) items related to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, or (xx) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable law or business conditions.

Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Administrator will have discretion to settle or terminate, as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion and (in the case of a settlement) in such amount (if any) as the Administrator may determine to be appropriate in its sole discretion, any Award granted hereunder in connection with any merger, reorganization or other corporation transaction.

4.5 Administrator Discretion to Determine Incentive Awards. The Administrator has the sole discretion to determine the performance goals and criteria for each Award and whether all or any portion of the amount so calculated will be paid, subject in all cases to the terms, conditions and limits of this Plan. To this same extent, the Administrator may at any time establish additional conditions and terms of an Award or for the payment of Incentive Awards (including but not limited to the achievement of other financial, strategic or individual goals, which may be objective or subjective) as the Administrator may deem desirable and may take into account such other factors as the Administrator deems appropriate.

4.6 Form and Time of Payment. Any Incentive Award earned and payable in accordance with this Plan will be paid in cash (subject to tax withholding pursuant to Section 5.4) as soon as reasonably practicable following the determination of such Incentive Award amount pursuant to Section 4.1 of this Plan, but in no event later than (a) March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the applicable Performance Period ends, or (b) if later, the last day of the period ending on the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the applicable Performance Period ends, in each case, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)(i).

5.General Provisions.

5.1 Rights of Participants.

(a)No Right to Awards or Continued Employment. Neither the establishment of this Plan, nor the provision for or payment of any amounts hereunder, nor any action of the Company or any of its officers, employees or directors in respect of this Plan will be held or construed to confer upon any person any legal right to receive, an Award, an Incentive Award or any other benefit under the Plan. Nothing contained in this Plan (or in any other documents evidencing any Award under this Plan) will confer upon any employee or Participant any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary, constitute any contract or agreement of employment or affect an employee’s status as an employee at will, nor will it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to change any person’s compensation or other benefits, or to terminate his or her employment, with or without cause. Nothing in this Section 5.1(a), however, is intended to adversely affect any express independent right of

such person under a separate written employment contract with the Company or any Subsidiary.

(b)Plan Not Funded. Awards payable under this Plan will be payable from the general assets of the Company, and no special or separate reserve, fund or deposit will be made to assure payment of such Awards. No Participant or other person will have any right, title or interest in any fund or in any specific asset of the Company or any Subsidiary by reason of any Award hereunder. Neither the provisions of this Plan (or of any related documents), nor the creation or adoption of this Plan, nor any action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Plan will create, or be construed to create, a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or one of its Subsidiaries and any Participant or other person. To the extent that a Participant or other person acquires a right to receive payment pursuant to any Award hereunder, such right will be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.

5.2 Non-Transferability of Benefits and Interests. Except as expressly provided by the Administrator, all Awards are non-transferable, and no benefit payable under this Plan will be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge.

5.3 Governing Law; Severability. This Plan, the Awards, all documents evidencing awards and all other related documents will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, notwithstanding any Delaware or other conflict of law provision to the contrary. If any provision or provisions of this Plan will be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such provision will be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired.

5.4 Tax Withholding. In connection with the payment of any Incentive Award, the Company will have the right to deduct from the amount of the Incentive Award, or any other compensation or amounts payable to the Participant, the amount of any federal, state, local or other income, employment or other taxes that the Company or any Subsidiary may be required to withhold with respect to such Incentive Award payment.

5.5 No Vested Rights; Amendments, Suspension or Termination of Plan. No Participant will have, at any time, a vested right to any benefit under this Plan (other than as to Incentive Award amounts theretofore actually paid, subject to Section 5.10). The Company or the Administrator may at any time terminate, amend, modify or suspend this Plan, in whole or in part and/or with respect to any or all Awards or Participants (other than as to Incentive Award amounts actually paid prior to the date of such action by the Company or the Administrator).

5.6 Captions; Construction. Captions and headings are given to the sections and subsections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings will not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Plan or any provision thereof.

5.7 Non-Exclusivity of Plan. Nothing in this Plan will limit or be deemed to limit the authority of the Company to grant awards or authorize any other compensation under any other plan or authority.

5.8 Dispute Resolution: All disputes concerning Plan implementation must be submitted in writing to the next level of management within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of the event triggering a dispute. The Administrator will have the sole responsibility to review and resolve all disputes and will make the final and binding decision with respect thereto.

Furthermore, with respect to each Participant who is employed by the Company or any Subsidiary in the United States: to the fullest extent allowed by law, any dispute regarding the Plan, any claim for wages or compensation or any aspect of this Plan (“Arbitrable Claims”) will be settled by final and binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in the county in which the Participant worked in accordance with the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures (“Rules”), or equivalent rules in effect at the time the arbitration demand is filed, as the exclusive remedy for such dispute, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. As in any arbitration, the burden of proof will be allocated as provided by applicable law. Both the Participant and the Company will be entitled to file dispositive motions before the arbitrator to the same extent as would be allowed had the dispute been heard in a court of law having jurisdiction over the parties' claims or counterclaims. The arbitrator will have the same authority as a court to award equitable relief, damages, costs, and fees as provided by law or the applicable rules for the particular claims asserted.

The arbitration proceedings do not provide for jury trials, but for a hearing before one independent, neutral arbitrator. Therefore, in agreeing to arbitrate claims, both the Participant and the Company and its affiliates are waiving a trial or hearing before a jury. The participant agrees that any Arbitrable Claims will be resolved on an individual basis and agrees to waive his or her right, to the extent allowed by applicable law to consolidate any Arbitrable Claims with the claims of any other person in a class or collective action. For the avoidance of doubt, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s or entity’s claims, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding.

Participants who are employed by the Company or any Subsidiary outside of the United States (other than Participants who are U.S. citizens and/or taxpayers in the United States) agree that any action arising from, or under, the Plan will be

brought only in an administrative agency, court, or other applicable adjudicatory body of competent jurisdiction in the country whose laws govern the terms and conditions of such Participant’s employment (including participation in the Plan) with any such action subject to the laws of such country. To the extent permissible under the applicable laws, the parties expressly waive their right to a jury trial.

5.9 Code Section 409A. The Company’s intent is that any payments and benefits paid under this Plan be exempt from, or comply with, Section 409A of the Code so as to not result in any tax, penalty or interest thereunder. To the maximum extent permitted, this Plan will be interpreted and administered consistent with such intent. Each payment under this Plan will be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and any payments described in this Plan that are due within the “short term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code will not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise.

5.10 Clawback Provisions. All Awards and any Incentive Award paid under this Plan will be subject to the provisions of any clawback or similar policy implemented by the Company from time to time, including, without limitation, any clawback or similar policy adopted to comply with the requirements of applicable law, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such clawback.

5.11 Effective Date. This Plan is effective as of February 9, 2021.

Document

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, David V. Goeckeler, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Western Digital Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


			/s/ David V. Goeckeler
			David V. Goeckeler
			Chief Executive Officer

Dated: May 6, 2021

Document

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert K. Eulau, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Western Digital Corporation;

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


			/s/ Robert K. Eulau
			Robert K. Eulau
			Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: May 6, 2021

Document

Exhibit 32.1

The following certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8238. This certification shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that Western Digital Corporation specifically incorporates it by reference.

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of Western Digital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies, to his knowledge, that:

(i) the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended April 2, 2021 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


			/s/ David V. Goeckeler
			David V. Goeckeler
			Chief Executive Officer

Dated: May 6, 2021

Document

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

(ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


			/s/ Robert K. Eulau
			Robert K. Eulau
			Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: May 6, 2021